Columbus
SmartAsset
I'm Selling My House and Netting $800k. Can I Avoid Taxes While Downsizing for Retirement?
When you sell a primary residence, the IRS allows you to exclude from your capital gains taxes the first $250,000 of profits if you file single or $500,000 of profits if you file jointly. You must include any surplus of those amounts in your taxable capital gains for the year, though. So, what if you […] The post I’m Selling My House and Netting $800k. Can I Avoid Taxes While Downsizing for Retirement? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
Ask an Advisor: How Do I Structure My Withdrawals to Keep My Healthcare Subsidies? I'm 60 With $2.4 Million
At the age of 60, I recently entered retirement after being a business owner. I’ve been securing health insurance through the marketplace since its inception. Currently, my income is derived solely from withdrawing money from my taxable portfolio, comprising reported dividends and capital gains totaling less than $60,000 annually. An advantageous outcome of this approach […] The post Ask an Advisor: How Do I Structure My Withdrawals to Keep My Healthcare Subsidies? I’m 60 With $2.4 Million appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
I'm 62 With $1 Million in a 401(k). Should I Convert $100,000 Per Year to a Roth IRA to Avoid RMDs?
Retirees with significant assets often have to plan around required minimum distributions (RMDs). If you already have sufficient income and don't need the money in a pre-tax portfolio, annual RMDs can cost you significantly in otherwise-unnecessary taxes. For example, say that you have $1 million in a 401(k). The IRS could require you to withdraw […] The post I'm 62 With $1 Million in a 401(k). Should I Convert $100,000 Per Year to a Roth IRA to Avoid RMDs? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
Do I Have to Worry About Taxes if I Loan a Family Member $45,000?
It’s common for family members to lend money amongst themselves, and many choose to charge less than market interest rates as a favor to loved ones. However, the IRS does care about these transactions so there are some things to think about as you’re planning such a loan. While the IRS does afford a break […] The post Do I Have to Worry About Taxes if I Loan a Family Member $45,000? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
I Worked Two Jobs in 2023. Can I Get a Tax Credit for Paying Too Much in Payroll Taxes?
If you paid Uncle Sam more than his fair share in payroll taxes in 2023, you may be owed a refund. In 2023, you would have paid a combined 7.65% in payroll taxes on all employment-based earnings up to the annual limit. But if you worked two relatively high-paying jobs, there’s a chance that a […] The post I Worked Two Jobs in 2023. Can I Get a Tax Credit for Paying Too Much in Payroll Taxes? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
We Are 65 With $1.9 Million in a 401(k) and IRA, and $5,200 Monthly From Social Security. What's Our Retirement Budget?
To really build a complete retirement budget as a couple, you’ll need to take into account both potential income sources and realistic expenses. While it's possible to come up with an estimated income or range of incomes from these figures, the expense side of the budget is equally important and potentially much more variable. Other […] The post We Are 65 With $1.9 Million in a 401(k) and IRA, and $5,200 Monthly From Social Security. What's Our Retirement Budget? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
We Put $80k of Renovations Into Our Home. Do We Need to Report It to Our Homeowners Insurance?
Homeowners naturally know that the price tag for remodeling and improvements can be high. An average kitchen remodel, according to Home Advisor, costs more than $40,000, while a lavish makeover that includes custom cabinetry, fancy tile backsplashes and restaurant-quality appliances can run more than $130,000. A financial advisor can help you plan for major home […] The post We Put $80k of Renovations Into Our Home. Do We Need to Report It to Our Homeowners Insurance? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
Ask an Advisor: If I Delay My First RMD, Can I Count It as Income for the Previous Year?
If I turn 73 in 2025 and take out my first RMD before Dec. 31, 2025, it would be 2025 income. If I wait until the April 1, 2026 deadline for RMDs, would the withdrawal still count as 2025 income? I still have to take another RMD before Dec. 31, 2026, which would be 2026 […] The post Ask an Advisor: If I Delay My First RMD, Can I Count It as Income for the Previous Year? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
When Should I Take My First RMD?
You may not be thinking about required minimum distributions (RMDs) throughout your career, but chances are that they’ll be on your mind once you hit your 70s. RMDs are a critical part of retirement planning. A financial advisor can help you prepare for these mandatory withdrawals, which can have a significant impact on your taxes. […] The post When Should I Take My First RMD? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
This Is My First Year Taking Social Security. How Do I Reduce My Taxes on It?
As your first year of retirement progresses, it's important to evaluate whether the financial plan you laid out to ensure your sustainable well-being is going according to plan. An appropriate plan should include tax calculations to understand how much of your income will truly be at your disposal for needs and wants. Some people may […] The post This Is My First Year Taking Social Security. How Do I Reduce My Taxes on It? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
We're 65, Have $120k Left on Our Mortgage and an IRA Worth $650k. Should We Pay Off the Mortgage?
