Ed Slott

Advisors can protect clients’ estate planning goals post-Secure Act but the vehicle will have to change.

The Secure Act was designed to expand retirement savers’ options but it has subsequently all-but-eliminated the stretch IRA for beneficiaries. It's on advisors to make clients aware of the major change.

If not addressed, the client may see a higher tax bill than was planned. That won't go over well at tax time next year.

Despite recent tax law changes, recharacterizations are still possible and can prove a valuable strategy to correct such missteps.

Buyout amounts are high right now, but there are many other factors to consider when guiding your client to the right choice.

Armed with some specific details, advisors can explain why the seductive option is both too good and too good to be true.

Advisors may need to alert clients as to when these checks will be taxable.

After a booking error by an advisor, a client barely avoided being taxed on $500,000 and dodged more than $200,000 in taxes and penalties.

A lump-sum distribution for net unrealized appreciation on employer stock can slash a tax bill in half, but there’s plenty of fine print.

When financial emergencies compel early withdrawals from clients' retirement accounts, they face income tax and often an additional 10% penalty.

Errors are regrettably common. They are also easily avoidable.

Retirement plans may decline to offer delayed RMDs, plan loans, stretch and hardship distributions and a host of other legally sanctioned tax maneuvers.

Community property rules, how to divide 401(k)s and the nuances of QRDOs are just some of the specifics advisors should know.

Financial planners don’t have to be attorneys to help clients avoid high cost oversights

The biggest QCD question is whether it will be effective for a check not cashed by year’s end?

Retirement assets received in a divorce settlement may be available to creditors, a federal court has ruled. The decision may have far-reaching consequences for clients.

Still, time is limited. Tell clients they’d better take advantage of the current exemption before it expires.

How advisors can help clients protect these funds when inherited. If they don't, a few small, early mistakes can cause a client to lose most of the proceeds.

Military families can use one of these provisions to seriously cut their tax burden. Plus, can clients make an IRA contribution on behalf of a deceased person?

Advisors can help by being familiar with tax relief options that might be available to affected clients. Here's what to look for.