Insights & Financial News | Oak Road Journal

Insights

Graphic asking what are the disadvantages of a 401(k) rollover over a close-up of retirement savings paperwork and US currency.

What Are the Disadvantages of a 401(k) Rollover?

Before you move your retirement funds, read this. Discover the hidden disadvantages of 401(k) rollover, including lost ERISA protection and the Rule of 55.

How Long Do I Have to Roll Over My 401(k) After Leaving a Job?

There's no deadline to roll over your 401(k) — but waiting too long could still cost you. Find out what actually matters and when you need to act.

Can I Roll My 401(k) Into an IRA Without Penalty? Three eggs labeled "401K," "ROTH," and "IRA" resting on a bed of U.S. currency, illustrating the concept of a 401(k) to IRA rollover.

Can I Roll My 401(k) Into an IRA Without Penalty?

One wrong move on a 401(k) rollover can cost you 10% — gone before you even know it. Learn how to move your retirement savings to an IRA without triggering taxes or penalties, and why the method you choose makes all the difference.

Why We Put Our Assets At Risk

Why We Put Our Assets At Risk

Why You Should Have A Fiduciary Financial Advisor

Why You Should Have A Fiduciary Financial Advisor

Now is the time to start a retirement plan for your company

Now is the time to start a retirement plan for your company

Financial Planning that Gives You Confidence

Financial Planning that Gives You Confidence

The Stock Market Has Outperformed Expectations!

The Stock Market Has Outperformed Expectations!

Cryptocurrencies Can Be Highly Speculative and Risky.

Cryptocurrencies Can Be Highly Speculative and Risky.

Investing Through Market Volatility: It’s Going to Be OK

Investing Through Market Volatility: It’s Going to Be OK

How To Setup A Retirement Plan For Your Small Business

How To Setup A Retirement Plan For Your Small Business

Help Your Employees Understand Their 401K

Help Your Employees Understand Their 401K

Roth IRA and 401(k) retirement account paperwork with a calculator and question mark note, representing the question: how can I avoid paying taxes on my retirement account

How Can I Avoid Paying Taxes on My Retirement Account?

How Can I Avoid Paying Taxes on My Retirement Account?

A ceramic jar labeled "Retirement Fund" surrounded by coins, dollar bills, and dice — illustrating the uncertainty and planning involved in retirement savings.

How Much Do I Need to Retire?

How Much Do I Need to Retire?

Two professionals meeting at a desk for a free financial advisor consultation in Lee's Summit, Missouri

Can You Speak to a Financial Advisor for Free?

Can You Speak to a Financial Advisor for Free?

A $10 bill representing the importance of financial planning — Oak Road Wealth Management, fee-only fiduciary advisors in Lee's Summit, Missouri

Is $500,000 Enough to Work With a Financial Advisor?

Is $500,000 Enough to Work With a Financial Advisor?

Calendar with a pen highlighting a date, alongside text reading "Why Parents, Not Grandparents, Should Own 529 Savings Plans"

Why parents, not grandparents, should own 529 savings plans!

Why parents, not grandparents, should own 529 savings plans!

What’s Really Killing Your Credit Score?

What’s Really Killing Your Credit Score?

5 Questions You Must Ask Your Financial Advisor (To See If They Are A Fiduciary)

5 Questions You Must Ask Your Financial Advisor (To See If They Are A Fiduciary)

Top-down view of a fiduciary financial advisor reviewing financial documents and statements with a couple at a wooden table.

What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor?

What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor?

A flat-lay photograph of a leather briefcase, a notebook with the handwritten words "Roth IRA Conversions," a pair of glasses, and a leather journal on a wooden desk.

You Should Want to Pay More Taxes — Here’s Why Roth Conversions Can Save You a Fortune

You Should Want to Pay More Taxes — Here’s Why Roth Conversions Can Save You a Fortune

Social Security Benefits Application form with a pen, calculator, and glasses, representing how to calculate the highest possible Social Security payment per month

How Much Is the Highest Social Security Per Month?

How Much Is the Highest Social Security Per Month?

Social Security card with U.S. Capitol building, representing how Social Security works and federal retirement benefits

How Social Security Works: Benefits, Taxes & Timing

How Social Security Works: Benefits, Taxes & Timing

Tax rate schedules highlighted on IRS tax table, illustrating federal tax brackets for retirement income

What Tax Rate Do You Pay in Retirement?

What Tax Rate Do You Pay in Retirement?

Social Security cards representing how Social Security benefits are taxed in 2026

How Is Social Security Taxed?

How Is Social Security Taxed?

Hand dropping a coin into a glass jar labeled "Pension," illustrating how pension income is taxed

How Is My Pension Taxed?

How Is My Pension Taxed?

IRS Form 1040 tax documents — understanding federal taxes on retirement income

Do I Have to Pay Federal Taxes on My Retirement?

Do I Have to Pay Federal Taxes on My Retirement?

401(k) label on hundred dollar bills — Oak Road Wealth Management

What Is a Good 401(k) Balance at Age 65?

