25 Apr Smoothing Market Ups and Downs
After the wild ride of 2020, the U.S. stock market was relatively calm in 2021, but there was still plenty of volatility. There were 55 days when the S&P 500...
investments Tag
25 Apr Going Public: How Are Direct Listings Different from IPOs?
An initial public offering (IPO) is the first public sale of stock shares by a private company. IPOs are important to the financial markets because they help fuel the growth...
10 Apr Annuity Income: Annuitization vs. Lifetime Withdrawal
During your working years, you're accustomed to living on an income from your job. When you retire, the income from employment ends. Social Security provides a steady income, but it...
23 Feb 2022 Key Numbers-Retirement Planning
Employee/individual contribution limits Elective deferral limits 2021 2022 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, 457(b) plans, and SAR-SEPs 1 [Includes Roth 401(k) and Roth 403(b) contributions] Lesser of $19,500 or 100% of participant's compensation Lesser of $20,500 or 100% of...
23 Feb 2022 Key Numbers-Investment Planning
Maximum tax on long-term capital gains and qualified dividends 0% rate applies (taxable income thresholds) 2021 2022 Single Up to $40,400 Up to $41,675 Married filing jointly Up to $80,800 Up to $83,350 Married filing separately Up to $40,400 Up to $41,675 Head...
23 Feb 2022 Key Benefits-Government Benefits
Social Security Social Security Cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) 2021 2022 For Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries 1.30% 5.90% Tax rate--employee 2021 2022 FICA tax -- Employee 7.65% 7.65% Social Security (OASDI) portion of tax 6.20% 6.20% Medicare (HI) portion of tax 1.45%1 1.45%1 Tax rate--self-employed 2021 2022 Self-Employed 15.30% 15.30% Social Security (OASDI)...
15 Oct Accumulating Funds for Short-Term Goals
Stock market volatility in 2020 has clearly reinforced at least one important investing principle: Short-term goals typically require a conservative investment approach. If your portfolio loses 20% of its value...
29 Sep Portfolio Performance: Choose Your Benchmarks Wisely
Dramatic market turbulence has been common in 2020, and you can't help but hear about the frequent ups and downs of the Dow Jones Industrial Average or the S&P 500...
08 Sep Managing Your Workplace Retirement Plans
About 80 million Americans actively participate in employer-sponsored defined contribution plans such as 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) plans.1 If you are among this group, you've taken a big step on the...