Blogs
“Third-Party Posts”
The information and opinions contained herein are provided by third parties and have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable; however, we make no representation as to their completeness or accuracy. The information is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions, nor should it be construed as advice designed to meet the particular needs of an individual’s situation. Content is provided for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation to buy or sell any products mentioned.
The Retirement Expense Many Families Forget to Plan For
Why Long-Term Care Deserves a Place in Your Financial Strategy Most people spend years preparing for retirement. They estimate how much income they may need, decide when to claim Social Security, review their investments, and think about Medicare. Yet one potentially...
Your Retirement Plan May Look Complete—But Is It Truly Connected?
Most people do not build their retirement strategy all at once. They accumulate different financial products and accounts throughout their lives. A 401(k) may come from a former employer. An IRA may be held somewhere else. Life insurance might have been purchased...
The Human Advantage: Why Financial Advice Matters More in the Age of AI
Artificial intelligence is changing nearly every industry, and financial services are no exception. Today, consumers have access to sophisticated calculators, retirement projections, investment research, budgeting applications, and AI-powered tools that can provide...
Fixed Indexed Annuities: A Retirement Strategy Designed for Growth Potential Without Direct Market Risk
As retirement approaches, one question becomes increasingly important: How do you continue growing your retirement savings while protecting what you've worked so hard to build? For many Americans, market volatility has made that decision more challenging than ever....
Life Insurance in 2026: It’s More Than a Death Benefit
When many people hear the words "life insurance," they immediately think about protecting loved ones after they're gone. While that remains one of its most important purposes, today's life insurance solutions can offer much more. In 2026, life insurance has evolved...
How a Fixed Indexed Annuity Can Work for You in 2026
As Americans continue preparing for retirement in an uncertain economic environment, many are looking for ways to protect their savings while still having the opportunity for growth. With inflation, market volatility, and changing interest rate expectations continuing...
The Biggest Retirement Risk Isn’t the Market—It’s Having No Plan
When people think about retirement, they often focus on one thing: the stock market. They worry about the next downturn, the next recession, or the next headline predicting financial uncertainty. While market volatility is certainly something to consider, it may not...
Why Financial Confidence Starts With a Plan, Not a Product
Retirement isn't built on luck—it’s built on preparation. While investment performance, insurance coverage, and market conditions all play important roles, one factor often has the greatest impact on long-term success: having a comprehensive financial plan. Whether...
Why a Retirement Income Plan Matters More Than Your Investment Returns
Many people spend decades focused on growing their retirement savings. They watch the markets, contribute to retirement accounts, and celebrate when their balances increase. But when retirement finally arrives, one question becomes far more important than, "How much...
“Third-Party Posts”
The information and opinions contained herein are provided by third parties and have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable; however, we make no representation as to their completeness or accuracy. The information is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions, nor should it be construed as advice designed to meet the particular needs of an individual’s situation. Content is provided for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation to buy or sell any products mentioned.
Weekly Market Commentary
The S&P 500 forged a new all-time high as investors recalibrated interest-rate-hike expectations after an in-line print of the Consumer Price Index and a cooler-than-expected print of the Producer Price Index. The probability of a rate hike in September fell to...
Weekly Market Commentary
Giddy up! US equity markets ripped higher in the first week of August as 2nd quarter earnings continued to impress. According to FactSet, 88% of the S&P 500 have reported earnings, of which 86% have beaten Earnings Per Share estimates, while Earnings Per Share...
Weekly Market Commentary
It was an extremely busy week on Wall Street, with investors having to assess increased geopolitical tensions in the Middle East alongside a deluge of corporate 2nd-quarter earnings results, several central bank monetary policy decisions, and a full economic...
Weekly Market Commentary
US equity indices declined for a second consecutive week despite a strong start to second-quarter earnings. With just over 25% of the S&P 500 reporting, top- and bottom-line growth rates have been better than anticipated. Results this week from Google, Intel, and...