Should you prioritize debt or savings? This is one of the most common questions in household finance, and it comes up particularly in the field of retirement savings. For this example, let’s say you have a $650,000 IRA and a $120,000 mortgage. As you approach retirement, should you leave that money invested or pay off […] The post We're 65, Have $120k Left on Our Mortgage and an IRA Worth $650k. Should We Pay Off the Mortgage? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
I Have $1.7M Invested With My Advisor and I Pay a 1% Fee. Am I Paying Too Much?
When it comes to financial advice, what you pay can vary based on what you get. An advisor who simply sets you up with a passive S&P 500 index fund might not be worth a 1% fee, while an advisor who helps you manage taxes and cash flow, plan for retirement and save for your […] The post I Have $1.7M Invested With My Advisor and I Pay a 1% Fee. Am I Paying Too Much? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
I'm 63 With a $1.6 Million Net Worth and $4,500 in Monthly Expenses. Can I Retire Now?
With a $1.6 million net worth and $4,500 in monthly expenses, retiring at 63 is a possibility, but quite a bit of that depends on your circumstances. The income your net worth will generate depends first on how much of it is in the form of liquid assets. Your personal risk tolerance is another key […] The post I'm 63 With a $1.6 Million Net Worth and $4,500 in Monthly Expenses. Can I Retire Now? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
I'm 59 With $1.3 Million in a 401(k). How Do I Make Sure This Money Lasts the Rest of My Life?
Managing your money properly in retirement is critical for ensuring that it lasts as long as you do. For example, imagine you have $1.3 million in a 401(k) before age 60. While this is a considerable amount, a 4% withdrawal rate would only generate $52,000 per year. You’d also run the risk of running out […] The post I'm 59 With $1.3 Million in a 401(k). How Do I Make Sure This Money Lasts the Rest of My Life? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
I'm 67 With $2 Million in an IRA. How Do I Make Sure This Money Lasts the Rest of My Life?
If you had $2 million saved in an individual retirement account (IRA) by age 67, could you make it last the rest of your life? With some wise planning and investing, stretching a $2 million nest egg over several decades is entirely possible. A sensible approach could be to focus on budgeting prudently, balancing investment […] The post I'm 67 With $2 Million in an IRA. How Do I Make Sure This Money Lasts the Rest of My Life? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
Can a Nursing Home Take Our Assets? We Have $800,000 in Investments and Our Home Is Paid Off
Nursing home stays and long-term care can cost well over $100,000 per year. To pay for it, families often have to liquidate their assets either to raise cash or to meet Medicaid's spend-down requirements. If you want to protect your assets against this result, long-term care insurance could be your best option. But if this type […] The post Can a Nursing Home Take Our Assets? We Have $800,000 in Investments and Our Home Is Paid Off appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
I Was Quoted $7,000 Per Year for Long-Term Care Insurance. Is That Too Much?
At $7,000 per year, or about $583 per month, a long-term care policy like this is priced higher than average for what most people can get. According to market data from the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI), a single male or female should pay around $2,100 to $3,600 per year (or $175 to […] The post I Was Quoted $7,000 Per Year for Long-Term Care Insurance. Is That Too Much? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
I'm 55 With $900,000 in an IRA. Should I Convert $100,000 Per Year to a Roth to Avoid RMDs?
At age 55 with $900,000 in a traditional individual retirement account (IRA), converting $100,000 per year to a Roth IRA could help reduce required minimum distributions (RMDs) and related taxes in retirement. Although Roth conversions create current tax liabilities, paying taxes now may result in more predictable and lower lifetime taxes. Taking an incremental Roth […] The post I'm 55 With $900,000 in an IRA. Should I Convert $100,000 Per Year to a Roth to Avoid RMDs? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
Ask an Advisor: If I Move From New York City to Florida, Can I Afford to Retire?
I’m 54 and would like to retire next year. I intend on moving out of expensive New York City to Florida where I will purchase a home outright with cash for $600,000 to $650,000 (financed from the sale of my home last year). Additionally, I have a 457(b) plan with a $1.4 million balance and […] The post Ask an Advisor: If I Move From New York City to Florida, Can I Afford to Retire? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
SmartAsset
3K+
Posts
67M+
Views
SmartAsset’s editorial mission is to provide the web’s best personal finance news and insights. This includes original data-driven journalism that analyzes economic trends; news coverage of legislation, retirement strategies, and finance; and informative articles on financial planning and investing topics.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.