Blogs
“Third-Party Posts”
7 Things You’ll Be Happy You Downgraded in Retirement
Downsizing for retirement is a good way to simplify your life and cut down on expenses. Making some key changes, like moving into a smaller home, could reduce financial strain and improve your quality of life. It could also give you room to grow in new, unexpected...
read more
Why Your Current Retirement Plan May Not Be Enough in 2025
Retirement: the wonderful time of life when you no longer have to work for your money. Instead, your money is finally working for you. If you’re well on your way to retirement, kudos to you. Today, more Americans are retiring than ever before. According to...
read more
Key change coming for 401(k) ‘max savers’ in 2025, expert says — here’s what you need to know
Key Points Many Americans face a retirement savings shortfall, but setting aside more could get easier for some older workers in 2025. Enacted in 2022, the Secure Act 2.0 ushered in several retirement system improvements, including higher 401(k) plan catch-up...
read more
What the Fed’s Rate Cut Means for You
The Federal Reserve just reduced interest rates for the first time in four years. Here’s how it will impact borrowers and saver What goes up must come down, and after four years, that’s finally true about interest rates. The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark rate on...
read more
Social Security COLA 2025: How Much Will Payments Increase Next Year?
With inflation cooling, analysts estimate benefit boost could come in around 2.5% The second of three numbers the Social Security Administration (SSA) will use to determine the 2025 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is in, and it points to a more modest increase in...
read more
Why Retirement Gets Better With Annuities
Everyone aspires to have a steady source of income after retirement that replaces as much as possible of their pre-retirement earning. But for many people, one big challenge in saving for that goal is to find the right financial product that accommodates their...
read more
Results From the 2024 Retirement Confidence Survey Find Workers’ and Retirees’ Confidence Has Not Recovered From the Significant Drop Seen in 2023, but Majorities Remain Optimistic About Retirement Prospects
Summary - However, almost 8 in 10 workers and 7 in 10 retirees are concerned that the U. S. government could make significant changes to the American retirement system - A new report published today from the 34th annual Retirement Confidence Survey finds workers’ and...
read more
2024 Pulse of the American Retiree Survey: Midlife Retirement ‘Crisis’ or a 10-Year Opportunity?
Critically underprepared for retirement, 55-year-old Americans enter a crucial 10-year countdown to plan and prepare With just a decade until retirement, 55-year-old Americans have less than $50K in median retirement savings First modern generation confronting...
read more
Why Retirees Are Carrying More and More Debt
Federal Reserve data shows sharp rise in amount Americans 65 and older owe Americans across generations are carrying more debt than they did three decades ago, according to Federal Reserve data, but the rise has been especially steep among the oldest age groups. The...
read more
7 Things You’ll Be Happy You Downgraded in Retirement
Downsizing for retirement is a good way to simplify your life and cut down on expenses. Making some key changes, like moving into a smaller home, could reduce financial strain and improve your quality of life. It could also give you room to grow in new, unexpected...
Why Your Current Retirement Plan May Not Be Enough in 2025
Retirement: the wonderful time of life when you no longer have to work for your money. Instead, your money is finally working for you. If you’re well on your way to retirement, kudos to you. Today, more Americans are retiring than ever before. According to...
Key change coming for 401(k) ‘max savers’ in 2025, expert says — here’s what you need to know
Key Points Many Americans face a retirement savings shortfall, but setting aside more could get easier for some older workers in 2025. Enacted in 2022, the Secure Act 2.0 ushered in several retirement system improvements, including higher 401(k) plan catch-up...
What the Fed’s Rate Cut Means for You
The Federal Reserve just reduced interest rates for the first time in four years. Here’s how it will impact borrowers and saver What goes up must come down, and after four years, that’s finally true about interest rates. The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark rate on...
Social Security COLA 2025: How Much Will Payments Increase Next Year?
With inflation cooling, analysts estimate benefit boost could come in around 2.5% The second of three numbers the Social Security Administration (SSA) will use to determine the 2025 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is in, and it points to a more modest increase in...
Why Retirement Gets Better With Annuities
Everyone aspires to have a steady source of income after retirement that replaces as much as possible of their pre-retirement earning. But for many people, one big challenge in saving for that goal is to find the right financial product that accommodates their...
