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Monthly Market Review & Outlook
TWO RMD STRATEGIES TO AVOID IRMAA
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Follow Us on X: @theslottreport You have carefully saved for retirement and now you have accumulated a substantial amount of funds in your IRA. At some point the funds that you have been putting away for years...
REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS AND QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTIONS: TODAY’S SLOTT REPORT MAILBAG
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Follow Us on X: @theslottreport QUESTION: Dear IRA Help, My mother passed away in April of 2023 and no required minimum distribution (RMD) was taken. The entire IRA account was paid out to the charity that was the...
As baby boomers hit ‘peak 65’ this year, what the retirement age should be is up for debate
KEY POINTS More Americans are expected to turn 65 through 2027 than in any time in history. Despite the ‘silver tsunami,’ the correct age to retire is still in question. A fight is brewing in Washington over whether the mandatory retirement age for airline pilots...
What is durable medical equipment (DME) and will Medicare cover it?
Durable medical equipment, often abbreviated as DME, refers to a variety of medical devices, supplies and equipment that can help people with chronic health conditions or disabilities. Examples include wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, diabetic supplies, home...
THE WISE SHOPPER – ROTH CONVERSIONS
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Follow Us on X: @theslottreport Imagine walking through a grocery store, intent on purchasing a specific item. As you turn down an aisle, little colorful tags proclaiming “Special Deal” and “Buy 1, Get 1” protrude from each...
JUST A FEW DAYS LEFT TO FIX 2023 EXCESS 401(K) DEFERRALS
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Follow Us on X: @theslottreport If you exceeded the 2023 limit for 401(k) deferrals, time is of the essence to correct the error. If you don’t act quickly, the tax consequences can be serious. The maximum amount of pre-tax and Roth...
THE 10-YEAR RULE AND INHERITED IRAS: TODAY’S SLOTT REPORT MAILBAG
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Follow Us on X: @theslottreport Question: I have a general question regarding the 10-year time frame for emptying an inherited IRA. Your guidance says that the deadline is the END of the tenth year following death....
Medicare Advantage Updates and Trends for 2024
The recent robust growth of Medicare Advantage plans brings challenges, opportunities, and new regulations for home health agencies. As we head into 2024, here’s a summary of the latest news, updates, and anticipated trends for Medicare Advantage. The Rising...
4 WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR RMD TAX BITE
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Follow Us on X: @theslottreport Markets continue to climb. That is good news for your retirement account. However, there is a downside. When you contribute to a traditional IRA or a pre-tax 401(k), you make a deal...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA Markets pushed back on an early week sell-off to close at record highs for the S&P 500 and NASDAQ. A building sense that the market is due for a pullback was met with inline consensus inflation data, continued outperformance in the...
As baby boomers hit ‘peak 65’ this year, what the retirement age should be is up for debate
KEY POINTS More Americans are expected to turn 65 through 2027 than in any time in history. Despite the ‘silver tsunami,’ the correct age to retire is still in question. A fight is brewing in Washington over whether the mandatory retirement age for airline pilots...
Weekly Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary - 2/16/2024 -Darren Leavitt, CFA Wall Street took a breather last week as hotter-than-expected inflation data forced investors to recalibrate their expectations for rate cuts from the Federal Reserve. Mega-cap issues that have been...
Can Remote Work Get You a Head Start on Retirement?
If you have a dream destination in mind, careful planning and a willing boss could help you make the move ahead of schedule Rob Nehrbas was winding up his career as an executive at an Arizona-based laser device company he’d sold to a bigger competitor when he realized...
Weekly Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary - 2/9/2024 -Darren Leavitt, CFA The S&P 500 hit another record high and topped the 5000 level for the first time as investors focused on better-than-expected Q4 earnings. The economic calendar was light this week but showed continued...
GHOST VS. 5-YEAR: THE CALENDAR DICTATES
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Follow Us on X: @theslottreport Ever since the SECURE Act created a 10-year payout rule for most IRA beneficiaries, that topic has garnered the bulk of conversation. This is understandable. Not only was the 10-year rule a brand-new...
Weekly Market Commentary
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Follow Us on X: @theslottreport We’re getting lots of questions about the SECURE 2.0 change that allows annuitized IRA annuities to be aggregated with non-annuity IRA funds for required minimum distribution (RMD) purposes. This change...
