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The following link/content may include information and statistical data obtained from and/or prepared by third party sources that First Financial Guarantee, deems reliable but in no way does First Financial Guarantee guarantee its accuracy or completeness. First Financial Guarantee 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 First Financial Guarantee. 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 First Financial Guarantee, execution of required documentation, and receipt of required disclosures. All investments involve risk and past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Retirement Planning Heading Into 2026: 7 Smart Moves For Clients Right Now
As 2025 winds down, retirement planning is shifting under three big spotlights: taxes in 2026, retirement plan rule updates, and Medicare drug-cost changes. Here’s a...
Why Life Insurance Belongs in Your Retirement Plan
Quick Take Life insurance isn’t just for parents with mortgages. The right policy can: protect a spouse’s income plan if one Social Security check disappears create...
Annuities 101: Why They’re (Sometimes) a Great Idea for Retirement
Quick Take Annuities are insurance contracts that can turn a portion of your savings into guaranteed income you can’t outlive. For the right person, they lower stress,...
Retirement Income Planning: A Practical Guide for Turning Savings Into a Sustainable Paycheck
Key Takeaways (TL;DR) Retirement success is less about “the number” and more about cash-flow durability, tax efficiency, and risk control. A resilient plan blends...
Integrating Life Insurance & Fixed Indexed Annuities: A Smarter Way to Protect, Grow, and Distribute Retirement Wealth
Big idea: Life insurance and fixed indexed annuities (FIAs) aren’t either/or. Used together, they can help protect income, manage taxes, and transfer wealth more...
Why Fixed Indexed Annuities Are a Smart Choice for Retirement Planning
When planning for retirement, one of the greatest challenges is balancing growth potential with protection of principal. Many investors seek opportunities that allow...
The 4% Rule: How Much Can You Spend in Retirement?
How much can you spend without running out of money? The 4% rule is a popular rule of thumb, but you can do better. Here are guidelines for finding your personalized...
Fixed Index Annuity
Why Annuities May Be a Safer Bet in 2025
Many people decide to claim their Social Security benefit when they retire. You may be one of them. It could be that you need the money, or maybe you want to invest it...
Weekly Market Commentary
Well, the market finally had a significant pullback, but not before the S&P 500 and NASDAQ were able to set another all-time high. The week began with a deal...
Weekly Market Commentary
Investors sent US markets to another set of all-time highs despite concerns about an extended government shutdown. The U.S. government shutdown was largely dismissed...
Weekly Market Commentary
The S&P 500 hit a 28th record high for the year before settling lower for the week. Investors endured a choppy week of trading as better-than-expected economic data...
Weekly Market Commentary
The major US equity market indices forged another set of all-time highs as investors went all in on risk assets after the Federal Reserve announced a twenty-five basis...
Weekly Market Commentary
US equity indices posted another set of all-time highs as investors increased expectations for three, twenty-five basis point rate cuts by year's end. Inflation data...
Weekly Market Commentary
Investors sent the S&P 500 to another all-time high in a holiday-shortened week of trading. President Trump started the week by asking the Supreme Court to...
Weekly Market Commentary
The S&P 500 posted a gain for the fourth consecutive month as investors continued to embrace the prospects of a September rate cut, a robust economic outlook, and...
Weekly Market Commentary
US equity markets ended the week with a powerful move to the upside after Fed Chairman J. Powell indicated that the balance of risk had shifted to the labor market,...
Weekly Market Commentary
Global financial markets had another positive week as the Dow Jones Industrial Average finally joined the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ with a new all-time high. Benign...
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For the detailed requirements of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group, please visit: https://www.irahelp.com/
Eligible Designated Beneficiaries and Inherited Roth IRAs: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: We have a 16-year-old minor inheriting an IRA from her 40-year-old father. Is it true that the...
New Code Y is Optional for 2025 QCDs
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education A few months ago, the IRS introduced a new Code Y for the reporting of qualified charitable distributions...
