Thursday’s need-to-know money news

avoid-pitfallsToday’s top story: Retirement planning pitfalls you need to avoid. Also in the news: 2014 scariest credit cards, protecting yourself against credit card hacks, and three proposed changes to Social Security.

The Five Scariest Retirement Planning Pitfalls
Try to swing right over these.

2014’s scariest credit cards
How terrifying is a 36% interest rate?

7 Ways To Protect Against Credit Card Hacks
You can’t afford not to protect yourself.

Congress Proposes Three Changes To Social Security That Make Sense
For a change.

5 Things You Own That Cost More Than $500 a Gallon
You’ll never look at eye drops the same way again.

5 hacks to boost your retirement savings

seniorslaptopMany people have trouble saving anything for retirement. But I hear from a fair number of people who are looking beyond 401(k)s and IRAs for more tax-advantaged ways to save.

Many have maxed out their 401(k)s at work, or had their contributions limited because they’re considered “highly compensated employees.” Some don’t have a workplace plan at all, while others want to save more than IRAs allow. Even catch-up provisions–which allow people 50 and over to contribute an extra $5,500 to 401(k)s and an extra $1,000 to IRAs–aren’t enough for some of these super savers.

So here are options for those who have maxed out and caught up:

Opt for an HSA. Health savings accounts, which are coupled with high-deductible health insurance plans, offer a rare triple tax advantage: contributions are tax deductible, gains grow tax-deferred (and can be rolled over from year to year), and withdrawals are tax free if used for medical expenses. Withdrawals are also tax free in retirement, which makes HSAs a potentially better vehicle for saving than the much-loved Roth IRA. (Some say yes, others no.) Speaking of which:

Consider a back-door Roth contribution. If you make too much money, you can’t contribute directly to a Roth. There is a workaround, according to IRA guru Ed Slott, that takes advantage of the fact that anyone regardless of income can convert a traditional IRA to a Roth. You can read more about the strategy here and the potential drawbacks here.

Start a side business. Small business owners are spoiled for choice when it comes to tax advantaged plans. The options range from SEP IRAs to solo 401(k)s to full-on traditional pensions (and baby, you can save a ton of money in those—as in hundreds of thousands of dollars annually). Talk to a CPA about which plan makes the most sense for you.

Use a 457 plan. These deferred compensation plans are often available to state and local public employees as well as people who work for some nonprofits. Like a 401(k), you’re allowed to contribute pre-tax money. Unlike a 401(k), you don’t get slapped with early withdrawal penalties if you take the money out before age 59 (although you will owe income taxes).

Contribute to a regular brokerage account. There’s no upfront deduction, but investments held at least a year can qualify you for favorable capital gains tax rates. This, by the way, is typically a much better option than variable annuities, which tend to have high costs and limited tax advantages for most people.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

Energy_vampireToday’s top story: How to reduce your energy bill by killing off “energy vampires.” Also in the news: Tips on lowering your teen’s car insurance, hazards every student loan borrower should know, and what 2015’s retirement fund contribution limits will be.

This Tool Calculates How much You Pay for “Energy Vampires”
Driving a stake through your energy bill.

6 Tips to Lower the Cost of Your Teen’s Car Insurance
Unfortunately, they won’t lower your blood pressure.

6 Hazards Every Student Loan Borrower Should Beware Of
Don’t set yourself up for failure.

IRS Announces 2015 Retirement Plan Contribution Limits For 401(k)s And More
Find out what changes are in store.

The Best Day to Buy Airline Tickets
Start strategizing for holiday travel.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: Four questions you need to ask before renewing your health insurance. Also in the news: Retirees share their nest egg regrets, how you may be killing your retirement dreams, and how networking on LinkedIn could cost you a job.

4 questions to ask before renewing health coverage
Preparing for 2015.

Real Retirees Dish: My Biggest Nest Egg Regret
Retirees share their their savings regrets.

5 Ways You’re Killing Your Retirement Dreams
Behaviors that are hurting your financial future.

Could LinkedIn Cost You a Job?
The popular social network can reveal more than you’d like to potential employers.

Should Grandparents Worry About Their Credit?
One word: Yes.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

847_interestrates1Today’s top story: The everyday things that are hurting your credit. Also in the news: Whipping your 401(k) into shape, how to cope with low interest rates, and the ten best places to retire on Social Security alone.

