Podcasts about rmds

Bonds are supposed to be the brakes in a portfolio—but should those brakes be BND, a shorter-term fund, CDs, or a Treasury ladder? Don explains why duration, yield stability, and personal comfort make the answer more nuanced than one ticker.The Friday questions keep coming: pairing AVGE with VT, moving $5 million from real estate into a retirement portfolio, understanding an emerging-markets fund that became legally non-diversified, and building 529s for grandchildren.The final stretch is all planning: Roth conversions and IRMAA, choosing a HELOC over a 401(k) loan, and resisting the urge to let the tax tail wag the retirement dog.00:00 A full inbox of financial questions02:30 BND versus short bonds, CDs, and Treasury ladders06:45 AVGE plus VT—or unnecessary overlap?10:23 Moving $5 million from real estate into markets14:51 When an index fund becomes legally non-diversified18:18 Building 529s and Roth head starts for grandchildren22:16 Roth conversions, RMDs, and IRMAA25:23 HELOC or 401(k) loan for renovations?28:01 The tax tail and a long Roth-conversion planQuestions? Comments? Click!

Schedule a Free Financial Assessment with an experienced professional:https://purefinancial.com/lp/free-assessment/?utm_source=captivate&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=free-assessment&utm_content=ymyw-pod-ep591-description-free-assessmentB and S in Maryland are in their mid-40s with $425,000 and a couple of rental properties. Can they retire early at 62? Vee in Oregon came to the US as a refugee with nothing and built a three and three-quarter million dollar portfolio from the ground up. Is his Roth conversion plan solid? And finally, Chandler and Monica in Texas are sitting on $1.4 million and hope they can walk away from work in 3 years. Will Roth conversions keep the tax man from taking a giant bite on their way out? That's all today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast 591 with Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA.Free Financial Resources in This Episode: https://bit.ly/ymyw-591 (full show notes & episode transcript)Withdrawal Strategy Guide - free downloadhttps://purefinancial.com/white-papers/withdrawal-strategy-guide/?utm_source=captivate&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=whitepaper-withdrawal-strategy-guide&utm_content=ymyw-pod-ep591-description-whitepaperThe Number One Spending Mistake Ruining Retirements - YMYW TVhttps://purefinancial.com/ymyw/episodes/number-one-spending-mistake-ruining-retirements/?utm_source=captivate&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ymyw-tv&utm_content=ymyw-pod-ep591-description-tv-s12e01Financial Blueprint (free, self-guided):https://bit.ly/YMYWblueprintCREQUEST your Retirement Spitball Analysis:https://bit.ly/YMYWaskCDOWNLOAD more free guides:https://bit.ly/YMYWguidesCREAD financial blogs:https://bit.ly/YMYWblogCWATCH educational videos:https://bit.ly/YMYWvidsCSUBSCRIBE to the YMYW Newsletter:https://bit.ly/YMYWnewsletterCConnect With Us:Subscribe on YouTube and join the conversation in the comments:https://bit.ly/YMYW-YTSubscribe or follow YMYW in your favorite podcast app:https://lnk.to/ymywLeave your honest reviews and ratings in Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-money-your-wealth/id312900254Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast00:57 - Half a Million and Rental Properties in Our Mid-40s. Can We Retire Early? (B & S, Westminster, MD)12:48 - Refugee to $3.75M: Is My Roth Conversion Plan Actually Solid? (Vee, OR)25:55 - Can Friends with $1.4M and a Roth Conversion Puzzle Retire in 3 Years? (Chandler & Monica, TX)33:05 - Outro: Next Week on YMYW Podcast

