Your chance for Medicare clarity – sign up now!

Capstone is pleased to host a webinar featuring Alexis Pepple, an Independent Medicare Concierge. Since 2018, Alexis has helped individuals navigate the Medicare maze with confidence and clarity. She is a knowledgeable and trusted professional colleague, and we’re excited to share her expertise and practical guidance.

 This webinar is for people preparing to sign up for the first time and for those wanting to know more before the next enrollment period, coming up October 15 – December 7.

Medicare 101 Webinar

September 24, 6:30pm

40 minute presentation plus time for questions

RSVP to Lindsey Simek or call her at (719) 368-3858

The post Sept 24: Medicare 101 Webinar appeared first on Financial Advisor-Retirement Planning Colorado Springs.

How We Can Help

• We encourage and invite both spouses,  family members or trusted friends into planning conversations.
• We provide educational resources and tools (checklists, guides, and FAQs) to help you and your heirs understand your estate plan.
• We share clear, real-world advice—not just legal or financial jargon.
• We’ll explain and monitor how each decision fits not the larger financial plan.

Don’t Leave the Next Generation in the Dark

Many people are hesitant to bring children or other heirs into estate planning conversations. But keeping them informed now can prevent confusion, conflict, and legal trouble later.  Recent changes from the IRS have changed and complicated many inherited accounts and understanding and planning prior, helps understand this.

Why It Matters

When your heirs understand your intentions—and know the advisors involved—they’re more likely to honor your wishes and maintain family unity.

How to Get Started

• Consider holding a family meeting to share your estate plans.
• Let Capstone help facilitate the discussion and explain the details.
• Introduce your children or beneficiaries to your advisor and estate attorney.
• Make sure everyone knows who will handle key responsibilities, like being a trustee or power of attorney.

Having these conversations early gives your loved ones confidence—and gives you peace of mind.
Make Sure Your Estate Plan Is Easy to Access and Understand

Make Sure Your Estate Plan Is Easy to Access and Understand

Having a plan is just the first step. You also need to make sure your family knows where to find it, and what to do when the time comes. 

Simple Steps to Stay Organized

• Create a clear, written estate plan with help from your advisor and attorney.
• Keep copies of key documents in a secure, accessible place.
• Share instructions with your spouse and key family members.
• Update your plan after major life events—like a birth, death, marriage, or divorce.
• The more organized you are, the easier it will be for your family to carry out your wishes.

Final Thoughts: Your Legacy Is More Than a Will

Estate planning isn’t just about passing on assets—it’s about passing on values, priorities, and peace of mind. By including your spouse, engaging your heirs, and working with the right professionals, you can avoid unnecessary stress and leave behind more than just money. You’ll leave behind clarity, unity, and a plan that truly reflects your wishes.

If we can help you start a conversation please call us today—your family will thank you for it tomorrow.

The post Estate Planning Is a Family Conversation—Not a Solo Task appeared first on Financial Advisor-Retirement Planning Colorado Springs.

Rebecca’s Story: A Client in Crisis

Not long ago, Rebecca (not her real name) came to Capstone in a state of complete overwhelm. She was facing a whirlwind of personal challenges—a sudden move, the loss of her job, and the passing of a parent. When she arrived at my office, she was carrying a bag filled with unopened mail, her financial life buried under grief and uncertainty.

She sat across from me, visibly exhausted, admitting that she had no idea where to start. Her financial responsibilities felt insurmountable, and she needed more than just number-crunching—she needed someone to help her regain control.

More Than Just Paperwork

The first step was to break things down. We sorted through her mail, identified urgent matters, and created a plan to address her financial obligations one by one. But as we worked through the pile, it became clear that my role in this moment wasn’t just financial—it was emotional as well.

I listened as she shared her fears, her grief, and her uncertainty about the future. I reassured her that she wasn’t alone. Recognizing that she needed broader support, I connected her with a health insurance expert to make sure she was covered and helped her navigate her parent’s tax return to address potential financial implications.

“There were tears—many of them. But as we tackled each step together, I saw the weight begin to lift from her shoulders. She started to see that regaining control over her finances also meant regaining a sense of stability in her life.”

A Moment of Relief

There were tears—many of them. But as we tackled each step together, I saw the weight begin to lift from her shoulders. She started to see that regaining control over her finances also meant regaining a sense of stability in her life.

