“Third-Party Posts”
The views reflected by the author in this article are subject to change at any time without notice. Insure With Arama deems reliable any statistical data or information obtained from or prepared by third party sources included in this article, but in no way guarantees its accuracy or completeness.
Your Retirement Plan May Look Complete—But Is It Truly Connected?
Most people do not build their retirement strategy all at once. They accumulate different financial products and accounts throughout their lives. A 401(k) may come from a former employer. An IRA may be held somewhere else. Life insurance might have been purchased...
The Human Advantage: Why Financial Advice Matters More in the Age of AI
Artificial intelligence is changing nearly every industry, and financial services are no exception. Today, consumers have access to sophisticated calculators, retirement projections, investment research, budgeting applications, and AI-powered tools that can provide...
Fixed Indexed Annuities: A Retirement Strategy Designed for Growth Potential Without Direct Market Risk
As retirement approaches, one question becomes increasingly important: How do you continue growing your retirement savings while protecting what you've worked so hard to build? For many Americans, market volatility has made that decision more challenging than ever....
Life Insurance in 2026: It’s More Than a Death Benefit
When many people hear the words "life insurance," they immediately think about protecting loved ones after they're gone. While that remains one of its most important purposes, today's life insurance solutions can offer much more. In 2026, life insurance has evolved...
How a Fixed Indexed Annuity Can Work for You in 2026
As Americans continue preparing for retirement in an uncertain economic environment, many are looking for ways to protect their savings while still having the opportunity for growth. With inflation, market volatility, and changing interest rate expectations continuing...
The Biggest Retirement Risk Isn’t the Market—It’s Having No Plan
When people think about retirement, they often focus on one thing: the stock market. They worry about the next downturn, the next recession, or the next headline predicting financial uncertainty. While market volatility is certainly something to consider, it may not...
Why Financial Confidence Starts With a Plan, Not a Product
Retirement isn't built on luck—it’s built on preparation. While investment performance, insurance coverage, and market conditions all play important roles, one factor often has the greatest impact on long-term success: having a comprehensive financial plan. Whether...
Why a Retirement Income Plan Matters More Than Your Investment Returns
Many people spend decades focused on growing their retirement savings. They watch the markets, contribute to retirement accounts, and celebrate when their balances increase. But when retirement finally arrives, one question becomes far more important than, "How much...
The Retirement Tax Trap: Why Keeping More of Your Money Matters More Than Chasing Higher Returns
When people think about retirement, they often focus on growing their investments. They search for higher returns, the next great investment opportunity, or ways to outperform the market. While investment performance is important, many retirees discover that one of...
The views reflected by the author in this article are subject to change at any time without notice. Insure With Arama deems reliable any statistical data or information obtained from or prepared by third party sources included in this article, but in no way guarantees its accuracy or completeness.
Weekly Market Commentary
US equity markets took a step back last week in what turned out to be a very busy week. Increased yields on the long end of the curve prompted Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to double buybacks of 10- to 30-year US Treasuries in an effort to temper the rise in...
Weekly Market Commentary
The S&P 500 forged a new all-time high as investors recalibrated interest-rate-hike expectations after an in-line print of the Consumer Price Index and a cooler-than-expected print of the Producer Price Index. The probability of a rate hike in September fell to...
Weekly Market Commentary
Giddy up! US equity markets ripped higher in the first week of August as 2nd quarter earnings continued to impress. According to FactSet, 88% of the S&P 500 have reported earnings, of which 86% have beaten Earnings Per Share estimates, while Earnings Per Share...
Weekly Market Commentary
It was an extremely busy week on Wall Street, with investors having to assess increased geopolitical tensions in the Middle East alongside a deluge of corporate 2nd-quarter earnings results, several central bank monetary policy decisions, and a full economic...
Weekly Market Commentary
US equity indices declined for a second consecutive week despite a strong start to second-quarter earnings. With just over 25% of the S&P 500 reporting, top- and bottom-line growth rates have been better than anticipated. Results this week from Google, Intel, and...
Weekly Market Commentary
Markets took a step back last week despite a better-than-expected start to second-quarter earnings and benign inflation data. Semiconductor names continued to come under pressure, especially the memory names, as the sector entered into bear territory, off 20% in just...
