Posts by SmartAsset Team
Personal Finance
How Child Support Is Calculated in Pennsylvania
Child support is generally calculated by using a set of guidelines established by the state, which consider the income of both parents, the number of children and the custody arrangement. In Pennsylvania, these guidelines use an income shares model, which estimates the amount of money that would have been available for the child’s care if… read more…
Retirement
Is a Roth IRA a Qualified Retirement Plan?
The Roth IRA stands out among other types of retirement accounts due to its unique tax advantages and withdrawal rules. But is a Roth IRA a qualified retirement plan? While Roth IRAs offer significant benefits and are regulated by the IRS, they do not meet the technical definition of a qualified retirement plan, such as… read more…
Taxes
Can Short-Term Capital Losses Offset Long-Term Capital Gains?
Whether you’re a novice making your first investment or an experienced investor managing a diverse portfolio, understanding capital gains and losses is fundamental for anyone who invests. Savvy investors may strategically count long-term losses against their long-term gains, eliminating or reducing their tax liability. This begs the question: can short-term losses offset long-term gains in… read more…
Retirement
Retirement Planning Strategies for Teachers
Many teachers in the U.S. retire with pensions that provide a stable source of income during their golden years, but that doesn’t mean they can ignore retirement planning. In fact, teachers face unique retirement challenges, including the absence of Social Security benefits in some states. Education retirement planning requires a tailored strategy to optimize a… read more…
Retirement
5 Ways to Maximize Your Social Security Survivor Benefits
Social Security survivor benefits provide essential financial support to eligible family members and help ensure stability during challenging times. Understanding eligibility criteria, benefit calculation and strategic claiming options can significantly enhance the financial security of survivors. Whether you’re a spouse, child or dependent parent, knowing how to maximize Social Security survivor benefits can make a… read more…
Retirement
Investment Options for Your IRA
When planning for retirement, one of the fundamental decisions you’ll face is how to invest within your individual retirement account (IRA). There are several approaches to selecting investments and managing your account. You could pick individual securities yourself, employ a robo-advisor or work with a financial advisor to construct your portfolio. From there, you can… read more…
Advisor Resources
What Cost of Equity Is and How to Calculate It
In corporate finance, cost of equity represents the return a company must generate to satisfy its shareholders. Financial advisors also rely on the cost of equity when evaluating investment opportunities and making recommendations to clients. It helps them assess a company’s financial health, growth prospects and potential returns, which is essential for constructing diversified portfolios… read more…
Estate Planning
How to Avoid Probate in New Jersey
The probate process involves validating wills, administering estates and ensuring the rightful distribution of assets, all under the watchful eye of the Surrogate’s Court. Whether you are drafting a will or handling an estate without one, understanding when probate is necessary and the steps involved will help you create an efficient estate plan. There are… read more…
Taxes
Are Health Insurance Premiums Tax Deductible When You Retire?
Health insurance premiums can be tax deductible when you retire, but it depends on several factors such as your age, the type of health insurance plan that you have and whether you are self-employed or not. Even medicare premiums can be tax deductible if you qualify, so it’s just as important to have a tax… read more…
Financial Advisor
What Is a Flat Fee Financial Advisor?
Whether you’re planning for retirement, saving for a child’s education, or simply aiming to grow your wealth, understanding how financial advisor fees work can significantly impact your financial strategy and overall satisfaction. One common fee structure is a flat advisor fee. This type of fee charges a fixed fee for services, whereas other advisors can… read more…
Investing
What Are Safe Haven Assets?
Investing in safe haven assets can help investors protect their wealth during times of economic uncertainty and market volatility. These assets, which include defensive stocks, government bonds, currencies, gold and cash, are sought after for their ability to provide stability and security when other investments experience significant downturns or increased risk. By allocating a portion… read more…
Retirement
Understanding Safe Harbor 401(k) Rules for Matching
The safe harbor 401(k) is a retirement savings plan that satisfies IRS non-discrimination tests while promoting equitable employer matching contributions. As an employer, you may opt for a safe harbor plan to simplify administration, ensure compliance with nondiscrimination testing requirements, and provide employees with predictable retirement benefits. As an employee, you may want to contribute… read more…
Investing
What Are Copper ETFs?
