Ilene Sykes, Financial Services Professional with Nylife Securities LLC

06/23/2026

June is Annuity Awareness Month, a great time to rethink your retirement income strategy.

Retirement today can be active, fulfilling and longer than ever. A 65-year-old today could live 20 to 30 more years. That makes having a smart income strategy essential.

Retirement income solutions may help address goals such as:

• Cover essential expenses more predictably
• Worry less about outliving your savings
• Stay resilient through market shifts

Your retirement is unique. Your income strategy should be, too. Let's connect and build an income plan that fits your goals.

06/16/2026

The article highlights how different withdrawal strategies may affect taxes during retirement.

Test your retirement tax knowledge with our short quiz.

05/26/2026

Now is the perfect time to make sure your financial strategy is positioned for tax efficiency in the year ahead. I can help analyze your tax return to help identify opportunities such as:

💡 Managing your tax bracket
💡 Planning charitable gifts before year-end
💡 Timing income and deductions
💡 Reviewing contributions to retirement and HSA accounts

A few smart moves today can have a lasting impact on your financial goals tomorrow. Let’s connect soon to make sure your strategy is aligned for success. Message me to let me know your availability.

05/12/2026

People aged 70½ or older now have a way to support the causes they love while also creating a reliable stream of lifetime income, thanks to recent law changes that allow a once-in-a-lifetime transfer directly from an IRA to fund a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust. When structured correctly, this transfer can be excluded from taxable income, and for those 73 or older, it may even count toward required minimum distributions. Read more about this strategy and then let’s explore whether this fits into your retirement or giving plans.

05/05/2026

Even modest changes in retirement income can raise Medicare premiums under IRMAA. Here's how even a small increase can affect your retirement costs.

Even modest changes in retirement income can raise Medicare premiums under IRMAA. Here’s how a small increase can affect your retirement costs.

04/30/2026

The new senior tax deduction ushered in by the 'Big, Beautiful Bill' is worth up to $6,000 per qualified filer.

04/28/2026

A recent Kiplinger article cites cumulative Medicare Advantage payments could exceed traditional Medicare benchmarks by approximately $1.2 trillion through 2036, Policymakers continue to debate these payment levels, and future regulatory changes could affect plan premiums costs and coverage.

With private insurers set to receive $1.2 trillion in excess payments by 2036, retirees may soon face a reckoning over costs and coverage.

04/21/2026

Whether it's finances or freedom, here's why being divorced can potentially be a positive life change once the dust settles.

Having gone through a divorce myself, I know my friend is having a hard time. Still, it can be positive in the long run.

04/14/2026

Ever considered if your employee benefits could do more? What if your coverage stayed with you for life, and not just while you’re at your job? With employee benefit products from New York Life, you’re in control. If you’re seeking a simple, straightforward application process—with no questions asked—watch this video and get in touch today.

04/11/2026

I want to wish New York Life a very happy 181st Birthday this month!