Blogs
“Third-Party Posts”
Why Retirement Planning Should Start Earlier Than Most People Think
When people hear the words “retirement planning,” many immediately picture someone in their 60s preparing to leave the workforce. The reality is very different. The...
Why Financial Confidence Starts With a Plan
For many people, financial confidence is not about having millions of dollars or a perfect investment strategy. It is about feeling secure, prepared, and in control of...
Protecting Your Wealth Through Every Stage of Life
When people think about financial planning, they often focus only on retirement accounts or investment strategies. While these are important pieces of the puzzle, true...
The Hidden Risk of “Waiting Too Long” to Get Your Financial House in Order
Most people do not ignore their finances because they do not care.They ignore them because life gets busy. Work takes over. Family needs attention. Retirement feels far...
What Inflation Is Quietly Doing to Your Retirement Plan
When most people think about retirement planning, they focus on the big numbers. How much they have saved. How much income they will need. When they want to retire. But...
Last-Minute Tax Moves Before April 15: IRA, HSA, and Retirement Planning Tips
As April 15 approaches, many people assume the window for tax planning has already closed. The truth is, there may still be time to make a few smart financial moves...
Building a Stronger Financial Future with the Right Guidance
When it comes to your financial future, confidence does not come from guessing. It comes from having a clear strategy, trusted guidance, and a plan built around your...
Why Financial and Insurance Planning Should Work Together
When people think about financial planning, they often focus on investments, retirement accounts, and growing wealth. When they think about insurance, they usually...
Understanding Annuities: Turning Retirement Savings Into Reliable Income
Planning for retirement has changed dramatically over the past few decades. In the past, many retirees relied on pensions and Social Security to provide dependable...
Weekly Market Commentary
Global markets hit record highs as Q1 earnings continued to exceed expectations. Despite continued tensions in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz effectively...
Weekly Market Commentary
Global markets had mixed results last week as headlines about the US-Iran conflict continued to affect trade. Conflicting reports of the US and Iran meeting to...
Weekly Market Commentary
Global markets continued to rally in hopes of an extended ceasefire and Friday’s reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. However, the rally will be tested on Monday after...
Weekly Market Commentary
Global markets rose for a second week as the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire. The two sides met in Pakistan on Saturday to negotiate an end to the war, but...
Weekly Market Commentary
The holiday-shortened week saw US equities advance even as oil prices surged amid uncertainty about the duration of the Iranian conflict. Early in the week, investors...
Weekly Market Commentary
US markets fell for the fourth consecutive week as the US-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 5th week. President Trump’s announcement that he would extend the deadline...
Weekly Market Commentary
US markets fell for a third consecutive week as investors continued to assess the implications of the Iran conflict. Headlines related to Iran continued to dominate...
Weekly Market Commentary
Markets remained volatile, driven by headlines related to the Iran war. Whipsaw action was prominent across multiple asset classes, while several historically...
Weekly Market Commentary
Investors endured a difficult week as the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran continued. Iran’s efforts to target US military bases in the region broaden the...
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Required Minimum Distributions and Inherited IRAs Prior to 2020: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: My spouse and I have a combined six-figure required minimum distribution (RMD) from my two IRAs and her...
The Once-Per-Year Rollover Rule: Multiple Deposits vs. Multiple Distributions
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The once-per-year IRA rollover rule sounds easy. However, there are many ways to go wrong. One common...
The Simultaneous QCD/RMD Transaction
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) and required minimum distributions (RMDs) are two separate and distinct...
Backdoor Roth IRAs and Inherited IRAs: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: When someone under age 59½ uses the “backdoor” method of making Roth IRA contributions, does the 10% penalty apply...
Grandparents Should Be Very Careful Before Opening Trump Accounts
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Contributions to Trump Accounts, the new tax-deferred savings vehicle for children, can’t be made until July 4, 2026. However, the...
5 Steps to Spring-Clean Your IRA
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Spring is here! Now is the time when many people spring-clean their homes. It is an opportunity to get organized,...
The Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) Strategy and Roth IRA Contribution Eligibility: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: Hello, I’ve run into someone who is retired, age 77, and therefore taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) from his...
6 Required Questions to Determine an IRA Beneficiary Payout Structure
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst 1. When did the decedent die? The SECURE Act impacts beneficiaries of decedents who died in 2020 or later. Anyone who passed...
How Will States Tax Trump Account Contributions?
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Trump Account contributions can be made as early as this July 4. But before making a contribution on behalf of a child, you should...
Understanding Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement Plans in 2026
Choosing Medicare coverage can feel overwhelming, especially when comparing Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans. Both options are designed to help manage healthcare costs during retirement, but they work very differently. Understanding how each type...
Medicare in 2026: What Every Senior Should Know Before Choosing a Plan
Choosing the right Medicare coverage can feel overwhelming, especially with plan options, deadlines, and yearly changes. For many retirees, Medicare is one of the most important financial and healthcare decisions they will make. Working with a trusted advisor can help...
2026 Medicare Coverage Gaps Seniors Should Know About
Medicare provides valuable health coverage for millions of Americans, but many beneficiaries are surprised to discover that it does not cover everything. Understanding where coverage gaps exist can help seniors plan ahead, avoid unexpected costs, and make informed...
Why a Medicare Review Each Year Can Save You Money and Stress
Medicare is not something most people should set once and forget. Your health needs can change, your prescriptions can change, and Medicare plan costs and coverage can change too. That is why an annual Medicare review is one of the smartest steps a beneficiary can...
Why Waiting Too Long to Enroll in Medicare Can Cost You
For many people approaching age 65, Medicare feels like something they can figure out later. After all, if you are still working, covered by a spouse’s plan, or simply feeling healthy, it may seem easy to put off enrollment and deal with it when the time feels right....
What Medicare’s Annual Wellness Visit Covers — And What It Does Not
Many people on Medicare have heard of the Annual Wellness Visit, but there is still a lot of confusion about what it actually includes. One of the biggest misunderstandings is thinking it is the same as a full yearly physical. It is not. For Medicare beneficiaries,...
Understanding Medicare: What Every Retiree Should Know Before Enrolling
Turning 65 is a milestone — and for many Americans, it’s the moment when Medicare enters the conversation. While Medicare provides valuable health coverage for retirees, the system can feel confusing. With multiple parts, enrollment windows, and coverage options, many...
Medicare and Retirement: What You Need to Know Before You Leave Your Employer Plan
For many Americans, retirement brings freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to enjoy the next chapter of life. But before leaving an employer health plan behind, it’s important to understand how Medicare works alongside retirement planning. Healthcare is one of...
Medicare Made Clear: What Every New Beneficiary Needs to Know in 2026
Turning 65 is a milestone.But when it comes to Medicare, it can also feel overwhelming. Between Parts A, B, C, D… Medigap… enrollment periods… penalties… provider networks… it’s no surprise that many people feel confused before they even get started. The good news?...