by Kenny | Jan 12, 2025
-Darren Leavitt, CFA US equity markets fell in the first full week of 2025 as investors recalibrated their Federal Reserve monetary policy expectations. Stronger labor data, a robust ISM Services print, and a weaker Consumer Sentiment report showing increased...
by Kenny | Jan 9, 2025
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: I am planning for a required minimum distribution (RMD) from both my IRA and 403(b) plan for 2026, my first RMD year. I am in the third year of a 10-year period in which I am rolling over 10% of my 403(b) funds each year to my...
by Kenny | Jan 8, 2025
These new rules could make it easier for you to save more money for retirement Participating in a 401(k) plan where you work is a smart way to invest for retirement. Plus, your employer may match some or all of the money you contribute. In 2025 the rules for 401(k)s... by Kenny | Jan 8, 2025
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst When the ball dropped in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, a number of new retirement account provisions became effective. We’ve previously written about each of these new rules in The Slott Report. This article will serve as a checklist,... by Kenny | Jan 6, 2025
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The year 2025 is upon us! There is no doubt that this will be an eventful time for retirement accounts. As the new year kicks off, here is what we are talking about now at the Slott Report. 1. Increased...
by Kenny | Jan 5, 2025
-Darren Leavitt, CFA The final trading sessions for 2024 extended losses from the prior week, but the S&P 500 and NASDAQ still posted impressive gains for the year, 23.3% and 28.6%, respectively. The so-called Santa Clause Rally did not appear for the second...
by Kenny | Jan 3, 2025
How Secure 2.0 and inflation adjustments will affect retirement savers and spenders. For retirement savers, the ringing in of the new year will bring more than the usual inflation adjustments to retirement contributions. The retirement legislation known as Secure 2.0... by Kenny | Jan 2, 2025
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: Hello, Our daughter (age 50) is the sole beneficiary of her husband’s (age 52) IRA due to his death in April 2024. Is there a time limit for when she must either take ownership or roll it... by Kenny | Dec 30, 2024
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst I counted them. This year the Slott Report published 101 blog articles. While other sites add “pay-for-content” firewalls, we continue to pump out incredibly valuable and important information, week after week, totally free...
by Kenny | Dec 28, 2024
-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...
by Kenny | Dec 27, 2024
Key Takeaways A recent Gallup poll showed most Americans feel they are worse off today than four years ago. Data on household finances show that things have changed dramatically since September 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic was affecting the economy. Americans have... by Kenny | Dec 23, 2024
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst This is the time of year for good cheer and holiday wishes. In keeping with those traditions, here are some cheers and wishes for the IRS and Congress: Cheers to the IRS: Yes, it did take the IRS 4½ years to issue final required...
by Kenny | Dec 22, 2024
-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...
by Kenny | Dec 19, 2024
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... by Kenny | Dec 19, 2024
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: If a client opens an IRA at age 75 and makes a contribution this year, this account would not have a required minimum distribution (RMD) for 2024, correct? Since the IRA did not exist last year, there is no... by Kenny | Dec 18, 2024
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The IRA rollover rules are always tricky. However, if you are rolling over an IRA distribution when the calendar year changes, the rules can become especially challenging. Here are four things you need to... by Kenny | Dec 16, 2024
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Tis the season for giving, and qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) are a popular way to donate to a favorite charity. However, rules must be followed. In a recent Slott Report entry (“QCD Timing,” December 4), I...
by Kenny | Dec 15, 2024
-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...
by Kenny | Dec 12, 2024
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)... by Kenny | Dec 12, 2024
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: Can a person do a rollover from both his traditional AND Roth IRAs in the same twelve months? Best regards, Matthew Answer: Hi Matthew, The once-per-year rollover rule restricts an individual from... 
