A realization struck me on my birthday last year: I was one year away from the traditional retirement age of 65. I didn’t feel like I was almost old enough to retire, and with two young daughters I don’t think I’ll be retiring anytime soon—but it got me thinking about...
What’s the Average Tax Refund, and How Are People Using Theirs?
A tax refund is a reimbursement of taxes that you’ve overpaid to the federal or another government. The U.S. Treasury Department estimates that nearly 75% of federal taxpayers wind up with tax refunds because they overpay their taxes. As of April 15, 2022, the average...
Can I Combine Multiple 401(k) Accounts?
In their working life, the typical baby boomer has held 12 jobs from age 18 to 54, according to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics study. Those 12 jobs translate to potentially a dozen 401(k) retirement accounts. I can speak from personal experience—I still maintain...
Can an IRA Account Be Gifted?
One of the most important reasons we work to grow our wealth is to leave something behind for our loved ones. For my parents, this was not an option. They were entrepreneurs and immigrants who were not aware of all their savings and retirement options. Thankfully, I...
7 Perspectives on the Best Ways to Grow Money for Retirement
There is no one-size-fits-all method for growing a retirement portfolio. Everyone, myself included, experiences their own unique financial situation and path to retirement. Others may choose to never retire. It’s for these reasons that retirement portfolios often...
8 Tips from Financial Advisers for How to Lower Taxes in Retirement
For many of us, retirement will mean living on a fixed income. It stands to reason, then, that we may want to look for ways to keep as much of that income as possible. The good news is that years ahead of retirement, a prospective retiree may be able to take certain...
What Is the Purpose of Tax-Deferred Retirement Accounts?
I’ve written previously about my first experience with retirement planning. Since then, I’ve enjoyed taking steps to help grow and diversify my retirement portfolio while watching those funds increase over time. One tool in particular that has helped me a great deal...
What Are the First Three Steps to Retirement Planning?
I remember the first time I thought about retirement planning. I was just starting my first job. I was attending new employee orientation, and the human resources staff members were explaining the company’s pension plan and 401(k) program. I was young, and retirement...