Mercer Advisors
Sharing Knowledge

Retirement Planning

Retirement planning is about much more than saving enough money — it’s about coordinating Social Security timing, Roth conversions, required minimum distributions, and retirement income strategy into a plan that can support the life you want to live. At Mercer Advisors, we help clients at every stage of their retirement journey, from early career savers to pre-retirees navigating the most critical decisions of their financial lives. Browse the resources below for evidence-based retirement planning guidance across tax, income, and investment strategy.

Insurance Solutions Article

Medicare Covers a Lot. It Doesn’t Cover Long-Term Care.

Medicare doesn’t cover long-term custodial care. Learn what it covers, what it doesn’t, and how self-funding, hybrid insurance, and estate planning can help you prepare for the gap.

Retirement Article

What To Handle Before Dec. 31 and What Can Wait

A year-end financial checklist sorted by whether you’re employed, retired, or taking required minimum distributions (RMDs). Plus the items that don’t have December deadlines.

Retirement Article

Roth Conversion Strategy for Low-Income Years

A Roth conversion strategy during low-income years may help you shift pretax savings to tax-free growth. Learn how to coordinate conversions with IRMAA, ACA, and Social Security.

Financial Planning Article

What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor?

A fiduciary financial advisor is legally bound to act in your best interest. Learn what fiduciary duty means, how to verify status, and why fee-based matters.

Tax Planning Article

Before You Sell Your Home, Consider This Tax Strategy

Converting your home to a short-term rental before you sell can pair a cost segregation study with the Section 121 exclusion. Here’s how it works.

Financial Planning Article

What Comprehensive Financial Planning Can Do for You

Learn what comprehensive financial planning is and how connecting cash flow, taxes, investments, retirement, estate, and insurance can help you reach your goals.

Listen
Retirement Podcast

Episode 527 – Trump Accounts

Bryan Strike joins us to explain Trump Accounts: eligibility, the $1,000 seed, contribution limits, and how they compare to 529 plans for kids’ futures.

Retirement Guide

Retirement Tax Planning: A Year-Round Guide to Help Keep More of What You’ve Built

A comprehensive retirement tax planning guide covering Roth conversions, RMDs, IRMAA, Social Security taxation, QCDs, and tax-loss harvesting strategies for retirees.

Tax Planning Article

How Much Money Do You Need To Work With a Wealth Manager?

Firm minimums vary widely, but a better question may be whether your financial complexity warrants professional coordination.

Listen
Retirement Podcast

Episode 526 – First Years of Your Retirement: How Best to Prepare

Discover why the first years of retirement set the tone for long-term success and how to spend intentionally during your most active, healthy years.

Retirement Article

Catch-Up Contributions 2026: What’s New for Savers

SECURE 2.0 catch-up rules are in effect for 2026. New limits, a higher Roth threshold, and final IRS guidance change how older savers should plan.

Retirement Article

Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage: Your 2026 Medicare Options

Understand your 2026 Medicare choices, and compare Medigap and Medicare Advantage on cost, coverage, networks, and enrollment to make an informed decision.

Retirement Article

Connecting the Dots on Your Retirement Plan

Learn how a structured three-part approach to retirement income planning can help you protect the wealth you’ve built and achieve financial independence.

FAQs
Retirement FAQ

Which is better for my heirs: a Roth IRA or a traditional IRA?

See the answer
Retirement FAQ

What’s the difference between a Roth conversion and a regular IRA withdrawal?

See the answer
Retirement FAQ

How do I check my income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) threshold before doing a Roth conversion?

See the answer
Retirement FAQ

Where can I find help with retirement tax planning and Roth conversions?

See the answer
Retirement FAQ

Is it worth realizing capital gains during a low-income retirement year?

See the answer
Retirement FAQ

Should I do a Roth conversion before required minimum distributions begin?

See the answer
Retirement FAQ

How does a Roth conversion work during the years before required minimum distributions (RMDs)?

See the answer
Retirement FAQ

What is the retirement tax gap window?

See the answer

Further Learning

Women & Wealth Article

Women and the Great Wealth Transfer: How To Be Ready

Research suggests women may inherit most of the money in the great wealth transfer — but many women feel unprepared. Here are  practical planning tips to help you get ready.

Investment Management Article

Insights from Our CIO: Diversify Broadly, Both Across and Within Global Asset Classes

The economic science behind why diversifying broadly across and within global asset classes is a core investing principle at Mercer Advisors.

Ship in canal
Market Commentary Article

Insights From Our CIO: The Iran War’s Impact on Markets Six Months In

CIO Don Calcagni shares an overview of how long-term investors should view the Iran war after six months.

Trustee Services On-Demand Webinar

Estate Planning: The Decisions Behind the Documents

We break down the key roles in estate planning — trustees, executors, and agents — and how to choose the right people, communicate with family, and keep your plan up to date.

About Mercer Advisors

We exist so you don’t have to worry about money. For more than 40 years, we’ve taken the sophisticated, time-tested approach that many ultra-high net worth individuals use to help manage their financial lives and made it accessible to more families.

Explore Our Solutions

Financial Planning
Estate Planning
Tax Planning & Preparation
Insurance Solutions
Investment Management
Trustee Services

Want to learn more about Mercer Advisors?

Let’s Talk