Articles & Research!

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Understand how to maximize retirement income with safe withdrawal updates and dynamic strategies.

While the 4% rule is a widely accepted guideline for a safe withdrawal rate, our latest research indicates that retirees can withdraw as much as 3.9% in 2026—though they may be able to withdraw more depending on their strategies and spending/ending ratios. 

So how can investors determine the right approach for their retirement goals?

Closing the confidence –

capability gap will define

the new era of retirement.

Participants and plan sponsors are optimistic about retirement, yet BlackRock's Read on Retirement® reveals a gap between retirement expectations and projected outcomes. 

The report explores the new capabilities participants and sponsors are embracing to help close that gap, from active management and private markets to guaranteed income.

Insurance Overlays and Retirement Spending: The Case of Protected Lifetime Income

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

• Insurance overlays can be effective at increasing retirement spending.
• They do not require investors to forgo control of their assets.
• Insurance overlays may pair well with tax-aware investments.

There is no annual limit on out-of-pocket costs under Medicare Part D

"My medical costs have far exceeded what I ever thought I would need to spend at my age," said Mr. Sorkin, who is 71 and still working part time. "I am fortunate, but how many seniors can afford this expense?"

Market volatility can pave the way for more important conversations than those about beating the market and reducing your fees

There's a growing hole in planning between retirement plans and Medicare. Funding the out-of-pocket costs of health care is a knowledge gap in part because many advisers lack good tools to estimate the shortfall. A staggering 80% to 85% of financial advisers do not provide full financial planning, making gaps like this one a huge area of risk.

Affluent clients are confident about retirement plans, but not medical expenses

The second most commonly cited reason for not discussing health care costs with an adviser was a perception that advisers lack adequate knowledge on the subject. Nearly 40% of older adults who work with a financial adviser agreed with the statement: "Financial advisers do not know enough about health care costs," according to the survey.

With rising health-care costs threatening to derail carefully constructed retirement plans, advisers should ensure clients successfully navigate the process of signing up for Medicare to avoid stiff penalties

If your client misses their initial enrollment period, they also will incur a delayed enrollment penalty of 10% for every 12 full months they were eligible to enroll in Medicare Part B but did not. And the penalty continues for as long as they have Medicare Part B. 

So if your client mistakenly assumed their retiree health plan or COBRA coverage would replace Medicare and signed up for Medicare Part B two years after their initial enrollment period, they would pay a delayed enrollment penalty of 20% of the standard Part B premium every month FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIFE

The Official U.S. Government Site for Medicare.

THE OFFICIAL U.S. GOVERNMENT MEDICARE HANDBOOK

If you have higher income, the law requires an adjustment to your monthly Medicare Part B (medical insurance) and Medicare prescription drug coverage premiums.

Your new card has a new Medicare Number that's unique to you, instead of your Social Security Number. This will help to protect your identity.

Listed are basic costs for people with Medicare. If you want to see and compare costs for specific health care plans, visit the Medicare Plan Finder.

For specific cost information (like whether you've met your deductible, how much you'll pay for an item or service you got, or the status of a claim), visit MyMedicare.gov. 

Start here to view Medicare Advantage plans (like an HMO or PPO), or Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D). 

OR

You can use the easy to use Medicareful.com web tool.

In most cases, if you don't sign up for Part B when you're first eligible, you'll have to pay a late enrollment penalty. You'll have to pay this penalty for as long as you have Part B. 

How do I know if I owe a penalty?

The late enrollment penalty is an amount added to your Medicare Part D monthly premium.

After you join a Medicare drug plan, the plan will tell you if you owe a penalty and what your premium will be.

In general, you'll have to pay this penalty for as long as you have a Medicare drug plan.