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The following link/content may include information and statistical data obtained from and/or prepared by thirdparty sources that Pacific Empire Financial, deems reliable but in no way does Pacific Empire Financial guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Pacific Empire Financial had no involvement in the creation of the content and did not make any revisions to such content. All such third-party information and statistical data contained herein is subject to change without notice and may not reflect the view or opinions of Pacific Empire Financial. Nothing herein constitutes investment, legal or tax advice or any recommendation that any security, portfolio of securities, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. Personal investment advice can only be rendered after the engagement of Pacific Empire Financial, execution of required documentation, and receipt of required disclosures. All investments involve risk and past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Why Annuities Can Be a Great Fit Heading Into 2026
As we move into 2026, many investors are asking the same question: How do I protect what I’ve built—without giving up the ability to grow? That’s exactly where annuities can play a meaningful role. Annuities aren’t for everyone, and they’re not “one-size-fits-all,”...
Heading into 2026: A Smart Retirement Checkup (Without the Overwhelm)
As we turn the page into 2026, it’s the perfect time to run a simple “retirement checkup.” Not a stressful deep dive. Just a clear look at a few areas that tend to make the biggest difference—because small adjustments now can help protect your lifestyle later. Whether...
Fixed Indexed Annuities in 2026: A Smarter Way to Balance Growth and Protection in Your Retirement Portfolio
As we move into 2026, many retirees and pre-retirees are asking the same question: “How do I keep my retirement plan growing without exposing everything to the next market swing?” After several years of elevated volatility and changing interest-rate conditions, more...
Retirement Planning in 2026: Why Annuities Deserve a Serious Look
Retirement planning in 2026 looks different than it did even a few years ago. Many retirees and pre-retirees are facing a familiar challenge in a new way: they want growth, but they also want stability. They want income they can count on, but they don’t want to feel...
Safe Money Options Heading Into 2026
A Financial Advisor’s Guide to Protecting What You’ve Worked So Hard to Build When markets are choppy and headlines are loud, many people start asking the same question: “Where can I put my money so it feels safer, but still has a chance to grow?” As we move into...
Retirement Income Planning Going Into 2026: Turning Your Savings Into a Lifetime Paycheck
For most people, retirement isn’t about a specific age or account balance—it’s about confidence.Confidence that the bills will be paid, that you can handle surprises, and that you won’t run out of money before you run out of life. As we approach 2026, retirement...
Estate Planning & You: Getting Ready for 2026 (Without Freaking Out)
state planning sounds like something for billionaires in marble mansions… not for regular people with a mortgage, a 401(k), a dog, and a favorite taco spot. But here’s the truth:If you love someone or own something, you need some kind of estate plan. As we head toward...
Retirement Planning in 2026: How to Prepare for a New Era of Retirement
If you feel like retirement has gotten more complicated, you’re not imagining things. Between market volatility, rising costs, new tax rules, and longer life expectancies, “set it and forget it” retirement planning just doesn’t work anymore. The good news? With a...
Retirement Planning in 2026: A Practical Playbook (and How Annuities Can Help)
TL;DR: Going into 2026, retirees face two big realities: markets that still swing and a shifting tax landscape. Focus on dependable income, flexible tax buckets, and a plan for withdrawals/RMDs. Annuities—used correctly—can add durability to a retirement paycheck...
2026: Here We Go Again!
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst It’s a new year, and the slate is wiped clean. Here we go again! While we are only one week into 2026, there are some important IRA and work plan transactions to be aware of: First RMDs. For anyone turning age 73 in 2026, this year...
Coming Soon: The Thrift Savings Plan Will Start Offering In-Plan Roth Conversions
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Since 2010, participants in certain private sector 401(k) plans have been able to boost their Roth retirement savings by doing an “in-plan Roth conversion” of non-Roth plan funds to a Roth account within the same plan. This plan feature...
Weekly Market Commentary
US markets ended the New Year holiday-shortened week with losses. Mega-cap Technology issues sold off on low volume, as did Financial and Consumer Discretionary sectors. That said, the S&P 500 posted its third straight year of double-digit gains as investors...
Weekly Market Commentary
The Christmas-shortened week produced gains across all major US indices, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones hitting record highs. Mega-cap Tech assumed its leadership role with the semiconductor sector having relative strength. Nvidia announced a $20 billion deal...
Weekly Market Commentary
US markets finished the week mixed, with a late-week rally in technology mitigating early-week losses. Micron Technology’s third-quarter results were excellent and helped propel technology stocks after the announcement. Western Digital, Seagate, and Sandisk, other...
Weekly Market Commentary
The Federal Reserve, as expected, cut its monetary policy rate by twenty-five basis points to 3.50%-3.75% and tempered expectations for further cuts in 2026. The decision was not unanimous, as a divided Fed considered elevated inflation against a weakening labor...
