Articles by Lance Cothern

Lance is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the state of Virginia and he covers money management, budgeting, financial products, and more. He is also the founder of Money Manifesto, a personal finance blog, where he writes about his family's relationship with money. Education: B.B.A. in Accounting from James Madison University.

Raised 401(k) Distribution and Loan Limits Amid Coronavirus FInd out if you should take advantage of the raised 401(k) distribution and loan limits in search of financial relief to survive the coronavirus pandemic. Mega Backdoor Roth IRA: How It Works Step by Step Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern Mega Backdoor Roth IRA: How It Works Step by Step Most people invest for retirement in an IRA or 401(k) rather than a savings... Variable Annuities: How Do They Work? Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern Variable Annuities: How Do They Work? You might have seen advertisements or received mailers about variable annuities.... Indexed Annuities: Comparing the Pros and Cons Learn how indexed annuities work to provide retirement income that is based on the performance of stock market indices, including the pros and cons to consider. Fixed Annuities: How Do They Work? Learn how fixed annuities work for seniors who seek guaranteed retirement income, but also consider the advantages and disadvantages of annuities. What Age is Best for You to Take Social Security Benefits? Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern What Age is Best for You to Take Social Security Benefits? "When should I take my Social Security retirement benefits?" This is a very... Can You Buy a Life Insurance Policy for Someone Else? Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern Can You Buy a Life Insurance Policy for Someone Else? Typically, an individual buys a life insurance policy to insure... The Financial Planning Guide for Parents With Special Needs Children Find out who parents can plan, financially, for their special needs child--including savings, health insurance, life insurance, and estate planning. Stock Options vs. Restricted Stock Units (RSUs): How Do They Differ? Learn the differences between stocks options and restricted stock units -- both of which are equity compensation for employees of publicly traded companies. The Difference Between Long-Term vs. Short-Term Capital Gains Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern The Difference Between Long-Term vs. Short-Term Capital Gains New investors may not be familiar with the terms: long-term capital gains and...