Blogs
“Third-Party Posts”
Understanding Fixed Indexed Annuities: Balancing Growth Potential and Protection
In today’s unpredictable financial environment, many retirees and pre-retirees are searching for ways to protect their savings while still maintaining the opportunity for growth. One financial tool that continues to gain attention is the Fixed Indexed Annuity, often...
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 most successful retirement strategies often begin decades before retirement is even on the horizon....
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 what lies ahead. Life is unpredictable. Expenses appear unexpectedly, markets fluctuate, health...
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 financial security comes from creating a complete plan that protects your wealth through every stage...
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 away. Insurance paperwork feels confusing. Estate planning gets pushed to “later.” Before long,...
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 there is one factor that quietly works in the background year after year, and if it is not...
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 that could help reduce taxable income, strengthen retirement savings, and improve long-term financial...
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 goals. Whether you are preparing for retirement, protecting your family, growing your wealth, or...
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 think about protecting their home, health, or family. The truth is, these two areas should never be...
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 closed, investors bought mega-cap technology issues alongside Semiconductor companies. AMD posted...
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 negotiate a ceasefire came and went without the two sides meeting. The Strait of Hormuz continued to be...
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 Iran shut down the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, with the ceasefire ending on Tuesday. Negotiations...
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 talks ended without a resolution. The fragile ceasefire will be tested on Monday as markets reopen,...
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 bid up risk assets on hopes of a ceasefire. President Trump's assessment of the ongoing...
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 to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by a couple of days sent markets soaring on Monday, but gains were met...
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 market attention. Energy markets traded higher as the military's focus shifted to energy...
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 safe-haven assets offered no cover for investors. Questions about the duration of the war and the closure...
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 conflict across the Middle East. Energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have come to a...
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Not Child’s Play: How the “Kiddie Tax” Works
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst With contributions to Trump accounts having gone live on July 4, 2026, there has been lots of discussion recently about the “kiddie tax.” That’s because, once a child reaches January 1 of the year they turn age 18, they will be able to...
Does the Five-Year Holding Period Pertain to Me?: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst QUESTION: My wife (Keiko) currently does not take a required minimum distribution (RMD) on her retirement account because the plan allows this while she is still working. Here are our questions: If she retires this December (2026), would...
What You Need to Know About the Still-Working Exception
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Tax rules require most retirement account owners who are subject to required minimum distributions (RMDs) to begin withdrawals at age 73. However, there is an exception to this rule for certain individuals who...
QCD Code Y: Optional Again in 2026
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst During our recent Ed Slott and Company’s Instant IRA Success workshop in Brooklyn, NY, we were presenting information about qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) when an audible groan emanated from the crowd. Over the...
Can You Recharacterize a Roth Conversion to Avoid IRMAA?: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag Thursday, July 16, 2026
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: Hello, I’m married, filing jointly, and I have been converting my traditional IRA to Roth this year. If I convert too much and trigger higher Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) charges, can...
How Plan Loans Work
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst The June 15, 2026 Slott Report outlined the barriers preventing 401(k) and other plan participants from accessing their plan funds while working. The June 24, 2026 article discussed in-plan withdrawals as one way around those barriers....
The Ghost-Life Rule Explained
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The SECURE Act of 2019 changed many rules for inherited IRAs. However, it left intact the rules for non-living (non-person) beneficiaries, such as an estate. For these non-designated beneficiaries (NDBs), the same...
The Pro-Rata Rule and the Still-Working Exception: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: I just wanted to verify that a 403(b) plan is not subject to the pro-rata rule when doing a Roth IRA conversion. Can you please let me know if this is correct? Thanks! Lynn ANSWER: Lynn, You are correct. When doing a Roth...
Trump Accounts: Weird Stuff Keeps Happening
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst From its onset, I have been a fan of the concept of Trump accounts. Created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), this new savings vehicle for children is now up and running as of July 4, 2026. At their core, Trump accounts...
Understanding Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement Plans in 2026
Choosing the right Medicare coverage can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options available today. One of the most common questions people ask when approaching retirement is: “Should I choose a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Supplement plan?”...
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,...
Medicare Made Simple: How to Choose the Right Coverage for Your Future
For many people, Medicare is one of the most important financial and healthcare decisions they will make in retirement. Yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. Between enrollment deadlines, coverage options, prescription plans, and out-of-pocket costs, it is...
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...
Understanding Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement Plans in 2026
Choosing the right Medicare coverage can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options available today. One of the most common questions people ask when approaching retirement is: “Should I choose a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Supplement plan?”...
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,...
Medicare Made Simple: How to Choose the Right Coverage for Your Future
For many people, Medicare is one of the most important financial and healthcare decisions they will make in retirement. Yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. Between enrollment deadlines, coverage options, prescription plans, and out-of-pocket costs, it is...
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...