Retirement

In 2013, the maximum contribution is $5,500 if you are under age 50 and $6,500 if you are older than age 50. However, you are subject to the phase out rules, based upon your income level. Please find the information on phase out rules or contact a local CPA for greater details and how it impacts our situation.
In 2014: The AGI phase-out range for taxpayers making contributions to a Roth IRA is $181,000 to $191,000 for married couples filing jointly, up from $178,000 to $188,000 in 2013.
For singles and heads of household, the income phase-out range is $114,000 to $129,000, up from $112,000 to $127,000.
For a married individual filing a separate return, the phase-out range is not subject to an annual cost-of-living adjustment and remains $0 to $10,000

In 2016, the AGI phase-out range for taxpayers making contributions to a Roth IRA is $184,000 to $194,000 for married couples filing jointly, up from $183,000 to $193,000 in 2015.
For singles and heads of household, the income phase-out range is $117,000 to $132,000, up from $116,000 to $131,000.
For a married individual filing a separate return, the phase-out range is not subject to an annual cost-of-living adjustment and remains $0 to $10,000.
In 2015, the AGI phase-out range for taxpayers making contributions to a Roth IRA is $183,000 to $193,000 for married couples filing jointly, up from $181,000 to $191,000 in 2014.
For singles and heads of household, the income phase-out range is $116,000 to $131,000, up from $114,000 to $129,000.
For a married individual filing a separate return, the phase-out range is not subject to an annual cost-of-living adjustment and remains $0 to $10,000.
In 2014, For the filing status of: Married Filing Jointly AGI Phase-out range = $181,000 - $191,000
For the filing status of: Single AGI Phase-out range = $114,000 - $129,000
For the filing status of: Married filing Separately AGI Phase-out range = 0 - $10,000

If your birth year is:
1943-1954 the your full retirement age is 66
1955 the your full retirement age is 66 and 2 months
1956 the your full retirement age is 66 and 4 months
1957 the your full retirement age is 66 and 6 months
1958 the your full retirement age is 66and 8 months
1959 the your full retirement age is 66 and 10 months
1960 and after the your full retirement age is 67

If you are under full retirement age (ages 66-67 depending on date of birth) for the entire year, SSA deducts $1 from your benefit payments for every $2 you earn above the annual limit. For 2013, that limit is $15,120.
In the year you reach full retirement age, SSA deducts $1 in benefits for every $3 you earn above a different limit, but SS only counts earnings before the month you reach your full retirement age. If you will reach full retirement age in 2013, the limit on your earnings for the months before full retirement age is $40,080.
Starting with the month you reach full retirement age, you can get your benefits with no limit on your earnings.

In 2013 wages up to $113,700 are subject to social security tax and the maximum social security withholding would be $7049.40.
Employers should withhold Social Security taxes (6.2 percent) from employee's wages up to $113,700 and withhold Medicare tax (1.45 percent) on all wages.
In 2012 wages up to $110,100 are subject to social security tax and the maximum social security withholding would be $6826.20.
Employers should withhold Social Security taxes (4.2 percent) from employee's wages up to $110,100 and withhold Medicare tax (1.45 percent) on all wages.

Yes, Pension Plan Limitations have increased. The maximum amount that an employee may elect to defer to an Code Sec. 401(k) cash or deferred compensation plan is $17,500 in the 2013 tax year (up from $17,000 in 2012). The maximum amount that an employee/participant may elect to defer to a savings incentive match plan for employees (SIMPLE plan) remains at $12,000. The limitation on total annual contributions to defined contribution plans is $51,000 (up from $50,000 in 2012). The annual benefit limit for defined benefit plans is $205,000 (up from $200,000 in 2012). The limitation on deferrals for Code Sec. 457 deferred compensation plans of state and local governments and tax-exempt organizations increases from $17,000 to $16,500 in 2012. The limitation used in the definition of a highly compensated employee remains the same from $110,000 to $115,000 in 2013.

There is currently no provision in the code which allows for distributions from any IRA to pay for college education without incurring severe tax ramifications. We recommend that you consider distributions from your IRA to pay for college costs as your last choice. Explore other options first.

If you are receiving survivor Social Security benefits because your spouse has died, you will not lose the survivor benefits if you remarry as long as you are age 60 or older. If you remarry, you might see your monthly Social Security check increase because you may qualify for higher benefits based on your new spouse's earnings history. You have an option to choose the higher of the two amounts. If you have children who are also receiving benefits, their status will be unaffected by your remarriage.

A Roth IRA is an individual retirement plan that bears many similarities to the traditional IRA, but contributions are not tax deductible and qualified distributions are tax free.
Similar to other retirement plan accounts, non-qualified distributions from a Roth IRA may be subject to a penalty upon withdrawal.
A qualified distribution is one that is taken at least five years after the taxpayer establishes his or her first Roth IRA and when he or she is age 59.5, disabled, using the withdrawal to purchase a first home (limit $10,000), or deceased (in which case the beneficiary collects). Since qualified distributions from a Roth IRA are always tax free,