“Third-Party Posts”
The views reflected by the author in this article are subject to change at any time without notice. Service Member Vets 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.
You’ve Built a Financial Future. Have You Protected It?
Building financial security takes years of effort. You save, manage expenses, pay down debt, and make decisions with the future in mind. Each step helps create more options for yourself and the people you love. But there is another question worth asking: How would...
The Retirement Paycheck Problem: You’ve Saved for 30 Years. Now What?
For decades, you worked for your paycheck. In retirement, your money needs to start working for you. But will it be ready? Think about the last 30 or 40 years of your life. You got up, went to work, paid the bills, raised a family, and hopefully set aside money for...
Has Your Financial Plan Kept Up With Your Life? A Fall Checkup Before Year-End
Life rarely changes all at once. A new job brings a different benefits package. A growing family adds responsibilities. Retirement moves a little closer. Everyday expenses gradually take up more of the budget. Individually, these changes may seem manageable. Together,...
7 Year-End Financial Moves to Consider Before December 31 As the year begins to wind down, your financial plan deserves a year-end review too. The final few months of the year can be an important time to evaluate retirement accounts, taxes, insurance coverage, income...
You’ve Worked Hard to Build Your Future. Is Your Financial Plan Keeping Up?
A new home. A growing family. A career change. Retirement getting closer. Life rarely stays the same for long. Yet financial plans and insurance policies can sit untouched for years—even as the people and priorities they were designed to support change. You may be...
Could Your Retirement Plan Handle a Change of Plans?
You may have a clear picture of retirement: more time with family, a few trips you have been putting off, and the freedom to spend your days doing what matters most. But a retirement plan also needs room for the things you cannot schedule. An unexpected home repair. A...
The Four Risks That Can Quietly Undermine Your Retirement Plan
Retirement planning is about more than reaching a particular savings goal. Even a substantial portfolio can face pressure from risks that are easy to underestimate—including market volatility, inflation, rising healthcare costs, and the possibility of living longer...
Tax-Efficient Retirement Planning: It’s Not Just What You Save—It’s What You Keep
Saving for retirement is one of the most important financial commitments you can make. But building a sizable retirement account is only part of the equation. The amount you are ultimately able to spend may also depend on how—and when—your retirement income is taxed....
The Retirement Expense Many Families Forget to Plan For
Why Long-Term Care Deserves a Place in Your Financial Strategy Most people spend years preparing for retirement. They estimate how much income they may need, decide when to claim Social Security, review their investments, and think about Medicare. Yet one potentially...
The views reflected by the author in this article are subject to change at any time without notice. Service Member Vets 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
It was another volatile week on Wall Street, with US indices ending the week with mixed results. Ongoing concerns about AI financing and its return on investment continued after Meta announced its 3rd-quarter results. The company beat estimates and offered solid...
Weekly Market Commentary
It was a chaotic week on Wall Street as investors tried to interpret mixed Q3 financial results, a spike in oil prices, sharp swings in yields across the curve, hotter-than-expected inflation data, dovish tones from central bankers, and renewed concerns about the AI...
Weekly Market Commentary
U.S. financial markets logged weekly gains as Wall Street shook off tech sector volatility and focused on stabilizing energy prices. Despite severe global bond market pressure, the S&P 500 rose 1.15% and hit an all-time high this week; the Dow Jones Industrial...
Weekly Market Commentary
As we move from the third quarter into the fourth, investors have a lot to consider in this crazy market. US equities finished the week mixed in volatile trade. A standstill in negotiations between the US and Iran pushed oil prices higher early in the week, but the...
Weekly Market Commentary
Markets finished the week mixed as interest rates increased across the yield curve. Oil prices swung significantly during the week as reports suggested the US and Iran were close to a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. This weekend, President Trump rejected the...
Weekly Market Commentary
It was a volatile week on Wall Street as traders assessed monetary policy decisions from several central banks, including the Federal Reserve. The Fed did, as expected, raise its policy rate by 25 basis points to 3.75%-4.00%, but Fed Chairman Warsh's very hawkish...
Weekly Market Commentary
US equity markets fell in the holiday-shortened week as oil prices surpassed $100 a barrel, raising inflation concerns and pushing interest rates higher. Additionally, elevated inflation data announced during the week increased the likelihood that the Federal Reserve...
