THE FINANCIAL COMMUTE
Hosted by Wealth Advisor Chris Galeski, THE FINANCIAL COMMUTE is a weekly podcast that gives the rundown on what's going on in the current market, how it affects you, and what you can do about it – all designed to fit into your commute. Each week Chris welcomes an expert guest, including Morton Wealth advisors, fund managers, and investment analysts, to break down complex financial topics. Our goal for this podcast is to provide you with the tools to help you navigate this challenging environment, leading to a path of more confident investing.
THE FINANCIAL COMMUTE
How to Prioritize Tax-Advantaged Accounts for High Earners
On this week’s episode of THE FINANCIAL COMMUTE, host Chris Galeski welcomes Wealth Advisor Mike Rudow to discuss different tax-preference savings vehicles and how high earners can use these accounts to optimize their wealth.
Here are some key takeaways from their conversation:
- Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are highlighted for their “triple tax savings.” They offer tax deduction on contributions, tax-deferred growth, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses.
- Traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, and Roth IRAs offer "double tax benefits." Traditional accounts provide tax deductions on contributions and tax-deferred growth, while Roth accounts offer tax-free growth and withdrawals after taxes are paid upfront. People who expect to be in a similar or higher tax bracket in retirement should contribute to a Roth. Sometimes, finding a balance between both can be an optimal tax strategy.
- Contribution to accounts should follow a hierarchy, prioritizing emergency funds, employer matches, and then high-interest debt repayment before moving on to other accounts.
- 529 plans offer tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals for qualified education expenses. This includes tuition for K-12 education and college, as well as expenses like books and supplies. They can also be used to pay off up to $10,000 in student loans per beneficiary, and the beneficiary can be changed to another family member.