Articles
Avoiding the 10% Early Distribution Penalty for Certain Hardship Withdrawals
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Most 401(k) plans (as well as 403(b) and 457(b) plans) offer hardship withdrawals while you are still employed. If the withdrawal comes from a pre-tax account, it will be taxable. And, if you’re under age 59½, it will also be subject to...
Tapping an ESA for Back-to-School Expenses
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education It’s August and that means it is back-to-school time! The 2025-2026 school year is upon us. Kids are already back in the classroom and ready to learn. Any parent will tell you that back-to-school time is an...
The Once-Per-Year Rollover Rule and SEP IRA Contributions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: I recently retired in January and rolled over a lump sum pension from my previous employer into my IRA. Next month, I’m planning to roll over my 401(k) from the same employer into the same IRA as well....
In ERISA Retirement Plans, Spouse Beneficiaries Rule
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst At Ed Slott and Company, we continually stress how important the beneficiary designation form is. Because it’s that form – and not the retirement account owner’s will or other estate planning documents – that usually dictates who...
Required Minimum Distributions and IRA Beneficiaries: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: I turn age 73 on December 1, 2026. I would like to do a Roth IRA conversion on January 1, 2026, prior to turning 73 years old. Does my first required minimum distribution (RMD) begin January 1, 2026, the year that I turn...
OBBBA Impact on HSAs
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education From a tax perspective, a Health Savings Account (HSA) can offer the best of all worlds. Like traditional IRA contributions, HSA contributions are made by the individual with pre-tax dollars. Contributions...
5 Random Retirement Account Trivia Questions
QCDs and 529-to-Roth IRA Rollovers: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: I am 70 years old and do not have to start taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) for three years. Can I do a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from my IRA now? Or, do I have to wait until age 73 when I have to start...
Six Unanswered Questions on Trump Accounts
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst A recent Slott Report article discussed “Trump accounts,” the new savings vehicle for children created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). As with most new laws, there are a number of unanswered questions about Trump accounts that...
Mr. T: “I Pity the Fool Who Misses Their RMD”
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Laurence Tureaud, born May 21, 1952, is better known as Mr. T. He is an actor and a retired professional wrestler. He is famous for his roles as B. A. Baracus in the 1980s television series “The A-Team” and as...