Thresholds and maximums for retirement contributions and deductions The government left some retirement numbers unchanged and increased some for 2020. The maximum you can contribute to a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA in 2020 is $6,000 if under 50 and $7,000 if 50 or older (or up to 100% of your earned income, if that is less), the same…
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Increased Estate Tax Exemptions
Changes to lifetime tax-exemption totals The lifetime exemption for federal estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax has increased for 2020, to $11.58 million per person. When you’re doing advanced estate planning — when you’re making transfers above the $15,000 annual exclusion for gifts — that is your lifetime gift/estate tax exemption. And it’s a good time to do it…
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The Perils of Market-Timing: A Reminder
There is no lack of unquieting news that impacts the markets daily. And volatility looks to be a big player in the markets for at least the near-term. Here are a few important reminders on the perils of trying to time the market – at any time. To take some kind of action may offer brief relief, but market-timing ultimately…
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Loneliness and Your Money
How Loneliness Can Affect Your Money Most people feel lonely at different times in their lives, but in a recent study, one person out of 10 reported being lonely or isolated from others “all or most of the time,” according to the Pew Research Center. Loneliness not only impacts mental health, it can also take a toll on finances. The…
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The Federal Reserve
How the Federal Reserve Moves the Economy If you follow the news, you’ve probably heard references to “the Fed” as in “the Fed held interest rates,” or “market watchers are predicting what the Fed will do next.” So what exactly is the Fed and what does it do? I learned about the intricacies of central banks when I was studying…
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