This post was last updated on February 27, 2026, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
Are you looking for ways to avoid taxes on retirement and Social Security income? There are many retirement tax strategies you should be aware of. You may even be looking for how to avoid taxes on withdrawals from your 401k or other investment accounts.
This post was last updated on February 25, 2026, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
It seems like Roth conversions are all the rage, but are they really the right thing for you? There are many potential benefits, but there are some trade-offs to consider as well. The decision to use a Roth conversion incorporates a much longer timeline than many other tax-saving strategies.
This post was last updated on February 24, 2026, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
If you’re required to take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), then knowing your options is important. Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) are a useful tool to keep in mind.
This post was last updated on February 24, 2026, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
Getting taxed at the capital gains rate is usually considered better, but what if those gains affect your ordinary income taxes? Understanding when capital gains can push you into a higher tax bracket is very important. The final step of investing success is keeping your hard-earned cash where it belongs – in your bank account!
This post was last updated on February 19, 2026, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
A 403(b) plan or tax-sheltered annuity (TSA) is a retirement account for public schools, colleges and universities, churches, and non-profit organizations. While the account works similarly to other retirement plans, like a 401 (k), there are some differences.
This post was last updated on February 17, 2026, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
You’ve reached many milestones in your life so far, but retirement brings new challenges and opportunities. You may already have many goals in mind, or you may be going back to the drawing board.
This post was last updated on February 17, 2026, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
Saving money for retirement is critical, but when it comes to the types of accounts you have, it can start to get a little confusing.
Annuities are often sold as "tax-advantaged," but what do taxes actually look like when you’re in retirement? It’s important to understand the "wait now, pay later" nature of tax-deferred growth and annuity taxation. Retirement isn’t the time to get caught off guard by tax surprises.
The name of the game is keeping more of your retirement check and not overpaying Uncle Sam. The first step in maximizing your tax strategy is understanding what you have and how your investments are taxed. This is an essential part of a comprehensive financial plan to make the most of your retirement savings.
This post was last updated on February 04, 2026, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
Make the most of your retirement planning in 2026! No matter how much time there is between now and these deadlines, mark your calendar so you don't miss anything. Now is the time to prepare for retirement account contributions (or withdrawals).
This post was last updated on December 23, 2025, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
Roth conversions are among the most powerful long-term tax-saving strategies. If a Roth conversion might benefit you, the next question is how much you should convert. The right amount will vary based on your situation.
This post was last updated on December 01, 2025, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.
Taking a pension lump sum takes careful consideration. And if you decide to take a lump sum, you’ll have to decide whether to transfer your lump sum pension payout into your 401(k) or your IRA. The decision to take a lump sum can’t be reversed, so take it seriously.
Before 2025 ends, retirees need to make sure they’ve covered all their bases for taxes, charitable giving, RMDs, and more. With recent changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, there’s even more to consider for your retirement checklist. Whether you’re thinking about retirement, currently transitioning into retirement, or are already fully retired, there are many items on the to-do list.
You don’t want to wait until the last minute either. In many cases, you’ll need assistance from your accountant or financial planner to check everything off your list. In many cases, failing to act now could trigger penalties, which is a bad way to start the new year. Once January 1st rolls around, the tax year for 2025 is closed, and there’s no turning back!
Social Security changes from the 'One, Big, Beautiful Bill' could have the longest-lasting impacts on your retirement. Healthcare and tax reforms have dominated headlines, but they also have numerous secondary effects.
The impact largely depends on how effectively you utilize temporary rules and tax reductions. We’ll explore short-term and long-term effects, who’s most affected, and what you can do now to stay prepared.
The One Big Beautiful Bill affects retirees in many ways. But how will it change Medicare? Although it’s too early to tell, there will be some immediate changes and several potential long-term impacts you need to be aware of.
We provided a broader overview in our article, "How the One Big Beautiful Bill Affects Retirees." Now we’re going to discuss how this new law impacts Medicare and what you can do to prepare.
There’s a ton of noise out there regarding the One Big Beautiful Bill. But how does it affect retirees? For many retirees, there won’t be any major game changers, but there are some key changes you need to know.
Fortunately, there are no significant changes to tax bracket structures. However, there were several changes to standard and itemized deductions, as well as increased gift and estate tax exemptions. We also get some new deductions, lose others, and see many modified credits, deductions, and phase-outs.
If you’re nearing retirement, you might have life insurance or an annuity you no longer need. If so, you should be aware of what’s called a 1035 exchange.
A 1035 exchange can help you if you’re unsure about what to do with an old life insurance policy or an annuity.
Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) are employer-funded plans that allow employees to pay for qualified medical expenses with tax-free money. HRAs can be used to reimburse employees for a wide range of expenses, including individual health insurance premiums, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
If your employer offers an HRA, you should certainly check it out. It’s a great benefit to help reduce your overall healthcare costs! There are several types of HRAs, so be sure to check your plan documents carefully.
Deciding what pension payout option to choose is a momentous decision with huge impacts on your financial future. There may be several different options – and you don’t want to choose the wrong one. Your company’s plan documents can also be confusing, which makes things more stressful.
However, with the right education and planning, you can navigate this important decision with confidence. The biggest challenge is understanding how each payout option can help work in concert with the other pieces of your life. We hope to give you the tools to make informed comparisons to make the best decision for you and your family.
There are lots of small, yet important things to creep up on you as you approach retirement. However, these “ankle biters” can turn into a big collective problem if you don’t pay attention. Don’t let the tiny details derail your retirement plans!
We’ll discuss some of the finer details that often get missed or confused. You’ll feel so much better knowing you’ve covered all your bases.
Pension plans are incredibly valuable retirement assets, but they can also be incredibly confusing. Cash balance plans are a fairly popular option for many modern-day pensions. We’d like to share the basics of what cash balance plans are and how to get the most out of them.
If your employer offers a cash balance plan, it’s important to know how these plans work so you can maximize your pension payout. We’ll discuss what a cash balance pension plan is and how it compares to other pension plans you may have heard about. We’ll also discuss how to integrate a pension with your other retirement assets and benefits.
