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The views reflected by the author in this article are subject to change at any time without notice. Financial Investment Services deems reliable any statistical data or information obtained from or prepared by third-party sources included in this article, but in no way guarantees its accuracy or completeness.
A Well-Rounded Financial Plan Starts With the Whole Picture
When people think about “financial planning,” they often picture investing—choosing funds, watching the market, or trying to pick the right time to buy. But a truly well-rounded financial plan is bigger than a portfolio. A strong plan examines your total financial...
Retirement in 2026: 7 Smart Moves to Turn Savings Into a Paycheck (and Sleep Better Doing It)
Retirement planning in 2026 isn’t just about “saving more.” It’s about building a reliable income plan, keeping taxes predictable, and making sure your money is positioned to handle inflation, market swings, and healthcare costs—all while staying aligned with your...
Coming Soon: The Thrift Savings Plan Will Start Offering In-Plan Roth Conversions
Kick off 2026 with clear retirement planning goals. Learn the 6 most important steps to protect your income, reduce taxes, and stay on track. 2026 Retirement Planning Goals: A Simple Roadmap to Start the Year Right A new year is the perfect time to reset...
Why Annuities Can Be a Great Fit Heading Into 2026
As we move into 2026, many investors are asking the same question: How do I protect what I’ve built—without giving up the ability to grow? That’s exactly where annuities can play a meaningful role. Annuities aren’t for everyone, and they’re not “one-size-fits-all,”...
Heading into 2026: A Smart Retirement Checkup (Without the Overwhelm)
As we turn the page into 2026, it’s the perfect time to run a simple “retirement checkup.” Not a stressful deep dive. Just a clear look at a few areas that tend to make the biggest difference—because small adjustments now can help protect your lifestyle later. Whether...
Fixed Indexed Annuities in 2026: A Smarter Way to Balance Growth and Protection in Your Retirement Portfolio
As we move into 2026, many retirees and pre-retirees are asking the same question: “How do I keep my retirement plan growing without exposing everything to the next market swing?” After several years of elevated volatility and changing interest-rate conditions, more...
Retirement Planning in 2026: Why Annuities Deserve a Serious Look
Retirement planning in 2026 looks different than it did even a few years ago. Many retirees and pre-retirees are facing a familiar challenge in a new way: they want growth, but they also want stability. They want income they can count on, but they don’t want to feel...
Safe Money Options Heading Into 2026
A Financial Advisor’s Guide to Protecting What You’ve Worked So Hard to Build When markets are choppy and headlines are loud, many people start asking the same question: “Where can I put my money so it feels safer, but still has a chance to grow?” As we move into...
Retirement Income Planning Going Into 2026: Turning Your Savings Into a Lifetime Paycheck
For most people, retirement isn’t about a specific age or account balance—it’s about confidence.Confidence that the bills will be paid, that you can handle surprises, and that you won’t run out of money before you run out of life. As we approach 2026, retirement...
The views reflected by the author in this article are subject to change at any time without notice. Financial Investment Services deems reliable any statistical data or information obtained from or prepared by third-party sources included in this article, but in no way guarantees its accuracy or completeness.
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...
2026: Here We Go Again!
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst It’s a new year, and the slate is wiped clean. Here we go again! While we are only one week into 2026, there are some important IRA and work plan transactions to be aware of: First RMDs. For anyone turning age 73 in 2026, this year...
Coming Soon: The Thrift Savings Plan Will Start Offering In-Plan Roth Conversions
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Since 2010, participants in certain private sector 401(k) plans have been able to boost their Roth retirement savings by doing an “in-plan Roth conversion” of non-Roth plan funds to a Roth account within the same plan. This plan feature...
Weekly Market Commentary
US markets ended the New Year holiday-shortened week with losses. Mega-cap Technology issues sold off on low volume, as did Financial and Consumer Discretionary sectors. That said, the S&P 500 posted its third straight year of double-digit gains as investors...
Weekly Market Commentary
The Christmas-shortened week produced gains across all major US indices, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones hitting record highs. Mega-cap Tech assumed its leadership role with the semiconductor sector having relative strength. Nvidia announced a $20 billion deal...
Weekly Market Commentary
US markets finished the week mixed, with a late-week rally in technology mitigating early-week losses. Micron Technology’s third-quarter results were excellent and helped propel technology stocks after the announcement. Western Digital, Seagate, and Sandisk, other...
