A capital gain is the profit from selling an investment for more than you paid. Short-term gains (held ≤1 year) are taxed at ordinary income rates; long-term gains (>1 year) get preferential rates of 0%, 15%, or 20%.
A capital gain is the profit from selling an investment for more than you paid. Short-term gains (held ≤1 year) are taxed at ordinary income rates; long-term gains (>1 year) get preferential rates of 0%, 15%, or 20%.
Long-term capital gains are one of the most powerful tools in the retirement tax code. For many couples, the 0% LTCG bracket means gains can sometimes be harvested at a 0% federal rate — but only if you understand how it stacks with ordinary income.
In early retirement before Social Security starts, a couple with modest interest income can often realize $60K–$80K of long-term gains completely tax-free by staying in the 0% bracket. This is the "tax gain harvesting" opportunity that disappears the moment Social Security turns on.
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