Key Points Make regular IRA contributions on a set schedule for the remainder of 2026. Increase your contribution rate, if possible, or consider a side hustle. Put any year-end bonus you qualify for into your IRA. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › You’re allowed to contribute up to $7,500 to an […]
Key Points Make sure you have a well-thought-out budget. Figure out when you’ll claim Social Security. Stress-test your income plan to ensure it holds up. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › If you’re retiring at any point in 2027, now’s the time to get serious about your financial plans. Even if […]
Key Points The 2027 COLA may not be as large as some earlier estimates suggest. A smaller COLA would mean Social Security checks don’t increase by as much in 2027. This could actually be a good thing for retirees, as a smaller COLA means inflation isn’t as high. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees […]
Key Points Skipping Social Security could increase survivor benefits available to your loved ones after your death. Delaying Social Security benefits increases your monthly checks until you qualify for your largest benefit at 70. Whether this is the right move for you depends on your age and finances. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees […]
By The White Coat Investor, originally published at The White Coat Investor. By Jim Dahle, WCI Founder <!–The process of doing a Roth conversion is not particularly complicated. What CAN be complicated is the decision about whether to do one and how much to convert. In fact, that decision (very similar to the Roth vs. […]
The White Coat Investor
Key Points The all-important question of how much Social Security benefits will rise in 2027 will be answered on Oct. 14. Two of President Donald Trump’s policies are directly affecting consumer prices and raising estimates for Social Security’s 2027 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). However, beefier Social Security raises have a significant downside for a program that’s […]
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 […]
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