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How Can I Reduce the Amount of My RMD Payments?
In the year that a required minimum distribution (RMD) is due from a 401(k), IRA or other pre-tax retirement account, you’re required to withdraw a certain amount and pay your taxes due to avoid a 50% penalty. But that doesn't mean there's nothing you can do about this, and the associated taxes. With proper planning, […] The post How Can I Reduce the Amount of My RMD Payments? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
I'm 65 and Retiring Soon. How Should I Structure My $1.1 Million Portfolio?
Your financial objectives and risk tolerance will primarily dictate how you structure your portfolio. But you'll also want to consider taxes and fees, your potential lifespan, need for long-term care and desire to leave an inheritance behind. A financial advisor can help you identify the right portfolio construction strategy for your situation. Connect with a […] The post I'm 65 and Retiring Soon. How Should I Structure My $1.1 Million Portfolio? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
What Should I Do with My Roth IRA Once I Retire?
Retirement typically means shifting your focus from diligently saving your money over the course of years and decades to managing those funds and spending them responsibly. To learn about all the options for handling your Roth IRA in retirement, talk to a financial advisor. If you have a Roth IRA, you have several options for […] The post What Should I Do with My Roth IRA Once I Retire? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
I Make $310k and Have $550k in My 401(k). Should I Get Variable Universal Life Insurance?
Is contributing to a variable universal life insurance policy a good idea? I’m 39 with a $310,000 annual income. I have $550,000 in a 401(k), $13,000 in an HSA, $25,000 in cash savings and a $42,000 investment account balance. I don’t have any student loans or credit card debt I maxed out my annual 401(k) contributions last […] The post I Make $310k and Have $550k in My 401(k). Should I Get Variable Universal Life Insurance? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
I'm 60 With $1.2 Million in a Roth IRA. How Do I Make Sure This Money Lasts the Rest of My Life?
Planning for a Roth IRA is a little different than with most other retirement assets. This tax-advantaged account generates entirely untaxed income, as long as effectively boosting the value of your withdrawals and your Social Security benefits. That changes your options compared to having a pre-tax 401(k) or other non-Roth account. For example, say that […] The post I'm 60 With $1.2 Million in a Roth IRA. How Do I Make Sure This Money Lasts the Rest of My Life? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
Can I Roll Over the Employer Match in My 401(k) to a Roth IRA?
If you want to roll over money from your 401(k) into a Roth IRA, there’s good news: any employer matching funds in a 401(k) can be converted along with your own contributions and investment earnings. However, you’ll owe income taxes on all the converted funds, which can be a significant issue when converting large balances. […] The post Can I Roll Over the Employer Match in My 401(k) to a Roth IRA? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
I Have $900k in a Roth IRA and Would Receive $2,200 Monthly From Social Security. Can I Retire at 66?
Imagine that you have $900,000 in a Roth IRA and collect another $2,200 per month in Social Security. Can you afford to retire at age 66? A good way to answer this question is to start with your budget. What do you expect to spend on essentials, like housing and fixed monthly expenses, and what […] The post I Have $900k in a Roth IRA and Would Receive $2,200 Monthly From Social Security. Can I Retire at 66? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
Tesla Earnings: AI, Cheaper Cars in the Spotlight Despite Missing Wall Street Expectations
Snapshot: Results by the Numbers Tesla released its Q1 earnings results on April 24, missing Wall Street expectations by 4.29% for revenue and 9.10% for earnings per share (EPS). The company posted earnings of 45 cents per share, falling short of the estimated 50 cents. Revenue came in at $21.3 billion, compared to the expected […] The post Tesla Earnings: AI, Cheaper Cars in the Spotlight Despite Missing Wall Street Expectations appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
We Have $1.2M in an IRA, Plus Another $750k and Social Security. Should We Shift Assets to a Target Date Fund or an Annuity?
Annuities and target date funds are popular assets for households who are either saving for retirement or already in their golden years. How useful each may be for you depends on your financial goals and where you are on your path to retirement. For example, John and Susan are both 67 and recently retired. They […] The post We Have $1.2M in an IRA, Plus Another $750k and Social Security. Should We Shift Assets to a Target Date Fund or an Annuity? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
I Am 58 With $1 Million in My 401(k). Should I Switch to Roth Contributions?
I Am 58 With $1 Million in My 401(k). Should I Switch to Roth Contributions? Whether to make the move from contributing to a tax-deferred workplace plan or switch to a Roth isn't a question of "should" but a question of, "What works best for you?" Just a few of the considerations are: You can […] The post I Am 58 With $1 Million in My 401(k). Should I Switch to Roth Contributions? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
Should I Take a $200,000 Lump Sum or $915 Monthly Payments for a Pension Annuity?