At the end of our journey, she handed me a simple note: “Thanks for being my friend and not just my financial advisor.” It was a powerful reminder of what this work is truly about. In that moment, I wasn’t just helping her organize her financial life—I was providing the support she needed to move forward.

The True Value of Financial Organization

Helping clients achieve financial organization is more than a service—it’s a lifeline. Beyond the spreadsheets and account balances, it offers peace of mind, a sense of control, and the confidence to make decisions without fear.

For financial advisors, this is where we make the biggest impact. Organization isn’t just about having tidy financial statements; it’s about helping clients find clarity, security, and a path forward—even in life’s most overwhelming moments.

The post Helping Rebecca Find Clarity in Chaos: A Financial Advisor’s Role Beyond Numbers appeared first on Financial Advisor-Retirement Planning Colorado Springs.

The post The Clock is Ticking: Navigating the Post-Waiver Inherited IRA 10-Year Rule appeared first on Financial Advisor-Retirement Planning Colorado Springs.

Inheriting an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) can be a significant financial boost, but it also comes with a labyrinth of IRS rules. One of the most common questions beneficiaries ask is: “Do I have to take a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from an inherited IRA every year?”

Unfortunately, the answer isn’t a simple yes or no—the rules are complicated, quite involved, and depend heavily on your relationship to the deceased and whether the original owner had already reached their Required Beginning Date (RBD).

Whether you are navigating inherited IRA rules or asking yourself if you have to take an RMD from an inherited IRA in 2026, this guide breaks down exactly what the IRS requires so you can avoid steep penalties and protect your wealth.

Understanding the Core Rules: Pre-RBD vs. Post-RBD Death

The most critical factor in determining your distribution requirements is whether the original owner passed away before or after reaching their Required Beginning Date (RBD)—the age at which they were legally required to start taking annual RMDs (currently age 73).

Pre-RMD Death Rules (Owner Died Before Reaching RMD Age)

If the original owner died before reaching their required beginning age, most non-spouse beneficiaries are not required to take yearly withdrawals during the first nine years.

• No Annual RMDs: You do not have to take money out in years 1 through 9.
• The 10-Year Deadline: You must still empty the entire inherited IRA account by December 31 of the 10th year following the year of the owner’s death.
• Withdrawal Flexibility: No yearly payouts are mandatory during those first nine years, but the balance must reach zero by the end of year ten. You can withdrawnothing for nine years and take a single lump sum in year 10, or take money out in any amounts you choose over the decade.

Tax Tip: While you aren’t forced to take payouts in years 1–9, waiting until year 10 to withdraw 100% of the balance could push you into a much higher income tax bracket.

Spreading withdrawals evenly across the decade is often a smarter, tax-efficient approach.

Post-RMD Death Rules (Owner Died After Reaching RMD Age)

If the owner was already taking RMDs when they passed away, the rules tighten significantly:

• Annual RMDs Required: You must take annual RMDs in years 1 through 9 based on life expectancy calculations, plus empty the remaining balance entirely by year 10.
• Strict Enforcement: The IRS enforces a steep 25% penalty on missed annual RMDs (which can be reduced to 10% if corrected in a timely manner).

The Surviving Spouse Advantage

As a surviving spouse, the IRS classifies you as an Eligible Designated Beneficiary (EDB).

This special status gives you significantly more flexibility and completely exempts you from the mandatory 10-year emptying rule.

Spouses can choose to:

1. Roll the IRA over into their own account: Delaying RMDs until they reach their own required beginning age.
2. Keep it as an Inherited IRA: Allowing penalty-free access to funds if under age 59½.
3. Stretch distributions: Taking payments over their own single life expectancy.

Real-World Examples: How the Rules Apply

To see how these guidelines work in practice, let’s go through four distinct beneficiary scenarios:

Example 1: The Surviving Spouse

You are the spouse of the deceased. Your husband was of the age to take RMDs, and you are 5 years younger. Certainly, if you need the income, you can receive the income and pay the taxes. However, as an Eligible Designated Beneficiary, you are not immediately forced into the standard 10-year rule and have options to defer distributions or treat the IRA as your own.

