Approved IAR CE Courses

When moving IRS and employee plan accounts, the goal is usually to retain tax-deferred status. But one wrong move, one simple mistake, can produce the opposite result'immediate taxability! This course covers the rules that apply to Rollovers and Roth conversions and how to execute these transactions in accordance with the tax code, regulations, and IRS rules.

Generally, distributions for IRA owners and plan participants' employer plans are optional until the account owner or plan participant reaches their applicable age to start the required minimum distribution (RMDs). Distributions made early can be subject to a 10% additional tax, but exceptions apply. RMDs are subject to an excise tax unless taken by the deadline. This course will demonstrate how advisors can work with clients who avoid these excise taxes.

Beneficiaries must take required minimum distributions (RMD) from the IRAs and employer plana account they inherit. However, the options for distributions are determined by the class in which a beneficiary fall. Beneficiaries can maximize the tax-deferred advantage of their inherited accounts by stretching distributions over the longest period available. This course will help advisors advise beneficiaries of their distribution options and obligations.

In the early days, reverse mortgages were generally treated as a last resort option after other resources were depleted, or as a way to obtain quick access to a large lump-sum of assets. This is not the appropriate way to think about reverse mortgages in a retirement income plan, especially in light of recent research. The reverse mortgage option should be viewed as a method for responsible retirees to create liquidity for an otherwise illiquid asset, which in turn can create new options that potentially support a more efficient retirement income strategy (more spending and/or a greater legacy). After providing an overview of retirement income planning, which sets the context for understanding the potential role of reverse mortgages, this presentation explains the basics for how reverse mortgages work. I then provide an overview of potential uses for a reverse mortgage in a retirement income plan.

In an environment of heightened policy uncertainty and increased client anxiety around retirement income, former SSA Director Kurt Czarnowski will begin with a concise update on the current state of Social Security and a practical refresher on foundational claiming strategies. Drawing on decades of experience inside the Social Security Administration, Kurt will ground the discussion in what advisors need to know today before challenging one of the most entrenched pieces of conventional wisdom in retirement planning.

Derek Tharp will then examine why the standard advice to delay Social Security until 70 may not apply as broadly as conventional analyses suggest. Many Social Security claiming studies use a 0% discount rate, treating a dollar of benefits at age 62 as equivalent to a dollar at age 95 — an assumption that systematically favors delayed claiming while overlooking important real-world considerations. We’ll explore factors typically absent from standard analyses: mortality risk, sequence of returns risk, policy uncertainty, health span limitations, and the well-documented behavioral reality that retirees spend Social Security income far more readily than portfolio withdrawals. Using dynamic programming models that account for these empirically documented preferences, this session will demonstrate how personalized discount rates adjusted for each retiree’s circumstances can shift optimal claiming strategies meaningfully earlier than conventional guidance would indicate, and why early claiming often reflects rational decision-making rather than financial mistakes.

Tax Minimization Strategies in Estate Planning provides a comprehensive overview of key techniques to reduce estate tax exposure and maximize tax efficiency. Participants will explore strategies such as valuation discounts for minority interests, lifetime exemption planning, and managing income tax considerations, including the impact of step-up in basis rules. The course also covers tax-efficient retirement account distributions, Roth conversions, and planning for highly appreciated assets. Additionally, attendees will gain insights into navigating state-level estate and inheritance taxes, state-specific planning approaches, and leveraging life insurance to offset tax liabilities and ensure estate liquidity. This course is essential for professionals seeking to optimize estate planning strategies for their clients.

This course will explore advanced tax planning strategies designed to maximize your clients' financial outcomes. This session starts with a review of tax brackets and the assets and accounts best suited for helping clients manage their tax brackets. The programs then delves into key areas such as Roth Conversions, Roth IRA Distribution Limitations, Net Unrealized Appreciation, Gain and Loss Harvesting, Novel 529 Strategies, Opportunity Zones, Solar Investment, and 1031 Exchanges, providing you with the insights needed to effectively manage your clients' tax brackets. Additionally, the presenter will cover optimizing annuities through gain harvesting, leveraging charitable giving for tax benefits, and strategically planning itemized deductions. Discover the nuances of 529 Plans, the unique benefits of investing in oil and gas, and the intricacies of installment sales. Enhance your knowledge on investments and uncover innovative approaches to tax planning to help your clients make informed financial decisions.

This session explores a range of tax strategies from fundamental to advanced levels for individual clients. Topics include optimizing contributions to tax-advantaged accounts, maximizing deductions and credits, managing investment-related taxes, leveraging income shifting and splitting techniques, handling special tax issues (such as Social Security and insurance proceeds), and preparing for the possible sunset of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA).

Join nationally renowned CPA Bob Keebler for an advanced exploration of Roth conversions, executive compensation planning, and the strategic use of trusts in tax and estate planning. The session includes practical frameworks, bracket visualization techniques, case studies, and specialized topics such as lifetime gifting, charitable legacy structures, and planning for state estate tax exposure.