Blogs
“Third-Party Posts”
The following link/content may include information and statistical data obtained from and/or prepared by thirdparty sources that Secure Retirement Services, deems reliable but in no way does Secure Retirement Services guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Secure Retirement ServicesC had no involvement in the creation of the content and did not make any revisions to such content. All such third-party information and statistical data contained herein is subject to change without notice and may not reflect the view or opinions of Secure Retirement Services. Nothing herein constitutes investment, legal or tax advice or any recommendation that any security, portfolio of securities, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. Personal investment advice can only be rendered after the engagement of Secure Retirement Services, execution of required documentation, and receipt of required disclosures. All investments involve risk and past performance is no guarantee of future results.
2026 Retirement Income Planning: A Practical Guide to Turning Savings Into Paychecks
Retirement planning changes once the paychecks stop. In your working years, the goal is usually growth. In retirement, the goal becomes reliable income, tax efficiency,...
Long-Term Care Planning in 2026: The “Quiet” Risk That Can Reshape a Retirement Plan
When most people think about retirement planning, they focus on the big three: income, taxes, and investments. But there’s a fourth category that can quietly undo even...
A Well-Rounded Financial Plan Starts With the Whole Picture
When people think about “financial planning,” they often picture investing—choosing funds, watching the market, or trying to pick the right time to buy. But a truly...
Retirement in 2026: 7 Smart Moves to Turn Savings Into a Paycheck (and Sleep Better Doing It)
Retirement planning in 2026 isn’t just about “saving more.” It’s about building a reliable income plan, keeping taxes predictable, and making sure your money is...
2026 Retirement Planning Goals: A Simple Roadmap to Start the Year Right
Kick off 2026 with clear retirement planning goals. Learn the 6 most important steps to protect your income, reduce taxes, and stay on track. 2026 Retirement Planning...
Why Annuities Can Be a Great Fit Heading Into 2026
As we move into 2026, many investors are asking the same question: How do I protect what I’ve built—without giving up the ability to grow? That’s exactly where...
Heading into 2026: A Smart Retirement Checkup (Without the Overwhelm)
As we turn the page into 2026, it’s the perfect time to run a simple “retirement checkup.” Not a stressful deep dive. Just a clear look at a few areas that tend to make...
Fixed Indexed Annuities in 2026: A Smarter Way to Balance Growth and Protection in Your Retirement Portfolio
As we move into 2026, many retirees and pre-retirees are asking the same question: “How do I keep my retirement plan growing without exposing everything to the next...
Retirement Planning in 2026: Why Annuities Deserve a Serious Look
Retirement planning in 2026 looks different than it did even a few years ago. Many retirees and pre-retirees are facing a familiar challenge in a new way: they want...
Weekly Market Commentary
Investors endured a volatile week on Wall Street as 4th quarter earnings continued to roll in. Concerns about massive capital expenditures resurfaced after Amazon and...
Weekly Market Commentary
Markets ended the week mixed. With just over a third of the S&P 500 having reported fourth-quarter earnings, this earnings season appears much better than...
Weekly Market Commentary
Global equity markets finished the week mixed, with US markets posting their second straight week of losses. Geopolitical concerns and trade tensions were top of mind...
Weekly Market Commentary
US financial markets ended the week with mixed results as investors assessed the first week of fourth-quarter earnings. Earnings results from the banks initially...
Weekly Market Commentary
US equity markets notched new highs in the second week of the new year, even as geopolitical tensions increased in several regions. The new highs came on a broadening...
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst It’s a new year, and the slate is wiped clean. Here we go again! While we are only one week into 2026, there are some important IRA...
Coming Soon: The Thrift Savings Plan Will Start Offering In-Plan Roth Conversions
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Since 2010, participants in certain private sector 401(k) plans have been able to boost their Roth retirement savings by doing an “in-plan...
Weekly Market Commentary
US markets ended the New Year holiday-shortened week with losses. Mega-cap Technology issues sold off on low volume, as did Financial and Consumer Discretionary...