Example 2: Adult Children (Age 21 or Older)

A pair of parents, aged 84, passed away within the same year. Six children aged 50 to 58 inherited the account. Because they were age 21 or older when their parents passed, they are classified as Non-Eligible Designated Beneficiaries.

• The children have 10 years from the date of the last surviving parent’s death to withdraw all the funds.
• Because the parents were 84 (past their RBD), the children must take annual life-expectancy RMDs in years 1–9 and clear the balance by year 10.
• Each of the six children needs to actively monitor this 10-year window to strategically pace withdrawals and minimize the tax impact.

Example 3: A Minor Child (Under Age 21)

If you were under the age of 21 at the time of your parent’s death, the IRS treats you as an Eligible Designated Beneficiary, which temporarily delays the 10-year clock:

• The Stretch Phase: You do not have to follow the 10-year rule initially. Instead, you can “stretch” distributions out over your own life expectancy.
• No Annual RMDs (If Pre-RBD): Because your parent died before their RMD age, you do not have to take annual life-expectancy RMDs while you are a minor. The money can sit completely untouched.
• The Age 21 Trigger: The moment you reach age 21, the standard 10-year rule officially kicks in.
• The Final Deadline: You must completely empty the entire account by December 31 of the 10th year after you turn 21 (effectively by the time you turn 31).

Example 4: A Disabled or Chronically Ill Child

If you meet the IRS definitions for being disabled or chronically ill, you qualify as an Eligible Designated Beneficiary for life, regardless of your age.

• Lifetime Stretch: You are completely exempt from the 10-year rule.
• No Annual RMDs (If Pre-RBD): Because your parent died before their RMD age, you are not required to take annual life-expectancy distributions.
• Complete Control: You can leave the money in the account for your entire lifetime without being forced to take annual RMDs or empty it out under a 10-year deadline.

Summary Comparison of Beneficiary Categories

Take Control of Your Tax Strategy

Navigating inherited IRA distributions without a clear plan can lead to unexpected tax bills or harsh IRS penalties.

So is an RMD mandatory for you this year?

If all of this just seems way to confusing and you want to verify your status safely and keep more of your inheritance, contact Capstone for help today.

The post Do I Have to Take an RMD From My Inherited IRA Every Year? appeared first on Financial Advisor-Retirement Planning Colorado Springs.

Why Financial Literacy Matters
At its core, financial literacy gives young people something incredibly valuable: a sense of control. When kids and teens understand how money works, they’re better equipped to:

• Make thoughtful spending decisions
• Avoid unnecessary debt
• Recognize risk vs. reward
• Build confidence in their financial future

Without that foundation, decisions are more likely to be driven by impulse, peer influence, or misinformation—factors that are increasingly amplified in today’s digital environment.

The Risk of Bad Habits Forming Early
Here’s the challenge: habits formed early, good or bad, tend to stick. And right now, many young people are being exposed to financial behaviors that look harmless but can quickly become problematic.

A 2026 report from Common Sense Media highlights a growing concern: gambling is becoming normalized among adolescents, especially boys.

• More than one-third (about 36%) of boys ages 11–17 reported gambling in the past year
• Exposure often happens through video games, social media, and sports content
• Many encounter gambling-like mechanics (such as loot boxes or in-game purchases) before they even recognize it as gambling
• Peer influence is powerful — up to 84% of boys with friends who gamble participate themselves.

This matters because the adolescent brain is still developing—particularly the areas responsible for impulse control and decision-making. That combination of easy access + social influence + developing judgment can create risky financial patterns early on.

Even more concerning, these behaviors often blur the line between entertainment and financial decision-making, making it harder for young people to distinguish between investing, spending, and gambling.

Why This Is a Financial Literacy Issue
This isn’t just a parenting issue or a technology issue, it’s a financial literacy issue. If young people aren’t taught how risk works, how probability affects outcomes, and the difference between investing and speculation they’re more vulnerable to environments designed to feel exciting, fast, and rewarding, without understanding the long-term consequences.

If we don’t help young people build good habits early, something else will.  And increasingly, that “something else” is designed to look fun, but behave like a financial trap.  

Building Better Habits Early
The goal isn’t to eliminate risk entirely. It’s to teach young people how to evaluate it.
That starts with:

• Explaining the difference between earning vs. winning money
• Showing how consistent habits (saving, investing) build wealth over time
• Encouraging delayed gratification
• Talking openly about mistakes—your own included

Most importantly, it means helping them develop a healthy relationship with money…one rooted in intention, not impulse.

