Blogs
“Third-Party Posts”
The Most Important Ages of Retirement
Retirement is a series of milestones that arrive as you age. Here are the ones you should know about. The retirement clock doesn't start the day you stop working. It's...
Social Security Benefits Changes in 2025: What You Need to Know for Smarter Retirement and Tax Planning
Social Security is one of the most essential yet misunderstood pieces of the American retirement puzzle. With all the recent headlines, ranging from benefit increases...
Planning to retire in 2025? Do these 7 things now
A wonderful retirement is the goal of many people, and you want it to come off without any major snags. But retirement plans always face challenges, whether it’s the...
3 Retirement Mistakes That Can Still Be Fixed in 2025
Retirement planning is rarely perfect. Life throws curveballs—health issues, market downturns, career changes—and even the most diligent savers can stumble along the...
8 Ways to Keep From Going Broke in Retirement
Budgeting, saving and investing tips to help make your money last as long as you do No matter how diligently you’ve been saving for retirement, it’s hard not to worry...
A Loved One Died and Left You an Inheritance. Now What?
Take these steps when you receive a windfall Perhaps you are among the growing number of Americans fortunate enough to receive an inheritance. As older generations pass...
Retirement age change 2025: What it means for your Social Security benefits
A quiet but important shift is happening in 2025: the full retirement age for Social Security is increasing again. If you were born in 1959, the change affects you...
10 Things Retirees Should Stop Spending On Now
Say goodbye to second cars, warehouse stores and other no-longer-necessary expenses Retirement is a time to rethink some things: how we fill our hours and days, what we...
10 Simple Financial Tasks You Can Tackle in an Hour
You won't believe how much you can accomplish — and save — in just a few minutes Have 60 minutes to kill? You could spend it watching TV or playing games on your...
Weekly Market Commentary
The S&P 500 and the NASDAQ joined the NASDAQ 100 in forging new all-time highs in an extremely busy week for Wall Street. A de-escalation of the Iran-Israel-US...
Weekly Market Commentary
Despite there being plenty for investors to consider, the holiday-shortened week ended pretty much where it started. Israel and Iran continued to exchange missile...
Weekly Market Commentary
US markets advanced in an erratic week of trading. The S&P 500 ended the week above the 6000 level and is up nearly 24% from the April 7th lows. Investors continue...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA The holiday-shortened week was busy. Trade uncertainties continued to be on investors' minds, with several trade stories hitting the tape...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA It was a busy week on Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial Index and the S&P 500 went positive for the year, catalyzed by the announcement...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA US financial markets were little changed last week as investors continued to weigh the implications of the Trump administration's trade policies. ...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA Global markets rallied for a second week as the S&P 500 clinched nine consecutive days of gains- something not seen in two decades. News that...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA Global financial markets rallied on several reports that suggested significant progress was being made on trade negotiations. Vice President Vance...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA Equity markets regressed during the abbreviated trading week, while US Treasuries found some footing. Trade policies continued to influence markets...
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Backdoor Roth IRAs and Inherited IRAs: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: When someone under age 59½ uses the “backdoor” method of making Roth IRA contributions, does the 10% penalty apply...
Grandparents Should Be Very Careful Before Opening Trump Accounts
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Contributions to Trump Accounts, the new tax-deferred savings vehicle for children, can’t be made until July 4, 2026. However, the...
5 Steps to Spring-Clean Your IRA
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Spring is here! Now is the time when many people spring-clean their homes. It is an opportunity to get organized,...
The Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) Strategy and Roth IRA Contribution Eligibility: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: Hello, I’ve run into someone who is retired, age 77, and therefore taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) from his...
6 Required Questions to Determine an IRA Beneficiary Payout Structure
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst 1. When did the decedent die? The SECURE Act impacts beneficiaries of decedents who died in 2020 or later. Anyone who passed...
How Will States Tax Trump Account Contributions?
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Trump Account contributions can be made as early as this July 4. But before making a contribution on behalf of a child, you should...
The Five-Year Rule and Rollovers to Employer Plans: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education QUESTION: Hi, I was wondering if my Roth account that is a part of my Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) through federal...
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...
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...
How Medicare Advantage Plans Cover Seniors’ Vision, Hearing, and Dental Needs
Does Medicare Cover Dental and Vision Care? Understanding Your Options Maintaining our vision, hearing, and dental health is important to living a healthy and independent life as we age. However, Original Medicare does not cover many of these essential services,...
