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The views reflected by the author in this article are subject to change at any time without notice. Financial Protector 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.
7 steps to prepare for your upcoming retirement
Planning to retire within the next 10 years? Taking these actions now could help bolster your portfolio as you approach your planned retirement date. After decades of working and saving, you can finally see retirement on the horizon. But now isn't the time to coast....
Getting Ready for Retirement Checklist
If the word “retire” is becoming your new mantra, we suggest you make a retirement checklist before you receive your last paycheck. It’s never too early (or too late) to start planning your retirement. So why not start now, using the handy checklist below. 10 Steps...
The Most Important Ages of Retirement
Retirement is a series of milestones that arrive as you age. Here are the ones you should know about. The retirement clock doesn't start the day you stop working. It's better to think of this period of your life as a range of important dates and milestones spread...
Social Security Benefits Changes in 2025: What You Need to Know for Smarter Retirement and Tax Planning
Social Security is one of the most essential yet misunderstood pieces of the American retirement puzzle. With all the recent headlines, ranging from benefit increases and new payment rules to potential tax reforms under the Trump administration, many retirees and...
Planning to retire in 2025? Do these 7 things now
A wonderful retirement is the goal of many people, and you want it to come off without any major snags. But retirement plans always face challenges, whether it’s the volatility of the markets, the affordability of healthcare or the risks posed by inflation. Plus,...
3 Retirement Mistakes That Can Still Be Fixed in 2025
Retirement planning is rarely perfect. Life throws curveballs—health issues, market downturns, career changes—and even the most diligent savers can stumble along the way. If you’ve made financial missteps or feel unprepared as you approach retirement, you’re not...
8 Ways to Keep From Going Broke in Retirement
Budgeting, saving and investing tips to help make your money last as long as you do No matter how diligently you’ve been saving for retirement, it’s hard not to worry about outliving your money. But you can take several steps to contain your expenses, manage your nest...
A Loved One Died and Left You an Inheritance. Now What?
Take these steps when you receive a windfall Perhaps you are among the growing number of Americans fortunate enough to receive an inheritance. As older generations pass away and leave money to their families, a great wealth transfer is underway. Those bequests could...
Retirement age change 2025: What it means for your Social Security benefits
A quiet but important shift is happening in 2025: the full retirement age for Social Security is increasing again. If you were born in 1959, the change affects you directly—and if you were born in 1960 or later, you’re next. Here’s what this change means for your...
The views reflected by the author in this article are subject to change at any time without notice. Financial Protector 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
The holiday-shortened week produced another week of gains for US equity indices. The S&P 500 was up 10.6 % in the 2nd quarter, while the NASDAQ composite rose 17.8%. Trump’s reconciliation bill was passed by the Senate and subsequently approved by the House,...
Weekly Market Commentary
The S&P 500 and the NASDAQ joined the NASDAQ 100 in forging new all-time highs in an extremely busy week for Wall Street. A de-escalation of the Iran-Israel-US conflict happened on the twelfth day after Israel's initial strikes. The US bombed three key nuclear...
Weekly Market Commentary
Despite there being plenty for investors to consider, the holiday-shortened week ended pretty much where it started. Israel and Iran continued to exchange missile attacks, while global leaders tried to find a resolution to the conflict. President Trump opened the door...
Weekly Market Commentary
US markets advanced in an erratic week of trading. The S&P 500 ended the week above the 6000 level and is up nearly 24% from the April 7th lows. Investors continue monitoring global trade policy, hoping more trade deals will be signed soon. Trump acknowledged...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA The holiday-shortened week was busy. Trade uncertainties continued to be on investors' minds, with several trade stories hitting the tape throughout the week. News on Tuesday that President Trump had extended the timeline for negotiations with...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA It was a busy week on Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial Index and the S&P 500 went positive for the year, catalyzed by the announcement that China and the US would significantly lower tariffs for 90 days as trade negotiations continue. ...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA US financial markets were little changed last week as investors continued to weigh the implications of the Trump administration's trade policies. A trade agreement between the US and the UK set a constructive tone and is likely to provide a...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA Global markets rallied for a second week as the S&P 500 clinched nine consecutive days of gains- something not seen in two decades. News that trade negotiations between the US and seventeen countries would occur over the next few weeks...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA Global financial markets rallied on several reports that suggested significant progress was being made on trade negotiations. Vice President Vance met with Indian Prime Minister Modi on his visit to India. The two leaders announced they were in...
