"This revenue procedure provides a transfer tax safe harbor for certain individual donors who make one or more contributions to Trump accounts established under section 530A of the Internal Revenue Code.... [F]or taxpayers within the scope of section 4 of this revenue procedure, contributions to Trump accounts will be treated as completed gifts that are not gifts of future interests in property and to which the annual per-donee gift tax exclusion applies. As a result, taxpayers within the scope of section 4 of this revenue procedure will not be required to file gift tax returns reporting such contributions." MORE >>
"[1] Social Security won't be there for me.... [2] I don't need a long-term care plan because I'll stay in my home.... [3] Medicaid will cover my long-term care costs.... [4] Now that I'm retired, long-term investment returns no longer apply to me.... [5] I shouldn't spend from principal.... [6] My income taxes will be lower in retirement.... [7] I need to hit a specific number, like $1 million, to retire." MORE >>
"[A] healthy 65-year-old couple retiring this year will need to save on average: [1] $418,000 under Original Medicare with Medigap Plan G plus Part D coverage, an increase of $30,000 (+7.7%) from 2025. The couple is projected to spend an average of $637,000 on healthcare expenses over the course of their remaining lifetime. [2] $211,000 with Medicare Advantage plus Part D (MAPD), an increase of $28,000 (+15.3%) from 2025. The couple is projected to spend an average of $320,000 on healthcare expenses over the course of their remaining lifetime." MORE >>
"Advisors with clients who receive federal benefits must become experts in pension rules, service credit calculations, and benefit elections to serve as a valuable resource during both the planning and retirement phases." MORE >>
"DINKS (dual income, no kids) have no adult children on the horizon to help with trips to the doctor, meal deliveries, or activities of daily living as needed. Thus, the surviving spouse is potentially more likely to have to pay out of pocket for support services as they age. Similarly, seniors with no immediate family to provide room and board during their twilight years may move into an assisted living facility or nursing home sooner than their peers who are parents. Paying those bills for even a few extra months can take its toll on their budget." MORE >>
"Backdoor Roth IRA conversions offer three main tax advantages, including income tax free growth, income tax free withdrawals in retirement, and no required minimum distributions (RMDs). ... IRS reporting requirements apply, including filing Form 8606 for nondeductible IRA contributions." MORE >>
"If the Federal Reserve does manage to hit its long-term target of 2% annual inflation ... 44% of the spending power would be wiped out in 30 years. But 10% annual inflation would wipe out over 96% of that spending power.... If inflation is high, the value of the longevity protection is virtually wiped out.... If one can afford to buy an insurance annuity either within a target-date fund or otherwise, then they can use the funds to delay Social Security. If one wants more than Social Security can provide at age 70, a TIPS ladder is superior to an insurance annuity." MORE >>
"The Retirement Probability Simulator provides insight into the volatility and uncertainty inherent in investment returns. The Actuarial Financial Planner provides a disciplined, liability‑driven foundation for determining sustainable spending. Used together, they offer a more complete picture of retirement readiness than either tool can provide alone." MORE >>
"While good health may buy you more time and a higher quality of life in your later years, it can also bring greater health care costs in retirement. That's because living longer not only extends the amount of time you'll need to pay for routine health care but also increases your risk of chronic disease.... Here's what health care could cost you -- and how to plan for it." MORE >>
51 pages. "This paper focuses on income as the foundation of retirement security.... The goal is ... to provide a clear framework for making confident spending decisions, understanding the trade-offs of those decisions, and navigating retirement with greater peace of mind.... [F]our principles for retirement income are: [1] Start with purpose ... [2] Cover the essentials ... [3] Make your wealth last ... [4] Simplify." MORE >>
May 21, 2026. "Attach to Form 1040, 1040-SR, 1040-NR, or 1041.... If you only owe the additional 10% tax on the full amount of the early distributions, you may be able to report this tax directly on Schedule 2(Form 1040),line 5, without filing Form 5329."MORE >>
"A divorce should trigger a comprehensive review of beneficiary designations across all retirement accounts and related benefits ... [A]ny changes must be made using the plan's required process. A fax, letter, email, or even a provision in a will or divorce agreement may reflect intent, but it may not be sufficient to change the beneficiary if it does not meet the plan's procedural requirements. Finally, it is important to confirm that the change has actually been completed." [Packaging Corp. of Am. Thrift Plan for Hourly Emps. v. Langdon, No. 25-1859 (7th Cir. Feb. 2, 2026)] MORE >>