Weekly Market Commentary
The Federal Reserve, as expected, cut its monetary policy rate by twenty-five basis points to 3.50%-3.75% and tempered expectations for further cuts in 2026. The decision was not unanimous, as a divided Fed considered elevated inflation against a weakening labor...
Weekly Market Commentary
Apprehensive investors pushed markets higher this week, with the small-cap Russell 2000 hitting a new all-time high, while the S&P 500 closed just 50 points below its October all-time high. Economic data, some of which is quite dated, offered a mixed picture of...
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Eligible Designated Beneficiaries and Roth IRA Contributions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: Hello! I have been a big fan for a long time. I have a question regarding a Roth IRA I inherited from my younger brother last year. I have heard that I must empty this account by the end of 2035. I...
Spousal IRA Contributions
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education IRA and Roth IRA contributions are only permitted when you have taxable “compensation” or earned income. Typically, whether or not a person has compensation is a relatively straightforward determination. For...
Inherited Roth IRAs and Successor Beneficiaries
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst In our December 8, 2025 Slott Report entry (“Yes, RMDs Apply to Inherited Roth IRAs, But…”), we wrote about the application of required minimum distributions (RMDs) to inherited Roth IRAs. As expected, that article received...
SIMPLE Plan Contributions and Qualified Charitable Distributions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: Hello, I am searching for confirmation that Roth SIMPLE IRA contributions are not limited by modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) in the same way that Roth IRA contributions are. This is not addressed in any of the...
Making Sense of the Roth 401(k)-to-Roth IRA Rollover Rules
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst One of the most common retirement account transactions – rolling over Roth 401(k) funds to Roth IRAs – is also one of the most complicated tax-wise. That’s because the rollover involves two five-year holding periods, one for...
How Your RMD Statement Can Help You
Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The rules for required minimum distributions (RMDs) can be complicated and, under the law, the responsibility to get it right rests with the IRA owner. If you are required to take an RMD from your IRA for 2026,...
Taxes on Required Minimum Distributions and Qualified Charitable Distributions from Trusts: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: Does a non-spouse eligible designated beneficiary (EDB) have to pay taxes on required minimum distributions (RMDs) either at the end of ten years or with annual RMDs? Answer: Any EDB (other than a minor child) can stretch...
2026: Here We Go Again!
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst It’s a new year, and the slate is wiped clean. Here we go again! While we are only one week into 2026, there are some important IRA and work plan transactions to be aware of: First RMDs. For anyone turning age 73 in 2026, this year...
Coming Soon: The Thrift Savings Plan Will Start Offering In-Plan Roth Conversions
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Since 2010, participants in certain private sector 401(k) plans have been able to boost their Roth retirement savings by doing an “in-plan Roth conversion” of non-Roth plan funds to a Roth account within the same plan. This plan feature...
The views reflected by the author in this article are subject to change at any time without notice. Financial Investment Services deems reliable any statistical data or information obtained from or prepared by third-party sources included in this article, but in no way guarantees its accuracy or completeness.
Medicare in 2026: What’s New, What Costs More, and What to Review Now
Medicare costs changed in 2026—Part B premiums and deductibles are higher, Part A hospital costs increased, and Part D now has a firm annual out-of-pocket cap. Here’s what beneficiaries should review and why it matters. The 30-second takeaway 2026 brought higher Parts...
read more
Medicare Part D in 2026 — What It Covers, What It Costs, and How to Choose the Right Plan
Medicare can feel pretty straightforward… until prescriptions enter the picture. That’s where Medicare Part D comes in. If you take medications now (or even think you might later), understanding Part D can help you avoid surprises and keep your costs more predictable....
read more
Medicare Checkup: 7 Smart Moves to Start the Year Confident
Medicare is not “set it and forget it.” Plans, provider networks, drug formularies, and costs can change each year—sometimes in ways that surprise people after they’ve already scheduled appointments or refilled prescriptions. A quick annual Medicare checkup can help...
read more
Medicare & You: Your 2026 Checklist for Smarter Coverage and Lower Costs
As we head into 2026, Medicare remains one of the most important (and misunderstood) parts of retirement. The good news: you don’t have to “figure it out” alone. A few smart, proactive moves can help you avoid common mistakes, reduce out-of-pocket surprises, and feel...