Weekly Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary - 1/19/2024 -Darren Leavitt, CFA The S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average hit record highs on Friday despite a reset of monetary policy rate cut expectations. Mega-cap technology issues outperformed with a jump start from the...
6 Reasons Annuities Should Be Part of Your Retirement Plan in 2024
When setting up your financial retirement plan, you’ll likely consider various options for how you plan on covering the bills in your golden years. With soaring inflation and aggressive rate hikes from the Fed, annuities have become more popular recently, as those...
529 PLANS AND QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTIONS: TODAY’S SLOTT REPORT MAILBAG
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Follow Us on X: @theslottreport QUESTION: I have been funding a 529 account for over 15 years and no longer need to add deposits. Could I change the beneficiary to myself and then convert to a Roth IRA, assuming I have met the...
Weekly Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary - 1/12/2024 -Darren Leavitt, CFA US Markets gained ground in the second week of 2024, attributed to mega-cap issues in the Information Technology and Communication Services sectors. The Equal-weight S&P 500 was up 0.2%, while the Mega-Cap...
Weekly Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary - 1/5/2024 -Darren Leavitt, CFA After nine weeks of gains, the market fell in the first week of trading in 2024. Interestingly, the losses incurred this week largely came from areas of the market that outperformed last year, namely growth and...
What’s Changing for Retirement in 2024?
Inflation adjustments and the phase-in of Secure 2.0 provisions have implications for retirement savers and retirees alike. The dawning of 2024 will usher in more changes than usual on the retirement-planning front. As is typical with the turn of the calendar page,...
NEW ROTH PROVISIONS EFFECTIVE IN 2024
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Follow Us on X: @theslottreport When the bell dropped in Times Square last Sunday night, a bunch of new provisions from the SECURE 2.0 legislation kicked in. This article will focus on the Roth-related changes that are effective in 2024....
Weekly Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary - 12/22/2023 -Darren Leavitt, CFA US equity markets inked an 8th consecutive week of gains as investors continued to foster the soft landing narrative. Trading volumes lightened as the week progressed and corporate news was relatively quiet. ...
ROTH CONVERSIONS AND INHERITED IRAS: TODAY’S SLOTT REPORT MAILBAG
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Follow Us on X: @theslottreport Question: I have a traditional IRA with a portion being nondeductible contributions. The last nondeductible contribution I made was in 2009. and I have my Form 8606 showing the...
SECURE 2.0 RELAXS RETROACTIVE SOLO 401(K) RULES
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Follow Us on X: @theslottreport Thinking of opening up a new solo 401(k) plan for 2023? Thanks to SECURE 2.0, you don’t have to rush to get it done by year end. A solo 401(k) is an excellent retirement savings vehicle for self-employed...
Weekly Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary - 12/15/2023 -Darren Leavitt, CFA The Bull market continued its rally streak to seven consecutive weeks, something not seen since 2017. Wall Street threw a “pivot party” as the US Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee meeting ended with a...
Want to retire early? Make these 5 moves in 2024
As 2023 comes to a close, many Americans are turning their attention to 2024 and contemplating resolutions for the new year. Many focus on financial resolutions. as people seek to earn more or create breathing room in their budget. For some, making a commitment...
BAD SANTA & THE GRINCH OFFER HORRIBLE IRA ADVICE – PART 2
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Follow Us on X: @theslottreport The investment advisory firm of Bad Santa & the Grinch continues to disseminate misinformation and lousy, no good, rotten-to-the-core IRA advice. As we saw in “Bad Santa & The Grinch Offer...
Weekly Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary - 12/8/2023 -Darren Leavitt, CFA The S&P 500 gained ground for the sixth consecutive week as US economic data continued to support the soft landing narrative. Mega-cap issues provided leadership, while small-caps continued to perform...
5 Reasons To Buy an Annuity
A few reasons to consider buying an annuity include the tax advantages, income for life and customization options for added benefits. The Annuity.org editorial team interviewed annuity buyers and financial experts to understand the best reasons to purchase one and how...
TURNING BACK THE CLOCKS AND REVISITING THE ROTH IRA FIVE-YEAR CLOCKS
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Follow Us on X: @theslottreport A few weeks ago, many of us were required to turn back our clocks one hour and say goodbye to daylight savings time. And with that change came the usual reminder to change the batteries in our smoke...
Weekly Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary - 11/17/2023 -Darren Leavitt, CFA The S&P 500 closed above 4500 after inking its third consecutive weekly gain. Temperate economic data released over the last few months has elevated the idea of an economic soft landing and the idea that...
