Some things to consider about your Retirement Plan

Posted on February 11, 2014 by James Lange in 401(k), 403(b), IRAs, IRS, Medicare, Retirement Planning, Roth 401(k), Roth IRA, Roth IRA Conversions, Tax Law.

In 2013, the maximum 401(k) contribution is $17,500 (plus a $5,500 catch-up contribution for those 50 or older by the end of the year). If you are self-employed, you have other retirement savings options. We will review these alternatives with you when you come in for your appointment. One of my favorites for many one person self- employed businesses is the one person 401(k) plan.

In light of the new increased tax rates effective in 2013, plus the addition of the new Medicare surtax on Net Investment Income, higher income taxpayers may want to consider switching from Roth 403(b) and Roth 401(k) elective deferral contributions back to tax deductible contributions. The current savings may outweigh the benefits of tax-free growth on the Roth accounts. As mentioned earlier, the focus moving forward for higher income taxpayers is toward reducing adjusted gross income.

You can also contribute to an IRA for 2013 up through April 15, 2014. The maximum is $5,500 with a catch-up (for taxpayers 50 or older) provision of $1,000.

– Excerpt from Jim Lange’s 2013 Year-End Tax Report

The Clear Advantage of IRA and Retirement Plan Savings during the Accumulation Stage

Posted on January 21, 2014 by James Lange in 401(k), Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Income Tax, IRAs, Lange’s Cascading Beneficiary Plan, Retirement Planning, Roth 401(k), Roth IRA, Tax Law.

If you are working or self-employed, to the extent you can afford to, please contribute the maximum to your retirement plans.

Mr. Pay Taxes Later and Mr. Pay Taxes Now had identical salaries, investment choices, and spending patterns, but there was one big difference. Mr. Pay Taxes Later invested as much as he could afford in his tax-deferred retirement plans—even though his employer did not match his contributions. Mr. Pay Taxes Now contributed nothing to his retirement account at work but invested his “savings” in an account outside of his retirement plan.

Please look at Figure 1. Mr. Pay Taxes Later’s investment is represented by the black curve, and Mr. Pay Taxes Now’s, by the gray curve. Look at the dramatic difference in the accumulations over time—nearly $2 million.

There you have it. Two people in the same tax bracket who earn and spend an identical amount of money and have identical investment rates of return. But, based on the simple application of the “Pay Taxes Later” rule, the difference is poverty in old age versus affluence and a $2 million estate.

Can't see this image - go to https://www.paytaxeslater.com/ and download the book!

Retirement Assests, IRAs vs. After-Tax Accumulations

Retire Secure! Pay Taxes Later – The Key to Making Your Money Last, 2nd Edition, James Lange, page. xxxi https://www.paytaxeslater.com/

Review of Retire Secure!

Posted on June 19, 2009 by James Lange in 401(k), Roth 401(k), Roth IRA, Roth IRA Conversions and tagged Estate Planning Magazine, James Lange, Nancy Shurtz, Retire Secure.

Big thanks to Nancy Shurtz, Senior Editor of the Media/Book Products Committee of the ABA’s Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section for her in-depth review of the 2nd edition of Retire Secure! Pay Taxes Later. The entire office was thrilled when we received a copy of the June 2009 edition of Estate Planning Magazine and discovered that Nancy had rated the book highly recommended.

We appreciate that Nancy obviously took the time to thoroughly read the 2nd edition and even make a comparision to the first edition. She noted that one of the chief differences between the two editions is Jim Lange’s discussion of the family of Roth retirement vehicles which is weighed against traditional retirement vehicles.

If you have a copy of the book and want to take a look at the comparisons between a Roth 401(k) and a traditional 401(k), turn to Chapter 3 starting on page 49. One of our favorite chapters is Chapter 7 which explains Roth IRA conversions and the big tax law change coming up in 2010 that makes all taxpayers eligible for a Roth IRA conversion regardless of income (begin on page 127).

In her review, Nancy mentions that one of the strengths of the book is the proportion devoted to estate planning issues — including themes like charitable giving, beneficiary and survivorship issues and the role of trusts in estate planning. She wraps up by saying, “This book is a great read, full of illustrative (and entertaining) stories, but also full of practical advice”.

It’s always nice when your hard work is recognized and we’re thankful for Nancy’s attention. Nancy is also a chaired professor at the University of Oregon School of Law in Eugene and you can read her complete review on page 42 of this month’s Estate Planning Magazine.

Keep in mind that if you do not yet own a copy of the 2nd edition of Retire Secure! Pay Taxes Later: The Key to Making Your Money Last, you can return to the home page and click the Order Now button (you’ll be directed to the order page on amazon.com).