Donald Trump is heading to the White House next year after defeating Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. His return to the office, which he previously held from 2017-2021, could usher in policies that may have far-reaching effects on retirees nationwide. “This country doesn’t have an income problem,” says Grant Cardone, equity fund manager and […]
Category: Personal Finance
Social Security Benefits Are Only Rising 2.5% in 2025, but Here’s Why That May Not Hurt Retirees
A small boost in benefits has a hidden silver lining. Millions of seniors today rely on Social Security to make ends meet. For some people, those monthly benefits are their primary source of income. Others have only those benefits to turn to for money in retirement, so it stands to reason that Social Security’s annual […]
Demand for Roth IRA conversions may increase — even without tax hikes from President-elect Donald Trump
Before the election, some advisors increased Roth individual retirement account conversions for clients amid the threat of higher taxes after 2025. Now, tax hikes are less likely under President-elect Donald Trump. However, demand for Roth conversions will continue as investors seek long-term tax planning strategies, experts said. “In general, we see an uptick in Roth […]
Will you have a lower tax rate in retirement? Maybe not, financial advisors say
Most Americans will have a lower tax burden in retirement than during their working years. However, that may not be the case for some retirees, especially for higher earners and big savers, which could have a significant impact on their financial plans, according to financial advisors. “Substantial evidence” suggests retirees have lower tax rates than during their […]
Trump promised no taxes on Social Security benefits. It’s too soon to plan on that change, experts say
On the campaign trail, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump made a notable promise to retirees: No taxes on Social Security benefits. Now that Trump has won a second presidential term, that may prompt Social Security’s beneficiaries to wonder whether that change may come to pass. But nixing those taxes may be a difficult task, even […]
Farewell to the 2024 Cost-of-Living Adjustment: Social Security Announces an Unexpected Change to Checks Starting in January
With the official announcement of a cost of living adjustment (COLA) for 2025 by the Social Security Administration, millions of retirees are expected to receive a much-desired raise in their monthly checks. Never mind that Social Security serves as, like it or not, almost 30% of the income for Americans aged 66 and older. The […]
Don’t Want to Take a 2024 Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)? Do This Instead.
There are only a few weeks left before the end of the year, so don’t put this off any longer. Nearly all those 73 and older will have to make a required minimum distribution (RMD) for 2024. This is a mandatory withdrawal from your retirement account designed to force you to pay the taxes on […]
Chasing the ‘American dream’ now comes with a shocking $4.4 million price tag
The “American dream” is slipping further and further away for millions of people across the country, as rising costs, stagnant wages, and widening wealth gaps make it increasingly difficult to achieve financial stability. The latest estimated price tag on the American dream now sits at a whopping $4.4 million, according to Investopedia, which factored in […]
Here’s what President-elect Trump’s tariff plan may mean for your wallet
President-elect Donald Trump won Tuesday’s presidential election partly by addressing Americans’ economic anxieties over higher prices. Nearly half of all voters said they were worse off financially than they were four years ago, the highest level in any election since 2008, according to an NBC News exit poll. But a cornerstone of Trump’s economic policy — sweeping new tariffs […]
3 Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) Mistakes Retirees Make All Too Often
Don’t fall into the same trap. Saving for retirement in a traditional IRA or 401(k) has its benefits. The fact that your contributions are tax-free could make them easier on you financially during the period when you’re trying to build up retirement wealth. But there’s a downside to saving in a traditional retirement plan. Not […]
Want the Max $5,108 Social Security Benefit? Here’s the Salary You Need.
A long, high-paying career is a major factor in maximizing Social Security, but there’s more to it than that. The average Social Security retirement benefit was $1,921.56 in September. While that might be a nice supplement to your retirement savings, it’s hardly enough for most retirees to live on. That’s especially true when you consider […]
IRS increases 401(k), other retirement plan contribution limits for 2025
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on Friday announced that it increased the amount that individuals can contribute to their 401(k) and other retirement plans to account for inflation. Each year, the IRS reviews tax thresholds and limitations for various retirement accounts and considers making a cost-of-living adjustment based on the impact of inflation since the […]