Mercer Advisors
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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.

Older Couple Talking to Younger Woman
Retirement Article

What Are QLACs and Who Should Consider One?

Here is how qualified longevity annuity contracts (QLACs) work, the current rules, and when one might make sense for your retirement income plan.

Retirement Article

Retirement Tax Planning: Your Lowest-Tax Window May Be Open

Retired but not yet taking RMDs? You may be in your lowest-tax window. Learn how Roth conversions and smart withdrawal sequencing can cut lifetime taxes.

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.

FAQs
Retirement FAQ

Where can I find the current QLAC limit?

See the answer
Retirement FAQ

What happens to a QLAC when you die?

See the answer
Retirement FAQ

What is the difference between a QLAC and a nonqualified deferred-income annuity?

See the answer
Retirement FAQ

How does a QLAC work?

See the answer
Retirement FAQ

Should I buy a QLAC?

See the answer
Retirement FAQ

What is a QLAC?

See the answer
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

Further Learning

Estate Planning Article

Lifetime Gift Tax Exemption: Why Using It Now Could Offer Advantages Over Waiting

For taxable estates, using your lifetime exemption now can shelter future growth from estate tax. See how timing, trusts, and GST planning may shape the outcome.

Women & Wealth Article

What Financial Independence for Women Business Owners Really Means

Women business owners increasingly prioritize flexibility and independence. Learn how liquidity buffers, exit readiness, and coordinated planning can help.

Work & Business Guide

The Tech Founder Preliquidity Planning Timeline: A Five-Year Playbook

A five-year preliquidity planning road map for tech founders covering QSBS stacking, trust structures, state residency, 10b5-1 plans, and diversification.

Trustee Services On-Demand Webinar

Navigating Medicare: Your 2027 Open Enrollment Playbook

Mercer Advisors Colin Day and Chapter’s Ari Parker break down Medicare’s 2027 updates, enrollment steps, and key decisions for retirees.

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.

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