"Low tax brackets and a bonus senior deduction make 2026 a good year to consider a conversion. Early retirement years, when people have lower incomes, are often a good time for Roth conversions." MORE >>
"[T]he main risks you face in retirement come from events that will either lower your expected assets or increase your expected spending liabilities. These risks include: [1] Less favorable than assumed investment returns; [2] Higher that assumed future inflation or cost increases; [3] Lower than assumed Social Security payments; [4] Uninsured asset losses; [5] Unanticipated spending ... [This article describes] how you can stress test some of these risks[.]" MORE >>
"Most people want a long and secure retirement and, to that end, have saved and built up investments over time. ... [T]hreats that can disrupt those retirement savings and diminish their anticipated returns [include] ... [1] Uncertain interest rates ... [2] Market volatility ... [3] Withdrawal timing and sequence of returns risk ... [4] Government policy uncertainty ... [5] Increasing longevity." MORE >>
"Opening a custodial IRA for a grandchild is a savvy move that combines estate planning with a massive head start on wealth building. For grandparents, it's often more efficient than a traditional savings account or even a 529 plan, depending on the goal. For grandchildren, it can be invaluable, especially if they graduate from college during a bad economy." MORE >>
"[T]here are some situations where contributing to a 401(k) retirement account might not be a smart money move for seniors. This usually occurs after workers have accumulated a large portfolio and are maximizing their tax strategy in retirement. Many people may also need to stop maxing out a 401(k) when they have competing financial priorities." MORE >>
"With this approach, money is withdrawn strategically to limit your tax exposure. The less you pay Uncle Sam, the more you have to spend or leave to your heirs. It's a strategy any retiree can use, but timing is everything. Those who spend more early in retirement must structure their plans differently from those who wait until later." MORE >>
"You've planned for retirement -- saved diligently, mapped out your Social Security strategy and thought through market risks. But what happens if one day, you simply can't manage your money anymore? ... [1] Name a trusted contact on your financial accounts ... [2] Durable power of attorney ... [3] Health care power of attorney ... [4] HIPAA authorization ... [5] Last will and testament ... [6] Make sure your family knows your team." MORE >>
"[P]ushing back against some of the more recent wave of lawsuits seems prudent. But the DOL shouldn’t completely throw away what, to date, has been its main way of ensuring that employers manage 401(k)s responsibly. The quality management of all of our retirement savings depends on it." MORE >>
"Most older Americans want Congress to 'save Social Security (and Medicare).' Many of those individuals believe (hope) that Congress will not reduce their benefits, but will, instead, save the system through increased revenue, from some source that will presumably not negatively affect them. And maybe this will be what happens, or maybe not. It is arguably more prudent and conservative to assume some level of benefit cuts will occur than to assume none." MORE >>
"[This alert] summarizes what you must know for your tax return in 2026 if you deferred compensation into and/or received distributions from an NQDC plan in 2025.... Changes in reporting on IRS Form 1040.... W-2 reporting still potentially unclear.... What to do if your company's NQDC plan violates section 409aA.... Mistakes to avoid with filing extensions.... Equity compensation too?" MORE >>
"[F]or federal employees and other government workers, the decision to convert money from a Traditional TSP to Roth may require more careful timing than the headlines suggest. As 2026 approaches, Roth conversions are still allowed, but the tax planning surrounding them is becoming more complex." MORE >>
"When Congress created the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) in the mid-1980s, it fundamentally changed how federal retirement works. The earlier Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) relied almost entirely on a large government pension. FERS replaced that approach with a three-part system that resembles private-sector retirement programs. For today's federal employees, retirement planning under FERS requires careful coordination of three sources of income: the basic annuity, Social Security, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)." MORE >>
"Retirees often rely on simple, hands-off spending strategies ... These approaches require little engagement or complex decision-making and may result in suboptimal spending.... Goal-setting may be the missing driver, where retirees may need new or renewed goals in retirement to motivate more-engaged spending decisions." MORE >>
