Popular choices for retirement plans

Retirement plans may be going the way of the dinosaur but the younger generation of today should be aware of the fact that saving more for retirement is the wisest thing to do. Listed below are the simplest, no-nonsense and easy-to-understand retirement savings plans and accounts that one can choose:

403(b)/401(k) offered by employer: This is the best and easiest way for you to begin investing for retirement. Employee contributions go through payroll deduction, and employers match employee contributions. If you decide to quit your job, make sure that you roll over the account into the 401(k) plan of your new company or into your own IRA. A 403(b) is an option for employees of non-profits, teachers, etc.

Solo 401(k): For sole proprietors, the best thing to do is to set up an individual 401(k) account and make contributions as both the employer and employee up to $54,000($60,000 for individuals above the age of 60 years).

SEP (Simplified Employee Pension) IRA: This SEP IRA is usually used and employed by proprietors and owners of small-sized businesses or those who are self-employed such as freelancers. Employers can contribute either $54,000 or an amount which is up to 25% percent of their income, in 2017, whichever amount is lesser. SEP IRAs are easier to set up as compared to a solo 401(k) account. One should remember that if one has employees, then the employer must make employee contributions for those who meet specific requirements.

Simple IRA: A Simple IRA retirement plan allows companies with less number of employees (lesser than 100) to arrange for IRAs which involve lesser headache and paperwork. In a Simple IRA, an employer should either make unmatched contributions or match employee contributions, with the limits being up to $12,500 in 2017, with an additional $3,000 allowed for people above the age of 50.

IRA: IRAs are the big kahuna of retirement investment plans. You could contribute up to $5,500 a year to an IRA, which grows tax-free ($6,500 if you’re over the age of 50). You could set up an IRA at a brokerage firm or a bank to hold a motley of investments such as cash, bonds, MFs and stocks which are earmarked as retirement savings. If you’re not covered by a retirement plan at work such as a 401(k), you get the advantage of a full deduction from your income, no matter how much it is (exceptions are if you file jointly with a spouse who has a work retirement plan or if you are covered by a 401(k) and your earnings exceed $71,000).

Featured Products

Featured Blogs

  • iPhone 12 mini versus iPhone 11 – Here’s how they compare
  • Don’t let the wrong daybed covers ruin your decor style
  • Ways to treat Atrial Fibrillation

Recent Blogs

  • Ideal toothpaste to tackle bad breath

    Bad breath (halitosis) can be a deterrent to your social life and can mar your confidence in a big way. Bad breath can occur due to poor oral hygiene as well due to other health problems in the kidney, liver or infections.

    Our mouth is the perfect place for bacteria to grow and thrive. This is where the remnants of food particles start decaying, resulting in the bacteria in our mouths to grow exponentially and emit a bad odor. The bacteria start coating the tongue, gums and the teeth. This coating is known as plaque and to remove this, use of toothpaste with plaque-removing abilities is quite common.

    There are many such kinds of toothpaste in the market, but let us figure out the ideal one to tackle bad breath.

    Sodium fluoride-based toothpaste: Sodium fluoride does help to fight bad breath, but only temporarily. Nowadays lots of pricey toothpaste have started combining other natural ingredients to mellow down the harshness of fluoride and also help combat plaque for longer. CloSYS is one such toothpaste that contains fluoride along with Dead Sea salt, essential oils, zinc, etc. You can use toothpaste coupons to get some nice deals on this brand.

    TheraBreath toothpaste: This is one of the best toothpaste in the market but also a slightly expensive one. This contains gentle yet effective ingredients like xylitol, plant based glycerin, aloe vera, essential oils, etc. Try and stock up on toothpaste coupons for good deals on this one.

    Nature’s Gate toothpaste: As the name suggests, this toothpaste does not contain any harsh ingredients and is one of the most expensive toothpaste. But this product helps your breath stay fresh and plaque-free for long. Find good deals with toothpaste coupons online or in stores and try one out.

