Investing for Income

Income investing involves building a portfolio that produces enough profit to pay out a regular income. The success of this strategy depends on selecting investments that are likely to provide a steady stream of cash. Now that interest rates have increased, the yields on fixed income investments are climbing, too.

Max Out Your Plan Contributions

You may already be saving taxes if you contribute to your employer’s qualified retirement plan, such as a 401(k), 403(b), or 457 plan. The money you contribute is deducted from your paycheck pretax, which reduces your taxable income. For 2022, the contribution limit for these plans was $20,500, (increasing to $22,500 for 2023). Savers age 50 and older also were eligible to make a catch-up contribution of $6,500, ($7,500 in 2023). The deadline for employer plan contributions is December 31 each year.

A Look at the IRA Rules

If you meet the eligibility requirements, both you and your spouse can contribute to an IRA up until April 18, 2023, and deduct it on your 2022 tax return. For 2022, you can contribute $6,000 to a traditional IRA, increasing to $6,500 for 2023, plus an additional $1,000 if you’re age 50 or older.

Contributions Are Limited

Participants who are eligible to contribute to an employer’s 401(k) plan can make deductible traditional IRA contributions if their modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is below $78,000 for singles and $129,000 for married couples. If you (and your spouse, if married) aren’t covered by a plan at work, you can deduct the full amount of your IRA contribution on your tax return. If one spouse is covered by a plan at work, the ability to deduct contributions to a traditional IRA phases out with income between $204,000 and $214,000.

An Added Layer

IRAs may offer a broader range of investments than an employer-sponsored retirement plan. Your financial professional can help you determine if an IRA is right for your personal situation.