Weekly Market Commentary
The Christmas-shortened week produced gains across all major US indices, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones hitting record highs. Mega-cap Tech assumed its leadership...
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 (Jan Knight) or (Secure Retirement Services) is stated or implied. Ed Slott Group and Ed Slott and Company, LLC are not affiliated with Secure Retirement Services.
For the detailed requirements of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group, please visit: https://www.irahelp.com/
Three Basic IRA Rules that Must Be Understood
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Each year, in different cities, the Ed Slott team hosts several advisor training events for financial professionals serious...
Required Minimum Distributions and Inherited Roth IRAs: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: I am age 75 and have just one IRA. I normally do multiple qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) during the...
You’ll Need to Report Certain IRA and Retirement Plan Distributions Differently on This Year’s Form 1040
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst With all the tax changes made by the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), it’s no surprise that the IRS has made significant changes...
Naming a Trust for a Minor as IRA Beneficiary
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Everyone has heard the horror stories of how unneeded and unwanted trusts disrupted what should have been a...
Roth IRA Distribution Rules and Rollovers of Required Minimum Distributions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: If I have had my Roth IRA for 20 years and I do a conversion from my traditional IRA, is the five-year rule in effect for each...
A Different Fix: Excess IRA vs. 401(k) Plan Contributions
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Excess IRA contributions occur for many reasons, like making a contribution without eligible compensation, accidentally...
How the Vesting Rules Work for Company Retirement Plans
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Thinking about leaving your job? Make sure you understand the vesting schedule that applies to your retirement plan. It may pay to...
Eligible Designated Beneficiaries and Roth IRA Contributions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: Hello! I have been a big fan for a long time. I have a question regarding a Roth IRA I inherited...
Spousal IRA Contributions
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education IRA and Roth IRA contributions are only permitted when you have taxable “compensation” or earned income....
The following link/content may include information and statistical data obtained from and/or prepared by thirdparty sources that Secure Retirement Services, deems reliable but in no way does Secure Retirement Services guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Secure Retirement ServicesC had no involvement in the creation of the content and did not make any revisions to such content. All such third-party information and statistical data contained herein is subject to change without notice and may not reflect the view or opinions of Secure Retirement Services. Nothing herein constitutes investment, legal or tax advice or any recommendation that any security, portfolio of securities, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. Personal investment advice can only be rendered after the engagement of Secure Retirement Services, execution of required documentation, and receipt of required disclosures. All investments involve risk and past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Medicare vs. Medicaid: What’s the Difference (and Can You Have Both)?
If you’re new to Medicare or helping a loved one, it’s easy to mix up Medicare and Medicaid—they sound similar, but they’re very different programs. The good news: once you understand the basics, it becomes much easier to choose coverage confidently and avoid costly...
read more
Medicare Supplements in 2026: What’s Changed, What Hasn’t, and How to Choose Confidently
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans can help control out-of-pocket costs in 2026. Here’s what’s new this year, how plans compare, and how to pick the right fit. If you’re on Original Medicare in 2026, predictability matters more than ever Original Medicare (Parts A...
read more
Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D): What It Covers, What It Costs, and How to Choose the Right Plan
If you take even one regular medication, Medicare prescription drug coverage can make a meaningful difference in your monthly budget. But Part D can also feel confusing because plans change, formularies change, and costs can vary widely from one person to the...
read more
Medicare in 2026: What’s New, What Costs More, and What to Review Now
Medicare costs changed in 2026—Part B premiums and deductibles are higher, Part A hospital costs increased, and Part D now has a firm annual out-of-pocket cap. Here’s what beneficiaries should review and why it matters. The 30-second takeaway 2026 brought higher Parts...
read more
Medicare Part D in 2026 — What It Covers, What It Costs, and How to Choose the Right Plan
Medicare can feel pretty straightforward… until prescriptions enter the picture. That’s where Medicare Part D comes in. If you take medications now (or even think you might later), understanding Part D can help you avoid surprises and keep your costs more predictable....
