Arturo Conde
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Journalist. Managing Editor @SmartAsset. Former editor: @CallistoMedia, @TheBalance. Ex director @NACLA. Galician, Spanish and Latinx. Alum @Columbiajourn.
Articles by Arturo Conde
I Inherited $150,000. In 20 Years, Smart Tax Planning Could Grow This to $580,000.
Your inheritance may lose value before you invest it. Taxes on inherited assets could reduce how much you get to keep, while careful planning may preserve more of it. The type of asset you receive and the decisions you make afterward can affect how much is available for long-term growth. Here’s how a $150,000 inheritance could grow to almost four times its original value. Next Steps: Estate planning can be overwhelming. We recommend speaking with a financial advisor.
I Inherited an IRA That Was Already Inherited. These Are the Rules Nobody Warned Me About.
You inherited an IRA from a beneficiary, not the original owner. That distinction matters because you generally assume the existing distribution schedule and don’t start a new timeline. As a result, your options may be more limited than what is available for direct beneficiaries. Overlooking these requirements could accelerate withdrawals, and, if you ignore the rules, cost you more in taxes and penalties.
I Inherited $300,000. Here’s What This Could Be Worth in 30 Years If I Avoid the Tax Traps.
A $300,000 inheritance can give you enough money to invest for the future, but taxes may reduce how much you get to keep. Cost basis rules for inherited investments and withdrawal requirements for inherited IRAs could affect the amount you have available to invest. Over 30 years, even a small tax cost upfront might make a much larger difference in the future value of an inheritance. Next Steps: Estate planning can be overwhelming. We recommend speaking with a financial advisor.
The Average 401(k) Balance Is $351,242. Ignoring This Tax Rule Can Cost You Thousands.
The average 401(k) balance is about $351,242, but taxes can reduce how much of that money is available to spend. Required minimum distributions (RMDs) can create taxable income once they begin, potentially increasing your tax bill. Planning when and how you take money from your 401(k) could help limit the tax impact over retirement. Traditional 401(k) savings cannot stay in the account indefinitely.
I Have 10 Years Left to Retire. Missing My Boss’s 401(k) Match Could Cost Me This Much in Retirement.
With only 10 years left until retirement, missing your employer’s 401(k) match can leave a sizable hole in your savings. If your employer offers a 4% match and you fail to claim it, you could give up almost $45,000 by retirement. That amount includes both missed contributions and investment growth that you could have earned, which will be hard to make up in just a decade. As retirement gets closer, you may be tempted to reduce 401(k) contributions in favor of more take home pay.
How to Invest in International ETFs: Benefits, Risks and Strategies
International exchange-traded funds (ETFs) give investors access to companies and markets outside the United States without requiring them to research and purchase individual foreign stocks.
How to Value an Estate for Inheritance Tax: Calculations and Examples
To value an estate, you will need to calculate what the deceased person owned and how much those assets were worth at the time of death. The final amount can determine whether federal or state estate taxes apply, affect how property is divided among heirs and establish the tax basis beneficiaries receive for inherited assets.
I Just Inherited $250,000. Here’s the Tax Mistake That Could Cost Me $75,000.
A $250,000 inheritance can carry very different tax consequences depending on what you receive. Investments in a taxable account may qualify for a stepped-up cost basis, while distributions from an inherited traditional IRA are generally taxable as ordinary income. Taking too much from an inherited IRA in one year could leave you with a much larger federal tax bill. Next Steps: Estate planning can be overwhelming. We recommend speaking with a financial advisor.
A Living Trust in My State Cost More Than I Expected. Here’s What It Actually Bought Me.
A living trust can cost much more than a simple will, which can make the initial expense difficult to justify for some people. However, that additional cost provides benefits that a will alone cannot, including avoiding probate in many circumstances and streamlining the transfer of assets to your beneficiaries.
How to Avoid Capital Gains Taxes on an Inherited House: Strategies and Examples
Inheriting a house does not mean that you automatically owe capital gains tax. In most cases, the home’s value at the owner’s death becomes the starting point for calculating your gain, which can reduce or eliminate tax on appreciation that occurred during the owner’s lifetime. Taxes may still apply if the property increases in value before you sell it, but several strategies can help limit the taxable gain.
I am 59 With $1.6 Million and Ready to Retire. Not Budgeting for This Expense Almost Stopped Me.
