Three IRA Transactions You Must Do by October 15

By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Fall is in full swing and October is almost upon us. That means that an important IRA deadline looms just ahead. Here are three transactions you must get done by October 15, 2026. 1. Make a SEP IRA contribution for...
Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

Markets finished the week mixed as interest rates increased across the yield curve.  Oil prices swung significantly during the week as reports suggested the US and Iran were close to a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.  This weekend, President Trump rejected the...

NUA: Average Cost Basis vs. Specific Identification

By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst For those workplace retirement plan participants fortunate enough to own highly appreciated company stock in their plan – like a 401(k) or ESOP – the net unrealized appreciation (NUA) strategy may be available. NUA allows a person...
Your Medicare Plan Changed. Did You Notice?

Your Medicare Plan Changed. Did You Notice?

You recognize the insurance company. You have the same membership card. Your coverage has worked well so far. But does it still fit the year ahead? It is easy to treat Medicare coverage as a decision you have already finished. Yet a plan that met your needs last year...
Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

It was a volatile week on Wall Street as traders assessed monetary policy decisions from several central banks, including the Federal Reserve.  The Fed did, as expected, raise its policy rate by 25 basis points to 3.75%-4.00%, but Fed Chairman Warsh’s very...
Could Your Retirement Plan Handle a Change of Plans?

Could Your Retirement Plan Handle a Change of Plans?

You may have a clear picture of retirement: more time with family, a few trips you have been putting off, and the freedom to spend your days doing what matters most. But a retirement plan also needs room for the things you cannot schedule. An unexpected home repair. A...

Part 2: Who Should NOT Convert to a Roth IRA?

By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst In our August 31, 2026, Slott Report entry, we offered a list of situations where Roth conversion could make sense. In that article, we also said that a Roth conversion is not for everyone. Conversion is NOT a universally...
Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

US equity markets fell in the holiday-shortened week as oil prices surpassed $100 a barrel, raising inflation concerns and pushing interest rates higher.  Additionally, elevated inflation data announced during the week increased the likelihood that the Federal Reserve...
7 Medicare Enrollment Mistakes to Avoid When Turning 65

7 Medicare Enrollment Mistakes to Avoid When Turning 65

Turning 65 is an exciting milestone—but it also brings important Medicare decisions. With multiple enrollment periods, coverage options, and deadlines to understand, even a small mistake could lead to delayed coverage, unexpected expenses, or lifelong penalties. Here...
The Four Risks That Can Quietly Undermine Your Retirement Plan

The Four Risks That Can Quietly Undermine Your Retirement Plan

Retirement planning is about more than reaching a particular savings goal. Even a substantial portfolio can face pressure from risks that are easy to underestimate—including market volatility, inflation, rising healthcare costs, and the possibility of living longer...

An Update on State Law Tax Treatment of Trump Accounts

By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst A Slott Report article from April 20, 2026, reported that a number of states intended to tax Trump accounts less favorably than they are taxed under the federal tax code, and others were undecided about state tax treatment. Since then,...
Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

Markets finished the week mixed as investors assessed the escalation of tensions between the US and Iran and recalibrated expectations of Federal Reserve monetary policy.  The week started with sharp declines after the US hit targets on an island in the Strait of...