How to replace retirement funds now?

 

How to replace retirement funds now?

Survey says 35% of non-retired respondents had already dipped into their retirement funds and may do so again. No one wants to use future money now but we have to get money from somewhere. Most of us did not have $1,000 for emergencies. How do we regain our future money funds once we are able? To catch up, we must use a low-cost stock mutual fund since bank interest is too low. With savings rates as low as inflation, we need faster growing stocks. To minimize the risk of stocks we buy shares of 500 of the best companies in the world. We use a low-cost mutual fund so we don’t give any fees to the seller. We want our money to compound without current taxes so we use our employer’s tax-deferred (401k) account or an IRA account. The most successful savers take Warren Buffett’s advice and use the Vanguard 500 Index insider an IRA.

https://www.amazon.com/Warren-Buffetts-Vanguard-Funds-Retirement/dp/1496148592

 

Did you lose some of your money somewhere?

Everyone changes jobs these days. Sometimes a former employer goes out of business or gets bought. Sometimes an IRA savings account gets forgotten. Sometimes a life insurance policy with money in it gets misplaced. Readers have told me stories and I give them my list of places to look. Luckily, we have digital records you can search. You could pay a search firm to do the work but some are scams. If you have some time, finding money can be a fun project. For instance, after I left a securities firm, it went bankrupt. We employees had contributed to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). I forgot all about it and never received any notice about where my money went. I assumed senior management took it in the process. Then I was researching what happened to the firm and found the bankruptcy story online. I found out that the ESOP went to John Hancock and now I get a monthly bank credit for the rest of my life. Most lost money is scooped up by the state treasurer. Most pension plans are registered with the Feds. Consumer Reports provides guidance. I have been through many sites for my family: https://unclaimed.org/. My family has lived in 8 states. They have used closed federal savings banks: https://closedbanks.fdic.gov/funds/. They have used credit unions: https://www.ncua.gov/support-services/conservatorships-liquidations/unclaimed-deposits. They have had pensions: https://www.pbgc.gov/sites/default/files/finding-a-lost-pension.pdf and retirement funds: https://www.unclaimedretirementbenefits.com/. I wrote to the insurers directly since I knew my family had specific policies. If you moved waiting for a tax refund: https://sa.www4.irs.gov/irfof/lang/en/irfofgetstatus.jsp. Query your state tax dept: https://www20.state.nj.us/TYTR_TGI_INQ/jsp/prompt.jsp.

Found money is fun: https://www.amazon.com/I-dont-have-money-Financial-Emergencies/dp/1537636707

 

How much do you have to pay for student loan repayment plans?

There are three options for an approved income-driven repayment (IDR) plan: it allocates 10% to 15% of a borrower’s “discretionary income” for the monthly payments. You pay loans on a 20- or 25-year schedule and then the government will forgive any balance that’s left over at the end. You might end up paying more in interest over this timeframe. You must recertify each year to verify your family size and income—but income-driven repayment may be the best plan for you. The gov calculates the payments using a formula. TIP: contributing more to your work 401(k) lowers your adjusted gross income, and in turn lowers your payment on an income-driven repayment plan. However, at the end of 20 or 25 years, you may need to pay taxes on the remaining forgiven amount.

Plan ahead: https://www.amazon.com/Education-Funding-Save-right-plan/dp/1482549956

 

How much do we taxpayers subsidize Walmart, McDonalds low-wage structure?

A family cannot survive on $7.25 per hour—about $18,000 a year—the same wages earned in 1987. Since a family has to pay rent, utilities, insurance, transportation, clothes, etc, the total expenses average above $30,000 a year. Depending on the number of children in the household, our taxes subsidize the base family income through programs like food stamps $8,160, EIC $6,660, CTC $3,000. These are the totals possible for more than 2 children. Most workers earning minimum wage have children in the family. Many do not have spouse earnings. States and Congress have kept wages low in order to gain the election donations of large employers like Amazon, Walmart and McDonalds. In effect, the government is subsidizing America’s big business. Most people would call this Socialism. It is socialism in the way we taxpayers allow corporations to take larger profits. Their labor costs are reduced because we pay almost HALF their workers’ incomes using special relief programs. The rest of a worker’s survival income comes from working another job or a spouse’s income. Corporations pay little or no taxes so the burden falls on tax payers. Most corporations use foreign subsidiaries as a tax haven. Most of us can’t afford a tax haven. Our socialism: private profits; socialized costs.

https://www.amazon.com/Americas-Socialism-for-Rich-little-people-pay/dp/1535218584/

 

Is a 2% wealth tax right for you?

