However, if you possess greater assets in the form of
nonretirement investments and real estate that you don't use as your primary home, you may need a higher limit.
You can also take advantage of a lull in taxable income to sell
investments in your
nonretirement accounts and take advantage, if you qualify, of the zero percent capital gains rate in the 10 percent and 15 percent ordinary income tax brackets, notes Doug Bellfy, a financial adviser with Synergy Financial Planning in South Glastonbury, Conn..