What are the tax benefits of different IRA’s?


Posted March 30th, 2009 by admin 1 Comment »
ira
jennifer asked:


I am just starting out in my career (26 years old). My company does not offer any retirement or 401k plans. I just did my taxes and realized I can get an extra $925 back on my refund if I contribute $3500 to a traditional IRA. I have decided I can afford to and should make this size contribution for last year to some sort of IRA. Should I contribute to the ROTH IRA and get the tax benefit when I retire or the traditional IRA and get the benefit now?

What happens to a 401k plan if the person passes away before retirement?


Posted March 28th, 2009 by admin No Comments »
401k
ProudArmyWife! asked:


My mother passed away 4 years ago, and I just remembered that she had a 401k plan because it was listed on her paycheck statement (I’m assuming she had the plan, why else would it be on there with an amount next to it right?). Well what happens to that saved up money? Does the company keep it or they just let it float around? I only ask because if anything it’s still my mothers money and technically would belong to her family…so how would one go about claiming it?

Any way to use 401k to help pay for grad school?


Posted January 28th, 2009 by admin 4 Comments »
401k
mcrevell80 asked:


My husband is starting business school in the fall. I completed his FAFSA and our expected personal contribution is $53k per year (yikes!).

He has a considerable amount saved in his 401k account and since we are both young it might make sense to use that 401k retirement $ towards school expenses.

Is there any way to do this without incurring huge penalties? I know we would pay taxes on the amount in the 401k, but if we are using it for education expenses it seems like there might be some way to use the money without paying the penalty…

Does anyone know of a good way to do this?