Weekly Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary - 11/10/2023 -Darren Leavitt, CFA Markets were mixed this week as investors digested additional earnings announcements, a plethora of Fed rhetoric, and a large dose of US Treasury issuance. The divergence of mega-cap stocks widened relative...
THE FIVE-YEAR RULE AND RMDS: TODAY’S SLOTT REPORT MAIBAG
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Follow Us on X: @theslottreport Question: In 2020 and 2021, when I was over 65 years old, I converted some of my IRA into a Roth IRA. Does the five-year rule still apply to me, or can I now draw out all of the...
ONE BENEFICIARY, THREE IRAS, THREE DIFFERENT PAYOUT RULES
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Follow Us on X: @theslottreport An advisor called and said his 75-year-old client had just passed away. He had questions about the payout rules applicable to the three IRAs the client left behind: a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA, and...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA Global financial markets rallied big time last week on dovish tones from central bankers and on the notion that this interest rate hike cycle may be over. The Bank of Japan kicked the week off with a vague move that sets their 10-year Japanese...
THE PRO-RATA RULE AND MINOR IRA BENEFICIARIES: TODAY’S SLOTT REPORT MAILBAG
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Follow Us on X: @theslottreport Question: Dear Mr. Slott, I made $40,000 additional non-deductible (after taxes) contributions to my IRA many years ago. I have filed IRS Form 8606 every year informing the IRS of the contributions....
ROTH IRA DISTRIBUTION ORDERING RULES – KEEP IT SIMPLE
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Follow Us on X: @theslottreport Within the 400-page Ed Slott advisor training manual, we include a basic chart that outlines the Roth IRA distribution ordering rules and the availability of those specific dollars. When presenting...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA Equity markets faced another wave of selling as the S&P 500 went into correction territory, down 10.13% from the end of July. Investors saw some relief from the bond market, but trade in Sovereign debt continued to lack a safe-haven bid...
Social Security benefits in 2024: 5 big changes retirees should plan for
As inflation lingers, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is boosting its cost of living adjustment (COLA) for benefit checks in 2024. It’s just one of many changes announced by Social Security recently. Here are some key changes to Social Security happening next...
Weekly Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary - 10/20/2023 -Darren Leavitt, CFA This week, the debt market resumed its sell-off and wreaked havoc on the equity markets. The US 10-year bond yield hit 5% for the first time since 2007, while longer-tenured issues felt the brunt of the...
Don’t Make This Big Retirement Mistake
A recent survey of Americans who have yet to retire found that just 10% have made plans to receive the biggest possible Social Security payout. And it’s not because people don’t know that Social Security pays bigger benefits the longer you wait to claim. More than 90%...
THE BACK-DOOR ROTH STRATEGY AND SPOUSAL BENEFICIARIES: TODAY’S SLOTT REPORT MAILBAG
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Follow Us on X: @theslottreport Question: I earn too much money and can’t do a Roth IRA. I have heard about the back-door Roth IRA strategy for those who earn more than the allowable contribution for the Roth IRA...
Weekly Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary - 10/13/2023 -Darren Leavitt, CFA US equity markets finished the week with mixed results as investors digested the first tranche of third-quarter earnings results. JP Morgan, Citi Bank, Wells Fargo, and United Healthcare had...
What Is a Fixed Index Annuity?
The S&P 500 represents about 80% of the total market capitalization of large-cap U.S. stocks (market price per common share multiplied by the number of common shares outstanding). As it is so widespread, many market analysts use it as an indicator of the overall...
THE STILL-WORKING EXCEPTION AND SPOUSAL ROLLOVERS: TODAY’S SLOTT REPORT MAILBAG
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Follow Us on X: @theslottreport Question: I have a client who just retired at age 80. He has $800,000 in his 401(k) plan which is being rolled over to an IRA. Does he have to take an RMD this year based on the...
HOW TO LOSE AN INHERITED IRA AND GAIN A BIG TAX BILL
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Follow Us on X: @theslottreport Did you inherit an IRA from someone who is NOT your spouse? This is not uncommon. Maybe you inherited from a sibling or a parent or a friend. If this is your situation,...
NON-SPOUSE BENEFICIARIES AND ROTH IRA DISTRIBUTIONS: TODAY’S SLOTT REPORT MAILBAG
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Follow Us on X: @theslottreport QUESTION: On September 6th in a piece titled, “Rules for Inherited IRAs that May Surprise Nonspouse Beneficiaries,” Sarah Brenner from Ed Slott and Company wrote, “If you inherited the IRA funds in...
