Money Talk

APRIL 14, 2022

The 2021 income tax season will soon be in the history books. With income tax calculations still fresh in our heads, this is a great time to do some tax planning for 2022. Changed Income- A change in household income this year- up or down- will affect income taxes. Specific rules for claiming dependents apply.

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Taxes Family and Medical Leave Act 401(k) Deductible 189

Money Talk

DECEMBER 7, 2023

As the year winds down so, too, does your opportunity to take proactive steps to reduce 2023 income tax due in April 2024 and, perhaps, taxes due in future years as well. Below are some money-saving tax planning strategies to consider. Year-to-Year Comparison - Once a draft 2023 tax return is prepared, compare it to 2022.

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Taxes Retirement Plan Deductions Deductible 159

Money Talk

MARCH 24, 2022

I recently taught a 90-minute personal finance class for women age 50+. Depending on household income/assets and lifestyle decisions, income taxes and housing costs may increase or decrease. 401(k)s), tax-deferred accounts (e.g., IRAs), taxable accounts, rental real estate, other assets (e.g.,

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401(k) Finance Entertainment Taxes 278

Money Talk

MARCH 15, 2023

Three Types- Fixed annuities are like CDs, only tax-deferred, and guarantee a certain interest rate for a specified time period. Variable annuities are like mutual funds, only tax-deferred, and their owners select underlying mutual funds, called subaccounts, which determine an annuity’s performance. Medicaid planning, 2.

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401(k) Life Insurance Taxes Insurance 245

Money Talk

JUNE 13, 2024

With the 2023 tax filing deadline in the rear view mirror, now is a good time to look ahead to 2024 taxes that you will owe in April 2025. This post extends that discussion with a description of seven key steps to take to plan for your 2024 tax return due in 2025. 401(k) plan).

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Taxes 401(k) Retirement Plan Health Savings Account 126

Money Talk

JANUARY 18, 2023

Increased Savings Contribution Limits - Maximum limits for employer retirement plans (e.g., Marginal Tax Brackets - Income ranges in the seven marginal tax brackets ranging from 10% to 37% are inflation-based. When bracket incomes rise, people may be taxed at lower tax rates. million in 2022).

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401(k) Banking Deductions Deductible 246

Money Talk

APRIL 20, 2023

Individual Retirement Account (IRA)- There are two types: traditional (funded with before-tax dollars) and Roth (funded with after-tax dollars). Simplified Employee Pension (SEP)- This is a retirement savings plan for self-employed workers and small business owners. barn, silo, riding arena), farm equipment (e.g.,

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401(k) Pension Retirement Plan Taxes 246

Money Talk

OCTOBER 27, 2022

While taxpayers have until the tax filing deadline in April 2023 to contribute to an individual retirement account (IRA) for 2022, many people prefer to make all of their current year tax-saving moves before year-end. IRAs are not an investment, per se, but, rather, a special classification for tax purposes.

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Deductible Deductions Commissions Taxes 246

Money Talk

DECEMBER 27, 2024

As 2024 winds down next week, its time for my final quarterly summary of take-aways from recent personal finance classes, conferences, and webinars that I attended. Below are some nuggets that you might find useful in your personal financial planning: Offense and Defense- Financial offense involves earning money from one or more sources (e.g.,

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Retirement Plan Finance Taxes Insurance 167

Money Talk

JULY 5, 2024

While technically not a tax, IRMAA is a drag on payees’ bottom line. In other words, people are happy not indulging in high-cost activities that put a strain on their finances. Women’s Finances - The gap between average salaries for men and women can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars over working years. The highest U.S.

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Finance Taxes Retirement Plan Retail 170

WEX Inc.

JULY 24, 2023

Fortunately, there’s an often overlooked way to help employees build wealth and prepare for retirement. Why HSAs for retirement planning? These accounts provide another way for your employees to diversify their efforts to prepare for retirement. Click below to get your free HSA retirement white paper.

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Retirement Plan 401(k) Health Savings Account Taxes 98

Money Talk

APRIL 11, 2024

The 2023 income tax filing deadline is only days away (April 15, 2024 in most of the U.S.). It will be a busy weekend for many taxpayers and tax preparers who are filing tax returns or tax filing extensions. money that has been taxed) and can be withdrawn at any time for any reason tax-free and penalty-free.

