Blogs
“Third-Party Posts”
Retirement Planning in 2026: A Practical Playbook (and How Annuities Can Help)
TL;DR: Going into 2026, retirees face two big realities: markets that still swing and a shifting tax landscape. Focus on dependable income, flexible tax buckets, and a plan for withdrawals/RMDs. Annuities—used correctly—can add durability to a retirement paycheck...
read more
Retirement Planning Heading Into 2026: 7 Smart Moves For Clients Right Now
As 2025 winds down, retirement planning is shifting under three big spotlights: taxes in 2026, retirement plan rule updates, and Medicare drug-cost changes. Here’s a practical, client-friendly guide you can publish — plus talking points to spark action before...
read more
Why Life Insurance Belongs in Your Retirement Plan
Quick Take Life insurance isn’t just for parents with mortgages. The right policy can: protect a spouse’s income plan if one Social Security check disappears create tax-advantaged cash you can access in down markets cover final expenses and debts so heirs keep what...
read more
Annuities 101: Why They’re (Sometimes) a Great Idea for Retirement
Quick Take Annuities are insurance contracts that can turn a portion of your savings into guaranteed income you can’t outlive. For the right person, they lower stress, steady cash flow, and reduce the chances of running out of money—especially when markets are jumpy....
read more
Retirement Income Planning: A Practical Guide for Turning Savings Into a Sustainable Paycheck
Key Takeaways (TL;DR) Retirement success is less about “the number” and more about cash-flow durability, tax efficiency, and risk control. A resilient plan blends guaranteed income (Social Security, pensions, annuity floors) with market growth and cash reserves. Smart...
read more
Integrating Life Insurance & Fixed Indexed Annuities: A Smarter Way to Protect, Grow, and Distribute Retirement Wealth
Big idea: Life insurance and fixed indexed annuities (FIAs) aren’t either/or. Used together, they can help protect income, manage taxes, and transfer wealth more efficiently—especially in volatile markets. Why these two tools belong in the same conversation Most...
read more
Why Fixed Indexed Annuities Are a Smart Choice for Retirement Planning
When planning for retirement, one of the greatest challenges is balancing growth potential with protection of principal. Many investors seek opportunities that allow for upside potential without exposing their hard-earned savings to the full risk of market volatility....
read more
The 4% Rule: How Much Can You Spend in Retirement?
How much can you spend without running out of money? The 4% rule is a popular rule of thumb, but you can do better. Here are guidelines for finding your personalized spending rate. You've worked hard to save for retirement, and now you're ready to turn your savings...
read more
Fixed Index Annuity
Retirement Planning in 2026: A Practical Playbook (and How Annuities Can Help)
TL;DR: Going into 2026, retirees face two big realities: markets that still swing and a shifting tax landscape. Focus on dependable income, flexible tax buckets, and a plan for withdrawals/RMDs. Annuities—used correctly—can add durability to a retirement paycheck...
Retirement Planning Heading Into 2026: 7 Smart Moves For Clients Right Now
As 2025 winds down, retirement planning is shifting under three big spotlights: taxes in 2026, retirement plan rule updates, and Medicare drug-cost changes. Here’s a practical, client-friendly guide you can publish — plus talking points to spark action before...
Why Life Insurance Belongs in Your Retirement Plan
Quick Take Life insurance isn’t just for parents with mortgages. The right policy can: protect a spouse’s income plan if one Social Security check disappears create tax-advantaged cash you can access in down markets cover final expenses and debts so heirs keep what...
Annuities 101: Why They’re (Sometimes) a Great Idea for Retirement
Quick Take Annuities are insurance contracts that can turn a portion of your savings into guaranteed income you can’t outlive. For the right person, they lower stress, steady cash flow, and reduce the chances of running out of money—especially when markets are jumpy....
Retirement Income Planning: A Practical Guide for Turning Savings Into a Sustainable Paycheck
Key Takeaways (TL;DR) Retirement success is less about “the number” and more about cash-flow durability, tax efficiency, and risk control. A resilient plan blends guaranteed income (Social Security, pensions, annuity floors) with market growth and cash reserves. Smart...
Integrating Life Insurance & Fixed Indexed Annuities: A Smarter Way to Protect, Grow, and Distribute Retirement Wealth
Big idea: Life insurance and fixed indexed annuities (FIAs) aren’t either/or. Used together, they can help protect income, manage taxes, and transfer wealth more efficiently—especially in volatile markets. Why these two tools belong in the same conversation Most...
Why Fixed Indexed Annuities Are a Smart Choice for Retirement Planning
When planning for retirement, one of the greatest challenges is balancing growth potential with protection of principal. Many investors seek opportunities that allow for upside potential without exposing their hard-earned savings to the full risk of market volatility....
The 4% Rule: How Much Can You Spend in Retirement?
