Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

-Darren Leavitt, CFA Despite all of the uncertainties within the investment landscape, global markets were able to post nice gains last week.  Fourth-quarter earnings continued to roll in with notable results from Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Roku, Cisco Systems,...
Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

-Darren Leavitt, CFA Uncertainty about global trade continued to be at the top of investors’ minds as Trump announced 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada while levying 10% on Chinese goods. Mexico and Canada’s immediate reaction was to place tariffs on US...
3 Social Security Changes Retirees Need to Know About in 2025

3 Social Security Changes Retirees Need to Know About in 2025

Key Points A modest cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will make benefit checks bigger. Note that higher earners will pay a bit more in Social Security taxes. Retirees still earning income may have some of their benefits temporarily withheld. The $22,924 Social Security...

Why You Should Take Your 2025 RMD Now

  By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education   The deadline for most retirement account owners to take their 2025 required minimum distribution (RMD) is December 31, 2025. However, there are good reasons why you should take your RMD now instead of...

Inherited IRAs – Bankruptcy Protection?

By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Just over 10 years ago, in June 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously, 9-0, that inherited IRAs are NOT protected in bankruptcy under federal law. The primary issue before the Court was whether an inherited IRA is a...
Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

Darren Leavitt, CFA US financial markets were extremely busy last week as a rush to download a Chinese AI platform called Deep Seek from Apple’s App Store seemingly changed the narrative around artificial intelligence in a heartbeat and on multiple fronts.  Capital...

Are HSAs Going Roth?

By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Many of the provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are scheduled to expire at the end of 2025. There are currently a number of proposals in the works in Congress to extend these tax cuts. A serious hurdle is how...
Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

Darren Leavitt, CFA Wow, what a week! US markets were closed on Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States. It was a historic day indeed. The global markets were poised for a barrage of executive...
A Checklist for Retiring in 2025

A Checklist for Retiring in 2025

Our checklist for retiring next year includes everything you need to do before the retirement party. Only you can know if you’re ready for a checklist for retiring in 2025. If you’re 60 or getting there, retirement is no longer a hazy concept in the distance....

Rollovers and Inherited IRAs: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag

By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education   Question: I have a large non-qualified 457 deferred compensation plan and I am required to take distributions. I am looking to minimize taxes. Can I roll over these funds to an IRA? Answer: Unfortunately,...

529-to-Roth IRA: False Alarm

By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst   When the “check engine” light comes on in a vehicle, most people are rightfully concerned that something is wrong. When a fire alarm blares through a building, it is wise to take stock of your surroundings. And when a member...

One Roth IRA Rule Congress Should Do Away with Now

By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Today is Inauguration Day. A new administration has arrived. We also have a new Congress. With the arrival of newly elected officials, many will have hopes of legislative change. When it comes to retirement...
Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

-Darren Leavitt, CFA Financial markets advanced this week as a solid start to the fourth-quarter earnings season, and some better-than-feared inflation data gave investors a reason to buy the most recent dip.  The financial sector gained 6.1% on the week as bank...