Weekly Market Commentary
Markets finished the week mixed as investors assessed the escalation of tensions between the US and Iran and recalibrated expectations of Federal Reserve monetary policy. The week started with sharp declines after the US hit targets on an island in the Strait of...
Weekly Market Commentary
Markets ended the week mixed as investors assessed the implications of the US economic isolation of Iran, the fallout of increased tariffs on Canada, Nvidia Q2 earnings results, and the Fed Chairman’s speech at the Kansas City Federal Reserve’s Economic Symposium in...
Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Professional Group (Ed Slott Group) is a membership organization owned by Ed Slott and Company, LLC. Logos and/or trademarks are the property of their respective owners, and no endorsement of (Service Member Vets) is stated or implied. Ed Slott Group and Ed Slott and Company, LLC are not affiliated with Service Member Vets.
For the detailed requirements of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Professional Group, please visit: https://www.irahelp.com/
Health Savings Accounts and IRA Rollovers: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: I have a question regarding joint health savings accounts (HSAs). What happens if an HSA is shared with a spouse who is not yet eligible for Medicare? Can that spouse continue to contribute if they remain enrolled in a...
The Same-Property Rollover Rule Gets No Respect
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Many of you are probably aware of the 60-day rollover deadline and the once-per-year rollover rule. But there’s a third IRA rollover restriction you may be less familiar with: the “same-property rule.” The same-property rule is the Rodney...
5 Things to Know About HSAs at Age 65
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The unfortunate reality for many Americans is that medical expenses will be a large part of their expected budget in retirement years. Health Savings Accounts (HSA), which continue to grow both in numbers and in...
Can My Terminally-Ill Client Qualify For a Penalty-Free IRA Withdrawal?: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst QUESTION: I have a client who is age 52 and is being placed on hospice due to his battle with cancer. I understand that there is a provision in the SECURE 2.0 Act that allows individuals to withdraw from their IRAs prematurely without the...
Top 10 RMD Mistakes
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst IRA owners and retirement plan participants trip over the required minimum distribution (RMD) rules all the time. Bad advice is provided, misinformation is freely disseminated on TikTok, and sometimes smart individuals do...
Inherited IRAs and Roth IRA Portability: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education QUESTION: Are there any penalties/consequences/tax issues if I move money from a Roth IRA to start a new Roth IRA at another company? Thanks, Ramona ANSWER: Hi Ramona, Roth IRA funds are portable. There are no...
Can I “Borrow” From My IRA?
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education With the cost of food, energy, healthcare and other basics on the rise, many Americans are facing a cash crunch. For some, their IRA is their largest asset. Therefore, it is not surprising that they may be looking...
72(t) On a Roth IRA?
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst The 72(t) rules (“series of substantially equal periodic payments”) allow a person to tap retirement dollars before age 59½ without a 10% early distribution penalty. However, to gain early access to the funds, the IRA owner must...
Qualified Charitable Distributions and the 10-Year Rule: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: I did a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) in early January of 2026 to cover a portion of my required minimum distribution (RMD), then took the rest of the RMD before I processed a Roth conversion. Am I now allowed to...
The views reflected by the author in this article are subject to change at any time without notice. Service Member Vets 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.
Does Your Medicare Plan Still Fit Your Life? What to Review Before You Renew
The Medicare plan you chose last year may have made perfect sense at the time. But what happens when your prescriptions change, you start seeing a specialist, or your plan updates its costs and coverage? It is easy to assume that keeping the same plan means everything...
read more
Medicare Changes for 2027: 7 Things You Need to Review Before Keeping Your Current Plan
Your Medicare coverage may look the same on the surface, but important changes to your benefits, prescription costs, and provider networks could affect what you pay next year. For millions of Americans, Medicare provides essential health coverage and greater...
read more
Your Medicare Plan May Be Changing—Even If Your Health Hasn’t
You’re happy with your doctors. Your prescriptions haven’t changed. Your Medicare coverage worked well this year. So, is reviewing your plan really necessary? It’s a worthwhile step. Your healthcare needs may stay the same while your plan’s costs and coverage change....
