Safe Harbour Advisors
IRA BLOG
Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group (Ed Slott Group) is a membership organization owned by Ed Slott and Company, LLC. Qualifying criteria for membership includes completing specified educational courses offered by Ed Slott Group. Ed Slott Group membership requirements include the payment of annual dues. Logos and/or trademarks are property of their respective owners and no endorsement of (Safe Harbour Advisors) or (Sherri O’Neal) is stated or implied. Ed Slott Group and Ed Slott and Company, LLC are not affiliated with Safe Harbour Advisors
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The “Still-Working Exception” and December 31 Retirement
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst As the end of the year approaches, you may have plans to retire on December 31. However, if you are using the “still-working exception” to defer required minimum distributions (RMDs) from your 401(k) (or other company plan), you may want...
2025 Year-End Retirement Account Deadlines
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education The end of the year always brings a flurry of retirement account deadlines and planning opportunities. This year is no different. And, new for 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) brings new...
Qualified Distributions and Successor Beneficiaries: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: Dear IRA Help, Here is my specific case. I am 84 years old. I opened a Roth IRA on March 30, 2020, with a conversion. I started withdrawing from this conversion on March 10, 2025. Did I satisfy the...
Do QCDs Actually Reduce AGI?
By Andy Ives, CFP®, AIF® IRA Analyst It has come to our attention that confusion exists as to how qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) impact one’s taxes. It is said that QCDs can reduce adjusted gross income (AGI). But is this true? Yes, it is true…but...
Trump Accounts and the Pro-Rata Rule: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Question: We have two grandchildren. One is 18 years old now, and the other will turn 18 next January (2026). Can you help me understand what I can do for each under the new Trump account rules? Ollie Answer: Hi Ollie, You will...
Avoiding the 10% Early Distribution Penalty for Certain Hardship Withdrawals
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst Most 401(k) plans (as well as 403(b) and 457(b) plans) offer hardship withdrawals while you are still employed. If the withdrawal comes from a pre-tax account, it will be taxable. And, if you’re under age 59½, it will also be subject to...
Tapping an ESA for Back-to-School Expenses
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education It’s August and that means it is back-to-school time! The 2025-2026 school year is upon us. Kids are already back in the classroom and ready to learn. Any parent will tell you that back-to-school time is an...
The Once-Per-Year Rollover Rule and SEP IRA Contributions: Today’s Slott Report Mailbag
By Sarah Brenner, JD Director of Retirement Education Question: I recently retired in January and rolled over a lump sum pension from my previous employer into my IRA. Next month, I’m planning to roll over my 401(k) from the same employer into the same IRA as well....
In ERISA Retirement Plans, Spouse Beneficiaries Rule
By Ian Berger, JD IRA Analyst At Ed Slott and Company, we continually stress how important the beneficiary designation form is. Because it’s that form – and not the retirement account owner’s will or other estate planning documents – that usually dictates who...
Health Insurance
Are you paying an arm and leg for health insurance or maybe don’t have any coverage at all right now? Avoid costly medical bills with an affordable health insurance alternatives.
Life Insurance
How much coverage is enough? Make sure your family is protected with enough coverage to provide for them when you are gone.
Annuities
If you’re looking for principal protection with the potential to earn an attractive rate of return that is tied to the market, without being directly invested, a fixed indexed annuity may be a fit for you.
Get in touch
Jim E. Sloan is the founder of Jim Sloan & Associates, LLC, a comprehensive wealth management firm located in The Woodlands, Texas. Jim is an Investment Adviser Representative providing investment advisory services through AE Wealth Management, LLC, an *SEC Registered Investment advisor. This relationship allows Jim Sloan & Associates, LLC to bring institutional-level experience, practices, and pricing to individual families. Jim is also a licensed insurance agent in Colorado and Texas. This is Jim’s sixth financial book and is aimed at helping investors become financially informed. Jim is a U.S. Army veteran, native Houstonian, and lives in the Woodlands, volunteers with several local charities, believes in the name of Jesus, loves to travel, and enjoys most things outdoors.