Articles
401(k) RMD Rollover Problems…and a Last-Minute Save!
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...
Another Way to Lose IRA Bankruptcy Protection
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...
October 15 Deadlines Are Approaching
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...
IRA Beneficiaries and Roth Conversions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
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...
“IRA Distribution Confusion”
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...
IRS Confirms Effective Date of Mandatory Roth Catch-Up Rule
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...
PAYMENT OF THE FIRST RMD AND THE ONCE-PER-YEAR RULE: TODAY’S SLOTT REPORT MAILBAG
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...
5 Things You Need to Know About 2025 Qualified Charitable Distributions
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...
Participation in Multiple Retirement Plans
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,...
The “Still-Working Exception” and December 31 Retirement
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...