Participation in Multiple Retirement Plans

  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,...
Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

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....

The “Still-Working Exception” and December 31 Retirement

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...

2025 Year-End Retirement Account Deadlines

  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...
Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

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...
Why Annuities May Be a Safer Bet in 2025

Why Annuities May Be a Safer Bet in 2025

Many people decide to claim their Social Security benefit when they retire. You may be one of them. It could be that you need the money, or maybe you want to invest it in the hope that it grows. While these can be good options depending on your needs and preferences,...

Do QCDs Actually Reduce AGI?

  By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst It has come to our attention that confusion exists as to how qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) impact one’s taxes. It is said that QCDs can reduce adjusted gross income (AGI). But is this true? Yes, it is true…but...
Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

The S&P 500 posted a gain for the fourth consecutive month as investors continued to embrace the prospects of a September rate cut, a robust economic outlook, and strong corporate earnings.  The much-anticipated second-quarter results from NVidia were met with...
Interest in Annuities Is Soaring: Understanding the 2025 Trend

Interest in Annuities Is Soaring: Understanding the 2025 Trend

Learn how the market, economy, and demographics are shaping the annuity industry. The annuity industry is having a moment. After years of mixed opinions and confusion around how they work, annuities surged in popularity in recent years, with total U.S. sales reaching...

Tapping an ESA for Back-to-School Expenses

By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education It’s August and that means it is back-to-school time! The 2025-2026 school year is upon us. Kids are already back in the classroom and ready to learn. Any parent will tell you that back-to-school time is an...
Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

US equity markets ended the week with a powerful move to the upside after Fed Chairman J. Powell indicated that the balance of risk had shifted to the labor market, leaving the door open for a September rate cut.  The final day of trading wiped out losses incurred in...
Annuity Awareness Month 2025: Your Guide to Income Security

Annuity Awareness Month 2025: Your Guide to Income Security

Each June, Annuity Awareness Month shines a spotlight on one of retirement’s most misunderstood—but potentially powerful—financial tools: the annuity. In 2025, as market uncertainty, inflation concerns, and rising interest rates continue to weigh on retirement...

The Craziest Stuff I’ve Heard

By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst The Ed Slott team has answered literally tens of thousands of IRA and retirement plan questions over the past few years. That is not hyperbole—we track it all. The questions we’re asked run the gamut from basic to extremely...

In ERISA Retirement Plans, Spouse Beneficiaries Rule

  By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst At Ed Slott and Company, we continually stress how important the beneficiary designation form is. Because it’s that form – and not the retirement account owner’s will or other estate planning documents – that usually dictates who...
Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

Global financial markets had another positive week as the Dow Jones Industrial Average finally joined the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ with a new all-time high.  Benign consumer inflation increased the probability of a September rate cut to 99% and fostered the idea of...