Results From the 2024 Retirement Confidence Survey Find Workers’ and Retirees’ Confidence Has Not Recovered From the Significant Drop Seen in 2023, but Majorities Remain Optimistic About Retirement Prospects
Summary - However, almost 8 in 10 workers and 7 in 10 retirees are concerned that the U. S. government could make significant changes to the American retirement system - A new report published today from the 34th annual Retirement Confidence Survey finds workers’ and...
2024 Pulse of the American Retiree Survey: Midlife Retirement ‘Crisis’ or a 10-Year Opportunity?
Critically underprepared for retirement, 55-year-old Americans enter a crucial 10-year countdown to plan and prepare With just a decade until retirement, 55-year-old Americans have less than $50K in median retirement savings First modern generation confronting...
Why Retirees Are Carrying More and More Debt
Federal Reserve data shows sharp rise in amount Americans 65 and older owe Americans across generations are carrying more debt than they did three decades ago, according to Federal Reserve data, but the rise has been especially steep among the oldest age groups. The...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA The holiday-shortened week saw the S&P 500 and Dow rise to new all-time highs. Investors cheered the nomination of Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary, who is seen as a fiscal hawk and someone who will support Trump’s trade policies. US...
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Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA Markets bounced back as investors reengaged the pro-growth Trump 2.0 trade. President-elect Trump continued to fill out his cabinet and, late Friday announced Scott Bessent as his nominee for Treasury Secretary. Wall Street has endorsed Bessent,...
read more
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA US equity markets pulled back last week as investors took profits from the outsized move higher seen following the US election. Sticky inflation prints, coupled with solid retail sales and hawkish comments from Federal Reserve Chairman J. Powell,...
read more
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA The S&P 500 notched its 50th all-time high of 2024 as investors piled into equities after a decisive US election. Wall Street embraced the idea that President-Elect Trump would enact several pro-growth policies to bolster corporate profits. ...
read more
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA It was a very busy week on Wall Street as investors analyzed a deluge of corporate earnings reports and a full economic data calendar. The S&P 500 traded lower for the second consecutive week and could not close out October with a gain,...
read more
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA Global markets pulled back last week as investors took the opportunity to reduce some risk before a very close US Presidential election. In the US, nearly 20% of the S&P 500 reported earnings. Generally, results came in better than expected;...
read more
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA The S&P 500 advanced for the sixth consecutive week, closing at a new record high. This week, a broadening out of the market’s rally was evident, with small caps and the equally weighted S&P 500 index outperforming. Markets also appear to...
read more
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA The S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average forged another set of all-time highs despite facing several macro headwinds. Chinese markets reopened after celebrating Golden Week with significant losses. Investors were expecting an announcement...
read more
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA The S&P 500 closed higher for a fourth consecutive quarter, the first time it has done so since 2011. Investors continued to face a challenging macro environment. Escalating tensions in the Middle East, a Longshoremen’s strike, the aftermath...
read more
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA The holiday-shortened week saw the S&P 500 and Dow rise to new all-time highs. Investors cheered the nomination of Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary, who is seen as a fiscal hawk and someone who will support Trump’s trade policies. US...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA Markets bounced back as investors reengaged the pro-growth Trump 2.0 trade. President-elect Trump continued to fill out his cabinet and, late Friday announced Scott Bessent as his nominee for Treasury Secretary. Wall Street has endorsed Bessent,...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA US equity markets pulled back last week as investors took profits from the outsized move higher seen following the US election. Sticky inflation prints, coupled with solid retail sales and hawkish comments from Federal Reserve Chairman J. Powell,...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA The S&P 500 notched its 50th all-time high of 2024 as investors piled into equities after a decisive US election. Wall Street embraced the idea that President-Elect Trump would enact several pro-growth policies to bolster corporate profits. ...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA It was a very busy week on Wall Street as investors analyzed a deluge of corporate earnings reports and a full economic data calendar. The S&P 500 traded lower for the second consecutive week and could not close out October with a gain,...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA Global markets pulled back last week as investors took the opportunity to reduce some risk before a very close US Presidential election. In the US, nearly 20% of the S&P 500 reported earnings. Generally, results came in better than expected;...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA The S&P 500 advanced for the sixth consecutive week, closing at a new record high. This week, a broadening out of the market’s rally was evident, with small caps and the equally weighted S&P 500 index outperforming. Markets also appear to...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA The S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average forged another set of all-time highs despite facing several macro headwinds. Chinese markets reopened after celebrating Golden Week with significant losses. Investors were expecting an announcement...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA The S&P 500 closed higher for a fourth consecutive quarter, the first time it has done so since 2011. Investors continued to face a challenging macro environment. Escalating tensions in the Middle East, a Longshoremen’s strike, the aftermath...
