09/11/2024
Is your emergency fund too big for its own good? Discover how overfunding can actually cost you in the long run and what you can do about it!
I recently met with a couple to review their estate planning. In the course of reviewing their accounts, I found that they had overfunded their emergency fund by $30,000. They felt it made them secure. However, what they didn't realize was how much it was costing them for that security. Let's look at the facts:
Overfunded Emergency Fund: $30,000
assumed bank interest: 3% per year
Tax Rate on Interest: 25% at the Federal level and 4% at the state
Annual Inflation Rate: 3%
From age 60 to age 85
The over funded part of the emergency fund has grown to $52,000. But in todays dollars, that's the equivalent of about $25,000 in today's money. So, now they can buy less things with it. To add insult to injury, over that time period they paid an extra $6,500 dollars in taxes on the interest they earn.
As a steward, is this a wise use of their money? Could these resources have been used better? One thought is to invest the money and donate the gains to their church. Or create an income stream to support a missionary but keep the principle in case they need it for themselves. As a steward of God's resources, not maximizing your resources to support others, is like the steward who buries his treasure. It does no good for anyone.
If you want to avoid this happening to you, message me on Facebook or call me at 719-413-5614