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 on Jul 22, 2008 - 9 answers

What, if anything, is a "Target Retirement" fund like VTIVX missing? [more inside]
posted 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 on Jun 26, 2008 - 1 answers

I want to close out my 401k (and pay the necessary taxes) so I can pay off some debt. My 401k says I'm not allowed. Why not? Can I change anyone's mind? [more inside]
posted on Jun 9, 2008 - 13 answers

PersonalFinanceFilter: 25 year old looking to start making payments into something pensionesque, but with an international bent. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted on May 15, 2008 - 6 answers

Aged 65, still working, have 401K, worried about it, can I move the funds to a self directed IRA money market fund?
posted on Apr 28, 2008 - 5 answers

So, we're in a recession. At what point should we pull our investments out of the stock market? [more inside]
posted on Apr 25, 2008 - 30 answers

Help me analyze a variable annuity as a tax-deferred retirement savings option. [more inside]
posted on Apr 17, 2008 - 3 answers

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

Is it a good idea to take out a 401k loan to pay off unsecured credit card debt, and how do these loans work?
posted on Apr 1, 2008 - 22 answers

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

Should I cancel my life insurance policy and use it to pay off most or all of my consumer debt? [more inside]
posted on Feb 29, 2008 - 8 answers

How can I protect myself from my financially unstable mother? [more inside]
posted on Feb 19, 2008 - 24 answers

At what age did you start saving for retirement? At what age do you recommend starting to save for retirement? [more inside]
posted on Feb 19, 2008 - 42 answers

Recommendations for a financial advisor/accountant for a young couple in NYC? [more inside]
posted on Jan 30, 2008 - 2 answers

What should I do with the $5k I have sitting in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas pension plan now that I'm starting a new job with no retirement plan to roll it over into? [more inside]
posted on Jan 23, 2008 - 8 answers

My boyfriend is a Canadian citizen working in the United States on a TN visa. Is he eligible to enroll in his employer’s retirement plan? [more inside]
posted on Dec 17, 2007 - 1 answers

Should I use a hardship withdrawal for my 401K to pay down/off my credit card revolving credit debt? The total debt is over $200K. I am 57. I do not anticipate retirement for another 10 years or so. I have approx $100k in the 401K that I can access. I know that there are IRS penalties for such a withdrawal but my thought was it is better to pay off the debt now and build the 401k back up. So, should I withdraw or not?
posted on Dec 3, 2007 - 22 answers

What are some legitimate "work at home" opportunities for someone looking for something to do while in "early/semi" retirement and living abroad? [more inside]
posted on Nov 12, 2007 - 6 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 on Nov 6, 2007 - 23 answers

How to tell inlaws to buck up and be frugal? [more inside]
posted on Nov 6, 2007 - 41 answers

Looking for good articles, links, etc. that discuss (rationally, not all panicky-like) strategies for managing one's 401(k) in light of recent shifts in the market and (perhaps more importantly) the declining dollar. So far, everything I've found seems geared toward investors managing their stock portfolios rather than workers managing their retirement accounts. [more inside]
posted on Oct 1, 2007 - 7 answers

What experiences have people had rolling 401(k)s over into traditional IRAs? [more inside]
posted on Aug 15, 2007 - 11 answers

A tax question. Our family has experienced a drop in income and an emergency (not medical). I have a 40 thousand dollar 401K retirement fund and want to get 16K out of it. Our family makes 91K gross with two dependents. What will be the tax hit on the 15 k from the retirement fund (so we won't be surprised at tax time). [more inside]
posted on Jul 21, 2007 - 6 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 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 on Jul 13, 2007 - 17 answers

I've several tax-related questions. Background: (a) I just became eligible in my job to participate in the firm's 401K program--the firm makes a 3% contribution--since I'm over 50 (I'm 57), I'm told I can contribute a maximum of $20,500 during 2007; (b) I have a traditional IRA from the past; and (c) I also am self-employed in addition to working for the firm. My questions are: (1) Since I have ample assets, would it not make sense to immediately start contributing my ENTIRE salary into the 401K until I max out the $20,500 limit? (2) Related to #1, would it not make sense to change my withholding so that nothing is withheld, eg so that the entire amount of my gross is contributed to the 401K? (3) Is there any reason why I should not "roll over" my traditional IRA to the 401K? (4) Am I able to make a contribution to my IRA in addition to my contribution to the 401K? (5) If I don't roll over my IRA, should I convert it to a Roth?
posted on Jul 7, 2007 - 8 answers

