MKR Blog
Key Takeaways Not coordinating 401(k)s can cost couples real money. Research suggests couples who don't prioritize the highest employer match may lose an average of $14,000 in retirement wealth over their lifetime — not from saving too little, but from saving in the...
When you retire, you don’t have to move your 401(k) right away, and for many retirees, leaving it where it is could be a smart move. Employers are increasingly adding features that make staying in the plan more appealing. Why? Partly because when employees with large...
More Americans are turning to a 401(k) hardship withdrawal to cover urgent and unexpected expenses. By the end of 2024, about 5% of employees had taken a hardship withdrawal from their 401(k) accounts. That’s more than double the 2% who did so in 2018. With inflation,...
When the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates, it’s good news for borrowers and consumers, but not so much for savers. The Fed’s recent quarter-point rate cut is a reminder that the annual percentage yields (APYs) on savings accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs)...
Recent surveys reveal that Americans spend hours each week thinking about their finances. Rising prices, mounting debt, and uncertainty about the future all contribute to financial stress. Add in steep housing costs, concerns over tariffs raising the price of goods,...
A 401(k) is often thought of as a set-it-and-forget-it kind of account—set a contribution amount, bank on a company match, and let the market do its thing. But if you haven’t checked in on your plan lately, you might be missing out on some significant new features....
As markets continue to experience turbulence driven by renewed tariffs, trade tensions, and global uncertainty, you might be rethinking how you save for retirement. One increasingly popular strategy is converting traditional retirement savings into Roth accounts....
Essential changes to Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and 401(k) plans are set to take effect in 2025, primarily due to the SECURE 2.0 Act. These modifications, set to phase in over the next several years, will impact your retirement savings strategy. Here’s what...
Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are mandatory withdrawals from certain retirement accounts. They can significantly impact your tax burden and overall financial well-being. In 2024, changes introduced by the Secure 2.0 Act have increased the minimum age for RMDs,...
If you’re feeling the pressure of playing catch-up with your retirement savings, you’re not alone. In a recent nationwide survey conducted by the National Institute on Retirement Security, 55% of working-age Americans are concerned that financial security in...
Key Takeaways Hourly billing rewards time, not results. The traditional billable hour model creates a misalignment between client and firm. Clients want efficiency, but firms earn more when work takes longer. That tension is prompting a shift toward alternative fee...
Key Takeaways Not coordinating 401(k)s can cost couples real money. Research suggests couples who don't prioritize the highest employer match may lose an average of $14,000 in retirement wealth over their lifetime — not from saving too little, but from saving in the...
Key Takeaways AI can automate the basics of money management. From tracking spending patterns to suggesting realistic budgets and automating transfers to savings, AI-powered financial apps help people manage cash flow without the guesswork of manual tracking. AI is a...
Inheriting an IRA might feel like a financial win, but the rules today are different than they were just a few years ago. If you’re not up to date, an unexpected tax bill could catch you off guard. Here’s what changed, and how to plan around it. Changes Made by the...
The retail landscape has been reshaping since the pandemic, and what seemed like temporary changes have now solidified into permanent shifts in how consumers shop and what they expect from retailers. Here are the key trends shaping retail this year. Value-Oriented...
If you owe back taxes and you’re expecting a refund this year, you might be wondering if the IRS will keep it. In some cases, yes. In others, no. Whether the refund reaches your bank account depends on several factors. If you have unpaid federal tax debt, the IRS can...
President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) could change your tax return in real ways. The bill offers potential relief for parents raising kids, workers earning tips or overtime, and seniors on fixed incomes. There are a few key areas to pay attention to. Here’s...
Running a veterinary clinic means juggling patient care, staff needs, and business operations. Technology can help ease that load, and in 2026, several trends are beginning to emerge for better efficiency, security, and staff and client support. Here are the...
Health savings accounts (HSAs) are one of the best tools for saving on healthcare costs. And beginning this year, more Americans than ever will qualify for HSAs, thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), which was passed last July. Read on to learn what’s changing,...
When you retire, you don’t have to move your 401(k) right away, and for many retirees, leaving it where it is could be a smart move. Employers are increasingly adding features that make staying in the plan more appealing. Why? Partly because when employees with large...