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It's never too early to start thinking about saving for college, and a 529 plan can help with that. A 529 plan is great for saving on taxes, but its lack of flexibility makes it less valuable to me. She's had a 529 plan since she was only a few weeks old. Your contributions can grow tax-free in a 529 plan. This is a fantastic benefit that can give families the ability to diversify the taxability of accounts for a 529 plan beneficiary in the future.

Persons: It's, —, She's, Roth, doesn't Organizations: Service

It’s been a year since interest rates reached a two-decade high, but they may soon begin to reverse course. The Federal Reserve is expected to hold its benchmark interest rate steady on Wednesday, while signaling that a cut is possible when policy-setting officials meet again in September. If interest rates are elevated for too long, they risk weakening the employment picture. The central bank uses interest rates to influence the broader economy. Home-equity lines of credit and adjustable-rate mortgages — which each carry variable interest rates — generally rise within two billing cycles after a change in the Fed’s rates.

Persons: It’s, ” Jonathan Smoke, that’s, Freddie Mac, ”, Sam Khater, —, “ Banks, Ken Tumin Organizations: Federal, “ Manufacturers, Cox Automotive, Treasury, Savings Vehicles Locations: Edmunds

Many people fail to adjust their retirement savings when their income grows. I started making my retirement savings strategy a priority, from automating monthly contributions to maxing out various savings vehicles, from 401(k) plans to SEP IRAs. Not adjusting your retirement savings with your lifestyleAnother retirement mistake? Consider a financial advisor. Finding a financial advisor doesn't have to be hard.

Persons: —, it's, Brent Weiss, there's, isn't, Jen Reid, Michael J, Ashley Feinstein Gerstley, you'll, Weiss, doesn't Organizations: Service, Yardley Wealth Management Locations: Roth

Here are the best retirement plans, calculators, investment strategies, and tips you can use to ensure your retirement savings plan is on track. Understanding retirement needsAssessing your retirement needsUnfortunately, there's no general number to aim for when saving toward retirement. Financial experts recommend delaying Social Security until you reach full retirement age (age 70). This rule states that retirees can withdraw up to 4% of their retirement savings in year one of retirement. The 4% rule in retirement planning suggests withdrawing 4% of your retirement savings each year to prevent you from prematurely running out of money for at least 30 years.

Persons: there's, you'll, doesn't, Roth, IRAs, They're, Jim Ludwick, Ludwick, Tolen Teigen, Everyone's, It's Organizations: Fidelity, Social Security, Security, Garrett Planning, Consulting, Chevron, Business Locations: U.S

Social Security trust fund reserves are projected to be depleted by 2035. The 2023 Social Security and Medicare Trustees annual report projects that the program's trust fund reserves will be depleted by 2035. "It's not that Social Security will disappear completely, but rather, the surplus bucket we rely on is at risk." The average Social Security check for a retired worker is only $1,907 per month, according to the Social Security Administration. Without sufficient action, reduced Social Security benefits might not be able to keep pace with rising costs.

Persons: Emily Millsap, you've, Roth, HSAs Organizations: Social Security, Avantax Wealth Management, Social, Social Security Administration, Workers

☆ The Fed hasn't touched interest rates since July, but they're still moving. What that looks like for credit cards, mortgages and savings accounts
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-20 | by ( Gabriel Cortés | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

It's one of the silver linings to the current rate environment, said Ted Rossman, chief credit card analyst at Bankrate. Credit cardsThe flip side to the positive environment for savers is the expensive credit card market: Consumers carrying balances on their cards face historically high rates. "The Fed is not going to come to your rescue on credit card rates," Rossman said. The Fed is not going to come to your rescue on credit card rates. Mortgage ratesWhile savings and credit card rates are very sensitive to maneuvers from the Federal Reserve, the area that might see the most movement is housing.

