Annuities and required minimum distributions (RMDs) are some of the most confusing and buzzworthy topics in retirement. But do you need to worry about either one? Maybe, maybe not.

Annuities often create confusion because of their complexity and the high-pressure sales tactics used to get you to buy them. RMDs are annoying because nobody wants to be forced to do anything in retirement, let alone pay taxes on top of it. It’s important to understand what type of annuity you’re talking about, whether RMDs are going to be an issue for you, and what alternatives you might have.

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 26, 2026, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

Interested in keeping your medical costs low in retirement? Failing to plan out key details could cost you if you’re not careful. Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA) for your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums are a prime example.

 This post was last updated on February 25, 2026, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

Although defined benefit plans (pensions) are less common today, many people still rely on them for retirement income. There are specific rules governing the calculation of pension plan payouts, whether in the form of monthly payments or as a lump sum.

If you’re going to be eligible for a pension, then you need to be familiar with the role the Federal General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) rate plays in your benefits. This is particularly important when deciding whether to take a lump sum payout.

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.

This post was last updated on 16 February, 2026, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

Planning for your retirement is the key to fully enjoying the fruits of your labor. Whether you have an IRA (individual retirement account), a 401(k), or other retirement account, you'll want to get the most out of it by maximizing your contributions. Understanding the IRS contribution limits will help you maximize your 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 January 19, 2026, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

You may have spent your whole life working towards retirement. However, as you get closer to retirement, there are so many feelings and doubts that can creep in and cause you stress. There’s no need to worry – as long as you have a plan.

This post was last updated on January 19, 2026, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

Proper planning is crucial to ensure a smooth transition into a fulfilling retirement lifestyle. However, it can be really intimidating when you first get started. You aren’t the first person to retire, so you can draw on the experience of others who’ve walked this path.

This post was last updated on January 19, 2026, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

For some people, the “traditional” idea of retirement just doesn’t fit their lifestyle. The idea of never working again, going to the golf course every day, or just lounging around doesn’t sound very appealing. Luckily, you can craft what your own retirement will look like – even if you don’t really retire.

This post was last updated on January 19, 2026, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

Retirees who work with a financial advisor are happier and more confident in their finances and in life. Many of us have concerns about money. So, it makes sense that getting expert help would increase happiness by reducing financial stress.

The right financial planner does so much more than just help you with a 401k rollover. A true expert takes the time to get to know you and craft a detailed, thought-out plan around your hopes and dreams. The process should center around you, not your money.

Is an annuity you purchased 5, 10, or 15 years ago worth keeping? Many retirees enter retirement with more savings than they need. If you’re not sure you need your old annuity or whole life policy, you’re not alone.

It’s important to evaluate whether your old annuity contract still serves a purpose in your portfolio or if it's dragging down your retirement plan. We want to move beyond the "annuities are good or bad" debate and discover what’s best for your specific situation.

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.

This post was last updated on November 30, 2025, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

Deciding when to draw Social Security benefits is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make as a retiree. You must carefully consider your specific situation and goals. Don’t wait until you’re eligible to make these important decisions.

When it comes to estate planning, it’s crucial to have all of your assets and beneficiaries listed and up to date. However, because this planning can be relatively messy at times, what you want may not always come to pass. For example, what happens if your beneficiaries predecease you? 

Although this situation can be rare, there’s already a process for what happens to your assets. It’s called per stirpes, and it can ensure that your money or property will pass down to living heirs should your beneficiaries die before you do. 

As you begin estate planning, you will face difficult choices, further complicated by the current pandemic. However, it’s essential that you have a plan in place to protect your loved ones financially. There are many different ways you can do so. 

Today, we’re going to discuss two of them. Wills and trusts are both estate planning tools, meaning they help you control who inherits your assets after you pass away. The similarities between the two end there, though.