About:

Mike Piper is a CPA and author focused on investment success and financial planning, known for his concise books and the Open Social Security calculator.

Website:

Specializations:

Interests:

Investment success Financial planning Tax planning Retirement planning

Incoming Links:

Subscribe to RSS:
A new phishing software enables thieves to steal sensitive information by mimicking genuine websites, emphasizing the need for users to directly enter URLs.
Authenticator apps offer superior security for multi-factor authentication compared to email and SMS, which are prone to various vulnerabilities.
The article clarifies the distinction between the new 'senior deduction' for individuals aged 65 and older and the standard deduction in the Internal Revenue Code. It emphasizes that these deductions are separate entities with dif...
The post argues against the common rule of Roth conversions up to the 12% tax bracket, highlighting potential pitfalls and suggesting higher brackets may be more advantageous for retirees.
Roth conversion decisions require a comprehensive analysis beyond just tax rates, considering factors like cash flow and asset liquidation impacts.
Neglecting cybersecurity can lead to significant financial losses, as illustrated by a couple's $4,000 theft due to a fraud scheme exploiting multi-factor authentication codes.
Phishing scams are more deceptive on mobile devices, making it crucial to verify sender information and avoid interacting with unsolicited communications.
The blog post reflects on the life and contributions of financial columnist Jonathan Clements, who recently passed away from cancer. The author shares personal anecdotes about their appreciation for Clements' writing, which was ch...
Investing and tax planning should be the last priorities in financial planning, with insurance and estate planning taking precedence.
Choosing between Roth and tax-deferred contributions should consider existing retirement account balances, as demonstrated by two couples with different savings strategies.
The blog post discusses the implications of owning shares in a business versus owning shares in mutual funds, highlighting the loss of direct governance rights for mutual fund shareholders. It emphasizes the growing importance of ...
The blog post discusses ACATS transfer fraud, where thieves exploit brokerage account information to fraudulently transfer assets from a legitimate IRA to a new account they control. The process is automated and can happen quickly...
RMDs may create tax inefficiencies but are unlikely to significantly deplete investment portfolios, highlighting the need to prioritize critical financial planning topics.
The blog post discusses the deceptive practices of financial advisory firms, particularly focusing on how they mislead young recruits, often recent college graduates, into believing they will have respected careers with high earni...
The article discusses the implications of taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from traditional IRAs, emphasizing that growth in these accounts is tax-free. It explains that whether to take RMDs early or late in the year d...
The author reflects on the 2025 Bogleheads Conference in San Antonio, highlighting the positive feedback on a session about trusts led by estate planning attorneys Jenny Rozelle and Justin Schuhmacher. Rozelle's previous presentat...
The blog post discusses the timing of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from retirement accounts, outlining the starting ages for RMDs based on birth year, the calendar year basis for RMDs, and the best timing for taking RMDs....
The post examines retirement spending strategies, emphasizing the modified RMD method for reducing income volatility in withdrawals.
The IRS has released final regulations regarding the Roth catch-up contribution requirement from SECURE Act 2.0, which mandates that individuals with wages exceeding a certain threshold must make catch-up contributions to employer...
Videos from the 2025 Bogleheads Conference are now available, covering essential investment strategies and insights from industry experts.
The blog post provides a comprehensive overview of the IRS's annual inflation updates for 2026, detailing tax brackets for various filing statuses, standard deduction amounts, IRA and 401(k) contribution limits, health savings acc...
Strategies for retirement spending vary based on individual priorities, with insights from Amy Arnott on maximizing total spending throughout retirement.
Vanguard's new target-date funds offer a deferred annuity option starting at age 55, simplifying retirement income for less informed investors.
The author shares insights from recent podcast discussions on estate planning and Social Security, along with recommended readings on various financial topics.