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For the detailed requirements of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group, please visit: https://www.irahelp.com/
When You SHOULD Name a Trust as IRA Beneficiary
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Here at the Slott Report we hear many stories about trusts being named as IRA beneficiaries and the problems that follow. Often, there seems to be no purpose for naming the trust and it brings unnecessary...
read more
Fixing a Converted RMD…and the Tax Reporting
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst We know that required minimum distributions (RMDs) cannot be rolled over or converted. Before a person does any Roth IRA conversions, all of their IRA RMDs must be satisfied. (See this prior Slott Report post: “New Rule: All IRA...
read more
Roth Conversions and HSA Distributions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: Recently, I’ve received dozens of emails suggesting that traditional IRA owners can convert to a Roth IRA and somehow avoid all or some tax. Is this a scam? Thank you in advance. Bill Answer: Hi Bill, There is no way for...
read more
Inherited Roth IRAs and IRA Transfers: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: Hello, I have a question concerning inherited Roth IRAs. I know that in the past you have said that no annual required minimum distributions (RMDs) are required for these accounts. Does this...
read more
Misconceptions About the Still-Working Exception
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Regardless of the topic, we could all use an occasional refresher. Retirement account rules are incredibly complicated, and we all have our blind spots. Even seasoned financial advisors with extensive client lists can overlook...
read more
Backdoor Roth Conversions and IRA Losses: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: Thank you for all you do to educate the public. I’m hoping you guys can settle a debate that’s been going on with a few financial advisors and CPAs regarding the 5-year rule for Roth IRA conversions. I was...
read more
Taking Tax-Free Distributions from Your HSA
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) may be one of the biggest tax breaks currently available. If you have a qualifying high-deductible health plan, you may make a deductible contribution to an HSA. There are no income...
read more
Self-Certification After 60 Days: 12 Reasons
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF®| IRA Analyst There are two ways to move money from one IRA to another: a direct transfer or a 60-day rollover. With direct transfers, the funds are sent directly from one custodian to another. The IRA owner has no ability to use the dollars...
read more
First RMD Year and Roth IRA 5-Year Period: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: Our client is 75 years old. He just retired on January 1, 2025. The company has recognized his retirement date as being January 1, 2025. When must he take his first required minimum distribution (RMD)? Rick Answer: Hi...
read more
When You SHOULD Name a Trust as IRA Beneficiary
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Here at the Slott Report we hear many stories about trusts being named as IRA beneficiaries and the problems that follow. Often, there seems to be no purpose for naming the trust and it brings unnecessary...
Fixing a Converted RMD…and the Tax Reporting
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst We know that required minimum distributions (RMDs) cannot be rolled over or converted. Before a person does any Roth IRA conversions, all of their IRA RMDs must be satisfied. (See this prior Slott Report post: “New Rule: All IRA...
Roth Conversions and HSA Distributions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: Recently, I’ve received dozens of emails suggesting that traditional IRA owners can convert to a Roth IRA and somehow avoid all or some tax. Is this a scam? Thank you in advance. Bill Answer: Hi Bill, There is no way for...
Inherited Roth IRAs and IRA Transfers: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: Hello, I have a question concerning inherited Roth IRAs. I know that in the past you have said that no annual required minimum distributions (RMDs) are required for these accounts. Does this...
Misconceptions About the Still-Working Exception
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Regardless of the topic, we could all use an occasional refresher. Retirement account rules are incredibly complicated, and we all have our blind spots. Even seasoned financial advisors with extensive client lists can overlook...
Backdoor Roth Conversions and IRA Losses: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: Thank you for all you do to educate the public. I’m hoping you guys can settle a debate that’s been going on with a few financial advisors and CPAs regarding the 5-year rule for Roth IRA conversions. I was...
Taking Tax-Free Distributions from Your HSA
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) may be one of the biggest tax breaks currently available. If you have a qualifying high-deductible health plan, you may make a deductible contribution to an HSA. There are no income...
Self-Certification After 60 Days: 12 Reasons
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF®| IRA Analyst There are two ways to move money from one IRA to another: a direct transfer or a 60-day rollover. With direct transfers, the funds are sent directly from one custodian to another. The IRA owner has no ability to use the dollars...
First RMD Year and Roth IRA 5-Year Period: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: Our client is 75 years old. He just retired on January 1, 2025. The company has recognized his retirement date as being January 1, 2025. When must he take his first required minimum distribution (RMD)? Rick Answer: Hi...