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How do Social Security and Medicare work together?
They are separate programs, but the Social Security Administration handles enrollment and collects premiums for many on Medicare Social Security and Medicare are distinct programs serving older and disabled Americans, but they have an important commonality: Social...
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Advice Retirees Wish They Knew Sooner
Retirement can be one of the most fulfilling times in life, but getting there comes with its own set of challenges and learning experiences. While reflecting, there may be some tips and advice people wish they had taken sooner or not at all. In our Medicare Q&A...
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Is the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit Mandatory?
Key Points While the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is not mandatory, it is a 100% covered preventive service. The Annual Wellness Visit differs from the typical annual physicals you were used to with group coverage. If you’ve had Medicare Part B for more than 12...
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Retirement Happiness by the Numbers: The Top 10 Key Factors Seniors Swear By
Retirement is great – or at least it can be. However, quitting work alone isn’t enough to deliver happiness. That’s why many seniors keep working well into their golden years. For those who prefer to spend the twilight of their life enjoying the trappings of leisure,...
read more
Could Partial Retirement Be Right For You?
Key Points Partial retirement is when you retire from your full-time position, but might work part-time to produce a reduced income. You may consider partial retirement if you enjoy working and want to continue or if you need to work for the extra money. Your Medicare...
read more
What is My Medicare Initial Enrollment Period?
Key Points Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is a seven-month window surrounding your 65th birthday, allowing you to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B. Your Medicare start date depends on when you enroll; if you sign up in the three months before your birthday,...
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Can I See Any Provider With My Medicare Plan?
Key Points Original Medicare allows beneficiaries to see any provider nationwide who accepts Medicare. If you have a Medigap plan, you can still see any provider that accepts Original Medicare, while Medicare Advantage plans may have network restrictions that can...
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How to Avoid Medicare Scams While Applying for Medicare
Key Points Unfortunately, seniors can be a prime target for scammers, and many will try to trick seniors into falling for their Medicare scams. Scammers use several different tactics to try and scam Medicare beneficiaries and make attempts by phone or email. Scammers...
read more
How Medicare Advantage Plans Cover Seniors’ Vision, Hearing, and Dental Needs
Does Medicare Cover Dental and Vision Care? Understanding Your Options Maintaining our vision, hearing, and dental health is important to living a healthy and independent life as we age. However, Original Medicare does not cover many of these essential services,...
How do Social Security and Medicare work together?
They are separate programs, but the Social Security Administration handles enrollment and collects premiums for many on Medicare Social Security and Medicare are distinct programs serving older and disabled Americans, but they have an important commonality: Social...
Advice Retirees Wish They Knew Sooner
Retirement can be one of the most fulfilling times in life, but getting there comes with its own set of challenges and learning experiences. While reflecting, there may be some tips and advice people wish they had taken sooner or not at all. In our Medicare Q&A...
Is the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit Mandatory?
Key Points While the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is not mandatory, it is a 100% covered preventive service. The Annual Wellness Visit differs from the typical annual physicals you were used to with group coverage. If you’ve had Medicare Part B for more than 12...
Retirement Happiness by the Numbers: The Top 10 Key Factors Seniors Swear By
Retirement is great – or at least it can be. However, quitting work alone isn’t enough to deliver happiness. That’s why many seniors keep working well into their golden years. For those who prefer to spend the twilight of their life enjoying the trappings of leisure,...
Could Partial Retirement Be Right For You?
Key Points Partial retirement is when you retire from your full-time position, but might work part-time to produce a reduced income. You may consider partial retirement if you enjoy working and want to continue or if you need to work for the extra money. Your Medicare...
What is My Medicare Initial Enrollment Period?
Key Points Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is a seven-month window surrounding your 65th birthday, allowing you to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B. Your Medicare start date depends on when you enroll; if you sign up in the three months before your birthday,...
Can I See Any Provider With My Medicare Plan?
Key Points Original Medicare allows beneficiaries to see any provider nationwide who accepts Medicare. If you have a Medigap plan, you can still see any provider that accepts Original Medicare, while Medicare Advantage plans may have network restrictions that can...
How to Avoid Medicare Scams While Applying for Medicare
Key Points Unfortunately, seniors can be a prime target for scammers, and many will try to trick seniors into falling for their Medicare scams. Scammers use several different tactics to try and scam Medicare beneficiaries and make attempts by phone or email. Scammers...