Financial Help via Webinars We are continuing our series of online free webinars for anyone who needs help during this pandemic and beyond. The next one is March 25 at 5:30pm, and all you need to do is send in a question in advance. We’ll then send the link to the Zoom webinar. We heard that some people are shy or simply embarrassed to ask financial questions publicly on Zoom. So to include … [Read more...]
Five-Year Rule for Roth IRAs
The Roth IRA Five-Year Rule The Roth "five-year rule" – often misunderstood – in part governs when you can take tax-free distributions of earnings from your Roth accounts (IRAs, Roth 401k, or other work-based Roth accounts). Your Roth contributions can be withdrawn tax-free at any time. But the for the account’s earnings: The rule says that to take a tax-free distribution of earnings you must … [Read more...]
2020 Retirement Plan Numbers
Thresholds and maximums for retirement contributions and deductions The government left some retirement numbers unchanged and increased some for 2020. The maximum you can contribute to a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA in 2020 is $6,000 if under 50 and $7,000 if 50 or older (or up to 100% of your earned income, if that is less), the same as last year. You can split your contribution between a … [Read more...]
2019: Key Retirement and Tax Numbers
Every year, the IRS makes cost-of-living adjustments that affect contribution limits for retirement plans and set thresholds for tax deductions, exclusions, and exemptions. Here are the key adjustments for 2019: Employer retirement plans Employees in 401(k), 403(b), and most 457 plans can defer up to $19,000 of their compensation in 2019 (up from $18,500 in 2018). Those age 50 and older can … [Read more...]
Inherited IRAs: 5 Things to Know
If you find yourself the beneficiary of a traditional or Roth IRA, it’s important to understand the rules that apply to these inherited IRAs. When the owner of an IRA dies, the account becomes the property of the beneficiary – or to the owner’s estate if no beneficiary was named. The inherited IRA is not really yours While you keep many of the IRA benefits, you are generally not considered the … [Read more...]