read more
Medicare Open Enrollment 2027: 7 Things to Review Before December 7
Medicare Open Enrollment is one of the most important times of the year for people who already have Medicare. From October 15 through December 7, 2026, Medicare beneficiaries have an opportunity to review their current coverage and make changes for 2027. Any coverage...
read more
Before Your Next Appointment: 5 Medicare Questions That Can Help Prevent Costly Surprises
You schedule an appointment, hand over your insurance card, and assume your coverage will take care of the rest. Then a bill arrives—or the pharmacy tells you that your new prescription needs approval. Understanding your Medicare coverage before you use it can help...
read more
Your Medicare Plan Changed. Did You Notice?
You recognize the insurance company. You have the same membership card. Your coverage has worked well so far. But does it still fit the year ahead? It is easy to treat Medicare coverage as a decision you have already finished. Yet a plan that met your needs last year...
read more
7 Medicare Enrollment Mistakes to Avoid When Turning 65
Turning 65 is an exciting milestone—but it also brings important Medicare decisions. With multiple enrollment periods, coverage options, and deadlines to understand, even a small mistake could lead to delayed coverage, unexpected expenses, or lifelong penalties. Here...
read more
Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage: What Should You Choose at 65?
As your 65th birthday approaches, you will have several important Medicare decisions to make. One of the biggest is choosing how you want to receive your Medicare benefits. Should you select Original Medicare, or would a Medicare Advantage plan better fit your needs?...
read more
Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage: What Should You Choose at 65?
As your 65th birthday approaches, you will have several important Medicare decisions to make. One of the biggest is choosing how you want to receive your Medicare benefits. Should you select Original Medicare, or would a Medicare Advantage plan better fit your needs?...
read more
Does Your Medicare Plan Still Fit Your Life? What to Review Before You Renew
The Medicare plan you chose last year may have made perfect sense at the time. But what happens when your prescriptions change, you start seeing a specialist, or your plan updates its costs and coverage? It is easy to assume that keeping the same plan means everything...
Medicare Changes for 2027: 7 Things You Need to Review Before Keeping Your Current Plan
Your Medicare coverage may look the same on the surface, but important changes to your benefits, prescription costs, and provider networks could affect what you pay next year. For millions of Americans, Medicare provides essential health coverage and greater...
Your Medicare Plan May Be Changing—Even If Your Health Hasn’t
You’re happy with your doctors. Your prescriptions haven’t changed. Your Medicare coverage worked well this year. So, is reviewing your plan really necessary? It’s a worthwhile step. Your healthcare needs may stay the same while your plan’s costs and coverage change....
Medicare Open Enrollment 2027: 7 Things to Review Before December 7
Medicare Open Enrollment is one of the most important times of the year for people who already have Medicare. From October 15 through December 7, 2026, Medicare beneficiaries have an opportunity to review their current coverage and make changes for 2027. Any coverage...
Before Your Next Appointment: 5 Medicare Questions That Can Help Prevent Costly Surprises
You schedule an appointment, hand over your insurance card, and assume your coverage will take care of the rest. Then a bill arrives—or the pharmacy tells you that your new prescription needs approval. Understanding your Medicare coverage before you use it can help...
Your Medicare Plan Changed. Did You Notice?
You recognize the insurance company. You have the same membership card. Your coverage has worked well so far. But does it still fit the year ahead? It is easy to treat Medicare coverage as a decision you have already finished. Yet a plan that met your needs last year...
7 Medicare Enrollment Mistakes to Avoid When Turning 65
Turning 65 is an exciting milestone—but it also brings important Medicare decisions. With multiple enrollment periods, coverage options, and deadlines to understand, even a small mistake could lead to delayed coverage, unexpected expenses, or lifelong penalties. Here...
Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage: What Should You Choose at 65?
As your 65th birthday approaches, you will have several important Medicare decisions to make. One of the biggest is choosing how you want to receive your Medicare benefits. Should you select Original Medicare, or would a Medicare Advantage plan better fit your needs?...
Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage: What Should You Choose at 65?
As your 65th birthday approaches, you will have several important Medicare decisions to make. One of the biggest is choosing how you want to receive your Medicare benefits. Should you select Original Medicare, or would a Medicare Advantage plan better fit your needs?...