The Accounts Are All There. But Are You Drawing from Them in the Right Order?
Most retirees never explicitly plan which account to draw from first. The sequence matters more than most people realize — and the consequences compound quietly over time.
You Followed the Rules. So How Did You End Up with an Excess IRA Contribution?
Excess IRA contributions don't just happen to people who aren't paying attention. Here are six ways a well-intentioned move can trigger a penalty — and what to do if it happens to you.
When a “Tax-Free” IRA Strategy Becomes Partially Taxable
A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) or Roth conversion can be highly effective—but small execution details can quietly change the outcome. In this article, we explore how tax withholding can turn a tax-efficient strategy into a partially taxable event, and what that reveals about the importance of coordinated planning.
Understanding Contribution Limits When You Have Multiple Retirement Plans
If you contribute to more than one retirement plan, understanding how contribution limits apply across accounts is more nuanced than it appears. This article explains how deferral and overall limits work together—and where confusion often arises.
No Joke - Today is a Required Beginning Date!
Today is April 1, and that’s a big day because today is the required beginning date (RBD) for any traditional IRA owner who turned age 73 in 2025.
5 Things You Need to Know About the Roth IRA Five-Year Rules
Here are 5 things every Roth IRA owner needs to know about the five-year rules.
When a Simple IRA Decision for a Surviving Spouse Creates an Unnecessary Penalty
When a spouse inherits an IRA, the decision may seem straightforward. But depending on how and when that transition is handled, it can create outcomes that weren’t intended. This is one example of how timing—not complexity—often shapes retirement results.
Moving the Clocks Ahead and Reviewing the Roth IRA 5-Year Clocks
Adjusting our clocks is a reminder to review the confusing rules surrounding the Roth IRA distribution clocks.
5 Reasons to Roll Over Your Retirement Funds to an IRA
With job loss can come questions about what to do with retirement savings such as your 401(k) plan. A rollover to an IRA may be a good move for you.
Fatal Error: Mistakes That Cannot be Fixed - Part 2
Despite any repercussions, certain IRA and retirement plan transactions simply cannot be unwound. As a follow-up to the March 2 entry, here are a few more “fatal errors” that cannot be fixed.
Act Quickly to Avoid Double Taxation on Excess 401(k) Deferrals
If you made excess deferrals to your 401(k) or 403(b) plan(s) in 2025, you need to correct the error while there’s still time. The deadline is April 15, 2026.
Rolling Over Your Retirement Plan? Here's 5 Things You Need to Know About RMDs
These days many Americans are still working long beyond what has traditionally been retirement age. There are some big benefits to extending a career.