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The following link/content may include information and statistical data obtained from and/or prepared by thirdparty sources that Certified Planners Group, LLC, deems reliable but in no way does Certified Planners Group, LLC guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Certified Planners Group, LLC had no involvement in the creation of the content and did not make any revisions to such content. All such third-party information and statistical data contained herein is subject to change without notice and may not reflect the view or opinions of Certified Planners Group, LLC. Nothing herein constitutes investment, legal or tax advice or any recommendation that any security, portfolio of securities, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. Personal investment advice can only be rendered after the engagement of Certified Planners Group, LLC, execution of required documentation, and receipt of required disclosures. All investments involve risk and past performance is no guarantee of future results.
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...
10 Things Retirees Should Stop Spending On Now
Say goodbye to second cars, warehouse stores and other no-longer-necessary expenses Retirement is a time to rethink some things: how we fill our hours and days, what we do for fun and fulfillment. And, maybe, all that stuff we’ve been spending money on for years. You...
10 Simple Financial Tasks You Can Tackle in an Hour
You won't believe how much you can accomplish — and save — in just a few minutes Have 60 minutes to kill? You could spend it watching TV or playing games on your smartphone. Or you could spend it saving money, by ticking some easy but important financial tasks off...
4 Key Decisions for Early Retirement
‘Will your money last?’ isn’t the only question to consider before retiring. I was chatting with a friend the other day about his retirement—possibly an early one. At age 60, he has worked hard, saved aggressively, and invested well. Most important, he’s pretty burned...
How to Plan for Retirement Like a Veteran
Surveys show ex-service members retire with more assets, less debt and greater confidence. Here are six ways to follow their lead. When her son Corbett joined the Marine Corps right out of high school in 2013, Lara Ferguson was surprised to learn that he was required...
6 things to consider when saving for retirement.
Retirement is a time to enjoy your golden years and live life to the fullest. But in order to do that, it's important to start planning early. Retirement savings can be a complex topic, but there are a few key things to keep in mind to get started. 1. Start saving...
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...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA Equity markets regressed during the abbreviated trading week, while US Treasuries found some footing. Trade policies continued to influence markets and foster uncertainty. Little progress was made on country-specific tariffs, while several...
Weekly Market Commentary
-Darren Leavitt, CFA Wow, what a week on Wall Street. Continued uncertainty regarding trade policy induced massive swings in the equity, bond, commodity, and currency markets. A 7% intraday swing in the S&P 500 on Monday was superseded by a 10.8% intraday move...
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The Roth 5-Year Clock and the Pro-Rata Rule: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: I am over age 59½ and have had a Roth IRA account for more than 5 years. Starting in 2025, I designated all of my contributions into my employer’s 401(k) plan as Roth contributions. If I decide to retire before I have met the...
Double Your Pleasure – The 457(b) 2x Catch-Up
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst If you’re in a 457(b) plan and are nearing retirement, you may want to consider an often-overlooked rule that could allow you to defer twice the usual annual elective deferral limit (for 2025, $23,000 x 2 = $47,000) in the three...
Moving Your Roth Account
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The year 2025 has been a turbulent time for the economy. Whether due to job loss or persons seeking better investment opportunities in volatile markets, retirement account funds are on the move more than...
RMD Calculations and Qualified Charitable Distributions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: I am age 85, and my wife is age 75. If I die first and my wife inherits my IRA, are the required minimum distributions (RMDs) that my wife must take after my death calculated using her age or my age?...
Bad Advice Turns Me Into the Hulk
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Before he transformed into the Incredible Hulk, Bruce Banner once said to his antagonist, “Don’t make me angry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.” That’s a little how I feel when I hear stories about lazy financial professionals...
Are My SEP and SIMPLE IRAs Safe from Creditors?
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst You are not alone if you have concerns that your IRA or workplace plan savings could be lost if you are forced to declare bankruptcy or wind up on the losing end of a civil lawsuit. After all, we all count on those savings for a...
IRA Transfers and Qualified Charitable Distributions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: Hello, I have two IRA annuities with different insurance companies. One of my annuities is maturing and I would like to transfer it upon maturity to a different insurance company. Do I need to take my 2025 required...
When You SHOULD Name a Trust as IRA Beneficiary
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Here at the Slott Report we hear many stories about trusts being named as IRA beneficiaries and the problems that follow. Often, there seems to be no purpose for naming the trust and it brings unnecessary...
Fixing a Converted RMD…and the Tax Reporting
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst We know that required minimum distributions (RMDs) cannot be rolled over or converted. Before a person does any Roth IRA conversions, all of their IRA RMDs must be satisfied. (See this prior Slott Report post: “New Rule: All IRA...
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