Regulation
Roth vs. Traditional IRA
It would be nice if the Roth IRA had been around long as the traditional IRA. Imagine the long-term benefits of tax-free growth throughout a 40-year career. Annual contribution limits for IRAs are relatively low ($6,000; $7,000 for 50-plus), but the Roth is a good complement for investors who also contribute to an employer-based retirement…
Read MoreRetirement Withdrawal Strategies
As hard as retirement saving and investing may seem, that’s the easy part. The real challenge is figuring out how to make your accumulated savings last throughout your and your spouse’s retirements. You need a strategy, and it’s best to have that strategy developed before retirement begins. Because life expectancy is longer these days,…
Read MoreTax Strategies
In an effort to pay for new legislation, the Biden administration has proposed higher taxes for the nation’s highest earners. The president advocates returning the top tax rate to 39.6% for individuals earning $452,700 or more, and married couples with more than $509,300 in combined taxable income.1 This top tax rate was just…
Read MoreThe Job Market in the Post-Pandemic Era
According to the most recent Future of Jobs Report by the World Economic Forum, 50% of employees will need new skills training by 2025 as the pace of technological innovation continues to grow. Among business leaders, 94% say they expect employees to learn new skills while on the job, compared to just 65% who made…
Read MoreA Shot for Economic Improvement
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the ongoing distribution of vaccines combined with the latest government stimulus is expected to jumpstart economic activity in the U.S. However, projections for sustainable growth are not equitable among various countries and business sectors. Faster and more effective vaccination deployment across the world is critical.…
Read MoreAirline Industry in Trouble
The airline industry has been largely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Secluding people in a confined space with limited air circulation for hours on end is not a great recipe for containing an airborne disease. However, airlines that have invested in protocols and protections to keep passengers safe are the ones that will likely…
Read MoreThe Millennial Economy
The millennial generation hasn’t had it so great. A recent economic analysis reports that since entering the workforce five to 20 years ago, the average millennial has experienced slower economic advancement than any other generation in U.S. history.1 It’s not just a matter of long periods of high unemployment. It’s also because getting that first…
Read MorePreparing for Potential Pandemics
If you think the economic decline due to the pandemic has been difficult for you personally, the big picture numbers may be even worse. Analysts project that the total economic disruption could eventually cost between $9 trillion and $33 trillion. Many economists are advocating that the U.S. — and the world — make a concerted…
Read MoreWhat To Expect From the Payroll Tax Holiday
Christmas came early this year. Well, sort of. In an effort to provide financial aid to millions of Americans in dire economic straits, President Trump declared a payroll tax holiday between September and the end of the year. Available to workers who earn $104,000 a year or less, this means that no FICA taxes will…
Read MoreHow Government Regulations May Impact the “Average Joe”
We tend to take government regulations for granted. They can be annoying, like having to sign the HIPAA privacy notice before a doctor’s visit, or time consuming, like the yearly requirement of filing a tax return. In fact, there’s a near-even split among Americans who think we don’t have enough regulation of the financial industry…
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