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Retirement account penalties can be costly
Accessing retirement accounts before age 59½ can prove costly, usually resulting in a penalty of 10 percent of the amount withdrawn. While many savers do not intend to tap into ... -
Flexible spending accounts can help tax burden
Year-end is an ideal time to assess your benefit options for 2014 including life, health, and other cafeteria plans that may help reduce your tax liability. One effective, yet often ... -
When to take distributions from your retirement plan
With only two months remaining in the year, seniors with retirement accounts must be sure their required minimum distributions (RMDs) are in order and taken on time. Unfortunately, more and ... -
Debt deal sets up next fiscal fight
The last-minute debt deal reached by Congress on Oct. 17 reopened the government, extended the debt ceiling and averted a default. While many analysts and investors applauded the resolution, others ... -
In search of tax-friendly states for retirees
For many retirees, retirement is a bit more challenging than they thought. Interest rates have been low, investment returns have been volatile and health-care costs are on the rise. There ... -
There are tax breaks for working parents
The summer months present scheduling challenges for many working parents, as arrangements are made for child care while school is out. From daycare to day camp, child-care costs can be ... -
401(k) loans cost more than you think
The number of 401(k) participants taking a loan against their retirement plan is on the rise. In fact, according to a survey by Wells Fargo, there was a 28 percent ... -
Improving your child's financial literacy
Younger generations face an uphill financial battle and federal agencies have begun to take notice. Recently, the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau outlined recommendations for financial education for grades K-12. ... -
Tough choices for funding college tuition
With tuition costs increasing significantly each year, paying for college gets further out of reach for most parents. Public or state institutions often provided a more affordable alternative to private ... -
Major differences exist between state and federal taxes
With the tax-filing deadline upon us, taxpayers are putting the finishing touches on their returns. While most filers make every attempt to complete their returns by April 15, millions of ...
