Managing Taxes on Social Security and 401(k) Income Together
Managing Social Security and 401(k) income can feel overwhelming, but the main challenge is tracking one key number: your combined (or provisional) income.
Jun 26, 2026 · 4 min
Tax Considerations When Drawing From 401(k)s in Retirement.
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.
Jun 18, 2026 · 4 min
Reassessing Your “Retirement Paycheck” Annually
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.
Jun 18, 2026 · 5 min
The Power of Timing: How the Sequence of Your 401(k) Withdrawals Shapes the Course of Retirement
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.
Jun 16, 2026 · 4 min
How Age and Retirement Proximity Affect Bond Allocation Decisions
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.
Jun 5, 2026 · 7 min
Coordinating 401(k) Withdrawals With Social Security and Pensions
Retirement income usually comes from more than one source. Most retirees receive Social Security, some have pensions, and many rely on 401(k)s, IRAs, taxable investments, or cash savings. The challenge is to bring all these sources together, so you have a clearer, more personal view of your monthly income, taxes, flexibility, and financial risks.
Jun 2, 2026 · 10 min
Turning 401(k) Balances Into Monthly Income Streams
For many people, building up a 401(k) happens gradually, paycheck by paycheck. But once you retire, the real question shifts: how do you turn all those years of savings into a steady monthly income you can count on, while also staying on top of taxes, market ups and downs, living longer than expected, inflation, and the curveballs life can throw?
Jun 1, 2026 · 11 min
Considering Behavioral Factors in Debt vs. Saving Decisions
Financial decisions are more than calculations. The decision to use extra cash for debt, emergency savings, or retirement involves factors like interest rates, returns, and math—but a sharper reality is that math alone is not the full answer.
May 29, 2026 · 7 min
Understanding the Role of Diversification in Riding Out Market Cycles
Market cycles challenge even patient long-term investors. When a market segment rises or falls sharply, it’s easy to focus on a single stock, sector, or asset class. Diversification helps you avoid depending too much on one area, though it doesn’t guarantee against losses.
May 29, 2026 · 5 min
How Time Horizon Influences 401(k) Investment Choices
Time horizon shapes your 401(k) investment decisions. It gauges how much volatility you can handle, the growth you need, and when you’ll access your retirement savings.
May 28, 2026 · 6 min
When a Large Market Move Might Trigger a Rebalancing Review
Big market swings might make retirement investors want to act fast. But with a 401(k), the key question isn’t what the market will do next—it’s whether your portfolio has drifted from your target mix and needs review. Rebalancing keeps your investments aligned with your goals; it’s not about predicting the market.
May 27, 2026 · 5 min
Working With an Advisor on 401(k) Rebalancing as Part of a Larger Plan
On the surface, rebalancing a 401(k) might seem straightforward: check your current mix of funds against your target allocation, and make changes if things have drifted. But in reality, your 401(k) is just one piece of your financial puzzle.
May 26, 2026 · 11 min
Behavioral Hurdles That Can Delay Necessary Rebalancing
Rebalancing looks simple: set a target mix, monitor your portfolio, and correct when it drifts. Emotionally, rebalancing is difficult, especially when selling top-performing investments.
May 26, 2026 · 8 min
Why Rebalancing Can Help Maintain a Consistent 401(k) Risk Level
There is a moment, often unnoticed, when the arc of a retirement account begins to bend. Years may pass—years in which the diligent saver, believing the hard work done, watches the balance rise and fall with the tides of the market.
May 20, 2026 · 10 min
How 401(k) Loans Fit Into a Broader Debt Picture
For many households, decisions about debt and retirement go hand in hand. A 401(k) account is often one of the biggest financial assets, while credit cards, auto loans, student loans, medical bills, or a mortgage can create ongoing monthly stress.
May 19, 2026 · 12 min
Understanding Duration: How Interest Rate Changes Affect Bond Fund Values
Many 401(k) investors think of bond funds as the “safe” or conservative part of their retirement savings. While they’re generally less volatile than stocks, bond funds don’t always hold steady—they rise and fall in value for several reasons.
May 12, 2026 · 4 min
Comparing Stable Value, Money Market, and Short-Term Bond Options
For many people saving for retirement, the "cash-like" part of a 401(k) plan seems straightforward.
May 11, 2026 · 4 min
What Bond Funds Do Inside a 401(k) Portfolio
Bond funds are often called the “safer” side of a 401(k), but that label can be misleading. They don’t eliminate risk or guarantee income. Within a retirement portfolio, bond funds typically provide income, diversify beyond stocks, and help smooth market swings.
May 11, 2026 · 8 min
Written Rules Can Help 401(k) Investors Stay Disciplined
Market volatility can make even long-term investors second-guess their 401(k) strategy. One way to reduce emotional decision-making is to write down neutral investment rules in advance, including when to review allocations, when to rebalance, and when a true change in risk may be appropriate.
May 8, 2026 · 1 min
Why 401(k) Changes Based on Daily Headlines Can Be Risky
Many investors feel the urge to react to the latest market headlines. News about inflation, interest rates, geopolitical conflict, or sharp market drops often creates a temptation to quickly adjust a 401(k) allocation.
May 6, 2026 · 4 min
Building a Personal “News Filter” for Your 401(k)
For many Americans, their 401(k) isn’t just a retirement account—it’s an emotional companion, something they think about often even if retirement is still decades away.
May 5, 2026 · 6 min
How Often Should You Look at Your 401(k) Balance?
For many of us, checking our 401(k) has become as routine as checking the weather. With just a few taps on your phone, you can see if your retirement savings are up, down, or holding steady.
May 4, 2026 · 6 min
Stocks Extend Weekly Rally as Tech Strength and Iran Diplomacy Lift Sentiment
Stocks finished the week on a strong note, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq reaching fresh records and logging a fifth straight weekly gain as investors looked past geopolitical risks and focused on resilient earnings, improving economic data, and hopes for a durable Iran ceasefire. Technology led the advance after Apple’s upbeat outlook, while oil prices fell on signs of renewed diplomacy and Treasury yields were little changed.
May 1, 2026 · 2 min
What 401(k) Investors Can Learn From Long-Term Market History
For many Americans, a 401(k) plan is the foundation of their retirement savings. But when markets get rocky, it’s easy to lose perspective. Sudden drops, dramatic news stories, and economic uncertainty can make people feel anxious and tempted to make quick decisions based on emotion instead of a long-term plan.
May 1, 2026 · 6 min
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