Persons: Ted Rossman, There's, Rossman, they've, they'd, Bankrate Rossman Organizations: Hinterhaus, Getty, U.S . Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, Federal Reserve

☆ Best Banks and Credit Unions for 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-18 | by ( Martha C. White | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +13 min

While its checking interest rate is set much lower, you do earn interest on every dollar of your balance—its flagship checking account was also Buy Side’s top pick in the Best Checking Account category. CaveatsCapital One’s savings account APY beats most national banks and is competitive among online banks. The Ally Online Savings and Ally Spending accounts (the latter is the bank’s flagship checking account) were our top picks for digital banks in Buy Side’s Best Checking and Best Savings rankings. In Buy Side’s roundups, Alliant took the top spot among credit unions in our Best Checking and Best Savings rankings. How we pickedTo pick Buy Side from WSJ’s Best Banks, we evaluated dozens of banks and credit unions, looking for institutions that offered the best combination of high interest, low fees and flexible account options for savings, checking and CDs.

Persons: Martha C, you’ll, —, Ally, Ivy, Ivy doesn’t, Ivy Bank’s, Alliant, Foster, — Alliant, Banks Organizations: Wall, Best, Capital, American Express, Ally, Savings, Synchrony, Alto, Ivy Bank, Cambridge Savings Bank, Ivy, Bank5 Connect, CIT Bank, First, Alliant, Bank, Foster Care, Credit Union, Lake, Best Bank, Best Credit Union, National Credit Union Administration Locations: U.S, American, Massachusetts, California, Golden State, Lake Michigan

☆ Where Will CD Rates Go in 2024?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Mallika Mitra | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +7 min

Interest rates that banks pay on certificates of deposit are closely tied to short-term interest rates set by the Federal Reserve. Now that the inflation rate has come down, many investing pros see two possible outcomes for interest rates in 2024: one in which the Fed has little choice but to cut rates steeply, and another in which the Fed can cut rates modestly. Either scenario would eventually result in CD rates decreasing, since rates on CDs tend to quickly follow Fed moves. Where will CD rates go in 2024? But if investors are correct that rate cuts are coming, those high CD rates will come down over the next few years, too.

Persons: Mallika Mitra, “, ”, Lili Vasileff, Leslie Falconio, “ They’re, you’ll, you’re, Jeremy Keil, ” Keil, Keil, “ You’ve, Ally Organizations: Federal Reserve, UBS, Wall, Federal Credit Union, Minnequa Works Credit Union, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, National Credit Union Administration Locations: Greenwich, Conn, U.S, Milwaukee, APYs

☆ Federal Reserve Meeting Fed Expected to Keep Rates on Hold
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Jeanna Smialek | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +7 min

The Fed last raised its benchmark rate, the federal funds rate, in July to a range of 5.25 to 5.5 percent. In recent weeks, the long-term market rates that influence many types of consumer and business loans have drifted higher, even as the Fed left its key rate on hold. Car LoansHigher loan rates have been dampening auto sales, particularly in the used-car market, because loans are more expensive and prices remain high, experts said. Used-car rates were even higher: The average loan carried an 11.4 percent rate in September, matching a high set earlier in the year. Home-equity lines of credit and adjustable-rate mortgages — which each carry variable interest rates — generally rise within two billing cycles after a change in the Fed’s rates.

Persons: ”, Anna N’Jie, Bankrate.com, Matt Schulz, Jonathan Smoke, that’s, Freddie Mac, Ken Tumin, DepositAccounts.com Organizations: Federal Reserve, Fed, Re, LendingTree, Cox Automotive, Treasury, Savings Vehicles Savers, Consumers, DepositAccounts.com Locations: LendingTree

☆ Biden administration to crack down on ‘junk fees’ in retirement plans
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Tom Williams | CQ-Roll Call, Inc. | Getty ImagesThe Biden administration is cracking down on so-called "junk fees" in retirement accounts. The "hidden costs" of financial conflicts in retirement plans amount to "junk fees," Lael Brainard, director of the White House National Economic Council, said during a press call Monday evening. watch now"It's time to get junk fees out of the retirement savings market," said Julie Su, acting secretary of the Labor Department, during the call. However, the Labor Department can regulate them if sold in a retirement account, according to a Biden administration official speaking on background. It's time to get junk fees out of the retirement savings market.

