What to Know About RMDs and Taxes
Depending on your birth year, the IRS requires you to start withdrawing from your retirement accounts once you are 73 or 75— whether you need the money or not. Those withdrawals, called required minimum distributions (RMDs), count as taxable income. And depending on how much you're required to take, they can affect your tax bracket, your Social Security taxes, and even your Medicare premiums.
What is a RILA?
Registered index-linked annuities (RILAs) are gaining attention as more investors look for ways to balance market participation with some downside protection. Sitting between fixed and variable annuities, RILAs work differently than other retirement products.
2025's Biggest Financial Takeaways
As 2025 comes to a close, many economic trends have reminded us of key financial fundamentals. From inflation’s lasting effects to rising health care costs, this year underscored the importance of thoughtful planning and steady decision-making.
Here are some of the biggest financial takeaways from 2025 to keep in mind as you plan for the year ahead:
Making Sense of Annuities at Year-End
Fixed, variable and indexed annuities each function differently, which makes timing and strategy important. Year-end is a good opportunity to review these choices and consider whether they align with your broader retirement plan.
Here are a few things to consider if you’re contemplating annuities as the year comes to an end:
How high earners can leverage a backdoor Roth IRA
IRS income limits block direct contributions for higher earners. In 2025, single filers with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) above $150,000 (and joint filers above $236,000) can’t contribute directly.
But high-income earners aren’t totally locked out. It’s possible to leverage a backdoor Roth IRA to work around these income limits.
Understanding 'Unretirement' Trends
Retirement used to mark the end of one chapter — but for many, it’s becoming a midpoint. What’s drawing people back into the workforce? For some, it’s financial. For others, it’s the desire for connection, purpose or simply something to do. If you’ve been thinking about reentering the workforce, you’re not alone.