#US
Related posts · 17 posts
Spending an HSA on Something Other Than Medical Care — the 20% and Age 65
At 65 the 20% goes away but the income tax does not — it is not free from there on.
The Dependent Care FSA — the 2026 Limit Is $7,500
Same name as the other FSA, 2.2 times the size — and the lower earner's income is the ceiling.
IRA Contribution and Deduction Calculator — What Is Left Inside the Band
Halfway through the band you get exactly half the limit — and the IRS worksheet carries two lines the short page does not.
The Last $400 of the Roth IRA Band — the Cliff the $200 Floor Creates
One dollar of income costs $200 — and two IRS pages give different answers.
The Traditional IRA Deduction Bands — Same Rule, Widths Reversed
A single filer loses the deduction first and fast; a joint filer loses the contribution first.
Social Security Claiming-Age Calculator — 62 vs 67 vs 70, and Where They Cross
The early reduction is not one rate — the three years before full retirement age cost 6.67pp each, and everything earlier costs 5.0pp.
The 78-83 Social Security Break-Even — Re-Run, It Is Three Numbers
“Around 78 to 83” was never a range. Name the comparison and it lands on 78y8m, 80y4m or 82y6m.
Social Security Withheld for Working — It Comes Back at Full Retirement Age
Withheld months are erased from the reduction count. Claim at 62 with an FRA of 67 and the benefit climbs from 70% to 75% to 80%.
Buying a Car in the US — Cash vs Finance vs Lease, and the 84-Month Trap
Stretching to 84 months halves the payment and multiplies total interest by 2.4.
US Home Sale Costs and Capital Gains — The Two-Year Rule Has Three Parts
Owning two years, living there two years, and no exclusion claimed in the prior two years. All three apply.
The US 401(k) Explained: Limits, Match, Roth vs Traditional (2026)
The employer match is an instant 100% return. 2026 limit $24,500, Traditional vs Roth, rollovers.
US IRA: Roth vs Traditional Explained (2026 Limits & Income Rules)
Pay tax now or later. 2026 limit $7,500, Roth income limits, and the order to save.
US Social Security Explained: 62 vs 67 vs 70, and the Korea Agreement
~30% less at 62, ~24% more at 70. The 40-credit rule and the US-Korea totalization agreement.
US Capital Gains Tax Calculator: The One-Year Line
Hold over a year: 0/15/20%. Under a year: up to 37%. A few days can cost thousands.
US Median Earnings (2026) — By Education, By Occupation
US full-time median weekly earnings are $1,251 (BLS, Q2 2026) — a median, not an average, and before tax.
How US Tax Brackets Actually Work (2026)
‘I'm in the 24% bracket so I pay 24%’ — wrong, and the myth costs people money.
US State Taxes 2026: Is It 7, 8, or 9 ‘No Income Tax’ States?
South Dakota says seven. The trackers say eight. Search says nine. Here's why the count differs — and what SALT does to the math.