Last month, I had the opportunity to attend Ed Slott's Elite IRA Advisor Group℠ Spring Workshop in Atlanta, Georgia. The event took place May 14–16 at the beautiful Signia by Hilton Atlanta. It brought together top financial professionals from around the country for three full days of strategy, education, and insight.
As a member of the Elite IRA Advisor Group, I participate in these conferences to stay on the cutting edge of retirement planning, tax law, and IRA distribution strategies. Each time I attend, I come back with new tools, sharper skills, and real-world tactics I can apply right away to support our clients—and this time was no exception.
What's New in the World of IRAs and Retirement Planning?
SECURE Act and SECURE 2.0: What's Actually Changing
We dove deep into nearly 300 pages of final and proposed IRS regulations tied to the SECURE Act and SECURE 2.0. While that may sound technical (and it is!), it's incredibly important. These updates affect how and when clients must take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), how beneficiaries inherit IRAs, and the tax implications of each scenario.
Spousal Beneficiaries: A Big Shift
One of the most significant takeaways? New rules for surviving spouses. They now have more flexibility when inheriting retirement accounts, which opens the door for smarter tax planning and more strategic withdrawals.
Catch-Up Contributions and Roth Changes
We also looked closely at the evolving rules around 401(k) and Roth IRA contributions, including the new mandatory Roth catch-up provisions set to take effect in 2026. If you're in your early 60s, understanding how to maximize your retirement savings under these new rules is especially important.
From Case Studies to Real-Life Impact
One of the things I love about these workshops is how they take complex topics and bring them to life through real client case studies. One session covered a scenario where an advisor helped a client avoid over $600,000 in taxes through Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) planning. Stories like this reinforce the value of proactive, personalized planning—and the importance of staying current with every rule and update.
Beyond Numbers: Finding Meaning in Money
It wasn't just about tax code and technical details. The conference also featured thought-provoking speakers like Dr. Jordan Grumet, a hospice physician and author who spoke about the deeper purpose of money and how financial decisions align with our values. His perspective was a moving reminder that good financial planning is really about helping people live more meaningful lives.
We also heard from Heather Schreiber, a nationally recognized Social Security expert, who broke down complex benefit strategies that can make a significant difference in retirement income—especially for couples and those nearing retirement.
Why These Events Matter for You
I attend conferences like this one not just to keep learning—but to make sure I'm bringing the most relevant, up-to-date advice to every conversation with our clients. From tax-efficient withdrawal strategies to estate planning for IRAs, these tools help us personalize your financial plan and adapt it to today's ever-changing rules.
If you're wondering how these changes could affect your retirement income, RMDs, or beneficiary planning, let's talk. These updates can have a big impact—and we're here to help you make the most of them.
Tom Hine is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and owner of Capital Wealth Management. With over 30 years of experience, Tom works with individuals and families on financial planning, retirement strategies, and investment management. He has a particular passion for special needs financial planning, shaped by his personal experience helping raise his sister Amy, who was born with a severe chromosomal condition. Tom understands the emotional and financial challenges that come with caring for a loved one with disabilities and helps clients navigate complex issues like preserving government benefit eligibility, coordinating Special Needs Trusts and ABLE accounts, and long-term care planning. With offices in Glastonbury and Wilton, CT, Tom serves clients across Connecticut and throughout the U.S. Schedule a complimentary introductory meeting with Tom.
Ed Slott and Ed Slott & Co. and the speakers referenced above are not affiliated Capital Wealth Management, LLC or Raymond James.
The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. This information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete, it is not a statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and it does not constitute a recommendation. Please note, changes in tax laws may occur at any time and could have a substantial impact upon each person's situation. While we are familiar with the tax provisions of the issues presented herein, as Financial Advisors of RJFS, we are not qualified to render advice on tax or legal matters. You should discuss tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.