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.

Retirees’ Credit Card Debt Levels Are Climbing

Retirees’ Credit Card Debt Levels Are Climbing

Key Takeaways An Employee Benefit Research Institute survey found that more than two-thirds of retirees had outstanding credit card debt in 2024, up from 40% in 2022. Even though inflation has cooled, high prices weigh on retirees. Almost a third of retirees said they...

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Key Takeaways Some provisions related to the Secure 2.0, a federal retirement law, will go into effect in 2025. Workers ages 60, 61, 62, or 63 will be able to make catch-up contributions of up to $11,250 in 2025. Workplace retirement plans such as 401(k) and 403(b)...

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Retirement Vs. Resignation: Which Is Better?

Retirement Vs. Resignation: Which Is Better?

Retirement Vs. Resignation: Which Is Better? There is a big difference between retirement and resignation. However, both involve leaving your place of work. If you choose to retire, you may be entitled to some social benefits such as pension and healthcare, which can...

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Three Changes Coming for Social Security in 2025

Three Changes Coming for Social Security in 2025

The Social Security Administration has announced the 2025 final COLA, wage cap, and amount needed to earn SS credits. Anticipating changes coming to Social Security in 2025 can help you start planning for the new year and identify any adjustments you can make to...

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7 Things You’ll Be Happy You Downgraded in Retirement

7 Things You’ll Be Happy You Downgraded in Retirement

Downsizing for retirement is a good way to simplify your life and cut down on expenses. Making some key changes, like moving into a smaller home, could reduce financial strain and improve your quality of life. It could also give you room to grow in new, unexpected...

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Why Your Current Retirement Plan May Not Be Enough in 2025

Why Your Current Retirement Plan May Not Be Enough in 2025

Retirement: the wonderful time of life when you no longer have to work for your money. Instead, your money is finally working for you. If you’re well on your way to retirement, kudos to you. Today, more Americans are retiring than ever before. According to...

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Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

-Darren Leavitt, CFA Market action was mixed in a holiday-shortened week of trade.  The Santa Clause rally, which runs for the last five trading sessions of the year through the first two trading sessions of the New Year, kicked off with gains from mega-cap...

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Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

-Darren Leavitt, CFA Equity and fixed-income markets sold off for the second consecutive week as the Federal Reserve delivered an expected twenty-five basis-point rate cut but pivoted to a much more hawkish stance for 2025, where the committee now expects only two...

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Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

-Darren Leavitt, CFA The Nasdaq eclipsed the 20,000 level for the first time this week as investors reengaged in buying the mega-cap technology names.  Amazon, Google, Tesla, and Meta hit new highs for the year as investors heard about more advances in AI and quantum...

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Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

The S&P 500 forged another set of all-time highs as investors embraced the idea of an economy running at a pace appropriate for the Fed to consider further rate cuts. Leadership in the market toggled back to the mega-cap technology issues, with the communication...

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Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

The S&P 500 forged another set of all-time highs as investors embraced the idea of an economy running at a pace appropriate for the Fed to consider further rate cuts. Leadership in the market toggled back to the mega-cap technology issues, with the communication...

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Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

-Darren Leavitt, CFA The holiday-shortened week saw the S&P 500 and Dow rise to new all-time highs.  Investors cheered the nomination of Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary, who is seen as a fiscal hawk and someone who will support Trump’s trade policies.  US...

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Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

-Darren Leavitt, CFA Markets bounced back as investors reengaged the pro-growth Trump 2.0 trade.  President-elect Trump continued to fill out his cabinet and, late Friday announced Scott Bessent as his nominee for Treasury Secretary.  Wall Street has endorsed Bessent,...

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Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

-Darren Leavitt, CFA US equity markets pulled back last week as investors took profits from the outsized move higher seen following the US election. Sticky inflation prints, coupled with solid retail sales and hawkish comments from Federal Reserve Chairman J. Powell,...

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Weekly Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary

-Darren Leavitt, CFA The S&P 500 notched its 50th all-time high of 2024 as investors piled into equities after a decisive US election.  Wall Street embraced the idea that President-Elect Trump would enact several pro-growth policies to bolster corporate profits. ...

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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

 

10% Penalty Exceptions: IRAs and Plans

By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF®IRA Analyst If a person under age 59½ takes a withdrawal from his IRA or workplace plan, there is a 10% early withdrawal penalty…unless an exception applies. There are currently 20 exceptions, with a 21st on the way. Here are those exceptions,...

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12 Super Catch-Up Contribution Questions Answered

By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst   We continue to get lots of questions about the new “super catch-up” contribution for retirement plan and SIMPLE IRA participants who are ages 60-63. Here are answers to your top 12 questions: 1. When does the super catch-up...

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Surprise! You May Still Be Eligible for the Stretch IRA

By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The arrival of the SECURE Act means the end of the stretch IRA for many beneficiaries. Instead, a 10-year payout rule applies for most IRAs inherited by non-spouse beneficiaries. However, the SECURE Act does allow...

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IRA Trivia: Missed RMD or Excess Contribution?

By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst   Here is an all-too-common situation that seems counterintuitive: A participant in a 401(k) retires and must take his required minimum distribution (RMD). This person requests that his entire 401(k) plan balance be directly...

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How Roth IRA Distributions Are Taxed

By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education   Do you have a Roth IRA? If you do, there will very likely come a time when you want to take a distribution from that account. The distribution rules for taxation of Roth IRA distributions can be complicated,...

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Roth Conversions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag

  By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Question: Hello, If a person is turning 73 years old in March, s/he would be required to take required minimum distributions for the year. Can a person do Roth Conversion prior to turning age 73 (say in February)?  Does the...

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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.

 

Millions See Cost Savings Under the Inflation Reduction Act

Millions See Cost Savings Under the Inflation Reduction Act

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) made significant improvements to Medicare prescription drug access and affordability, including by restructuring the Part D benefit to limit enrollee expenses. Those changes began in January 2024, when the IRA eliminated cost sharing...

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Healthcare.gov Now Open for 2025 ACA Plan Shopping

Healthcare.gov Now Open for 2025 ACA Plan Shopping

Now is the time for people who need health insurance in 2025 to shop for coverage. For those without employer, Medicare, or Medicaid coverage, Healthcare.gov or their state exchange is the place to shop for Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans. Most shoppers will be able...

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Unpacking the changes to Medicare in 2025

Unpacking the changes to Medicare in 2025

Medicare coverage is personal — and changes to those plans and benefits may feel unnerving as it affects one’s overall health and well-being. Originally passed in 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act brought about many changes to Medicare that are now being implemented...

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What If My Medicare Doctor “Opts Out”?

What If My Medicare Doctor “Opts Out”?

Finding a doctor you like and trust can be a long process, so I understand that it can be frustrating when your doctor no longer accepts Medicare. If your doctor has “opted out” of Medicare, this means that he or she no longer accepts Medicare assignment...

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Home health care through Medicare

Home health care through Medicare

It’s important to plan for your health care needs, but sometimes life throws unexpected curve balls. And when that happens, you’ll need to know what’s covered. Fortunately, there are ways you and your loved ones can get the necessary care at home. Here’s what you need...

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