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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...
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 income throughout retirement. Today, pensions have largely disappeared, leaving many retirees...
The Retirement Wildcard: How Healthcare Costs Can Impact Your Financial Future
When most people think about retirement planning, they focus on the obvious questions: Will my savings last? How much income will I need? When should I take Social Security? But there’s one major expense that often catches retirees off guard. Healthcare. In fact,...
The Retirement Income Plan Most People Think They Have — But Don’t
Retirement isn’t about how much you’ve saved. It’s about how you turn your savings into income you can rely on — for 20, 30, or even 40 years. Most people believe their 401(k), IRA, or brokerage account is their retirement plan.But an investment account is not an...
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...
Weekly Market Commentary
US equity markets regressed as several themes that have propelled the market higher over the last couple of years have had to be reassessed. Return on investment from AI capex, a Federal Reserve on hold, tariff uncertainty, and increased geopolitical tensions have...
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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, get rid of clutter, and simplify. This year, consider taking the same approach with your retirement...
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 Caterpillar 401(k) plan. He has approximately $5M in Caterpillar stock within the plan. It seems...
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 away prior to 2020 falls under the old rules. Prior to the SECURE Act, all living, breathing...
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 understand that the way these contributions are treated under federal tax law may be different than...
The Five-Year Rule and Rollovers to Employer Plans: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education QUESTION: Hi, I was wondering if my Roth account that is a part of my Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) through federal employment counts toward my five-year rule for a Roth IRA? If I wanted to transfer the money from my...
How an Excess IRA Contribution Can Happen to You
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Not all funds in an IRA belong there. When a contribution is not permitted in an IRA, it is considered an excess contribution and needs to be fixed to avoid penalties. Some excess contributions are easy to...
April 15: The Deadline for Some IRA Transaction, but Not All
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst April 15 is fast approaching. Not only is this the standard tax filing deadline, but it is also the deadline to complete some IRA transactions. But there is a common misconception that certain other IRA transactions can also...
Non-Spouse Beneficiaries and Funding QCDS: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: If a non-spouse beneficiary inherits a 401(k), what are the options? Can you roll the money into an inherited IRA? Are there any other options, and over what time period does each option require the account to be drained?...
The Strange RMD Rules for Ex-Spouses After a Divorce
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst “Qualified domestic relations orders” (QDROs) are court orders used to divide ERISA retirement plan assets after a divorce. Normally, after a QDRO is approved by a defined contribution plan like a 401(k), the plan will establish a...
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...
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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...
read more
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....
read more
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,...
read more
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...
read more
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...
read more
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...
read more
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?...
read more
Medicare Annual Checklist: 7 Smart Things to Review Every Year
Even if you feel confident in your Medicare coverage, it’s smart to review your plan at least once a year. Costs change. Networks change. Prescription formularies change. And sometimes your own health needs change — which can make a plan that worked last year less...
read more
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...
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?...
Medicare Annual Checklist: 7 Smart Things to Review Every Year
Even if you feel confident in your Medicare coverage, it’s smart to review your plan at least once a year. Costs change. Networks change. Prescription formularies change. And sometimes your own health needs change — which can make a plan that worked last year less...