Weekly Market Commentary
Markets took a step back last week despite a better-than-expected start to second-quarter earnings and benign inflation data. Semiconductor names continued to come under pressure, especially the memory names, as the sector entered into bear territory, off 20% in just...
US markets finished the week mixed in volatile trade. The rotation from technology into other parts of the market reversed this week, as leadership from mega-cap tech names and semiconductors powered the market higher. News that China would allow the purchase of...
Weekly Market Commentary
The holiday-shortened week saw the end to the best 2nd quarter in six years as the S&P 500 added over $8 trillion in market value. The Semiconductor sector recorded its best quarter ever with a gain of 87.75% as AI demand for chips continued. That said the...
Weekly Market Commentary
Markets finished the week mixed, with a noticeable rotation out of mega-cap technology issues to healthcare, real estate, and consumer staples. Concerns about the return on investment from a massive capital-expenditure binge on artificial intelligence resurfaced. ...
Weekly Market Commentary
Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there. The holiday-shortened week brought gains to US equities and saw the Japanese and South Korean markets forge new all-time highs. The signing of a memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran extended the...
Weekly Market Commentary
It was a hectic week on Wall Street as investors contended with heightened tensions in the Middle East, awaited the largest IPO in history, and received elevated inflation readings. The US and Iran appear to be very close to extending a fragile ceasefire, but as I...
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“Third-Party Posts”
The information and opinions contained herein are provided by third parties and have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable; however, we make no representation as to their completeness or accuracy. The information is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions, nor should it be construed as advice designed to meet the particular needs of an individual’s situation. Content is provided for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation to buy or sell any products mentioned.
Can I “Borrow” From My IRA?
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education With the cost of food, energy, healthcare and other basics on the rise, many Americans are facing a cash crunch. For some, their IRA is their largest asset. Therefore, it is not surprising that they may be looking...
72(t) On a Roth IRA?
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst The 72(t) rules (“series of substantially equal periodic payments”) allow a person to tap retirement dollars before age 59½ without a 10% early distribution penalty. However, to gain early access to the funds, the IRA owner must...
Qualified Charitable Distributions and the 10-Year Rule: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: I did a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) in early January of 2026 to cover a portion of my required minimum distribution (RMD), then took the rest of the RMD before I processed a Roth conversion. Am I now allowed to...
How the Once-Per-Year Rollover Rule Works and How to Avoid It
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst One of the mantras we have here at Ed Slott & Company is: “Don’t do 60-day rollovers. Do direct transfers instead.” The reason? 60-day rollovers between IRAs are subject to several rules that have serious tax consequences if not...
Three IRA Transactions You Must Do by October 15
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Fall is in full swing and October is almost upon us. That means that an important IRA deadline looms just ahead. Here are three transactions you must get done by October 15, 2026. 1. Make a SEP IRA contribution for...
Do Inherited Roth IRA Beneficiaries Have RMDs?: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst QUESTION: I really enjoy reading the Slott Report articles, but I’m confused about the inherited Roth IRA required minimum distributions (RMD) explanations. My understanding was Roth IRAs do not have RMDs even when inherited. Am I...
NUA: Average Cost Basis vs. Specific Identification
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst For those workplace retirement plan participants fortunate enough to own highly appreciated company stock in their plan – like a 401(k) or ESOP – the net unrealized appreciation (NUA) strategy may be available. NUA allows a person...
Do We Use the Life Expectancy of the IRA Owner, or the Beneficiary to Calculate RMDs?: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education QUESTION: I understand that the SECURE Act 10-year payout rule applies to certain beneficiaries. I also understand that, if the IRA owner died after his required beginning date (RBD), annual required minimum...
Time is Running Out for Penalty-Free Correction of 2025 IRA Contributions
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Believe it or not, you still have some time if you are having second thoughts about that IRA contribution you made for 2025. Maybe you made a Roth IRA contribution and then discovered your income was too high....
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