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<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Saving money is always a good idea. Whether it’s for a rainy day or for a major purchase, saving now can help provide flexibility and security when big expenses come down the road.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">April 8 through April 12 is&nbsp;<a href="https://americasavesweek.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">America Saves Week</a>, an annual initiative of the Consumer Federation of America, a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization. It promotes the value of saving money and the importance of making a plan to save.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Beyond peace of mind, here are some additional reasons to consider stashing away some more money this year, if you can.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Take advantage of high interest rates</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Federal Reserve started raising its key interest rate in March 2022 in an effort to fight inflation. Increases continued throughout 2023, and so far this year, the Fed is holding rates steady.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">While the Federal Reserve rate mostly pertains to financial institutions, many banks have passed on those higher rates to their customers. That means interest rates on many savings accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs) are higher than they’ve been in years.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Some high-yield accounts, especially those offered by online banks, advertise rates of 5% annual percentage yield (APY) or higher. On a $5,000 account balance, 5% APY can result in $250 in interest earnings over the course of a year. That extra cash from interest could help you reach your goals faster or help you pay for an unexpected expense.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">You may be eligible for a tax break</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">If you make pre-tax contributions to a retirement plan such as an IRA, 401(k), or 457 plan, you may already be reducing your taxable income. But you may also qualify for an additional tax break for a portion of your contributions, based on your income.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-savings-contributions-savers-credit" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Retirement Savings Contributions Credit</a>, also known as the Saver’s Credit, offers a credit between 10% and 50% of eligible retirement plan contributions (for a maximum credit of $1,000 for single filers or $2,000 for joint filers).</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">For tax year 2023, the maximum income for a single filer to qualify for the Saver’s Credit is $36,500 ($73,000 for joint filers).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Boost your retirement security</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">PERA members are already setting aside money for retirement with every paycheck. Members in the PERA&nbsp;Defined Benefit&nbsp;Plan can count on PERA to provide monthly retirement income for life, but you’ll never regret having more money available in your golden years.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Whether you’re saving in a traditional savings account, an employer-based plan such as a&nbsp;<a href="https://content.copera.org/retirees/peraplus-401-k-457-plans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PERAPlus 401(k) or 457 Plan</a>, or even a health savings account (HSA) if eligible, additional savings can provide the flexibility to cover expenses that are hard to plan for. That could include costs like health care—one of the biggest (and growing) expenses—in retirement, long-term care, family needs, and housing.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Colorado PERA will be sharing more information and tips for America Saves Week on social media, so be sure to join the conversation on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoPERA/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/coloradopera/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link">Instagram</a>.</p>


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America Saves Week: Three Reasons to Save More This Year