Retirement Planning - 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy

Understanding 401(k) Plan Fees and Expenses

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 17:37:01 EDT

If you direct your own 401(k) plan investments you'll need to consider the investment objectives, the risk and return characteristics and the performance over time of each investment option offered by your plan in order to make sound investment decisions. Fees and expenses are factors that may affect your investment returns, and therefore impact your retirement income.

Four Retirement Saving Myths

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:43:34 EDT

No matter how many years you are from retirement, it's essential to have some kind of game plan in place for financing it. With today's longer life expectancies, retirement can last 25 years or more, and counting on Social Security or a company pension to cover all your retirement income needs isn't a strategy you really want to rely on. As you put a plan together, watch out for these common myths.

Why a GRAT Can Be GREAT

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 12:47:05 EDT

If you have property that's rapidly appreciating or generating high earnings, and you're ready to pass it down to your children or other heirs but want to continue receiving income from the property for a period of years a grantor retained annuity trust (GRAT) may be a great strategy for you. The goal of a GRAT is to transfer property with minimal gift tax consequences.

The Economics of Borrowing from Your 401(k)

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:04:33 EST

When times are tough, that pool of dollars sitting in your 401(k) plan account may start to look attractive. But before you decide to take a plan loan, be sure you understand the financial impact. It's not as simple as you think.

Estate Planning Issues for Unmarried Couples

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 11:23:22 EST

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 7.7 million unmarried partners living in the same households in 2010. Yet there are several laws that are potentially beneficial to married couples that are not available to unmarried partners, especially when it comes to estate planning. That's why it's important to recognize the risks faced by unmarried partners and some potential ways to help mitigate them.

Two Social Security Strategies for Married Couples

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 10:56:43 EST

Spousal Lifetime Access Trust (SLAT)

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:53:52 EDT

So, you are thinking about making a large gift that is sheltered from gift tax by the applicable exclusion amount. However, you have concerns about losing access to the gifted property or its income; you might not need it now, but what if things change and you do need it later? If you are married, one possible solution might be a spousal lifetime access trust (SLAT).

Four Retirement Planning Mistakes to Avoid

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:33:09 EDT

We all recognize the importance of planning and saving for retirement, but too many of us fall victim to one or more common mistakes. Here are four easily avoidable mistakes that could prevent you from reaching your retirement goals.

Withdrawals from Traditional IRAs

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 15:55:30 EDT

In these challenging economic times, you may be considering taking a withdrawal from your traditional IRA. While you're allowed to withdraw funds from your IRAs at any time, for any reason, the question is, should you?

New 401(k) Plan Disclosure Rules

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 13:41:29 EDT

You may have heard about new disclosure rules that will soon apply to 401(k) plans. Before describing what's ahead, however, a look back may be helpful. [While we'll refer to 401(k) plans in this article, the new rules also apply to other employer-sponsored plans that allow participants to direct their own investments, commonly referred to as "self-directed plans."]