How much can you spend without running out of money? The 4% rule is a popular rule of thumb, but you can do better. Here are guidelines for finding your personalized spending rate. You've worked hard to save for retirement, and now you're ready to turn your savings...
Fixed Index Annuity
Weekly Market Commentary
Markets were choppy and ended the week with mixed results. Investors poured into risk assets on the idea that the longest US government shutdown was over, but a more hawkish tone from several Fed officials recalibrated expectations for a December rate cut and...
read more
Weekly Market Commentary
Well, the market finally had a significant pullback, but not before the S&P 500 and NASDAQ were able to set another all-time high. The week began with a deal between OpenAI and AMD, sending AMD shares nearly 24% higher. The deal catalyzed the technology sector...
read more
Weekly Market Commentary
Investors sent US markets to another set of all-time highs despite concerns about an extended government shutdown. The U.S. government shutdown was largely dismissed by markets last week, which came as a surprise given that several key economic data sets (Initial...
read more
Weekly Market Commentary
The S&P 500 hit a 28th record high for the year before settling lower for the week. Investors endured a choppy week of trading as better-than-expected economic data and better-than-feared inflation data tempered the notion of additional rate cuts. Several Fed...
read more
Weekly Market Commentary
The major US equity market indices forged another set of all-time highs as investors went all in on risk assets after the Federal Reserve announced a twenty-five basis point cut to its policy rate and telegraphed the potential for three more cuts by January 2026. The...
read more
Weekly Market Commentary
US equity indices posted another set of all-time highs as investors increased expectations for three, twenty-five basis point rate cuts by year's end. Inflation data reported for the week essentially gave the Fed the green light for a September rate cut....
read more
Weekly Market Commentary
Investors sent the S&P 500 to another all-time high in a holiday-shortened week of trading. President Trump started the week by asking the Supreme Court to expedite a hearing to challenge the International Trade Court and the Federal Court of Appeals rulings that...
read more
Weekly Market Commentary
The S&P 500 posted a gain for the fourth consecutive month as investors continued to embrace the prospects of a September rate cut, a robust economic outlook, and strong corporate earnings. The much-anticipated second-quarter results from NVidia were met with...
read more
Weekly Market Commentary
US equity markets ended the week with a powerful move to the upside after Fed Chairman J. Powell indicated that the balance of risk had shifted to the labor market, leaving the door open for a September rate cut. The final day of trading wiped out losses incurred in...
read more
Weekly Market Commentary
Markets were choppy and ended the week with mixed results. Investors poured into risk assets on the idea that the longest US government shutdown was over, but a more hawkish tone from several Fed officials recalibrated expectations for a December rate cut and...
Weekly Market Commentary
Well, the market finally had a significant pullback, but not before the S&P 500 and NASDAQ were able to set another all-time high. The week began with a deal between OpenAI and AMD, sending AMD shares nearly 24% higher. The deal catalyzed the technology sector...
Weekly Market Commentary
Investors sent US markets to another set of all-time highs despite concerns about an extended government shutdown. The U.S. government shutdown was largely dismissed by markets last week, which came as a surprise given that several key economic data sets (Initial...
Weekly Market Commentary
The S&P 500 hit a 28th record high for the year before settling lower for the week. Investors endured a choppy week of trading as better-than-expected economic data and better-than-feared inflation data tempered the notion of additional rate cuts. Several Fed...
Weekly Market Commentary
The major US equity market indices forged another set of all-time highs as investors went all in on risk assets after the Federal Reserve announced a twenty-five basis point cut to its policy rate and telegraphed the potential for three more cuts by January 2026. The...
Weekly Market Commentary
US equity indices posted another set of all-time highs as investors increased expectations for three, twenty-five basis point rate cuts by year's end. Inflation data reported for the week essentially gave the Fed the green light for a September rate cut....
Weekly Market Commentary
Investors sent the S&P 500 to another all-time high in a holiday-shortened week of trading. President Trump started the week by asking the Supreme Court to expedite a hearing to challenge the International Trade Court and the Federal Court of Appeals rulings that...
Weekly Market Commentary
The S&P 500 posted a gain for the fourth consecutive month as investors continued to embrace the prospects of a September rate cut, a robust economic outlook, and strong corporate earnings. The much-anticipated second-quarter results from NVidia were met with...
Weekly Market Commentary
US equity markets ended the week with a powerful move to the upside after Fed Chairman J. Powell indicated that the balance of risk had shifted to the labor market, leaving the door open for a September rate cut. The final day of trading wiped out losses incurred in...
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For the detailed requirements of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group, please visit: https://www.irahelp.com/
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...
read more
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...
read more
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?...
read more
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...
read more
Five Last-Minute Tips for 2025 IRA Contributions
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The tax-filing deadline is almost here. Are you thinking about making a 2025 IRA (traditional or Roth) contribution? Time is quickly running out. Here are some last-minute tips to keep in mind as you make your IRA...
read more
Tax Withholding from a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) and from a Roth Conversion: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: I had my IRA custodian send my required minimum distribution (RMD) from my IRA to our church, but had 20% federal taxes withheld. Subsequently, I received two Form 1099-Rs from the custodian. One showed the withheld...
read more
No Joke – Today is a Required Beginning Date!
