by Kenny | Sep 29, 2025
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education October is almost here. This means fall is in full swing. Along with pumpkin spice lattes, football season, and sweater weather come four important October 15 deadlines you will not want to miss! Avoid the Excess...
by Kenny | Sep 28, 2025
The S&P 500 hit a 28th record high for the year before settling lower for the week. Investors endured a choppy week of trading as better-than-expected economic data and better-than-feared inflation data tempered the notion of additional rate cuts. Several Fed...
by Kenny | Sep 26, 2025
As we step into 2025, understanding your Medicare needs is more important than ever. With healthcare costs rising and plan options evolving, staying informed ensures you have the right coverage to protect both your health and your financial well-being. Whether you’re...
by Kenny | Sep 26, 2025
When planning for retirement, one of the greatest challenges is balancing growth potential with protection of principal. Many investors seek opportunities that allow for upside potential without exposing their hard-earned savings to the full risk of market volatility....
by Kenny | Sep 25, 2025
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: My father passed away in November 2021. I became disabled in April 2022. Am I now an eligible designated beneficiary (EDB) that can use the stretch rule for distributions? I receive disability payments, so the SSA knows...
by Kenny | Sep 24, 2025
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Traditional and Roth IRA owners often get confused about the distributions they take from their IRAs. Mix-ups and misunderstandings are pervasive. With Roth IRAs, there a number of different factors to consider when withdrawing...
by Kenny | Sep 22, 2025
Learn how premiums, out-of-pocket costs and income-related surcharges are changing for 2026 Medicare coverage What are the changes to Medicare benefits for 2026? Medicare changes for 2026 include increases for Medicare Part B and Part A premiums and cost-sharing,...
by Kenny | Sep 22, 2025
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst In final regulations issued on September 15, 2025, the IRS confirmed that company retirement plans must comply with the SECURE 2.0 Act’s mandatory Roth catch-up rule as of January 1, 2026. That rule requires high-paid employees who wish...
by Kenny | Sep 21, 2025
The major US equity market indices forged another set of all-time highs as investors went all in on risk assets after the Federal Reserve announced a twenty-five basis point cut to its policy rate and telegraphed the potential for three more cuts by January 2026. The...
by Kenny | Sep 18, 2025
How much can you spend without running out of money? The 4% rule is a popular rule of thumb, but you can do better. Here are guidelines for finding your personalized spending rate. You’ve worked hard to save for retirement, and now you’re ready to turn...
by Kenny | Sep 18, 2025
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: Hi, If my birthday is in December 2026, when I turn 73 years old, can I take my required minimum distribution (RMD) on January 2, 2026, even though I’m not yet 73 years old then? Thank you, Harvey Answer: Yes. Your first RMD is...
by Kenny | Sep 17, 2025
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst If you are thinking about doing a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) for 2025, time is running out. The deadline is December 31, 2025. Many people miss out on this valuable tax break. Here are 5 things you need to know about...
by Kenny | Sep 15, 2025
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Can a person who works at two different, unrelated companies participate in the retirement plan offered by each of those businesses? Yes. Can this same person receive the maximum annual contributions into BOTH plans? Yes,...
by Kenny | Sep 14, 2025
US equity indices posted another set of all-time highs as investors increased expectations for three, twenty-five basis point rate cuts by year’s end. Inflation data reported for the week essentially gave the Fed the green light for a September rate cut....
by Kenny | Sep 12, 2025
Big changes are coming to Social Security in the year ahead, impacting everything from the size of your benefit check to your full retirement age. Here’s what you need to know. In January 2026, several changes to Social Security will take effect, impacting...
by Kenny | Sep 12, 2025
What Is a Fixed Index Annuity? A fixed index annuity is a financial product whose terms are defined by a contract between you and an insurance company. It features characteristics of both fixed annuities and variable annuities. Fixed index annuities are also referred...
by Kenny | Sep 11, 2025
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst As the end of the year approaches, you may have plans to retire on December 31. However, if you are using the “still-working exception” to defer required minimum distributions (RMDs) from your 401(k) (or other company plan), you may want...
by Kenny | Sep 8, 2025
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The end of the year always brings a flurry of retirement account deadlines and planning opportunities. This year is no different. And, new for 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) brings new...
by Kenny | Sep 7, 2025
Investors sent the S&P 500 to another all-time high in a holiday-shortened week of trading. President Trump started the week by asking the Supreme Court to expedite a hearing to challenge the International Trade Court and the Federal Court of Appeals rulings that...
by Kenny | Sep 6, 2025
The U.S. is experiencing an outbreak of measles and is on track to have the most whooping cough cases since 1948. These vaccines Medicare covers for free can keep you safe. Did you know that Medicare fully covers many vaccines for its beneficiaries? Well, they do....