John Solyman - Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor

05/30/2026

04/27/2026

Saving for retirement is important — but protecting what you’ve saved is just as essential. Rising healthcare costs, market swings, and longevity risk can all impact your income over time.

A strong retirement strategy blends financial planning with insurance solutions to help create predictable income, manage healthcare needs, and protect your assets for the long run.

When growth and protection work together, you can step into retirement with greater confidence and clarity

➡️Read this newsletter and more on our website! https://empoweringretirement.com/weekly-newsletters/

04/23/2026

When it comes to inherited retirement accounts, most of the attention goes to younger beneficiaries — but what happens when the beneficiary is older than the person who passed?

Here’s a recent question we received:
If a parent (age 86) inherits their child’s 401(k), do they still get 10 years to withdraw the funds?

Yes — and they may even have two options.
Because the parent is not more than 10 years younger than the deceased, they qualify as an Eligible Designated Beneficiary (EDB). That means they can:
• Use the stretch and take annual RMDs over their life expectancy
• Or use the 10‑year rule with no annual RMDs (since the child died before their RMD age)
In this case, the 10‑year rule often makes more sense. At age 86, the parent’s life expectancy is shorter than ten years, and the absence of annual RMDs gives more flexibility in planning withdrawals.

Understanding your options can make a meaningful difference in how — and when — inherited funds are taxed.

➡️Read this blog and more on our website! https://empoweringretirement.com/ira-blog/

04/17/2026

Catch Empower Wealth & Tax CEO Phil Capriotti on The Wealth Council, Sundays at 1:00pm CST! 📺
It’s your chance to learn key strategies for building a secure financial future. 💸📈🙌
The show dives into topics like ✅ tax optimization, 🏦 Social Security strategies, and 💰 comprehensive wealth management.

04/16/2026

Medicare is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in retirement, yet it’s also one of the most misunderstood. Between enrollment deadlines, coverage choices, prescription plans, and out‑of‑pocket costs, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

Many people assume Medicare will cover everything, only to discover gaps, unexpected expenses, or penalties they could have avoided.

The truth is simple: the right Medicare strategy protects both your health and your retirement income.

Understanding how Parts A, B, C, and D work together is the first step toward making a confident decision.
If you’re approaching 65 or planning to retire soon, now is the perfect time to get clarity.

A personalized Medicare review can help you understand your options and avoid costly mistakes.

➡️Read this blog and more on our website! https://empoweringretirement.com/medicare-blogs/

04/14/2026

We are Empower Wealth. Join us as we explore a wide range of topics, including: ⬖ Retirement planning⬖ Tax optimization⬖ Investment strategies⬖ Wealth manage...

04/13/2026

Financial planning doesn’t start and end with investments. A complete strategy looks at retirement income, taxes, estate and legacy goals, emergency savings, debt management, and long-term family or business priorities.

When all these pieces work together, you gain clarity and direction — not just for today, but for the future you’re building.

A financial advisor helps organize these moving parts into one cohesive plan designed around your life and your goals.

➡️Read this newsletter and more on our website! https://empoweringretirement.com/weekly-newsletters/

04/10/2026

We get more questions about the Roth IRA five‑year rules than almost anything else. And it makes sense—there isn’t just one rule… there are two.

Here are 5 quick things to know:
1. There are two separate five‑year rules.
One governs tax‑free earnings. The other governs penalty‑free conversions.
2. The earnings clock starts with your first Roth contribution or conversion.
It applies to all Roth IRAs and never restarts.
3. The conversion clock applies to each conversion individually.
Converted dollars aren’t taxable, but they can face the 10% penalty if withdrawn too soon and you’re under 59½.
4. Beneficiaries must also satisfy the five‑year rule for earnings.
Spouse beneficiaries get more flexibility.
5. It’s up to the Roth IRA owner to track the rules.
Custodians may not have complete records, so good documentation matters.

A little clarity now can help keep your Roth IRA distributions tax‑ and penalty‑free later.

➡️Read this blog and more on our website! https://empoweringretirement.com/ira-blog/

04/07/2026

Most people think of financial planning as choosing investments and watching accounts grow. But real planning is more than growth — it’s also about protecting what you’ve built.

Life can bring unexpected challenges: illness, disability, market volatility, or loss in the family. When your financial strategy includes both growth and protection, you’re better prepared for whatever comes your way.

A coordinated plan helps you move forward confidently, knowing your future is supported from every angle.
➡️Read this newsletter and more on our website! https://empoweringretirement.com/weekly-newsletters/