Posts in Retirement Planning
2025 Catch Up Rules Allow 60 to 63 Year Olds to Super Save!

Since 2001, individuals over the age of 50 have been allowed to make "catch-up" contributions to their 401(k) plans, IRAs, and Roth IRAs. This provision was designed by Congress to give those nearing retirement the opportunity to boost their savings in tax-advantaged retirement accounts. Now, starting in 2025, new legislation will extend these opportunities even further.

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2024 Numbers to Know

The IRS has announced contribution savings limits for retirement savings accounts for 2024. All the maximum contributions to retirement plans have increased by $500. Make sure you let your payroll department know that you want to increase your contributions to these plans.

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Finance in a Flash: 2024 Tax Preparation

On this episode of Finance in a Flash we welcome a special guest to the podcast. Stephanie Murray,  Stephanie is Beacon’s Planning and Operations Manager. Stephanie is an Enrolled Agent—a federally licensed tax practitioner as well as a Certified Financial Planner™.  John and Stephanie sit down and discuss important tax forms, the tax preparation process, and much more! 

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Finance in a Flash: Get To Know Beacon: Patrick Lamprey

On this episode of Finance In A Flash,  John interviews Beacon's Client Services Representative, Patrick Lamprey. We really hope you enjoy this episode and get to know more about Patrick as he talks about his personal life, how he got into financial planning, and his time here at Beacon so far! 

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Finance in a Flash: "Which Account?" Part 1: Distributions

When it comes to taking account distributions, which account is best - IRAs, Roth IRAs, Brokerage accounts or 401k plans? Chip and John discuss tax strategies and other considerations to take into account when deciding which account to take a distribution from! 

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Finance in a Flash: Tax-Efficient Investing and the Importance of “Asset Location”

On this episode of Finance in a Flash Chip and John sit down to discuss, tax-efficient investing and the importance of “Asset Location.”  Chip and John talk about which types of investments should be held in which accounts and why that may vary based on your stage in life.  

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Understanding Risk—Capacity, Tolerance, Perception & Risk Required

We explore the four elements of an investor's risk profile - risk capacity, risk required, risk tolerance and risk perception. Understanding each type of risk is an essential element of building an investment portfolio that can both meet your specific investment needs, while allowing you to sleep easy during times of personal and financial stress.

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The Rules are Changing (Again!) for Required Minimum Distributions

The SECURE Act 2.0 altered the onset of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from age 72 to age 73. However, the law made no change to the Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) rules. So, while a RMD is not required until age 73, a taxpayer over age 70 ½ is allowed to distribute directly from their IRA to their favorite charity and avoid taxation.

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Inheriting an IRA? Know the Distribution Rules

With the passage of the SECURE Act, distribution requirements for beneficiaries changed dramatically. Now, non-spousal beneficiaries are required to distribute the entire balance of an inherited IRA within 10 years! This could present an enormous tax burden for those beneficiaries.

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