By Tom Standage: Editor, The World Ahead 2023 Nov. 15, 2022 After two years in which the pandemic was the force shaping the immediate future, the main driver now is the war in Ukraine. In the coming months the world will have to grapple with unpredictability around the conflict’s impact on geopolitics and security; the…
by Matt PlummerNov. 22, 2022 We are told the winter holidays are supposed to be a magical time of deep connection with loved ones, good meals, warm fires and gift-giving. And yet, for many of us, the winter holidays don’t live up to our expectations, because we don’t know how to strike the right…
By CASEY MURPHYNov. 8, 2022 Looking to give a holiday gift that will help set a young one on the right financial path? A savings bond or 529 account contribution probably won’t be the gift that gets the most attention when opened, but it just might end up being the most appreciated. Parents, grandparents, and…
With the markets down from this time last year, Roth conversion may be a perfect option to yield additional tax benefit when moving money. Using Roth Conversions to Reduce Taxes and Give Tax Free Money to Family James Brewer, Contributor Nov. 1, 2022 A Roth Conversion may reduce your lifetime tax bill. It reduced the…
A 401(k) in-plan Roth conversion (also called an “in-plan Roth rollover”) allows you to transfer the non-Roth portion of your 401(k) account into a designated Roth account within the same plan. The amount you convert is subject to federal income tax in the year of the conversion (except for any nontaxable basis you have in…
Taxes can take a big bite out of your total investment returns, so it’s helpful to look for tax-advantaged strategies when building a portfolio. But keep in mind that investment decisions shouldn’t be driven solely by tax considerations; other factors to consider include the potential risk, the expected rate of return, and the quality of the investment.
During your working years, you’ve probably set aside funds in retirement accounts such as IRAs, 401(k)s, or other workplace savings plans, as well as in taxable accounts. Your challenge during retirement is to convert those savings into an ongoing income stream…
On March 16, 2022, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) of the Federal Reserve raised the benchmark federal funds rate by 0.25% to a target range of 0.25% to 0.50%. This is the beginning of a series of increases that the FOMC expects to carry out over the next two years to combat high inflation.
Cryptocurrencies are digital assets, based on multi-user computer networks, which employ new ‘blockchain’ technology. These are unique from the physical assets we commonly think of and invest in, such as real estate, oil, metals, or shares of company stock. Unlike those physical assets, crypto is held in digital form, similar to how one would store computer files.
Open enrollment is the window of time when employers introduce changes to their benefit offerings for the upcoming plan year. If you’re employed, this is your once-a-year chance to make important decisions that will affect your health-care choices and your finances. Even if you are satisfied with your current health plan, it may no longer…