read more
Medicare Checkup: 7 Smart Moves to Start the Year Confident
Medicare is not “set it and forget it.” Plans, provider networks, drug formularies, and costs can change each year—sometimes in ways that surprise people after they’ve already scheduled appointments or refilled prescriptions. A quick annual Medicare checkup can help...
read more
Medicare & You: Your 2026 Checklist for Smarter Coverage and Lower Costs
As we head into 2026, Medicare remains one of the most important (and misunderstood) parts of retirement. The good news: you don’t have to “figure it out” alone. A few smart, proactive moves can help you avoid common mistakes, reduce out-of-pocket surprises, and feel...
read more
Medicare in 2026: What’s New, What’s Changing, and What Your Clients Should Do Now
2026 is shaping up to be one of the most “noticeably different” Medicare years in a while—not because the rules are unrecognizable, but because the cost and prescription-drug pieces are moving in ways that many beneficiaries will actually feel in their monthly budget....
read more
Medicare in 2026: What to Know, What to Review, and What to Do Next
If you’re on Medicare (or turning 65 soon), 2026 is a great year to get organized. Medicare isn’t “one-and-done.” Plans, costs, provider networks, and prescription coverage can change from year to year — and even small changes can affect your monthly budget and your...
read more
Medicare vs. Medicaid: What’s the Difference (and Can You Have Both)?
If you’re new to Medicare or helping a loved one, it’s easy to mix up Medicare and Medicaid—they sound similar, but they’re very different programs. The good news: once you understand the basics, it becomes much easier to choose coverage confidently and avoid costly...
Medicare Supplements in 2026: What’s Changed, What Hasn’t, and How to Choose Confidently
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans can help control out-of-pocket costs in 2026. Here’s what’s new this year, how plans compare, and how to pick the right fit. If you’re on Original Medicare in 2026, predictability matters more than ever Original Medicare (Parts A...
Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D): What It Covers, What It Costs, and How to Choose the Right Plan
If you take even one regular medication, Medicare prescription drug coverage can make a meaningful difference in your monthly budget. But Part D can also feel confusing because plans change, formularies change, and costs can vary widely from one person to the...
Medicare in 2026: What’s New, What Costs More, and What to Review Now
Medicare costs changed in 2026—Part B premiums and deductibles are higher, Part A hospital costs increased, and Part D now has a firm annual out-of-pocket cap. Here’s what beneficiaries should review and why it matters. The 30-second takeaway 2026 brought higher Parts...
Medicare Part D in 2026 — What It Covers, What It Costs, and How to Choose the Right Plan
Medicare can feel pretty straightforward… until prescriptions enter the picture. That’s where Medicare Part D comes in. If you take medications now (or even think you might later), understanding Part D can help you avoid surprises and keep your costs more predictable....
Medicare Checkup: 7 Smart Moves to Start the Year Confident
Medicare is not “set it and forget it.” Plans, provider networks, drug formularies, and costs can change each year—sometimes in ways that surprise people after they’ve already scheduled appointments or refilled prescriptions. A quick annual Medicare checkup can help...
Medicare & You: Your 2026 Checklist for Smarter Coverage and Lower Costs
As we head into 2026, Medicare remains one of the most important (and misunderstood) parts of retirement. The good news: you don’t have to “figure it out” alone. A few smart, proactive moves can help you avoid common mistakes, reduce out-of-pocket surprises, and feel...
Medicare in 2026: What’s New, What’s Changing, and What Your Clients Should Do Now
2026 is shaping up to be one of the most “noticeably different” Medicare years in a while—not because the rules are unrecognizable, but because the cost and prescription-drug pieces are moving in ways that many beneficiaries will actually feel in their monthly budget....
Medicare in 2026: What to Know, What to Review, and What to Do Next
If you’re on Medicare (or turning 65 soon), 2026 is a great year to get organized. Medicare isn’t “one-and-done.” Plans, costs, provider networks, and prescription coverage can change from year to year — and even small changes can affect your monthly budget and your...