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IRA

Splitting Inherited IRAs

Splitting an inherited IRA into multiple IRAs is important to maintain your own distribution plan after the death of the original owner.

TWO 5-year Rules for Roth IRAs

There are two 5-year rules that apply to Roth IRAs. Depending on the circumstances, one or the other may apply to your account and distributions from it.

IRS Private Letter Rulings, Revenue Rulings and Revenue Procedures

For specific guidance on how the IRS will handle a particular situation, they issue Private Letter Rulings, Revenue Rulings and Revenue Procedures.

Focus On The Future

This post was inspired by a recent conversation I had with a former student. As is customary in my classes, I encourage students to contact me if they have questions while in the “real world” after graduation. The student was contemplating contributing the maximum to a Roth IRA for 2018 – which is $5,500, and then potentially doing the same for 2019 – which would be $6,000. His concern was market volatility. He was afraid of contributing to the IRA, then seeing is lump sums of $5,500 and $6,000 respectively plummeting if the market were to drop substantially. I told him to look at it from this perspective. The middle letter in the acronym IRA stands for retirement. This young man is 22 years old, planning to retire in 30 to 40 years. I told him that he could consider contributing the maximum to his Roth IRA every year, regardless […]

Problems and (proposed) Solutions for 401k Plan

The 401k plan takes the blame much of the time for the problems individual investors are facing. But maybe adjusting the 401k plan is the real

The Equity-Indexed Annuity

Any time there’s a down market going on, you’re more likely to get a sales pitch for an equity-indexed annuity. There can be upsides, but mostly downsides.

Roth IRA Conversion Strategy – Fill Out the Bracket

One strategy for Roth IRA conversions is known as “fill out the bracket”. This article gives an explanation along with examples.

You can’t deduct IRA losses any more

Prior to 2018, you had the ability to deduct IRA losses from your income via Schedule A. As of the passage of TCJA, this deduction is no longer available.

IRAs and Blended Families

How does an IRA fit in with your estate planning when there are blended families? Blended families can complicate the planning process.

How to Resolve an Over-Contribution to Your IRA

What happens when you have an over-contribution to your IRA? Are there consequences? How can you resolve this situation without excess penalty?

Don’t Invent Income!

It may be tempting to invent income for a child, such as paying them to do the dishes, in order to qualify for a Roth IRA contribution. Don’t do it!

IRA Options for a Surviving Spouse Under Age 59 1/2

What options are available for distribution of an IRA if you’re a surviving spouse who is under age 59½? You have 3 options…

Withholding and Social Security Benefits

If your Social Security benefit is being taxed, you may need to look at your withholding to make sure you’re not hit with a penalty at tax time.

Your IRA and Your Spouse – Or Maybe Not

Your IRA provides you with considerably more flexibility in designating beneficiaries when compared to an employer plan like a 401k.

Eligible Rollover Distributions (ERDs)

What are eligible rollover distributions? And what are not eligible rollover distributions? IRS only defines one of them, you have to figure out the rest.

The Deadline for Spousal IRA Rollover

Do you have a deadline for a spousal IRA rollover? In many (most?) cases, you don’t. But it pays to understand the rules and how they apply to you.

Designated Roth Account (Roth 401k) Distributions

Distributions from a Roth 401k can be very complicated. This article goes into the details you need to be aware of to avoid tax where possible.

Things to Consider as You Set Up a SOSEPP

Do you know how to set up a SOSEPP (72t) plan? It’s got to be done correctly, otherwise you’ll face some big problems and penalties.

The Heartbreak of Withholding From Indirect Rollover

An indirect rollover can cause problems, not the least of which is the mandatory withholding if the source account is an employer plan (401k).