High Earners: Maximize Your 401(k) Match Using This Simple Tool
Don’t leave money on the table.
Designing the Ideal Retirement: Keep Doing What You Love, Eliminate the Rest
Could a happy retirement still include working, but only doing the parts of our jobs we enjoy?
Family Vacations as a Planning Tool
Passing on your story provides something deeper than wealth.
Becoming Financially Independent Part 3: Build Your New Three-Legged Stool™ and Help It Grow
It’s just as important to diversify how funds are saved as it is to diversify how they are invested.
Financial Challenges of Losing a Spouse in Retirement
Widows and widowers whose spouses were younger than 72 at the time of death need to examine their options carefully before rolling over their spouse’s IRA.
Becoming Financially Independent Part 2: Do Not Disturb Accumulation, Do Not Overlook Consolidation
Do not spend money that has been accumulated for financial independence. Invading long-term savings extends the time it will take to achieve a goal.
I Just Inherited an IRA From My Parent. Now What?
The new rule for adults who inherit an IRA from their parents in 2020 and beyond is that they must liquidate that account within 10 years.
7 Steps to Take When You Inherit an IRA
When Inheriting an IRA there are complex rules you will need to follow to avoid costly errors.
Becoming Financially Independent, Part 1: Where to Start
Time is the most important word in our investment vocabulary. If financial independence is the goal, starting today beats waiting until tomorrow.
What’s the Difference Between Premium Bonds and Discount Bonds?
A premium bond has a coupon rate higher than the prevailing interest rate for that particular bond maturity and credit quality. A discount bond, in contrast, has a coupon rate lower than the prevailing interest rate for that particular bond maturity and credit quality.
Common Traps That Could Catch Early Retirees
Until you reach age 59 ½, attempting to access tax-deferred retirement accounts could trigger taxes and penalties.
How Does the SECURE Act Affect Legacy Planning for Large IRAs?
With the passage of the SECURE Act inherited IRAs from those who passed after December 31, 2019 are no longer allowed to stretch the withdrawals over their life expectancy.
12 Ways to Avoid a Penalty on Early Withdrawals
If money is taken from an IRA before age 59 1/2, a 10% excise tax penalty is applied to the amounts withdrawn—unless it meets one of the twelve exceptions.
Passive Investing: Index Mutual Funds vs. Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)
The difference can be summed up in two words: intraday trading. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs can be bought and sold anytime throughout the day.
Evaluating Where to Retire: Pennsylvania Vs. Surrounding States
Affordability, access to healthcare, climate, and culture are just some of the important factors to consider before moving to another state.
529 Plans: Know the Rules for K‑12 and College Qualified Expenses
529 plans can be a good option for both college and K‑12 savings. But to avoid paying taxes or early withdrawal penalties, it’s vitally important to keep up with any changes to the rules.
Are Pennsylvanians Saving Enough for Retirement?
Only 51% of Pennsylvanians have tried to figure out how much they need to save for retirement—and just 31% are satisfied with their current financial condition.
How to Determine Your Bond-to-Stock Asset Allocation
One way is determining your risk tolerance.
Why is Time-Weighted Return a Good Way to Track Performance in Retirement?
Learn why we use time-weighted return as a reporting metric and see how it gives you an accurate picture of portfolio changes over time.
Ignore the Hype About Medicare Premiums Increasing: Here Are the Facts
The cost of medical expenses is rising and thus users across the board (not just 30% of them) could see their premiums rise by some amount.