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Why the Once-Per-Year Rollover Rule Is Often Misapplied
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst The IRS rollover rules are fraught with complexity. (That’s why we always recommend direct transfers instead of 60-day rollovers.) The rule with the most serious consequences is the “once-per-year” rule. Running afoul of that rule...
IRA Trick or Treat
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The Halloween holiday is approaching. This is the time of year when tiny ghosts and goblins will ring doorbells and ask, “Trick or Treat?” In the spirit of the season, we at the Slott Report present our very own...
Weekly Market Commentary
US markets rebounded from losses in the prior week as trade tensions between the US and China appeared to ease. President Trump is scheduled to meet with President Xi in the next couple of weeks, and Treasury Secretary Bessent met with Chinese trade officials over...
QCDs and RMDs Before Roth Conversions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: I read your blog titled “5 Things You Need to Know About Qualified Charitable Distributions.” I was surprised that you didn’t include a 6th item to let people know that they cannot make a contribution to an IRA for the year of...
Good Reasons to Name a Trust as IRA Beneficiary
When a trust is named as beneficiary of an IRA, several possible negative issues may be introduced. For example, after the death of the IRA owner, things can become more complex for the beneficiaries. Trust beneficiaries cannot simply set up their own inherited IRAs....
State Tax Treatment of 529-to-Roth IRA Rollovers
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst By now, most of you probably know about the SECURE 2.0 Act provision permitting 529 funds to be rolled over to Roth IRAs. Because of this new law, parents and grandparents can fund 529 plans without worrying as much about having to pay...
Roth Conversions and Qualified Charitable Distributions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: Hello Ed Slott Team! I have been doing backdoor Roth IRA conversions for years now. I recently inherited a large traditional IRA from my aunt. Will the inherited IRA affect my ability to do tax-free...
5 Steps for Tax-Free Roth IRA Distributions
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The benefit of funding a Roth IRA is the availability of tax-free distributions in the future. You pay taxes now on your contribution (or conversion) in exchange for tax-free earnings down the road. The rules can...
401(k) RMD Rollover Problems…and a Last-Minute Save!
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst 401(k) custodians are usually pretty good about distributing required minimum distributions (RMDs) from the plans they oversee. This is especially important when a participant is rolling over his plan balance to an IRA. Why must...
The views reflected by the author in this article are subject to change at any time without notice. Financial Protector 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.
Can You Apply for Medicare Without Social Security?
Key Points You do not need to be receiving Social Security benefits to apply for Medicare. You can receive Social Security benefits as early as 62 and Medicare benefits at 65. If you are already receiving Social Security benefits before your 65th birthday, you’ll be...
read more
Is the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit Mandatory?
Key Points While the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is not mandatory, it is a 100% covered preventive service. The Annual Wellness Visit differs from the typical annual physicals you were used to with group coverage. If you’ve had Medicare Part B for more than 12...
read more
Why You Need Part D
Key Points Medicare Part D is a voluntary program, but if you do not enroll in a plan, you won’t have coverage for expensive medications. You will also have a late enrollment penalty if you don’t have other creditable coverage. Medicare Part D is a huge time...
read more
Medigaps
Original Medicare Part B covers 80% of the cost of most services. But what about the other 20%? Or the other out-of-pocket costs like deductibles or inpatient copays? Let’s discuss Medigaps, which can help cover these costs. What are Medigaps? Medigaps are health...
