Blogs
“Third-Party Posts”
7 Financial Mistakes That Can Derail Your Retirement — And How to Avoid Them
Retirement should be a time filled with freedom, confidence, and peace of mind — not uncertainty and financial stress. Yet many people unknowingly make decisions during their working years that can create major challenges later in life. The good news is that most...
Retirement Planning in 2026: Building Confidence for the Years Ahead
Retirement is no longer viewed as simply “stopping work.” For many individuals and families, retirement is about creating freedom, protecting the lifestyle they’ve worked hard to build, and gaining peace of mind for the future. With rising healthcare costs, market...
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...
Weekly Market Commentary
Global equity markets rallied in May and received a final boost in the final week of the month on optimism that the US and Iran were close to extending the current ceasefire agreement. However, the negotiations between the two parties were described as “clear as mud”...
Weekly Market Commentary
Happy Memorial Day weekend, and thank you to all the brave men and women who have served our country to ensure our freedom. Markets took a step forward last week in what I would consider a complete reversal of the prior week's action. A broadening-out trade could...
Weekly Market Commentary
US equity markets finished the week mixed in volatile trade. Hotter-than-expected inflation data, coupled with increased tensions in the Middle East, sent US Treasury yields significantly higher. The US-China summit ended with both sides with no real incremental...
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...
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The Five-Year Holding Period for Roth IRA Conversions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst QUESTION: Does each conversion from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA require a five-year holding period? I have made several conversions and know that taxes are due when conversions are done. But how long must each conversion remain in the...
The Look-Through Rules for Trusts
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The SECURE Act, the SECURE 2.0 Act, and subsequent regulations have brought us a complex set of rules for IRA beneficiaries, including trusts. Only individuals who are named on the IRA beneficiary form (or named...
The Roth Conversion Transaction Custodians Dislike
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Anyone with a traditional IRA can do a Roth conversion. As long as the funds are eligible to be rolled over, they can be converted. With a Roth conversion, traditional IRA funds are moved into a Roth IRA. This movement of funds is...
Does the Secure Act’s 10-Year Rule Apply to Inherited Roth IRAs?: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education QUESTION: Does the SECURE Act’s 10-year rule apply to inherited Roth IRAs? ANSWER: Yes, the SECURE Act’s 10-year rule also applies to inherited Roth IRAs for non-eligible designated beneficiaries (NEDBs). That...
Creditor Protection for Your Retirement Accounts
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst How well are your retirement plan account funds protected from creditors? The answer depends on which kind of creditors you are worried about. There are two types of creditors that might be coming after your retirement savings. The first...
How Your Spouse Can Impact Your Traditional IRA Deduction
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education If you have compensation (or “earned income”), you can always contribute to a traditional IRA, but your traditional IRA contribution may not always be deductible. (Roth IRA contributions are never deductible.) One...
Is there a penalty because the RMD was not taken prior to Mom’s passing?: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: You recently posted an article about the “still-working exception.” Does this apply to solo 401(k) plans? Thanks, Birdie ANSWER: Birdie, The still-working exception allows participants in certain workplace retirement...
530A Trump Accounts: The Compounding Mathematical Facts
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst These days, anything with a hint of politics can be divisive. Trump accounts are no different. Public comments about this new savings vehicle are clearly rooted in the political divide that permeates our country. We are all sick up...
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...
The Medicare–Social Security Timing Puzzle: How One Decision Can Affect Your Retirement Income
For many Americans approaching retirement, two of the most important financial decisions they will make involve Medicare and Social Security. While these programs serve different purposes, the timing of when you enroll and claim benefits can have a lasting impact on...
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): How to Review Your Coverage and Avoid Costly Surprises
As the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period approaches, many beneficiaries assume their current plan will remain the best option for the coming year. Unfortunately, Medicare plans, provider networks, prescription drug formularies, and costs can change annually. Taking...
Understanding Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement Plans: Which One Fits Your Retirement Lifestyle?
Choosing the right Medicare coverage can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options available. One of the biggest decisions retirees face is whether to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare Supplement Plan (also known as Medigap). While both...
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....
The Medicare–Social Security Timing Puzzle: How One Decision Can Affect Your Retirement Income
For many Americans approaching retirement, two of the most important financial decisions they will make involve Medicare and Social Security. While these programs serve different purposes, the timing of when you enroll and claim benefits can have a lasting impact on...
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): How to Review Your Coverage and Avoid Costly Surprises
As the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period approaches, many beneficiaries assume their current plan will remain the best option for the coming year. Unfortunately, Medicare plans, provider networks, prescription drug formularies, and costs can change annually. Taking...
Understanding Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement Plans: Which One Fits Your Retirement Lifestyle?
Choosing the right Medicare coverage can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options available. One of the biggest decisions retirees face is whether to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare Supplement Plan (also known as Medigap). While both...
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....