US markets finished the week mixed in volatile trade. The rotation from technology into other parts of the market reversed this week, as leadership from mega-cap tech names and semiconductors powered the market higher. News that China would allow the purchase of...
Weekly Market Commentary
The holiday-shortened week saw the end to the best 2nd quarter in six years as the S&P 500 added over $8 trillion in market value. The Semiconductor sector recorded its best quarter ever with a gain of 87.75% as AI demand for chips continued. That said the...
Weekly Market Commentary
Markets finished the week mixed, with a noticeable rotation out of mega-cap technology issues to healthcare, real estate, and consumer staples. Concerns about the return on investment from a massive capital-expenditure binge on artificial intelligence resurfaced. ...
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Inherited Roth IRAs and Contributions: today’s Slott Report Mailbag
Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: I inherited a Roth IRA from a sister who was one year younger than me. If I choose to stretch distributions over my life expectancy, which chart do I use, and whose age do I use for the first required minimum distribution...
Roth Distribution Rules: IRAs vs. Plans
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst The foundational premise of a Roth IRA and a Roth 401(k) is the same – after-tax dollars go into the Roth account (either via contribution or conversion), and eligible earnings are tax-free. Pretty easy. But when it comes to...
IRS Issues Guidance on Trump Account Employer Contributions
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Recent IRS guidance confirms that any employer that wishes to make employer contributions to Trump accounts must comply with several administrative requirements. Especially for small employers, these requirements are likely to be...
The Five-Year Holding Period for Roth IRA Conversions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst QUESTION: Does each conversion from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA require a five-year holding period? I have made several conversions and know that taxes are due when conversions are done. But how long must each conversion remain in the...
The Look-Through Rules for Trusts
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The SECURE Act, the SECURE 2.0 Act, and subsequent regulations have brought us a complex set of rules for IRA beneficiaries, including trusts. Only individuals who are named on the IRA beneficiary form (or named...
The Roth Conversion Transaction Custodians Dislike
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Anyone with a traditional IRA can do a Roth conversion. As long as the funds are eligible to be rolled over, they can be converted. With a Roth conversion, traditional IRA funds are moved into a Roth IRA. This movement of funds is...
Does the Secure Act’s 10-Year Rule Apply to Inherited Roth IRAs?: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education QUESTION: Does the SECURE Act’s 10-year rule apply to inherited Roth IRAs? ANSWER: Yes, the SECURE Act’s 10-year rule also applies to inherited Roth IRAs for non-eligible designated beneficiaries (NEDBs). That...
Creditor Protection for Your Retirement Accounts
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst How well are your retirement plan account funds protected from creditors? The answer depends on which kind of creditors you are worried about. There are two types of creditors that might be coming after your retirement savings. The first...
How Your Spouse Can Impact Your Traditional IRA Deduction
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education If you have compensation (or “earned income”), you can always contribute to a traditional IRA, but your traditional IRA contribution may not always be deductible. (Roth IRA contributions are never deductible.) One...
The views reflected by the author in this article are subject to change at any time without notice. Insure With Arama deems reliable any statistical data or information obtained from or prepared by third party sources included in this article, but in no way guarantees its accuracy or completeness.
Medicare Isn’t “Set It and Forget It”: 7 Life Changes That Should Trigger a Coverage Review
Choosing Medicare coverage is an important decision—but it is not necessarily a one-time decision. The coverage that worked well when you first enrolled may not continue to fit as your health, prescriptions, finances or lifestyle change. Unfortunately, many people...
read more
Medicare Isn’t “Set It and Forget It”: 7 Life Changes That Should Trigger a Coverage Review
Choosing Medicare coverage is an important decision—but it is not necessarily a one-time decision. The coverage that worked well when you first enrolled may not continue to fit as your health, prescriptions, finances or lifestyle change. Unfortunately, many people...
read more
Medicare Preventive Benefits: Are You Taking Advantage of What Medicare Covers?
When most people think about Medicare, they think about coverage for doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and medical treatment. But Medicare also provides access to a wide range of preventive services designed to help beneficiaries stay healthier and...
read more
Medicare Preventive Care: The Benefits You’ve Already Paid For—Are You Using Them?
