It can be hard to anticipate your healthcare needs for the coming year, but your company’s annual open enrollment period is the time to consider what you think you’ll need. Here are nine questions to think through as you assess which health plan provides the care you need at a price you can afford. 1.
Adolescence is the perfect time to start teaching taxes—what they are, how they work, why we pay them, etc. Taxes are filed differently based on income and lifestyle, making it difficult to explain all the intricacies that come with filing taxes. But students can still learn tax basics early so they'll understand the concept as
Federal Income Taxes are a percentage of an individual’s or business’s income paid to the government and used to fund public goods and services. If you understand how these taxes work and their purpose, you can better appreciate the benefits and better account for the loss. Taxable Income Federal income taxes are charged only on taxable
Looking for ways to teach students about income taxes, deductions, etc.? Good news! There are tons of great resources out there to help you do just that. Let’s start by taking a look at two very important points related to teaching taxes: What are taxes? Taxes are required payments to local and federal governments—businesses and
Transitioning to retirement takes planning and preparation. But if you're wise, you can set yourself up for success. Whether you have a pension or a retirement fund that you've been contributing to during you career, you might need your first retirement payment the month after you receive you last paycheck. This means you'll need to
Individual retirement accounts(IRAs) are personal retirement plans. You must earn income to contribute, and will usually build the plan over several decades. Roth vs Traditional There are two types of IRAs: a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA. The main difference between them is when you pay taxes. A traditional IRA is tax deferred. This
Social Security was established more than 85 years ago during the Great Depression and continues today as a main retirement vehicle for many Americans. Although best known for its retirement benefits, Social Security also provides life and disability insurance, and processes applications for Medicare. Employees who’ve worked and paid into Social Security through payroll deductions
Understanding and effectively utilizing your tax-advantaged retirement savings options can have a big impact on your current and future finances.Traditional AccountsMany employers offer tax-advantaged traditional 401(k) accounts or similar employer-sponsored plans for retirement savings. With these accounts, you contribute a percentage of your pre-tax income into an investment account and can only withdraw funds once you
For those without a retirement plan at work or those looking to maximize their retirement savings, an IRA provides an individualized saving option. What Is an Individual Retirement Account? An IRA (individual retirement account) is a retirement investment option available to anyone with earned income. You can open an IRA at most financial institutions, or through investment
Many people make the mistake of treating investing as a way to get rich quick by finding the one perfect stock. While that may happen every once in a while, it’s best to think of investing as a tool, rather than a lottery ticket. If used carefully, you can minimize risk and maximize your chances
Investing is a way to make money grow. People invest money in things like the stock market and real estate in hopes that the money they put in—their initial investment—returns more money over time. Why Invest Investing comes with risk, or the chance of loss, but it also comes with the possibility of growth way
As you embark on retirement planning, it’s essential to understand the various investment options available in your 401(k) plan. This article will help you make informed decisions that align with your financial goals and risk tolerance. Asset Classes in Your 401(k): You control how to invest your 401(k)—if you want to. You could have your
