Educational Blogs

By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst   Question: Dear Ed Slott and America’s IRA Experts, I have a rollover traditional IRA that was set up when I left my last job. I am no longer employed, so I don’t have any earned income. My husband works full time, and our filing...

By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst   One important provision of the 2022 SECURE 2.0 law is the requirement that most new 401(k) and 403(b) plans must institute automatic enrollment. This rule is effective for plan years beginning after December 31, 2024. A “plan year”...

By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Tax season is upon us! This is the time of year when many people consider making a contribution to an IRA. If you are thinking about doing so, here are 10 things you need to know. You can still make an IRA...

By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: I just inherited an IRA from my sister. She died at age 74 and I am age 78. Am I required to use the 10-year rule, or can I stretch distributions from the inherited account over my life expectancy? I am...

By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst On January 21, Ichiro Suzuki was elected to Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America. It takes 75% of the writer’s support to gain entry, and Ichiro was chosen on 393 out of 394 ballots....

By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst   Here’s one question that keeps coming up: If I retire in the year when I turn 73 (or older) and want to directly roll over my 401(k) funds to an IRA, do I have to first take a required minimum distribution (RMD) from my 401(k)?...

By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: Am I correct that a non-spouse Roth IRA beneficiary does NOT have a yearly required minimum distribution (RMD) over the 10-year period? Ken ANSWER: Ken, You are correct. Non-spouse beneficiaries of Roth IRAs that are...

  By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education   The deadline for most retirement account owners to take their 2025 required minimum distribution (RMD) is December 31, 2025. However, there are good reasons why you should take your RMD now instead of...

By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Just over 10 years ago, in June 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously, 9-0, that inherited IRAs are NOT protected in bankruptcy under federal law. The primary issue before the Court was whether an inherited IRA is a...