Investing in commodities can be complex, particularly when it comes to metals like copper that play a pivotal role in various industries. Copper ETFs can allow you to gain exposure to the prices of the precious metal without the challenges of handling it directly. These ETFs can be an attractive option to diversify your portfolio,… read more…
Investing
Investing in I Bonds vs. EE Bonds
I bonds and EE bonds, both offered by the U.S. Treasury, present distinct features tailored to meet diverse investor needs. I bonds, known for their inflation-adjusted interest rates, provide a robust option for investors looking to maintain the purchasing power of their capital amidst fluctuating economic conditions. On the other hand, EE bonds offer a… read more…
Investing
What Are the Average ETF Fees?
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have gained popularity among investors due to their ease of use, diversification benefits and lower costs when compared with traditional mutual funds. However, understanding the different fees associated with ETFs is important for investors to make informed decisions and maximize their long-term returns. ETF fees can vary significantly depending on the specific… read more…
Investing
What Is a Good Expense Ratio in a Mutual Fund?
An expense ratio will give you the percentage of a fund’s assets that are used to cover operating expenses. Investors use this to determine how much it will cost them to own an investment. You can compare expense ratios across different funds to make informed decisions that align with your goals and maximize potential returns.… read more…
Investing
Pros and Cons of Investing in Europe
Investing in Europe offers a range of opportunities for investors seeking to diversify their portfolios and capitalize on the continent’s economic potential. From equity investments in growing industries to fixed-income securities and real estate, the European investment landscape presents a compelling mix of stability, growth and income-generating potential. However, investors must also navigate unique considerations,… read more…
Investing
What Are Treasury Notes?
Treasury Notes, commonly referred to as T-Notes, are medium-term securities issued by the U.S. government that play an important role in managing national debt and stabilizing the economy. These instruments offer a range of maturities, typically from 2 to 10 years, making them an attractive option for a variety of investors. Particularly during periods of… read more…
Advisor Resources
5 Sales Strategies for Financial Advisors
Financial advisors rely on different sales strategies to drive growth. These strategies focus on client acquisition and retention, thereby helping advisors identify and engage with potential clients, communicate value propositions effectively and differentiate themselves in a competitive market landscape. Here’s are five things to keep in mind when developing your own sales strategy. SmartAsset’s Advisor… read more…
Checking Account
Differences of a Cashier’s Check vs. Certified Check
A cashier’s check, backed by the issuing bank’s own funds, provides an ironclad guarantee that the payment will be honored, making it a go-to choice for transactions requiring absolute certainty. On the other hand, a certified check offers a slightly different form of security; the bank verifies the payer’s available funds and earmarks them specifically… read more…
Personal Finance
10 Personal Financial Planning Tips to Live By
Financial planning planning is a proactive approach to managing your finances and achieving long-term financial goals. By establishing a comprehensive plan, you can effectively allocate resources, prepare for significant life events and make informed decisions that support your overall financial well-being. Whether you’re saving for retirement, funding education expenses, or building an emergency fund, a… read more…
Taxes
What Are the Tax Implications for Withdrawing From Your IRA?
Managing your retirement savings effectively requires understanding the tax implications of withdrawing money from an individual retirement account (IRA). IRAs, whether traditional or Roth, offer unique tax advantages that can significantly impact long-term savings. However, understanding how withdrawals are taxed, the conditions under which penalties apply and the strategic maneuvers available to minimize financial strain… read more…
Investing
6 Tips to Achieve Long-Term Investment Success
The key to achieving long-term investment success will require you to develop a strategic investment plan that focuses on your specific financial goals, risk tolerance and time horizon. Here is a roundup of six common investing tips that can help you turn that goal into a reality. For hands-on help, a financial advisor can help… read more…
Investing
Differences of Investing vs. Speculating
Traditional investing takes a strategic approach to building wealth by focusing on long-term growth, risk management and diversification. Speculative investments, on the other hand, are often considered more alternative types of investing, such as collecting artwork. Let’s take a look at how you could incorporate both into a diversified portfolio. For personalized help with your own… read more…
Investing
How to Buy Fractional Shares
Fractional shares allow investors to purchase a piece of a stock or exchange-traded fund (ETF), even if they can’t afford a whole share. Fractional share trading is a lot like buying and selling whole shares of stock, requiring you to open a brokerage account, research potential stocks and then placing your order. If you’d rather… read more…