"Long Island is more than just a place - it's a feeling, a lifestyle, a community."

Holiday Shipping Deadlines

For thousands of retirees across the Las Vegas valley, navigating retirement accounts has new complexities due to recent federal changes.

These updates to Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) rules are critical for protecting your financial future.

First, the Secure 2.0 Act has pushed the starting age for RMDs from 72 to 73 for many individuals.

It is set to rise again to 75 for those born in 1960 or later, allowing investments more time to grow.

Second, the IRS has significantly reduced the penalty for a missed withdrawal.

The penalty has been slashed from a staggering 50% to a more manageable 25%, and can even drop to 10% if corrected promptly.

Be aware, however, that delaying your first RMD can create a tax trap, potentially requiring two distributions in one year and pushing you into a higher tax bracket.

🎄 LONG ISLAND HOLIDAY WEEK ITINERARY (Dec 5–11, 2025)

• 📅 Friday, December 5

   

  • Magic of Lights – Jones Beach (drive-through holiday light show)

  • LuminoCity Fantasy Winter Fairyland – Eisenhower Park

  • Christmas House Long Island – Hicksville (indoor walk-through Christmas attraction)

  • Long Island Aquarium – Holiday Lights Before Christmas

  • Northport Village Stroll — shops + harbor lights

  🍽️ Dinner Ideas

  • Salted on the Harbor (Northport)

  • The LakeHouse (Bay Shore)

  ---

  📅 Saturday, December 6

   

  • Stony Brook Village Holiday Festival

  • Polar Express Trolley Ride (multiple LI towns host themed ride-along experiences)

  • Hicks Nurseries – Christmas Lane & Animated Story

  • Long Island Winter Fest Craft Market

  • Port Jefferson Holiday Shopping Weekend

  🍽️ Dinner Ideas

  • Pasta Pasta (Port Jeff)

  • The Meadow Club (Port Jeff Station)
    
    

  ---

  📅 Sunday, December 7

   

  • Old Bethpage Village – Candlelight Evenings

  • Christmas Tree Farm Visit (Mattituck, Calverton or Riverhead farms)

  • Greenport Village Holiday Stroll + Carousel

  • Winter Wonderland at Belmont Lake State Park

  • Small-Town Holiday Photo Hunt (Sayville, Babylon, Northport)

  🍽️ Dinner Ideas

  • Noah’s (Greenport)

  • The Oar (Patchogue)
    
    

  ---

  📅 Monday, December 8

   

  • Eisenhower Park Ice Skating Rink

  • Long Island Children’s Museum Winter Week Activities

  • Local brewery holiday flights (Great South Bay Brewery, Blue Point, Sand City)

  • Shopping Night in Babylon or Huntington Village

  • Montauk Lighthouse Winter Visit (quiet, beautiful, great off-season photos)

  🍽️ Dinner Ideas

  • Honu Kitchen & Cocktails (Huntington)

  • Prime – An American Kitchen (Huntington)
    
    

  ---

  📅 Tuesday, December 9

   

  • Drive-through or walk-through lights (midweek = fewer crowds!)

  • Adventureland’s Winter Wonderland (if open for the season)

  • Jones Beach Boardwalk Winter Walk

  • Patchogue Village Holiday Stroll

  • Trivia or Game Night at a local pub (many LI bars host weekly Tuesday games)

  🍽️ Dinner Ideas

  • Local Burger Co. (Patchogue)

  • Del Fuego (multiple LI locations)

  ---

  📅 Wednesday, December 10
  
  

  ⭐ Top Picks

  • Planting Fields Arboretum – Holiday Nights / Coe Hall Decor

  • The Nutcracker or holiday concert at a local performing arts center

  • Riverhead Tanger Outlets – Holiday Deals + Hot Cocoa Stops

  • Winter Wine Tasting on the North Fork

  • South Shore Nature Center – Winter Walk

  🍽️ Dinner Ideas

  • The Frisky Oyster (Greenport)

  • Ruvo Italian (Port Jefferson & Greenlawn)
    
    

  ---

  📅 Thursday, December 11

   

  • Holiday Evening at The Vanderbilt Museum Mansion

  • Winter Lantern Festival (if running 2025 season dates)

  • Sayville + Bayport Lights & Boutique Shopping

  • Visit a Christmas Pop-Up Bar (Miracle on Main Street-style venues)

  • Great Neck / Roslyn Area Holiday Drive + Dessert Café Stops

  🍰 Dessert & Late-Evening

  • Mara’s Homemade Desserts (multiple dessert bars)

  • Caffé Portofino (Northport)

Can you retire only on Social Security?

• Overview

  The weather forecast for Long Island, NY, starting December 5, 2025, indicates cold early winter conditions with highs around 24-32°F and lows near 4-13°F initially, trending toward historical averages of mid-40s highs and upper 30s lows later in the week. Expect partly cloudy to broken clouds with low precipitation chances early, influenced by La Niña patterns favoring cooler temperatures.​

  Daily Forecast (Dec 5-12)

  Forecasts show variable cold weather, with potential light snow or flurries possible amid typical December chill.​

  Date	High/Low (°F)	Conditions
  Dec 5	24 / 4	Broken clouds ​
  Dec 6	31 / 13	Mostly cloudy ​
  Dec 7-11	41-47 / 30-37	Partly cloudy to overcast, possible light precip ​
  Dec 12	~45 / ~35	Seasonal average, chance of sprinkles ​

•  
   

How to Use Existing Assets to Pay for Long Term Care Should You Need Long Term Care