I'm about to leave a startup to go to a different company, and I need some help figuring out how to handle my stock options. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 17, 2009 - 7 answers

What to do with a 'leftover' 401k account? [more inside]
posted by bookdragoness on Aug 30, 2009 - 9 answers

How do you locate the safety deposit box and 401k/IRA of a deceased relative who you've had little contact with lately? [more inside]
posted by joshgates on Aug 16, 2009 - 8 answers

Is it a bad idea to use money withdrawn from a IRA for buying a house? I want to buy a home but I'm having trouble with the down payment and closing costs and I've got a 401K that's just kinda sitting there from my last job. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 12, 2009 - 6 answers

PARS distribution questions -- I taught part-time for 10 years. Recently I realized that life is too short for doing that and so I've stopped. The school notified the PARS retirement and they want to distribute to me. [more inside]
posted by notned on May 19, 2009 - 1 answer

US Tax Filter: How do I report an asset transfer/rollover from an IRA into a 401k to the IRS so that we are not taxed for the amount? I know you are not my tax advisor. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 11, 2009 - 6 answers

Now that I have a little extra money, how should I start saving it? (I don't have a 401(k)) For instance, what's an IRA and why should I care? Or what about this thread talks about high-yield savings? Or this one about index funds? While I *am* young, I'm mostly concerned with creating a nest egg, not playing the stock market (read: I'm more interested in low-risk that will hopefully allow me to afford a family and eventually retire). Thanks!
posted by marclar on May 4, 2009 - 18 answers

I need to know what my options are for moving this thing, given that I have a negative net worth. Can I roll it into another brokerage-style Rollover IRA at a brokerage firm, not a bank, and avoid the money laundering law stuff? Or am I relegated to Bank IRAs until I'm out of school debt? Do I suck it up and take the $75/month hit until I can start depositing money again (I don't know when that will be), and hope that the investments make up the difference in the long run? I haven't lost as much as most in my portfolio, and I know I have time to make up the losses, the monthly fee just seems like an unnecessary loss I should be able to avoid. [more inside]
posted by blue andrea on Apr 20, 2009 - 5 answers

I inherited an IRA (under 50 K). Because the person who contributed all the money is dead, I am required to take annual distributions. It's currently managed at a big bank, for an annual percentage, plus fees. I'd prefer to have it local, low-cost. Who might offer this, plus managing the distribution, at very low cost? [more inside]
posted by theora55 on Mar 7, 2009 - 14 answers

My Dad wants to roll his IRA over to an RIRA and use the money to buy my brother a townhouse. Is this a bad idea? [more inside]
posted by JPowers on Feb 16, 2009 - 5 answers

Should I convert my Traditional IRA to Roth IRA now or ever? [more inside]
posted by gnash on Feb 9, 2009 - 10 answers

Does one reduce risk by investing in mutual funds held by different groups? If I invest in an S&P 500 index fund with both Fidelity and Vanguard is that better than just going with Vanguard? Or is the SIPC protection such that I need not worry about such things? [more inside]
posted by grouse on Feb 9, 2009 - 7 answers

Like many people, my retirement fund took a hit when the market crashed. My question is--who should I have been reading before this happened? Who was the consistent voice of sanity telling everyone, "Hey, stick your retirement in something safe RIGHT NOW." [more inside]
posted by mecran01 on Dec 22, 2008 - 32 answers

What are the best -- in terms of compelling writing and in terms of comprehensiveness -- books about the "Troubles" between Ireland and the UK over the past 50 or so years? Bonus points if available on Kindle. [more inside]
posted by proj on Dec 14, 2008 - 10 answers

My partner and I need to pay off some debt, and unfortunately we need to dip into our retirement funds. Our tax accountant is on vacation and we can't find the answer to our question. We have two sources–either sell some stock or cash out a couple of short-term IRA CDs. Which is the lesser of two evils? [more inside]
posted by al_fresco on Dec 13, 2008 - 11 answers

I am trying to figure out how to invest money for retirement and otherwise. I am in my late 20s, earn $55,000 annually, have no debt, and about $90,000 in savings. I am currently putting 5% of my salary into a 403(b) which is the maximum amount my employer will match. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 - 11 answers

What ever happened to Gerard Sands, the son of Bobby Sands the IRA Hunger Striker who died in the Maze? [more inside]
posted by lottie on Nov 11, 2008 - 3 answers

New to 403(b)s... should I do an IRA instead? [more inside]
posted by atayah on Oct 29, 2008 - 5 answers

A crazy financial question about the timing of my 401k rollover to and IRA in light of current economic events in the US. Is it even possible to time a rollover? [more inside]
posted by quadog on Sep 30, 2008 - 8 answers

What counts as qualified schooling costs for early withdrawal from an IRA? [more inside]
posted by christy on Aug 14, 2008 - 1 answer

Can I opt out of paying income taxes on inherited retirement benefits in the USA? I won't be filing a tax return, anyway. [more inside]
posted by xanthippe on Jul 22, 2008 - 9 answers

What, if anything, is a "Target Retirement" fund like VTIVX missing? [more inside]
posted by selfnoise on Jun 30, 2008 - 4 answers

Will opening a Solo 401(k) before year's end reduce my modified adjusted gross income (MAGI)? I'm a 28-year-old freelance worker with a sole proprietorship, and I'd like to be able to fully fund my Roth IRA for 2008 [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 26, 2008 - 1 answer

I'd like to cash out some beneficiary investment accounts. I'd like to know in advance what the taxes and penalties (if any) would be. In other words, what would be the cash remaining from this. [more inside]
posted by D-ten on May 6, 2008 - 2 answers

