- Ask an Advisor: Help Me Understand the Math. How Does Donating to Charity Reduce My Taxes?
If I give $50,000 in cash to a charity, does that lower my taxable adjusted gross income (AGI) by $50,000? So if my adjusted gross income was $100,000, and I gave $50,000 to charity, is my taxable income now $50,000?… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: When Taking RMDs, How Do I Avoid Locking in Losses? I’ll Be 72 Years Old Soon, and My Stocks Are ‘Way Down’ This Year
I will be 72 years old on Feb. 10, 2023. I have a traditional individual retirement (IRA) account. Most of the money is tied in stocks, and the stocks this year are way down. If I sell to pay the… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: ‘I’m Too Trusting and Gullible.’ How Do I Find a Financial Advisor Who Truly Acts as a Fiduciary?
How can I reliably verify that a specific financial advisor is a true and full fiduciary – and that they’re not just conning and misleading me? Is there a respectable and independent professional group that independently investigates and reliably certifies… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: I’m Interested in Investing in I Bonds. But What Happens Now That the Interest Rate Has Changed?
I want to understand how I bonds work. When the interest rate changes, does that new rate apply to previous bonds – but at a different rate? -Joseph I bonds have been popular lately and for good reason. The interest… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: Help Me Understand the ‘Best Way’ to Manage an IRA. Is It Better to Pay Taxes Now or in Retirement?
Which is the best way to handle an individual retirement account (IRA)? Let it sit and earn money, then pay taxes on the withdrawals in retirement? Or roll it over to a Roth IRA? Should I pay the taxes now… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: I’m 63, Have No Retirement Savings and Will Rely on Social Security. How Do I Begin Saving? Is It Too Late to Start Investing ‘This Late in the Game’?
I’m 63 and have zero retirement, just Social Security benefits. How can I begin saving? And where can I begin investing this late in the game? -Rita Saving for retirement is certainly easier and has a greater impact on you… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: I’m Over Age 73. How Do I Avoid the RMD Tax Bite?
I’m over age 72. What can I do about avoiding the required minimum distribution (RMD) tax bite? I have a steady stream of other income. -Bernie Tax-deferred accounts, such as 401(k)s and traditional individual retirement accounts (IRAs), are potentially great… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: Should I Stop Reinvesting Dividends?
Is there a point at which I should stop reinvesting stock dividends and invest the money or save the cash? -Anonymous Many financial experts recommend that you reinvest dividends most of the time – and I’m inclined to agree. The… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: My Kids Inherited $5 Million. How Should They Handle It?
My children have inherited $5 million of stock from their father (whose estate has not yet been dispersed after 11 months) leaving them with a 30% or so loss of value over which they have had no control. Is there… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: I’m Losing Money on Investments. How Can My Advisor Let This Happen?
I’m constantly losing money on stock and cryptocurrency investments. And I paid for the advice that has given me the information that I’ve used to do this. For example, I was told to buy a specific stock and lost money… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: I lost My Job. Can I Tap Retirement Accounts Without Penalties?
I lost my job last year and need to take care of a parent. In doing that, I must withdraw money from my retirement. I don’t understand the tax implications and penalties. I would also like access to any savings… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: Can My New Wife Draw on Her Ex’s Social Security?
Can my new wife draw on her ex-spouse’s Social Security in any circumstance after remarrying? Specifically, during the one-year waiting period for my wife to collect on my record, can she collect on an ex-spouse’s record? Or can my wife… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: I have $225K in the Stock Market. Should I Cash Out Some of It?
I currently have approximately $225,000 invested in the stock market. Most of that is in conservative stocks and bonds. Do you have an opinion about staying the course or liquidating all or a portion for a few months or years… read more…
- Ask An Advisor: I Live on Social Security and Food Stamps. Can I Protect My Investments in a Down Market?
I’m retired and living on Social Security and food stamps. I have all my money in two conservative retirement accounts. I cannot contribute any money to them. I plan on taking distributions in five years. What’s the best course of… read more…
- Ask An Advisor: Where Should I Stash Short-Term Savings?
I’m holding $300,000 in cash that I plan to put into a new home. With the market as it is, I’m putting off that purchase for six to nine months. I’m 66 years old, single and plan to retire within… read more…
- Ask An Advisor: When Should I Take My First RMD?
Can I avoid getting hit with double taxes on my first two required minimum distributions (RMDs)? I’ll turn 73 in January 2024. Do I have until April 1 2024 to take my first RMD? Or do I have until April 2025? I don’t want to take my first set of RMDs in April and take… read more…
- Ask An Advisor: What Should I Do With My Old Retirement Account?
I’m 60 years old and have a vested retirement account from a company for which I no longer work. Should I leave it there, or take it and invest it somewhere? I’m confused as to what to do with it. – Rose I’m so glad you submitted this question. It’s one that millions of savers are… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: I’m Way Behind on Retirement Savings. What Do I Do?
I turn 58 this year and am at a loss for what to do or how to plan for my retirement. I only have a small amount of money invested through previous employers, and I’m not sure how to save now that I am self-employed. I am really concerned about my retirement but don’t know… read more…
- Where Do Millionaires Keep Their Money?
Where do millionaires keep their money? High-net-worth individuals put money into different classifications of financial and real assets, including stocks, mutual funds, retirement accounts and real estate. There were 24.5 million millionaires in the U.S. in 2022. And only 21%… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: Should I Get an Annuity Now, or Wait for Better Rates?
I have just turned 60 years old and am interested in a QLAC. Is it worthwhile to wait to see if interest rates increase in the next year or so, or should I start shopping now? Also, if I don’t live long enough to use most of my investment, is a return on death benefit… read more…