The Retirement & Tax Notebook
Planning notes on retirement income, taxes, inherited accounts and equity compensation, written by Aaron Randak, CFP®, EA.
The Widow’s Penalty, and Why Arizona Softens One Part of It
If your spouse died in 2026, this is your last joint return. Next year the brackets halve, Medicare’s line drops to $109,000, and taxes can rise.
Inheriting the Family Farm? The Basis Now Matters More Than the Estate Tax
The $15M estate exemption is now permanent. For inherited farmland, the step-up in basis can be worth $390,000 more than a lifetime gift of the same land.
Your 2026 Catch-Up Contribution May Already Be Roth
Earned over $150,000 in 2025? Your 2026 401(k) catch-up must go in as Roth, or not at all if your plan has no Roth option. Check before December.
The Inherited IRA Rule the IRS Started Enforcing, and the 25% Penalty for Missing It
The IRS waived the penalty for missed inherited IRA distributions through 2024. That waiver is over, the penalty is 25%, and the deadline is December 31.
Born in 1953? Your First RMD Is a Two-Year Decision
Turn 73 in 2026 and your first RMD can wait until April 1, 2027. Waiting stacks two RMDs on one return and can raise your 2029 Medicare premium.
The 0% Capital Gains Bracket Reaches $146,400 for a 65-Year-Old Couple in 2026
A couple over 65 can have $146,400 of gross income in 2026 and pay nothing federally on their long-term gains. The room is annual and closes December 31.
The Health Insurance Subsidy Cliff Came Back, and It Changes the Roth Conversion Math
The 400% subsidy cliff returned January 1. If you buy marketplace coverage, one dollar of Roth conversion over $84,600 can cost a couple $16,000.
The Charitable Gift That Also Lowers Your 2028 Medicare Premium
Giving from your IRA lowers the AGI that sets your 2028 Medicare premium. It only counts against this year's RMD if it goes out first.
How to Size a 2026 Roth Conversion, and the Hidden Bracket Between $150,000 and $250,000
Between $150,000 and $250,000 of income, a retired couple faces a real federal rate near 24.6% while sitting in what the chart calls the 22% bracket.
Inherited a Roth IRA? The Rules Are Better Than You Think
Withdrawals are tax-free, there are no annual required distributions during the 10-year window, and the five-year clock does not reset at death. What most heirs get wrong about inherited Roth IRAs, and what waiting can be worth.
What To Do With Your Old 401(k) Before Year-End: Smart Moves for Retirees and Job Changers
Many retirees and job changers leave old 401(k)s behind, which can lead to higher fees, limited investment options, and lost control.
Year-end is the perfect time to review and consolidate accounts for better organization and tax efficiency.
Rolling your old 401(k) into an IRA offers broader investment choices, clearer fees, and easier integration with your retirement income plan.
Direct rollovers prevent unnecessary taxes or penalties and help keep your money growing tax-deferred.
A well-planned IRA rollover can simplify retirement management and create more flexibility for future Roth conversions or withdrawals.
The 2025 Elon Musk Pay Package: What Equity-Comp Professionals Can Learn
• Shareholders vote November 6 on Tesla’s new CEO pay package and why the debate matters for anyone paid in stock
• What “pay for performance” really looks like and how vesting hurdles translate to your RSUs, ISOs, and ESPP
• Governance lessons from the court fight and why process and disclosure shape real value
• Practical takeaways to cut concentration risk and plan taxes before a vest or exercise
• A 30-day equity checkup you can actually finish: inventory grants, calendar key dates, model “what-ifs,” write a one-page policy
5 Things Individual Investors Should Do Before Year-End
The one portfolio tweak I make every Q4
A simple tax move most investors overlook until it’s too late
The account to top off now so January feels easier
A quiet checklist that prevents costly year-end surprises
How I set next year’s “rules” in 10 minutes flat
Year-End Stock Option and RSU Planning for Tech Professionals
Learn how to review your stock options and RSUs before year-end. Fiduciary financial planning for tech professionals in Scottsdale, Arizona.
What’s Driving the S&P 500 to Record Highs?
The S&P 500 is reaching record highs on the back of stronger earnings, Fed rate cuts, and ongoing AI momentum.
Corporate buybacks and new leadership from health care stocks are adding fuel beyond just big tech.
For investors, new highs are a reminder to revisit allocations, rebalance, and stay disciplined with long-term plans.
Government Shutdown: A Bird’s Eye View
Government shutdown explained: what closes, what stays open, and how a continuing resolution could avert it—plain-English answers and next steps.
What a U.S. government shutdown means for services, paychecks, travel, and benefits—timelines, FAQs, and practical tips in simple terms.
Shutdown watch: deadlines, continuing resolution basics, and how federal services may be affected. Clear, nonpartisan overview.
Reading is a good start. A plan is better.
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