When most people think about Medicare, they focus on health insurance coverage for doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescription medications. What often gets overlooked is one of Medicare's most valuable features: preventive care. Original Medicare covers a wide...
read more
Don’t Miss These Medicare Benefits: Preventive Services That Can Help You Stay Healthier in 2026
Growing older doesn't mean slowing down—it means being proactive about your health. One of the most valuable, yet often overlooked, advantages of Medicare is the wide range of preventive services designed to help detect health concerns early, prevent illness, and...
read more
Why Every Medicare Beneficiary Should Take Advantage of Their Annual Wellness Visit
When most people hear the words "annual checkup," they assume they're talking about a physical exam. Under Medicare, however, there's an important difference between an Annual Wellness Visit and a routine physical—and understanding that difference can help you stay...
read more
7 Medicare Mistakes That Could Cost You Thousands in Retirement
As retirement approaches, Medicare becomes one of the most important financial decisions you'll make. While the program provides valuable healthcare coverage, choosing the wrong plan—or missing important enrollment deadlines—can result in unnecessary expenses,...
read more
Medicare Myths That Could Cost You Money in Retirement
For many Americans, Medicare is one of the most valuable benefits they'll ever receive. Yet every year, countless individuals make important healthcare decisions based on misinformation or outdated advice. The truth is, understanding how Medicare works doesn't have to...
read more
Medicare in 2026: Why an Annual Medicare Review Could Save You Money and Protect Your Coverage
As healthcare costs, prescription drug plans, and Medicare options continue to evolve, reviewing your Medicare coverage each year has never been more important. Many people assume that once they enroll in Medicare, they're set for life. Unfortunately, that's one of...
read more
Medicare Isn’t “Set It and Forget It”: 7 Life Changes That Should Trigger a Coverage Review
Choosing Medicare coverage is an important decision—but it is not necessarily a one-time decision. The coverage that worked well when you first enrolled may not continue to fit as your health, prescriptions, finances or lifestyle change. Unfortunately, many people...
Medicare Isn’t “Set It and Forget It”: 7 Life Changes That Should Trigger a Coverage Review
Choosing Medicare coverage is an important decision—but it is not necessarily a one-time decision. The coverage that worked well when you first enrolled may not continue to fit as your health, prescriptions, finances or lifestyle change. Unfortunately, many people...
Medicare Preventive Benefits: Are You Taking Advantage of What Medicare Covers?
When most people think about Medicare, they think about coverage for doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and medical treatment. But Medicare also provides access to a wide range of preventive services designed to help beneficiaries stay healthier and...
Medicare Preventive Care: The Benefits You’ve Already Paid For—Are You Using Them?
When most people think about Medicare, they focus on health insurance coverage for doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescription medications. What often gets overlooked is one of Medicare's most valuable features: preventive care. Original Medicare covers a wide...
Don’t Miss These Medicare Benefits: Preventive Services That Can Help You Stay Healthier in 2026
Growing older doesn't mean slowing down—it means being proactive about your health. One of the most valuable, yet often overlooked, advantages of Medicare is the wide range of preventive services designed to help detect health concerns early, prevent illness, and...
Why Every Medicare Beneficiary Should Take Advantage of Their Annual Wellness Visit
When most people hear the words "annual checkup," they assume they're talking about a physical exam. Under Medicare, however, there's an important difference between an Annual Wellness Visit and a routine physical—and understanding that difference can help you stay...
7 Medicare Mistakes That Could Cost You Thousands in Retirement
As retirement approaches, Medicare becomes one of the most important financial decisions you'll make. While the program provides valuable healthcare coverage, choosing the wrong plan—or missing important enrollment deadlines—can result in unnecessary expenses,...
Medicare Myths That Could Cost You Money in Retirement
For many Americans, Medicare is one of the most valuable benefits they'll ever receive. Yet every year, countless individuals make important healthcare decisions based on misinformation or outdated advice. The truth is, understanding how Medicare works doesn't have to...
Medicare in 2026: Why an Annual Medicare Review Could Save You Money and Protect Your Coverage
As healthcare costs, prescription drug plans, and Medicare options continue to evolve, reviewing your Medicare coverage each year has never been more important. Many people assume that once they enroll in Medicare, they're set for life. Unfortunately, that's one of...