The chances that your envelope is going to receive a postmark the same day you drop it off is unlikely, so plan accordingly, according to the USPS.
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As we roll into 2026, it’s a good time to revisit what really matters when contributing to a Traditional IRA and what has changed. Whether you’re helping clients plan or just thinking about your own retirement roadmap, these are the key rules to keep in mind.
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A distribution made by an IRA owner who is totally and permanently disabled is not subject to the 10 percent early distribution penalty tax.
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One of the most misunderstood parts of beneficiary designations is the difference between primary and contingent beneficiaries.
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The simplified employee pension, or SEP, is a retirement plan that—like the Energizer bunny of TV commercial fame—just “keeps going and going and going.” That’s because the retirement saving niche SEPs have occupied since their creation by the Revenue Act of 1978 remains a substantial one.
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January is a hectic tax reporting month for many financial organizations. In addition to providing quarterly or year-end statements, financial organizations must provide required minimum distribution (RMD) statements to certain Traditional and SIMPLE IRA owners by January 31. If you haven’t already, now is the perfect time for you and your team to start preparing for the busy month ahead.
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Financial organizations field a lot of IRA questions from clients, and many of the same ones seem to come up repeatedly. Here are some common IRA contribution questions you’re likely hearing at your branch office, over the phone, or in your inbox.
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The IRS has issued Notice 2025-67 on November 13, 2025, which contains the 2026 cost-of-living increases for qualified retirement plan dollar limitations on benefits and contributions under the Internal Revenue Code (IRC).
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There are circumstances when the actual order of death cannot be positively determined. Why does this matter? The order of death may determine whether an IRA or retirement plan account becomes the property of a contingent beneficiary, versus a primary beneficiary’s estate. Sometimes the financial stakes can be quite high.
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The rules surrounding Roth IRAs can be complex, and somewhat confusing to the average taxpayer. Let’s clear up some of the common misconceptions surrounding Roth IRAs.
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When it comes to saving for retirement, most people understand the basics. They set up an IRA, begin making contributions, and let the balance grow. The stumbling block tends to happen later, when it’s time to move those funds. That’s when your clients hear terms like “transfer” and “rollover,” and may end up doing the exact opposite of what they should.
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For many teens, those summer paychecks can be more than just spending money. They can actually be the key to starting one of the smartest financial habits around: contributing to a Roth IRA.
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A marriage begins with the intention that the relationship will endure—the reality of divorce and separation statistics notwithstanding—and that a couple’s retirement years will be spent together. Consequently, it’s easy to understand why laws give special consideration to spouses when it comes to their entitlement to financial resources intended to provide retirement security.
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The deadline for removing 2024 excess contributions and completing recharacterizations is on the horizon. An IRA owner has until his tax return due date, plus extensions, to remove an excess contribution or recharacterize a 2024 contribution.
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Financial organizations are not required to send notices to clients or report to the IRS when an annual payment must be taken from an inherited IRA. The beneficiary is responsible for knowing and taking any required life expectancy payments.
Although not required, many financial organizations assist their clients with this calculation.
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Most pretax retirement savings are taxed as ordinary income, taxed at one’s marginal tax rate. But under specific circumstances employer securities can be taxed differently.
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The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), passed by Congress on July 3, 2025, introduces several significant changes aimed at enhancing retirement savings options and financial security for individuals. Here are the key provisions that retirement savers should be aware of.
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Ironically, given their official name, SIMPLE IRA plans have a number of elements that are anything but simple. Congress has altered the governing rules from time to time over the last three decades. As a result, some would say that SIMPLE IRA plans—while still a fine small employer plan option—are getting less and less simple.
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