If you've been anywhere close to a retirement podcast over the last 10-20 years, you've heard of the 4% rule. And like many people, you might have questions about it. We're going to hear about it directly from the horse's mouth as we talk to Bill Bengen, who first articulated the 4% withdrawal rate as a rule of thumb for withdrawal rates from retirement accounts. The 4% rule is not a rigid rule but a guideline. Its application requires careful consideration of individual factors, including health, life expectancy, and specific financial circumstances. Bengen encourages retirees to tailor their withdrawal strategies based on their unique situations. Our discussion also explored required minimum distributions (RMDs), which may necessitate higher withdrawals in later years of retirement. However, Bengen suggests that for most people, RMDs would not exceed the calculated withdrawal rates until a very advanced age, making the two compatible. Core Points: The 4% rule, initially a worst-case scenario calculation, suggests a 4% annual withdrawal from retirement savings. This has since been refined Research indicates a more generous 4.7% withdrawal rate is now possible due to portfolio diversification and lower investment costs Higher withdrawal rates might be feasible (5-5.5%), depending on market valuations and inflation Early retirement withdrawal timing significantly impacts long-term success Consider individual circumstances, market conditions, and inflation when adjusting withdrawal strategies   Resource: Bill Bengen's book, "A Richer Retirement: Supercharging the 4% Rule to Spend More and Enjoy More" https://www.bengenfs.com/order-my-book   Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: http://thisweekinretirement.com Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com Work with Benjamin: https://retirementstartstoday.com/start Get the book!Retirement Starts Today: Your Non-financial Guide to an Even Better Retirement Follow Retirement Starts Today in:Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or iHeart

In this episode of Money Matters, brought to you by Greenberg Financial Group, Dave, Todd, and Dylan run the show while the rest of the team is traveling, breaking down a rough week where the chip stocks led the market lower. We get into what Dave dubbed the "chip wreck," with the semiconductor group dipping into bear market territory for the month, and why we look at that kind of volatility as part of the territory when an entire industry is going through price discovery rather than a reason to abandon good companies. We talk through the names in the middle of it, from Micron and SanDisk to Taiwan Semi's blowout earnings and its plan to pour another $100 billion into Phoenix, and why we still believe the demand story for AI is only getting started. We also dig into some encouraging news on inflation, with both CPI and PPI posting their biggest monthly drops in years as lower oil worked its way through, even as tensions in the Strait of Hormuz pushed crude back up sharply on the week. And we spend real time on the shift at the top of the market, with Apple retaking the largest company crown from Nvidia, and what that rotation is telling us. The back half of the show is all about planning, and the levers that actually matter in retirement. We walk through Roth conversions and the sweet spot in your early sixties, why QCDs are the underappreciated cousin of tax planning, how RMDs work and when to take them, and why owning individual bonds, treasuries, and fee-based annuities can serve the more conservative saver who wants off the rollercoaster. It all ties back to our fiduciary, fee-based, financial-planning-first approach, and the difference between being a true advisor and just a money manager. We are also thrilled to introduce the newest member of the Greenberg Financial team, Hailey Glick, who is helping us build out an in-house tax practice launching in 2027. It is the next step in Dean's vision of a true family office, everything you need under one roof, and we get into how bringing tax planning alongside investments, estate work, and financial planning lets us look at your whole picture over decades rather than one filing season at a time. If you have been thinking about taking us up on the free financial plan, this is exactly the kind of clarity it can bring. If you would like to contact us to learn more about our firm, our seminars, and our process - call us at 520.544.4909 or go to our website at www.Greenbergfinancial.com or email us at Contact@Greenbergfinancial.com Disclaimer: This show discusses different investment products and strategies. Every product and strategy has some type of inherent risk and we strongly encourage our listeners to properly understand these risks. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance. The information presented on this program is believed to be factual and up-to-date, but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed.  The material covered on this program does not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice, but is for general information purposes only.  A professional advisor should be consulted before implementing any of the options presented.   Greenberg Financial Group is registered as an investment advisor with the SEC and only transacts business in states where it is properly registered, or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements.

