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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.
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 directly—and if you were born in 1960 or later, you’re next. Here’s what this change means for your...
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 do for fun and fulfillment. And, maybe, all that stuff we’ve been spending money on for years. You...
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 smartphone. Or you could spend it saving money, by ticking some easy but important financial tasks off...
4 Key Decisions for Early Retirement
‘Will your money last?’ isn’t the only question to consider before retiring. I was chatting with a friend the other day about his retirement—possibly an early one. At age 60, he has worked hard, saved aggressively, and invested well. Most important, he’s pretty burned...
How to Plan for Retirement Like a Veteran
Surveys show ex-service members retire with more assets, less debt and greater confidence. Here are six ways to follow their lead. When her son Corbett joined the Marine Corps right out of high school in 2013, Lara Ferguson was surprised to learn that he was required...
6 things to consider when saving for retirement.
Retirement is a time to enjoy your golden years and live life to the fullest. But in order to do that, it's important to start planning early. Retirement savings can be a complex topic, but there are a few key things to keep in mind to get started. 1. Start saving...
The Transition to Retirement: 11 Exceptional Tips for the Average Joe or Jane
Baby boomers were never “average.” The generation wears uniqueness is a badge of honor. However, approximately 10,000 boomers turn 65 everyday. While we each have specific goals, ideas and financial circumstances, there are some things that apply to us all. Here is...
Is 2025 a Bad Year To Retire With the Stock Market in the Dumps?
2025 may seem like a bad year to retire if you're looking at the stock market alone. But that's not the only consideration. It sure seems like a bad year to retire. The stock markets are falling, taking 401(k) balances along with it, tariffs are in place, federal...
5 Dos and Don’ts When Lending Money to Loved Ones
Helping friends or family shouldn’t mean hurting your finances Let’s face it: Money is tight for many people. And if you have loved ones in your life who are struggling financially, you may feel inclined to help them. If you do, proceed with caution. According to a...
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 met with Indian Prime Minister Modi on his visit to India. The two leaders announced they were in...
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 and foster uncertainty. Little progress was made on country-specific tariffs, while several...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA Wow, what a week on Wall Street. Continued uncertainty regarding trade policy induced massive swings in the equity, bond, commodity, and currency markets. A 7% intraday swing in the S&P 500 on Monday was superseded by a 10.8% intraday move...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA Global financial markets tumbled last week as investors moved out of risk assets, fearing that a worldwide trade war would ensue after Trump's tariffs were higher than anticipated. Thursday and Friday’s market action resulted in a $5.4 trillion...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA It's been a difficult month for investors, and sentiment indicators tell that story. Wall Street appeared poised to build on the prior week's gains, but regressed again as mixed signals on tariffs and a loss of sentiment gave reason to sell. ...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA The S&P 500 avoided a fifth straight week of losses as investors continued to assess the impact of Trump’s policies. A late rally on Friday afternoon, fueled on heavy volume from quarterly options' expiration, helped propel the S&P 500...
Weekly Market Commentary
-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...
Weekly Market Commentary
-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...
Weekly Market Commentary
-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...
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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 opportunity to open a Trump Account, either through filing Form 4547 or using a dedicated IRS...
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, get rid of clutter, and simplify. This year, consider taking the same approach with your retirement...
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 Caterpillar 401(k) plan. He has approximately $5M in Caterpillar stock within the plan. It seems...
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 away prior to 2020 falls under the old rules. Prior to the SECURE Act, all living, breathing...
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 understand that the way these contributions are treated under federal tax law may be different than...
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 employment counts toward my five-year rule for a Roth IRA? If I wanted to transfer the money from my...
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 contribution and needs to be fixed to avoid penalties. Some excess contributions are easy to...
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 some IRA transactions. But there is a common misconception that certain other IRA transactions can also...
Non-Spouse Beneficiaries and Funding QCDS: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: If a non-spouse beneficiary inherits a 401(k), what are the options? Can you roll the money into an inherited IRA? Are there any other options, and over what time period does each option require the account to be drained?...
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