The big picture presented by the National Institute on Retirement Security is not a good one. Working Americans are completely unprepared for retirement. The National Institute on Retirement Security is a non-profit research and educational organization that focuses on the development of public policies that help retirement security in America.…
Articles Posted in IRA
Can You Make Charitable Donations from Retirement Accounts Without Triggering Taxes?
If you roll the money over to an IRA first, you can donate funds from your 401(k) Required Minimum Distribution tax free. Be very careful to follow the rules, so that you don’t create a tax or penalty problem. First, let’s define the RMD (Required Minimum Distributions). This is the…
Estate Planning 101: Check Your Beneficiary Designations
Unless you really want to give your ex the proceeds of your life insurance or 401(k), it is best to take the time to do this one task. If you haven’t looked at the paperwork for your life insurance policies, bank accounts, retirement accounts, investment accounts and any other asset…
How are 401(k)s and IRAs Different?
New regulations from the Department of Labor may come into play for Americans deciding which type of account is best for their retirement savings. There are significant differences between 401(k)s and IRAs, and as reported in a recent post on wjbf.com, “Advantages and disadvantages to a 401k and an IRA,”…
Must-Do Retirement Planning Principles
In the best of all possible worlds, your retirement finances include a nest egg that generates a steady flow of income while your principal assets continue to grow. There are six key investment points that, if you can meet them, will make retirement finances work in your favor, according to…
Why “Regular Folks” Need an Estate Plan
An estate plan does a lot more than distribute your assets among family members and organizations that share your values. It also protects you and your loved ones. That’s why everyone needs an estate plan, especially if you have minor children. It’s amazing that some people still think they don’t…
Retiring in 2017? Take These Steps Before You Make It Official
Before you tell HR what your final day of work will be, there are more than a few details that you need to cover to prepare for taxes, make the most of any potential benefits and start retirement on the right foot. If there’s a retirement season, it’s spring or…
RMDs for Retirement Accounts: What You Need to Know
New Year’s Eve is the deadline for taking RMDs if you are older than 70 ½. Haven’t started yet? Get on this right away to get it done in time. Otherwise, be prepared to pay a penalty. You still have a little time to beat the last minute rush on…
Senior Weddings Call for a Different Kind of Planning
If you’re walking down the aisle again, there are a number of smart steps to take before you say “I do” another time. Just as your life was probably simpler the first time you married, your subsequent marriage, especially if it occurs late in life, can become problematic, if good…
A Checklist for Post-Funeral Tasks
There are a number of tasks that need to be done after a loved one passes. A Houston estate planning attorney can help make these tasks easier. Most people don’t know that there is a time limit on certain tasks that need occur after someone passes away. According to WXYZ…