Posts by SmartAsset Team
Health Insurance
Trump Healthcare Plan: Key Proposals for Coverage and Costs
President Trump’s healthcare policies reflect an effort to reshape U.S. healthcare by restructuring Medicaid, paring back subsidy programs and promoting market reforms to lower costs. Many provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) aim to transfer more responsibility to states, reverse certain Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates and introduce new cost controls, especially… read more…
Health Insurance
Medicaid vs. Obamacare: Costs, Benefits and Enrollment
Obamacare, formally known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), is the federal law that created health insurance marketplaces and expanded protections. Meanwhile, Medicaid is a government-run health insurance program for people with low incomes or certain qualifying conditions. They overlap in a few ways, especially after the ACA’s Medicaid expansion, but each has its own… read more…
Health Insurance
Trump Healthcare Proposal: ACA Enrollment Cuts
President Donald Trump’s healthcare proposal signals a shift away from the Affordable Care Act’s current structure, with a focus on reducing federal subsidies and tightening enrollment eligibility. By scaling back enhanced premium tax credits and shortening open enrollment periods, the plan would likely limit access to ACA marketplace coverage for millions of Americans. Supporters argue… read more…
How to Invest
Trump Child Savings Account: How Much You Can Save for a Child
Named after President Donald Trump, Trump Accounts were established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to help families build long-term savings for their children. Parents and guardians can contribute up to $5,000 each year for every child under 18, with the limit set to rise alongside inflation starting in 2028. Children born between Jan.… read more…
Retirement Planning
Should You Budget for a Mini-Retirement? Pros, Cons and Examples
A mini retirement is a planned, extended break from full-time work that’s taken before traditional retirement age. Unlike a vacation or employer-sponsored sabbatical, a mini retirement is self-funded and typically lasts a few months to a few years. People often consider a mini retirement during career transitions, periods of burnout or when testing out their… read more…
401(k)
State Tax on 401(k) Withdrawals: General Rules and Strategies
While federal taxes apply uniformly, the way states tax 401(k) withdrawals can vary widely. Some states fully tax 401(k) distributions, while others provide deductions or exclude retirement income altogether. These differences can influence how much of your savings you keep and may even factor into decisions about when and where to retire. A financial advisor… read more…
401(k)
How to Retire Early With a 401(k): Rules and Strategies
Retiring early with a 401(k) requires understanding how to access funds before the standard retirement age without triggering heavy penalties. This involves leveraging strategies like Rule 72(t) withdrawals, the Rule of 55 exception or a rollover for more flexibility. Each method has specific conditions, timelines and tax implications that shape whether early retirement is financially… read more…
Financial Planning
How to Get a Loan If You Have High Debt-to-Income Ratio
Applying for a loan can be challenging, particularly if a significant share of your income already goes toward debt. Lenders evaluate your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio to measure repayment capacity, and a high DTI may limit your borrowing options. However, it does not automatically disqualify you. Understanding how lenders interpret your DTI and reviewing strategies to… read more…
Retirement Planning
How to Build a Retirement Portfolio at Age 70
At age 70, retirement is no longer a distant goal—it’s your current reality. Whether you’re newly retired or reevaluating your strategy, this is an important time to ensure your savings last. While there is no single best retirement portfolio for a 70-year-old, building a portfolio that suits your needs involves prioritizing income, minimizing risk and… read more…
401(k)
Are Part-Time Employees Eligible for 401(k)s?
For years, many part-time workers were excluded from 401(k) participation, leaving them with fewer ways to save through an employer. As flexible schedules and gig work have become more common, this gap has affected a growing share of the workforce. Recent federal law changes now expand access to employer-sponsored retirement plans, allowing more part-time employees… read more…
401(k)
Can You Change Your 401(k) Contribution at Any Time?
Your 401(k) plays a key role in helping you save for retirement, but life events can affect how much you’re able to contribute. A raise, job change, or unexpected expense might lead you to consider adjusting your contributions. Many employer-sponsored plans allow changes throughout the year, though specific rules and timing vary by plan provider.… read more…
Retirement Planning
What to Do Six Months Before Retirement: Checklist
The final six months before retirement are some of the most important. During this window, you’ll want to fine-tune your income plan. This means you should assess your tax exposure, make sure your investment mix supports your goals and double-check your paperwork. Even if you’ve been planning for years, the last stretch before retirement is… read more…
Financial Planning
Financial Advisor for Roth IRA: Services and Examples
A financial advisor for a Roth IRA can provide guidance on contribution strategies, investment selection and long-term tax planning. Because Roth IRAs grow tax-free and qualified withdrawals are also tax-free, how the account is managed over time can make a significant difference. Advisors often help clients decide between traditional and Roth accounts, choose diversified investments… read more…
Financial Planning
Financial Advisor for Bankruptcy: Services and Examples
Bankruptcy is not a common niche for financial advisors, but many advisors offer support to clients who are rebuilding after a filing. Rather than focusing solely on bankruptcy, they usually include this guidance as part of a broader financial planning approach. Advisors can help design budgets, prioritize debt repayment and develop long-term strategies for financial… read more…
Pensions & Other Retirement Accounts
Can a Child Collect the Pension of a Deceased Parent?
