Retirement Planning

Topics

October 26, 2020

Inflation-adjusted income ranges for 2021 IRA and 401(k) plans

The IRS announced that the income ranges for employee participation in workplace 401(k) plans and IRA contributions will increase from 2020 to 2021. Most of the other retirement plan contribution limits stayed the same, however.

October 19, 2020

Unclaimed property distributions allowed as self-certified rollovers

The IRS issued guidance adding state unclaimed property fund distributions to the list of reasons that taxpayers may self-certify that they missed the 60-day deadline to roll over funds to a qualified retirement plan.

October 8, 2020

Another alert for IRAs investing in master limited partnerships

This article discusses what is needed to help clients who have an IRA invested in PTPs pay the correct amount of tax.

September 1, 2020

Developing a solid approach to advising clients on Roth IRAs

Tax advisers should develop a profiling system for
identifying clients who are best suited to take advantage of Roth IRAs now that eligibility to participate in this popular retirement investment vehicle has been significantly expanded over the
past decade.

April 16, 2020

Inherited IRA strategies after the SECURE Act

This article discusses alternatives to the stretch IRA.

November 6, 2019

Retirement plan contribution limits increase for 2020

Annual contribution limits for 401(k) plans will increase from $19,000 in 2019 to $19,500 in 2020, and most other limits are increasing as well.

December 1, 2018

Top seven mistakes when claiming Social Security benefits

CPA financial planners need to consider their clients’ unique circumstances and help them avoid mistakes that could lead to the wrong decision.

June 1, 2018

Tax planning following the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

This column discusses advising clients on the implications for choice-of-entity decisions, charitable
giving strategies, and estate, retirement, and higher education planning.

December 1, 2017

Managing tax brackets in retirement

A tax adviser can help a client smooth out the high-income-tax peaks and the corresponding lower-tax-bracket years with an effective bracket-management strategy.

December 1, 2017

The CPA’s role in advising clients about the value of life insurance assets

Life insurance can be a surprisingly valuable hidden asset for clients who are retired.

November 1, 2017

Advantages of a one-person 401(k) plan

These plans can allow a large amount to be contributed on behalf of the owner while maintaining flexibility in making contributions in future years.

October 1, 2017

Federal retirement savings plan ended

Due to “extremely low” demand and high costs, the Treasury Department announced that it is ending the myRA retirement savings program.

September 1, 2017

Dispelling uncertainty: Scenario analysis for client security

A range of economic, political, personal, and other uncertainties can lead to clients having deep-seated fears about doing any one thing.

August 1, 2017

How to avoid penalties when a planned rollover goes awry

Taxpayers can take advantage of certain guidance to avoid a penalty if something goes wrong when trying to complete a rollover.

November 1, 2016

Deciding Whether to Roll Over to a Roth IRA

Deciding whether it makes sense to trigger the resulting tax liability depends on several factors.

October 1, 2016

The Ins and Outs of Owning a Losing Investment in an IRA

Here is a way to turn a lemon into lemonade (with a little help from the stock market).

June 2, 2016

Helping Your Clients Execute a Tax-Aware Investment Plan

Without a tax professional’s input, much of the benefit of tax-aware best practices is unlikely to be achieved.

March 1, 2016

Roth IRA Planning

The opportunity to get more assets into Roth vehicles via various means has evolved over the last several years.

March 1, 2016

Social Security: The Hidden Changes in the Two-Year Budget Bill

Baby Boomers born from 1954 to 1964, and all subsequent generations, will be unable to use some planning strategies that have benefited older generations.

January 1, 2016