Weekly Market Commentary
Apprehensive investors pushed markets higher this week, with the small-cap Russell 2000 hitting a new all-time high, while the S&P 500 closed just 50 points below its October all-time high. Economic data, some of which is quite dated, offered a mixed picture of...
Weekly Market Commentary
The holiday-shortened week saw global financial markets trade higher. Increased optimism for a December rate cut, along with some constructive news on the AI front, catalyzed buying across risk assets. Several Fed officials indicated they were inclined to support a...
Weekly Market Commentary
Financial markets continued to decline as investors sold AI-related stocks amid valuation concerns, while rotating into more defensive sectors such as healthcare and consumer staples. A stellar third-quarter earnings report from NVidia prompted investors to step in...
Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group (Ed Slott Group) is a membership organization owned by Ed Slott and Company, LLC. Logos and/or trademarks are property of their respective owners and no endorsement of (Pacific Empire Financial) is stated or implied. Ed Slott Group and Ed Slott and Company, LLC are not affiliated with Pacific Empire Financial.
For the detailed requirements of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group, please visit: https://www.irahelp.com/
Health Savings Accounts and the “Still-Working” Exception: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: Please explain the rules and qualifications for rolling over a portion of an IRA to a Health Savings Account (HSA). Thank you, Bill Answer: Hi Bill, A Qualified HSA Funding Distribution (QHFD) is...
Don’t Miss This Rule That Allows Smaller RMDs
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education If you are age 73 or older in 2026, you will need to take a required minimum distribution (RMD) from your IRA. Usually, an RMD is calculated using the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table. However, if you are married...
Three Basic IRA Rules that Must Be Understood
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Each year, in different cities, the Ed Slott team hosts several advisor training events for financial professionals serious about learning. These 2-day programs start with our cannonballing into the retirement account pool,...
Required Minimum Distributions and Inherited Roth IRAs: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst QUESTION: I am age 75 and have just one IRA. I normally do multiple qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) during the year. I also make one or more partial Roth conversions during the year. Please confirm or correct my...
You’ll Need to Report Certain IRA and Retirement Plan Distributions Differently on This Year’s Form 1040
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst With all the tax changes made by the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), it’s no surprise that the IRS has made significant changes to the 2025 Form 1040 and supporting schedules and forms. Near the beginning of each year’s 1040...
Naming a Trust for a Minor as IRA Beneficiary
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Everyone has heard the horror stories of how unneeded and unwanted trusts disrupted what should have been a smooth transition of wealth. However, it is important to recognize that estate planning for IRAs is...
Roth IRA Distribution Rules and Rollovers of Required Minimum Distributions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: If I have had my Roth IRA for 20 years and I do a conversion from my traditional IRA, is the five-year rule in effect for each conversion? I’m under the impression that once I held my Roth for more than five years I don’t have...
A Different Fix: Excess IRA vs. 401(k) Plan Contributions
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst Excess IRA contributions occur for many reasons, like making a contribution without eligible compensation, accidentally exceeding the Roth IRA phase-out limits, rolling over a required minimum distribution (RMD), etc. Excess...
How the Vesting Rules Work for Company Retirement Plans
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Thinking about leaving your job? Make sure you understand the vesting schedule that applies to your retirement plan. It may pay to stick it out a little longer to become more “vested” in your plan. Otherwise, you may lose out on...
The following link/content may include information and statistical data obtained from and/or prepared by thirdparty sources that Pacific Empire Financial, deems reliable but in no way does Pacific Empire Financial guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Pacific Empire Financial had no involvement in the creation of the content and did not make any revisions to such content. All such third-party information and statistical data contained herein is subject to change without notice and may not reflect the view or opinions of Pacific Empire Financial. Nothing herein constitutes investment, legal or tax advice or any recommendation that any security, portfolio of securities, or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. Personal investment advice can only be rendered after the engagement of Pacific Empire Financial, execution of required documentation, and receipt of required disclosures. All investments involve risk and past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Medicare Checkup: 7 Smart Moves to Start the Year Confident
Medicare is not “set it and forget it.” Plans, provider networks, drug formularies, and costs can change each year—sometimes in ways that surprise people after they’ve already scheduled appointments or refilled prescriptions. A quick annual Medicare checkup can help...
read more
Medicare & You: Your 2026 Checklist for Smarter Coverage and Lower Costs
As we head into 2026, Medicare remains one of the most important (and misunderstood) parts of retirement. The good news: you don’t have to “figure it out” alone. A few smart, proactive moves can help you avoid common mistakes, reduce out-of-pocket surprises, and feel...
read more
Medicare in 2026: What’s New, What’s Changing, and What Your Clients Should Do Now
2026 is shaping up to be one of the most “noticeably different” Medicare years in a while—not because the rules are unrecognizable, but because the cost and prescription-drug pieces are moving in ways that many beneficiaries will actually feel in their monthly budget....
