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.

Retire with confidence: Master your finances and lifestyle

Retire with confidence: Master your finances and lifestyle

Discover steps to help you prepare for retirement Imagine this: After decades of hard work and dedication, you’re just 12 months away from the retirement of your dreams. Exciting, right? But hold on, this final stretch is crucial. Let’s make sure you’re fully prepared...

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7 Strategies for More Income in Retirement

7 Strategies for More Income in Retirement

“Old age is always fifteen years older than I am.” —Bernard Baruch, American financier, investor, statesman and philanthropist One of the biggest fears people have is running out of money in retirement. And for many Americans, this is a very real risk, not an...

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How an annuity can help as you plan for retirement

How an annuity can help as you plan for retirement

As you approach retirement, you may be wondering what are the next steps for your investments. An annuity may be an effective tool for you in retirement planning by providing a steady and reliable income stream. With 2024 being the year with the greatest number of...

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9 Ways Retirement Will Be Different in 2025

9 Ways Retirement Will Be Different in 2025

How changes in Social Security, Medicare, 401(k) contributions and more will affect your finances Retirement is not static. Even when the kids are gone and the career is done, your lifestyle and expectations are constantly evolving. So are your finances. Areas key to...

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3 Social Security Changes Retirees Need to Know About in 2025

3 Social Security Changes Retirees Need to Know About in 2025

Key Points A modest cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will make benefit checks bigger. Note that higher earners will pay a bit more in Social Security taxes. Retirees still earning income may have some of their benefits temporarily withheld. The $22,924 Social Security...

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A Checklist for Retiring in 2025

A Checklist for Retiring in 2025

Our checklist for retiring next year includes everything you need to do before the retirement party. Only you can know if you're ready for a checklist for retiring in 2025. If you’re 60 or getting there, retirement is no longer a hazy concept in the distance. It’s a...

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Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

-Darren Leavitt, CFA Investors endured the fourth consecutive week of losses in US equity markets as concerns around tariffs and their impact on the economy continued to weigh on sentiment. Several investment banks decreased their assessment of US equities and...

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Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

-Darren Leavitt, CFA Economic growth concerns weighed on US financial markets as manic trade policy fostered uncertainty and volatility.  It was a hectic week as investors tried to make sense of Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China.  The announcement that...

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Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

-Darren Leavitt, CFA Growth concerns entered the market narrative as investors continued to look at policy uncertainties on tariffs and the strains on geopolitical relations.  The Trump administration confirmed that 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico would be effective...

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Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

-Darren Leavitt, CFA The holiday-shortened week saw the S&P 500 hit all-time highs, but late in the week, the move abruptly succumbed to consolidation pressure. Investors are worried about valuations, trade tensions, inflation, and declining consumer sentiment. A...

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Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

-Darren Leavitt, CFA Despite all of the uncertainties within the investment landscape, global markets were able to post nice gains last week.  Fourth-quarter earnings continued to roll in with notable results from Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Roku, Cisco Systems, Draft...

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Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

-Darren Leavitt, CFA Uncertainty about global trade continued to be at the top of investors' minds as Trump announced 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada while levying 10% on Chinese goods. Mexico and Canada's immediate reaction was to place tariffs on US goods. But an...

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Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

Darren Leavitt, CFA US financial markets were extremely busy last week as a rush to download a Chinese AI platform called Deep Seek from Apple’s App Store seemingly changed the narrative around artificial intelligence in a heartbeat and on multiple fronts.  Capital...

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Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

Darren Leavitt, CFA Wow, what a week! US markets were closed on Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States. It was a historic day indeed. The global markets were poised for a barrage of executive...

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Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

-Darren Leavitt, CFA Financial markets advanced this week as a solid start to the fourth-quarter earnings season, and some better-than-feared inflation data gave investors a reason to buy the most recent dip.  The financial sector gained 6.1% on the week as bank...

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

 

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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How Plan After-Tax Contributions Are Taxed When Converted

By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst   The April 23, 2025, Slott Report article, “After-Tax 401(k) Contributions Shouldn’t Be an Afterthought,” discusses how 401(k) after-tax contributions can be moved into Roth accounts through in-plan Roth conversions, the “mega...

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Basis In Your Traditional IRA

By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: My wife and I created a Roth IRA when our two children were young to pay for their college education. Our daughter is finishing her second year of school, and our son will be entering college this fall. We have withdrawn...

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Basis In Your Traditional IRA

  By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education While most distributions from a traditional IRA are taxable, sometimes distributions can include after-tax dollars. These after-tax dollars are known as “basis.” Handling and tracking basis in your...

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72(t): Switching Methods in a Market Downturn

By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst When a person under the age of 59½ needs access to his IRA dollars, there is a 10% early withdrawal penalty applied to any distribution, unless an exception applies. One of the many 10% penalty exceptions is a 72(t) “series of...

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3 Retirement Account Moves You Can Still Do for 2024

  By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education   The April 15 tax-filing deadline has come and gone. However, for some 2024 retirement account planning strategies, it’s not too late! There is still time beyond the April 15 deadline. Here are three...

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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.

 

Preparing for Future Health Care Needs

Preparing for Future Health Care Needs

Many people assume that their family members would automatically be able to make decisions about medical treatments if they were to become incapacitated. But rules vary greatly from state to state. In some cases, decisions are left up to the health care providers and...

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Get the care you need quickly when you’re sick

Get the care you need quickly when you’re sick

Discover 6 ways to access care fast, even if your doctor is busy. Hint: You may not need to go in person. Doctors’ offices are busier than ever these days. Sometimes it can be tough to book a timely appointment with your primary care provider. You might be sick or...

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7 Medicare Changes You’re Seeing in 2025

7 Medicare Changes You’re Seeing in 2025

Expensive medications? You’ll save thousands. Dementia or mental health care? More options Key takeaways Changes from Inflation Reduction Act are in effect now. Lower out-of-pocket limit in Part D drug plans erases old “donut hole.” You may find weight loss...

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What You’ll Pay in Out-of-Pocket Medicare Costs in 2025

What You’ll Pay in Out-of-Pocket Medicare Costs in 2025

“How much can I expect to pay out of pocket for Medicare coverage?” It’s something you might be wondering if you’re age 65+ or about to turn 65. Medicare expenses are a big concern for many older adults, especially those on a fixed or limited income. The first step to...

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The Medicare Part D Donut Hole Disappears in 2025

The Medicare Part D Donut Hole Disappears in 2025

Key takeaways: The Medicare Part D coverage gap known as the “donut hole” will end in 2024. As of January 1, 2025, Medicare Part D plans will have a $2,000 out-of-pocket limit. If you reach that threshold, your plan will pay for all of your covered medications in full...

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What You Need to Know About Changes to Medicare Part D in 2025

What You Need to Know About Changes to Medicare Part D in 2025

Two important changes are coming for Medicare Part D beneficiaries in 2025 as a result of the Inflation Reduction Act: Annual out-of-pocket (OOP) cap of $2,000 for prescription drugs. Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (MPPP), which will allow beneficiaries who opt in...

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