When You SHOULD Name a Trust as IRA Beneficiary
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Here at the Slott Report we hear many stories about trusts being named as IRA beneficiaries and the problems that follow. Often, there seems to be no purpose for naming the trust and it brings unnecessary...
read more
Fixing a Converted RMD…and the Tax Reporting
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst We know that required minimum distributions (RMDs) cannot be rolled over or converted. Before a person does any Roth IRA conversions, all of their IRA RMDs must be satisfied. (See this prior Slott Report post: “New Rule: All IRA...
read more
Roth Conversions and HSA Distributions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: Recently, I’ve received dozens of emails suggesting that traditional IRA owners can convert to a Roth IRA and somehow avoid all or some tax. Is this a scam? Thank you in advance. Bill Answer: Hi Bill, There is no way for...
read more
Inherited Roth IRAs and IRA Transfers: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: Hello, I have a question concerning inherited Roth IRAs. I know that in the past you have said that no annual required minimum distributions (RMDs) are required for these accounts. Does this...
read more
Misconceptions About the Still-Working Exception
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Regardless of the topic, we could all use an occasional refresher. Retirement account rules are incredibly complicated, and we all have our blind spots. Even seasoned financial advisors with extensive client lists can overlook...
read more
Backdoor Roth Conversions and IRA Losses: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: Thank you for all you do to educate the public. I’m hoping you guys can settle a debate that’s been going on with a few financial advisors and CPAs regarding the 5-year rule for Roth IRA conversions. I was...
read more
Taking Tax-Free Distributions from Your HSA
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) may be one of the biggest tax breaks currently available. If you have a qualifying high-deductible health plan, you may make a deductible contribution to an HSA. There are no income...
read more
Self-Certification After 60 Days: 12 Reasons
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF®| IRA Analyst There are two ways to move money from one IRA to another: a direct transfer or a 60-day rollover. With direct transfers, the funds are sent directly from one custodian to another. The IRA owner has no ability to use the dollars...
read more
First RMD Year and Roth IRA 5-Year Period: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: Our client is 75 years old. He just retired on January 1, 2025. The company has recognized his retirement date as being January 1, 2025. When must he take his first required minimum distribution (RMD)? Rick Answer: Hi...
read more
When You SHOULD Name a Trust as IRA Beneficiary
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Here at the Slott Report we hear many stories about trusts being named as IRA beneficiaries and the problems that follow. Often, there seems to be no purpose for naming the trust and it brings unnecessary...
Fixing a Converted RMD…and the Tax Reporting
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst We know that required minimum distributions (RMDs) cannot be rolled over or converted. Before a person does any Roth IRA conversions, all of their IRA RMDs must be satisfied. (See this prior Slott Report post: “New Rule: All IRA...
Roth Conversions and HSA Distributions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: Recently, I’ve received dozens of emails suggesting that traditional IRA owners can convert to a Roth IRA and somehow avoid all or some tax. Is this a scam? Thank you in advance. Bill Answer: Hi Bill, There is no way for...
Inherited Roth IRAs and IRA Transfers: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: Hello, I have a question concerning inherited Roth IRAs. I know that in the past you have said that no annual required minimum distributions (RMDs) are required for these accounts. Does this...
Misconceptions About the Still-Working Exception
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Regardless of the topic, we could all use an occasional refresher. Retirement account rules are incredibly complicated, and we all have our blind spots. Even seasoned financial advisors with extensive client lists can overlook...
Backdoor Roth Conversions and IRA Losses: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: Thank you for all you do to educate the public. I’m hoping you guys can settle a debate that’s been going on with a few financial advisors and CPAs regarding the 5-year rule for Roth IRA conversions. I was...
Taking Tax-Free Distributions from Your HSA
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) may be one of the biggest tax breaks currently available. If you have a qualifying high-deductible health plan, you may make a deductible contribution to an HSA. There are no income...
Self-Certification After 60 Days: 12 Reasons
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF®| IRA Analyst There are two ways to move money from one IRA to another: a direct transfer or a 60-day rollover. With direct transfers, the funds are sent directly from one custodian to another. The IRA owner has no ability to use the dollars...
First RMD Year and Roth IRA 5-Year Period: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: Our client is 75 years old. He just retired on January 1, 2025. The company has recognized his retirement date as being January 1, 2025. When must he take his first required minimum distribution (RMD)? Rick Answer: Hi...