by Kenny | Oct 19, 2025
US markets rebounded from losses in the prior week as trade tensions between the US and China appeared to ease. President Trump is scheduled to meet with President Xi in the next couple of weeks, and Treasury Secretary Bessent met with Chinese trade officials over... by Kenny | Oct 16, 2025
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: I read your blog titled “5 Things You Need to Know About Qualified Charitable Distributions.” I was surprised that you didn’t include a 6th item to let people know that they cannot make a contribution to an IRA for the year of... by Kenny | Oct 15, 2025
When a trust is named as beneficiary of an IRA, several possible negative issues may be introduced. For example, after the death of the IRA owner, things can become more complex for the beneficiaries. Trust beneficiaries cannot simply set up their own inherited IRAs.... by Kenny | Oct 13, 2025
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst By now, most of you probably know about the SECURE 2.0 Act provision permitting 529 funds to be rolled over to Roth IRAs. Because of this new law, parents and grandparents can fund 529 plans without worrying as much about having to pay... by Kenny | Oct 9, 2025
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: Hello Ed Slott Team! I have been doing backdoor Roth IRA conversions for years now. I recently inherited a large traditional IRA from my aunt. Will the inherited IRA affect my ability to do tax-free... by Kenny | Oct 8, 2025
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The benefit of funding a Roth IRA is the availability of tax-free distributions in the future. You pay taxes now on your contribution (or conversion) in exchange for tax-free earnings down the road. The rules can... by Kenny | Oct 6, 2025
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst 401(k) custodians are usually pretty good about distributing required minimum distributions (RMDs) from the plans they oversee. This is especially important when a participant is rolling over his plan balance to an IRA. Why must... by Kenny | Oct 1, 2025
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Normally, if you declare bankruptcy, your IRA funds (traditional and Roth) are completely off limits to bankruptcy creditors. But a recent court decision is a good reminder that this isn’t always the case. Bankruptcy protection for IRAs... by Kenny | Sep 29, 2025
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education October is almost here. This means fall is in full swing. Along with pumpkin spice lattes, football season, and sweater weather come four important October 15 deadlines you will not want to miss! Avoid the Excess... by Kenny | Sep 25, 2025
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: My father passed away in November 2021. I became disabled in April 2022. Am I now an eligible designated beneficiary (EDB) that can use the stretch rule for distributions? I receive disability payments, so the SSA knows... by Kenny | Sep 24, 2025
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Traditional and Roth IRA owners often get confused about the distributions they take from their IRAs. Mix-ups and misunderstandings are pervasive. With Roth IRAs, there a number of different factors to consider when withdrawing... by Kenny | Sep 22, 2025
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst In final regulations issued on September 15, 2025, the IRS confirmed that company retirement plans must comply with the SECURE 2.0 Act’s mandatory Roth catch-up rule as of January 1, 2026. That rule requires high-paid employees who wish... by Kenny | Sep 18, 2025
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: Hi, If my birthday is in December 2026, when I turn 73 years old, can I take my required minimum distribution (RMD) on January 2, 2026, even though I’m not yet 73 years old then? Thank you, Harvey Answer: Yes. Your first RMD is... by Kenny | Sep 17, 2025
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst If you are thinking about doing a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) for 2025, time is running out. The deadline is December 31, 2025. Many people miss out on this valuable tax break. Here are 5 things you need to know about... by Kenny | Sep 15, 2025
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Can a person who works at two different, unrelated companies participate in the retirement plan offered by each of those businesses? Yes. Can this same person receive the maximum annual contributions into BOTH plans? Yes,... by Kenny | Sep 11, 2025
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst As the end of the year approaches, you may have plans to retire on December 31. However, if you are using the “still-working exception” to defer required minimum distributions (RMDs) from your 401(k) (or other company plan), you may want... by Kenny | Sep 8, 2025
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The end of the year always brings a flurry of retirement account deadlines and planning opportunities. This year is no different. And, new for 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) brings new... by Kenny | Sep 4, 2025
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: Dear IRA Help, Here is my specific case. I am 84 years old. I opened a Roth IRA on March 30, 2020, with a conversion. I started withdrawing from this conversion on March 10, 2025. Did I satisfy the... by Kenny | Sep 3, 2025
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst It has come to our attention that confusion exists as to how qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) impact one’s taxes. It is said that QCDs can reduce adjusted gross income (AGI). But is this true? Yes, it is true…but... by Kenny | Aug 28, 2025
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: We have two grandchildren. One is 18 years old now, and the other will turn 18 next January (2026). Can you help me understand what I can do for each under the new Trump account rules? Ollie Answer: Hi Ollie, You will... 
