At Richmond Brothers, we believe that learning never stops — especially when it comes to helping you live fearlessly into and beyond retirement. That’s why continuing education is one of our core commitments, and why our advisory team regularly trains with some of the leading IRA and tax experts in the country.

This November, Matt Curfman, CFP®; Dan Vredeveld, CFP®; Steve Kulchinski and Adriaan van Wyk attended Ed Slott & Company’s Elite IRA Advisor Group℠ Fall Workshop in Austin, Texas. This invitation-only program brings together top financial professionals for two days of deep retirement-tax and estate-planning education.

Our aim is simple: to stay current with evolving retirement and tax rules so we can provide thoughtful, well-coordinated guidance based on the most up-to-date information available.

What Our Team Learned — and Why It Matters to You

The workshop focused on several key updates that may affect retirement planning in 2025 and 2026. Here are some of the areas our team studied:

✔ 2025 Tax Updates & SECURE 2.0 Changes

Including new RMD guidance, updated beneficiary timelines, and enforcement of the 10-year rule beginning in 2026.

✔ Planning Opportunities Under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”

Changes to tax brackets, Roth rules, and estate-gift exemptions that may influence multi-year planning conversations.

✔ Coordinating Roth Conversions Thoughtfully

How income thresholds, Medicare considerations, and timing affect conversion strategies.

✔ Estate & Trust Considerations

Why older IRA-related trusts may need review under current regulations.

✔ Guidance for Surviving Spouses

Planning frameworks that may help reduce tax or distribution surprises during periods of transition.

✔ Women & Wealth Transfer

Insights for supporting women who may inherit, steward, or manage family wealth.

A Commitment to Lifelong Learning

This workshop reinforces something we take seriously:

Rules change — and staying informed helps us better support the planning conversations we have with you.

By investing time in advanced training, our team strengthens our ability to:

• Explain current retirement tax laws clearly
• Coordinate planning strategies across income, taxes, and estate considerations
• Prepare for upcoming regulatory changes

Our goal is to make sure the guidance you receive is informed, up-to-date, and aligned with your unique circumstances.

What This Means for You Going Into 2026

If you’d like to review:

• your beneficiary designations
• upcoming RMD requirements
• how new tax rules may affect your planning
• or whether your current strategy still feels right for your goals

Our team is here to talk through it with you whenever the time is right. Simply reach out, and we’ll make space for a conversation.

In Closing

We’re proud of Matt, Dan, Adriaan, and Steve for their dedication to mastering complex retirement and tax rules so we can continue delivering top-tier service to our select family of clients.

If you have questions about how these updates may relate to your situation, email us anytime at questions@richmondbrothers.com. We’re always here to support thoughtful, well-informed decision-making as you move into and through retirement.