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Kansas City, Missouri Property Tax Freeze for Seniors

Rising costs and running out of money are a huge worry for many retirees. However, moving forward, you may be eligible for a new “tax freeze” on your Missouri personal property bill. Every little bit helps!

You need to be aware of many different rules and procedures. It’s also important to note that not all counties in Missouri are implementing this new benefit. You’ll need to check your specific county to see what applies to you.

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Preparing Retirees for the TCJA Sunset in 2025

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 significantly changed our tax landscape. However, most changes were temporary and set to expire or “sunset” at the end of 2025. This means some essential tax-saving tools may disappear.

In other words, time is running out to maximize particular tax savings – unless Congress takes action. We don’t know about you, but counting on Congress to do anything feels like a roll of the dice. We can take action now to set ourselves up for success regardless of what happens.

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What are the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) rules for IRA's?

 This post was last updated on July 24, 2024, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

The IRS established required minimum distribution (RMD) rules on IRAs and similar tax-deferred savings plans to eventually collect on the taxes previously deferred. RMD rules require you to begin making withdrawals from certain retirement accounts when you reach age 73.

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Will My Pension Reduce My Social Security Benefits?

 

Your Social Security benefits could be reduced if you also have a pension. Don’t be caught off guard by all the unique rules surrounding pensions and Social Security. Knowing the facts about Social Security taxation, the Windfall Elimination Provision, and the Government Pension Offset is essential.

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Avoiding Pension Ankle-Biters

There are lots of small, yet important things to creep up on you as you approach retirement. However, these “ankle biters” can turn into a big collective problem if you don’t pay attention. Don’t let the tiny details derail your retirement plans!

We’ll discuss some of the finer details that often get missed or confused. You’ll feel so much better knowing you’ve covered all your bases.

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How the GATT Rate Changes Your Pension Lump Sum

 

This post was last updated on January 07, 2024, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

Although defined benefit plans (pension) are less common today, many people will still rely on them for retirement. There are some very specific rules governing how these plans are calculated for payout either over the course of retirement or in a lump sum.

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Why It's Important to Update Estate Planning Documents Regularly

Everyone eventually runs out of “tomorrows." Hopefully, your appointment to update your estate documents is scheduled for today. Passing away without proper estate planning and up-to-date documents can be a nightmare on top of a nightmare for your loved ones.

Don’t let a legal mess be the last thing your family remembers about you. Planning for your eventual demise is about as much fun as a root canal. However, careful planning and current documentation are a great gift when the time comes.

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Tax Hints from Warren Buffett’s Charitable Giving

Warren Buffett is one of the greatest investors and philanthropists of all time. What can we learn from his charitable giving, and how can we apply it to our own giving strategies?

The main point of charitable giving is making the biggest impact. However, when we plan our giving carefully, we can save on taxes and put even more money to good use. There are many considerations, such as when, how much, and which charities and causes to support.

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The Best Time of Year for a Roth IRA Conversion

Roth IRA conversions are a valuable tool in long-term tax planning. This method might save you tens of thousands of dollars or more on your taxes. But is there a best time of year to complete Roth conversions?

You must consider many variables to determine what’s best for you. Life happens, and your tax-saving strategies must be adjusted accordingly. This is why we typically evaluate and complete Roth conversions annually.

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More than a Plan - A Tour of the COLLAB Financial Planning Process™

What does it actually look like when you work with a financial planner? This varies a lot between financial planners and clients alike. However, we’re peeling back the curtain to show you how we create your financial plan at NextGen Wealth.

Whether you’re already working with an advisor or a do-it-yourself investor, having a clear system for success is vital. The COLLAB Financial Planning Process™ is our answer. We hope you enjoy this “inside look” at how we construct a plan for your future.

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The Top 7 Things You Should Plan for in Retirement

This post was last updated on January 18, 2024, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

Proper planning is crucial to ensure a smooth transition into a fulfilling retirement lifestyle. However, it can be really intimidating when you first get started. You aren’t the first person to retire, so you can draw on the experience of others who’ve walked this path.

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Why Everyone Isn't Made for Retirement

This post was last updated on January 08, 2024, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

For some people, the “traditional” idea of retirement just doesn’t fit their lifestyle. The idea of never working again, going to the golf course every day, and just lounging around doesn’t sound very appealing. Luckily, you can craft what retirement will look like for you – even if you don’t really retire.

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How to Find The Right Financial Advisor For You

This post was last updated on January 08, 2024, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

Retirees who work with a financial advisor are happier and more confident – in their finances and in life. Many of us have concerns about money. So, it makes sense that getting expert help would increase happiness by reducing financial stress.

The right financial planner does so much more than just help you with a 401k rollover. A true expert takes the time to get to know you and craft a detailed, thought-out plan around your hopes and dreams. The process should center around you, not your money.

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SECURE Act 2.0 Changes Going into Effect in 2023

This post was last updated on January 08, 2024, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

Many SECURE Act 2.0 changes were set to go into effect later, but 2023 was an important year when many changes took effect. We’ve made a list of these changes so you can more easily track them.

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Is SECURE Act 2.0 Really a Big Deal?

 

This post was last updated on January 08, 2024, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

Overall, this is a tough question to answer. SECURE 2.0 doesn’t cause any real major changes, but collectively, all the small changes have a significant impact. Put a different way, SECURE 2.0 probably won’t derail or save your retirement, but you certainly need to update your financial plan.

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The 3 Main Phases of Retirement Planning

This post was last updated on January 07, 2024, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

There are three main phases of retirement planning: accumulation, transition, and decumulation (retirement). Depending on which you’re in, you’ll need to focus on different aspects of your financial life. The advice and expertise you’ll need will also be different as you move through these phases.

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Tax Strategies Behind Roth IRA Conversions

This post was last updated on December 30, 2023, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

Saving money for retirement is critical, but not everyone knows how to do it effectively. You should already understand the value of building a nest egg for your golden years. However, when it comes to the types of accounts you have, it can start to get a little confusing. 

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2024 Retirement Plan Contribution Limits

This post was last updated on 30 December, 2023, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

Planning for your retirement is the key to fully enjoying the fruits of your labor. Whether you have an IRA (individual retirement account), a 401(k) or other retirement account, you'll want to get the most out of it by maximizing your contributions. Understanding the contribution limits put in place by the IRS will help you maximize your savings.

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Important Retirement Plan Contribution Deadlines for 2024

This post was last updated on December 30, 2023, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

Make the most of your retirement planning in 2024! No matter how much time between now and these deadlines, mark your calendar so you don't miss anything. Now is the time to prepare for retirement account contributions (or withdrawals). 

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How Do I Calculate My Liquid Net Worth?

This post was last updated on September 30, 2023, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

How do you measure your personal financial health? If you were running a business, you’d pay close attention to its financial health, right? Elements like cash flow, debts, and total assets would be part of your normal routine.

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