Family and Retirement Money Guides

Plain-English explainers and calculators for Connecticut and North Carolina families: kids' accounts, college savings, IRAs and Roth conversions, Social Security and required minimum distributions.

How to use this page
  • Each guide explains what an account or rule is, how it works, the tax rules and the deadlines, with worked examples.
  • Calculators show the math only. You enter your own numbers.
  • Nothing here recommends an investment, account provider or product.

Kids and college

GuideTrump Accounts ExplainedThe $1,000 Treasury deposit for babies born 2025 to 2028, Form 4547, contribution limits, the age-18 rules and what CP318 letters mean.Read the guide →HubCollege and FAFSA GuidesThe 2027-28 FAFSA, the Student Aid Index, CT and NC state aid deadlines and how 529s are counted.Open the hub →Guide2027-28 FAFSA Guide for CT and NCKey dates, the 2025 tax year, what assets count, and how 529s and small businesses are treated.Read the guide →GuideCHET and 529 Plans in CT and NCHow Connecticut's deduction for CHET contributions works, why NC has none, and what counts as a qualified expense.Read the guide →Calculator529 / CHET Deduction CalculatorYour Connecticut deduction this year plus the five-year carryforward of anything over the limit.Open calculator →GuideEducation Tax Credits (AOTC and LLC)How the American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning credits work and how they fit with 529 withdrawals.Read the guide →

IRAs and Roth

GuideTraditional vs. Roth IRAHow each one is taxed, the 2026 contribution limits and the income phase-outs.Read the guide →GuideRoth Conversions, incl. 529s and Trump AccountsHow a conversion is taxed, the 5-year rule, the 529-to-Roth rollover and what happens to a Trump account at 18.Read the guide →CalculatorRoth Conversion Tax EstimatorEstimate the federal and CT or NC tax on converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA.Open calculator →GuideBackdoor Roth IRA: How the Reporting WorksThe pro-rata rule, Form 8606 and the common reporting mistakes.Read the guide →

Retirement income

Q&AIs Social Security Taxable in CT and NC?The federal 50% and 85% tiers, Connecticut's income limits and 25% cap, and why North Carolina doesn't tax benefits.Read the answer →GuideRequired Minimum Distributions (RMDs)Starting age by birth year, deadlines, the Uniform Lifetime Table, inherited IRAs, penalties and CT and NC tax.Read the guide →CalculatorRMD CalculatorThis year's required minimum distribution and a year-by-year schedule from IRS tables.Open calculator →GuideSocial Security Claiming Age: 62 vs. 67 vs. 70How benefits change by claiming age, spousal benefits, the 2026 earnings test and the WEP and GPO repeal.Read the guide →CalculatorSocial Security Claiming-Age CalculatorSee your monthly benefit at each age from 62 to 70 and the break-even math, using SSA's formula.Open calculator →

More free tools

For individuals and families · All calculators · Free tax guides · Free NC tax guides · Life event tax guide · IRS and CT tax letters explained

Frequently asked questions

Are these guides and calculators free?

Yes. They're free to use and need no signup. They explain how the rules work and give estimates for education.

Do you recommend investments or accounts?

No. These pages explain what accounts are and how they're taxed. They don't recommend any investment, account provider or product, and they aren't investment advice. If you have a tax question about your own situation, you can book a call with Andrew.

Do the guides cover North Carolina?

Yes. Each guide covers federal rules plus Connecticut and North Carolina tax treatment where it differs. Andrew works with North Carolina clients remotely.

Why do some tiles say coming soon?

Those guides are being written now. Each one goes live once its facts have been checked against official sources like the IRS and the Social Security Administration.

Free education only. Not tax, legal, investment or retirement-planning advice, and not a recommendation to open, fund, buy, sell or hold any account, investment or product. Enhance Finance LLC does not sell investments or financial products. Rules change, so confirm with the official source linked on this page (such as the IRS, the Social Security Administration, the CT Department of Revenue Services or the NC Department of Revenue) before you act, and ask a tax professional about your own situation.

Have a tax question about a family account, Social Security or retirement withdrawals?

Book a call with Andrew

Or call (475) 242-7941. Services are priced by quote.

Enhance Finance LLC · Andrew Nocera, Tax Preparer & Small-Business Finance Consultant. Based in Connecticut and working with North Carolina clients remotely.

Not tax, legal or investment advice. Figures are estimates for education. Checked November 2026.