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The following link/content may include information and statistical data obtained from and/or prepared by thirdparty sources that Wealth Personal, deems reliable but in no way does Wealth Personal guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Wealth Personal had no involvement in the creation of the content and did not make any revisions to such content. All such third-party information and statistical data contained herein is subject to change without notice and may not reflect the view or opinions of Wealth Personal. Nothing herein constitutes investment, legal or tax advice or any recommendation that any security, portfolio of securities, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. Personal investment advice can only be rendered after the engagement of Wealth Personal, execution of required documentation, and receipt of required disclosures. All investments involve risk and past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Why Financial and Insurance Planning Should Work Together
When people think about financial planning, they often focus on investments, retirement accounts, and growing wealth. When they think about insurance, they usually think about protecting their home, health, or family. The truth is, these two areas should never be...
Understanding Annuities: Turning Retirement Savings Into Reliable Income
Planning for retirement has changed dramatically over the past few decades. In the past, many retirees relied on pensions and Social Security to provide dependable income throughout retirement. Today, pensions have largely disappeared, leaving many retirees...
The Retirement Wildcard: How Healthcare Costs Can Impact Your Financial Future
When most people think about retirement planning, they focus on the obvious questions: Will my savings last? How much income will I need? When should I take Social Security? But there’s one major expense that often catches retirees off guard. Healthcare. In fact,...
The Retirement Wildcard: How Healthcare Costs Can Impact Your Financial Future
When most people think about retirement planning, they focus on the obvious questions: Will my savings last? How much income will I need? When should I take Social Security? But there’s one major expense that often catches retirees off guard. Healthcare. In fact,...
The Retirement Income Plan Most People Think They Have — But Don’t
Retirement isn’t about how much you’ve saved. It’s about how you turn your savings into income you can rely on — for 20, 30, or even 40 years. Most people believe their 401(k), IRA, or brokerage account is their retirement plan.But an investment account is not an...
Personalized Retirement Strategy: A Plan Built Around You
Retirement isn’t one-size-fits-all. Two people can retire the same year with the same savings and still need completely different strategies—because income needs, taxes, risk tolerance, health care costs, and family priorities are never identical. A personalized...
Annuities: Why They Can Be a Smart Addition to Your Portfolio
When you think about building a strong retirement plan, most people focus on a mix of stocks, bonds, and cash. But for many retirees and pre-retirees, there’s another tool that can add stability, predictability, and confidence: annuities. Annuities aren’t...
2026 Retirement Income Planning: A Practical Guide to Turning Savings Into Paychecks
Retirement planning changes once the paychecks stop. In your working years, the goal is usually growth. In retirement, the goal becomes reliable income, tax efficiency, and protecting your lifestyle—all while navigating market ups and downs. If you’re retired (or...
Long-Term Care Planning in 2026: The “Quiet” Risk That Can Reshape a Retirement Plan
When most people think about retirement planning, they focus on the big three: income, taxes, and investments. But there’s a fourth category that can quietly undo even a strong plan if it’s ignored: Long-Term Care (LTC) — the cost of ongoing help when someone needs...
Weekly Market Commentary
Investors endured a difficult week as the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran continued. Iran’s efforts to target US military bases in the region broaden the conflict across the Middle East. Energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have come to a...
Weekly Market Commentary
US equity markets regressed as several themes that have propelled the market higher over the last couple of years have had to be reassessed. Return on investment from AI capex, a Federal Reserve on hold, tariff uncertainty, and increased geopolitical tensions have...
Weekly Market Commentary
The holiday-shortened week produced gains across US indices and saw an emerging market ETF break out to all-time highs. The start of the Chinese Lunar New Year and Ramadan tempered international trading volumes. The tail end of Q4 earnings continued to show...
Weekly Market Commentary
US financial markets regressed in choppy trade. The narrative around the disruptive nature of AI continued to impact markets. Rotation away from growth and mega-cap issues continued while proceeds flowed to defensive sectors and small caps. Interest rate-sensitive...
Weekly Market Commentary
Investors endured a volatile week on Wall Street as 4th quarter earnings continued to roll in. Concerns about massive capital expenditures resurfaced after Amazon and Google announced $200 billion and $185 billion in capex, respectively. This comes after last week’s...
Weekly Market Commentary
Markets ended the week mixed. With just over a third of the S&P 500 having reported fourth-quarter earnings, this earnings season appears much better than anticipated. That said, despite better-than-expected results, many companies have sold off after the...
Weekly Market Commentary
Global equity markets finished the week mixed, with US markets posting their second straight week of losses. Geopolitical concerns and trade tensions were top of mind for investors as global leaders met in Davos at the World Economic Forum. President Trump’s sharp...
Weekly Market Commentary
US financial markets ended the week with mixed results as investors assessed the first week of fourth-quarter earnings. Earnings results from the banks initially prompted selling, but this may have been due to President Trump’s call for a 10% cap on credit card...
Weekly Market Commentary
US equity markets notched new highs in the second week of the new year, even as geopolitical tensions increased in several regions. The new highs came on a broadening out of the rally, with cyclicals and small caps leading the way. It was a busy week, with several...
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Accessing 401(k) Funds While You’re Still Working
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst If you are faced with expenses that require you to tap into your savings, what are your options? You should always look to non-retirement savings first. Dipping into retirement funds could cause you to lose out on future tax-deferred (or...
Children vs. Grandchildren Beneficiaries and the First Required Minimum Distribution Year: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: Are the rules for a grandchild who inherits an IRA the same as the rules for a child who inherits? Thank you, Steven Answer: Hi Steven, No, the rules are very different. An IRA owner’s child who is under age 21 when the owner...
3 IRA Tax Breaks for Same-Sex Couples
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education June is PRIDE Month. June also marks the anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage. When it comes to IRA rules, spouses have many advantages, and couples...
Roth IRA Conversions Do Not Count for Roth IRA Contribution Eligibility
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst If a person wants to make a Roth IRA contribution, there are two primary hurdles to get over. First, a person must have taxable compensation to make the contribution. Items like W-2 wages, commissions, professional fees or bonuses...
The Once-Per-Year IRA Rollover Rule and 529-to-Roth Transfers: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: Hello, Last December 15, I withdrew $10,000 from my traditional IRA. Thirty days later, I deposited $4,000 in a Roth IRA and $6,000 in a different traditional IRA. Can I treat the $4,000 Roth IRA...
What in the World is Modified Adjusted Income (MAGI), and Why Does It Matter?
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Some of you may have come across the term “modified adjusted gross income” (MAGI) and figured it has something to do with “adjusted gross income” (AGI). But, unless you’re a tax geek, that may be all you know. That’s a shame...
Five Things to Know about the Five-Year Rule on Converted Roth Funds
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education If you are under age 59½ and you converted your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, you will need to watch out for the five-year rule for penalty-free distributions of converted funds. Not understanding how the rule...
Combining Retirement Accounts and Roth Conversions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: I have a new client who has an old SEP IRA as well as a traditional IRA with funds that were rolled over from his 401(k) plan. Can we combine these two accounts? Answer: Yes. These accounts can be...
529-to-Roth: Still No News on 15-Year Clock
asfaf sfgsf By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst It’s been nearly 3½ years, and still no news. No guidance. No updates. Background: In December 2022, the SECURE 2.0 Act was signed into law. That legislation contained an extensively discussed provision – allowing...
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