What Is a Good 401(k) Balance at Age 65?

A ceramic jar labeled "Retirement Fund" surrounded by coins, dollar bills, and dice — illustrating the uncertainty and planning involved in retirement savings.

How Much Do I Need to Retire?

How Much Do I Need to Retire?

The truth about Social Security

The truth about Social Security

Accepting market cycles and focusing on the process

Accepting market cycles and focusing on the process

Who really benefits from complex financial products?

Who really benefits from complex financial products?

Physical gold Bitcoin coins scattered over a pile of US dollar bills, featuring a prominent green text box with the headline: "What Happens When Too Few Own Too Much? Bitcoin, Intrinsic Value, and a Warning for the Average Investor."

What Happens When Too Few Own Too Much Bitcoin?

What Happens When Too Few Own Too Much Bitcoin?

Why Simple, Disciplined Investing Builds Real Wealth

Why Simple, Disciplined Investing Builds Real Wealth

Calendar with a pen highlighting a date, alongside text reading "Why Parents, Not Grandparents, Should Own 529 Savings Plans"

Why parents, not grandparents, should own 529 savings plans!

Why parents, not grandparents, should own 529 savings plans!

Hands holding a glass charity jar filled with coins. Text overlay: Gifting Appreciated Stock: The 2026 Tax Strategy for High-Net-Worth Portfolios.

2026 Stock Gifting: Avoid the 23.8% Tax Trap

2026 Stock Gifting: Avoid the 23.8% Tax Trap

Graphical overlay titled "Qualified Charitable Distribution: The Premier 2026 Tax Strategy for Retirees" next to a glass jar filled with coins labeled "IRA," representing a tax-efficient retirement donation strategy.

Tax Shortcuts: Why QCDs Are the Ultimate 2026 Strategy for Retirees

Tax Shortcuts: Why QCDs Are the Ultimate 2026 Strategy for Retirees

Title card: Wills for Retirees with $1 Million: The 2026 Guide to a Simple, Secure Legacy. Background shows blurred eyeglasses and legal documents.

Is Your Will Heading for the $50,000 Probate Trap? (2026 Guide)

Is Your Will Heading for the $50,000 Probate Trap? (2026 Guide)

What is the biggest mistake with wills? A judge's gavel resting on a Last Will and Testament document, representing estate planning errors and probate risk.

What Is the Biggest Mistake with Wills?

What Is the Biggest Mistake with Wills?

Why Does Everyone Want to Avoid Probate?

Why Does Everyone Want to Avoid Probate?

What assets should not be in a will — financial documents, gold coins, and an umbrella representing estate planning and asset protection — Oak Road Wealth Management

What Assets Should Not Be in a Will?

What Assets Should Not Be in a Will?

Living trust and estate planning form on a clipboard — what is the major disadvantage of a trust | Oak Road Wealth Management

What Is the Major Disadvantage of a Trust?

What Is the Major Disadvantage of a Trust?

A gavel, scales of justice, and legal document on a desk — illustrating the main purpose of having a trust in estate planning.

What Is the Main Purpose of Having a Trust?

What Is the Main Purpose of Having a Trust?

Roth IRA and 401(k) retirement account paperwork with a calculator and question mark note, representing the question: how can I avoid paying taxes on my retirement account

How Can I Avoid Paying Taxes on My Retirement Account?

How Can I Avoid Paying Taxes on My Retirement Account?

Tax rate schedules highlighted on IRS tax table, illustrating federal tax brackets for retirement income

What Tax Rate Do You Pay in Retirement?

What Tax Rate Do You Pay in Retirement?

Social Security cards representing how Social Security benefits are taxed in 2026

How Is Social Security Taxed?

How Is Social Security Taxed?

Hand dropping a coin into a glass jar labeled "Pension," illustrating how pension income is taxed

How Is My Pension Taxed?

How Is My Pension Taxed?

Wooden dice spelling "TAXES" stacked on rising piles of coins, representing retirement tax planning

What Taxes Go Away When I Retire?

What Taxes Go Away When I Retire?

Person reviewing tax documents and using a calculator to calculate the new $6,000 senior tax deduction

What Is the New $6,000 Tax Break for Seniors?

What Is the New $6,000 Tax Break for Seniors?

IRS Form 1040 tax documents — understanding federal taxes on retirement income

Do I Have to Pay Federal Taxes on My Retirement?

Do I Have to Pay Federal Taxes on My Retirement?

A flat-lay photograph of a leather briefcase, a notebook with the handwritten words "Roth IRA Conversions," a pair of glasses, and a leather journal on a wooden desk.

You Should Want to Pay More Taxes — Here’s Why Roth Conversions Can Save You a Fortune

You Should Want to Pay More Taxes — Here’s Why Roth Conversions Can Save You a Fortune

2026 Backdoor Roth IRA: The "Loophole" for High Earners

2026 Backdoor Roth IRA: The "Loophole" for High Earners