4 Ways To Get More Money Into Tax-Free Roth Accounts, #210
Release Date: 07/16/2024
When an Annuity Makes Sense: A Real-Life Example with Andy Panko, #232
Retire With Ryan
How can an annuity help you secure income in retirement? Annuities often come with a reputation for being complicated, expensive, and overhyped—but they aren’t one-size-fits-all. The truth is, while they’re not the best solution for everyone, there are situations where they can provide the guaranteed monthly income some retirees need. In this episode, I’m joined by Andy Panko, CFP®, RICP®, EA, and President of Tenon Financial. Together, we’ll cut through the confusion and explore when an annuity might actually be the right fit for your retirement strategy. You will want to...
info_outline
Are Donor-Advised Funds A Smart Tax Move? Ep #231
Retire With Ryan
Last year, Americans donated $558 million to charities. 69% of those donations come from individuals. They also donated 4.1 billion hours to charities. If you are someone making a donation to a charity, you need to know how they can help you reduce your taxes. One way to do that is through a donor-advised fund. What is a donor-advised fund? How does it work? Should you consider using one for charitable giving? I’ll cover the details in this episode. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [1:39] Sign up for my newsletter at RetireWithRyan.com...
info_outline
11 Potential Tax Changes Under A Trump White House, #230
Retire With Ryan
What could a Trump White House and Republican-controlled Congress mean for your finances? In this episode, we break down the potential tax changes—from individual tax brackets to business deductions and state taxes—that could impact your bottom line. Tune in to understand the areas with low, moderate, and high potential for change and what steps you should consider if you live in a high-tax state. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [1:19] Sign up for my weekly newsletter [2:28] Area of low potential for changes [4:25] Area of moderate potential for...
info_outline
Mistakes To Avoid During Medicare Open Enrollment with Danielle Roberts, #229
Retire With Ryan
How does Medicare Open Enrollment work? Do you need a supplement plan? How do you choose between a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan? Navigating these questions can be overwhelming. That’s why Danielle Roberts—co-founder of and the author of “10 Costly Medicare Mistakes You Can't Afford to Make”—joins me in this episode to help you avoid common pitfalls during Medicare Open Enrollment. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [1:42] How Medicare open enrollment works [3:45] Do you need a supplemental plan? [5:13] How CMS changes impact plans...
info_outline
2025 Medicare IRMAA Surcharge Updates, #228
Retire With Ryan
On November 8th, 2024, Medicare announced that in 2025, Medicare Part B will cost $185 per month per person—an increase of about $10.30 from 2024. Keep in mind, if your income is above a certain point, you’ll have to pay an “Income-Related Monthly Adjusted Amount,” or “IRMAA” tax. Is there a way to avoid paying the IRMAA surcharge? I share some strategies in this episode of Retire with Ryan. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [1:25] How to get a FREE copy of “10 Costly Medicare Mistakes” [2:20] The cost of Medicare Parts A, B, and D in 2025...
info_outline
5 Overlooked Tax Benefits of 529 Plans, #227
Retire With Ryan
In this episode, we’re diving into the often-overlooked tax benefits of 529 plans. Most people know that 529 plans can help cover college expenses, but there are other valuable perks beyond just tuition savings. From paying down student loans to making the most of tax deferral advantages, this episode breaks down five key tax benefits you may not be aware of. Let me help you maximize the potential of your 529 plan. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [1:39] What are 529 plans? [3:04] Repaying student loans [4:14] Covering K-12 expenses [5:20] Tax...
info_outline
Do Small-Cap Stocks Offer Greater Growth Potential Than Large-Cap Stocks? #226
Retire With Ryan
The S&P 500 is having another stellar year, yet small-cap stocks—representing the smallest publicly traded companies in the United States—haven't performed as well. While this might seem like a downside, it can also present unique opportunities for investors. In this episode, we’ll dive into the pros and cons of investing in small-cap stocks, the potential growth they offer, and how you can get started. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [0:51] Should you consider investing in small-caps? [1:59] What are small-cap stocks? [3:28] Pros and cons...
info_outline
Will the Outcome of the Presidential Election Impact the Stock Market? #225
Retire With Ryan
The 2024 election is just days away, and soon you'll have your final chance to cast your vote. With so much at stake, many are anxious about how the markets might respond based on who takes the White House. In this episode of Retire with Ryan, I’ll dive into what we could expect from a Trump or Harris presidency—and explain why, no matter the outcome, it shouldn't drastically change your investment strategy. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [2:37] The state of the Presidential election [6:00] How the stock market is impacted [6:50] How will a Harris...