At 59, $1.6 million may be enough to retire, but leaving work also means giving up health insurance coverage from your employer. Medicare generally doesn’t become available until age 65. Paying marketplace premiums during that six-year gap could increase your withdrawal rate, and that may undercut the longevity of your nest egg. Marketplace or private coverage can add premiums and out-of-pocket costs to the expenses your portfolio will need to cover.
Is the 4% Rule Limiting Your Retirement Income? Using a 5% Withdrawal Rate May Let You Spend This Much More.
A lower withdrawal rate can help your retirement savings last longer, but it may also limit how much you spend. Moving from 4% to 5% gives you more income upfront while leaving less room for your portfolio to absorb market losses. Your decision will depend on the answer to this question: Is the extra money worth taking on more risk? The 4% rule is a common benchmark for estimating sustainable retirement withdrawals.
Will Doubling Your Earnings Double Your Social Security? Here’s How Much You May Collect With $75k and $150k Salaries. Original
Doubling your salary can increase your lifetime earnings, but your Social Security benefit will not increase at the same rate. As your career earnings rise, each additional dollar has a smaller effect on your monthly benefit. Comparing salaries of $75,000 and $150,000 can show how that difference could affect your retirement income. Social Security benefits are not determined by your current salary alone.
What Happens to My 401(k) If I Die Without Naming Anyone? More Than I Expected.
If you die without naming a beneficiary on your 401(k), the money doesn’t simply pass to your spouse or heirs. Your account becomes part of your estate, triggering probate, tax complications and potential delays that could cost your family money and years of waiting. The process of settling an account without a beneficiary can be complicated, but updating your beneficiary designation may just take minutes. Next Steps: Estate planning can be overwhelming.
Is $2.5M Enough to Spend $100K a Year in Retirement, Or Will Taxes Leave Me Short?
A $2.5 million portfolio could support $100,000 in annual retirement spending, but taxes might require you to withdraw more than that amount. Account type determines the portion of each distribution you keep. Knowing that amount can help you estimate whether your spending goal is sustainable and what adjustments you may need to make. The 4% rule is a common benchmark that retirees use to estimate how much they can withdraw from their savings each year.
I Want to Retire at 52. Can a Roth Conversion Ladder Let Me Access Retirement Savings Penalty-Free? Original
Retiring at 52 could lock up a big part of your nest egg until age 59 ½. If most of your money sits in a 401(k) or traditional IRA, early withdrawals might trigger a 10% penalty. A Roth conversion ladder, however, may provide access sooner without that charge, but you still need to account for the five-year rule. A Roth conversion ladder can split a large retirement account balance into smaller transfers over several years.
I Rolled Over My 401(k) With a Check. Will It Trigger a 10% Penalty?
You took a $100,000 distribution by check from your 401(k) and are now wondering if the IRS will penalize you. The answer depends on whether you completed the rollover correctly. A check isn’t necessarily problematic, but missing this deadline could cost you roughly $34,000 in taxes and a penalty. Once you receive the check, you generally have 60 days to deposit the full distribution into an IRA or another eligible retirement plan.
Berkshire Hathaway vs. Nvidia: If You Invested $2,000 in Each 15 Years Ago, Which Is Worth More Today?
Berkshire Hathaway and Nvidia followed very different paths over the past 15 years. Berkshire generated value through a broad mix of businesses and investments, while Nvidia grew from a graphics chipmaker into a major supplier of technology for data centers and artificial intelligence (AI). A $2,000 stake in either company would have produced significant gains, but one delivered a much larger return. Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares closed at $74.01 on August 3, 2011.
I Need $10,000 in Monthly Retirement Income. Is a $1 Million Portfolio Enough?
If you need to withdraw $10,000 each month from a $1 million portfolio, that’s a 12% annual withdrawal rate. Sustaining this rate over a long retirement could increase the risk of depleting your savings. However, the gap between your spending goal and what your portfolio can support isn’t necessarily a dead end. Other income sources, a different withdrawal strategy and adjusting your timeline could help you make the math work.
I Need $5,000 in Monthly Retirement Income. Is a $500,000 Portfolio Enough?
While $500,000 is a substantial retirement portfolio, it may not be enough to generate $5,000 in monthly income on its own. How much you can safely withdraw depends on your spending needs, investment returns and any other income sources, like Social Security or a pension. Let’s take a look at how the math works. To estimate how much income your savings can provide, start by comparing your spending goal with the size of your portfolio.
