Key Points Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) increase your adjusted gross income (AGI). The government looks at your AGI when determining whether you owe Social Security taxes. There are ways to reduce the effect that RMDs have on your tax bill. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Turning 73 means you’ll have […]
Key Points All Social Security beneficiaries could face a 22% benefit cut if nothing changes. This could be especially devastating to states with low average incomes. A 22% benefit cut is unlikely, but avoiding one might bring higher taxes for workers. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Social Security beneficiaries face […]
Key Points You can claim Social Security at any time once you turn 62. Waiting until age 70 results in significantly boosted benefits for life. Though delaying doesn’t always make sense, it can work out well financially under the right circumstances. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Once you turn 62, […]
Key Points If you have savings in a traditional IRA or 401(k), you’ll be subject to required minimum distributions. A Roth conversion could help minimize those required withdrawals. Also explore your options for charitable giving. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › If you have retirement savings in a traditional IRA or […]
Key Points Social Security benefits are eligible for a cost-of-living adjustment every year. An official COLA won’t be released until mid-October. Recent estimates have bumped the 2027 COLA higher, but only by a small margin. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › There are many retired Americans who end up collecting Social […]
Key Points Once you reach your 60s, you are very close to retirement. While you still have opportunities to save, hopefully, you have a substantial 401(k) balance. Seeing how much your peers have saved can offer insight into your progress. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › When you have reached your […]
By The White Coat Investor, originally published at The White Coat Investor. By Jim Dahle, WCI Founder <!–An amazing number of investors, even white coat investors, don’t understand the math behind investing with leverage, aka borrowed money, debt, or “other people’s money.” They take on large amounts of leverage risk, and then when that risk […]
The White Coat Investor
Key Points Few announcements are more anticipated by Social Security beneficiaries than the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) reveal, which is set for Oct. 14. A second consecutive year with a Trump bump should deliver a well-above-average benefit boost for Social Security recipients in 2027. However, Trump bumps have a dark side and may worsen Social […]
Key Points Claiming Social Security early will generally result in reduced benefits for life. There’s a way to get around that, but you need to understand your options. Avoiding a permanent reduction in benefits requires you to act quickly. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › It’s hard to avoid the temptation […]
By Thomas Mullooly, originally published at Mullooly Asset Management. The Average Investor: How Emotions Could Cost $26,725 Emotional decisions could cost the average investor $26,725. We arrived at this amount by examining the posted returns for US equity mutual funds and equity exchange-traded funds (ETF’s) and compared them to the average investor returns discussed in […]
Thomas Mullooly
By Ben Carlson, originally published at A Wealth of Common Sense. Here are some updated statistics on wealth: Fidelity now has nearly 800,000 people with $1 million or more in their 401k plan. Fidelity also has 684,000 customers with $1 million or more in an IRA. The Wall Street Journal says nearly 12,000 taxpayers had […]
Ben Carlson
Key Points If your employer offers a 401(k) match, it’s best to do what you can to claim it in full. That could mean rethinking spending or cutting expenses temporarily. It could also mean taking on a side job so you’re able to allocate more of your paycheck to your workplace retirement plan. The $23,760 […]
Key Points A stock market crash could put your long-term savings at risk. Maintaining a solid cash cushion could protect your portfolio. The exact amount of cash you stockpile should hinge on your income picture, spending needs, and desire for peace of mind. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › If you’ve […]
Enjoy the current installment of “Weekend Reading For Financial Planners” – this week’s edition kicks off with the news that a recent survey from Vanguard investigates the perspectives of men and women when it comes to investing and working with a financial advisor, finding in some cases that assumptions about these groups might not always […]
Michael Kitces
Key Points Spousal Social Security benefits only continue to grow until your full retirement age (FRA). This is different from retirement benefits, which continue growing until age 70. You can’t apply for a spousal Social Security benefit until your partner has applied. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › You want to […]
Key Points Reserves for Social Security benefits are on track to be depleted by 2034. Druckenmiller thinks major changes are needed to preserve Social Security in the long run. Rising interest costs on the U.S. debt are fueling the deficit, and bond markets are taking notice. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook […]
Key Points You still have plenty of time to claim your 2026 401(k) match if you haven’t already. Check with your employer if you’re unsure how your 401(k) matching formula works. If you can’t claim your entire 401(k) match, aim to get as much as you can. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely […]
Key Points Roth IRA conversions can decrease your future RMDs, but they’ll raise your tax bill this year. A qualified charitable distribution (QCD) is an alternative to RMDs that won’t raise your tax bill. Money you withdraw and donate to a charity yourself won’t qualify as a QCD. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees […]
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