For Mark Roberts' Use: When planning for retirement, many people choose to invest in an annuity. Under a variable annuity contract, one or more payments are made to an insurance company in exchange for guaranteed income stream or lump sum payment in retirement. Only the earnings portion of an annuity is taxed as income, making [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: After a long period of intense negotiations, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 finally passed through Congress in December. The act extended 55 tax provisions through the end of 2014. Although the future of the tax measures remains uncertain, for now we know that several of these provisions may benefit [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: It's almost that time again – time to file your federal income taxes! As with many things in life, knowledge and preparation for tax time can help you avoid consequences you regret. If you gave any large gifts last year, or are planning to do so this year, it might help [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: Are you confident that you will have enough money to cover basic living expenses in retirement? Seven out of ten workers aged 50 and older feel as though their retirement plan will provide enough money for basic necessities. But what about your ability to actually live comfortably in retirement? If you're [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: The recession may have created high unemployment rates and significant financial difficulty for many American households, but many reacted by holding onto their jobs longer. The average length of employment has lengthened, but you still may find yourself moving on to a new job at some point in the near future. [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: As you plan for retirement, you may be presented with several different investment options. It can be hard to know which savings vehicles to pursue, but one very important factor you should always consider is the tax benefits of all options. At some point you may consider purchasing an annuity. In [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: If your New Years resolution focused on renovating your financial life, you may be thinking about paying down debts or upping your retirement plan contributions. But your home life can be a major source of money loss, and impact your ability to save money. Take a look at your habits around [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: Do you imagine what will happen to your estate after your death? Undoubtedly, you want your loved once to receive what you've left them, and you don't want it to take a long time. But if your estate is subject to the probate process, the lengthy process could prove to be [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: Whether you're preparing for retirement or you've already begun that chapter in your life, you know that making every dollar count is a major key to your financial success. Before retirement, stretching your budget helps you to find extra money to stash in savings. After retirement, living a thrifty life helps your [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: Back in your working days, you looked forward to your annual raise. It helped to offset inflation, and provided you with extra cash to spend on luxury items or save for retirement. Now that you're retired, you may find that your “raises” from Social Security are less exciting. But you still need [...]