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Tax Basics

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.

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.

Tax Planning Article

The New Math of Charitable Giving Tax Deductions

New 2026 charitable giving tax deduction rules changed the math. Learn how the AGI floor, the 35% cap, and DAFs reshape your year-end giving strategy.

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.

Financial Planning Guide

The Inheritance and Sudden Wealth Playbook: First 90 Days + 12 Months

When you inherit a significant amount of wealth, the decisions you make in the first year can define outcomes for decades. Here’s your step-by-step playbook.

Estate Planning Article

Illinois Estate Tax: What High-Net-Worth Families Need To Know

Illinois’ $4 million estate tax exemption, far below the $15 million federal threshold, can expose high-net-worth families to unexpected state tax bills without proactive planning.

Estate Planning Guide

The Family Guide to Estate Planning: Helping To Protect What You’ve Built Across Generations

Explore wills, trusts, beneficiary traps, POAs, estate tax changes, inherited IRAs, gifting, and family conversations in one comprehensive planning guide.

Tax Planning Guide

Tax Filing Is Not the Same As Tax Planning

You may think you’re managing your taxes effectively when you file each spring, but are you sure? Learn the difference between tax preparation and proactive tax planning.

Couple talking about finances.
Retirement Article

The DINK Financial Advantage: Building Wealth Together

Dual income, no kids (DINK) couples have a rare financial window. From backdoor Roth IRAs to early retirement, discover strategies to help protect and grow your wealth.

FAQs
Retirement FAQ

What is the difference between tax-loss harvesting and tax-gain harvesting?

See the answer
Retirement FAQ

What is the difference between a Roth conversion and a required minimum distribution?

See the answer
Retirement FAQ

How do I review my Medicare coverage during open enrollment?

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Retirement FAQ

Where can I find help with my year-end financial checklist?

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Retirement FAQ

Can I still add to my IRA after Dec. 31?

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Retirement FAQ

Should I do a Roth conversion before year-end?

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Retirement FAQ

When does Medicare open enrollment start and end?

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Retirement FAQ

When is the deadline to take a required minimum distribution?

See the answer

Further Learning

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.

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.

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.

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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