Our daily roundup of retirement news your clients may be thinking about.
Retirees should consider adjusting the timing of their bills close to the date that they will receive their Social Security benefits especially if they intend to rely heavily on the program for income, according to this article on personal finance website Motley Fool. That's because a big gap could lead to financial troubles. Those who are approaching retirement should consider raising an emergency fund to help them close the gap and pay their bills on time while waiting for their benefits.
Clients will be better off directing their retirement savings into a traditional 401(k) and a Roth, according to this article on CNNMoney. These accounts are subject to different tax treatments, enabling clients to enhance their tax savings. For example, younger clients are likely to move to a higher tax bracket by the time they retire, so it makes senses to contribute to a Roth while they are in a lower tax bracket. Moreover, "they have a longer time horizon for these contributions to grow tax free," says an expert.
Contributing to a Roth IRA is a smart move for clients who want to minimize their tax liability, according to this article on Nasdaq. While the account offers no upfront tax deduction, it provides tax-free distributions in retirement, allowing every $1 they invest to grow to at least $3 when they reach their golden years. Another good thing about Roth IRA is that they will not be forced to start taking required minimum distribution when they turn 70 1/2.
Retirees are expected to rely increasingly on Social Security as they get older, writes an expert on MarketWatch. That's because seniors can still work and make money in the early years of retirement, writes the expert. "Moreover, the second and third legs of the 'retirement stool' tend to erode over time. Most retirees eat into personal savings to close the gap between Social Security and their actual cost of living."
