If your employer-sponsored 401(k)or 403(b) plan offers pre-tax, Roth, and/or non-Roth after-tax contributions, which should you choose? How do you know which one might be appropriate for your needs? Start by understanding the features of each. PRE-TAX: FOR THOSE WHO WANT LOWER TAXES NOW With pre-tax contributions, the money is deducted from your paycheck before […]
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Transitioning Into Retirement Can Be A Good Thing
If you’re considering retirement within the next five years or so, you’re in the retirement “zone.” This is a critical time period during which you’ll be faced with a number of important choices, and the decisions you make can have long-lasting consequences. THE RETIREMENT “ZONE” It’s a period of transition: a shift from a mindset […]
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The Individual 401(k)
If you’re self-employed or own a small business, you’ve probably considered establishing a retirement plan. If you’ve done your homework, you likely know about simplified employee pensions (SEPs) and savings incentive match plans for employees (SIMPLE) IRA plans. These plans typically appeal to small business owners because they’re relatively straightforward and inexpensive to administer. What […]
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Evaluating An Early Retirement Offer
In today’s corporate environment, cost-cutting, restructuring, and downsizing are the norm, and many employers are offering their employees early retirement packages. But how do you know if the seemingly attractive offer you’ve received is a good one? By evaluating it carefully to make sure that the offer fits your needs. WHAT’S THE SEVERANCE PACKAGE? Most […]
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Deciding When To Retire: When Timing Becomes Critical
THINKING ABOUT EARLY RETIREMENT? Retiring early means fewer earning years and less accumulated savings. Also, the earlier you retire, the more years you’ll need your retirement savings to produce income, and your retirement could last quite a while. According to a National Vital Statistics Report, people today can expect to live more than 30 years longer […]