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.
MKR Blog
Use These Strategies to Minimize Taxes on Retirement Savings
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...
How to Save for Retirement When You’re Still Paying Off Debt
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...
You Can Use IRA Funds for These Life Moments and Avoid the Early Withdrawal Penalty
Typically, withdrawing from an IRA before age 59 ½ will trigger a 10% early withdrawal penalty. However, there are some key milestones where that penalty is waived. Here’s when you can avoid the IRA early withdrawal penalty.
How to Take Retirement Withdrawals in a Down Market with Minimal Damage to Your Long-Term Financial Plan
Retirees routinely withdraw cash from retirement accounts to cover basic living expenses, but selling low could negatively affect your retirement portfolio. If the economy experiences a downturn during your retirement years, you can use the strategies discussed below to minimize the impact to your long-term financial plan.
Retirement Planning Catch-Up Strategies for Late Starters
Approaching retirement planning when you’re late in the game can be a daunting task, but with the right strategies, you can get on track to build a nest egg that will provide some support by the time you reach retirement. Read on for proven catch-up options for late...
Are You Making These Mistakes with Your Roth IRA?
A Roth IRA is a great vehicle for saving for retirement. Because you pay taxes on money going into your account, you can withdraw funds tax-free in retirement. And unlike other retirement funds, required minimum distributions don’t apply to Roth IRAs, so your money...
Follow These Strategies to Be Sure Your Savings Last After Retirement
After working for decades to save for retirement, you’re finally ready to retire. This calls for a pivotal shift in focus from growing your investment portfolio to planning how you’re going to live off those savings, possibly for decades to come. With the right...
Try These Top Strategies to Boost Your IRA Balance
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) allow for a tax-advantaged way to invest your money long-term. Whether you choose to invest in a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA (or a combination of the two), you’ll defer paying income tax on the money you set aside for...
Going Solo Amid the Great Resignation? Why a Solo 401(k) Retirement Plan is a Good Option for Self-Employed Individuals
If you are a freelancer, an independent contractor, or a self-employed individual, you know the perks of working for yourself, but you likely also notice one major drawback: the lack of an employer-sponsored retirement plan like a 401(k). Enter the Solo 401(k) plan....
Tax Changes Under the One Big Beautiful Bill: Nontaxable Income, Gift Limits, and Overtime Deductions
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...
Smart Business Strategies to Prepare for Economic Downturns
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...
Succession Planning for Professional Services Practices: Preparing to Sell, Merge, or Pass the Firm to the Next Generation
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...
How to Maximize the $40,000 SALT Deduction in 2025 Under Trump’s New Tax Law
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...
How Tariffs, Economic Uncertainty, and the One Big Beautiful Bill Are Impacting Small Business Earnings
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...
Americans Spend Hours Thinking About Money: Financial Stress, Its Impact, and Practical Solutions to Ease Worries
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,...
How Small Retailers Can Use Local Partnerships to Drive Foot Traffic and Boost Sales
Small retailers have a rough go competing against big chains and e-commerce giants, but there’s one thing these smaller stores have that Amazon doesn’t: community. Local stores have the opportunity to build connections with their customers. Building partnerships...
Why 2025 Is the Perfect Time to Start or Buy an Independent Veterinary Practice
A noticeable trend in 2025 points to a resurgence in independent veterinary ownership. In an era dominated by corporate consolidation, 2025 is shaping up to be a turning point — especially for veterinarians ready to reclaim ownership, redefine care models, and build...
Why the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Could Be a Lifeline for Small Businesses Facing Tariffs and Inflation
As small business owners face continued inflation and rising tariffs, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) could provide critical financial relief for Main Street businesses. By extending key provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA), the legislation...
Understanding How Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Affects Social Security Benefits
President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” has been making headlines, particularly for what it could mean for older Americans collecting Social Security. While many headlines have suggested that the bill would eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits, that’s not...