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Fall Money Moves Every Boomer Should Make Before Year-End
Yahoo Finance· 2025-10-15 12:54
Core Insights - Fall is an optimal time for baby boomers to refine their financial strategies before year-end deadlines, focusing on RMDs and charitable giving to lower taxes and enhance retirement savings [1][2] Group 1: Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) - Boomers aged 73 or older must adhere to strict RMD deadlines, with penalties for non-compliance; reviewing distribution amounts now allows for corrections and exploration of charitable giving options [3] - Financial advisors recommend aligning withdrawals with tax strategies before year-end, as RMDs can significantly affect annual financial plans [4] Group 2: Retirement Contributions - Working boomers can utilize catch-up contributions to reduce taxable income and enhance retirement savings, with additional contributions of $7,500 for 401(k) and $1,000 for IRA available for those aged 50 and older in 2025 [5] Group 3: Charitable Giving - Charitable contributions made before December 31 can lower taxable income while supporting preferred causes; reviewing taxable accounts in the fall is advisable for strategic gifting [5][6] - Tax-loss harvesting and donating appreciated stock or making QCDs from IRAs are effective strategies to reduce taxable income while contributing to charitable causes [6] Group 4: Medicare Coverage - The Medicare open enrollment period from October 15 to December 7 provides boomers an essential opportunity to review plan changes and avoid unexpected costs in 2026 [6]
New 401(k) catch-up rule may hit older high earners in 2026
Yahoo Finance· 2025-09-30 17:58
Core Points - The IRS has introduced a new rule requiring Americans aged 50 and older earning at least $145,000 to make catch-up contributions to a Roth 401(k) starting in 2026, marking the first mandatory Roth provision in the tax code [1][4] - Catch-up contributions for those aged 50 and older will allow an additional $7,500 annually, raising the total contribution limit to $31,000 in 2025, with further adjustments expected for inflation in 2026 [2][3] - Individuals aged 60 to 63 can contribute an extra $3,750, bringing their total allowable contribution to $34,750 for the year [3] Tax Implications - Roth 401(k) contributions are made after-tax, meaning no upfront tax deduction, but withdrawals are tax-free, prompting older savers to reassess their tax situations [2][5] - The value of tax-free withdrawals from Roth 401(k) accounts increases if future tax rates rise, while a decrease in tax rates could make prior higher taxes less favorable [7] - If tax rates remain unchanged, the choice between traditional and Roth 401(k) contributions may not significantly impact the final amount available for retirement [7]