Archives

Qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) don't usually come up in conversations with family members or friends, and I haven't come across a reality show that incorporates QCDs into the average older ... more

In a previous column, I discussed that the federal estate tax exemption is set to undergo a big change -- increasing the number of estates that will be taxable on a federal level -- after 2025, unless... more

If you want to find out about the disciplinary history of the investment firm or the individual who handles your money, how do you go about it? How difficult is it to find the information?... more

If you own mutual funds outside of your retirement accounts, don’t forget to check on upcoming capital gains distributions. You may still have time to avoid paying taxes on those gains, depending on y... more

Offering benefits to both retirement investors and charities, QCDs (qualified charitable distributions), are a favorite topic of mine, especially when speaking with nonprofits or presenting to lawyers... more

The IRS has announced the contribution limits for 401(k)s and IRAs for 2025, but there's an additional factor this year for those who qualify and want to save more for retirement. The limits are detai... more

Do couples know that wives will likely outlive their husbands? As reported in a National Bureau of Economic Research Paper (tinyurl.com/6yfx4ep3), widows are expected to outlive their husbands by more... more

Given that I'm always thinking about retirement investing for people of all ages, I'm always eager to share tools and resources that can be helpful if you are retired or hoping to retire securely some... more

As a longtime advocate of financial literacy, I believe solid financial decision-making skills need to be established early in life. That's the best time for parents to have a positive impact, since c... more

If you own an S corporation that offers a 401(k), what are your rules when it comes to required minimum distributions (RMDs) if you are still working past age 73?... more

Mortgage rates may be declining, which puts new homebuyers in a better position than just a year ago (tinyurl.com/5ykwr6cx).... more

There is a big change looming for the federal estate tax exemption after 2025 unless new legislation emerges -- a topic we discussed in this column in 2022. We are two years closer, and the time to pl... more

Last week's column drew a comment from a 401(k) millionaire, having started his 401(k) participation right away -- "from day one."... more

Can you become a millionaire just by saving for retirement through a 401(k)? The answer is a clear yes. Fidelity Investments, which handles 24 million 401(k) accounts, revealed in its latest quarterly... more

If you are one of the many people who are averse to reading prospectuses, let me explain something: Prospectuses are like martial arts. They can teach you self-defense.... more

Members of Generation Z (ages 12 to 27) are continuing to move into the workforce, and they are beginning to save for retirement. If you were born between 1997 and 2012, let's talk.... more

There are many research tools available to help you pick stocks for your portfolio.... more

If you find you need to contact your brokerage firm's customer support department, but you can't remember the phone number, you might go online to a search engine to find the contact information -- an... more

Numerous changes to retirement accounts have come through two SECURE Acts, which took effect in 2020 and 2022. Yet one thing has remained constant: the age eligibility for making a tax-free withdrawal... more

If you have a My Social Security online account, there is a change coming to the way you log in.... more

Last week (July 19), the IRS and the Treasury Department issued final regulations that settle some debated issues about required minimum distributions (RMDs) for beneficiaries of inherited retirement ... more

A recent column of mine ("Wondering About Spousal Social Security Benefits?") raised some questions about spousal benefits, specifically about a "combination of benefits."... more

As we discussed last week, it's vitally important to understand family dynamics when preparing a will and planning an estate. In fact, books have been written about legal disputes that arise when thin... more

There’s a huge wealth transfer coming to the next generation -- more than $84 trillion through 2045, most of which ($53 trillion) is represented by transfers from the baby boomer generation, according... more

The oldest Generation Xers (those born between 1965 and 1980) are turning 60 next year. If you're one of them, you'll have a lot to think about since retirement is on the near horizon. Are you prepare... more

Are you considering investing in the stock market for the first time, but are hesitating? If you are serious about taking the plunge, think of your situation in terms of behavior change. That is, thin... more

Are your retirement savings on track?... more

So far, the IRS has processed 144 million tax returns through May 10, 2024 (tinyurl.com/5t59f7xm). Most (137,394 million) were e-filed either by the taxpayer or a tax professional.... more