Jim and Chris discuss the new PROMISE Act’s potential impact on Social Security before covering listener emails on pension RMD timing, interest taxation versus capital gains indexing, and portfolio strategy around Social Security survivor benefits and multi-account allocation. (5:30) — Chris discusses the new PROMISE Act and how it may impact Social Security. (17:15) — George asks how long he can delay pension distributions without violating RMD rules, given his 73rd birthday falls in February 2027. (29:45) — A listener asks whether interest income should be inflation-indexed the same way some propose indexing capital gains for wealthier taxpayers. (43:00) — The guys field a two-part question on how a surviving spouse’s Social Security loss factors into MDF portfolio and annuity design, and how to allocate a portfolio strategy across different account types. The post Social Security, Pension RMDs, Interest Taxation, Portfolio Strategy: Q&A #2629 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

Kelley discusses common retirement mistakes, the importance of personalized planning, and strategies to optimize your financial future. Learn how to avoid costly errors and create a tailored retirement plan that works for you. 800-810-8060 California Wealth AdvisorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to the Dollar Wise Podcast. In this episode, Andrew Barnhardt, CFP, and Brett Herron, CFP, take a deep dive into Roth conversions — what they are, why so many pre-retirees and retirees are asking about them, and when they do (and don't) make sense. Andrew and Brett walk through the core benefits of converting pre-tax retirement dollars to Roth, including lowering future required minimum distributions, creating a tax-free pot of money for large expenses, hedging against potential future tax increases, and leaving a tax-free inheritance to heirs. They also cover the practical side of paying the resulting tax bill, scenarios where converting may not be the right move — including charitable giving goals — and real examples of when conversions have paid off for clients. Throughout, they emphasize that Roth conversions are a personal, best-guess optimization strategy that should be made in coordination with a tax professional and financial advisor, not a one-size-fits-all recommendation.Tune into this episode to also learn:● What a Roth conversion is and how it differs from a regular Roth contribution.● How Roth conversions can help reduce future required minimum distributions.● The most tax-efficient ways to pay for a Roth conversion when it comes due.● Why charitable giving goals can change whether a conversion makes sense.What we discussed● [00:00:31] Kicking off the episode: introducing today's topic, Roth conversions.● [00:00:50] What a Roth actually is — after-tax contributions, tax-free growth, and tax-free qualified withdrawals.● [00:03:27] What a Roth conversion is and how it differs from contributing directly to a Roth account.● [00:06:54] Advantage #1: how converting to Roth can lower future required minimum distributions (RMDs).● [00:09:13] Smoothing retirement income over time to avoid higher tax brackets and other income-based traps.● [00:09:54] Advantage #2: building a tax-free pot of money for large or unexpected expenses.● [00:11:46] Advantage #3: using conversions as a hedge against potential future tax rate increases.● [00:13:11] Advantage #4: tax-free inheritances and gifting Roth dollars to heirs.● [00:15:46] How to actually pay the tax bill on a conversion — cash, taxable accounts, and what to avoid.● [00:19:16] Three scenarios where a Roth conversion may not make sense.● [00:21:41] Qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) and leaving pre-tax IRAs to charity.● [00:23:36] A real client example: how consistent conversions during low-income years changed one business owner's retirement picture.● [00:24:13] Why peak earning years are usually the wrong time to convert.● [00:25:49] Closing thoughts: Roth conversions are a personal decision based on your own goals, not trends.3 Things To Remember1. Roth conversions are about optimization, not necessity — they're rarely what makes or breaks a retirement.2. Whether a conversion makes sense depends on your own tax bracket today versus your expected bracket later — not on trends or what your neighbor is doing.3. How you pay the tax on a conversion matters — paying from cash or a taxable account is generally more efficient than withholding from the conversion itself.Memorable moments:(00:06:54) "Roth conversions are a way of moving some of that income forward into your retirement to lower your RMDs, therefore lowering the tip that you give Uncle Sam."(00:11:46) "It's a hedge against future tax rate increases... if you convert money from pre-tax to Roth, you insulate yourself somewhat against some of those tax potentials in the future."(00:19:16) "If doing a Roth conversion is going to hurt you financially for your retirement, it would be more necessary to not do it."Useful LinksConnect with Brett Herron: bherron@hfmadvisors.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-herronConnect with Andrew Barnhardt: abarnhardt@hfmadvisors.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-barnhardt-cfpLike what you've heard...Learn more about HFM HERE: https://hfmadvisors.com/Schedule time to speak with us HERE: https://calendly.com/hfminquirycall/360102 WEST HIGH STREET, SUITE 200GLASSBORO, NJ 08028HFM Investment Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser. All statements and opinions expressed are based upon information considered reliable although it should not be relied upon as such. Any statements or opinions are subject to change without notice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. All investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Information expressed does not take into account your specific situation or objectives and is not intended as a recommendation appropriate for any individual. Listeners are encouraged to seek advice from a qualified tax, legal, or investment advisor to determine whether any information presented may be suitable for their specific situation. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