I Wanted to Live Off Dividends in Retirement. Here’s the Portfolio Size It Actually Takes.
If you want to retire on dividend income alone, your portfolio must generate enough annual income to cover your living expenses without selling investments. For many retirees, that means accumulating a much larger portfolio than expected. Chasing higher dividend yields to make up the difference can backfire, putting both your income and your principal at risk.
Apple vs. Nvidia: If You Invested $2,000 in Each 15 Years Ago, Which Is Worth More Today?
Two tech giants delivered big gains for investors 15 years ago. Apple built an ecosystem of devices and services around the iPhone. Nvidia moved from gaming chips into data centers and artificial intelligence (AI). A $2,000 stake in either company would have appreciated significantly, but one far outpaced the other. Apple closed at a split-adjusted $11.75 per share on August 3, 2011. 1 A $2,000 investment at that price would have purchased approximately 170.21 shares.
If You Invested $2K in Meta at Its 2012 IPO, How Much Could You Have Now?
Meta’s 2012 IPO did not deliver the strong early performance that some investors had anticipated, but that performance tells only part of the story. After the company’s sharp decline in 2022 and its subsequent recovery, the long-term picture looks different. Here’s how much a $2,000 investment at Meta’s IPO could be worth today. Priced at $38 per share on May 17, 2012, Meta’s initial public offering started trading on May 18.
If You Invested $2K in Tesla 15 Years Ago, How Much Could You Have Now?
Fifteen years ago, Tesla was a much smaller electric vehicle company than it is today. Since then, the stock has gone through two stock splits, periods of rapid gains and several steep declines. Even after accounting for that volatility, the long-term performance looks very different from where the company stood in its early years. Investors who continued holding the stock through periods of volatility experienced a much different outcome than those who sold earlier.
What Is IPO Flipping? How It Works and Key Risks
When an IPO surges on its first day of trading some investors sell their shares right away. This is called IPO flipping. IPO flipping is legal, but some brokerages may limit your access to future IPOs if you flip shares frequently. Selling quickly may also change how your profits are taxed. Company insiders also follow different rules that often limit when they can sell their shares. A financial advisor can help you determine whether an IPO investment is a good fit for your portfolio.
I Just Inherited My Spouse’s IRA. If I Miss This 60-Day Window, Could I Owe Taxes I Didn’t Expect?
Inheriting your spouse’s IRA gives you more flexibility than other beneficiaries. You can move the assets in different ways, but not every option follows the same tax rules. A direct transfer generally avoids immediate tax consequences, while receiving the funds yourself starts a 60-day rollover clock. Missing that deadline can turn an otherwise tax-free transaction into a taxable distribution. Next Steps: Estate planning can be overwhelming. We recommend speaking with a financial advisor.
I Just Inherited an Annuity. If I Wait Past One Year, Will I Lose My Best Payout Option? Original
Inheriting an annuity comes with a deadline that’s easy to miss. Your contract typically offers multiple payout options, including a choice that stretches distributions across your lifetime. The window to elect that option stays open for only one year. The wrong election or a delayed decision compresses your inheritance and tax bill into far fewer years. Next Steps: Estate planning can be overwhelming. We recommend speaking with a financial advisor.
If You Invested $5K in the SpaceX IPO, How Much Do You Have Now? Original
SpaceX began trading on June 12, 2026, with an IPO price of $135 per share, giving retail investors an opportunity to buy into one of the world’s most closely watched aerospace companies. A $5,000 investment at the IPO price would have purchased about 37.04 shares. By June 16, those shares had climbed to $225.64, increasing the investment’s value to roughly $8,352.
I’m 50 and Felt Hopelessly Behind on Retirement. Then I Ran the Real Numbers. Original
Turning 50 could cause you to take another look at your retirement savings. If your balance is lower than expected, you may wonder whether you’ve fallen too far behind to reach your goals. The good news is that your current balance is only part of the picture. Depending on when you expect to retire, you might still have options to grow your nest egg. The next 10 to 20 years may have a larger effect on your retirement savings than you expect.
I Just Inherited a Roth IRA. Does the 10-Year Rule Still Apply, Even Though It’s Tax-Free?
