by Kenny | Jul 15, 2026
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst The June 15, 2026 Slott Report outlined the barriers preventing 401(k) and other plan participants from accessing their plan funds while working. The June 24, 2026 article discussed in-plan withdrawals as one way around those barriers....
by Kenny | Jul 15, 2026
When people think about retirement, they often focus on one thing: the stock market. They worry about the next downturn, the next recession, or the next headline predicting financial uncertainty. While market volatility is certainly something to consider, it may not... by Kenny | Jul 13, 2026
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The SECURE Act of 2019 changed many rules for inherited IRAs. However, it left intact the rules for non-living (non-person) beneficiaries, such as an estate. For these non-designated beneficiaries (NDBs), the same...
by Kenny | Jul 12, 2026
US markets finished the week mixed in volatile trade. The rotation from technology into other parts of the market reversed this week, as leadership from mega-cap tech names and semiconductors powered the market higher. News that China would allow the purchase of... by Kenny | Jul 9, 2026
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: I just wanted to verify that a 403(b) plan is not subject to the pro-rata rule when doing a Roth IRA conversion. Can you please let me know if this is correct? Thanks! Lynn ANSWER: Lynn, You are correct. When doing a Roth...
by Kenny | Jul 9, 2026
Retirement isn’t built on luck—it’s built on preparation. While investment performance, insurance coverage, and market conditions all play important roles, one factor often has the greatest impact on long-term success: having a comprehensive financial plan.... by Kenny | Jul 8, 2026
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst From its onset, I have been a fan of the concept of Trump accounts. Created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), this new savings vehicle for children is now up and running as of July 4, 2026. At their core, Trump accounts... by Kenny | Jul 6, 2026
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst On July 1, 2026, the Treasury Department announced the investment options for initial Trump account contributions. In the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Congress imposed strict investment restrictions on Trump account contributions...
by Kenny | Jul 5, 2026
The holiday-shortened week saw the end to the best 2nd quarter in six years as the S&P 500 added over $8 trillion in market value. The Semiconductor sector recorded its best quarter ever with a gain of 87.75% as AI demand for chips continued. That said the... by Kenny | Jul 2, 2026
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: If someone has a SIMPLE IRA and is interested in doing a backdoor Roth IRA conversion, does the SIMPLE IRA count under the pro-rata rule? Answer: The pro-rata rule that determines the taxation of a backdoor Roth IRA conversion...
by Kenny | Jul 1, 2026
Many people spend decades focused on growing their retirement savings. They watch the markets, contribute to retirement accounts, and celebrate when their balances increase. But when retirement finally arrives, one question becomes far more important than, “How... by Kenny | Jul 1, 2026
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education In just a few days, on July 4, Trump accounts will be available. As we come down to the wire, the IRS has stepped in to provide a safe harbor to address concerns about potential gift tax issues with contributions.... by Kenny | Jun 29, 2026
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst When it comes to the rules governing specific workplace retirement plans like a 401(k), there are the foundational rules dictated by law, and there are “in-house rules” put into place by the plan itself. Plans can choose to be far...
by Kenny | Jun 28, 2026
Markets finished the week mixed, with a noticeable rotation out of mega-cap technology issues to healthcare, real estate, and consumer staples. Concerns about the return on investment from a massive capital-expenditure binge on artificial intelligence resurfaced. ...
by Kenny | Jun 26, 2026
When people think about retirement, they often focus on growing their investments. They search for higher returns, the next great investment opportunity, or ways to outperform the market. While investment performance is important, many retirees discover that one of... by Kenny | Jun 25, 2026
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: Can required minimum distributions (RMDs) from 403(b) plans be aggregated and taken from one account? Answer: Yes, it is allowed to aggregate RMDs from multiple 403(b) plans and take the total from one of... by Kenny | Jun 25, 2026
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: Can required minimum distributions (RMDs) from 403(b) plans be aggregated and taken from one account? Answer: Yes, it is allowed to aggregate RMDs from multiple 403(b) plans and take the total from one of... by Kenny | Jun 24, 2026
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst The June 15, 2026 Slott Report described the strict barriers employees face when attempting to access their 401(k) and other plan funds while still working. One exception to those barriers is for hardship withdrawals. Plans are not... by Kenny | Jun 22, 2026
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education On July 4, contributions to Trump accounts, a new savings vehicle for children, will become available. In these final days before their launch, we have been getting questions from parents about exactly what they...
by Kenny | Jun 21, 2026
Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there. The holiday-shortened week brought gains to US equities and saw the Japanese and South Korean markets forge new all-time highs. The signing of a memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran extended the...
