Educational Blogs

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?...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: Recently, I’ve received dozens of emails suggesting that traditional IRA owners can convert to a Roth IRA and somehow avoid all or some tax. Is this a scam? Thank you in advance. Bill Answer: Hi Bill, There is no way for...

By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education   Question: Hello, I have a question concerning inherited Roth IRAs. I know that in the past you have said that no annual required minimum distributions (RMDs) are required for these accounts. Does this...

By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Regardless of the topic, we could all use an occasional refresher. Retirement account rules are incredibly complicated, and we all have our blind spots. Even seasoned Insurance Specialist with extensive client lists can overlook...