read more
Medicare’s 2025 Surprise: Higher Costs, New Caps, and Vanishing Perks
Big changes are coming to Medicare and Social Security in 2025, and if you’re on Medicare—or soon will be—you need to know how these updates could impact your costs and coverage. Financial Sense’s Jim Puplava recently spoke with Medicare expert Brian McArthur to get...
read more
Here’s How Much Medicare Will Cost in 2025
Medicare pays for a bulk of older Americans’ health care costs, but not all. And each year Medicare adjusts key costs that are paid by enrollees. I want to walk through Medicare out-of-pocket costs for 2025. I sure hope those of you who are not yet 65 pay close...
read more
What If My Medicare Doctor “Opts Out”?
Finding a doctor you like and trust can be a long process, so I understand that it can be frustrating when your doctor no longer accepts Medicare. If your doctor has “opted out” of Medicare, this means that he or she no longer accepts Medicare assignment...
read more
How Medicare Advantage Plans Cover Seniors’ Vision, Hearing, and Dental Needs
Does Medicare Cover Dental and Vision Care? Understanding Your Options Maintaining our vision, hearing, and dental health is important to living a healthy and independent life as we age. However, Original Medicare does not cover many of these essential services,...
read more
How do Social Security and Medicare work together?
They are separate programs, but the Social Security Administration handles enrollment and collects premiums for many on Medicare Social Security and Medicare are distinct programs serving older and disabled Americans, but they have an important commonality: Social...
read more
Can You Apply for Medicare Without Social Security?
Key Points You do not need to be receiving Social Security benefits to apply for Medicare. You can receive Social Security benefits as early as 62 and Medicare benefits at 65. If you are already receiving Social Security benefits before your 65th birthday, you’ll be...
Is the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit Mandatory?
Key Points While the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is not mandatory, it is a 100% covered preventive service. The Annual Wellness Visit differs from the typical annual physicals you were used to with group coverage. If you’ve had Medicare Part B for more than 12...
Why You Need Part D
Key Points Medicare Part D is a voluntary program, but if you do not enroll in a plan, you won’t have coverage for expensive medications. You will also have a late enrollment penalty if you don’t have other creditable coverage. Medicare Part D is a huge time...
Medigaps
Original Medicare Part B covers 80% of the cost of most services. But what about the other 20%? Or the other out-of-pocket costs like deductibles or inpatient copays? Let’s discuss Medigaps, which can help cover these costs. What are Medigaps? Medigaps are health...
Medicare’s 2025 Surprise: Higher Costs, New Caps, and Vanishing Perks
Big changes are coming to Medicare and Social Security in 2025, and if you’re on Medicare—or soon will be—you need to know how these updates could impact your costs and coverage. Financial Sense’s Jim Puplava recently spoke with Medicare expert Brian McArthur to get...
Here’s How Much Medicare Will Cost in 2025
Medicare pays for a bulk of older Americans’ health care costs, but not all. And each year Medicare adjusts key costs that are paid by enrollees. I want to walk through Medicare out-of-pocket costs for 2025. I sure hope those of you who are not yet 65 pay close...
What If My Medicare Doctor “Opts Out”?
Finding a doctor you like and trust can be a long process, so I understand that it can be frustrating when your doctor no longer accepts Medicare. If your doctor has “opted out” of Medicare, this means that he or she no longer accepts Medicare assignment...
How Medicare Advantage Plans Cover Seniors’ Vision, Hearing, and Dental Needs
Does Medicare Cover Dental and Vision Care? Understanding Your Options Maintaining our vision, hearing, and dental health is important to living a healthy and independent life as we age. However, Original Medicare does not cover many of these essential services,...
How do Social Security and Medicare work together?
They are separate programs, but the Social Security Administration handles enrollment and collects premiums for many on Medicare Social Security and Medicare are distinct programs serving older and disabled Americans, but they have an important commonality: Social...