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      12-24-2024
      Retirees' Credit Card Debt Levels Are Climbing
      Key Takeaways An Employee Benefit Research Institute survey found that more than two-thirds of retirees...
      12-17-2024
      3 Big Retirement Rule Changes Are Coming in 2025—How They Could Affect Your Savings
      Key Takeaways Some provisions related to the Secure 2.0, a federal retirement law, will go into effect...
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So Many IRA Beneficiary Variables!

  By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst   When an IRA owner dies, what is the payout schedule for the beneficiary? The key to distinguishing the correct program (i.e., 10-year rule, stretch RMDs, 5-year rule, etc.) is to identify all the important variables. But there are so many! Nevertheless, each detail must be considered. […]

Nothing SIMPLE About It: 3 Different Catch-Up Limits for 2025

  Here’s something you can only find in the Internal Revenue Code: Starting in 2025, there will be not one, not two, but three different catch-up limits for older SIMPLE IRA participants. Like IRAs and workplace plans like 401(k)s, SIMPLE IRAs allow annual elective deferrals up to a dollar limit and “catch-up” contributions for those […]

Tax-Free HSA Distributions

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) continue to become more popular. If you have a qualifying high deductible health plan, you may make deductible contributions to an HSA. Then, you can take tax-free distributions to pay for qualified medical expenses. Here is what you need to know about taking tax-free HSA distributions. What Are Qualified Medical Expenses? […]

Roth IRA Conversion Considerations

  Roth IRA conversions remain as popular as ever. However, based on some recent questions we’ve received, it is apparent that folks don’t fully understand all the nuances of this transaction. Here are some of the basic concepts and items of consideration: There are no income limits on Roth IRA conversions. Yes, there are income […]

Annual RMDs For Certain Beneficiaries Kick in Soon

The get-out-of-jail card that has allowed many IRA and plan beneficiaries to forego annual required minimum distributions (RMDs) is about to expire. Here’s some background: In its 2022 proposed regulations, the IRS took the position that a retirement account beneficiary subject to the 10-year payout rule who inherits from an IRA owner after the owner […]

INHERITED ROTH IRAs AND TRUST BENEFICIARY PAYOUTS: TODAY’S SLOTT REPORT MAILBAG

  Question: For a non-spousal inherited roth IRA account, there seems to be contradictory advice on different websites about when to take distributions. Some say there are annual required minimum distributions (RMDs) within the 10 years; others say you can wait until the 10th year for a lump sum. If you can wait and don’t […]

401(k) Contribution Limits Increase for 2025

  There is some good news for retirement savers! The IRS has released the cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement accounts for 2025, and many of the dollar limit restrictions on retirement accounts will increase next year. In addition, new rules from the SECURE 2.0 Act also will bring more savings opportunities. 401(k) Plans For savers […]

New Rule: All IRA RMDs Must Be Satisfied Prior to Doing a Roth Conversion

Yes, you read that title correctly. This rule was confirmed in the 2024 final SECURE Act regulations, released this past July. If a person has multiple IRAs, even if they are held at different custodians, the total aggregated IRA required minimum distribution (RMD) must be withdrawn before any Roth IRA conversion (or 60-day rollover) can […]

Trusts as the Beneficiary and Inherited IRAs: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag

  QUESTION: Hello, I’m working with a retired client who has a sizable IRA. He set up a trust and named it as the beneficiary of the IRA, assuming that the trust would reduce or eliminate the income tax liability. Is this the case? Also, does a trust circumvent the 10-year rule? Thanks! ANSWER: Naming […]