MKR Blog
As you approach retirement, understanding your Social Security benefits becomes crucial for financial planning. Your benefit amount hinges on factors like earnings history and age at sign-up. With careful planning and strategic decision-making, you can maximize your...
Dive into strategies for a secure retirement, from setting a safe withdrawal rate to delaying Social Security for increased benefits. Learn about the stability annuities offer and how to navigate these options for a worry-free retirement. Tailor your financial plan with these smart tips.
At some point in your employment journey, you’re going to find yourself at a crossroads – whether you voluntarily quit a job for a new position or face an unexpected layoff. Amidst the emotional and logistical challenges of these changes, one crucial aspect that...
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are well-regarded tools for managing healthcare expenses, in this article, we’ll explore how these tax-advantaged accounts can save you money.
Every October, retirees and individuals planning for their retirement expect the Social Security Administration to announce the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for the following year. The COLA aims to counteract the eroding effects of inflation on retirees’...
The passage of the Secure Act 2.0 in December of 2022 pushed back Required Minimum Distribution (RMDs) from age 72 to age 73 in 2023 (and age 75 in 2033). While proponents of this move argue that it provides advantages, such as allowing individuals more time to...
Retirement planning involves careful consideration of various financial strategies, and while traditional retirement accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs are still go-to options, the Health Savings Account (HSA) is becoming a valuable retirement tool. Here’s why. What is...
Saving for retirement is an essential financial goal, but there are certain circumstances in life when it may be best to push pause on retirement contributions. By recognizing these situations, you can better allocate resources and make informed decisions. Read this article for more details and recommendations.
A key approach to minimizing taxes, especially as you near retirement, is to implement tax planning strategies that can help you save money and maximize your retirement savings. Here are some tax-efficient strategies to consider. Contribute to Tax Advantage Retirement...
Saving for retirement should be a critical component of any financial plan, but it can be challenging if you’re also working toward debt repayment. The good news is that it’s possible to do both at the same time. The key is to be consistent and disciplined, and in...
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 government shuts down, businesses across the nation feel the effects, especially for those that rely on federal programs, work directly with federal agencies, or operate near government properties. This article explains how government shutdowns affect...
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)...
A recent deal between the Trump administration and Pfizer is signaling hope to the pharmaceutical industry. Under Trump's Pfizer deal, Pfizer gets an exemption from pharmaceutical-specific tariffs if the company invests in domestic manufacturing. This key deal is...
President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) introduced several tax changes designed to boost take-home pay and simplify the tax code. Some major adjustments include nontaxable income, gift limits, estate tax exemption, and overtime deductions. Here’s a look at...
Economies always run in cycles, which means that, at some point, inevitably, there will be a downturn. And the best time to prepare for an economic downturn is before things start to take a tumble. In this article, we’ll go over strategies you can use to keep your...
What happens when it’s time to step back from running your professional services firm? Is there a clear path for the future of your business? In this article, we’ll go over how to create a solid succession plan, whether you’re looking to sell, merge, or pass the firm...
The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) signed by President Trump includes a federal cap on the state and local tax (SALT). Until 2024, SALT was capped at $10,000 under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), but the OBBB increased it to $40,000. The cap will rise by 1% each...
Small businesses are finally seeing signs of life after a rocky few years. Since January, average earnings have climbed by 75%. That’s an encouraging statistic, yet monthly revenues still lag behind the record highs of the past two years. This signals that progress is...
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,...