Blogs
“Third-Party Posts”
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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,...
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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IRA Beneficiaries and Contribution Limits: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: Is it wise to designate a grandchild as primary beneficiary for IRA accounts? Answer: You can...
Rolling Over Your Retirement Plan? Here Are 5 Things to Know About Your RMD
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education These days many Americans are still working long beyond what has traditionally been retirement age. This may be by...
Fatal Error: Mistakes That Cannot Be Fixed – Part 1
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst When a transactional mistake is made with retirement plan or IRA assets, there is oftentimes a mechanism to correct the error. For...
Trump Accounts and Required Minimum Distributions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: What’s your opinion of the value of Trump Accounts? Worth it for kids? Should the child do a Roth conversion at...
New Trump Account Developments
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst With contributions to Trump Accounts expected to begin in just a few months, there are some new developments to report. As a...
5 Tips for Making Your 2025 Roth IRA Contribution
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The tax season is upon us. This is the time when many people consider contributing to a retirement account....
Conversions of Property and Conversions of Inherited IRA Funds: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: I really appreciate your emails and find them very helpful. Please continue the great work. I read your advice in the...
Real Life Scenario: Minor as EDB Beneficiary
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst A member of Ed Slott’s Elite Advisor Group℠ emailed us recently with a question about a minor child as beneficiary of her...
How In-Plan Roth Conversions Work
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst In the January 5 edition of the Slott Report, we mentioned that the federal Thrift Savings Plan (for government workers and the...
Medicare and Retirement: What You Need to Know Before You Leave Your Employer Plan
For many Americans, retirement brings freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to enjoy the next chapter of life. But before leaving an employer health plan behind,...
Medicare Made Clear: What Every New Beneficiary Needs to Know in 2026
Turning 65 is a milestone.But when it comes to Medicare, it can also feel overwhelming. Between Parts A, B, C, D… Medigap… enrollment periods… penalties… provider...
Medicare Annual Checklist: 7 Smart Things to Review Every Year
Even if you feel confident in your Medicare coverage, it’s smart to review your plan at least once a year. Costs change. Networks change. Prescription formularies...
Medicare Advantage (Part C): What It Is, Who It’s For, and What to Watch For
Medicare can feel straightforward at first—Part A helps cover hospital care, Part B helps cover doctor and outpatient services—but then you hear about Medicare...
Medicare vs. Medicaid: What’s the Difference (and Can You Have Both)?
If you’re new to Medicare or helping a loved one, it’s easy to mix up Medicare and Medicaid—they sound similar, but they’re very different programs. The good news: once...
Medicare Supplements in 2026: What’s Changed, What Hasn’t, and How to Choose Confidently
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans can help control out-of-pocket costs in 2026. Here’s what’s new this year, how plans compare, and how to pick the right fit. If...
Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D): What It Covers, What It Costs, and How to Choose the Right Plan
If you take even one regular medication, Medicare prescription drug coverage can make a meaningful difference in your monthly budget. But Part D can also feel confusing...
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...
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...