Category: Retirement

  • The Long and Short of Succession Planning

    The Long and Short of Succession Planning

    For many business owners, putting together a succession plan may seem like an overwhelming task. It might even seem unnecessary for those who are relatively young and have no intention of giving up ownership anytime soon. But if the past year or so has taught us anything, it’s that anything can happen. Owners who’ve built…

  • Maximize Your 401(k) Plan to Save for Retirement

    Maximize Your 401(k) Plan to Save for Retirement

    Contributing to a tax-advantaged retirement plan can help you reduce taxes and save for retirement. If your employer offers a 401(k) or Roth 401(k) plan, contributing to it is a smart way to build a substantial sum of money. If you’re not already contributing the maximum allowed, consider increasing your contribution rate. Because of tax-deferred…

  • ESOPs Offer Businesses a Variety of Potential Benefits

    ESOPs Offer Businesses a Variety of Potential Benefits

    Wouldn’t it be great if your employees worked as if they owned the company? An employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) could make this a reality. Under an ESOP, employee participants take part ownership of the business through a retirement savings arrangement. Meanwhile, the business and its existing owner(s) can benefit from some tax breaks, an…

  • Will You Have to Pay Tax on Your Social Security Benefits?

    Will You Have to Pay Tax on Your Social Security Benefits?

    If you’re getting close to retirement, you may wonder: Are my Social Security benefits going to be taxed? And if so, how much will you have to pay? It depends on your other income. If you’re taxed, between 50% and 85% of your benefits could be taxed. (This doesn’t mean you pay 85% of your…

  • What Qualifies as a “Coronavirus-Related Distribution” from a Retirement Plan?

    What Qualifies as a “Coronavirus-Related Distribution” from a Retirement Plan?

    As you may have heard, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act allows “qualified” people to take certain “coronavirus-related distributions” from their retirement plans without paying tax. So how do you qualify? In other words, what’s a coronavirus-related distribution? Early distribution basics In general, if you withdraw money from an IRA or eligible…