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The views reflected by the author in this article are subject to change at any time without notice. Pivotal Financial deems reliable any statistical data or information obtained from or prepared by third-party sources included in this article, but in no way guarantees its accuracy or completeness.
Retirement Income Planning Going Into 2026: Turning Your Savings Into a Lifetime Paycheck
For most people, retirement isn’t about a specific age or account balance—it’s about confidence.Confidence that the bills will be paid, that you can handle surprises, and that you won’t run out of money before you run out of life. As we approach 2026, retirement...
Estate Planning & You: Getting Ready for 2026 (Without Freaking Out)
state planning sounds like something for billionaires in marble mansions… not for regular people with a mortgage, a 401(k), a dog, and a favorite taco spot. But here’s the truth:If you love someone or own something, you need some kind of estate plan. As we head toward...
Retirement Planning in 2026: How to Prepare for a New Era of Retirement
If you feel like retirement has gotten more complicated, you’re not imagining things. Between market volatility, rising costs, new tax rules, and longer life expectancies, “set it and forget it” retirement planning just doesn’t work anymore. The good news? With a...
Retirement Planning in 2026: A Practical Playbook (and How Annuities Can Help)
TL;DR: Going into 2026, retirees face two big realities: markets that still swing and a shifting tax landscape. Focus on dependable income, flexible tax buckets, and a plan for withdrawals/RMDs. Annuities—used correctly—can add durability to a retirement paycheck...
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 practical, client-friendly guide you can publish — plus talking points to spark action before...
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 tax-advantaged cash you can access in down markets cover final expenses and debts so heirs keep what...
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, steady cash flow, and reduce the chances of running out of money—especially when markets are jumpy....
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 guaranteed income (Social Security, pensions, annuity floors) with market growth and cash reserves. Smart...
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 efficiently—especially in volatile markets. Why these two tools belong in the same conversation Most...
The views reflected by the author in this article are subject to change at any time without notice. Pivotal Financial deems reliable any statistical data or information obtained from or prepared by third-party sources included in this article, but in no way guarantees its accuracy or completeness.
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 between OpenAI and AMD, sending AMD shares nearly 24% higher. The deal catalyzed the technology sector...
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 by markets last week, which came as a surprise given that several key economic data sets (Initial...
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 and better-than-feared inflation data tempered the notion of additional rate cuts. Several Fed...
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 point cut to its policy rate and telegraphed the potential for three more cuts by January 2026. The...
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 reported for the week essentially gave the Fed the green light for a September rate cut....
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 expedite a hearing to chGaryge the International Trade Court and the Federal Court of Appeals rulings that...
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 strong corporate earnings. The much-anticipated second-quarter results from NVidia were met with...
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, leaving the door open for a September rate cut. The final day of trading wiped out losses incurred in...
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 consumer inflation increased the probability of a September rate cut to 99% and fostered the idea of...
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The Slott Report Gives Thanks
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Thanksgiving Season is upon us! Here at The Slott Report, we are thankful for many things: We are thankful to have a platform to share all the important IRA and retirement account information about which we write. We are thankful...
IRA and Retirement Plan Dollar Limits Increased for 2026
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst The IRS has released the cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement accounts for 2026, and many of the dollar limits will increase next year. Retirement Plans The elective deferral limit for employees who participate in 401(k),...
IRA Rollovers and Qualified Charitable Distributions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: My wife and I have a large disparity in IRA balances. It is about a 10 to 1 ratio. I would like to transfer a significant amount to her IRA. Our brokerages say they do not allow these types of transfers....
The Right Moves – How to Move Retirement Funds
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The year 2025 has been a turbulent time for the economy. Whether due to job loss or seeking better investment opportunities in volatile markets, the result is that more and more retirement account funds are on the...
When Can I Take an In-Service Withdrawal from My 401(k)?
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst With continuing economic uncertainty, it’s not surprising that the number of employees who need to dip into their 401(k) and other company plan funds is on the rise. Congress originally set strict limits on the ability of employees...