Persons: Julie A, Su, Tom Williams, Biden, There's, Lael Brainard, Julie Su, Sen, Bill Cassidy, Virginia Foxx, Anna Moneymaker, Obama Organizations: Labor, Health, Education, Washington , D.C, CQ, Inc, Getty, U.S . Department of Labor, Finance, Securities and Exchange Commission, Congressional Research Service, White, National Economic Council, Labor Department, Rep, Economic, SEC, Biden, Department of Labor Locations: Washington ,

☆ Do I Get Taxed on a High-Yield Savings Account?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Aly J. Yale | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

Today, you can even find some banks offering high-yield savings accounts with 5% APYs or higher, up from just 0.50% to 1% a few years ago. Has your high-yield savings account been racking up interest this year? How high-yield savings accounts are taxedThe interest you earn on a high-yield savings account—or any other savings account, money market account or certificate of deposit, for that matter—is subject to state and federal income taxes. What’s more, savings account and CD interest contrast with investment income, which is often taxed at lower rates. Some IRAs offer access to high-yield savings accounts.

Persons: Aly J, Uncle Sam, you’d, ”, Rob Burnette, that’s, They’re, Jan, You’ll, you’ll, Banks, you’ve, ” Burnette, you’re, Roth, won’t, Burnette, “ Organizations: Yale, Federal Reserve, Outlook Financial, IRS Locations: Texas, Illinois , Indiana , Michigan, Pennsylvania, Troy , Ohio

☆ Pension plans are pretty rare. Here's who still has them and how they work
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

But not all unionized workers have equal access to their employer’s DB plan. One sticking point in the UAW negotiations is to restore access to company pension plans that had been closed to anyone hired after the union accepted deep concessions in its 2007 contract. Why employers moved away from traditional pensionsMany employers started making the shift to 401(k) plans and other DC plans in the 1980s. The PBGC protects pension benefits and continues to pay retirees should their employer or its DB plan become insolvent. Retirement readiness at risk for millionsSimply having access to a workplace retirement plan isn’t enough to guarantee a secure retirement.

Persons: “ We’ve, ”, Karen Friedman, That’s, —, Craig Copeland, Copeland, won’t, “, Friedman, nonparticipants, — CNN’s Chris Isidore Organizations: New, New York CNN, United Auto Workers, Big Three, Pension, Center, Bureau of Labor Statistics, DB, UAW, General Motors, Chrysler, Congressional Research Service, Research Institute, ”, federal, Guaranty Corp, Workers, Social Security, Vanguard, Security Locations: New York

Here are four important steps to take to determine just how much money you'll need to save:1. Calculate how much you'll need to save during retirementUnderstanding what you expect retirement to look like will help determine how much you'll need in order to fund that lifestyle. In retirement, your savings will cover many of the same expenses that you had prior to retirement. This rule states that retirees can withdraw up to 4% of their retirement savings in year one of retirement. So, if you have $2,000,000 in retirement savings, you would withdraw $80,000 that first year.

Persons: you'll, it'll, Jim Ludwick, They're, Roth, Ludwick, Tolen Teigen, Everyone's, Charles Schwab Organizations: Service, Gallup, Utilities Insurance, Inc, Fidelity, Social Security, IRA, Roth IRA, Consulting, Security Locations: Wall, Silicon, Chevron

☆ Federal Reserve Meeting Fed Expected to Resume Rate Increases
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Jeanna Smialek | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +7 min

The Federal Reserve has already raised its benchmark rate, the federal funds rate, to a range of 5 to 5.25 percent to rein in inflation, which is showing signs of slowing. The average credit card rate was 20.44 percent as of July 19, according to Bankrate.com, up from around 16 percent in March last year, when the Fed began its series of rate increases. The average rate on new car loans in June was 7.2 percent, up slightly from the start of the year, according to Edmunds.com. The average rate for an identical loan was 5 percent the same week in 2022. But yields on money market funds offered by brokerage firms are even more alluring because they have tracked the federal funds rate more closely.