Deciding between taking a lump sum or monthly payments involves assessing a number of factors, including some that are difficult to quantify. The two most important considerations may be when you will receive the lump sum and how long you will live afterward. Getting the lump sum payout sooner increases the lump sum's value, while […] The post Should I Take a $200,000 Lump Sum or $915 Monthly Payments for a Pension Annuity? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
Will Doing $7k in Annual Roth Conversions Lead to Higher Social Security Benefits?
If we roll over $7,000 per yr from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA for the next four years (which is when we will receive full Social Security), could it bump up the amount that we receive in Social Security? I realize that we would pay taxes on that rollover, but I was wondering […] The post Will Doing $7k in Annual Roth Conversions Lead to Higher Social Security Benefits? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
I Have $500k in a Roth IRA, and Will Receive a Combined $2,000 a Month From a Pension and Social Security. Can I Retire at 62?
Figuring out when you can afford to retire often comes down to determining whether your assets will produce enough annual income to support your lifestyle and spending needs. If you need help deciding when to retire, connect with a financial advisor and have them build you an income plan based on your unique financial situation. […] The post I Have $500k in a Roth IRA, and Will Receive a Combined $2,000 a Month From a Pension and Social Security. Can I Retire at 62? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
My RMDs Start Soon So I Want to Convert $900k to a Roth, but I'm Getting Conflicting Info About Having to Wait 5 Years to Use the Money
People with Roth IRAs generally have to wait five years before withdrawing earnings from their account. But the devil is in the details, and for this particular rule, getting those details can be surprisingly difficult. For starters, the IRS has three different five-year rules that apply to Roth IRAs. One of them, the conversion rule, […] The post My RMDs Start Soon So I Want to Convert $900k to a Roth, but I'm Getting Conflicting Info About Having to Wait 5 Years to Use the Money appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
Ask an Advisor: I'm Hiring an Advisor to Manage My $4-5 Million Estate. Should I Choose the $8k Flat Fee Over a $35k Asset-Based Fee?
I’m nearing retirement and I’m wrestling with hiring either a flat-fee or fee-only (AUM) advisor to help with retirement planning and ongoing investment advice for an estate worth between $4-5 million. There is a big cost difference between the two: the flat fee would be about $8,000 a year, while the fee-only advisor charges about […] The post Ask an Advisor: I’m Hiring an Advisor to Manage My $4-5 Million Estate. Should I Choose the $8k Flat Fee Over a $35k Asset-Based Fee? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
Counties at Greatest Risk for Wildfire Damage – 2024 Study
Wildfires have become more prevalent in the U.S. over the last few decades. Like many other climate events, they can have a devastating effect on communities, destroying buildings and homes, closing businesses, damaging agriculture and changing the local ecology. Ultimately, with the increase in wildfires, some insurance companies have pulled their services out of specific […] The post Counties at Greatest Risk for Wildfire Damage – 2024 Study appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
I Waited to Take My First RMD Until April 1st. Will This Affect My Second Year's RMD?
Unlike most personal finance questions, the answer to this one is short and simple: yes, waiting until April 1st to take your first RMD will affect the amount of your second year’s RMD. The IRS rules on required minimum distributions – RMDs – demand that anyone turning 73 in 2024 withdraw a certain minimum amount […] The post I Waited to Take My First RMD Until April 1st. Will This Affect My Second Year's RMD? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
Ask an Advisor: My Advisor Wants Me to Put 50% of My Money in Annuities. Is That Too Much?
My advisor is recommending putting over 50% of my portfolio in annuities. What say you? – Georgia As with most personal finance decisions, a lot hinges on the specific details of your situation. Fifty percent would likely be on the high side for most people, but that doesn't mean it can't be the right amount […] The post Ask an Advisor: My Advisor Wants Me to Put 50% of My Money in Annuities. Is That Too Much? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
I'm 59 With $1.3 Million in a 401(k). Should I Convert $130,000 Per Year to a Roth to Avoid RMDs?
Converting a 401(k) into a Roth IRA can be appealing for several reasons. Not only can you make qualified withdrawals from Roth accounts tax-free, but Roth accounts are also exempt from required minimum distributions (RMDs.) That can give you more flexibility when withdrawing from your account in retirement and potentially save you money on taxes. If […] The post I'm 59 With $1.3 Million in a 401(k). Should I Convert $130,000 Per Year to a Roth to Avoid RMDs? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
We're 66 With $1.4 Million in IRAs, and $4,100 Monthly From Social Security. What's Our Retirement Budget?
Say that, as a married couple, you have $1.4 million in your IRAs and, at age 66, expect about $4,100 per month in Social Security. Based on some typical rules of thumb, you might be able to plan on about $108,000 per year of retirement income, but how much you actually need and will be […] The post We're 66 With $1.4 Million in IRAs, and $4,100 Monthly From Social Security. What's Our Retirement Budget? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
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