Blogs

The views reflected  by the author in this article are subject to change at any time without notice.  Foundations deems reliable any statistical data or information obtained from or prepared by third party sources included in this article, but in no way guarantees its accuracy or completeness.

10 Things Retirees Should Stop Spending On Now

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...

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10 Simple Financial Tasks You Can Tackle in an Hour

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...

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4 Key Decisions for Early Retirement

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...

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How to Plan for Retirement Like a Veteran

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...

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6 things to consider when saving for retirement.

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...

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5 Dos and Don’ts When Lending Money to Loved Ones

5 Dos and Don’ts When Lending Money to Loved Ones

Helping friends or family shouldn’t mean hurting your finances Let’s face it: Money is tight for many people. And if you have loved ones in your life who are struggling financially, you may feel inclined to help them. If you do, proceed with caution. ​​According to a...

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11 Mistakes Retirees Make at the Supermarket

11 Mistakes Retirees Make at the Supermarket

It’s not just inflation. Your bad habits may explain why you’re paying too much for groceries. Retirees living on fixed incomes have been feeling the pinch of rising grocery costs. Grocery prices in February rose 2.6 percent year-over-year, according to the U.S....

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Weekly Market Commentary

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. ...

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Weekly Market Commentary

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...

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Weekly Market Commentary

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...

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Weekly Market Commentary

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...

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Weekly Market Commentary

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...

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Weekly Market Commentary

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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Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

-Darren Leavitt, CFA Global financial markets tumbled last week as investors moved out of risk assets, fearing that a worldwide trade war would ensue after Trump's tariffs were higher than anticipated.  Thursday and Friday’s market action resulted in a $5.4 trillion...

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Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

-Darren Leavitt, CFA It's been a difficult month for investors, and sentiment indicators tell that story.  Wall Street appeared poised to build on the prior week's gains, but regressed again as mixed signals on tariffs and a loss of sentiment gave reason to sell. ...

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Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

-Darren Leavitt, CFA The S&P 500 avoided a fifth straight week of losses as investors continued to assess the impact of Trump’s policies.  A late rally on Friday afternoon, fueled on heavy volume from quarterly options' expiration, helped propel the S&P 500...

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Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group (Ed Slott Group) is a membership organization owned by Ed Slott and Company, LLC. Logos and/or trademarks are property of their respective owners and no endorsement of (Paul Roberts) or (Roberts Wealth Management) is stated or implied. Ed Slott Group and Ed Slott and Company, LLC are not affiliated with Roberts Wealth Management.

For the detailed requirements of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group, please visit: https://www.irahelp.com/EliteGroup

 

Misconceptions About the Still-Working Exception

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 financial advisors with extensive client lists can overlook...

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Taking Tax-Free Distributions from Your HSA

By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) may be one of the biggest tax breaks currently available. If you have a qualifying high-deductible health plan, you may make a deductible contribution to an HSA. There are no income...

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How the Compensation Limit Affects Retirement Plan Benefits

By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst   Many retirement plans base employer contributions on employee compensation. For many years, Congress has limited the compensation that can be taken into account for those contributions. Fortunately, this dollar limit only applies...

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New Reporting for 2025 QCDs

By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The IRS has introduced a new code for the reporting of qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) by IRA custodians on Form 1099-R. How QCDs Work QCDs first became available in 2006, and they were made permanent in...

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Check Both Boxes for Tax-Free Roth IRA Earnings

By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Roth IRAs follow strict distribution ordering rules. Contributions come out first, then converted dollars, and then earnings. It does not matter how many Roth IRAs a person has, or if the accounts are held at multiple custodians....

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The views reflected  by the author in this article are subject to change at any time without notice.  Foundations deems reliable any statistical data or information obtained from or prepared by third party sources included in this article, but in no way guarantees its accuracy or completeness.

 

Advice Retirees Wish They Knew Sooner

Advice Retirees Wish They Knew Sooner

Retirement can be one of the most fulfilling times in life, but getting there comes with its own set of challenges and learning experiences. While reflecting, there may be some tips and advice people wish they had taken sooner or not at all. In our Medicare Q&A...

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Is the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit Mandatory?

Is the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit Mandatory?

Key Points While the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is not mandatory, it is a 100% covered preventive service. The Annual Wellness Visit differs from the typical annual physicals you were used to with group coverage. If you’ve had Medicare Part B for more than 12...

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Could Partial Retirement Be Right For You?

Could Partial Retirement Be Right For You?

Key Points Partial retirement is when you retire from your full-time position, but might work part-time to produce a reduced income. You may consider partial retirement if you enjoy working and want to continue or if you need to work for the extra money. Your Medicare...

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What is My Medicare Initial Enrollment Period?

What is My Medicare Initial Enrollment Period?

Key Points Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is a seven-month window surrounding your 65th birthday, allowing you to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B. Your Medicare start date depends on when you enroll; if you sign up in the three months before your birthday,...

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Can I See Any Provider With My Medicare Plan?

Can I See Any Provider With My Medicare Plan?

Key Points Original Medicare allows beneficiaries to see any provider nationwide who accepts Medicare. If you have a Medigap plan, you can still see any provider that accepts Original Medicare, while Medicare Advantage plans may have network restrictions that can...

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How to Avoid Medicare Scams While Applying for Medicare

How to Avoid Medicare Scams While Applying for Medicare

Key Points Unfortunately, seniors can be a prime target for scammers, and many will try to trick seniors into falling for their Medicare scams. Scammers use several different tactics to try and scam Medicare beneficiaries and make attempts by phone or email. Scammers...

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HSAs and Medicare: Things to consider when you turn 65

HSAs and Medicare: Things to consider when you turn 65

Retiring soon and wondering what to do with your health savings account (HSA)? You’re not alone – many people find the rules around HSAs and Medicare to be confusing. Here’s what you need to know about having an HSA after 65, spending your contributions and avoiding...

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12 Things Caregivers Need to Know About Medicare

12 Things Caregivers Need to Know About Medicare

Learn how to navigate the system to get the best coverage for your loved one Medicare can be complicated when you’re making your own health care decisions, but it has an extra layer of complexity when you’re trying to help a sick or aging relative navigate the system....

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