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2025 Strategic Limits: Smart Financial Planning

February 18, 2025
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This article is a helpful list of retirement savings basics and tips of financial planning for individuals. It’s one part of our 2025 Financial Planning Series: Strategic Limits written by a certified Financial Planner.

Strategic Limits:

Smart financial planning starts with maximizing retirement contributions. Are you ready?

Financial planning isn’t just about investments—it’s also about connecting your wealth to your life. It means crafting a strategy that grows with your family, aligns with your goals, and addresses the things you might not think about, like tax planning or preparing for healthcare costs. True planning looks at the whole picture, so every piece of your financial life works together.

The key strategic limits below aren’t just numbers—they’re tools aligned to help you save more, reduce taxes, and help ensure your financial plan stays on track. In effect, by aligning your strategy with these limits, you can make steady progress toward your financial goals while staying within the rules.

Retirement Savings: Optimize Your Contributions

When it comes to retirement savings, every dollar counts. Contribution limits provide a clear framework for maximizing your savings potential while leveraging tax advantages.

Key Limits for 2025

  • 401(k), 403(b), 457 Plans:
    • Contribution limit: $23,500
    • Pre-tax contributions reduce taxable income while growing tax-deferred.
  • Catch-Up Contributions (for 50+ and 60–63):
    • Age 50+: additional $7,500
    • Age 60-63: additional $11,250
  • SIMPLE Plans:
    • Regular contributions: $16,500
    • Age 50+: may contribute an additional $3,500
    • Age 60-63: may contribute an additional $5,250
  • IRA/Roth IRA Contributions:
    • Limit: $7,000. Add $1,000 if you’re 50+
  • Catch-Up Provision Ages:
    • All catch-up provisions refer to your age on 12/31/2025.

Why It Matters: Catch-up contributions can significantly boost retirement savings for all savers during peak earning years. This is especially important for those who started saving late.

Healthcare Savings: Plan for Rising Costs

Healthcare is one of the largest expenses in retirement. Utilizing Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and understanding Medicare limits are vital to long-term planning.

2025 HSA Limits

  • Individual contribution: $4,300
  • Family contribution: $8,550
  • Catch-up (55+): $1,000

Medicare Part B Premiums Without Surcharge

  • Income <$106,000 (single): $185/month premium
  • Income <$212,000 (married filing jointly): $185/month premium

Social Security Wage Base

  • Maximum taxable earnings: $176,100
  • Maximum Social Security Employee Tax: $10,918.20

Why It Matters: HSAs offer a triple tax advantage—contributions are tax-deductible, growth is tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified expenses are tax-free. Proper planning can help ensure you’re prepared for out-of-pocket healthcare costs and can avoid surprises when Medicare premiums are due.

Tax Planning: Reduce Liability and Build Wealth

Tax planning is essential to preserving and growing your wealth. Staying updated on tax thresholds ensures you make informed decisions that minimize liabilities.

2025 Tax Limits

  • Standard Deduction:
    • $15,000 (single); add $2,000 if over 65 or blind
    • $30,000 (married filing jointly); add $1,600 for each spouse over 65 or blind
  • Long-Term Capital Gains Tax:
    • Rates for single tax-payers range from 0% (income up to $48,350) to 20% (income over $533,400).
    • Rates for married filing jointly range from 0% (taxable income up to $96,700 to 20% taxable income up to $600,051)
    • High-earning individuals are subject to the net investment income tax (NIIT) of an additional 3.8%
  • Educational Credits:
    • Lifetime Learning Credit: 20% of up to $10,000 in qualified expenses
    • Limited by income
  • Child Tax Credit:
    • Up to $2,000 per child under 17
    • Limited by income

Why It Matters: Thoughtful timing of investment sales can help minimize capital gains tax. Credits for education and children can further reduce tax burdens, enabling families to save for key life events and goals.

Verdence: Your Partner in Financial Planning

At Verdence, we specialize in helping high-net-worth families and individuals navigate these complexities with confidence. Our team focuses on personalized strategies that align with your goals in addition to keeping you informed about changes in financial regulations and opportunities.

What Sets Verdence Apart

  • Unbiased Advice: As fiduciaries, we act in your best interest with complete transparency.
  • Comprehensive Planning: From investing strategies to tax optimization, our approach seeks to integrate every aspect of your financial life.
  • Family-Centered Service: We help you balance wealth preservation with the values and legacy you want to pass down.

Take the Next Step Today

Understanding these strategic limits is a powerful tool in your financial plan. Contact Verdence to schedule a financial review and learn how we can help you focus on wealth while reducing stress. Together, we’ll create a clear, actionable plan for your financial future.

Author:
Kelly Wright | Director of Financial Planning

FAQ: Strategic Limits and Financial Planning

Q: What are the 2025 contribution limits for 401(k) plans?
The annual contribution limit for 401(k), 403(b), and 457 plans is $23,500 in 2025. If you’re 50 or older, you can make an additional catch-up contribution of $7,500. For those aged 60–63, there’s also a special catch-up contribution of $11,250.

Q: How much can I contribute to an IRA or Roth IRA in 2025?
The maximum contribution is $7,000, with an additional $1,000 allowed for individuals aged 50 or older.

Q: What is the triple tax advantage of a Health Savings Account (HSA)?
HSAs offer three tax benefits: contributions are tax-deductible, growth is tax-free, in addition to withdrawals for qualified healthcare expenses are tax-free. For 2025, the contribution limit is $4,300 for individuals and $8,550 for families, with an additional $1,000 catch-up for those 55+.

Q: How does my income affect my Medicare Part B premiums?
Medicare Part B premiums in 2025 start at $185/month for single filers with an income under $106,000. Higher incomes result in higher premiums, so it’s essential to plan accordingly.

Q: What is the standard deduction for 2025?
The standard deduction is $15,000 for single filers and $30,000 for married couples filing jointly. Use this to decide whether to itemize or take the standard deduction.

Q: How can I reduce my taxable income with retirement savings contributions?
Pre-tax contributions to accounts like 401(k)s or SIMPLE IRAs reduce your taxable income. For example, contributing the maximum $23,500 to a 401(k) in 2025 can lower your taxable income and grow tax-deferred.

Q: What are capital gains tax rates for 2025?
Capital gains tax rates depend on taxable income:

  • 0% for income up to $48,350.
  • 15% for income up to $533,400.
  • 20% for income exceeding $533,400.

Q: How can I prepare for healthcare costs in retirement?
Maximize HSA contributions and also consider Medicare premiums when budgeting. Understanding your Social Security benefits and planning for out-of-pocket expenses will also help manage costs.

Q: What is Verdence’s approach to financial planning?
Verdence provides fiduciary, personalized advice tailored to your financial goals. We integrate retirement savings planning, tax optimization, and estate strategies to create a comprehensive plan designed to grow and protect your wealth.

Q: How do I get started with Verdence?
Contact us today to schedule a financial review. Our advisors will help you identify opportunities to maximize your savings, minimize taxes, and ensure your financial strategy aligns with your life goals.

Disclaimer: © Verdence Capital Advisors, LLC

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