When a parent passes away, one of the biggest financial questions families face is whether their children can receive any of their parent’s pension benefits. Unlike life insurance or retirement accounts, pensions have stricter rules that often limit who can inherit them, and children are rarely at the top of the list. Still, there are… read more…
401(k)
Should You Take a 401(k) Loan for Home Improvement?
Using a 401(k) loan for home improvement may feel like an easy solution to unexpected expenses. After all, you’re borrowing from yourself. There’s no credit check, and the interest you pay goes back into your retirement account. While the convenience may be appealing, the long-term financial trade-offs deserve your consideration. A 401(k) loan can impact… read more…
401(k)
Can I Cash Out My 401(k) While Still Employed?
While some retirement plans allow in-service withdrawals, most discourage early access with penalties, taxes and missed growth potential. Before making a move that could undermine your long-term retirement goals, it helps to know the rules. A financial advisor can help you balance today’s needs with your long-term retirement goals. Can You Cash Out a 401(k)… read more…
401(k)
What Happens If You Default on a 401(k) Loan?
If you default on a 401(k) loan, the balance is usually treated as a taxable distribution. This may result in income taxes and, if you are under 59½, a 10% early withdrawal penalty. It can also reduce the amount you have available for retirement in the future. A financial advisor can review your situation and… read more…
401(k)
How to Repay a 401(k) Loan After Leaving a Job
Unlike traditional loans, a 401(k) loan is tied to your employer-sponsored retirement plan. That means your repayment options and timeline may change significantly once you are no longer with the company. If you fail to repay the loan within the specified period, it could be treated as a taxable distribution, potentially subjecting you to income… read more…
Retirement Taxes
How to Avoid Taxes on a 457(b) Withdrawal: Strategies and Examples
Planning how and when to withdraw money from your retirement accounts can have a big impact on how much of your savings you actually get to keep. This is especially true with 457(b) plans, which are common for public sector employees. While these accounts offer unique flexibility when compared with other retirement plans, they also… read more…
Retirement Planning
Can You Max Out a 401(k) and an IRA? Strategies for Both
Combining a 401(k) from work with an IRA can help you grow savings faster and give you more options for retirement planning. Contributing to both could grow your retirement savings by combining tax-deferred and tax-free advantages. A 401(k) typically provides employer matching, while an IRA offers wider investment flexibility. Together, they support diversification, enhance tax… read more…
Financial Planning
Financial Advisor for 529 Plan: Services and Examples
A financial advisor can help families save for education using 529 plans and align education planning with their broader financial goals. A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged account, where money grows and is withdrawable for qualified education expenses without federal income tax. While many people open and fund these plans on their own, a financial… read more…
Advisor Basics
Financial Advisor for Stock Market: Services and Examples
A financial advisor can helps individuals understand different investment options within the stock market, manage portfolios and align strategies with personal goals. These professionals may guide clients on selecting individual stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or broader equity strategies depending on risk tolerance and time horizon. By analyzing market conditions and company fundamentals, they can provide… read more…
Retirement Planning
CD vs. Roth IRA: Which Should You Invest in for Retirement?
Certificates of deposit (CDs) and Roth IRAs play different roles in retirement planning. CDs provide fixed interest and are federally insured, which can make them attractive if your priority is safety and predictable returns. A Roth IRA, by comparison, offers the opportunity for long-term, tax-free growth and withdrawals, giving you more flexibility and potential upside.… read more…
Pensions & Other Retirement Accounts
Annuity vs. Roth IRA: Pros and Cons for Retirement Income
When planning for retirement, one of the biggest decisions you’ll face is how to generate consistent, tax-efficient income. Two common options, annuities and Roth IRAs, serve very different purposes, but can both play a key role in your strategy. A Roth IRA offers tax-free growth and withdrawals in retirement, while an annuity can provide guaranteed… read more…