Whether you have a 401(k), 403(b), or governmental 457(b) plan, contributing helps benefit your tax situation. If you make traditional (i.e., non-Roth) contributions to your plan, they are deducted from your pay before federal (and most state) income taxes are calculated. This reduces the amount of income tax you pay now. Moreover, you don’t pay
We’ve all heard about the importance of having life insurance, but is it really necessary? Often, the answer is “yes,” but it depends on your specific situation. In general, you should consider life insurance protection if any of the following applies to you: You are married and your spouse depends on your income You have
What is asset allocation? Investment in different types of assets Asset allocation is an approach to investing. It involves spreading your investments over different asset categories, such as equities, cash or cash-alternative investments, bond, real estate, foreign securities, and possibly even precious metals or collectibles. Your asset mix, the specific investments within each category, and
The combination of investments you choose can be as important as your specific investments. The mix of various asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, and cash alternatives, account for most of the ups and downs of a portfolio’s returns. Deciding how much of each you should include is one of your most important tasks as
When planning for retirement income, you’ll need to determine your portfolio withdrawal rate, decide which retirement accounts to tap first, and consider the impact of required minimum distributions. Withdrawal rates Your retirement lifestyle will depend not only on your asset allocation and investment choices, but also on how quickly you draw down your retirement portfolio.
Traditionally, retirement income has been described as a “three-legged stool” comprised of Social Security, traditional employer pension income, and individual savings and investments. With fewer and fewer individuals covered by traditional employer pensions, though, the analogy doesn’t really hold up well today. Social Security retirement income Today, about 93% of U.S. workers are covered by
A well-thought-out asset allocation in retirement is essential. But consideration must also be given to the specific investments that you choose. While it’s impossible to discuss every option available, it’s worth mentioning investment choices that might have a place in the income-producing portion of your overall investment strategy. Immediate Annuities Immediate annuities are a common
Employer-sponsored retirement savings plans, such as 401(k), 403(b), and 457 plans, present an ideal opportunity to build a nest egg for retirement. You contribute to the plan via payroll deduction, which can make it easier for you to save for retirement. In addition, you may receive significant tax benefits along the way. Following is a
Taxes can take a big bite out of your total investment returns, so it’s encouraging to know that your employer-sponsored retirement savings plan may offer a variety of tax benefits. Depending on the type of plan your employer offers, you may be able to benefit from current tax savings; tax deferral on any investment returns
Favorable tax treatment is one of the main reasons for buying an annuity. But what exactly are the tax benefits? And are there any drawbacks? It’s important to know the answers to these questions before deciding whether to purchase an annuity. Of course, any information pertaining to taxes is complex, full of exceptions, and subject