You may inherit a Roth IRA and think you can leave the money invested indefinitely because qualified withdrawals are generally tax-free. Tax-free withdrawals do not eliminate the IRS rules for inherited accounts. In most cases, non-spouse beneficiaries must empty an inherited Roth IRA within a set period of time. Missing that deadline can lead to penalties, even if you never owed taxes on the withdrawals. Next Steps: Estate planning can be overwhelming. We recommend speaking with a financial advisor.
I Just Inherited a House. Could Waiting Past 6 Months Cost Me a Valuable Tax Break?
If you recently inherited a house, you may assume its tax value was fixed on the day your loved one died. For most people, that’s true. Estates that owe federal estate tax, however, may be able to use the home’s value six months later instead. If the property declined in value during that time, that election could reduce estate taxes. Missing the deadline means losing that opportunity. Next Steps: Estate planning can be overwhelming. We recommend speaking with a financial advisor.
I’m on Social Security. Do I Even Have to File a Tax Return Anymore? Original
If you’ve retired and receive Social Security as your main source of income, you may be unsure whether you still need to file a federal tax return. Many retirees assume they can stop once they reach a certain age, but the IRS bases that requirement on how much you earn and where it comes from. The IRS doesn’t automatically exempt retirees from filing a federal tax return. For 2026, an individual age 65 or older generally needs to file when gross income is at least $18,150.
If You Invested $10,000 in Tesla 5 Years Ago, How Much Could You Have Now?
A $10,000 investment in Tesla five years ago would have experienced periods of significant gains and sharp declines. Investors who held their shares through those swings would have ended up with a different result than those who sold during the downturns. Here’s how much that investment could be worth today, and what the past five years can show about holding a volatile stock. Tesla closed at a split-adjusted price of $220.17 on July 20, 2021.
I’m 67 With $48,000 in Income. Here’s Exactly How the New $6,000 Senior Deduction Cuts My 2026 Tax Bill.
If you’re retired, every tax deduction can make a difference, especially when you’re living on a fixed income. Americans age 65 and older may be able to claim a federal deduction of up to $6,000, but the amount depends on your income and filing status. Here’s how much a 67-year-old with $48,000 in annual income could save on a 2026 federal tax bill. If you’re age 65 or older, you may qualify for an additional senior tax break on top of the standard deduction.
If You Invested $20,000 in Meta 5 Years Ago, How Much Could You Have Now? Original
A $20,000 investment in Meta five years ago would be worth much more today, but the result did not come from a steady rise in the stock price. During 2022, the value of that investment fell, and some investors may have chosen to sell while others continued to hold their shares without knowing whether the stock would recover. The ending value reflects where the investment finished, not how it got there. Meta, then trading as Facebook under the ticker FB, closed at $341.66 on July 20, 2021.
I Inherited a $400k IRA. The 10-Year Rule Could Hand the IRS a Third of It Unless I Act Now
SmartAsset maintains strict editorial integrity. It doesn’t provide legal, tax, accounting or financial advice and isn’t a financial planner, broker, lawyer or tax adviser. Consult with your own advisers for guidance. Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this post are only the author’s and for informational purposes. This post may contain links from advertisers, and we may receive compensation for marketing their products or services or if users purchase products or services.
If You Invested $10,000 in Nvidia 20 Years Ago, How Much Could You Have Now?
Nvidia went public in 1999, years before its graphics chips became essential for training and running artificial intelligence (AI) models. At the time, the company was largely seen as another player in the competitive semiconductor industry. Here’s how much a $10,000 investment in Nvidia 20 years ago could be worth today, and what its growth can show about the value of long-term investing. Nvidia closed at approximately $0.32 per share on July 20, 2006.
I Retired at 62 but Won’t Touch My IRA Until 75. That Gap Is a Tax Goldmine.
One of your biggest tax-saving opportunities may come during the first years of retirement. Leaving the workforce can temporarily reduce your taxable income, creating a window when Roth conversions may cost less. That opportunity could start closing once Social Security benefits and other sources of taxable income begin. Traditional IRA withdrawals are generally taxed as ordinary income, and Roth conversions work the same way.
What to Do With a $250K Inheritance Original
A $250,000 inheritance could offer you the chance to pay off debt, build up your savings or invest long-term. While this amount is smaller than a multimillion-dollar estate, you may assume it doesn’t require much planning. That assumption could cost you. Even a modest inheritance can create avoidable tax consequences if you make the wrong moves in the first year after inheriting it. Next Steps: Estate planning can be overwhelming. We recommend speaking with a financial advisor.
