Articles from Michael Becker

Going Up: 401(k) Limits

For 2023, the IRS has made the largest increase ever to 401(k) contribution limits.

Employees can now contribute $22,500 for 2023, up $2,000. And the ‘catch up’ contribution for those 50 and over increased $1,000 to $7,500. So those over 50 can now contribute $30,000 per year to a 401(k).

As well, self-employed people who have SEP plans or individual 401(k)s now can contribute $66,000 per year, up $5,000. So, with the catch up contribution of $7,500, those over 50 can contribute up to $73,500 a year. And IRA contribution limits have increased as well, from $6,000 to $6,500 a year.

These new increased limits offer a big savings opportunity as well as a current tax savings. For most people, contributions are tax-deductible when made, lowering current tax bills. And savings in these accounts roll over tax-deferred, meaning that they’re not taxed until withdrawn. So all the money keeps working, rather than some coming out for taxes, which are instead paid years later.

Recent Articles

New Child Support Guidelines

After more than ten years, Connecticut’s child support guidelines have been updated. The changes are effective August 1, 2026. A key change is that the new child support chart captures higher net family income. It now covers families with net weekly income up to $6,000 (equivalent to about $400,000 of annual income), up from $,4,000…

Late-Life Splits: Surprising Impacts on Adult Children

Divorce rates for those over 50 — known as ‘gray divorce’ — have surged from 9% in 1990 to about 36% today. This trend has been evident in my 30 years as a divorce mediator. Some guess that with longer lifespans, older spouses are less willing to stay in unfulfilling marriages. Gray divorce deeply affects…

529 Accounts Get a Power Boost

The recent tax bill passed by Congress has significantly expanded the benefits of 529 education savings accounts. These accounts still grow tax-free and allow tax-free withdrawals for qualified education expenses, but the list of such expenses has broadened considerably. Previously limited mainly to college costs, and up to $10,000 annually for K-12 tuition, the new…

The Ultimate Pre-Marriage Checklist

A friend recently told me her son is delaying his marriage. The couple discovered some disagreements about how they envisioned being married. It gave me the opening to share the short book The Hard Questions: 100 Essential Questions to Ask Before You Say “I Do” with my friend. I recommend it highly to anyone considering…