529 Plans: Smart parenting and savvy retirement planning

Jul 22, 2024 | Retirement Planning

Your dreams for your children likely include happiness, success, and perhaps the joy of raising a family. Your dreams probably don’t include them struggling in dead-end jobs, mired in debt, or living in your basement well into adulthood. If realized, concerns like these can challenge family dynamics and drain your finances – a significant problem if you’re trying to plan for retirement.

Fortunately, there are proactive steps you can take to help set your children up for success while safeguarding your financial future. One such step is investing in their education through a 529 plan or another type of education-funding account. The most common of these plans is the 529 college savings plan.

What is a 529 College Savings Plan?

A 529 College Savings Plan is a tax-advantaged savings plan allowing you to invest your money specifically for education. Funds in a 529 plan can grow tax-free, potentially allowing you to pay for more education at less cost to you.

You establish an account, choose investment options, and contribute funds that can be used for “qualified higher education expenses,” such as tuition, room and board, books, fees, and computers.

Benefits:

Tax Advantages: Earnings aren’t subject to federal tax. In many cases, they’re exempt from state taxes, too. Funds withdrawn solely to pay for eligible college expenses are completely tax-free.

Control: As the account holder, you maintain control over the funds, helping ensure they are used for their intended purpose.

Estate Planning: 529 Plans are not counted as part of your estate, so your family won’t owe estate taxes on the account even if you pass away.

Legacy: By helping fund their education, you’re providing financial support while also emphasizing the importance of education. Seeing that education is important to you can make it important to your children as well.

Flexibility: There are no age limits. You can invest for both children and adults, so it’s never too late to start saving for education.

Investing in education through a 529 plan isn’t just good parenting, it can also be good retirement planning. Depending on your overall financial plan, it can pave the way for your children’s success while helping ensure your financial stability in the years to come. Consult a financial advisor who can help you evaluate a 529 college savings plan as part of your comprehensive financial plan.

Not a Cornerstone Client?

We’d be happy to help tailor a plan that aligns with your goals and ensures your loved ones have the educational opportunities they deserve. Call 605-357-8553 or email cfsteam@mycfsgroup.com to schedule a strategy session today.

Or, if you’d simply like more information about the two types of 529 plans, call 605-357-8553 or email cfsteam@mycfsgroup.com.

Earnings in 529 plans are not subject to federal tax, and in most cases, state tax, so long as you use withdrawals for eligible education expenses, such as tuition and room and board. However, if you withdraw money from a 529 plan and do not use it on an eligible education expense, you generally will be subject to income tax and an additional 10% federal tax penalty on earnings. As with other investments, there are generally fees and expenses associated with participation in a 529 plan. There is also a risk that these plans may lose money or not perform well enough to cover college costs as anticipated. Most states offer their own 529 programs, which may provide advantages and benefits exclusively for their residents. Investors should consider, before investing, whether the investor’s or the designated beneficiary’s home state offers any tax or other benefits that are only available for investment in such state’s 529 college savings plan. Such benefits include financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors. The tax implications can vary significantly from state to state.

This material is being provided for information purposes only and is not a complete description, nor is it a recommendation.

Friendship and Finances

Jul 5, 2024 | Retirement Planning

When making plans with friends:

Ask for ideas from everyone in the group to ensure it fits within your friends’ budgets.
Give plenty of heads up if there’s a big-ticket event you’d like your crew to take part in.
Have an open conversation about finances to remove the taboo and build understanding.

From buying gifts and eating out, to going to weddings and planning vacations, money plays a part in all relationships. And friendships are no exception.

Here are some do’s and don’ts for dealing with mixed-income friendships.

Do ask your friends for input. Even if you’re the unofficial events coordinator for your group, ask everyone for ideas so nobody feels backed into a corner. You can ask questions like, “How much is OK to spend on gifts?” and What do you suggest we do for our get-together.” It will be more inclusive for everyone to suggest activities that align with their budget.

Do extend the invite. Always ask, even if you’re pretty sure something is out of your friend’s price range.

Don’t make assumptions. You can’t assume anyone’s budget and financial situation.

Do give plenty of notice. If you’re planning something give your friends advance notice so they can budget for it. A longer lead time gives them the chance to save up for that fancy birthday dinner or night at the theater if they want to join you. Last-minute plans might not be possible if they’re working on a tight budget.

Don’t be upset if they take a pass. Understand that not only do your friends’ finances differ, but so do their priorities. Even if you’ve given plenty of notice, a weekend wine tasting trip with girlfriends might not be as important as visiting family for the holidays. While you might be well-positioned to do both, you shouldn’t assume that your friend is.

