What’s the #1 thing people know about retirement accounts? They are good for your taxes, but they lock your money up until you are 59½. This is generally true, but it leaves out two important loopholes that can let you get money out early. The two biggest ones — the Rule of 55 (simple) and Rule 72(t) (complex and risky), can fit into an early retirement strategy such as FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early).
This article draws heavily on earlier discussions like tax strategy and IRA rollovers after leaving your job. In fact, the Rule of 55 creates an important exception to my usual rollover advice.
Last year, a fintech company called Synpase went bankrupt, affecting bank accounts of over 100,000 clients. This bankruptcy sent shockwaves through the financial technology sector, raising profound concerns among investors, especially those relying on modern fintech custodians. The key problem is the decision by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) not to backstop Synapse’s account holders, a move with significant implications well beyond Synapse itself. This decision raises serious questions regarding investor safeguards and custodial protection mechanisms within the broader fintech ecosystem, particularly for robo-advisors and similar services that have garnered sweeping popularity in recent years.
I’ll go ahead and put my main conclusion at the top for this one. Previously, I have been very positive on robo-advisors for certain clients that are willing and able to self-direct investments. Based on the FDIC response and discussion around Synapse, I don’t think any investors should have any money with robo-advisors. Furthermore, I don’t think investors should use any fintech intermediary at all, at least until the FDIC and SIPC catch up to the times.
Your savings should go directly into a real, regulated bank. Your investments should go directly into a real, regulated custodian. Until the FDIC and SIPC say different, if the people you deal with for customer service aren’t the ones getting audited, you are not protected.
I love TreasuryDirect! It’s a free site run by the US Government to allow all citizens to buy US Government debt securities. You can buy several types of savings bonds, and more importantly, you can directly participate in treasury bill, note, and bond auctions. This means that individual investors with as little as $100 can invest on perfectly equal footing with huge institutional investors. They all get exactly the same pricing. It’s amazing! I don’t think there’s any other situation in which an individual can buy a security for such a small amount and get exactly the same terms as CALPERS buying hundreds of millions of securities at the same time. It’s a true egalitarian marvel.
It’s actually slightly dumb for me to even write this article because the service is directly competitive with my core service offering as a fee based financial adviser. The more that my clients or potential clients invest with TreasuryDirect, the less they invest with me, and the less money I make. But I don’t care, it’s such a cool system that I want lots of people to know about it anyway. But before we dive into TreasuryDirect, let’s take a look at how US Treasury auctions work…
Working with a financial advisor can be one of the most important decisions you make for your financial future. A good advisor acts as a trusted guide, helping you navigate complex financial matters, plan for your goals, and make wise investment decisions with your hard-earned money. But not all financial advisors are created equal. With so many options out there, how can you find an advisor who is truly qualified, has your best interests at heart, and will be a good fit for your needs?
I often encounter questions about the best strategies for managing retirement savings. One common query is whether employees should transfer their 401(k) savings into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) after retiring or switching jobs. The short answer is yes, and in this article, I will explain why this is generally a smart move for most people. I will also discuss the benefits of an IRA, the process of transferring your 401(k), and some potential pitfalls to avoid.
This post is very off-topic for me, but I just spent a lot of time trying to figure this out and figured I would make a post here in case it could help someone out in the future. Dig in!
Tax strategy is one of the three pillars of sound investment strategy, along with minimizing fees, and diversification. In this article, we will explore a wide range of tax-advantaged investment vehicles, including 401(k) and 403(b) plans, IRAs, SEP plans, HSAs, and 529 plans for children. We will also compare and contrast Roth and Traditional tax treatments and discuss advanced strategies such as tax loss harvesting, backdoor Roths, and more. Finally, we will delve into how tax considerations can inform portfolio allocation, including placing higher risk, higher return assets in tax-advantaged accounts and lower returning assets in taxable accounts.
The S&P 500 index, a widely followed benchmark of the U.S. stock market, has long been considered a reliable indicator of the overall health of the economy. However, a closer look at the index reveals a surprising concentration in big tech stocks. This phenomenon is not only a reflection of the growing dominance of technology companies in the market, but also a result of the market-weighted structure of the index. Let’s explore the reasons behind this concentration and discuss the potential risks it poses to investors.
For many individuals, saving for retirement is a top priority. One popular savings vehicle is the Roth IRA, known for its tax-free growth and withdrawals. However, not everyone is eligible to contribute directly to a Roth IRA due to income limits. Enter the Backdoor Roth IRA and Mega Backdoor Strategies, which provide high-income earners with an alternative path to tax-advantaged retirement savings. In this article, we’ll explore these strategies, their benefits, and potential pitfalls.
I frequently get asked about investment options that parents can establish for their children. It’s an important question, and there are several options available. In this article, I’ll compare and contrast some of the most popular types of investment accounts for children that parents can set up. For this exercise, I’ll focus on 529 plans, UTMA/UGMA accounts, Roth IRAs, and regular taxable brokerage accounts.
