Last year, the Setting Every Community Up for Security Enhancement (SECURE) Act increased the age for required minimum distributions (RMDs) from 70½ to 72. The purpose of RMDs is to spread out the tax burden associated with the years of tax-deferred earnings investors accrued in qualified retirement plans. If you expect RMDs to be an…

Young adults have weathered difficult times the past two decades: mass school shootings, extreme weather conditions, student loan debt and a global pandemic. But now they’re witnessing an unprecedented job market, where even those with little to no work experience can dictate their own terms. These situations have made the younger generation think less of…

This year, investors are making record-high margin investments against their accumulated assets. According to FINRA, margin debt had reached $847 billion by the end of April. Much of this activity is fueled by low interest rates and rising stock prices, making leverage investing more appealing. However, investing on margin poses significant risks, so what is investing…

Congress is known for passing enormous bills with lots of little-known provisions that are not entirely central to the key objectives of the bill. Alas, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 is one of them. It contains changes to how students and parents apply for student aid via the Free Application…

It would be nice if the Roth IRA had been around long as the traditional IRA. Imagine the long-term financial benefits of tax-free growth throughout a 40-year career. Annual contribution limits for IRAs are relatively low ($6,000; $7,000 for 50-plus), but the Roth is a good complement for investors who also contribute to an employer-based…

According to a recent survey of supply chain professionals, the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted 98% of global supply chains. Among the most disruptive supply challenges was the procurement of personal protective equipment, pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. Companies that had outsourced manufacturing to other countries experienced firsthand the types of risks associated with offshoring. The previous administration placed…

In its midyear review, market analysts at Charles Schwab say that economic growth in the United States may have peaked in the second quarter of this year, and it believes China experienced its peak in the fourth quarter of 2020. However, Schwab is bullish on Europe’s prospects for the rest of this year. It notes…

Historically, inflation has been highly correlated with unemployment levels. When more people were out of a job, inflation was lower. As more people got jobs, inflation increased. From an economic point of view, this makes sense. Jobs increase income, which increases spending, which increases demand — supplies drop and prices rise. The opposite is true…

As hard as retirement saving and investing may seem, that’s the easy part. The real challenge is figuring out how to make your accumulated savings last throughout your and your spouse’s retirements. You need a financial strategy, and it’s best to have that strategy developed before retirement begins. Here is what you need to konw…