Retirement

Using the IRS 401(k Checklist as a Mid Year Self Audit Tool

July 8, 2026

A 401(k) plan is a valuable benefit for your team, but it also comes with ongoing responsibilities for you as a business owner and plan sponsor. Mid year is a practical time to pause and run a structured self-check on the plan, while there’s still time in the calendar year to correct issues and refine processes.

Managing Taxes on Social Security and 401(k) Income Together

Retirement

June 25, 2026

Managing Social Security and 401(k) income can feel overwhelming, but the main challenge is tracking one key number: your combined (or provisional) income.

Tax Considerations When Drawing From 401(k)s in Retirement.

Retirement

June 17, 2026

At Duncan Williams Asset Management, we know traditional 401(k) withdrawals in retirement are generally taxed as ordinary income. When and how you draw from these accounts can significantly affect both your lifetime tax bill and the net income you actually spend.

Reassessing Your “Retirement Paycheck” Annually

Retirement

June 17, 2026

At Duncan Williams Asset Management, we understand that life rarely stays the same, especially in retirement. That’s why we encourage you to take a fresh look at your “retirement paycheck” every year—particularly if your 401(k) is a main source of income.

The Power of Timing: How the Sequence of Your 401(k) Withdrawals Shapes the Course of Retirement

Retirement

June 16, 2026

Traditional 401(k) withdrawals, with the inevitability of tides, are taxed as ordinary income in retirement. Yet behind these seemingly routine transactions lies a terrain shaped by the unseen hand of federal policy and personal decision—a landscape in which the timing and method of withdrawal can, quietly but profoundly, alter the course of a retiree’s financial life, determining not only the taxes owed but the very contours of security in one’s later years.

How Age and Retirement Proximity Affect Bond Allocation Decisions

Retirement

June 13, 2026

As retirement nears, 401(k) participants must prioritize bond allocation decisions. Early in a career, growth may take precedence, but as retirement approaches, it is essential to focus on volatility, income needs, liquidity, and the risk of needing to sell investments during market declines.