Persons: ”, Anna N’Jie, Bankrate.com, Matt Schulz, Jonathan Smoke, that’s, —, Freddie Mac, Ken Tumin, DepositAccounts.com Organizations: Federal Reserve, Federal, Fed, Re, LendingTree, Cox Automotive, Treasury, Savings Vehicles Savers, Consumers, DepositAccounts.com Locations: Chicago

☆ Fed Expected to Pause Rate Increases: Live Updates
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Jeanna Smialek | Joe Rennison | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +7 min

The Federal Reserve has already raised its benchmark rate, the federal funds rate, to a range of 5 to 5.25 percent to rein in inflation, which is showing signs of slowing. The average credit card rate was 20.44 percent as of June 3, according to Bankrate.com, up from around 16 percent in March last year, when the Fed began its series of rate increases. The average rate on new car loans was 7.1 percent in May, according to Edmunds.com, up from 5.1 percent last year. Used-car rates were even higher: The average loan carried a 11 percent rate in May, up from 8.2 percent a year earlier. The average rate for an identical loan was 5.23 percent the same week in 2022.

Persons: ”, Anna N’Jie, Bankrate.com, Matt Schulz, Jonathan Smoke, Edmunds.com, that’s, —, Freddie Mac, Ken Tumin, DepositAccounts.com Organizations: Federal Reserve, Fed, Re, LendingTree, Cox Automotive, Treasury, Savings Vehicles Savers, Consumers, DepositAccounts.com Locations: San Francisco .

☆ Federal Reserve Meeting Fed Leaves Rates Unchanged: Live Updates
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Jeanna Smialek | Joe Rennison | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +7 min

Credit card rates are closely linked to the Federal Reserve’s actions, which means consumers have seen those rates rise over the past year. After raising interest rates 10 times over the past 15 months, the Federal Reserve is expected to take a break on Wednesday and hold rates steady. The Federal Reserve has already raised its benchmark rate, the federal funds rate, to a range of 5 to 5.25 percent to rein in inflation, which is showing signs of slowing. Used-car rates were even higher: The average loan carried a 11 percent rate in May, up from 8.2 percent a year earlier. Home-equity lines of credit and adjustable-rate mortgages — which each carry variable interest rates — generally rise within two billing cycles after a change in the Fed’s rates.

☆ 6 in 10 Americans aren't saving for retirement—here's where to get started
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Ryan Ermey | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

If you're among the cohort lacking a retirement account, just about every financial planner would tell you to get started as soon as possible. There are plenty of different ways to invest out there, including workplace retirement accounts, individual retirement accounts, accounts designed for medical expenses and regular old brokerage accounts. Still, there are some general guidelines that financial pros typically prescribe when it comes to where you park your retirement savings. Priority 3: Get triple tax savings with an HSANot every retirement saver can invest using a health savings account. Like a traditional 401(k), money you contribute to an HSA counts against your taxable income.

Persons: Christopher Lyman, Kevin Brady, Roth, you've, Amy Miller Organizations: Financial Advisors, Wealthspire Advisors Locations: Newtown , Pennsylvania, New York City, West Hartford , Connecticut

☆ What is a 529 plan? How you can score a tax break while saving for future college expenses
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

And what better time to think about a college savings account than 529 College Savings Day? Unlike college costs, however, your 529 plan funds can only go toward tuition for primary and high school. On top of tax-free growth, some states allow taxpayers to deduct or get a credit for 529 plan contributions on their taxes. Drawbacks of 529 savings plansOne of the main drawbacks of saving in a 529 plan is that you owe a penalty if you use the funds for an ineligible expense. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) does take 529 plan savings into account when determining your expected family contribution (EFC), but not at face value.

☆ Op-ed: Why cash is king for emergency funds and queen for short-term savings
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Stacy Francis | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

You would have been lucky to find a high-yield savings account paying out 1%-2% at that time. Where to keep your emergency cashAn emergency fund is a cash cushion of roughly three to six months of living expenses. American Express High Yield Savings and Barclays Online Savings Account are highly competitive. The easiest way to reach this goal is to automatically have a portion of your paycheck directed toward your emergency or short-term savings fund. Your emergency fund and short-term savings should be directed toward something other than your everyday checking or savings account.

