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401k and IRA Blogs

Why Roth IRAs Can Be the Best Tool in Your Retirement Toolbox

Frankie Guida

When you open your toolbox, you will see several tools you can choose from to help you get the job done. In retirement, it’s just as necessary to choose your tools wisely to help you achieve your goals. Regardless of age, a Roth 401(k) or Roth IRA, also known as a Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA), are great tools to have in a personal investment portfolio. There are two types of Roth accounts. The first is called a Roth IRA and the second a Roth...

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Dancing with Your Money: The 2-Step for Tax Free Income and Legacy

Steve Soffer

Ok, cute title… but what the heck is a “2-Step” when it comes to taxes and my money? Well, if you currently have savings in a qualified 401k, 403b or 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, then one of your concerns is probably how taxes will impact your retirement as well as the legacy you leave your family. You might want to consider implementing this simple 2-step financial planning strategy. First of all, you might wonder, “Is it possible to use existing financial tools to create a...

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21st Century Retirement Planning Equals Social Security, Pensions, 401ks and Annuities

Ryan Allor

Retirement in the 1960s almost always consisted of your Social Security and your savings. About 90% of people working used this method to fund their retirement years, and most families only had one wage-earner to draw Social Security, so the decision of when to start taking it was an easy one – most of the time, when you stopped working. To keep their best talent, many companies in the 1970s offered monthly pensions to their employees upon retirement. It was at the company’s expense to...

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What to Do With Your 401k Plan?

Winter Troxel

In 1978, 401k plans were enacted into law and have become a popular savings option for millions of Americans. The rise in popularity of 401ks coincided with a decrease in defined benefit pensions provided by employers. These plans, along with similar defined contribution plans, have many attractive benefits like automatic payroll deduction for contributions, employer match arrangements, and the ability to defer taxes on the monies in the account. As millions of baby boomers retire, most are wondering, “What am I supposed to do with...

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What’s a 401k In-Service Distribution?

Carl Ostenson

Question: Is it possible to move your current 401k plan into a self directed IRA, before you retire? Answer: Usually YES, but you have to be 59 ½ or older. It’s called a 401k In-Service Distribution. You may have a good reason why you would want to move your 401k somewhere else: More investment options Lower fees Lock in some gains and put the money someplace safer Some kind of annuity for future income Whatever your reason is, a 401k In-Service Distribution allows you to...

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Can I Take Money Out Of My 401(K) And Put It Into An Annuity When I Am Still Working?

Laura Johnson

As you near retirement, your nest egg is even more sensitive to market volatility and potential loss of your hard earned savings. In fact, the US Federal Reserve released figures showing that the median US household net worth dropped 39% between 2007 and 2010, reducing 18 years of prior gains. If you were already retired and taking income from your nest egg, the devastation was even worse if you were exposed to the ever-changing stock-market. Many 401(k)s and other retirement plans offer fund options that...

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Save Your 401k Money by Locking in Your Gains Now

Jerry Rogers

The stock market has been on a bull run for the last few months.  Many 401k plans have gone up in value because of the exposure to stock investments within the plan.  If your 401k plan account value has risen anywhere near the 20% range like the overall market did – you may want to consider what happens next. If you believe the stock market is not volatile and is going to continue to go straight up no matter what our nation’s economy does then...

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Retirement Planning with Minimal Taxation

Jerry Rogers

A great educational video explaining the importance of incorporating the minimization of taxes in your retirement planning process.  Be sure to work with qualified professional to ensure that your plan is optimized based on your particular needs and the intricate tax law. To watch the video, click on the video caption shown below or the link here: (retirement planning with minimal taxation).

Do Americans Really Understand Their 401(k)s?

Jerry Rogers

Written By: Nina Avery, CFP® | Avery Safe Money Solutions “Today’s Rude Opinion Poll: Which description best characterizes our elected representatives in Washington, regardless of party affiliation?  They are hapless boobs, constantly passing laws that contradict each other.  They are scheming miscreants, relentlessly seeking new ways to increase taxes and spend more of our money.” Scott Burns opines in his 2007 article “In 401(k), Employers Really Contribute to the IRS” featured in The Dallas Morning News. He goes on in his article to point out...

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401(k) Secrets Revealed

Jerry Rogers

Annuity Think Tank recently launched a free educational report called the “Top 10 401k Secrets that your Employer does NOT Want You to Know About” which highlights the most common misconceptions about 401(k)s that cost many Americans thousands of dollars each year by not understanding. It is incredibly important to educate yourself on both the pros and cons of your 401(k), how much you are paying in fees each year, and knowing exactly how long your 401(k) will last you in retirement after you factor in...

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