Some tax consequences to remember. There are times when people really need money – and in those times, a retirement account may seem like a conveniently liquid resource to tap. What’s the harm in taking early distributions from a tax-deferred retirement plan? Well, the tax bite could be considerable. Big taxes may await you. If [...]

A recap of contribution limit and phase-out adjustments. The IRS has announced cost-of-living adjustments to IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans for 2012, so here is what you need to know about the newly altered contribution limits and phase-outs for these plans. 401(k) & IRA yearly contribution limits. In 2012, these are the annual contribution limits [...]

What should you store in one easily accessible place? You might be surprised how many people have financial documents scattered all over the house – on the kitchen table, underneath old newspapers, in the hall closet, in the basement. If this describes your financial “filing system”, you may have a tough time keeping tabs on [...]

There are many varieties of this popular savings vehicle. What don’t you know? Many Americans know about Roth and traditional IRAs … but there are also many other types of IRAs. Here’s a quick look at several basic classes of IRAs, as well as some variations and additional information. Traditional IRA. (Contribution limit of $5,000, [...]

Here’s an overview of the retirement plan landscape. All retirement plans are not the same. In fact, there is such a wide variety of retirement plans that it is worth it to read up on your choices. Here’s a brief look at the different plans and what they have to offer. The traditional 401(k). Most [...]