The 2020 contribution and benefit limits have been released by the IRS. The contribution limit for employees who participate in 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal government's Thrift Savings Plan is increased. The following limits are applicable to 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, an...
In most cases, the actions of the Federal Reserve lowering interest rates are a good thing because a lot of economic activity depends on the ability of businesses to borrow money. It is of course easier to borrow when interest rates are lower, but lowering interest rates too much could affect inv...
The IRS does a good job of providing the country's elder statesmen with ways to save for retirement. Some of the most popular investment vehicles the IRS provides access to for the benefit of US taxpayers include 401(k) accounts and a variety of IRAs. While both of these options provide a varie...
If you have a retirement account, the IRS requires you to take annual minimum withdrawals, called RMDs, once you reach age 70 ½. Learn about common mistakes, how to calculate RMDs, and the benefits of consulting a financial professional to avoid costly penalties.
California’s homestead exemption has undergone a dramatic transformation — from a token $75,000 of protection in 2019 to as much as $722,151 in 2025. In this updated overview, James Burns, Esq., explains how the modern exemption works, the critical difference between automatic and declared homesteads, and what these new figures mean for California homeowners and estate planners. Learn how to secure your equity, coordinate homestead protection with trusts and asset-protection structures, and avoid outdated information that could leave your wealth exposed.
U.S. immigration laws provide a multitude of options for Singaporean and U.S. companies and individuals to engage in trade and commerce. These options may also allow for individuals and employees of corporate entities to seek permanent residency in the United States. The corporate client may wi...
Long Term Care (LTC) insurance helps safeguard retirement savings from the high costs of nursing care and at-home assistance. Learn how daily benefits, inflation adjustments, and tax-free options can work in your favor and discover when enrolling in LTC insurance makes the most financial sense.
The largest wealth transfer in the history of the world is currently in process. It's estimated that around $68 trillion will switch hands over the next 25 years. Baby Boomers are currently retiring, and many of them will pass of the scene within the next few years. Much of this wealth will be ti...
Medicare Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to adjust your Medicare coverage. From October 15 to December 7, explore switching between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, adding Part D coverage, or reviewing your current plan to ensure it meets your needs for the upcoming year. Here’s a quick guide to help you through the process.
Although we assume many of our readers know what a 401(k) and an IRA are, let's cover these quickly. What is a 401(k)? 401(k) retirement, savings, and investment accounts are places to store money in which your contributions are typically matched – a portion of those earnings, usually not all of...
The US Internal Revenue Service has announced an extension of the deadline for special voluntary disclosures by taxpayers with unreported income from offshore accounts. The extension, announced by the IRS on September 21, gives taxpayers until October 15, 2009, to make a disclosure. Under special...
As the author of “The 3 Secret Pillars of Wealth” I have identified what I think are seven to eight steps all Americans need to respond to and become accountable to right now. Accountability is when you're going to get serious about what you're doing and where you're going. Jeff Combs, a great co...
Due to the rise in our deficit (paying $1 trillion per year on interest only) we are headed for higher tax brackets. The only way you'll NOT run out of money is if you have some tax free strategies in your retirement plan. As you can see from the graph, sometimes tax-free is actually more when yo...
The IRD or Income Respective of Decedent: When we pass away and leave a sizable IRA or other deferred asset our heirs will have to pay the income tax on it personally. This often times increases the heirs own tax bracket causing terrible tax consequences when this can be diffused so easily. This ...
As Gary Coleman was unconscious in the hospital, his ex-wife, Shannon, gave the order to pull the plug. Now Coleman's parents have come forward accusing the hospital of stopping the life support prematurely without the proper permission, saying Shannon no longer had the right as she was not his ...
As a California business and support for other businesses it is sad to see the mass migration of businesses who can longer afford to stay here in California even after years of operations or founding the company in California. Not since the Jews left Egypt has there been such a mass exodus of peo...
It is never too early to begin thinking about retirement. Even if that season of life is decades away for you, the financial decisions that you make now can have a significant impact on your quality of life later down the road. As you begin planning for your future, it is important to have a guid...
The Forty-hour work week paired with a busy schedule tends to be a recipe for stress and burn out. While practicing daily self-care in small increments is an important piece to preventing burn out, periodically taking a prolonged break from our responsibilities and stressors is equally as importa...
No matter who becomes our new President it is almost assured that the entire marginal tax rate will have to shift and that means a deferred retirement plan will get hammered when you retire. Typically you put away money without tax for a number of years and then when you retire your taxed at ordi...
Everyone faces the concept of retirement at some point. The closer an individual gets to retirement age, the more concerned he may become about his ability to live comfortably after retirement. It may also make him wonder whether his retirement benefits will be available when he is ready to colle...
This years tax deadline is behind us. If you received a refund, what's your plan? Some taxpayers choose to spend the entire check on clothing, shoes, and their appearance. They never look into investing their money for their own personal future. In a sense, you may be temporarily happy about you...
We are currently in an economy where people are running scared and are uncertain. I also think there is a jaded perception where we never give thanks or gratitude for what we have and our fear and panic is all about loss of greed which is not useful. This type of environment leads people to alway...
Sometimes seniors are denied claims and they think there is nothing they can do and they just accept it. However, a denied or partially paid claim can be appealed and nearly half of the appeals are successful and worth the effort…might as well give it a try. When a Medicare claim is denied or app...
As of July 30, 2009 – Advanta Bank Corp. stated that they were closing all business credit card accounts. They cited in the letters that went out that an independent trust which owned the balances cards and provides funding for new transactions was pulling out. As such, you need to keeping paying...
When it comes to retirement savings, one of the best options available to those who don't have a workplace retirement plan is an IRA. These savings vehicles allow for future retirees to save up to $6,000 per year in a tax-advantaged manner as of 2019. Those who have reached age 50 can add another...