2024 Index of Economic Freedom Update
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Last year, eleven countries made our cut-off. This year, twelve do.

Updates to Our Emerging Markets Strategy (March 2024)
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Because of Mexico’s current valuation, we believe that it has the possibility to perform well regardless of how this potential conflict resolves.

#TBT The Benefits of Free Trade Agreements
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Regardless of which way the balance of trade says the surplus falls, we and our trading allies benefit from the exchange.

#TBT The Delirious Happiness of Free Market Choice
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This 2015 article details one of the most brilliant breakthroughs in all of food science and how it relates to almost every aspect of life.

In Roth Conversions, Reducing Your Taxable Income is One of the Benefits
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Roth conversions can decrease your taxable income and increase your tax savings over the long haul.

A Closer Look at Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT)
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The 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) is a Medicare contribution tax on investment income.

#TBT Three Reasons To Engage In Gift Giving
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The holiday cliché is to complain about hyper-materialism, but according to anthropologists, gifts and gift giving help shape our identities.

Freedom Investing in Review (December 2023)
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This quarter, we saw that in 1-year returns using the dynamic tilt and ending December 31, 2023, Developed Freedom Investing had a -4.21% disadvantage, Emerging Market Freedom Investing had a +4.78% advantage, and Overall Freedom Investing had a -1.46% disadvantage.

The Complete Guide to IRA Contributions and Withdrawals
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Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) are one of the most important account types, and understanding the difference between Roth and traditional contributions and withdrawals is foundational to tax planning.

#TBT Diversify and Rebalance More Than Just Your Investments
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Life is volatile, risky, and on average rewarding. Diversification and rebalancing help to protect yourself from the volatility.

Q&A: What Happens to an Inherited IRA RMD After a Multi-Beneficiary Trust Dissolution?
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While not the most favorable RMD rules imaginable, I’m sure it is still a relief to know that you don’t need to navigate the new SECURE Act rules just because you dissolved the trust.

Investment News You Maybe Missed (2022 Bear Market)
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Hopefully, you didn’t bother looking, and I can be the first to tell you.

IRS Guidance on Pension-Linked Emergency Savings Account (PLESA)
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What procedure can you put in place to prevent employer match churning? That is still unclear.

#BestOf2023 How to Use Form SSA-44 To Save Money
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If the form is accepted, the Social Security Administration will generally not only change your current IRMAA, but they will also use your Projected MAGI for the next several years. Here’s why.

Today Was An Intraday Recovery (January 2024)
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While we still cannot call the end of the Bear Market from this performance, today’s returns strongly suggest that 15 months ago, October 12, 2022 was the end of this bear market.

#BestOf2023 At 65, Does the 5-Year Roth Rule Matter?
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For those over age 59 1/2, you would need to withdraw all funds attributable to basis before your withdrawal would be sourced from Roth IRA earnings and the age of your Roth IRA would matter for taxation.

Account Funding Priorities for 2024
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A savings waterfall helps investors navigate the financial complexity available to them.

How to Correct Excess Backdoor Roth Contributions
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While an excess or failed backdoor Roth can feel very stressful to solve, it is a normal and quick fix for your qualified financial custodian.

#BestOf2023 Changes to RMDs for Those Born in 1951 or Later
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Later required beginning dates are generally advantageous to seniors, although the complexity surrounding RMD rules is nothing to celebrate.

Tax Savings Opportunity for Charlottesville City Seniors This February
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Seniors over age 65 may receive relief on their real estate taxes limited by AGI but regardless of net worth.

New IRS Notice Moves SECURE 2.0 Act Implementation Closer
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The IRS authors make clear that the purpose of the notice is to “provide guidance on discreet issues to assist in commencing implementation of these provisions” not to provide comprehensive guidance.

#TBT High Wages Limit Catch-Up Options to Only Roth in 2026
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The Internal Revenue Service announced an administrative transition period that extends until 2026 the new requirement that any catch-up contributions made by higher‑income participants in 401(k) and similar retirement plans must be designated as after-tax Roth contributions.

#TBT The Happy Habits of Appreciation and Gratitude
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This 2016 article reminds us that “there is a very simple place to start the process of changing our destiny: Each day notice the things that make you happy and try experiencing more of them.”

Dwindling Savings Highlights Need for Tax Reforms
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The Tax Foundation recently published the article “Dwindling Savings and Increasing Financial Stress Highlights Need for Tax Reforms” suggesting that tax reform could improve the current state of American personal finances.