    The other more popular brands like Colgate Total, Sensodyne, Crest Complete Cinnamon, etc. have also started catering to all mouth-related diseases like halitosis, gingivitis, plaque, cavities, etc., but can cost more. However, these are more effective than the regular toothpaste and so getting good deals on them through toothpaste coupons doesn’t seem like a bad idea.

  • 3 things that a first time home buyer should never do

    Buying a house is always an overwhelming and stressful experience, but if it is your first time buying your own house, then it is a whole new ball game.

    First things first, you need to relax and accept that you will make quite a few mistakes that will put you in a fix, but it is okay. With some research and practice, you will eventually become a pro.

    In this article, you will learn about the 3 mistakes that you should avoid making at all cost as a first time home buyer.

    • Not understanding the full cost
      If you are a first time home buyer, there is a high chance that you are in the delusion that mortgage payment is the only cost that you need to save up for. What you fail to understand is that mortgage payment is just the primary cost that you need to pay. There are many other expenses that you need to consider, like the property tax, insurance, maintenance, water bills, and electricity bills. Note that you should never spend your entire budget on the house because you should save some money for emergencies and unexpected expenses that you will incur after you seal the deal.
    • Settling for the first lender that you stumble upon
      Buying a house is very similar to shopping. You will regret a lot if you settle for the first thing you see, without looking around, haggling, and getting the best rates. This means that you should never settle for the first lender that your friend or the real estate recommends. The best thing to do is at least narrow down three lenders, compare the mortgage rate quotes, and then choose the best one.
    • House hunting before getting a loan
      Most first time home buyers think that house hunting is the first obvious step to buying a new house. The truth is that once you decide that you want to buy a new house, your first step should be to sort the finances. The worst thing you could possibly do is find your dream house and then fail to get a loan approval. Pre-qualified loans are the best as they help you be clear on your budget, find a house that falls within that budget, and it speeds up the overall process of buying a house.

    Just don’t rush into it and do your homework well before you sign the final house papers.

  • Symptoms and signs of breast cancer, early detection for timely treatment

    Breast cancer is one of the top cancer forms that may be found globally. This primarily affects women and is known to create many complications in the long run. This fatal disease can also be detected in time once we learn to watch out for the early signs of breast cancer. There are a number of symptoms of this disease which can be observed and these do not start with just a lump. Read on to know more!

    • Causes of Breast Cancer: Breast cancer usually occurs due to genetic factors. If there has been a family history of the same in your family, then there are chances that you may also inherit the ailment, depending on the proximity of the relative on the family tree. For this reason, it is a must to regularly carry out breast examinations at home and also go in for a mammography every once in a while. Many doctors do not suggest the use of screening methods like mammography too often because it may expose you to the risk of this disease.

    • Changes in the Breasts: One of the early signs of breast cancer will involve changes in the way your breasts and nipples feel. If you have been noticing a constant change in the size and shape as well as tenderness and pain, then it may be time to conduct a breast examination or see a doctor regarding the same because this is one of the many primary symptoms of breast cancer. Also, there will be several changes in the nipples including inverted nipples, changes in the aloe in terms of shape and color as well as bleeding, in some cases. The texture of the breasts as well as the enlargement of the pores in this area can also point at the existence of abnormal cells in the breasts.

    • Changes in the Appearance of the Breasts: While the way your breasts and nipples feel may be the primary and earliest indicators of the disease, there may be others signs in terms of altered appearance of the breasts and nipples. The appearance of rashes and dimpling as well as any shrinking of the breasts should instantly make you visit the gynecologist or the oncologist so that you can have the same checked. Scaly and red or even swollen skin on the breasts can also point at this kind of cancer.

    • Lumps: Finally, one of the most important signs of breast cancer is the appearance of lumps. While this may not be one of the early signs of breast cancer, it is a visible symptom that should not be ignored. You can regularly check for lumps in the breasts by conducting a breast examination on your own every few weeks. You can ask your doctor about the same so that you do the needful correctly at home. You will need to palm your breast and rotate them to find out if there are any lumps anywhere.