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The views reflected by the author in this article are subject to change at any time without notice. Imagine Financial Solutions 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.
Why Fixed Indexed Annuities Are a Smart Choice for Retirement Planning
When planning for retirement, one of the greatest challenges is balancing growth potential with protection of principal. Many investors seek opportunities that allow...
The 4% Rule: How Much Can You Spend in Retirement?
How much can you spend without running out of money? The 4% rule is a popular rule of thumb, but you can do better. Here are guidelines for finding your personalized...
Fixed Index Annuity
What Is a Fixed Index Annuity? A fixed index annuity is a financial product whose terms are defined by a contract between you and an insurance company. It features...
Why Annuities May Be a Safer Bet in 2025
Many people decide to claim their Social Security benefit when they retire. You may be one of them. It could be that you need the money, or maybe you want to invest it...
Interest in Annuities Is Soaring: Understanding the 2025 Trend
Learn how the market, economy, and demographics are shaping the annuity industry. The annuity industry is having a moment. After years of mixed opinions and confusion...
Annuity Awareness Month 2025: Your Guide to Income Security
Each June, Annuity Awareness Month shines a spotlight on one of retirement’s most misunderstood—but potentially powerful—financial tools: the annuity. In 2025, as...
6 Ways to Secure Your Finances After Retirement
Although your CalPERS service retirement is a lifetime benefit, and you have other income sources available to you, money can still be tight. Making ends meet is a big...
Retirement planning with annuities in 2025: Key considerations and trends
Annuities have seen a resurgence in popularity as a retirement planning tool, especially in 2025, driven by market volatility, higher interest rates, and an aging...
7 steps to prepare for your upcoming retirement
Planning to retire within the next 10 years? Taking these actions now could help bolster your portfolio as you approach your planned retirement date. After decades of...
Weekly Market Commentary
Investors sent the S&P 500 to another all-time high in a holiday-shortened week of trading. President Trump started the week by asking the Supreme Court to...
Weekly Market Commentary
The S&P 500 posted a gain for the fourth consecutive month as investors continued to embrace the prospects of a September rate cut, a robust economic outlook, and...
Weekly Market Commentary
US equity markets ended the week with a powerful move to the upside after Fed Chairman J. Powell indicated that the balance of risk had shifted to the labor market,...
Weekly Market Commentary
Global financial markets had another positive week as the Dow Jones Industrial Average finally joined the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ with a new all-time high. Benign...
Weekly Market Commentary
Global financial markets rallied last week as investors stepped in again to buy the prior week’s dip in prices. Japan, Germany, Spain, and Italy were international...
Weekly Market Commentary
Markets forged another set of all-time highs before taking a step back last week as a deluge of information had to be digested by investors. August 1st was the tariff...
Weekly Market Commentary
The S&P 500 and NASDAQ reached another set of all-time highs, driven by constructive rhetoric on global trade and positive second-quarter earnings results from...
Weekly Market Commentary
A barrage of tariff letters sent to over 20 countries by President Trump yielded very little movement in the financial markets. Trump announced that there would not be...
Weekly Market Commentary
The holiday-shortened week produced another week of gains for US equity indices. The S&P 500 was up 10.6 % in the 2nd quarter, while the NASDAQ composite rose...
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6 Required Questions to Determine an IRA Beneficiary Payout Structure
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst 1. When did the decedent die? The SECURE Act impacts beneficiaries of decedents who died in 2020 or later. Anyone who passed...
How Will States Tax Trump Account Contributions?
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Trump Account contributions can be made as early as this July 4. But before making a contribution on behalf of a child, you should...
The Five-Year Rule and Rollovers to Employer Plans: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education QUESTION: Hi, I was wondering if my Roth account that is a part of my Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) through federal...
How an Excess IRA Contribution Can Happen to You
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Not all funds in an IRA belong there. When a contribution is not permitted in an IRA, it is considered an excess...
April 15: The Deadline for Some IRA Transaction, but Not All
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst April 15 is fast approaching. Not only is this the standard tax filing deadline, but it is also the deadline to complete...
Non-Spouse Beneficiaries and Funding QCDS: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
Non-Spouse Beneficiaries and Funding QCDS: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag Thursday, April 09, 2026 By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: If a non-spouse...
The Strange RMD Rules for Ex-Spouses After a Divorce
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst “Qualified domestic relations orders” (QDROs) are court orders used to divide ERISA retirement plan assets after a divorce. Normally,...
Five Last-Minute Tips for 2025 IRA Contributions
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The tax-filing deadline is almost here. Are you thinking about making a 2025 IRA (traditional or Roth)...
Tax Withholding from a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) and from a Roth Conversion: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: I had my IRA custodian send my required minimum distribution (RMD) from my IRA to our church, but had 20% federal taxes...
The views reflected by the author in this article are subject to change at any time without notice. Imagine Financial Solutions 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.
The U.S. is experiencing an outbreak of measles and is on track to have the most whooping cough cases since 1948. These vaccines Medicare covers for free can keep you... Learn about the benefits that become permanent features of Medicare in 2026 and other changes as they are released. Knowing how Medicare is evolving and which benefits... Living with ALS presents a unique set of challenges, especially when it comes to managing your health care needs and medications. In 2025, important changes are coming... Get a colorectal cancer screening at no extra cost to you. Learn more about life-saving screening options. Have you been putting off your colorectal cancer screening?... Discover six ways to access care fast, even if your doctor is busy. Hint: You may not need to go in person. Doctors’ offices are busier than ever these days. Sometimes... Key Points You do not need to be receiving Social Security benefits to apply for Medicare. You can receive Social Security benefits as early as 62 and Medicare benefits... Key Points While the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is not mandatory, it is a 100% covered preventive service. The Annual Wellness Visit differs from the typical annual... Key Points Medicare Part D is a voluntary program, but if you do not enroll in a plan, you won’t have coverage for expensive medications. You will also have a late... Original Medicare Part B covers 80% of the cost of most services. But what about the other 20%? Or the other out-of-pocket costs like deductibles or inpatient copays?...
Vaccines Medicare Covers for Free in 2025
Seven Medicare Changes Coming in 2026
Navigating Medicare Changes in 2025 for People Living with ALS: A Comprehensive Guide
Colorectal cancer screenings can save your life
Get the care you need quickly when you’re sick
Can You Apply for Medicare Without Social Security?
Is the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit Mandatory?
Why You Need Part D
Medigaps