5 Times When You Should Not Name Your Spouse as Beneficiary
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education While naming a spouse directly as the IRA beneficiary has many advantages and is a popular choice, it is not always the correct planning strategy. In some cases, another beneficiary may be better such as...
Penalty-Free Withdrawals of Roth Conversions and the First RMD Year: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: Greetings, In 2025, I converted a traditional IRA to an existing Roth IRA, which I have held for 20 years. I will turn age 60 in 2026. Can I withdraw the converted money from my Roth IRA penalty free? Or do I have to wait five...
IRAs and 401(k) Plans: Different Rules, Different Worlds
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst At their core, IRAs and 401(k) plans operate in a similar fashion. Contributed dollars avoid taxation until they are withdrawn at some point in the future. Also, Roth is available in both IRA and 401(k) form. Roth dollars grow...
8 Questions Answered About the New Mandatory Roth Catch-Up Rule
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Many employers with company plans, and their recordkeepers, are scrambling to be ready for the soon-to-be-effective SECURE 2.0 rule requiring high-paid employees to make plan catch-ups contributions to Roth accounts. Here are 8...
The views reflected by the author in this article are subject to change at any time without notice. Pivotal Financial deems reliable any statistical data or information obtained from or prepared by third-party sources included in this article, but in no way guarantees its accuracy or completeness.
Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap) for 2025–2026
What to Know About Filling the Gaps in Original Medicare If you’re approaching Medicare or already enrolled, you’ve probably noticed something surprising:Original Medicare (Parts A & B) doesn’t cover everything. That’s where Medicare Supplement Insurance (also...
read more
Medicare Supplement Plans in 2026: What’s Changing, What’s Not, and What It Means for You
If you’re on Medicare — or getting close — you’ve probably heard people talk about “Medicare Supplement” or “Medigap” plans. You’ve also probably heard…👉 “Plan letters”👉 “Original Medicare only covers 80%”👉 “Rates keep going up every year.” It’s a lot. So let’s walk...
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Working Past 65? The New Rules of Medicare for Today’s “Unretired” Americans
If you’re turning 65, there’s a good chance you’re not retiring the way your parents did. Many of today’s 60-somethings are still working, consulting, starting businesses, helping with grandkids, or caring for aging parents. Life doesn’t magically slow down at 65—and...
read more
Your Annual Medicare Checklist: What to Review Before You Change Plans
Choosing or changing your Medicare coverage isn’t something to rush. Each year, your health needs, prescriptions, and budget can shift—and plans change too. Use this simple checklist so you can feel confident in your decision. 1) Confirm your doctors and hospitals are...
read more
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...
read more
“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...
read more
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:...
read more
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...
read more
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...
read more
Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap) for 2025–2026
What to Know About Filling the Gaps in Original Medicare If you’re approaching Medicare or already enrolled, you’ve probably noticed something surprising:Original Medicare (Parts A & B) doesn’t cover everything. That’s where Medicare Supplement Insurance (also...
Medicare Supplement Plans in 2026: What’s Changing, What’s Not, and What It Means for You
If you’re on Medicare — or getting close — you’ve probably heard people talk about “Medicare Supplement” or “Medigap” plans. You’ve also probably heard…👉 “Plan letters”👉 “Original Medicare only covers 80%”👉 “Rates keep going up every year.” It’s a lot. So let’s walk...
Working Past 65? The New Rules of Medicare for Today’s “Unretired” Americans
If you’re turning 65, there’s a good chance you’re not retiring the way your parents did. Many of today’s 60-somethings are still working, consulting, starting businesses, helping with grandkids, or caring for aging parents. Life doesn’t magically slow down at 65—and...
Your Annual Medicare Checklist: What to Review Before You Change Plans
Choosing or changing your Medicare coverage isn’t something to rush. Each year, your health needs, prescriptions, and budget can shift—and plans change too. Use this simple checklist so you can feel confident in your decision. 1) Confirm your doctors and hospitals are...
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...