"If you're running behind on retirement savings, you'll probably want to contribute the extra amount, even though there's not a current tax advantage.... A person who is currently age 50 and maxes out on both catch-up and super catch-up contributions could therefore end up with something in the neighborhood of $200,000 (assuming a 5% annual return) in the Roth 401(k) by age 65. And because contribution limits are adjusted for inflation each year, the total would likely be higher than that." MORE >>
73 pages. Dec. 22, 2025. "What's New ... [1] Beginning in 2025, IRA references in these instructions follow a revised naming convention.... [2] Form 8915-F includes a new line 5a. This line directs taxpayers to add the amounts from column (a) of lines 2, 3, and 4, and enter on line 5a the portion of that sum not attributable to qualified disaster distributions." MORE >>
"Starting January 1, 2026, the rules change for anyone earning more than $150,000 in 2025. Every dollar you allocate in catch-up contributions has to go into the Roth side (not pretax) of your 401(k). This single curveball wipes out the upfront tax break you used to get on those catch-ups, which can easily add a few thousand dollars to your 2026 tax bill.... If you were counting on that catch-up deduction to keep your taxes in check, it's time to rethink the plan." MORE >>
"New IRS contribution limits, combined with a major shift in the rules for catch-up contributions, create fresh opportunities for long-term savers while also introducing new planning challenges. For employees in their peak earning years, especially those in their early 60s, these changes could meaningfully shape how retirement savings look. Here's what's new, why it matters, and how to prepare." MORE >>
47 pages; Nov. 6, 2025; pub. Dec. 18, 2025. "Reminders: [1] Distributions to victims of domestic abuse.... [2] Distributions for emergency personal expenses.... [3] Transfers and rollovers of assets and the substantially equal payment method.... [4] The direct payment requirement for certain distributions for payment of health or long-term care insurance repealed." MORE >>
"Complete Form W-4R to have payers withhold the correct amount of federal income tax from your nonperiodic payment or eligible rollover distribution from an employer retirement plan, annuity (including a commercial annuity), or individual retirement arrangement (IRA)." MORE >>
"[1] Not having a plan.... [2] Not saving for the future right now, ... [3] Not factoring in taxes.... [4] Not timing your job changes thoughtfully.... [5] Not planning for healthcare costs." MORE >>
"Think of the 'Best of Both Worlds' or total return retirement spending rule as the 4% rule on steroids -- retirees live off both the income and investment returns. The rest continues to grow and compound. It works like this: Step 1: Determine your initial withdrawal rate.... Step 2: Set guardrails.... Step 3: Rebalance regularly." MORE >>
Rev. Dec. 2025. "Use Form 8915-F for 2021 and later disasters. Also, use it after 2020 for coronavirus-related and other 2020 disasters instead of Form 8915-E. Major Disaster Declarations [on the FEMA website] provides the only qualified disasters and their FEMA numbers for item C. 'This year' (as used on this form) is the year of the form you check in item A next. For example, if you check 2022, 'this year' is 2022." MORE >>
"[T]he lower tax rates were extended permanently by OBBBA -- but this is no time to let your guard down -- a future Congress could still increase tax rates. Take advantage now before year end especially with Roth conversions, and maximizing the lower tax rates for 2025. Also, avoid focusing on reducing taxes for this year at the expense of lifetime tax savings. Plan for life and beyond, not just for this year." MORE >>
"Many middle- and upper-income savers assume they will face a higher tax rate in retirement, but that might be less likely than they think. A taxpayer's effective tax rate is lower than their top marginal rate. Careful tax analysis -- not speculation -- should inform the choice between making traditional and Roth contributions at work." MORE >>
"Taking no more than your RMD generally is advantageous because of tax-deferred compounding. But a larger distribution in a year your tax bracket is low may save tax. Be sure, however, to consider the lost future tax-deferred growth and, if applicable, whether the distribution could: [1] cause Social Security payments to become taxable, [2] increase income-based Medicare premiums and prescription drug charges, or [3] reduce or eliminate the benefits of other tax breaks with income-based limits, such as the new $6,000 deduction for seniors." MORE >>
"Morningstar's latest 'safe' spending analysis finds people starting retirement in 2026 can spend 3.9% of the portfolio annually. If they embrace flexible spending strategies, the safe rate is as high as 6%. Experts say the latter approach is likely more appealing and appropriate for most retirees." MORE >>