Besides inheritance taxes, the only wealth tax currently in place is the property tax, which hits the middle class hardest. According to a 2017 analysis by economist Edward Wolff, this is because a primary residence represents the majority of a middle-class homeowner’s assets, whereas only about 7 percent of the wealth of 1 percenters is tied up in personal real estate. Senator Warren’s proposal calls for a 2 percent tax on fortunes exceeding $50 million. So if you have $100 million in assets, you’d be taxed on half of that, and your bill would be $1 million. Most of us are taxed on earned income so this tax might help pay for the massive tax breaks given by Congress recently. We pay sales taxes which hit the poor in the face. The rich don’t buy much at Walmart. The rich get richer because long-term investment gains are taxed at a much lower rate than wages, and only about half of Americans own any stocks, our progressive state and federal income taxes have been insufficient to curb the nation’s staggering—and growing—disparities in social and economic well-being. The wealthy will never miss the $1 million in tax because asset value compounding will double their $100 million to $200 million in about 7 years. $200 million less $1 million still leaves $199 million. They can easily get by. Plus the IRS will never find/appraise all the assets of the wealthy. They will just move the yacht in Nassau. Better: a securities transaction tax on high-income people. It can raise a lot of money from traders and corporations. These Biden changes are what keeps rich up at night.

Learn their secret: https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Compounding-Turn-day-into/dp/1470176513

 

 

 

Have tax forms; will file … for FREE

W-2, unemployment, SS benefits, IRAs, pensions, RMD, brokerage, etc. If you have all your forms, file for FREE online. If you didn’t receive a correct form, file a Form 4852.  Usually filing your state return costs as little as $15 unless you buy the Pro helpline. Avoid $300-400 paid preparer fees—new IRS forms mean higher fees. Unemployment insurance is TAXABLE on the Federal income tax return; not on some state returns. Some states do not tax your SS and pension benefits. Retirees did not have to take their RMDs in 2020 so taxes may be less: it was a good time to convert IRA to Roth IRA for tax-FREE future. Unless you were self-employed, you can’t deduct home office expenses of working from home. Some states continue the health insurance mandate and penalty unless you have an exemption. Since the IRA contribution deduction has no age limit now, you may reduce your income/taxes by making a contribution of up to $7,000. The standard deduction went up to $12,400 single; $24,800 joint. Jan 15 last day to make 2020 estimated payments. You have to report your April/May and December/January stimulus payments even though they are not taxable. Some of us receive a bank credit; some a debit card; some a check. Even if you don’t have to file, you should file so scammers can’t use your SS number to mess up your IRS file. Tested E file software ratings. Efile Jan 15; IRS processing Feb 12.

E file avoids covid at your preparers’ office: https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free

 

 

**********ACCOUNTABILITY**************

 

 

Like 1776, this period is a test of democracy—We rejected an "American fascist" 

 

Dictator image worship: Bow down

 

Terrorists still called ‘militia’: militia is National Guard/Bunker Hill patriots

 

Terrorists plan to 'blow up our Capitol'

 

FBI: 1,400 Terrorist in Trump’s failed Coup

 

Trump’s Pentagon took 3 hours to approve Guard for Capitol police: result 5 died

 

 

Our ‘Truth and Reconciliation Commission’? 

 

 

How Govt wastes our money:

We subsidize $7.25 wage ($18,000) with food stamps $8,160, EIC $6,660, CTC $3,000.

CA town paid every citizen a basic wage: employment went up not down.