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401(k) Taxes Retirement Plan Pension 186

Money Talk

JUNE 22, 2023

Who is going to get what you someday leave behind in life insurance policies and/or tax-deferred retirement accounts? Beneficiary designations are important estate-planning tools and should not be overlooked to make sure your hard-earned money gets passed down to those you select to receive it.

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401(k) Life Insurance Retirement Plan Finance 236

Money Talk

JANUARY 26, 2022

One of the most daunting financial aspects of retirement, especially for people who have been diligent savers throughout their working years, is taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) from their tax-deferred retirement savings accounts beginning at age 72. 401(k)/403(b)/457, TSP, SEP, and Traditional IRA accounts).

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401(k) Taxes Retirement Plan Finance 189

Money Talk

FEBRUARY 10, 2022

After work, commuting, eating, sleeping, and/or exercise, many people have less than five hours on a typical weekday to manage everything in their life, including personal finances. How do you take charge of your finances when time is at a premium? Weekends are even more hectic with household chores and family activities.

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401(k) Finance Taxes Retirement Plan 189

Money Talk

DECEMBER 22, 2021

the New Jersey state pension plan). Income Tax Changes - Each year, income ranges for federal marginal tax brackets are indexed for inflation. The IRS publishes tables with the income ranges for four filing status categories and seven tax rates that currently range from 10% to 37%. million ($12,060,000), up from $11.7

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401(k) Pension Taxes Deductions 233

Money Talk

JULY 25, 2024

It is also easier to keep personal and business finances separate by maintaining dedicated bank accounts and credit cards for business transactions. Stick to a Schedule - Invoicing clients promptly and following up on overdue payments can maintain healthy cash flow and avoid disruptions to personal finances. of net business income.

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Employment Health Insurance Pension Deductions 163

Money Talk

APRIL 6, 2023

Since it is unlikely that Congress will ever mandate employer plans, some states are now starting to do require employers to offer a workplace savings plan. Auto-Enrollment is Effective - Research indicates that most workers who are auto-enrolled in retirement plans stay in them, even in the absence of an employer match.

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401(k) Retirement Plan Finance Government 245

Money Talk

DECEMBER 7, 2022

They must begin starting at age 72, unless taxpayers want to pay a hefty 50% tax penalty. In conversations with older adults at classes that I teach, many tell me that RMDs are affecting their income taxes in a big way. Withdrawals made at any age are taxed as ordinary income.

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401(k) Taxes Entertainment Retirement Plan 186

Money Talk

OCTOBER 6, 2022

Lack of Retirement Planning - Many people spend time planning meetings that last an hour, weddings that last a day or a weekend, and higher education (4-5 years). However, when it comes to planning what they will do over what could be a 30-year retirement, many people “just show up.”

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Taxes Finance Education Retirement Plan 188

Money Talk

JULY 13, 2022

Simply divide the December 31, 2021 balance in each of your tax-deferred accounts by the appropriate age divisor in the Uniform Lifetime Table to determine the minimum amount (which is taxable income) that must be withdrawn. Before RMD money is withdrawn in 2022, develop a plan for what to do with it. Start planning now at mid-year.

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Taxes Retirement Plan Finance Consulting 189

Money Talk

APRIL 28, 2022

When someone feels powerless, a financial counselor might say “Tell me about a time that you felt in control over your finances.” Always Be Learning (ABL)- Lifelong learners seek out opportunities to learn new things about personal finance (or other topics). unmatched employer retirement savings, 6. maximum HSA contribution, 2.

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401(k) Health Savings Account Finance Retirement Plan 186

Money Talk

APRIL 21, 2022

Many people think about hiring a financial advisor when their personal finances start to get complex (e.g., accumulated wealth over time) or a major life event such as retirement, the birth of a child, or the death of a spouse occurs. a cash flow (income minus expenses) statement for a recent month or your spending plan/budget , 2.

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Commissions Finance Retirement Plan Consulting 189

Money Talk

DECEMBER 29, 2022

I recently attended a number of webinars about retirement planning. This includes topics of interest to older adults in later life such as required minimum distributions (RMDs), taxes on Social Security benefits, and Medicare premiums. Key risks in retirement include longevity, health care expenses, taxes, and inflation.