The average interest rate on new-car loans was 7 percent in March, according to Edmunds, up nearly a percentage point from six months earlier. The average interest rate on new-car loans was 7 percent in March, according to Edmunds, up nearly a percentage point from six months earlier. The rate for current federal student loan borrowers isn’t affected because those loans carry a fixed rate set by the government. The average rate for an identical loan was 5.1 percent the same week in 2022. Home equity lines of credit and adjustable-rate mortgages — which each carry variable interest rates — generally rise within two billing cycles after a change in the Fed’s rates.

☆ What Is a Money Market Fund?
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +11 min

“Money market funds have become a much more interesting place,” says Jay McLaughlin, institutional sales manager for iMoneyNet, a research firm that follows the money market fund industry. How money market funds workThe first thing for investors to understand is that money market funds are mutual funds, not bank accounts. Municipal money market fundsMunicipal money market funds appeal to many high-income investors because of their tax-exempt nature. One popular muni money market fund is the $17 billion Vanguard Municipal money market Fund (VMSXX) and its current 7-day yield of 2.65%—a yield which on its face is lower than other fund types, but after taxes are considered, can actually be higher for some investors. How to get the best money market fund ratesTypically your stock trading platform may have a default money market fund for its clients, established at your initial sign-up, as a kind of placeholder to keep your cash.

☆ With a recession looming, it's an important time to have an emergency savings account, finance expert Suze Orman says
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

watch now"There has never been a time that as much as right here and right now in the recent past that an emergency savings account is vital, absolutely vital," Orman said. In 2020, she co-founded SecureSave, a company working with employers to provide emergency savings accounts to employees. "If you go back through my entire history of almost 40 years now, I've been [saying] emergency savings, emergency savings, emergency savings," Orman said. How your emergency fund deposits are insuredAn important part of emergency savings is easy access, which means most people are looking at some kind of high-yield savings account. Generally, deposit accounts are eligible for $250,000 coverage for the sum of accounts at an institution in this category, which includes checking accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit or money market deposit accounts.

Below, CNBC Select breaks down what you need to know if choosing between high-yield savings accounts, CDs and treasury bills. High-yield savings accounts let you earn a higher interest rate on your balance compared to what you'd earn through traditional savings accounts. The Marcus by Goldman Sachs High Yield Online Savings Account is one savings account option that doesn't charge any excessive withdrawal fees. Like high-yield savings accounts, certificate of deposit accounts (CDs) allow you to deposit money into an account to earn interest on your balance. How to choose between a high-yield savings account, a CD and treasury billsUltimately, deciding between a high-yield savings account, a CD and treasury bills will come down to what the money will be used for.

☆ 3 questions that will help you decide where to save in today's high-rate environment
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( Jason Stauffer | Elizabeth Gravier | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

And with so much uncertainty in the stock market and rising interest rates, it can feel more complicated than normal. Right now, high-yield savings accounts (such as the LendingClub High-Yield Savings account) and CDs are more appealing than they were a few years ago when rates were low. However, interest rates tend to have a bigger influence on short or mid-term planning, not long-term decisions. Wealthfront Learn More Minimum deposit and balance Minimum deposit and balance requirements may vary depending on the investment vehicle selected. For example, if you save $1,000 in a high-yield savings account at 4% interest you'd earn about $41 in a year.

☆ What’s Your Savings Rate? These Banks Are Paying 10 Times the National Average
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +9 min

Savings accounts have followed suit, with many top accounts yielding 3%, or even 4%, up from less than 1% earlier this year. The average savings account still earns just 0.3%, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Accordingly, the highest APYs you can expect to find on savings accounts today are clustered close to that figure. If your main priority is simply the best rate, some online banks with less name recognition are pushing the envelope even further. Leon says digital institutions tend to be among the most competitive in their rates for CDs as well as savings accounts.

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