How to Read Your Retirement Calculator Results You can use this retirement savings calculator to glean a number of key insights including: When you’ll run out of money: People typically retire between the ages 65 and 70; using the retirement calculator above you can predict when you can comfortably retire by adjusting contribution amounts, contribution…
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Self-Directed IRA: Rules, Services, & Checkbook Control
A self-directed IRA is a tax-deferred retirement account that allows you to directly manage your investments and buy alternative assets that aren’t available in traditional IRAs. An account with a self-directed IRA service costs more to set up and maintain but allows you to invest in things like real estate, private companies, and precious metals….
Traditional IRA: Rules, Contribution Limits & Deadlines
An individual retirement account (traditional IRA) is a tax-deferred investment account that allows account holders to contribute up to $6,000 per year pretax as a way to save for retirement. Account holders can invest to grow their IRA without paying any taxes on contributions or gains until money is withdrawn from the account during retirement. A…
Top 26 Ways to Manage Your 401K Investments From the Pros
A 401k investment is essential if you want to achieve a comfortable and financially stable retirement. There are many different ways to manage your 401k investments to ensure you get the most benefits out of your retirement plan. We spoke with the experts who shared their best tips for managing your 401k plan. Here are…
Employee Stock Purchase Plan: How ESPPs Work & Who They’re Right For
An employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) is a benefit plan, like a Roth 401(k), that allows employees to make after-tax deferral contributions that can be used to purchase shares in the company they work for. Using an ESPP, employees can typically buy shares at a discount that they can hold until retirement or sell. How…
Employee Stock Ownership Plan: How ESOPs Work & Who They’re Right For
An employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) is a qualified defined-contribution employee benefit plan that provides the employees of a business an ownership interest in that business. An ESOP is used by employers to either reward employees or as an exit strategy from business ownership. If owned by an ESOP, the business can receive great tax…
11 Best CD Rates 2018
Certificates of deposit (CDs) are important savings tools that you can use to grow your savings by earning a prearranged interest rate over a set period of time. We’ve compared dozens of CD rates from banks and credit unions all around the United States to create a list of the best CD rates currently available….
How to Find a Financial Advisor That’s Right for You in 7 Steps
A financial advisor is a licensed professional who helps clients build and execute financial plans based on their individual needs. It’s important to identify your needs before choosing a financial advisor because they typically serve a variety of functions. There are seven steps to help you find the right financial advisor that can meet your…
Robo Advisors: What They Are & Who They’re Right For
A robo advisor is a computer program that manages client investments automatically based on a preselected strategy. Robo advisors make investment decisions based on algorithms rather than input from humans, who can react emotionally or make mistakes. Robo advisors are also typically much less expensive than traditional financial advisors, making them ideal for cost-efficient, automated…
6 Best Robo Advisors 2018
A financial robo advisor is a service provider that manages portfolios using strategies that trade and rebalance investments automatically. Robo advisors are best for passive investors who want cost-efficient ways to invest in a wide range of investments. We examined more than a dozen of the most popular robo advisors to identify the best robo…
15 Best Money Market Accounts & Rates 2018
A money market account is an interest-bearing account available through banks and mutual fund companies. With money market deposit accounts through a bank, savers can find Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)-insured accounts with no minimum deposits and rates up to 2.01 percent annual percentage yield. We’ve reviewed the best money market accounts and compiled the…
8 Best Self-Directed IRA Custodians & Companies 2018
A self-directed IRA custodian or facilitator gives you the freedom to direct your own investments in stocks and bonds as well as alternative assets like real estate, private equity, and precious metals. We evaluated dozens of self-directed IRA companies on investment options, fees, and customer service and narrowed the list down to the best eight…
