Retirement Upside

Actionable insights for financial advisors guiding clients through the strategies, products, and policy shifts shaping retirement outcomes.

Tax Tips

Advisors Without Estate Planning Could Let ‘Money Walk Out the Door’

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The shift from attorney- to advisor-driven estate planning means firms need to upgrade their offerings — or get left behind.

2 min read
Tax Tips

These Costly IRA Mistakes Can Crush Retirement Savers

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Individual retirement accounts are powerful savings vehicles, but come with significant complexities.

2 min read
DC Plans

Most 401(k) Holders Don’t Seek Help from Plan Advisors (But They Want It)

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There are plenty of opportunities for advisors as Americans seek out more personalized recommendations.

1 min read
Social Security

How TIPS Bridges Can Maximize Social Security Benefits

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Though it can be tricky to model in financial planning software, using a TIPS ladder to delay Social Security is a powerful strategy.

2 min read
Insurance and Annuities

The ‘Not Great, But Not Bad’ Retirement Trap

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Clients who thrive in retirement aren’t necessarily the wealthiest, but have designed their next chapter before leaving the last one.

2 min read
DC Plans

How State Auto-IRAs Are Changing Retirement Savings

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Total assets in the programs reached more than $3 billion at the end of April.

2 min read
Social Security

Is Late News, Bad News? What to Expect from Delayed Social Security Report

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The 2026 Social Security Trustees’ report may show the program becoming insolvent even sooner than expected.

2 min read
Insurance and Annuities

Clients Flying Solo in Retirement Planning May Be Ahead of the Game

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New research suggests the stereotype that single people are more financially vulnerable than families or couples needs rethinking.

2 min read
DC Plans

America’s Small Businesses Are Booming, Just Not Their Retirement Plans

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Many small business owners feel like they don’t have the time or money required to offer a retirement plan.

1 min read
Tax Tips

Why New Widows Need More Than Just Financial Planning

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There are major planning challenges that widows face, but it’s important to allow time for grief.

2 min read
Insurance and Annuities

The Annuity Sales Tactic That’s Backfiring on Advisors

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The behavioral psychology technique of “social proof” has real persuasive power in many contexts, but not so much for selling annuities.

2 min read
Tax Tips

How Dividend Investing Fits Into Retirement Portfolios

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The consistent payment of dividends indicates business stability and therefore offers predictability, which is naturally appealing to retirement investors.

2 min read
DC Plans

Why Uncle Sam Wants to Auto-Enroll America’s Retirement

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Over a 10-year horizon, a federal retirement program that auto-enrolls investors could add between $635 billion and $983 billion to its IRA system.

2 min read
Social Security

Here’s How Good Tax Advice Can Wreck Business Owner’s Social Security Checks

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Sometimes what makes sense on a year-by-year basis can come back to harm small-business owners in the long-run.

2 min read
Social Security

How Social Security Fits Into a Millionaire’s Retirement

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Think a client with a few million dollars saved can be casual about Social Security claiming? Think again.

2 min read
Tax Tips

Think Retirees Face Just 7 Tax Brackets? There’s More to the Story

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Medicare surcharges and taxes on Social Security benefits can catch uninformed clients (and advisors) by surprise.

2 min read
Tax Tips

The $124T Great Wealth Transfer Is Coming. So Are the Hackers

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Without stronger privacy controls, advisors risk lasting reputational harm from cybercriminals.

2 min read
DC Plans

How Are Private Markets Supposed to Fit into DC Plans?

Investor managing portfolio. Pie chart and candlestick charts.

It will take careful engineering, small allocations and coordination across a fragmented retirement system.

1 min read
Insurance and Annuities

Retirement Income Planning Is Now a Global Challenge

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Savings are increasing in defined contribution plans such as 401(ks), but many savers lack access to, and information about, guaranteed income sources.

2 min read
DC Plans

Ex-EBSA Head Lisa Gomez on 401(k) Trends, Fidelity-Pontera Dispute

Photo via Collaborative Consulting Solutions

Substantial strides have been made in plan design and governance, but a big advice gap continues to stymie retirement savers.

5 min read

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