I Pay My Advisor 1%. Then I Found the Second Fee Quietly Taking Another $4,000 a Year.
When you pay a financial advisor a percentage of assets in your portfolio, you may think that’s your total cost. Oftentimes, this is only part of what you pay. Additional expenses can be built into your investments and reduce your returns over time. Overlooking those costs could leave you paying more than you had originally expected. Next Steps: Financial planning can be overwhelming. We recommend speaking with a financial advisor.
6 Income Sources for Retirees: Opportunities and Risks
SmartAsset maintains strict editorial integrity. It doesn’t provide legal, tax, accounting or financial advice and isn’t a financial planner, broker, lawyer or tax adviser. Consult with your own advisers for guidance. Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this post are only the author’s and for informational purposes. This post may contain links from advertisers, and we may receive compensation for marketing their products or services or if users purchase products or services.
I’m 62 With $850k and a Small Pension. Claiming Social Security Now Costs More Than I Thought.
If you are close to retirement with a nest egg of $850,000 and a small pension, claiming Social Security early may make sense. However, claiming benefits as soon as you become eligible at age 62 will permanently reduce your monthly income. This can add up to a loss over the lifetime of your retirement. Someone born in 1960 or later has a full retirement age of 67.
LLC vs. LLP: Tax Treatments and Investor Protections
Choosing a business structure is one of the first major decisions entrepreneurs and investors face. It’s choice that can have lasting implications for taxes, liability protection and day-to-day operations. Two common options are the limited liability company (LLC) and the limited liability partnership (LLP). While these business structures offer some similar advantages, they differ in important ways.
LP vs. LLP: Tax Treatments and Investor Protections
If you are thinking about starting a business with partners or investing in a partnership opportunity, choosing between a limited partnership (LP) and a limited liability partnership (LLP) may affect how your income is structured for tax purposes and how much personal liability protection you actually have. In an LP, general partners typically retain control but take on unlimited personal liability, while limited partners get liability protection only by staying out of day-to-day management.
We’re 66 and 64 With $1.5 Million Saved. Can We Really Afford to Spend $100k a Year?
You and your partner may have built a comfortable nest egg and expect that Social Security will help support the retirement lifestyle you both want. On paper, your assumptions could make sense, but that will depend on three numbers that retirees often overlook: Your required withdrawal rate, the tax bill on that money, and what your target spending is really worth once inflation catches up to it.
Paying Student Loans at 26? Why Waiting to Invest Could Cost You the Most
Paying off your student loans before investing can make sense in some situations, but waiting to invest isn’t always the most cost-effective choice. If you postpone retirement savings or any other financial investments for several years, you may miss out on growth that can compound over time. Your decision may come down to whether the long-term value of investing now outweighs the cost of carrying your student loan debt.
If You Invested $15K in the SpaceX IPO, How Much Do You Have Now?
SpaceX is the largest initial public offering (IPO) in history, raising a record $75 billion and attracting interest from investors keen on owning a stake in Elon Musk’s rocket and satellite company. While a blockbuster IPO can fuel expectations of outsized gains, the value of any investment ultimately depends on how the stock performs after it begins trading. Here’s an estimate of how much you would have today if you had invested $15,000 at SpaceX’s $135 IPO price.
At What Age Do Seniors Stop Paying Property Taxes? The Answer Depends on Your State.
Homeowners often believe they stop paying property taxes after a certain age. In reality, there is no nationwide age at which property taxes automatically disappear. Whether you qualify for a property tax break depends on where you live, since states and local governments offer their own property tax exemptions or credits. Not knowing what your state offers could mean missing on an opportunity to reduce your property tax bill.
What to Do With a $750K Inheritance
A $750,000 inheritance can have an immediate impact on your finances. The first few decisions often determine how much of that money you can keep. And they usually happen before you make your first investment. One early mistake can increase your tax bill and leave you with a smaller inheritance. Next Steps: Estate planning can be overwhelming. We recommend speaking with a financial advisor. This free tool will match you with vetted advisors who serve your area.
I’m 2 Years From Retiring With $810k. A 20% Drop Now Would Hurt More Than One at 75. Here’s Why
When you are close to retirement, every market decline can feel different than it did decades earlier. At this stage, you generally have less time to recover from major losses. While it may be easy to focus on how far the market falls, the timing of a decline can be just as important. A sharp drop shortly before or during retirement could have a greater effect on your savings than a similar loss earlier in your career.
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