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There are many different considerations that affect one’s ability to contribute to a Traditional IRA. To make matters worse, the contribution limits usually change from one year to the next. To help make this easier, we have created the ”Can…

This checklist covers 29 of the most important planning issues to identify and consider for a client, whose spouse has recently passed away.  It’s structured as follows: Cash Flow Issues Estate Settlement Issues Insurance Issues Tax Planning Issues Investment &…

This checklist covers 28 of the most important planning issues to identify and consider for a client, whose spouse has been diagnosed with a terminal illness.  It’s structured as follows: Cash Flow Issues Estate Planning Issues Insurance Issues Tax Planning…

There are lots of important numbers that advisors need to keep in mind.  In some cases, those numbers are annual limits and change each year.  Other times, the figures do not change, like the tables to calculate an RMD, but…

The QBI deduction rules are complicated. One of the newest planning issues to consider deals with a possible QBI deduction-reduction effect on retirement plan contributions that could impact how small business owners save for retirement. To help make the conversation…

Clients who are receiving a government pension and a Social Security spousal, widow or widower’s benefit based on their spouse or ex-spouse’s work history may be impacted by the Government Pension Offset. To help make the conversation with clients easier,…

Clients who expect to receive a Social Security benefit and a government pension may see their Social Security benefit reduced due to the Windfall Elimination Provision. To help make the conversation with clients easier, we have created the “Will I…

The provisional rules surrounding the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction can be complicated. There are several issues that must be considered. To help make the conversation easier, we have created the “Am I Eligible For A Qualified Business Income (QBI)…

In most cases, there is at least some kind of step-up in basis when property is inherited. But there are a few exceptions and some subtle distinctions that do occur. To help make the conversation easier, we have created the…

In certain cases, clients may be eligible to make a Mega Backdoor Roth IRA contribution. At a high level, this involves a client making a non-Roth, after-tax contribution to their 401(k), rolling it out of their 401(k) plan and into…

In most cases, there is no step-up in basis when property is gifted. But there are a few exceptions and those exceptions can be difficult to remember. To help make it easier, we have created the “Will I Receive A…

HSA contribution rules seem pretty straightforward at first. However, the rules become complicated in years when there will be a change to coverage. Perhaps a client is moving from individual to family coverage, or they are leaving their health plan,…

Having employer-issued stock in a 401(k) plan opens the door for a conversation on doing an NUA distribution. But to qualify for the NUA distribution, your client must satisfy several very important rules, some of which or often misunderstood. To…

Disability benefits under Social Security can be very complicated to understand. There are numerous stringent requirements that must be satisfied before Social Security will even formally review an applicant’s disability. To help make this easier, we have created the “Do…

Business owners who are considering a retirement plan for their business have many options. While a traditional 401(k) is a well-known option among business owners, there are many cases where other retirement plan options may be better suited for the…

In most cases, Medicare eligibility is straightforward. But there are some situations where a client may not have the required 40 Social Security work credits to be eligible for Medicare. While this is an uncommon situation, it is far from…

Planning around IRMAA surcharges has become more important as the surcharge amount has increased in recent years. While on the surface the concept is pretty straightforward, there are a few issues that can cause an unexpected wrinkle for the client.…

If the rules are not followed correctly, Medicare enrollment penalties can be significant. This is especially important to consider for clients who plan to continue working after turning age 65. Depending on their situation, they may be subject to these…

Determining when a client must enroll in Medicare can be complicated. Depending on the client’s situation, they may be automatically enrolled or they may have to proactively enroll. If the client must follow the Initial Enrollment Period rules, there is…

401(k)s and IRAs have many unique features that may be meaningful to your client depending on their situation. The decision involves a discussion that is about more than just fees and investment selection. To help make this easier, we have…

There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to deciding what health insurance is most appropriate for a client about to retire. This is especially true for clients who may not be ready to apply for Medicare. To…

Social Security benefits for a divorced individual can be confusing. There are several important and unique Social Security issues that must be addressed before any divorced individual begins to collect Social Security. To help make it easier, we have created…

Social Security spousal benefits present an important source of income for many of your clients. But there are several important and unique Social Security issues that must be addressed for any client that has recently lost their spouse. To help…

Under Social Security, spousal benefits present an important source of income for many of your clients. But there several important issues that must be addressed. To help make it easier, we have created the “Am I Eligible for Social Security…

Social Security is one of the more complicated decisions that a client must consider. There are a multitude of rules that can have a significant impact on the amount your client will receive each month. To help make it easier,…

For charitably inclined clients who are taking Required Minimum Distributions, they may be able to minimize the tax consequences by doing a Qualified Charitable Distribution. This is becoming a popular way for clients to support their favorite charities. But it’s…

There are a few options a spouse can consider in dealing with the IRA they inherited from their spouse. Some options are more limiting, while other options are more flexible. The rules and the implications of each option can be…

There are a few options a client can consider in dealing with a Traditional IRA they inherited from a non-spouse. Most options deal with the implications of the RMD. The rules and the implications of each option can be confusing.…

The rules surrounding the Required Minimum Distribution are complicated and often require a few conversations with clients to help them understand the issues that must be considered. To help make this easier, we have created the “Can I Avoid Taking…

Some clients may have unique circumstances that could result in a distribution from a Roth IRA being taxed or penalized. Many of these situations rarely come up, which makes it hard to remember the usual distribution rules from a Roth…

Some clients may have unique circumstances that result in a possible impact on the taxes (and penalties) that must be paid if a distribution is taken from their Traditional IRA. The exceptions to the usual distribution rules can be hard…

Converting a portion of an IRA to a Roth IRA is complex process that involves many moving parts and can have some unintended consequences if not properly handled, including a possible impact on Medicare premiums two years after the conversion.…

If your client earns too much, they are unable to make a regular contribution to a Roth IRA. But there is a workaround called the Backdoor Roth Contribution. There are many complicated steps that must be considered and if done…

There are many different considerations that affect one’s ability to contribute to a Traditional IRA or a Roth IRA. To make matters worse, the contribution limits usually change from one year to the next. To help make this easier, we…