October 28 2022

Qualified Plan and Social Security Limits to Rise by Record Amounts in 2023

When the new Social Security benefit amounts and qualified retirement plan limits are announced in early fall each year, usually not all of them will rise in any given year because of how the limits are rounded down to the next lower multiple. Due to...

May 26 2022

Which Plan Design is Right for You?

Many years ago, along with the birth of ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act), a famous “rock” group posed a great question with the song lyrics “What’s The World Coming To?” With all that’s happening today, the question may now be apropos ...

November 05 2021

Big Jump for Qualified Plan Limits and Social Security in 2022

As a result of higher increases to the Consumer Price Index in 2021 than have been seen in recent years, Social Security benefits and qualified retirement plan limits will rise significantly in 2022, according to recent announcements from the IRS and...

December 23 2020

Mega Backdoor Roth IRA: A Neat Idea that Rarely Works

Lately, several people have asked me about a “mega backdoor Roth IRA.” I didn’t really know what this was, but anything with “backdoor” in the name is something I want to explore. It sounds a little devious. Maybe I could finally be a bad boy – more ...

November 20 2020

When It’s a Mistake to Call Something a “Mistake of Fact”

“You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” So goes the internet meme based on Inigo Montoya’s complaint to Vizzini about his use of the word "inconceivable" in The Princess Bride movie. In the pension business, there...

October 29 2020

Out with 2020, In with the 2021 Retirement Plan Rates and Limits

As we head toward the close of this turbulent year, we have learned that most IRS limits related to qualified retirement plans will hold steady in 2021. Retirees receiving Social Security benefits will receive another modest increase, while PBGC prem...