Ramón Rodríguez - Northwestern Mutual

Many of the financial tools that you use for retirement have complicated tax rules. For example, the money you put in 401(k)s, Roth accounts and nonqualified investment accounts will be taxed at some point. The details depend on the type of account, how long you’ve held your money in the account, and sometimes even your income.

Another tool often included in a diversified retirement plan is an annuity. Annuities can help you save for retirement or generate a guaranteed lifetime income after you retire. They can also help protect you from the risk of outliving your money. We’ll look at annuity taxation—but let’s start with some annuity basics.

How Is an Annuity Taxed? The tax rules for retirement accounts can be complicated, so you might wonder whether annuities are taxable. Here’s a breakdown.

AI is driving stocks higher—but narrow market leadership means that there is more to these gains than meets the eye. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management CIO Brent Schutte examines what’s underneath the gains and why diversification still matters. http://spr.ly/6189B8iYgN

A financial plan is like a road map that shows you where you are and how to get where you want to go. But what does that really mean? Learn more about what’s actually included in a good plan. Please reach out if you’d like to start building your plan. http://spr.ly/6187BBNhJl

A Roth IRA is one way to grow money tax-free for retirement.

A Roth IRA can help grow your retirement savings, but relying solely on it can have limitations. Its lower contribution limits make it difficult to save as much as you’ll need, and high-income earners may not be able to contribute directly at all.

A good retirement plan will rely on a mix of financial options—playing on the strengths of each. Here are some other retirement savings accounts you might use alongside a Roth IRA to build compound interest and supercharge your savings.

How to Use a Roth IRA to Grow Wealth Your Roth IRA can grow in two ways: through your contributions and through the performance of your investments. See how a Roth IRA might fit into your financial plan.

If you’re looking to get your kids off on the right financial foot, there’s lots you can do to help—but here’s one new savings milestone that parents are putting more focus on.

Key takeaways:

Northwestern Mutual’s 2026 Planning & Progress Study found that nearly three-quarters (74%) of parents with children at home are considering or already planning to help buy a child a home—and nearly one third (29%) of those say this is more important than helping to pay for college.

Equity earned through early homeownership can be a powerful accelerator in providing early access to building wealth.

Here’s Why Some Parents Value Buying a Home for Their Kids More Than Paying for College College is no longer the only savings milestone parents have their eye on today.

AI leadership, hotter inflation signals, and a changing of the guard at the Fed—Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company CIO Brent Schutte breaks down the economic data and markets news investors need to know. http://spr.ly/6187B8VD55

Let’s talk through the right type of life insurance for your needs and goals. http://spr.ly/6188BBQXbG

It’s easy for investors to react when they see their portfolios rising and falling. Constantly checking on your investments can set your mind racing—and taking money out of the market too soon can rob you of future growth. Your advisor can offer perspective, relieve financial stress and help you avoid the mistake of trying to time the market.

Investing for Beginners Before you start putting your money to work, learn the basics of how to invest.

As AI-leveraging stocks continue to surge, many have asked whether investors are ignoring the risks of the Iran energy crisis. The answer is yes, but only at the index level. In reality, the answer is far more nuanced. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company CIO Brent Schutte addresses this question and more in the latest Weekly Market Commentary. http://spr.ly/6184BB4evO