Retirement

Roth IRA Catch-Up: Contribution Rules and Examples

If retirement is on the horizon, every extra dollar you save can make a difference. That’s the idea behind Roth IRA catch-up contributions, which allow investors age 50 and older to contribute more than the standard annual limit. These additional contributions can help boost tax-free retirement savings. But eligibility rules,…

MAGI for a Roth IRA: Income Limits and Calculation Examples

A Roth IRA can be one of the most powerful retirement savings tools available, offering the potential for decades of tax-free growth and tax-free qualified withdrawals. But not everyone is eligible to contribute directly. The key decider is your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI). This tax calculation determines whether you…

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Matching: Rules, Tiers and Examples

The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is the federal government’s defined contribution retirement plan. It is available to federal civilian employees under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). It also includes the Blended Retirement System (BRS), which covers members of the uniformed services. For its participants, the government’s matching contributions represent…

A Couple Can Convert 3,000 a Year to a Roth at About 9%. Here’s How

Many retirees overlook one of the best tax-planning windows in their financial lives: the years between retirement and required minimum distributions (RMDs). During this period, you may be able to convert traditional IRA assets to a Roth at relatively low tax rates before RMDs increase your taxable income. Here’s why…

How to Do a Backdoor Roth Conversion: Caps, Steps and Examples

A backdoor Roth IRA allows high-income earners to move money into a Roth IRA. It is a simple two-step strategy that works because, while the IRS sets income limits on direct Roth IRA contributions, it sets no income limits on Roth IRA conversions. Anyone whose modified adjusted gross income (MAGI)…