info_outline
7 Ways to Keep Your Estate from Landing in Probate, #224
Retire With Ryan
In some states, probate is avoidable. However, in many states, you can avoid having your estate go through the probate process. I recently went through the probate process when my grandfather passed away and I helped my father settle his estate. It is far easier for your family to settle your estate once you’re gone if it doesn’t go through probate. So, in this episode, I’ll cover 7 things you can do to keep your estate from landing in probate. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [1:57] Settling my grandfather’s estate [4:06] Tip #1: Give...
info_outline
7 Steps To Protect Your Schwab Accounts From Hackers, #223
Retire With Ryan
Protecting your finances from hackers is more critical than ever. Cybercriminals are getting more sophisticated, accessing sensitive information like social security numbers and attempting to steal directly from financial accounts. I recently experienced this firsthand when someone impersonated one of my clients. The fraudster knew my client’s social security number and tried to withdraw funds under the guise of an emergency. Fortunately, we were suspicious and confirmed the scam before any money was lost. This encounter highlights the importance of being proactive about securing your...
info_outlineWhy would you want to make a Roth contribution? If you believe tax rates will be higher in the future, it could benefit you. How? The contributions grow tax-deferred. When you withdraw the money, it’s tax-free. A tax-free income can be very beneficial in retirement.
In 2024, you can contribute $7,000 to a Roth IRA. If you’re over 50, you can contribute $8,000. However, there are income limits for the contributions. Individuals who make over $161,000 can’t contribute.
Thanks to the 2017 tax cut, there are some additional ways you can contribute to a Roth IRA. I cover four ways you can get money into Roth accounts in this episode of Retire with Ryan.
<<PLAYER>>
You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
- [1:34] How to make a traditional Roth IRA contribution
- [4:06] Option #1: The Backdoor Roth IRA
- [8:06] Option #2: Contribute to a Roth 401K
- [9:16] Option #3: Do a Roth conversion
- [13:17] Option #4: A Mega Backdoor Roth IRA
Option #1: The Backdoor Roth IRA
Let’s say you’re contributing to a Roth IRA indirectly (I talked about this in episode #176). To do that, you have to set up both a transitional and Roth IRA with the same company. Then, you make a non-deductible contribution to your traditional IRA. After that, you fill out a request form to convert that money to the Roth IRA. They’ll move it for you. What’s the biggest mistake you have to avoid when doing this? Listen to find out!
Option #2: Contribute to a Roth 401K
If you have the option to contribute to a Roth 401K, use it. Why? Because there are no income limits on who can contribute to a Roth 401K. You could make well over the limits to contribute to a Roth IRA and still make a contribution. In 2024, you can contribute $23,000 to a Roth 401K or $24,500 if you’re over 50.
Option #3: Do a Roth conversion
Currently, everyone can convert money in a traditional IRA or 401K into a Roth IRA or 401K. Let’s say you have $100,000 in an IRA that you want to convert. You’d have to pay Federal and State tax on the $100,000 you’re converting plus any other earned income for the year.
When would this make sense? You don’t have to pay a 10% penalty on the conversion if you’re under 59 ½. Secondly, if you think you’ll be in a higher tax bracket in retirement, and don’t need access to the money now, it might make sense to roll it over. It will have time to make back the money you had to pay in taxes upfront.
But your plan has to offer a Roth 401K. You’d choose the amount you want to convert from the traditional IRA to the Roth 401K. You’d pay taxes on the amount you’re converting. 40% of 401K plans offer this feature. But you have to consider if the conversion will push you into a higher tax bracket.
Option #4: A Mega Backdoor Roth IRA
Some 401K plans allow contributions above the traditional $23,500 limit. The IRS has a total pension profit-sharing contribution limit. For 2024, that number is $69,000. That’s the total that your employer can contribute to your retirement plan. Let’s say you and your employer contribute $30,000.
Because you haven’t hit the maximum, there’s an additional $39,000 that can be contributed to your 401K as an after-tax contribution. Then you have to convert it to your Roth account. That’s the Mega Backdoor Roth IRA. If you’re over 50, you can also contribute the additional $7,500 catchup.
Government 457 plans and most 403B plans don’t allow this after-tax contribution. Many 401K plans do.
How do you get the most out of that contribution? Find out in this episode!
Resources Mentioned
- Retirement Readiness Review
- Subscribe to the Retire with Ryan YouTube Channel
- Fiduciary: How to Find, Hire, and Establish an Aligned and Trusted Partnership with a Fee-Only Financial Advisor
- 7 Backdoor Roth IRA Mistakes to Avoid
- How a Mega Backdoor Roth IRA Can Accelerate Your Retirement Savings