by Kenny | May 22, 2024
Here’s how to get your financial house in order Forget cleaning out the closet, scrubbing the floors and washing the windows. The start of spring is an even better time to get your finances in order. “One thing on many people’s minds is cleaning. But what if you put... by Kenny | May 20, 2024
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Follow Us on X: @theslottreport In a famous “Seinfeld” episode, George Costanza, unemployed, living with his parents and without a girlfriend, decides to do the opposite of what he would normally do. It pays off for him big time as he... by Kenny | May 19, 2024
Weekly Market Commentary – 5/17/2024 -Darren Leavitt, CFA The major US equity indices inked a fourth consecutive week of gains as US Treasury yields fell on an in-line CPI print that showed a deceleration of inflation for the first time in three months. Still,... by Kenny | May 17, 2024
KEY POINTS As wage growth outpaces inflation, Americans have reason to be more optimistic about long-term goals like retirement. But many still fear that uncertainties like a higher cost of living or U.S. government changes to the retirement system may throw them off... by Kenny | May 16, 2024
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Follow Us on X: @theslottreport Question: I need guidance on a new client with the following information: Is age 55; Has a $700,000 ESOP in a company that he separated from over 10 years ago; and Wants... by Kenny | May 15, 2024
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Follow Us on X: @theslottreport What do you get when community property mixes with your IRA? Well, you will discover that the results can be confusing. Here are some facts every IRA owner should know. Community... by Kenny | May 13, 2024
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Follow Us on X: @theslottreport Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group℠ gathered in Indianapolis last week for another successful conference. Over 350 member advisors from across the country spent two intense days of training,... by Kenny | May 12, 2024
Weekly Market Commentary – 5/10/2024 -Darren Leavitt, CFA The S&P 500 notched a third consecutive week of gains as the index broke and held above its 50-day moving average. Investors were treated to another dose of first-quarter corporate earnings. Disney,... by Kenny | May 10, 2024
Here’s how to get your financial house in order Forget cleaning out the closet, scrubbing the floors and washing the windows. The start of spring is an even better time to get your finances in order. “One thing on many people’s minds is cleaning. But what if you... by Kenny | May 9, 2024
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Follow Us on X: @theslottreport Question: Can a QCD (qualified charitable distribution) be made from a 401(k) plan? Thanks! Answer: No, QCDs can only be made from IRAs and inactive SEP or SIMPLE IRAs. One possible workaround would... by Kenny | May 8, 2024
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Follow Us on X: @theslottreport It’s been over four years since the SECURE Act upended the rules for beneficiary IRA required minimum distributions (RMDs), and there’s still plenty of confusion about the new rules. The IRS did give... by Kenny | May 6, 2024
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Follow Us on X: @theslottreport If you are at retirement age, you might be at a high risk for excess contributions due to rollover mistakes. This is because of the rule that says that the required minimum... by Kenny | May 5, 2024
-Darren Leavitt, CFA It was an extremely busy week on Wall Street. First-quarter earnings results were highlighted by Apple and Amazon. Investors encouraged by their results sent higher shares on the back of increased dividends, increased share buyback programs, and... by Kenny | May 3, 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,... by Kenny | May 2, 2024
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Follow Us on X: @theslottreport QUESTION: My client is terminating employment and rolling over the funds from his 401(k). He was told that the funds must be rolled over to a “rollover IRA” and kept separate from any other... by Kenny | May 1, 2024
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Follow Us on X: @theslottreport SCENARIO: In one calendar year, Jessie completes the following transactions: 1. Takes a partial distribution from her 401(k) and does a 60-day rollover to an IRA. 2. Does a 60-day rollover... by Kenny | Apr 29, 2024
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Follow Us on X: @theslottreport Here’s a question we get asked often: Say you retire in the year you turn age 73 (or in a later year) and you want to roll over your 401(k) funds to an IRA. Do you have to take a required minimum... by Kenny | Apr 28, 2024
Weekly Market Commentary – 4/26/2024 -Darren Leavitt, CFA US equity markets bounced back last week, with nearly 40% of the S&P 500 companies reporting first-quarter results. The rally was propelled by Microsoft and Google, whose better-than-expected earnings... by Kenny | Apr 25, 2024
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Follow Us on X: @theslottreport Question: My brother died in 2020 and made me the beneficiary of an IRA he inherited from my sister who died in 2017. Can I continue to stretch the payments from this... by Kenny | Apr 25, 2024
Don’t panic — but do pay the tax tab Bills are a fact of life, though some require more urgent attention than others. Ignore your brother-in-law because you still owe him $50 from last year’s poker game, and you’ll get the cold shoulder. Ignore your debt to Uncle Sam,...