By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Here is an all-too-common situation that seems counterintuitive: A participant in a 401(k) retires and must take his required minimum distribution (RMD). This person requests that his entire 401(k) plan balance be directly...
-Darren Leavitt, CFA Investors endured the fourth consecutive week of losses in US equity markets as concerns around tariffs and their impact on the economy continued to weigh on sentiment. Several investment banks decreased their assessment of US equities and...
Discover 6 ways to access care fast, even if your doctor is busy. Hint: You may not need to go in person. Doctors’ offices are busier than ever these days. Sometimes it can be tough to book a timely appointment with your primary care provider. You might be sick or...
“Old age is always fifteen years older than I am.” —Bernard Baruch, American financier, investor, statesman and philanthropist One of the biggest fears people have is running out of money in retirement. And for many Americans, this is a very real risk, not an...
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: Hi, In a recent blog post, you addressed the complicated rules for a 401(k) to Roth IRA rollover. I have a similar question as it relates to a pre-tax IRA conversion to a Roth IRA. My client is a 95 year-old woman who has a...
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Everyone knows that April 15, 2025, is the deadline for filing 2024 income tax returns. But April 15 is also a crucial deadline if you made too many 401(k) deferrals in 2024. If you don’t fix the error by that date, the tax consequences...
By Sarah Brenner, JDDirector of Retirement Education Do you have a Roth IRA? If you do, there will very likely come a time when you want to take a distribution from that account. The distribution rules for taxation of Roth IRA distributions can be complicated, but if...
-Darren Leavitt, CFA Economic growth concerns weighed on US financial markets as manic trade policy fostered uncertainty and volatility. It was a hectic week as investors tried to make sense of Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. The announcement that...
-Darren Leavitt, CFA Economic growth concerns weighed on US financial markets as manic trade policy fostered uncertainty and volatility. It was a hectic week as investors tried to make sense of Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. The announcement that...
Expensive medications? You’ll save thousands. Dementia or mental health care? More options Key takeaways Changes from Inflation Reduction Act are in effect now. Lower out-of-pocket limit in Part D drug plans erases old “donut hole.” You may find weight loss...
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Question: Hello, If a person is turning 73 years old in March, s/he would be required to take required minimum distributions for the year. Can a person do Roth Conversion prior to turning age 73 (say in February)? Does the...
As you approach retirement, you may be wondering what are the next steps for your investments. An annuity may be an effective tool for you in retirement planning by providing a steady and reliable income stream. With 2024 being the year with the greatest number of...
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst I appreciate it when reputable financial advisors fight for their clients. It is a pleasure to see a well-educated, experienced professional leave no stone unturned when it comes to helping someone through a problematic...
A bumper crop of revisions, including a stronger drug benefit, means the plan you enrolled in for 2024 may not be the best fit next year. Americans on Medicare will see big, and welcome, changes next year. The program’s prescription drug insurance will be much...
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst More and more 401(k) plans are making Roth employee contributions available, and employees leaving their jobs often want to roll over Roth 401(k) funds to a Roth IRA. What tax rules apply to distributions of amounts rolled over? Warning:...
-Darren Leavitt, CFA Growth concerns entered the market narrative as investors continued to look at policy uncertainties on tariffs and the strains on geopolitical relations. The Trump administration confirmed that 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico would be effective...
How changes in Social Security, Medicare, 401(k) contributions and more will affect your finances Retirement is not static. Even when the kids are gone and the career is done, your lifestyle and expectations are constantly evolving. So are your finances. Areas key to...
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: I opened my first Roth IRA in 2017 and a second Roth IRA in December 2021. My current age is 71. I withdrew some funds from these accounts last year. For tax year 2024, I received a 2024 Form 1099-R for the 2017...
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Why is it so important to know how the “once-per-year rollover rule” works? Well, that’s because trouble with the once-per year rule is the kind of trouble no one wants! If you violate this rule, you are looking at...
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Sometimes we get stuck in traffic, or a highway is closed, and we are forced to find an alternate route. I’m not talking about driving across someone’s front yard or going the wrong way on a one-way street. Think side roads and...
-Darren Leavitt, CFA Investors endured the fourth consecutive week of losses in US equity markets as concerns around tariffs and… Read more: Weekly Market Commentary