TOP 10 IRA “POPULAR CONFUSIONS”
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Follow Us on X: @theslottreport The Ed Slott team answers thousands of IRA and work plan questions annually - emails, phone calls, in-person conversations, webinars, Q&A programs and texts. We accommodate all members of the Ed...
Weekly Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary - 9/22/2023 -Darren Leavitt, CFA US equity markets sold off in tandem with the US Treasury market as the Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee meeting concluded with no change to its policy rate. The Fed’s Summary of Economic Projections...
12 Things to Tell Your Kids About Your Money
You don’t have to tell them some things, but others are very important You’ve probably taught your kids a whole bunch about money over the years, like how to stretch an allowance through an entire week and how to balance a debit account — or, most challenging of all,...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA The holiday-shortened week ended with losses for both US equities and Treasuries. Apple shares tumbled on the news that the Chinese government would ban the use of the iPhone at government agencies at all levels of government. The news comes in...
7 Money Leaks — and How to Plug Them
These stealthy cash drainers could be costing you big bucks Yes, you can save a lot by cutting out the little pleasures in life. Nonessentials like caffe lattes and premium channels can really add up. But life is too short for mediocre coffee! The good news is that...
Weekly Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary - 8/25/2023 -Darren Leavitt, CFA Financial markets were all over the place last week and ended with mixed results. The S&P 500 gained 0.8% and closed above 4400, a critical psychological level, but fell short of regaining the 50-day moving...
Why Gen X Is Freaking Out About Retirement
Facing an insecure financial future, America's 'neglected middle child' may have to chart a different path to post-work life For years, Mike Cundall Jr. thought he was on the proper path to retirement. A professor of philosophy at North Carolina A&T University,...
Weekly Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary - 8/18/2023 -Darren Leavitt, CFA US equity markets fell for the third consecutive week. The S&P 500 broke its 50-day moving average and then sank below 4400. The sell-off has been on low volume, and the market may have been due to some...
5 Retirement Fears Keeping Us Up at Night
Inflation, stock swings and more erode Americans’ confidence in future financial security When it comes to retirement readiness, many Americans are feeling disillusioned. A spring Gallup poll found that only 43 percent of nonretired adults expect to live out their...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA US Financial markets had another week of consolidation. Equities and US Treasuries sold off in tandem on light volume. An early week debt downgrade of 10 small to midsized banks and a notice that other downgrades may follow by Moody’s dampened...
8 Ways to Recover Faster From a Disaster
A little planning can ease the financial hardship You may not think a disaster can hit you, but a disaster of some sort can occur just about any place, at any time, with little or no warning. Garrett Sorensen knows that. His car was totaled when a powerful tornado hit...
INHERITED IRA AND ROTH IRA RMD RULES: TODAY’S SLOTT REPORT MAILBAG
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Follow Us on X: @theslottreport Question: I’m age 76. My brother died in December 2022 at 84. Do I take required minimum distributions (RMDs) for the inherited account based on my age or on my brother’s age at death? Answer: Since you’re...
ANOMALIES AND EXCEPTIONS
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Follow Us on X: @theslottreport As already-complicated IRA rules spiral further into an abyss of confusion, it comes as no surprise that irregularities exist. Up is down and left is right. Green means stop, red means throw your...
WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR PENALTY-FREE HIGHER EDUCATION EXPENSE WITHDRAWALS?
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Follow Us on X: @theslottreport If you’re facing the unpleasant prospect of paying college bills for the fall semester, you may be thinking of tapping into your retirement savings to help with the costs. If you’re under age 59 ½,...
Weekly Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary - 8/4/2023 -Darren Leavitt, CFA Global equity markets fell last week as investors digested a full dose of Q2 earnings reports, a packed economic calendar, more central bank policy decisions, and Fitch's surprise downgrade of US sovereign debt....
INHERITED IRAS AND RMDS: TODAY’S SLOTT REPORT MAILBAG
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport Question: Greetings, If I have the beneficiaries on my IRA listed as my wife (50%) and two children over 21 (50%), is my wife still able to move her half of the IRA into her existing IRA when I...
10 Biggest Expenses in Retirement
You may think that your big expenses in retirement will be for greens fees at golf clubs, spa charges at that resort in Crete, and taking the kids out for avocado toast on weekends. And that may well be true. But some of your biggest expenses may surprise you —...
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IF YOU NAME MINOR AS YOUR IRA BENEFICIARY
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport Are you thinking of naming a child or grandchild as your IRA beneficiary? With the start of the SECURE Act in January 2020, the rules for inherited IRAs were upended....
ROTH CONVERSION CONFUSION – TAXES WITHHELD WHEN UNDER 59 ½
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport There is no doubt we have written about this topic in past Slott Report entries. Possibly many times. There is also no doubt that people continue to make this same error, over and over...
INHERITED IRAS AND ROTH CONVERSIONS: TODAY’S SLOTT REPORT MAILBAG
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport Question: I inherited an IRA in 2022 upon the passing of my father after he had already started his RMDs. I took a 2023 RMD from it in May 2023. Your website says I’m not...
Q&AS ON RECENT IRS RMD RELIEF
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport On July 17, we reported that the IRS had issued required minimum distribution (RMD) relief in two situations. First, the Service excused 2023 RMDs for certain IRA (and plan) beneficiaries subject to...
Choosing the Safest Investment Path
3 ways to ensure you’ll be able to afford your essential retirement expenses If your safe investments won't produce enough income to cover your "floor" expenses, the answer is to rethink and reduce your expenses. When you're young, you can't be too aggressive when...
BACKDOOR ROTH IRAS AND BENEFICIARY RMDS: TODAY’S SLOTT REPORT MAILBAG
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport Question: Hi, I have a question regarding solo 401(k)s. Does a solo 401(k) contribution affect the pro-rata rule when considering a backdoor Roth IRA? Best, James Answer: Hi James, No. 401(k) assets...
Weekly Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary - 6/30/2023 -Darren Leavitt, CFA Markets ended the month of June in strong form. Better-than-expected economic data for the week showed a resilient economy and inflation moderating. Investors were dismissive of hawkish commentary from ECB...
DEATH OF AN IRA BENEFICIARY – BEFORE CLAIMING THE ACCOUNT
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport When an IRA owner dies, we look to the beneficiary form to determine who should receive the IRA funds. After death, there is a transition process as assets are moved into an inherited...
Taxation of Retirement Income
When you retire, you leave behind many things—the daily grind, commuting, maybe your old home—but one thing you keep is a tax bill. In fact, income taxes can be your single largest expense in retirement. Taxation of Social Security Benefits Many older Americans are...
6 Things to Do If You’re Nearing Retirement
Planning to retire in 10 years or less? Find out what you need to know and do for a smoother transition. If you're thinking of retiring within the next 10 years, you may feel like you're confronting quite a few "what ifs" and unknowns. "Many retirees say transitioning...
INHERITED IRA RMD REQUIREMENTS AND ROTH 401(K) RULES: TODAY’S SLOTT REPORT MAILBAG
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport Question: Hello, I am involved with a traditional non-spouse inherited IRA that was passed from my mother to myself and two siblings in 2022. My mother was 84 when she passed and was taking RMDs. I...
THE TWO TYPES OF 457(B) PLANS
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport Some of you are aware that there are two types of section 457(b) retirement plans – governmental plans for state and local municipal workers, and “top hat” plans for highly-paid and managerial...
75% of retirees fall short of a key retirement income goal. These steps can help
KEY POINTS Today’s workers are tasked with making sure they will have enough money when they retire while also juggling competing financial priorities. While planning for retirement may seem daunting, experts say there are strategic moves you can make to improve your...
IF THE IRS ASK QUESTIONS, CAN YOUR ACTIONS BE JUSTIFIED?
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport A couple of years ago I was asked what the tax consequences are when a Roth IRA is split in divorce. After a pause, I answered honestly: “I have no idea…but will find out.” In fact, there is no...
FIVE QDRO Q&AS
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport Although the U.S. divorce rate is in a steady decline, it’s still one of the highest in the world. And with divorces often come QDROs – “qualified domestic relations orders.” A QDRO is a state court...
Weekly Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary - 6/9/2023 -Darren Leavitt, CFA The S&P 500 entered a new bull market, increasing 20% off the October lows. The move came with broader participation outside the mega-cap technology issues, responsible for most of the market’s performance...
INHERITED IRAS AND REAL ESTATE IN IRAS: TODAY’S SLOTT REPORT MAILBAG
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport Question: I inherited an IRA from my brother back in 2019. I have been taking required distributions from it each year. Can I do a qualified charitable distribution from this...
