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401(k) and IRA changes coming in 2015

By WTOP Staff

Retirement savers will have a new retirement account option in 2015. Investors will also be eligible to contribute $500 more to a 401(k) next year. Here’s a look at how retirement accounts will change in 2015.

Introducing the myRA. The Treasury will offer a new type of retirement account, the myRA, beginning in late 2014 that is guaranteed by the government to never lose value. Deposits will be made via payroll deduction, and accounts can be opened with an initial deposit of as little as $25 and then direct deposits of $5 or more each payday. But these accounts are not tied to your job and are portable if you change jobs. Savers with an annual income of less than $129,000 for individuals and $191,000 for couples will be eligible to participate. These new accounts “target low- and middle-income Americans who don’t currently have access to an employer-sponsored plan,” says Mikio Thomas, a senior tax analyst for the Internal Revenue Service.

The myRA is a Roth account, which means contributions can be withdrawn tax-free at any time, and earnings can be distributed without triggering an additional tax once the account is five years old and the account owner is at least age 59½. However, myRAs differ from Roth IRAs in that myRAs will hold a new retirement savings bond backed by the U.S. Treasury that is guaranteed not to lose value, and there are no fees. Savers can use the accounts for up to 30 years or until their balance grows to $15,000, at which point the balance will transfer to a private-sector retirement account.

Higher 401(k) contribution limits. Taxpayers will be able to contribute up to $18,000 to their 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans and the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan in 2015, which is $500 more than in 2014. “You can increase your contribution percentage at the start of the year,” says Andrew Jamison, a certified financial planner for Main Avenue Financial Services in Beaverton, Oregon. The catch-up contribution limit for employees age 50 and older will also grow by $500 to $6,000 in 2015.

IRA contribution limits unchanged. The IRA contribution limit will remain $5,500 in 2015. Investors age 50 and older can contribute an additional $1,000 to an IRA, an amount that is not eligible for an annual cost-of-living adjustment.

Bigger IRA income limits. The tax deduction for making a traditional IRA contribution is phased out for investors who have a workplace retirement plan and a modified adjusted gross income between $61,000 and $71,000 for individuals and $98,000 to $118,000 for couples in 2015, up $1,000 and $2,000, respectively, from 2014. For individuals who don’t have a workplace retirement plan but are married to someone who does, the tax deduction for an IRA contribution is phased out if the couple’s income is between $183,000 and $193,000 in 2015.

Increased Roth IRA income cutoffs. The income limits for contributing to a Roth IRA will increase by $2,000 in 2015 to between $116,000 and $131,000 for individuals and $183,000 to $193,000 for married couples. “If you are eligible for a Roth, I would put the full amount in a Roth IRA,” says Ann Coulson, a certified financial planner and personal financial planning professor at Kansas State University. “Then you can pull out tax-free income so you have money to live on in retirement.” Individuals who earn more than these income cutoffs may still be able to convert traditional IRA assets to a Roth IRA.

Larger saver’s credit threshold. Low- and moderate-income workers who contribute to a 401(k) or IRA are eligible for the saver’s credit, a tax credit that can be worth as much as $1,000 for individuals and $2,000 for couples. Workers are eligible for the saver’s credit until their AGI reaches $30,500 for singles, $45,750 for heads of household and $61,000 for married couples in 2015. These limits are between $500 and $1,000 higher than in 2014.

IRA one rollover rule. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2015, investors can make only one rollover from one IRA to another in any 12-month period. A second IRA-to-IRA rollover in a single year could result in income tax becoming due on the rollover, a 10 percent early withdrawal penalty and a 6 percent per year excess contributions tax as long as that rollover remains in the IRA. “Individuals can only make one IRA rollover during any one-year period, but there is no limit on trustee-to-trustee transfers,” Thomas says. Multiple trustee-to-trustee transfers between IRAs and conversions from traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs will continue to be allowed in the same year.

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401(k) and IRA Changes Coming in 2015 originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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