The Bottom Line
Financial literacy is no longer a “nice to have.” It’s a critical life skill; one that shapes not just how young people manage money, but how they navigate risk, opportunity, and decision-making in a complex world. 

If you’re thinking about how to help a child, grandchild, or young person in your life learn about money, or even take their first steps into investing, we’re here to help. From simple conversations to setting up the right type of account, the Capstone team can help turn those early lessons into lasting confidence.

The post Raising Money-Smart Kids appeared first on Financial Advisor-Retirement Planning Colorado Springs.

The post Inherited IRA Checklist appeared first on Financial Advisor-Retirement Planning Colorado Springs.

On paper, Carrie was in excellent shape. Years of saving and investing had left her with financial security. But when it came time to decide whether to claim Social Security, she felt hesitant. The headlines didn’t help — constant political chatter about the future of Social Security made her worry that if she waited, the program might not be there for her at all.

Adding to the uncertainty is the fact that, in most cases, it’s advisable to wait as long as possible before claiming Social Security. Each year you delay, your benefit grows — and for many people, that can mean tens of thousands of dollars more over the course of retirement. The conventional wisdom says: wait if you can. But that advice doesn’t always tell the full story.

Carrie turned to us for help sorting through the pros and cons. Advisor Ryan Turbyfill walked through her full retirement plan, step by step. Ryan showed her how Social Security fit into the bigger picture and confirmed what she needed most: reassurance. It was almost as if she needed a little nudge to give herself permission to enjoy this stage of life. With that reassurance, she moved forward and filed. 

The result? A huge sense of relief. Instead of worrying about the “what-ifs,” Carrie was free to enjoy the benefits she had earned. In fact, the first thing she did was book a trip to Mexico — something she had wanted to do but hadn’t quite given herself permission for.

This is a good reminder that financial planning is about more than maximizing numbers on a spreadsheet, it’s about aligning money with life goals and the confidence to live them out. Whether you’re thinking about claiming Social Security early or waiting until your full retirement age, we’ll help you understand your options and guide you every step of the way — no guilt, no stress, just the freedom to live your life on your terms.

• You can start collecting Social Security as early as age 62 — but your monthly benefit is permanently reduced.
• Your Full Retirement Age (FRA) is between 66 and 67, depending on the year you were born. Filing at FRA means you’ll receive your full benefit.
• If you delay benefits beyond FRA, your payment grows by about 8% each year until age 70. Waiting until 70 usually yields the largest monthly benefit.
• The conventional wisdom says: wait if you can. But that advice isn’t always right for everybody.

The post Client Story: Finding Confidence in Taking Social Security appeared first on Financial Advisor-Retirement Planning Colorado Springs.

For the last few years, many people who inherited an IRA were essentially in a “holding pattern.” Thanks to confusion following the SECURE Act of 2019, the IRS issued a temporary hall pass on specific penalties.

But as we head into 2026, that grace period is officially over. The rules have crystallized.

A Story of Two Siblings: Sara and Mike

To understand how these rules actually work, let’s look at Sarah and Mike. Their father, Robert, passed away in 2022 at the age of 75. He was already taking his Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).

• Sarah inherited half the IRA. She heard about a “10-year rule” and figured she could just let the money sit, grow tax-free, and take it all out in a lump sum in 2032.
• Mike also inherited half. He was worried about the tax bill, so he started taking small amounts out immediately.

The 2025/2026 Reality Check: Under the final IRS regulations that took effect in 2025, Sarah was wrong. Because their father had already reached his Required Beginning Date (RBD), the IRS says Sarah can’t wait until Year 10. She—and Mike—must take annual RMDs in years 1 through 9, and then empty the account by the end of the 10th year.

Starting now, the IRS is no longer waiving penalties for skipping these annual payments. If Sarah skips her 2026 RMD, she could owe a 25% excise tax on the amount she should have withdrawn.

Three Types of Inherited IRAs

When you inherit an IRA, the rules depend entirely on your relationship to the deceased.

