• Super Businesses, Super Stocks

    Super Businesses, Super Stocks

    • Latest in Retirement Savings & Personal Finance
    • Super Businesses, Super Stocks
    • Tools & Tips: Return Comparison Calculator
    • Market Overview


  • 2024 Millionaire Retirement Plans

    2024 Millionaire Retirement Plans

    • Latest in Retirement Savings & Personal Finance
    • 2024 Millionaire Retirement Plans
    • Tools & Tips: Historical Stock Dividend Yield Chart
    • Market Overview


  • Last Quarter Checklist for 2025

    Last Quarter Checklist for 2025

    • Latest in Retirement Savings & Personal Finance: All the Glittering Gold, Highest Household Credit Card Debt, More PE Funds Than McDonald’s
    • Last Quarter Checklist for 2025
    • Tools & Tips: Solo 401(k) Maximum Contribution Calculator
    • Market Overview


  • HSA: One of The Biggest Tax Break You Shouldn’t Ignore

    HSA: One of The Biggest Tax Break You Shouldn’t Ignore

    • Latest in Retirement Savings & Personal Finance: What Fed Rate Cut Means for You? Surge in Electricity Prices
    • Health Savings Account (HSA): One of The Biggest Tax Break You Shouldn’t Ignore
    • Tools & Tips: HSA Savings Calculator
    • Market Overview


  • Best Strategy to Withdraw Funds in Retirement

    Best Strategy to Withdraw Funds in Retirement

    When you retire, the order you pull funds from your accounts (whether taxable, traditional, or Roth) can make big difference.


  • Retirement Plan Contribution Limits in 2024

    Retirement Plan Contribution Limits in 2024

    2024 Retirement Plan Contribution Limits 1. 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) Plans Employee Contributions: Up to $23,000 (under age 50) Catch-up contribution: $7,500 (ages 50+) Total Combined Limit (Employee + Employer): $69,000 Roth Options: Available for 401(k), sometimes for 403(b) and 457(b) Plan Details: 401(k): Primarily for for-profit companies; includes Roth (after-tax) options. 403(b): For public schools and nonprofits; Roth-style options less common. 457(b): For state/local government and some tax-exempt organizations; Roth availability varies. 2. Solo 401(k) and SEP IRA Solo 401(k): For self-employed individuals/business owners without employees.

    • Employee contributions: $23,000, plus $7,500 catch-up (ages 50+)
    • Employer contributions: up to 25% of compensation
    • Total combined limit: $69,000 or 25% of compensation, whichever is less

    SEP IRA: Employer contributes up to 25% of compensation, up to $69,000. No catch-up contribution. 3. SIMPLE IRA

    • Employee contribution: up to $16,500
    • Catch-up contribution: $3,500 (50+)
    • Employer must match dollar-for-dollar up to 3% of employee salary
    • Immediate vesting

    4. Traditional and Roth IRAs

    • Annual contribution: $7,000
    • Catch-up: additional $1,000 (50+)

    Traditional IRA: Pre-tax contributions, taxable upon withdrawal Roth IRA: After-tax contributions, tax-free withdrawals 5. Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)

    • Federal and uniformed services employees only
    • Employee contributions: up to $23,000 (under age 50), plus catch-ups ($7,500 at 50+)
    • Employer matches up to 5% of salary
    • Total Combined Limit (Employee + Employer): $69,000
    • Pre-tax (traditional) and Roth contributions allowed

    6. Payroll Deduction IRA

    • Annual limit: $7,000; catch-up of $1,000 (age 50+)
    • Pre-tax or Roth contributions
    • No employer matching

    7. Health Savings Account (HSA)

    • Individual coverage: $4,150
    • Family coverage: $8,300
    • Catch-up contribution: additional $1,000 for age 55+
    • Must have a high-deductible health plan
    • Tax-free growth; penalty-free medical withdrawals; penalty-free non-medical withdrawals after age 65 (taxable)

    8. Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA)

    • Contribution limits same as IRAs ($7,000 + $1,000 catch-up age 50+)
    • Allows alternative investments (real estate, precious metals, crypto)
    • Requires IRS-approved custodian

    9. Nondeductible IRA

    • Same limits as traditional IRAs ($7,000 + $1,000 catch-up age 50+)
    • Contributions not tax-deductible; earnings taxable at withdrawal

    10. Annuities and Pension Plans (Brief Overview)

    • Annuities: Insurance-based retirement products, providing guaranteed income. High fees, limited liquidity.
    • Pension Plans: Employer-funded defined-benefit plans providing guaranteed lifetime income. Limited investment control.

    11. Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Limits for 2024

    • The maximum employee contribution to a health care FSA for 2024 is $3,200.
    • If the FSA plan allows for carryover, the maximum amount that can be carried over to 2025 is $640.
    • For Dependent Care FSAs, the maximum remains $5,000 per household (single or married filing jointly) or $2,500 if married and filing separately.

    12. Health Savings Account (HSA) Limits for 2024 Coverage Type 2024 Contribution Limit Catch-Up (Age 55+) Minimum Deductible Out-of-Pocket Max Self-only $4,150 +$1,000 $1,600 $8,050 Family $8,300 +$1,000 (per eligible spouse, each in own HSA) $3,200 $16,100

    • Individuals age 55 or older can contribute an additional $1,000 as a catch-up contribution.
    • HSA contributions can be made until the tax filing deadline (April 15, 2025, for tax year 2024).
    • To be eligible for HSA contributions, you must be enrolled in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) meeting the minimum deductible and out-of-pocket maximum requirements above.