read more
Medicare in 2026: What’s New, What’s Changing, and What Your Clients Should Do Now
2026 is shaping up to be one of the most “noticeably different” Medicare years in a while—not because the rules are unrecognizable, but because the cost and prescription-drug pieces are moving in ways that many beneficiaries will actually feel in their monthly budget....
read more
Medicare in 2026: What to Know, What to Review, and What to Do Next
If you’re on Medicare (or turning 65 soon), 2026 is a great year to get organized. Medicare isn’t “one-and-done.” Plans, costs, provider networks, and prescription coverage can change from year to year — and even small changes can affect your monthly budget and your...
read more
Medicare Advantage Heading Into 2026: What You Need to Know Before You Enroll
If you’re approaching 65, already on Medicare, or helping a loved one evaluate coverage, you’ve probably noticed something: Medicare Advantage plans are everywhere. And there’s a reason for that. More than half of all people on Medicare now choose a Medicare Advantage...
read more
Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap) for 2025–2026
What to Know About Filling the Gaps in Original Medicare If you’re approaching Medicare or already enrolled, you’ve probably noticed something surprising:Original Medicare (Parts A & B) doesn’t cover everything. That’s where Medicare Supplement Insurance (also...
read more
Medicare Supplement Plans in 2026: What’s Changing, What’s Not, and What It Means for You
If you’re on Medicare — or getting close — you’ve probably heard people talk about “Medicare Supplement” or “Medigap” plans. You’ve also probably heard…👉 “Plan letters”👉 “Original Medicare only covers 80%”👉 “Rates keep going up every year.” It’s a lot. So let’s walk...
read more
Medicare in 2026: What’s New, What Costs More, and What to Review Now
Medicare costs changed in 2026—Part B premiums and deductibles are higher, Part A hospital costs increased, and Part D now has a firm annual out-of-pocket cap. Here’s what beneficiaries should review and why it matters. The 30-second takeaway 2026 brought higher Parts...
Medicare Part D in 2026 — What It Covers, What It Costs, and How to Choose the Right Plan
Medicare can feel pretty straightforward… until prescriptions enter the picture. That’s where Medicare Part D comes in. If you take medications now (or even think you might later), understanding Part D can help you avoid surprises and keep your costs more predictable....
Medicare Checkup: 7 Smart Moves to Start the Year Confident
Medicare is not “set it and forget it.” Plans, provider networks, drug formularies, and costs can change each year—sometimes in ways that surprise people after they’ve already scheduled appointments or refilled prescriptions. A quick annual Medicare checkup can help...
Medicare & You: Your 2026 Checklist for Smarter Coverage and Lower Costs
As we head into 2026, Medicare remains one of the most important (and misunderstood) parts of retirement. The good news: you don’t have to “figure it out” alone. A few smart, proactive moves can help you avoid common mistakes, reduce out-of-pocket surprises, and feel...
Medicare in 2026: What’s New, What’s Changing, and What Your Clients Should Do Now
2026 is shaping up to be one of the most “noticeably different” Medicare years in a while—not because the rules are unrecognizable, but because the cost and prescription-drug pieces are moving in ways that many beneficiaries will actually feel in their monthly budget....
Medicare in 2026: What to Know, What to Review, and What to Do Next
If you’re on Medicare (or turning 65 soon), 2026 is a great year to get organized. Medicare isn’t “one-and-done.” Plans, costs, provider networks, and prescription coverage can change from year to year — and even small changes can affect your monthly budget and your...
Medicare Advantage Heading Into 2026: What You Need to Know Before You Enroll
If you’re approaching 65, already on Medicare, or helping a loved one evaluate coverage, you’ve probably noticed something: Medicare Advantage plans are everywhere. And there’s a reason for that. More than half of all people on Medicare now choose a Medicare Advantage...
Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap) for 2025–2026
What to Know About Filling the Gaps in Original Medicare If you’re approaching Medicare or already enrolled, you’ve probably noticed something surprising:Original Medicare (Parts A & B) doesn’t cover everything. That’s where Medicare Supplement Insurance (also...
Medicare Supplement Plans in 2026: What’s Changing, What’s Not, and What It Means for You
If you’re on Medicare — or getting close — you’ve probably heard people talk about “Medicare Supplement” or “Medigap” plans. You’ve also probably heard…👉 “Plan letters”👉 “Original Medicare only covers 80%”👉 “Rates keep going up every year.” It’s a lot. So let’s walk...