Weekly Market Commentary

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,...
Why Waiting Too Long to Enroll in Medicare Can Cost You

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 Inflation Is Quietly Doing to Your Retirement Plan

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...

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...

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...
Weekly Market Commentary

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...

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...
Building a Stronger Financial Future with the Right Guidance

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...

5 Things You Need to Know about the Roth IRA Five-Year Rules

  By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Here at the Slott Report, we get a lot of questions on all sorts of different IRA topics. However, one area where we consistently get the most inquiries is the five-year rules for Roth IRA distributions....

Young Spouse, Spousal Rollover, Year-of-Death RMD…and a Penalty?

By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst When an IRA owner reaches the required beginning date (RBD), required minimum distributions (RMDs) are officially “turned on.” For IRAs, the RBD is April 1 of the year after the year the IRA owner turns age 73. If an IRA owner died...
Weekly Market Commentary

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...