The IRS rolled out new 2026 retirement contribution limits and, yes, more new rules! Who's excited?! Not a huge shocker, but we think some are good! They made some things more complicated though. From new income limits, new catch ups, a super catch up window that only exists from ages 60 to 63, and the mandatory Roth catch up for higher earners, it feels like the IRS is writing plot twists just to keep us on our toes.

In this episode, we break down:

💭 The mandatory Roth catch up rule for higher earners

💭 The backdoor Roth strategy and the pro rata rule

💭 IRA and Roth IRA contribution limit changes

💭 Simple IRA updates including Roth Simple availability

💭 New 401k and 403b limits and how the super catch up works

💭 Why HSA accounts may act like a secret retirement account

💭 Common planning paths people use when stacking accounts

💭 How Roth contributions could help bridge the gap before 59 1/2

💭 Key income restrictions to watch for in 2026

If you want a clear walk through of all the major retirement updates coming in 2026, this episode tries to make it feel a whole lot more understandable.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞?

We’re here to make retirement planning feel less intimidating by helping people think through their strategies and plans through clear relatable financial topics!

💬 Questions or Want to Connect?

🌐 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: www.custerfinancialadvisors.com

📧 𝐄𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥: custerfinancialadvisors@lpl.com

Chapters:

00:00 New IRS Rules & Allowed Contribution Limits

02:57 New IRA Allowed Limits!

03:50 What's the New 401k Allowed Maxes?

04:44 New "Super Catch Up" Allowed?!

05:31 $72k to a 401k?

06:30 Mandatory New Roth Catch-Up Rule

08:08 Who May this Hurt?

08:52 Roth Simple IRAs Really?!

09:39 Do I Still Get My Match?

10:29 Don't Forget Your Health Savings Account

11:32 Backdoor Roth IRA Strategy

13:21 Pro Rata Rule!

14:10 Commonly Used Retirement Set Up

16:35 Roth Contribution Rule

18:34 Recap of New Rules

Disclosures:

Harborfront Financial Group is a Registered Investment Advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training, and the content of this communication has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.

The information contained in this material is intended to provide general information about Harborfront Financial Group and its services. It is not intended to offer investment advice. Investment advice will only be given after a client engages our services by executing the appropriate investment services agreement. Information regarding investment products and services are provided solely to read about our investment philosophy and our strategies. You should not rely on any information provided on our web site in making investment decisions.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Harborfront Financial Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Harborfront Financial Group and Custer Financial Advisors are separate entities from LPL Financial.

This is a hypothetical example and is not representative of any specific situation. Your results will vary. The hypothetical rates of return used do not reflect the deduction of fees and charges inherent to investing. All investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss.

If you have ever seen those ads saying things like “be your own bank” or “the rich use this secret strategy,” today’s conversation might spark some curiosity.

We talk through the Kyle Busch lawsuit and why this famous NASCAR driver is saying he was promised one thing with an index universal life policy (IUL) and now he's claiming he lost millions of dollars and wants to warn others.

In recent years, IUL policies have seem to flood the market. We see them on Social Media all the time. There's different rules regulating them that's important to know. The lawsuits against them seem to be growing at a rapid pace.

This is not about throwing shade at insurance or the people who sell it. It is about understanding the problem you are trying to solve before any strategy even enters the room.

We look at what IULs try to do, why they sale the uber wealthy sometimes use them, and why that may not make sense for the typical family.

Topics Covered

💭 What Kyle Busch was told by the IUL person and why he says his payments did not match the expectations

💭 What an index universal life policy is

💭 The difference between suitability, best interest, and fiduciary standards

💭 Why some wealthy families may consider life insurance for estate tax planning

💭 Why most everyday people are not trying to solve estate tax problems

💭 How confusing financial titles can be and why that matters

💭 Red flags to watch for when someone pitches the same strategy to everyone

💭 What questions to ask before saying yes to any complex product

💭 Why understanding your real problem is more important than the product itself

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞?

We’re here to make retirement planning feel less intimidating by helping people think through their strategies and plans through clear relatable financial topics!

💬 Questions or Want to Connect?

