Blog
What’s on our mind? You can read about it in our blog. Whether it’s ideas from the industry or emerging trends, you can read about it here. And once in a while, we may throw in a movie review or some other surprise. So keep checking in. We’re glad to have you reading along.
THINKING ABOUT A 2023 SEP IRA CONTRIBUTION? HERE ARE 6 RULES YOU NEED TO KNOW
Are you thinking about making a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRA plan contribution for 2023? If so, here are 6 rules you need to know. Only a business can make a SEP contribution. If...
Read MoreROTH CONVERSIONS AND INHERITED IRAS: TODAY'S SLOTT REPORT MAILBAG
QUESTION: If an individual has both an IRA and a 401(k) and wants to convert the IRA to a Roth IRA, does he have to take both the IRA and the 401(k) RMD (required minimum distribution) before doing a...
Read MoreGHOST VS. 5-YEAR: THE CALENDAR DICTATES
Ever since the SECURE Act created a 10-year payout rule for most IRA beneficiaries, that topic has garnered the bulk of conversation. This is understandable. Not only was the 10-year rule a...
Read MoreNEW LAW COULD REDUCE RMD RULES FOR ANNUITIZED ANNUITIES – BUT PROPER VALUATION IS NEEDED
We’re getting lots of questions about the SECURE 2.0 change that allows annuitized IRA annuities to be aggregated with non-annuity IRA funds for required minimum distribution (RMD) purposes. This...
Read MoreOUTSTANDING ROLLOVERS – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The rules for rolling over IRA distributions can be complicated. These rules can become especially challenging at the end of the calendar year. If you are taking a distribution from your IRA at...
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NEW ROTH PROVISIONS EFFECTIVE IN 2024
When the bell dropped in Times Square last Sunday night, a bunch of new provisions from the SECURE 2.0 legislation kicked in. This article will focus on the Roth-related changes that are effective in...
Read MoreBAD SANTA & THE GRINCH OFFER HORRIBLE IRA ADVICE – PART 2
FolThe investment advisory firm of Bad Santa & the Grinch continues to disseminate misinformation and lousy, no good, rotten-to-the-core IRA advice. As we saw in “Bad Santa & The Grinch Offer Horrible...
Read MoreBAD SANTA & THE GRINCH OFFER HORRIBLE IRA ADVICE – PART 1
If the Grinch and Bad Santa both passed their FINRA Series 7 exam and decided to open an investment advisory firm, I’m pretty sure they would combine forces to intentionally deliver some of the WORST financial advice possible....
Read MoreTHE FIVE-YEAR RULE AND RMDS: TODAY'S SLOTT REPORT MAIBAG
In 2020 and 2021, when I was over 65 years old, I converted some of my IRA into a Roth IRA. Does the five-year rule still apply to me, or can I now draw out all of the Roth IRA...
Read MoreONE BENEFICIARY, THREE IRAS, THREE DIFFERENT PAYOUT RULES
An advisor called and said his 75-year-old client had just passed away. He had questions about the payout rules applicable to the three IRAs the client left behind: a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA and an inherited IRA from his sister.
Read MoreCOMMON CONFUSIONS WITH THE ONCE-PER-YEAR ROLLOVER RULE
The once-per-year IRA rollover rule sounds pretty easy to understand. You may only do one IRA-to-IRA (or Roth IRA-to-Roth IRA rollover) per year (365 days). However, this rule is often misunderstood...
Read MoreSECURE 2.0 ALLOWS QCDS TO CGAS
SECURE 2.0 expands qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) by allowing a one-time only QCD of up to $50,000 to a split-interest entity. As a result of this new rule, there is now a great...
Read MoreTOP 10 IRA “POPULAR CONFUSIONS”
The Ed Slott team answers thousands of IRA and work plan questions annually - emails, phone calls, in-person conversations, webinars, Q&A programs and texts. We accommodate all members of the...
Read More“MID-AIR” ROTH CONVERSIONS
If ever I was traveling from Los Angeles to Atlanta, I would choose a direct flight with no layovers. I want the most efficient route to my destination. Point A to Point B. Take off, land. Assuming...
Read MoreIRS DELAYS EFFECTIVE DATE OF MANDATORY ROTH CATCH-UP RULE UNTIL 2026
Last Friday afternoon (August 25, 2023), the IRS gave employer plans two more years to comply with the controversial SECURE 2.0 rule requiring “catch-up contributions” for high-paid...
Read MoreHOW THE ROTH IRA 5-YEAR RULE WORKS
We are often asked how the Roth IRA 5-year rule works. This is a borderline trick question because there is not one 5-year rule for Roth IRA distributions. There are actually two different 5-year...
Read More3-YEAR STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS – MISSED RMDS
When an IRA or retirement plan owner reaches a particular age, that account owner typically must begin taking required minimum distributions (RMDs.) The RMD is calculated based on the year-end...