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401(k) Taxes Retirement Plan Finance 181

Money Talk

MARCH 10, 2022

Where They Are Used- Target-date funds are a frequent “menu” option for workers to select in tax-deferred employer retirement savings plans. For example, federal government workers have “L Funds” in the Thrift Savings Plan. Investors can buy TDFs in taxable or taxable or tax-deferred accounts.

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Retirement Plan Commissions Taxes Finance 188

Money Talk

NOVEMBER 10, 2022

A Roth IRA is a personal retirement account that lets people benefit from tax-free interest growth, providing they meet certain conditions. Contributions (deposits) are made with after-tax income (i.e., money that has already been taxed). Traditional IRAs are made with before-tax dollars (i.e.,

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Taxes Banking Finance Bonuses 188

Money Talk

JULY 13, 2023

Act of 2022 , passed last December, has financial planning opportunities for both the accumulation and distribution phases of retirement planning. New Catch-Up Limit - Currently, additional catch-up savings ($7,500 in 2023) in employer retirement plans is available for workers age 50+. The SECURE 2.0

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401(k) Retirement Plan Taxes Salary 130

WEX Inc.

OCTOBER 2, 2024

Watch the video to hear more from our own Jason Cook about the retirement-planning potential of an HSA. Exploring HSAs and FSAs HSAs and medical flexible spending accounts (FSAs) let you save money because the funds you contribute to them are pre-tax.

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Employee Benefits Flexible Spending Account Health Savings Account Life Insurance 98

Money Talk

NOVEMBER 24, 2021

Last week, I attended the virtual 2021 AFCPE (Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education) Symposium for financial educators, planners, counselors, coaches, researchers, and content creators worldwide. A tip to increase savings is to name your savings accounts for a specific purpose.

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Financial Counseling Banking Mining Taxes 130

Best Money Moves

MAY 10, 2022

Offer competitive, matched retirement planning options. Retirement planning is one of the most common employee benefits offered by employers, specifically a 401(k) matching plan. According to a study by SHRM and Morgan Stanley, the most important financial wellness benefit for employees was retirement planning.

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401(k) Employment Retirement Plan Financial Counseling 112

Best Money Moves

MARCH 11, 2024

Pension and retirement plans The same Forbes Advisor study found that 34% of employees and 34% of employers agree that retirement plans are a vital part of a company’s benefits strategy. A retirement plan allows employees to build a financial safety net as they work, saving money over their careers.

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Retirement Plan Healthcare Healthcare Benefits Parental Leave 105

Benefit Resource Inc.

DECEMBER 8, 2023

As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), it’s time to reflect on the transformative impact this financial tool has had on healthcare and personal finance. Key Benefits of HSAs Tax Advantages: One of the main attractions of HSAs is their triple tax advantage.

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Health Savings Account Flexible Spending Account Healthcare Taxes 98

Employee Benefits

NOVEMBER 15, 2023

The programme, which is provided in partnership with Wealth at Work, aims to help employees who need help understanding their options and how to implement their plan; including retirement goals and considerations, accessing retirement savings, understanding the risks, tax planning, and how to seek further guidance and regulated financial advice.

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Pension Education Retirement Plan Finance 116

Money Talk

OCTOBER 7, 2021

I recently attended several webinars and listened to several podcasts about issues related to retirement planning and personal finance issues in later life. Waiting to Retire Has Benefits - In addition to providing more time to save money (e.g.,

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401(k) Entertainment Taxes Retirement Plan 130

HR Professionals Magazine

JANUARY 25, 2023

Plan sponsors of any size, especially organizations with a strong balance sheet and debt capacity, may have an untapped resource that could help, i.e., the capacity to borrow. First, consider a one-time, larger contribution that could be financed.

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Retirement Plan Pension Finance Engineering 52

Money Talk

AUGUST 3, 2023

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)- Mandatory formula-based withdrawals from tax-deferred plans must begin at age 73 for taxpayers born in 1951-1959 and at age 75 if born in 1960 or later. Income taxes are due on pretax saving contributions and retirement plan earnings.

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Taxes Retirement Plan Finance IT 100

Employee Benefits

NOVEMBER 15, 2023

Adrian Firth, financial education consultant at Mattioli Woods, says: “They are more likely to appreciate the benefit of tax relief and the employer contributions on top of their own payment when they can see it laid out before them.”

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Pension Retirement Plan Education Finance 111