Both my parents are mad, Scottish and retired. They're 65 and 68, and weren't brought up in a culture of exercise. Now that they don't have a dog, they're terrifyingly sedentary. When I bring up the subject of exercise they either get defensive, or blow it off as something that crazy Americans do. How can I get them into some sort of vaguely regular exercise routine? [more inside]
posted on Jul 2, 2007 - 30 answers

We are semi-retired and live (and grew up) in Chicago. I went to college in a little river town along the Mississippi in Iowa and we're now thinking about moving to the Quad Cities as we are sick of the density, smog and crime in Chicago and long for slower, more peaceful days. There are some great running trails and fantastic old homes in Iowa in the Historic District, near the River, which appeal to us very much, but I'm worried about the lack of top notch hospitals/doctors and the fact that Iowa taxes both out of state pensions and Social Security. Any thoughts on the benefits or lack of same of the Quads? My husband and I both have some health problems but not immediate ones . Our specialists are in Chicago but I hate to think that we will not be able to enjoy the rest of our lives (we are 63 and 64) waiting for the Grim Reaper or trip to the ER. Thanks for any help.
posted on Jun 13, 2007 - 10 answers

Should we save for down payment or pay off our student loans? and what about retirement? [more inside]
posted on Jun 11, 2007 - 20 answers

Where should my parents retire to? Criteria: Europe, warm, sunny, cheap rent, no car necessary. [more inside]
posted on May 25, 2007 - 22 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 on May 16, 2007 - 6 answers

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

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

Is it possible to be a well-respected and fulfilled person without having a career? [more inside]
posted on Feb 11, 2007 - 59 answers

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

I'm not quite what sure what do about a financial situation, and I'd appreciate some opinions from the hive. I'll try my best to provide additional info if necessary. Also, I would loved to have asked this question anonymously, but I can't find the 'ask an anonymous question' link anymore?? Anyway... a former employer put contributions in my 401(k)... [more inside]
posted on Jan 23, 2007 - 13 answers

When must an employer deposit their matching funds in a 401(k) account? I understand that employee contributions must be deposited "as soon as possible", but what about the employer's matching?
posted on Jan 18, 2007 - 7 answers

I'm planning to diversify my retirement account in the next 5-7 years. I need some advice on the best way to do this. [more inside]
posted on Jan 15, 2007 - 9 answers

With the housing market slowing, where are people "in the know" putting their money so that it generates income or equity for them? How did they find out? [more inside]
posted on Jan 5, 2007 - 19 answers

What should a retiree do when they want to work AND travel? [more inside]
posted on Nov 22, 2006 - 9 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 on Nov 3, 2006 - 13 answers

How do I best analyze the performance of my mutual funds? [more inside]
posted on Sep 25, 2006 - 13 answers

Can I invest my retirement money in my own mortgage? [more inside]
posted on Sep 25, 2006 - 2 answers

Help me choose an index fund and a financial institution. [more inside]
posted on Sep 4, 2006 - 18 answers

my new employer is offering a 401k package via fidelity investments that is, dare I say it, overwhelming to me. I am especially bothered by the fact that the only advise available on said fidelity investment choices is via the nice folks from fidelity investment. so I looked for financial advisors - but how to judge them? [more inside]
posted on Aug 28, 2006 - 19 answers

My uncle's retiring from his job at the end of the month. I want to give him something meaningful, considering the fact that I don't have much in the bank. What can I get him? [more inside]
posted on Aug 26, 2006 - 15 answers

Do any of you live in Belize? A friend of mine is toying with the idea of retiring in Belize and frankly he's got me curious as well. Have any of you actually done this or know anyone who has and would be willing to chat with him about it? Thanks in advance.
posted on Aug 18, 2006 - 9 answers

I'm confused - I want to plan for my retirement and have got as far as applications for a 401k and a Roth IRA; but then it all goes hideously wrong.... [more inside]
posted on Aug 13, 2006 - 19 answers

Any experience with American Funds? Could use some opinions about financial planners, too. [more inside]
posted on Jul 25, 2006 - 16 answers