  • Simple 401(k) Investment Guide

    Simple 401(k) Investment Guide

    In this issue:

    • Latest in Retirement Savings & Personal Finance: College Education Affordability Declined, Rising Debt Puts Your 401(k) Retirement Savings in a Pickle
    • Simple 401(k) Investment Guide
    • Tools & Tips: 401(k) Investment Assistant
    • Market Overview


  • Income Growth, Historical 401(k) Contribution Limit Data

    Income Growth, Historical 401(k) Contribution Limit Data

    In this issue:

    • Latest in Retirement Savings & Personal Finance: Interest Rates Rise Again, Rising Home Insurance Cost, …
    • Historical Income Growth, 401(k) Contribution Limit Growth
    • Tools & Tips: 401(k) Maximum Match Calculator — Marvell Semiconductor
    • Market Overview


  • How Much Should I Save for Retirement By Age? A Realistic Reference

    How Much Should I Save for Retirement By Age? A Realistic Reference

    In this issue:

    • Latest in Retirement Savings & Personal Finance: Medicare Rude Surprise, Scoop to Be a Millionaire
    • How Much Should I Save for Retirement By Age? A Realistic Reference
    • Tools & Tips: Retirement Savings by Age Calculator
    • Market Overview


  • Realistic Reference Data on Retirement Savings by Age in 2025

    Realistic Reference Data on Retirement Savings by Age in 2025

    A realistic accumulated savings figures by age in 2025 for various income level people.


  • Warren Buffett’s Phenomenal Run: The Oracle May Retire, But His Legacy Endures

    Warren Buffett’s Phenomenal Run: The Oracle May Retire, But His Legacy Endures

    In this issue:

    • Latest in Retirement Savings & Personal Finance: Social Security Early Claims Surge, Student Loan Collection Resumed, …
    • Warren Buffett’s Phenomenal Run: The Oracle May Retire, But His Legacy Endures
    • Tools & Tips: Rolling Return Calculator
    • Market Overview


  • One Fund Does It All

    One Fund Does It All

    In this issue:

    • Latest in Retirement Savings & Personal Finance: US Food & Engergy Inflation Charts, Empty Shelfs Coming? Part-time Contractors Rejoin on 401(k) Eligibility
    • One Fund Does It All: Savings & Investing in 401(k) Might Not Be That Intimidating
    • Tools & Tips: Retirement Spending Calculator
    • Market Overview


  • The One-Fund 401(k) Portfolio: Simple Yet Does Its Job

    The One-Fund 401(k) Portfolio: Simple Yet Does Its Job

    One-fund portfolio, either a target-date fund or just a balance index fund, does a good job for retirement plan investors who have little experience or who don’t want to mess around.


  • Roth IRAs for Retirees

    Roth IRAs for Retirees

    Roth IRAs can be very useful for retirees in terms of medicare premiums, estate planning and other benefits.


  • Lazy Portfolios Aren’t Lazy in Growing Wealth

    Lazy Portfolios Aren’t Lazy in Growing Wealth

    In this issue:

    • Latest in Retirement Savings & Personal Finance: Golden Rule and The Roth IRA Evangelist 
    • Lazy Portfolios Aren’t Lazy in Growing Wealth
    • Tools & Tips: Investment Arithmetic
    • Market Overview


  • IRAs as One of the Emergency Fund Sources

    IRAs as One of the Emergency Fund Sources

    In this issue:

    • Latest in Retirement Savings & Personal Finance: Back-and-forth Tariff Policies, Stock Market Swings, and Low Retirement Savings Rates
    • IRAs as One of the Emergency Fund Sources
    • The Gotcha in Maximum Solo 401(k) or SEP IRA Contribution Limits
    • Market Overview


  • How to Borrow From an IRA?

    How to Borrow From an IRA?

    There are several ways to take money out for short-term emergency purposes. This article explores some of those options.


  • Special Issue: Staying the Course Amid Market Turmoil

    Special Issue: Staying the Course Amid Market Turmoil

    In this special issue:

    • Latest in Retirement Savings & Personal Finance: Market Turmoil, Majority of Americans Invest in Stocks, …
    • Staying the Course Amid Market Turmoil
    • Tools & Tips: Longest S&P 500 Losses (Drawdowns)
    • Market Overview


  • The ABCs of Roth Conversions: Backdoor, Mega Backdoor, and More

    The ABCs of Roth Conversions: Backdoor, Mega Backdoor, and More

    In this issue:

    • Latest in Retirement Savings & Personal Finance: Tariff Liberation Day, Beefing Up Emergency Savings, and Consumer Confidence at Its Lowest
    • The ABCs of Roth Conversions: Backdoor, Mega Backdoor, and More
    • Tools & Tips: Social Security Income Calculation Infographic
    • Market Overview


  • Retirement Plan Contribution Limits in 2025

    Retirement Plan Contribution Limits in 2025

    Comprehensive retirement plans (401(k), 403(b, 457(b), Solo 401(k), SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, IRA, Roth IRA, TSP, HSA etc.) contribution limits for 2025