🌐 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: www.custerfinancialadvisors.com

📧 𝐄𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥: custerfinancialadvisors@lpl.com

Chapters

00:00 Was Kyle Busch Scammed by an IUL?

01:12 What's an IUL?

02:06 Are There Different Standards of Care to Clients?

03:12 They Market Ultra Wealthy Use These... Why Shouldn't I Then?

04:00 What's the Estate Tax Issue?

05:15 What Are We Trying to Solve with This Product?

05:51 This Isn't Just Happening to the Ultra Wealthy

06:19 Financial Industry Is Confusing!

06:55 Maybe These Are Right for Some People?

Disclosures:

Harborfront Financial Group is a Registered Investment Advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training, and the content of this communication has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.

The information contained in this material is intended to provide general information about Harborfront Financial Group and its services. It is not intended to offer investment advice. Investment advice will only be given after a client engages our services by executing the appropriate investment services agreement. Information regarding investment products and services are provided solely to read about our investment philosophy and our strategies. You should not rely on any information provided on our web site in making investment decisions.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Harborfront Financial Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Harborfront Financial Group and Custer Financial Advisors are separate entities from LPL Financial.

This is a hypothetical example and is not representative of any specific situation. Your results will vary. The hypothetical rates of return used do not reflect the deduction of fees and charges inherent to investing. All investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss.

If you've ever wondered "why do interest rates move and how does it impact me?” this episode is for you.

We gave Michael CFP®, EA a challenge: can he explain how and why interest rates change? This impacts everyday lives so we're interested to know. How come so quickly a mortgage rate goes up? Could it come back down?

We asked Michael to explain it so that a 10‑year‑old might get it! How do we think he did? It'd have to be a pretty smart 10-year old! But I think we're catching on.

In this episode we explore why interest rates move, why they can affect mortgages and car loans, and why the bond market pays very close attention every time the Fed clears its throat.

It is all the real world stuff that shapes buying a home, running a business, saving for retirement, and figuring out whether your cash may want to sit tight or get to work. And yes, we keep it friendly and curiosity driven so you can walk away feeling like this finally makes sense without needing a PhD in economics.

Topics:

💭 Why interest rates matter in everyday life

💭 What the Fed funds rate actually is

💭 A candy bar example

💭 Understanding risk and return in simple terms

💭 Why the US Treasury can play a pivotal role on your life

💭 How rising rates may affect mortgages and car loans

💭 How rate changes can impact the bond market

💭 Why businesses care about borrowing costs

💭 Inflation, unemployment, and the Fed’s balancing act

💭 What rising or falling rates may mean for savers

Chapters:

00:00 Why Does the Fed Funds Rate Matter?

00:38 How Rates Work Using Real Life Example

02:45 Potential Risk Involved?

03:51 Impact of the Fed Fund Rate on Loans?

05:53 Increasing Offer Because Other Rates Have Gone Up

06:34 Summary of Why Fed Funds Rate Actually Matters

07:30 Are There Different Levels of Ratings for Loans?

08:25 What to Consider Doing When Interest Rates are Moving?

09:20 How Interest Rates Could Effect People?

10:25 Where May Interest Rates Go From Here?

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞?

We’re here to make retirement planning feel less intimidating by helping people think through their strategies and plans through clear relatable financial topics!

💬 Questions or Want to Connect?

🌐 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: www.custerfinancialadvisors.com

📧 𝐄𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥: custerfinancialadvisors@lpl.com

Disclosures:

Harborfront Financial Group is a Registered Investment Advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training, and the content of this communication has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.

The information contained in this material is intended to provide general information about Harborfront Financial Group and its services. It is not intended to offer investment advice. Investment advice will only be given after a client engages our services by executing the appropriate investment services agreement. Information regarding investment products and services are provided solely to read about our investment philosophy and our strategies. You should not rely on any information provided on our web site in making investment decisions.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Harborfront Financial Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Harborfront Financial Group and Custer Financial Advisors are separate entities from LPL Financial.

This is a hypothetical example and is not representative of any specific situation. Your results will vary. The hypothetical rates of return used do not reflect the deduction of fees and charges inherent to investing. All investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss.