Blogs
“Third-Party Posts”
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
11 Mistakes Retirees Make at the Supermarket
It’s not just inflation. Your bad habits may explain why you’re paying too much for groceries. Retirees living on fixed incomes have been feeling the pinch of rising...
Retire with confidence: Master your finances and lifestyle
Discover steps to help you prepare for retirement Imagine this: After decades of hard work and dedication, you’re just 12 months away from the retirement of your...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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5 Random Retirement Account Trivia Questions
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Are the current tax brackets, made “permanent” by OBBBA, really here forever? Not necessarily. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act...
QCDs and 529-to-Roth IRA Rollovers: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: I am 70 years old and do not have to start taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) for three years. Can I do a qualified...
Six Unanswered Questions on Trump Accounts
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst A recent Slott Report article discussed “Trump accounts,” the new savings vehicle for children created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act...
Mr. T: “I Pity the Fool Who Misses Their RMD”
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Laurence Tureaud, born May 21, 1952, is better known as Mr. T. He is an actor and a retired professional wrestler....
Required Minimum Distributions and IRA Transfers: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: Can I satisfy my required minimum distribution (RMD) from my 401(k) by taking it from my IRA instead?...
Reporting a Recharacterization
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst While the ability to recharacterize Roth conversions was eliminated years ago, Roth contributions can still be reversed. A Roth IRA...
Roth IRA vs. Roth 401(k): Which Is Better?
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Many of you are familiar with the tax advantages that Roth retirement accounts can bring. Although Roth contributions are made with...
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and SEP IRAs: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: Does the new $6,000 additional deduction for seniors under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) also apply if the...
Trump Accounts – A Hot New Bombshell Enters the Tax-Advantaged Account Villa
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Summer of 2025 brought us the new season of the hit TV show, Love Island. When a new contestant arrives on this...
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...
read more
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,...
read more
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...
read more
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
HSAs and Medicare: Things to consider when you turn 65
Retiring soon and wondering what to do with your health savings account (HSA)? You’re not alone – many people find the rules around HSAs and Medicare to be confusing. Here’s what you need to know about having an HSA after 65, spending your contributions and avoiding...
read more
12 Things Caregivers Need to Know About Medicare
Learn how to navigate the system to get the best coverage for your loved one Medicare can be complicated when you’re making your own health care decisions, but it has an extra layer of complexity when you’re trying to help a sick or aging relative navigate the system....
read more
Preparing for Future Health Care Needs
Many people assume that their family members would automatically be able to make decisions about medical treatments if they were to become incapacitated. But rules vary greatly from state to state. In some cases, decisions are left up to the health care providers and...
read more
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...
HSAs and Medicare: Things to consider when you turn 65
Retiring soon and wondering what to do with your health savings account (HSA)? You’re not alone – many people find the rules around HSAs and Medicare to be confusing. Here’s what you need to know about having an HSA after 65, spending your contributions and avoiding...
12 Things Caregivers Need to Know About Medicare
Learn how to navigate the system to get the best coverage for your loved one Medicare can be complicated when you’re making your own health care decisions, but it has an extra layer of complexity when you’re trying to help a sick or aging relative navigate the system....
Preparing for Future Health Care Needs
Many people assume that their family members would automatically be able to make decisions about medical treatments if they were to become incapacitated. But rules vary greatly from state to state. In some cases, decisions are left up to the health care providers and...