 

We bought 400 million vaccines but 41% of us don’t want to take it: more die 515,000 +

Senate to limit stimulus checks to income under $80,000 single; $160,000 MFJ couples

Kentucky citizens will stop working if given $1,400 McConnell insults his own citizens!

 

McConnell wife Chao uses our money to pay staff over $15/hr to do her personal errands

Wealthy say they already got $ millions in 2017 so they don’t need another Covid check

Wasted money: Police ask for Guard for 2 more months: Trump’s gone so no 3 hr delay

 

SCAMS/SPINS:

Bishop Accountability: What does it take to make them accountable hiding sins of abuse

Hospital charges reinstated: $1,000 for COVID treatment as ‘grace period’ ends

GOP vs Trumpists: follow the money in PAC: democracy’s future depends on cash!

 

Trump really has GOP in pocket: even man he tried to assassinate drinks his Kool-Aid

Trump vows to end traditional GOP party: “Get rid of them all” hundreds cheer

 

We never get to vote again: GOP suppresses voting: elections rigged if GOP not win

 

Still need masks: Another vaccine but still 3,000 die every day: 525,000

SD scam: Gov claims NO mask success but really means 2^nd most virus cases per capita\

Can schools be free of virus with toxic chemicals or big fans in the windows?

 

Scammers fake videos, pictures, tweets, all to manipulate us to hate others. Sorry state!

Scam lesson book: “Summer of Scam,” and 7 stories to teach us scamming

Block those unwanted robocalls on your phone: block all not on your list

 

Boy Scouts offer $300 million to pay off victims of child sex abuse: no prison for adults.

Bishops tell Catholics to skip J&J vaccine despite Pope OK

Biden: “Indian-descent Americans are taking over the country” really? Joe, look in mirror

 

Facebook costs you money but you may not even know how it does it.

Christopher Fulco NY caught frauds $1.6 million promised special invest: 3 yrs prison

BrightSpeed Solutions K. Howard IL caught working internet fraud on payment process

 

BEWARE: Visit no Covid regs states at your own risk: Map of states to avoid

Biden disses Neanderthals: insult our ancestors in comment on TX MS

 

IRS: Easy Steps to Protect Your Computer and Phone and Avoid Phishing Emails.

IRS: Free special ID protection PIN goes on your return so scammers can’t take refund

IRS: Previous tax returns available online: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

 

Is it a scam?  Check AARP scamline 877.908.3360.

 

Check IRS: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen-part-1-taxpayers-should-be-on-the-lookout-for-these-scams

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen-part-2-thieves-work-all-year-to-scam-taxpayers

Find tax preparer: https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/choosing-a-tax-professional

 

Check Social Security: https://blog.ssa.gov/

Safeguard data: ConsumerReports help: https://securityplanner.consumerreports.org/

 

Jobs

1/3 troops declined vaccine: “unsafe” or want sense of independence: Trump got vaccine

Biden to change Trump regs: Independent Contractor definition, foreign workers

1955: year top 10% Americans started taking more and union membership went down

 

Who owns your account now?

Stricter Gym Precautions COVID-19 Outbreaks Linked To Gym Practices

Best Hospitals area: https://www.healthgrades.com/quality/hospital-ratings-awards

Google offers business breach insurance: insurers see what controls in place at firms

 

Which cars to buy in ’21: Consumer Report makes a list: Is it the safest?

Wealthsimple's U.S. Business to Betterment

 

 

Miracles:

NJ plumber drove to Texas with his family to fix burst pipes: brings wife and apprentice

Six-legged puppy? Variants abound in nature

Supremes decide NOT to hear another pitch for Trump election reversal: The Big Con!

 

Supremes decide to limit voting participation: Trumpism wins by stopping voters’ votes

 

Biden to give homeowners more time: longer for foreclosure deferral

TX everyone can get sick now: even fish can learn to wait for better future

 

 

We can apply for Medicare online: https://blog.ssa.gov/apply-for-medicare-online

We can apply for Social Security online: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/

We can apply for health care online: https://www.healthcare.gov/

 

 

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ   07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

Alerts available at http://dankeppel.blogspot.com/