SPOUSAL ROLLOVERS
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport Probably the biggest advantage that a spouse beneficiary of an IRA has over other beneficiaries is the ability to do a spousal rollover. Only a spouse beneficiary can do a...
What Is the Ideal Retirement Age for Your Health?
Average life expectancy has risen by 16 years since the national retirement age was set at 65. We asked health experts when they think people should stop working now. In 1881, the conservative German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, plagued by a rise in socialist...
Weekly Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary - 6/2/2023 -Darren Leavitt, CFA Investors enjoyed an excellent week of gains in US equity markets. Washington finally got a debt ceiling deal through Congress and onto President Biden’s desk. On the margin, it appears that the Republicans came...
SIMPLE IRA RMDS AND YEAR-OF-DEATH RMDS: TODAY’S SLOTT REPORT MAILBAG
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport Question: If a 76-year-old is working full time and has a SIMPLE IRA and she does not own any of the company that sponsors the SIMPLE IRA, does she still have to take a RMD (required minimum...
INHERITED IRAS AND SIMPLE IRA CREDITOR PROTECTION: TODAY’S SLOTT REPORT MAILBAG
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport Question: In 2021, my wife inherited an IRA from her sister who was 4 years younger. My wife therefore is an EDB (eligible designated beneficiary). Her sister was 66 years old at date of...
A BETTER WAY OF UNDERSTANDING THE ONCE-PER-YEAR ROLLOVER RULE
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport The “once-per-year” rollover rule is one of those IRA rules that has serious tax consequences and cannot be fixed if violated. Breaking the rule results in a taxable distribution and a 10% early...
HSA BENEFITS THAT MAY SURPRISE YOU
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport You have likely heard of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and you may even understand the basics of how an HSA works. These accounts are really not too complicated. If...
INHERITED ROTH IRA RMDS AND MERGING IRAS: TODAY’S SLOTT REPORT MAILBAG
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport Question: Hello, Are you required to take out RMDs (required minimum distributions) on an inherited Roth IRA? The original owner was 82 when he passed away. The funds were left to his nephew, so I...
MANDATORY ROTH CATCH-UP CONTRIBUTIONS REQUIRED FOR 2024
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport One of the more controversial provisions of the new SECURE 2.0 law concerns 401(k) catch-up contributions. Most 401(k) plans – as well as 403(b) and governmental 457(b) plans – permit employees...
Weekly Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary - 5/5/2023 -Darren Leavitt, CFA Investors were treated with an extremely busy start to May. Central bank decisions on monetary policies and more first-quarter earnings were front and center, while there was a full slate of economic data to...
THE 3 IRA BENEFICIARY CATEGORIES – AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport This past week the Ed Slott team hosted another successful conference for our Elite IRA Advisor Group members. Well over 300 advisors from across the country descended on Washington D.C. for...
HOW THE RETIREMENT PLAN COMPENSATION LIMIT WORKS
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport It’s certainly not a bad problem to have. But employees with very high compensation cannot have their retirement plan benefits based on all of their pay. Instead, the tax code allows only compensation...
Weekly Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary - 4/28/2023 -Darren Leavitt, CFA Markets ended the month of April with slight gains for the large-cap indices and small losses for the small-caps. Q1 earnings continued to be in focus as some of the most influential companies posted mixed...
What Is the Ideal Retirement Age for Your Health?
Average life expectancy has risen by 16 years since the national retirement age was set at 65. We asked health experts when they think people should stop working now. In 1881, the conservative German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, plagued by a rise in socialist...
THE 5-YEAR RULE FOR CONVERTED ROTH IRA FUNDS
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education If you recently converted your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA and you under 59 ½, you will want to know about the five-year rule for penalty-free distributions of converted funds from your Roth IRA. Many people are...
As Social Security reform talks heat up, changes to the retirement age, payroll tax may be on the table
KEY POINTS Without action from Congress, Social Security may only be able to pay full benefits for another decade. As lawmakers weigh potential fixes, getting bipartisan agreement won’t be easy. Lawmakers are hashing out plans to shore up Social Security’s ailing...
DO SPOUSES HAVE ANY RIGHTS TO RETIREMENT PLAN ACCOUNTS?
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport One important way that IRAs differ from company retirement plans is with respect to spousal financial rights. Most married IRA owners do not need spousal consent before designating a beneficiary other...
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