Read MoreSUCCESSOR BENEFICIARIES AND IRA ROLLOVERS: TODAY'S SLOTT REPORT MAILBAG
Question: I am struggling to find an answer to my situation. My wife’s 82-year old father passed away about 8 years ago and he was taking IRA distributions. A portion of his IRA was inherited. Since then, my wife had been...
Read MoreRMD RELIEF? NO THANK YOU!
The IRS unleashed massive confusion last year. To the surprise of many, it released proposed SECURE Act regulations requiring beneficiaries (on some occasions) to take required minimum distributions...
Read MoreWHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IF YOU NAME MINOR AS YOUR IRA BENEFICIARY
Are you thinking of naming a child or grandchild as your IRA beneficiary? With the start of the SECURE Act in January 2020, the rules for inherited IRAs were upended.
Read MoreHELP A YOUNG PERSON USE SUMMER EARNINGS TO START A ROTH IRA
Is your child or grandchild working hard this summer? A summer job can be a valuable experience for a young person. Whether it is making smoothies, serving tables, or being a camp counselor, a summer job can teach life skills and give...
Read MoreTRUST AS IRA BENEFICIARY – A POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC PROBLEM
We say in our training manuals that “the SECURE Act obliterates IRA trust planning.” That’s an aggressive word – “obliterates” – but it is accurate....
Read MoreTHE 10-YEAR RULE AND ELIGIBLE DESIGNATED BENEFICIARIES: TODAY'S SLOTT REPORT MAILBAG
Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport Question: I believe we are all waiting for the IRS to issue rules related to distribution requirements (or not) for beneficiaries who are subject to the 10-year rule under the SECURE Act....
Read MoreWHY YOU SHOULD NOT ROLL OVER YOUR COMPANY FUNDS TO AN IRA
Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport In her June 28, 2023 Slott Report post, Sarah Brenner discussed several reasons why it pays to roll over your retirement plan savings to an IRA. Another option is to keep your funds in the...
Read MoreWHY YOU SHOULD ROLL OVER YOUR RETIREMENT FUNDS TO AN IRA
If you are like most American workers, you will change jobs many times during your lifetime. With a job change, you will have a decision to make. What should you do with the funds...
Read MoreDEATH OF AN IRA BENEFICIARY – BEFORE CLAIMING THE ACCOUNT
Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreportWhen an IRA owner dies, we look to the beneficiary form to determine who should receive the IRA funds. After death, there is a transition process as assets are moved into an inherited IRA for the...
Read MoreINHERITED IRA RMD REQUIREMENTS AND ROTH 401(K) RULES: TODAY’S SLOTT REPORT MAILBAG
Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreportQuestion:Hello, I am involved with a traditional non-spouse inherited IRA that was passed from my mother to myself and two siblings in 2022. My mother was 84 when she passed and was taking RMDs.I...
Read MoreTHE TWO TYPES OF 457(B) PLANS
Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreportSome of you are aware that there are two types of section 457(b) retirement plans – governmental plans for state and local municipal workers, and “top hat” plans for highly-paid...
Read MoreFIVE QDRO Q&AS
Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreportAlthough the U.S. divorce rate is in a steady decline, it’s still one of the highest in the world. And with divorces often come QDROs – “qualified domestic relations orders.”...
Read MoreALAR – THE “AT LEAST AS RAPIDLY” RULE
Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreportFor deaths in 2020 or later, we know that a non-eligible designated beneficiary (NEDB) of an IRA is subject to the 10-year rule. Meaning, the account must be emptied by the end of the tenth...
Read MoreCONVERSION AS A GIFT TO YOUR BENEFICIARIES
Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport Do you have an IRA you are thinking about converting to a Roth IRA? There are many benefits to converting. You trade an immediate tax bill for the promise of tax-free earnings and...
Read MoreROTH IRA VS. ROTH 401(K)
Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport More 401(k) plans are starting to offer Roth options. If you now have this option, you may be wondering what the difference is between a Roth IRA and a Roth 401(k). Which account is right for...
Read More5 REASONS TO OPEN A ROTH IRA IMMEDIATELY!
Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport Time is running out! The tax filing deadline is Tuesday, April 18. Why is this important? Because that is the last day an IRA can be opened and/or funded for the previous year. Even if a...
Read MoreFIVE FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FDIC INSURANCE AND YOUR IRA
Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has been in the news recently as bank failures have made headlines. The FDIC is an independent agency created by Congress. It provides...
Read MoreTHE INTERNET SAID SO
People on TikTok create investment advice videos?
Read MoreIRA RMD AGE MADE EASY
Follow Us on Twitter: @theslottreport A ton of questions on this topic have come across our desks, and we have seen swirling, hypnotizing spirals in the eyes of many an advisor. I can only imagine what the general public is...
Read MoreAs Promised, Some Thoughts on Bonds
Today’s topic will be on bonds – I know I’ve been promising this for a while, but it’s actually been a bit difficult to put my thoughts into a relatively short email. I could probably write a book on this topic...
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