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Today is April 1, and that’s a big day! No, not because it’s April Fool’s Day, but because today is the required beginning date (RBD) for any traditional IRA owner who turned age 73 in 2025. Based on census data, that could...
read more
8 Rules to Help Navigate the Multiple Plan Contribution Limits
Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst More and more Americans are taking on “side gigs” or switching jobs. When that happens, they often wind up participating in two different employer retirement plans at the same time or in the same year. Here are 8 rules to help you understand...
read more
Eligible Designated Beneficiaries and Roth Conversions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: Hi Ed and team, If a parent, age 86, inherited their son’s 401(k) after the son passed at age 58, does the parent still have 10 years to withdraw the funds? A lot is discussed about beneficiaries...
read more
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...
Five Last-Minute Tips for 2025 IRA Contributions
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The tax-filing deadline is almost here. Are you thinking about making a 2025 IRA (traditional or Roth) contribution? Time is quickly running out. Here are some last-minute tips to keep in mind as you make your IRA...
Tax Withholding from a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) and from a Roth Conversion: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: I had my IRA custodian send my required minimum distribution (RMD) from my IRA to our church, but had 20% federal taxes withheld. Subsequently, I received two Form 1099-Rs from the custodian. One showed the withheld...
No Joke – Today is a Required Beginning Date!
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Today is April 1, and that’s a big day! No, not because it’s April Fool’s Day, but because today is the required beginning date (RBD) for any traditional IRA owner who turned age 73 in 2025. Based on census data, that could...
8 Rules to Help Navigate the Multiple Plan Contribution Limits
Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst More and more Americans are taking on “side gigs” or switching jobs. When that happens, they often wind up participating in two different employer retirement plans at the same time or in the same year. Here are 8 rules to help you understand...
Eligible Designated Beneficiaries and Roth Conversions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: Hi Ed and team, If a parent, age 86, inherited their son’s 401(k) after the son passed at age 58, does the parent still have 10 years to withdraw the funds? A lot is discussed about beneficiaries...
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...
read more
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...
read more
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?...
read more
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...
read more
Five Last-Minute Tips for 2025 IRA Contributions
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The tax-filing deadline is almost here. Are you thinking about making a 2025 IRA (traditional or Roth) contribution? Time is quickly running out. Here are some last-minute tips to keep in mind as you make your IRA...
read more
Tax Withholding from a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) and from a Roth Conversion: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: I had my IRA custodian send my required minimum distribution (RMD) from my IRA to our church, but had 20% federal taxes withheld. Subsequently, I received two Form 1099-Rs from the custodian. One showed the withheld...
read more
No Joke – Today is a Required Beginning Date!
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Today is April 1, and that’s a big day! No, not because it’s April Fool’s Day, but because today is the required beginning date (RBD) for any traditional IRA owner who turned age 73 in 2025. Based on census data, that could...
read more
8 Rules to Help Navigate the Multiple Plan Contribution Limits
Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst More and more Americans are taking on “side gigs” or switching jobs. When that happens, they often wind up participating in two different employer retirement plans at the same time or in the same year. Here are 8 rules to help you understand...
read more
Eligible Designated Beneficiaries and Roth Conversions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: Hi Ed and team, If a parent, age 86, inherited their son’s 401(k) after the son passed at age 58, does the parent still have 10 years to withdraw the funds? A lot is discussed about beneficiaries...
read more
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...
Five Last-Minute Tips for 2025 IRA Contributions
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The tax-filing deadline is almost here. Are you thinking about making a 2025 IRA (traditional or Roth) contribution? Time is quickly running out. Here are some last-minute tips to keep in mind as you make your IRA...
Tax Withholding from a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) and from a Roth Conversion: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: I had my IRA custodian send my required minimum distribution (RMD) from my IRA to our church, but had 20% federal taxes withheld. Subsequently, I received two Form 1099-Rs from the custodian. One showed the withheld...
No Joke – Today is a Required Beginning Date!
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Today is April 1, and that’s a big day! No, not because it’s April Fool’s Day, but because today is the required beginning date (RBD) for any traditional IRA owner who turned age 73 in 2025. Based on census data, that could...
8 Rules to Help Navigate the Multiple Plan Contribution Limits
Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst More and more Americans are taking on “side gigs” or switching jobs. When that happens, they often wind up participating in two different employer retirement plans at the same time or in the same year. Here are 8 rules to help you understand...
Eligible Designated Beneficiaries and Roth Conversions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: Hi Ed and team, If a parent, age 86, inherited their son’s 401(k) after the son passed at age 58, does the parent still have 10 years to withdraw the funds? A lot is discussed about beneficiaries...