I have a new IRA. Limited experience with them. How do you choose between the various mutual funds? [more inside]
posted by downstairs on Apr 25, 2008 - 13 answers

so ive got like $3500 or so that i want to put into either a roth ira and some index funds.....or that id like to put all together in the market. there are these funds ive been reading about a little in the market itself that are labeled as 'safe' bets. they pay anywhere from 10-15% return and are pretty much all in energy, oil, gas, drilling, and that sort of thing. it's buy and hold on a smaller scale. anyway, that's one option and the other option is to just put the minimum in a roth and buy about a grand's worth of fidelity funds. my goals are to be able to help pay rent and to build small amounts of wealth. alright, lemme know what you think.
posted by locoindio on Apr 18, 2008 - 18 answers

Questions about opening a Roth IRA -- particularly, does it matter where I open it? If so, Fidelity vs. Vanguard? [more inside]
posted by salvia on Apr 6, 2008 - 13 answers

I inherited a proportional share (a third or a half, usually) of several small IRA accounts last March. I have yet to actually claim these inheritances or do rollovers for them, so technically they're still under the name of the decedent. Do I have any tax obligations for these for 2007? Does the decedent (meaning do I have to do anything for the decedent's 2007 return)?
posted by liketitanic on Apr 4, 2008 - 10 answers

I want to buy my first house AND not owe any Federal taxes for 2007...Traditional IRA Perhaps? [more inside]
posted by Smarson on Mar 26, 2008 - 15 answers

Looking for Mutual Funds/Investments with low initial investment fees. [more inside]
posted by goalyeehah on Mar 20, 2008 - 9 answers

Can I contribute to my Roth-IRA from my savings account if I don't earn an income? [more inside]
posted by ruwan on Mar 19, 2008 - 7 answers

How does the IRS find out if you exceed the income limit and contribute to a Roth IRA?
posted by Kimpossible on Mar 12, 2008 - 3 answers

How can I contribute to my IRAs as soon as possible? [more inside]
posted by Flunkie on Mar 5, 2008 - 12 answers

I forgot to claim a $4,000 contribution to a Roth IRA account during the 2006 tax season. How do I go about claiming this in the 2007 tax season? (more inside) [more inside]
posted by mand0 on Feb 21, 2008 - 11 answers

Did my 401K just blow my IRA deduction out of the water? [more inside]
posted by kookywon on Feb 15, 2008 - 7 answers

With the US economy apparently getting ready to go 'foom!', a friend of mine has become very excited about silver as an investment. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 21, 2007 - 31 answers

You can use your Roth IRA for your first time home purchase (up to 10k). However, you must have the account open for 5 years. How is account defined? [more inside]
posted by InvestorMD on Dec 20, 2007 - 5 answers

Using 401K & Roth IRA to purchase second property ?? Is this possible ?? Any suggestions. Thanks, ek
posted by endlessknot on Nov 18, 2007 - 13 answers

I have a Simple IRA from a previous employer. Should I roll it into my 401(k), convert it to a Roth IRA, or do something else entirely? [more inside]
posted by junkbox on Nov 13, 2007 - 8 answers

The new job I'm at offers a crappy 401K program--no matching at all!! Should I enroll in it or just keep my money and put it into an IRA when I have the minimum? [more inside]
posted by misanthropicsarah on Nov 6, 2007 - 23 answers

IRAfilter: Am about to get a traditional IRA to roll some retirement funds into from an expired employer plan. Got stuck when I was asked which mutual funds to select. [more inside]
posted by ikahime on Jul 17, 2007 - 10 answers

What are the rules about selling shares held in a Roth IRA? Warning: still a bit of a finance n00b... [more inside]
posted by electric_counterpoint on Jul 13, 2007 - 17 answers

What provisions of the PATRIOT Act govern the opening of my Roth IRA? [more inside]
posted by comwiz on Jun 7, 2007 - 4 answers

Health Savings Accounts (HSA's) ... Can they be used as just another tax-free retirement account after you max out your Roth IRA? [more inside]
posted by MrBCID on May 16, 2007 - 6 answers

I have $100,000. What the hell should I do with it? I'm 24. I have no credit card debt at all. I never went to college, so I have no loans to pay. I still live at home, so I have no rent/mortgage. I drive a car that has already been paid for. I'm self employed, but it isn't something that really needs money "put into it." Like, I don't need better equipment or a bigger office or advertising or anything like that. What I'm wondering is, what should I do with this money? [more inside]
posted by creative on Apr 14, 2007 - 42 answers

I'm an employee at a small business. I need retirement fund ideas beyond the Roth IRA? [more inside]
posted by cschneid on Mar 1, 2007 - 9 answers

I have a 401(k) from a previous employer. What should I roll it into? [more inside]
posted by SpecialK on Feb 27, 2007 - 9 answers

Does it make sense to (and what are the tax implications) of converting IRA funds into a Roth IRA account? [more inside]
posted by mintchip on Jan 25, 2007 - 12 answers

A friend in her mid-40s is, for various reasons, only now getting a belated start on planning for retirement. Help me point her in the right direction! [more inside]
posted by fizzyliftingdrink on Nov 3, 2006 - 13 answers

Should I invest in an unmatched 401k first or IRA first? I know that if one's employer matches 401k contributions that it's important to make sure to take advantage of that. But I'm less clear about the advantages of an unmatched 401k vs. an IRA, for retirement investing. If, say, one were to want to invest $5000 income, would it make more sense to fund the full $4000 in the IRA (probably Roth, as we're in our 30s) before contributing to the 401k? Or should it all be in the 401k? (Generally speaking of course). I've tried to do a little reading around on this, but on this particular question I remain confused.
posted by mollymolo on Nov 2, 2006 - 12 answers