Welcome to our Video and Audio Podcast Review of our Q4 2023 Newsletter. For those on the road or just unable to grab the time to read, our podcast type review gives you the behind the scenes insight to our thoughts, observations and deep views of the entire Newsletter.

Click the Download button below, for a direct link to an electronic version (an early peek-good ole fashion paper versions are on their way to you shortly) and here for our Newsletter page

Let’s get going! We hope you enjoy!

Q4 2023 Newsletter

(YouTube)

Rate Increase GOOD for Pension Plans and Pension Recipients

Special thanks to Milliman and Rebecca head of medial relations for allowing us the ability to reference this fantastic data… also sourced at the end of our post/article.

Here are the top 100 pension plans, a lot of names you likely know and maybe even have a pension with… At least one family member included in this.

With higher interest rates, something we have mentioned numerous times… Notice because of a rather complex future liability projection, pension plans for the most part are FINALLY funded….YAY

2023 Corporate Pension Funding Study

By Zorast Wadia, Alan Perry, and Richard J. Bottelli Jr. 20 April 2023

https://www.milliman.com/en/insight/2023-corporate-pension-funding-study#

Don’t Fight the Fed! Wait, are we Fighting the FED? YEP

This unusual correlation especially when the blue line is going down, represents the FED (Federal Open Market Committee) pulling money from the economy or trying to slow the Economy.

Add higher rates, at the fastest pace ever….

Interesting that participants are fighting the FED, even though they regularly quote “Don’t Fight The FED!”

Stimulus still sloshing around in the Economy…

True-Up Reminders – 401k and the Like

In the year 2023 (Currently heading towards a close) the maximum amount WE (not including matching) can contribute is $22.500 and for those either age 50 or older or turning age 50 happily in 2023, you get a nice catch-up amount of $7,500 bringing your deferred amount to a whopping $30,000! 

Pro-Tip – Contribute evenly throughout the year, with a terminal amount of maximizing in late November or early December.

Pro-Trick – Similar to rushing/upping your contributions near the end of employment to maximize levels, if you are new to an employer and wish to maximize your contributions for the year, dump all you can to maximize your contributions now, with the intention of dropping that contribution level down to a normal level (see Pro-Tip above) after the turn of the calendar.  

Do Not Overfill Duplicate Plan Years

Remember, if you have contributed to a plan earlier in the year via another employer, your new employer will not be able to throttle your contributions back if you happen to go over the total annual limit. Reach out for help and clarity on this!

Be Aggressive in New Plans

Lastly, in new plans, starting from scratch with new contributions, allocation should be wide open and aggressive with the hope of choppy entry points as your contributions make up the majoring of the plan and will take advantage of the ups and downs in the early years of the plan.

Cyber Reminder- Tips and Tricks

If there’s one thing, for those of us with little time or patients for a long read that we would like you to take from this article it is that most cyber intrusions come from an e-mail that has a bad actor with a hot link click, do not click on that bad hot link!

The second thing and more encouraging, most cyber security situations are not extremely complicated and are allowed by a simple letting of our guards down- see above point!

• Handy tip #1– Use an only known to you, phrase or password.
• Handy tip #2– Do not ignore the recommended updates!
• USB/Pen Drives a No No Avoid the USB/pen drive at all costs unless you absolutely, 100% know where it came from

RMD Age Changes and other Important Dates

RMD (Required Minimum Distributions)

One of the most important and likely most confusing due to the recent multiple updates is the adjustment of Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) They are now mandatory to commence for those aged 73. Those turning 75 after 2033, your new RMD age is 75.  Recall, these just a few years ago, moved from age 70 1/2 to 72, now to age 73 and eventually age 75. No wonder we are all confused!

Social Security Mandatory Commencement Date reminder age 70

The current maximum age that you may defer commencement of  Social Security still remains at age 70, well below the new younger thresholds that we hopefully are all feeling. 

The earliest one may take Social Security remains age 62, with a 25% discount to the full retirement age (FRA) benefit amount AND has a maximum earnings level of $21,240 from W-2 or 1099 (working income) not pension, investment or other non working types of income.  

Have a Great Fall! Talk after the turn of the Calendar!

John A. Kvale CFA, CFP

Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.

A Dallas Texas based fee only

Financial Planning Total Wealth

Management firm.

www.jkfinancialinc.com

www.street-cents.com