In my previous blog, I explained how Form 5498 can reveal important information about retirement accounts, contributions, and account values that may not be obvious from a tax return alone. But Form 5498 is just one piece of the financial puzzle. During divorce, the biggest mistakes often happen when someone assumes that the documents they receive tell the entire story. The reality is that financial details are often spread across multiple statements, tax forms, and records.

Retirement planning and college planning are more connected than most families realize. Retirement accounts are not counted as assets when calculating the Student Aid Index, while savings and investment accounts are. Increasing retirement contributions can lower taxable income, protect assets from the financial aid formula, and potentially improve aid eligibility. In many cases, saving for retirement is not competing with college planning. It is part of a smarter overall stra