Options for Overfunded or Unused 529 College Savings Accounts
Section 529 plans can be a tax-smart way to save for college and other qualified education expenses. Contributions to these plans aren’t deductible for federal tax purposes, but earnings and gains accumulate federal-income-tax-free. Then you can take federal-income-tax-free withdrawals to cover qualified education expenses. What happens if a 529 account turns out to be overfunded […]
Top 10 Investment Lessons of 2023
By: Larry Swedroe Last year was full of unexpected events – from a regional banking crisis, to rising geopolitical risks, to skyrocketing mortgage rates – that ultimately led to a solid year for markets and a recession that never came. The events that unfolded in 2023 once again showed that there are no crystal balls that […]
4 Common Estate Planning Pitfalls
Estate planning involves a lot of moving parts. So you’d be forgiven for overlooking or forgetting about certain issues when making decisions about transferring wealth in the most tax-effective manner after you die. An experienced estate planner can help ensure you dot all the “i’s” and cross all the “t’s.” But if you’ve done some […]
An Inside Look at Qualifying for Financial Aid
Parents with college-bound children often don’t understand the complexities of the financial aid process. They can’t plan for the tuition costs effectively without the right information on what to do to get more financial aid for their children. This one-hour webinar led by Colton J. Hastings, CFP® will familiarize you with the primary rules governing […]
5 Ways Financial Advisors Can Help Start-Ups Succeed
Every business starts with a “seed” idea that germinates into a fledging business under the right conditions. The decisions that owners make when launching a start-up will impact its financial well-being for years to come. Here are five ways financial advisors can provide critical guidance at this phase of development: 1. Business Planning You’ll need […]
Take Note of the Distinctive Features of a Roth IRA
For certain individuals, Roth IRAs can offer income and estate tax benefits that are preferable to those offered by traditional IRAs. However, it’s important to take note of just what the distinctive features of a Roth IRA are before making the choice. Traditional vs. Roth The biggest difference between traditional and Roth IRAs is how […]
Year-End Tax Planning Tips for Individuals
As the holidays approach, it’s time to consider tax planning moves that will help lower this year’s tax bill, as well as set you up for tax savings in future years. The good news is that it appears there won’t be any significant unfavorable federal tax changes that will take effect next year. Assuming that’s […]
Webinar: 2023 Year End Planning & Tax Update
On October 30, 2023, we hosted an informational webinar on the latest tax issues, year-end planning opportunities, an overview of recent legislation, and details on how the SECURE Act 2.0 will change retirement. Click below to watch the full recording.
Webinar: Medicare 101 – Your Questions Answered
On September 27, 2023, we hosted an informational webinar about Medicare. Watch this video hear insights on topics such as: What Medicare is, who is eligible for it, and how you get it. The two ways to have Medicare – and how to choose. What Medicare costs, and how to mitigate those costs through private […]
Update on New Retirement Account Catch-Up Contribution Rules
The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act brought numerous changes to the retirement and estate planning landscape in late 2019. Congress followed up with the SECURE 2.0 Act in late 2022. This law introduced some additional taxpayer-friendly changes, including an increase in the limits for retirement account catch-up contributions for individuals who […]
