Leah Woodford 00:00 Hi, and welcome to Retire Smart Austin. I’m Leah Woodford, and with me today is Phil Capriotti Sr. of Empower Wealth and Tax. And today we’re actually going to
Short, watchable answers to the retirement questions we hear most. New videos every week on taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and building income that lasts.
Your ultimate resource for expert insights, strategic advice, and the latest updates in the world of Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs).
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: I am age 74 and inherited both a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA from my older sister who recently died. Can I do
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
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: Can I roll over my pre-tax 401(k) funds to a traditional IRA and my Roth 401(k) funds to a Roth IRA? I am concerned about
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Hurricane season is upon us. Wildfires are raging in the West, and many states are dealing with flooding from summer storms. Natural disasters are
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: Can I convert my traditional IRA to a Roth IRA even though I have no earned income for this year? Answer: While having
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst One of the most important features of Trump accounts is that they must be invested a certain way during the period before January 1 of the
Your go-to source for timely and insightful analysis of the financial markets. Our weekly updates are designed to keep you informed and equipped to make sound investment decisions for your retirement portfolio.
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
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
Markets ended the week mixed as investors assessed the implications of the US economic isolation of Iran, the fallout of increased tariffs on Canada, Nvidia Q2 earnings results, and the Fed Chairman’s
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
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
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
Your essential guide to staying informed and making smart decisions for your financial future. Our newsletter is crafted to deliver the latest financial insights, strategic advice, and important updates.
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
Saving for retirement is one of the most important financial commitments you can make. But building a sizable retirement account is only part of the equation. The amount you are ultimately able
Why Long-Term Care Deserves a Place in Your Financial Strategy Most people spend years preparing for retirement. They estimate how much income they may need, decide when to claim Social Security, review
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
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
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
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
As your 65th birthday approaches, you will have several important Medicare decisions to make. One of the biggest is choosing how you want to receive your Medicare benefits. Should you select Original
When you become eligible for Medicare, you may hear several similar-sounding terms: the “Welcome to Medicare” visit, the Annual Wellness Visit, and a routine physical exam. Although these appointments can all play
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,
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
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
