The Seaside Blog

We love the Roth IRA—and most of our clients do too. What’s not to love about tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals in retirement? But there’s one important detail that trips people up far too often: the 5-year rule. If misunderstood, the 5-year rule can lead to unexpected taxes and penalties, even when you thought your Roth withdrawal would be tax-free. Let’s break it down simply—because when you understand how the 5-year rule works, you can use it to your advantage and protect more of your hard-earned savings.

For years, 529 plans were known as a smart way to save for college expenses. They offered tax-free growth and withdrawals when used for qualified higher education costs, making them a go-to for many families looking to plan ahead for tuition. But recent legislative changes have broadened the scope of how these plans can be used—making them even more versatile. At Seaside, we’ve been keeping a close eye on how these updates could open new planning opportunities. Whether you’re currently using a 529 or considering starting one, here’s what you need to know.

After decades of diligently saving and investing, retirement flips the script: now it's time to start taking money out. But here’s the real question we hear all the time from clients and students in our community classes: “What’s the best way to withdraw from my accounts to make my money last and avoid paying unnecessary taxes?”

If you’re approaching or already in retirement, you’ve probably spent decades saving and investing. But here’s something that often catches retirees off guard: how much they’ll owe in taxes. Without careful planning, withdrawals from retirement accounts, Social Security benefits, and pension income can combine to create an unexpected tax bill and even impact your healthcare premiums. Learn how a proactive approach to tax planning can help you protect more of your retirement income and avoid common tax pitfalls.

Dividend investing is a popular way to generate income and build long-term wealth, but if you’re not careful, you could be giving a big chunk of that income to Uncle Sam. In this article, we’ll walk through a real client case study and unpack the key strategies you can use to reduce taxes on dividends, optimize your portfolio, and keep more of your income working for you.

Over the next couple of decades, trillions of dollars are expected to change hands as baby boomers pass down their wealth to younger generations. Dubbed the “Great Wealth Transfer,” this shift is one of the largest financial events of our time and it presents both a unique opportunity and a serious responsibility for those on the receiving end.