The Spousal IRA Rollover Mistake That Triggered a $100,000 Penalty.
Lucy inherited more than $2.5 million in IRA assets from her late husband, Bill. As a surviving spouse, she had several choices for handling the account.
July 14, 2026
Lucy inherited more than $2.5 million in IRA assets from her late husband, Bill. As a surviving spouse, she had several choices for handling the account.
You’ve worked and saved all your life and have built a large retirement nest-egg. And if inflation hasn’t been bad enough—a million dollars isn’t what it used to be— you now face other issues – tax traps!
A market drop right after retirement can be stressful, but it does not have to derail your plan. The key is managing withdrawals, reserves, taxes, and portfolio risk before trouble starts.
For many retirees, the most valuable tax-planning years begin after the paychecks stop but before required minimum distributions begin.
A $2 million portfolio may be enough to retire comfortably in California, but the answer depends on spending, taxes, Social Security, Medicare, housing, and how withdrawals are managed.
The pitch for Index annuities can sound appealing.
Inflation is more than an economic headline. For retirees needing a rising income to keep pace with rising prices, it can quietly change the math of retirement.
Tax planning should be an integral part of your financial plan
Simi Valley, Moorpark, and Thousand Oaks are not inexpensive places to retire.
It helps to see the whole chessboard