"[Notice 2025-68] addresses certain areas of interest to prospective trustees of Trump Accounts and to those individuals, such as parents and guardians, who would like to establish and/or contribute to these accounts. The notice requests comments on numerous issues related to Trump Accounts. The IRS is posting a draft version of Form 4547, Trump Account Election(s) ... When final, the new form can be used to establish a Trump Account and to enroll in the pilot program." MORE >>
"Many people worry about running out of money in retirement, and that concern has risen in recent years because, in general, we're living longer. Knowing how to navigate the drawdown phase is crucial.... [1] The bucket strategy ... [2] Proportional withdrawals, coordinated with the bucket strategy ... [3] Be wary of the 4% rule ... [4] Generating income on top of Social Security." MORE >>
"A withdrawal plan is just as important as your investment strategy. While the immediate goal is to make sure you have enough income to support your lifestyle, the bigger opportunity lies in how you take that income and how to minimize taxes over your entire retirement, not just this year. A thoughtful, tax-efficient withdrawal strategy can potentially reduce your lifetime tax bill and help your money last longer. Let's walk through how to build one." MORE >>
"IRS just released the 2026 contribution limits for qualified retirement plans. Knowing those limits, which are adjusted annually for inflation, is crucial to decision-making about nonqualified deferrals for the many employees and executives who are eligible to participate in company NQDC plans.... You may have an extra incentive to defer taxable income if you believe you will be in a higher income-tax bracket in 2026 than you are in 2025 ... While the income-tax rates for most taxpayers with MAGI of over $500,000 are 35% and 37% (the top two brackets), the SALT deduction phaseout can push your actual marginal tax rate to almost 46%." MORE >>
"Made a mistake? The IRS might be more lenient if you relied on the right professional.... IRS says: you cannot claim advisor error when you are the administrator.... A favorable PLR might come down to who administers the account.... Be careful when relying on articles, even from industry experts.... Can you rely on artificial intelligence for IRA guidance? ... IRA rules are complex, and solutions often depend on facts unique to each case." MORE >>
"[The authors] determine how retirees should manage payouts from defined contribution plans to balance trade-offs between consumption and health care cost shocks, using both retirement plan assets and annuitization. [The] analysis explicitly integrates the role of taxes, required minimum distributions, bequest motives, and the possibility of retiree insolvency.... [P]ayout annuities, especially deferred and variable annuities, can be quite valuable for retirees, even when they face health shocks in later life." MORE >>
"You're diligently saving, investing, and planning for retirement. Everything seems to be on track, but the curveballs just keep coming -- market downturns, surprise expenses, maybe even a health scare. Such developments raise an important question: Is your financial plan sound enough to withstand significant stressors? Here's how to anticipate -- and account for -- the unexpected." MORE >>
"Recent analysis highlights that a man will need to have saved $191,000, and a woman will need to have saved $226,000 just to have a 90% chance of meeting their healthcare spending needs in retirement. As medical costs continue to rise faster than inflation and life expectancy is higher than ever, planning for healthcare in retirement ... should be viewed as a 'core liability' alongside housing, food, and other necessities." MORE >>
"A major reason not to set your retirement plan on autopilot: sequence of returns risk. A flexible strategy with cash reserves and smart withdrawal moves can help ensure that a bad market doesn't sink your golden years." MORE >>
"The IRS requires that you take the proper amount from RMD-subject accounts by year-end, but the rules don't specify which investments you tap to meet those distributions.... [A]ssuming you don't need the RMD for living expenses, a transfer in-kind of securities from your IRA to a taxable brokerage account may make sense. Not only can it help you maintain the same market exposure, just in a different part of your portfolio, but the transfer may also reduce the taxes due on future appreciation when you eventually do sell." MORE >>
"Here are five situations where it may be better NOT to name the spouse directly as the IRA beneficiary. [1] Sufficient assets.... [2] Vulnerable beneficiaries.... [3] Remarriage concerns ... [4] Blended families ... [5] Special needs beneficiaries." MORE >>
Rev. Dec. 2025. "What's New: [1] Updated IRA naming convention.... [2] New line 5a ... [which] directs taxpayers to add the amounts from column (a) of lines 2, 3, and 4, and enter on line 5a the portion of that sum not attributable to qualified disaster distributions." MORE >>