Do offer to pay if it’s in your budget and having their company is worth it to you. That doesn’t have to mean you’ll cover the cost of their flight. But, consider offering to pay for cocktails one night while you’re away or covering the cost of a rental car in your destination city. Be open about your feelings and understand if they politely decline. Which leads to the next tip…

Don’t be afraid to have an honest conversation. I’m not suggesting you swap bank statements. Just don’t be afraid to say if something is out of your budget or if you’re prioritizing a different expense. With communication and understanding you can make money less of a taboo topic with friends and have a better chance of making memories that fit into everyone’s budget.

Keeping these do’s and don’ts in mind when it comes to finances will open communication, strengthen friendships, and provide opportunities to create lasting memories.

Sources: theeverygirl.com; huffpost.com; tampabay.com, morningbrew.com, Raymond James. 10.27.22 29508

5 Considerations for a Successful Social Security Strategy

Sep 20, 2023 | Retirement Planning

5 Considerations for a Successful Social Security Strategy

Considerations for a Successful Social Security Strategy

When it comes to deciding when to claim your benefits and plan your Social Security strategy, there are several key factors to consider. These factors can greatly impact the amount of beneﬁts you receive and your overall ﬁnancial security in retirement. In this article, we will explore ﬁve essential elements that should be a part of your Social Security strategy: age, employment, marital status, taxes, and needs. Understanding how these factors come into play can help you make informed decisions about your Social Security beneﬁts.

1. AGE

Age is crucial in your Social Security strategy. Your monthly beneﬁt depends on lifetime earnings and when you claim. Early claims reduce payments while waiting until age 70 increases them with delayed retirement credits and cost-of-living adjustments. Full Retirement Age (FRA) varies by birth year and serves as the benchmark for receiving your full, unreduced benefit. Planning your Social Security strategy around your FRA can help you make informed decisions about when to claim benefits based on your individual circumstances and financial goals.

2. EMPLOYMENT STATUS

One of the most critical considerations when planning a Social Security strategy is the impact of working while claiming benefits. Understanding the earnings limitations is paramount; claiming benefits before reaching full retirement age (FRA) while earning above the limit can result in reduced Social Security payments, affecting your overall income. Moreover, working can influence your lifetime benefits, with the potential for both temporary reductions due to earnings limits and increases through delayed retirement credits if you continue to work past your FRA. Working while claiming Social Security benefits is a complex but crucial consideration when planning your retirement strategy. It requires a careful balance between income needs, tax considerations, and your long-term financial goals.

3. MARITAL STATUS

Marital status plays a pivotal role in planning for Social Security benefits, with significant differences in how benefits are calculated and accessed. Married individuals often have access to spousal and survivor benefits, which can bolster their combined retirement income. Coordinating when and how each spouse claims benefits becomes crucial to optimizing the household’s Social Security strategy. Conversely, single individuals have no spousal benefits to consider but may have more control over their claiming decisions. Divorced or widowed individuals also have unique considerations, as they can often claim benefits based on their ex-spouse’s or deceased spouse’s work record. Overall, understanding these distinctions in marital status is essential for tailoring a Social Security plan that aligns with your individual and family financial goals and needs in retirement.

4. TAXES

Including tax considerations in your Social Security strategy makes a difference. Taxes can significantly impact your benefits, depending on your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI). This can potentially push you into a higher tax bracket. Careful planning is essential to minimize this tax burden, so be sure to assess the tax implications before claiming benefits. While taxes shouldn’t solely dictate your timing, understanding their impact on your after-tax retirement income is vital. Exploring strategies like early voluntary withdrawals from retirement accounts to manage tax thresholds can help align your Social Security strategy with your unique financial circumstances and goals.

5. FINANCIAL NEEDS

Considering your financial needs is another key aspect of your Social Security strategy. To determine the right retirement timing, assess the cost of sustaining your desired lifestyle without full-time work. Calculate income from external earnings, Social Security, and investments to cover your expenses. Consider factors like inflation, emergency funds, healthcare costs, and long-term care provisions to ensure your financial plan is robust and adaptable to changing circumstances.

Find Support for Your Social Security Strategy

Your Social Security strategy should be a well-thought-out plan that takes into account your age, employment, marital status, tax considerations, and financial needs. Each of these factors plays a significant role in determining the optimal time to claim your benefits and ultimately influence your financial well-being during retirement. Your financial advisor can help you thoughtfully evaluate your situation and determine a strategy to optimize your Social Security benefits.

Contact our office for further guidance and insights.

Call 605-357-8553 or email cfsteam@mycfsgroup.com.

Neither Raymond James Financial Services nor any Raymond James Financial Advisor renders advice on tax issues, these matters should be discussed with the appropriate professional.

Opinions expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily those of Raymond James. All opinions are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete.

CSP #282179 Exp. 9.5.24