read more
Medicare in 2026: What to Know, What to Review, and What to Do Next
If you’re on Medicare (or turning 65 soon), 2026 is a great year to get organized. Medicare isn’t “one-and-done.” Plans, costs, provider networks, and prescription coverage can change from year to year — and even small changes can affect your monthly budget and your...
read more
Medicare Advantage Heading Into 2026: What You Need to Know Before You Enroll
If you’re approaching 65, already on Medicare, or helping a loved one evaluate coverage, you’ve probably noticed something: Medicare Advantage plans are everywhere. And there’s a reason for that. More than half of all people on Medicare now choose a Medicare Advantage...
read more
Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap) for 2025–2026
What to Know About Filling the Gaps in Original Medicare If you’re approaching Medicare or already enrolled, you’ve probably noticed something surprising:Original Medicare (Parts A & B) doesn’t cover everything. That’s where Medicare Supplement Insurance (also...
read more
Medicare Supplement Plans in 2026: What’s Changing, What’s Not, and What It Means for You
If you’re on Medicare — or getting close — you’ve probably heard people talk about “Medicare Supplement” or “Medigap” plans. You’ve also probably heard…👉 “Plan letters”👉 “Original Medicare only covers 80%”👉 “Rates keep going up every year.” It’s a lot. So let’s walk...
read more
Working Past 65? The New Rules of Medicare for Today’s “Unretired” Americans
If you’re turning 65, there’s a good chance you’re not retiring the way your parents did. Many of today’s 60-somethings are still working, consulting, starting businesses, helping with grandkids, or caring for aging parents. Life doesn’t magically slow down at 65—and...
read more
Your Annual Medicare Checklist: What to Review Before You Change Plans
Choosing or changing your Medicare coverage isn’t something to rush. Each year, your health needs, prescriptions, and budget can shift—and plans change too. Use this simple checklist so you can feel confident in your decision. 1) Confirm your doctors and hospitals are...
read more
Medicare Checkup: 7 Smart Moves to Start the Year Confident
Medicare is not “set it and forget it.” Plans, provider networks, drug formularies, and costs can change each year—sometimes in ways that surprise people after they’ve already scheduled appointments or refilled prescriptions. A quick annual Medicare checkup can help...
Medicare & You: Your 2026 Checklist for Smarter Coverage and Lower Costs
As we head into 2026, Medicare remains one of the most important (and misunderstood) parts of retirement. The good news: you don’t have to “figure it out” alone. A few smart, proactive moves can help you avoid common mistakes, reduce out-of-pocket surprises, and feel...
Medicare in 2026: What’s New, What’s Changing, and What Your Clients Should Do Now
2026 is shaping up to be one of the most “noticeably different” Medicare years in a while—not because the rules are unrecognizable, but because the cost and prescription-drug pieces are moving in ways that many beneficiaries will actually feel in their monthly budget....
Medicare in 2026: What to Know, What to Review, and What to Do Next
If you’re on Medicare (or turning 65 soon), 2026 is a great year to get organized. Medicare isn’t “one-and-done.” Plans, costs, provider networks, and prescription coverage can change from year to year — and even small changes can affect your monthly budget and your...
Medicare Advantage Heading Into 2026: What You Need to Know Before You Enroll
If you’re approaching 65, already on Medicare, or helping a loved one evaluate coverage, you’ve probably noticed something: Medicare Advantage plans are everywhere. And there’s a reason for that. More than half of all people on Medicare now choose a Medicare Advantage...
Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap) for 2025–2026
What to Know About Filling the Gaps in Original Medicare If you’re approaching Medicare or already enrolled, you’ve probably noticed something surprising:Original Medicare (Parts A & B) doesn’t cover everything. That’s where Medicare Supplement Insurance (also...
Medicare Supplement Plans in 2026: What’s Changing, What’s Not, and What It Means for You
If you’re on Medicare — or getting close — you’ve probably heard people talk about “Medicare Supplement” or “Medigap” plans. You’ve also probably heard…👉 “Plan letters”👉 “Original Medicare only covers 80%”👉 “Rates keep going up every year.” It’s a lot. So let’s walk...
Working Past 65? The New Rules of Medicare for Today’s “Unretired” Americans
If you’re turning 65, there’s a good chance you’re not retiring the way your parents did. Many of today’s 60-somethings are still working, consulting, starting businesses, helping with grandkids, or caring for aging parents. Life doesn’t magically slow down at 65—and...
Your Annual Medicare Checklist: What to Review Before You Change Plans
Choosing or changing your Medicare coverage isn’t something to rush. Each year, your health needs, prescriptions, and budget can shift—and plans change too. Use this simple checklist so you can feel confident in your decision. 1) Confirm your doctors and hospitals are...
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