Retirement Planning Articles

Everyone knows the benefits of a 401(k) plan.  You can build substantial wealth with maximizing your contributions and diversifying between traditional and Roth 401(k) pans.

To help ensure financial security in retirement, saving now on a tax-favored basis is a smart move. And if you qualify, you still have time to contribute to an IRA or SEP and save on your 2021 tax return.

Tax planning is still important after you retire. Here are some of the tax implications of retirement.

The age that retirees may start receiving 100% of their Social Security benefit ranges from 65 for people born in 1937 or earlier to 67 for people born in 1960 or later. However, you can also opt to receive reduced monthly benefits as early as age 62 — or you can choose to receive a higher monthly benefit by deferring receipt up until age 70.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allowed plan sponsors to relax loan and distribution rules in 2020, giving participants greater access to funds during the pandemic. These provisions were implemented to provide relief as many employees do not have adequate short-term savings.

In today's uncertain investing climate, you might be thinking about diversifying your IRA portfolio to include some direct and indirect investments in gold, silver, and other precious metals. If so, what are the possible tax implications?

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many people borrowing from their companies' qualified retirement plans. If economic fallout from the pandemic causes you to default on one of these loans, it will cause negative tax and retirement-saving consequences.

The CARES Act waived required minimum distributions (RMDs) from tax-qualified defined contribution retirement plans (such as 401(k) and 403(b) plans) and individual retirement accounts (IRAs) that were otherwise due in 2020 to help Americans cope with the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many people borrowing from their companies' qualified retirement plans. If economic fallout from the pandemic causes you to default on one of these loans, it will cause negative tax and retirement-saving consequences.

The IRS recently issued guidance related to coronavirus-related distributions allowed under the CARES Act. The guidance applies to qualified individuals, employers, and eligible retirement plans. It explains who qualifies to take an eligible distribution. It also includes relief to anyone who already took a required minimum distribution in 2020 from certain retirement accounts.