In Roth Conversions, Reducing Your RMD is One of the Benefits
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Required minimum distributions are taxed as taxable income, the same as other types of traditional IRA withdrawals and Roth conversions.

Pension-Linked Emergency Savings Account (ESA) Available in 2024 (Secure 2.0)
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While the initial details sound promising, the downsides are many.

Don’t Increase Your Bond Allocation In Bear Markets
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There is an artistry to a bond allocation, and while the historical analysis can only be suggestive, they do tell a strong narrative.

#TBT The Economics of a Thanksgiving Turkey
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This article should give you something fun to discuss this year.

Today, We Celebrate Saving Tuesday
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Saving Tuesday is the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. It is a day to squirrel some savings away for your future self.

How to Uncap Your 529 Plan Virginia State Tax Deduction
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You can have an effectively uncapped state tax deduction if you have a high tolerance for paperwork.

#TBT Six Reasons to Sell for a Loss
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Here are six reasons you may want to sell for a loss.

#TBT How Can We Make Medical Insurance Affordable?
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We have written on the topic of healthcare reform multiple times, including our 2014 economics of healthcare series which culminates in this article.

2024 Contribution Limits
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Twelve-month inflation for all items ending in September 2023 has been 4.1%, so the 2024 contribution limits increased significantly but less than last year.

States with Death Taxes (2023)
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While most states do not have their own estate or inheritance taxes, some states do and often their exemption is lower than the federal one.

#TBT Both Spouses Can Make The HSA Catch-Up Contribution
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The IRS is clear, “If both spouses are 55 or older and not enrolled in Medicare, each spouse’s contribution limit is increased by the additional contribution. Each spouse must make the additional contribution to his or her own HSA.”

IRMAA Event: Loss of Income-Producing Property
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It sounds broad and easy to use, but it is actually very specific and uncommon.

Schwab’s New HSBAs (Health Savings Brokerage Accounts)
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Now that these accounts are open at Charles Schwab, Marotta Wealth Management can manage and invest Health Savings Brokerage Accounts.

#TBT Parental Reminder Number 42
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“Parental Reminder #42” reminds us that goodness is something bigger than we can articulate but, even though we cannot express it fully, it is very important.

Freedom Investing in Review (September 2023)
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This quarter, we saw that in 1-year returns ending September 30, 2023, Developed Freedom Investing had a -4.77% disadvantage, Emerging Market Freedom Investing had a +3.89% advantage, and Overall Freedom Investing had a -1.63% disadvantage.

All About Jacob Massanopoli, CFP®
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We are very pleased to announce that Jacob Massanopoli is our newest CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional at Marotta Wealth Management!

Founder’s Day: Celebrating George Marotta (Part 3)
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My grandfather turns 97 this year. While not often celebrated or recorded in history, my grandfather played an important supporting role to many important events.

529-to-Roth Rollover Contribution Available in 2024 (Secure 2.0)
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This new rule says that the account owner can distribute funds from a 529 plan directly to the designated beneficiary’s Roth IRA and have the rollover “be treated in the same manner as the earnings and contributions of a Roth IRA” (meaning no taxation).

Avoid Investing Mistakes (the series)
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This series of articles covers some of the most common investing mistakes and how to avoid them.

All About Greg Vairo, CFP®
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We are very pleased to announce that Greg Vairo is our newest CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional at Marotta Wealth Management!

We Are Not Afraid. (A Reply to Recent Headlines)
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There are strategies to achieve a better inner calm.

How to Upload a Secure Document to Marotta
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We can receive documents to our secure ShareFile client portal.

Proposed RMD Rules: The Madness Continues
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“And the now-20-year-old beneficiary who lost her father less than a year ago is supposed to navigate this mess on her own? No chance. This is madness.”

QCD Limitation Starts Inflation-Adjusting in 2024 (Secure 2.0)
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Congress decided to inflation-adjust both the existing and the new split-entity qualified charitable distribution limitations.

#TBT Which Products Do You Buy and Which Do You Avoid?
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We avoid investments we deem too risky or laden with fees and seek instead a well balanced, low-cost, diversified portfolio.

What is a Charitable Remainder Trust?
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It is helpful to know that a charitable remainder trust exists, but most charitable intentions benefit more from a donor advised fund.

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