5 Everyday Things That Hurt Your Credit
Your furry best friend could be trouble.

How to Whip Your 401(k) Into Shape
Unlocking your 401(k)’s full potential.

4 Strategies for Coping with Low Interest Rates
Counteract low interest rates by avoiding risky investments.

10 Best Places to Retire on Social Security Alone
The locations may surprise you.

8 secrets to building a budget you can live with
Budgeting doesn’t have to be painful.

Q&A: Roth IRA

Dear Liz: I have a 401(k) that has a required annual distribution because I am over 71 1/2 years old. Can I use this distribution as qualified income to invest in a Roth IRA? I have no W-2 earnings, although I do have other income sources that are reported on 1099 forms.

Answer: To contribute to a Roth or other individual retirement account, you must have taxable compensation, which the IRS defines as wages, salaries, commissions, tips, bonuses or net income from self-employment. The IRS also includes taxable alimony and separate maintenance payments as compensation for IRA purposes.

So if the money reported on one of those 1099 forms is from self-employment income, then you can contribute to a Roth IRA. If the form is reporting interest and dividends or other income that doesn’t meet the IRS definition of taxable compensation, then you’re out of luck.
If you don’t have income that meets the IRS definition of taxable compensation, but your spouse does, you may still qualify for IRA contributions, provided you file a joint return that meets the required income thresholds.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

imagesToday’s top story: How your kids can hurt your credit. Also in the news: How to find the best financing when purchasing a new car, why baby boomers need help paying down their debt, and five banking fees that are actually worth paying.

5 Ways Your Kid Can Hurt Your Credit
Intentionally and unintentionally.

Need a New Car? Here’s How to Find the Best Financing Deal
Don’t forget to skip the “undercarriage package.”

Boomer Retirees Need a Hand Paying Down Debt
How to prioritize payments while saving for retirement.

5 Banking Fees That Are Actually Worth Paying
Some fees have long-term benefits.

How to Prepare for a Mini-Retirement
Making the big retirement picture seem less far away.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailToday’s top story: How to build credit faster. Also in the news: Debunking financial planning misconceptions, the dangers of overdraft fees, and why too many people are underestimating post-retirement health care costs.

Will More Credit Cards Help Me Build Credit Faster?
Proceed with caution.

6 Financial Planning Misconceptions — Debunked
Everyone can use a little help.

How to Avoid Paying Your Bank $70 to Borrow $6 for 6 Days
The perils of overdrafts.

Too Many Underestimate Healthcare Costs In Retirement
Planning ahead realistically is crucial.

When To Declare Bankruptcy
When to make one of life’s most difficult decisions.

Get free financial advice

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailNeed some free, one-on-one financial help from a qualified advisor with no strings attached? Check out the Financial Planning Days being offered around the country throughout October and November.

These events are brought to you by a host of reputable organizations: the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, the Financial Planning Association, the Foundation for Financial Planning and the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Kiplinger is the national media sponsor.

Given how hard it can be to find good, un-conflicted advice–let alone getting it for free–these sessions can be a real boon. Even if you don’t sign up to talk to a CFP, you can attend one of the informational workshops on various financial planning topics.

Sound good? Check out this link to see if there’s an upcoming event in your area. LA and OC peeps: your events will be held Sunday Oct. 18, so register now!

News you can use for retirement

seniorslaptopReuters news service has posted its “Retirement Roadmap 2014,” a collection of good advice on topics that don’t get as much attention as they should. My favorite of the bunch is Beth Pinsker’s piece on choosing a rehab facility after surgery, either for yourself or a parent. It’s not a sexy topic, but if you’ve ever been in this situation you realize how little information is out there to help you choose well. Another important topic is choosing a new Medicare plan, since open enrollment is coming up and most people just stick with what they have–not realizing they’re paying more than they should.  This would be a great article to pass along to anyone you know who’s 65 or over.

And then, for fun, read about a couple who sold their house to travel the world…and dream a little.

Here are the links you’ll need:

Video: Guide to Healthcare Costs
From Medicare to long-term care to health savings accounts. We explore the options – and the possibilities – in episode one of our 12-part series.

Stern Advice: Should you tap your 401(k)to buy a house?

Why it pays to pore over your Medicare drug plan – every year

How to choose the best rehab facility after a hospital stay

It happens: Seniors with student debt – and smaller Social Security checks

Extreme retirement abroad: How one footloose couple sees the world