1. Spousal Beneficiaries

Spouses still have the most “golden” options. A surviving spouse can:

• Treat it as their own: Roll the funds into their own IRA. They don’t have to take RMDs until they reach their own RMD age (currently 73, rising to 75 in 2033).
• Transfer to a Beneficiary Distribution Account (BDA): This is useful if the surviving spouse is younger than 59½ and needs the money now, as they can avoid the 10% early withdrawal penalty.

2. Non-Spousal Beneficiaries (The “10-Year Rule”)

This is where the SECURE Act hit hardest. Most non-spouses (like adult children) can no longer “stretch” the IRA over their whole lifetime.

• The 10-Year Deadline: You must empty the account by December 31 of the 10th year following the owner’s death.
• The “At Least As Rapidly” Rule: * If the owner died before reaching their RMD age (in 2026, it is age 73), you don’t have to take annual RMDs; you just have to empty it by Year 10.
  • If the owner died after reaching their RMD age: You must take yearly RMDs in years 1–9 based on your own life expectancy, then empty it in Year 10.

3. Non-Personal Beneficiaries

This includes entities such as charities, estates, and certain types of trusts. Generally, if the owner died before their RBD, these entities must follow the 5-year rule, meaning the account must be emptied much faster.

Key Deadlines to Remember

• April 1: This is the “Required Beginning Date” for the year after you reach RMD age. For example, if you turn 73 in 2025, you must take your first RMD by April 1, 2026.
• December 31: The deadline for all subsequent annual RMDs.
• The “Stretch” Exception: If the original owner died before January 1, 2020, you are likely “grandfathered” in and can still use the old life-expectancy stretch rules.

Why the Change?

The government uses RMDs to ensure it eventually collects taxes on the money that has been growing tax-deferred for decades. By eliminating the “Stretch IRA” for most heirs, the SECURE Act speeds up that tax collection.

Next Steps

If you’ve recently inherited an IRA, the first thing you should do is set up a Beneficiary Distribution Account (BDA) with a financial institution. This keeps the assets separate and allows for proper tracking of those mandatory 10-year distributions.

*Sarah and Mike are not real clients. Their story is provided for purposes of illustration only and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Read More:

Inherited IRAs: When Grief Meets Paperwork

Inherited IRA Rules 2026: By Example

2026 Inherited IRA Checklist

The post Inherited IRA Rules 2026 – The End of the “Wait and See” Era appeared first on Financial Advisor-Retirement Planning Colorado Springs.

To make sense of it all, let’s look at an example:

Let’s say you inherited a Traditional IRA from your father, who passed away in 2024 at age 75. Because he was already taking RMDs, you must take annual RMDs during your 10-year window.

Here is the data you need for the 2026 calculation:

-Account Balance: The value of the inherited IRA on December 31, 2025. Let’s assume it was $200,000.

-Your Age: Your age on December 31, 2026. Let’s say you are 50 years old.

-The IRS Table: You use IRS Table 1 (Single Life Expectancy).

Step 1: Find Your “Base” Factor. First, the IRS looks at your age in the year after the owner died (2025). In 2025, you were 49. According to Table 1, the life expectancy factor for a 49-year-old is 37.1.

Step 2: Adjust for 2026. For every year after that first year, you don’t look at the table again. Instead, you subtract one from your initial factor.

2025 Factor: 37.1
2026 Factor: 37.1 – 1 = 36.1

Step 3: Do the Math, divide your 2025 year-end balance by your 2026 factor: 36.1

$200,000 = $5,540.17

Your 2026 Required Minimum Distribution would be $5,540.17

Why this matters for 2026, If you skip that $5,540.17 withdrawal in 2026, the IRS penalty is 25%. That means you would owe the government $1,385.04 just for forgetting to click “transfer”—and you’d still have to take the distribution and pay income tax on it!

Pro Tip for 2026

The “10-year rule” is still in effect. Even though you are taking these small annual RMDs, the entire remaining balance of that account must be $0 by December 31 of the 10th year (in this case, 2034). Most people choose to take out a bit more than the minimum each year to avoid a massive tax bill in Year 10.

Read More:

Inherited IRAs: When Grief Meets Paperwork

Inherited IRAs: The End of the “Wait and See” Era

2026 Inherited IRA checklist

The post What are the Inherited IRA Rules for 2026? appeared first on Financial Advisor-Retirement Planning Colorado Springs.