Eligible Designated Beneficiary Trivia
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst TRIVIA QUESTION: John is age 40, he has a traditional IRA, and he is updating his beneficiary form. John wants to be sure that...
Eligible Designated Beneficiaries and Successor Beneficiaries: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: My client is age 71 and divorced. He is the primary beneficiary of his ex-wife’s IRA. She just recently passed away this...
Why the Once-Per-Year Rollover Rule Is Often Misapplied
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst The IRS rollover rules are fraught with complexity. (That’s why we always recommend direct transfers instead of 60-day rollovers.) The...
IRA Trick or Treat
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The Halloween holiday is approaching. This is the time of year when tiny ghosts and goblins will ring doorbells...
Weekly Market Commentary
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...
QCDs and RMDs Before Roth Conversions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
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...
Good Reasons to Name a Trust as IRA Beneficiary
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...
The following link/content may include information and statistical data obtained from and/or prepared by thirdparty sources that First Financial Guarantee, deems reliable but in no way does First Financial Guarantee guarantee its accuracy or completeness. First Financial Guarantee 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 First Financial Guarantee. 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 First Financial Guarantee, execution of required documentation, and receipt of required disclosures. All investments involve risk and past performance is no guarantee of future results.
For the detailed requirements of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group, please visit: https://www.irahelp.com/
7 Costly Medicare Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
1) Waiting too long to enroll If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period (the 7-month window around your 65th birthday) and don’t have qualifying employer coverage, you may face lifelong Part B and Part D penalties.Fix: Mark your IEP dates, or talk with an advisor 2–3...
“Snowbird Medicare: A Two-State Plan That Actually Works”
Snowbird Medicare: A Two-State Plan That Actually Works If you split the year between two homes, you already know about duplicate utility bills and the art of packing one jacket that somehow works in two climates. But there’s one thing snowbirds often overlook: how to...
Turning 65? The No-Stress Medicare Timeline (What to Do & When)
Medicare doesn’t have to be confusing. Use this simple month-by-month checklist to enroll on time, avoid penalties, and choose coverage that fits your doctors, prescriptions, travel, and budget. 6–9 Months Before Your 65th Birthday: Get Your Bearings Learn the basics:...
7 Smart Moves to Cut Health Costs and Get Better Coverage with Medicare (and the Right Insurance Pairings)
If you’re approaching 65, already on Medicare, or helping a parent navigate coverage, you’ve probably noticed two things: The rules change often, and 2) small choices can have big cost consequences. The good news? With a little structure—and the right partner—you can...
What Is Medicare? A Friendly Guide to Parts A, B, C & D
Meta: A simple walkthrough of Medicare Parts A, B, C & D—what each covers, who’s eligible, and how they work together.Takeaways: Four parts, different roles Enrollment timing matters Coverage & costs vary by plan and area Post:Medicare is the federal health...
Medicare in 2025: What You Need to Know About Your Coverage
As we step into 2025, understanding your Medicare needs is more important than ever. With healthcare costs rising and plan options evolving, staying informed ensures you have the right coverage to protect both your health and your financial well-being. Whether you’re...
How are Medicare costs and benefits changing for 2026?
Learn how premiums, out-of-pocket costs and income-related surcharges are changing for 2026 Medicare coverage What are the changes to Medicare benefits for 2026? Medicare changes for 2026 include increases for Medicare Part B and Part A premiums and cost-sharing,...
Six Changes Coming to Social Security in 2026
Big changes are coming to Social Security in the year ahead, impacting everything from the size of your benefit check to your full retirement age. Here's what you need to know. In January 2026, several changes to Social Security will take effect, impacting everything...
Vaccines Medicare Covers for Free in 2025
The U.S. is experiencing an outbreak of measles and is on track to have the most whooping cough cases since 1948. These vaccines Medicare covers for free can keep you safe. Did you know that Medicare fully covers many vaccines for its beneficiaries? Well, they do....
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