Workers should be cautious of hidden taxes in retirement
A portion of retirees’ Social Security benefits may be taxed at the federal level if their combined income exceeds a certain limit.
Retirement income
States take the lead in urging employees to save for retirement
Ten states and one city have already taken steps to offer government-facilitated retirement programs.
Benefits Think Employees should contribute at least 20% to their 401(k)
During that first 10 years of our 40-year careers, most of us contribute very little or nothing to our retirement accounts. At that time in our lives, retirement seems pretty far off – but it isn’t.
Robert C. Lawton
Lawton Retirement Plan Consultants
Separate finances can be a lot trickier for couples in retirement
One may have lots of disposable income, while the other may have to rely on taxable distributions.
Should workers pay off student debt before saving for retirement?
We have multiple goals in life and should be able to handle short-term debts and long-term goals without sacrificing one for the other, says one expert.
The case for small-cap value just got stronger — even for retirees
Clients saving for retirement are advised to overweight their portfolio with small-cap value stocks and funds. Here's how.
10 worst states to retire
Kentucky, Louisiana and New Jersey are among some of the least-appealing places for employees to spend their post-work years, thanks to low scores in affordability, health-related factors and overall quality of life.
Benefits Think Hardship withdrawal compliance makes retirement plan administration easy (well, easier, anyway)
Recent IRS guidance and legislative changes show hardship withdrawals is an area where both plan sponsors and participants may still have questions.
Belinda S. Morgan
Foley & Lardner LLP
Planning for retirement: Should workers pay off the house early?
The new tax law has nearly doubled the standard deduction and limits the deduction for state and local taxes, making it less likely for taxpayers to itemize their deductions.
Wealthy U.S. children count on inheritance to fund their retirement
The rise in student debt, increased life expectancy and the many competing priorities for money that are considered the “new normal” for younger generations have them wondering how they will pay for it all.
7 signs of a successful 401(k)
Reasonable costs, healthy account balances and a high percentage of employee participants are attributes of great retirement plans.
Workers’ retirement may be saved by a side hustle
The gig economy ushered in a new way of working, which in turn has ushered in a new way of retiring.
Higher interest rates fuel retirement account annuities
Employees may want to cash in their retirement accounts but other variables complicate the outlook.
Claiming Social Security early could lead to poverty later in life
About 4.3 million of the 18 million workers in the 55-64 age bracket are likely to live in poverty once they reach 65, according to a study.
Tomorrow’s lesson plan: Tutoring teachers how to retire
Durham Public Schools institutes Financial Fitness program to boost employees’ financial acumen.
Higher interest rates fuel retirement account annuities
Employees may want to cash in their retirement accounts but other variables complicate the outlook.
Benefits Think Defined contribution = benefits shopping spree
Advisers will find a powerful tool in communicating enhanced benefits from a defined contribution perspective that puts employee’s in the driver’s seat.
Eric Silverman
Voluntary Benefits
Benefits Think The case for an HSA-first investment strategy
Employees should first max out HSA contributions regardless of their tax bracket, and contribute to their traditional retirement plans afterwards.
Josh Collins
NueSynergy
How to defuse your client’s tax time bomb
To avoid a hefty tax bill when taking withdrawals from retirement accounts, clients should consider holding their assets in three "tax buckets.”
Benefits Think How to deal with the biggest IRS issue employers didn’t know they had
It’s a common benefit to offer, and one that can add up quickly: It’s an employer paying out accumulated unused sick or vacation to their employees at retirement.
Bruce Nelson
Precision Retirement Group