What if self-control isn't mainly about saying no, but about keeping Christ at the center of what we desire? Money has a way of revealing what our hearts are chasing. Our spending, saving, giving, and borrowing decisions often tell a deeper story about what we love, what we fear, and what we believe will satisfy us. That's why biblical temperance is about far more than discipline or willpower. In our continuing series on the cardinal virtues and how Christian character shapes the way we handle money, author and theologian Pierce Taylor Hibbs joined the show to help us consider temperance, or self-control.  He is a Senior Writer at Westminster Theological Seminary and the author of The Book of Giving: How the God Who Gives Can Make Us Givers. Today, he reminds us that self-control is not merely a human achievement. It is a gift of the Spirit that helps us enjoy God's gifts without letting them take God's place. Self-Control Is a Heart Issue When many people hear the word “self-control,” they think of willpower. They imagine discipline, restraint, or simply saying no to whatever they want in the moment. But Scripture gives us a deeper picture. Self-control is not merely a personality trait some people have and others lack. It is not gained by sheer determination. Instead, self-control is closely connected to the heart. A lack of self-control often reveals disordered desires—places where our hearts are chasing something other than God. The presence of self-control reveals a heart that is increasingly content in God and His promises. That means temperance is not about rejecting every enjoyable thing in the world. It is about rightly ordering our loves. God must be first, and everything else must take its proper place beneath Him. In other words, self-control is about keeping first things first. A Gift of the Spirit That truth should encourage us. If self-control were only a matter of willpower, many of us would have little hope. We have all experienced the frustration of trying harder, setting new goals, making new rules, and still falling back into the same habits. But Galatians 5 tells us that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. It is something God produces in His people as we walk with Him. That does not mean discipline is unimportant. Habits, boundaries, budgets, and accountability can all be helpful tools. But they are not the source of true self-control. The source is God Himself. So when our desires are out of order, the first step is not merely to try harder. It is to turn to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to form in us what we cannot produce on our own. God has given us a new heart in Christ, and by His Spirit, He teaches us to desire what is good, lasting, and true. Enjoying God's Gifts Without Replacing Him Temperance may involve restriction because our desires can easily become disordered. But restriction is not the goal. The goal is joy rightly ordered under Christ. A simple example is something like coffee or sugar. There is nothing wrong with enjoying either. They can be good gifts from God. But if our world were to fall apart without them, that might reveal something about the state of our hearts. The problem is not that we enjoy good things. The problem comes when we love those things more than we love our relationship with the Lord. A helpful question to ask is: What is my heart chasing right now? That question applies not only to food and drink, but also to money. What are our purchases chasing? Comfort? Control? Status? Escape? Approval? Security? Pleasure? None of those desires is unfamiliar to the human heart. And money often becomes the tool we use to pursue them. Why Money Reveals Our Desires Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6:10 that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.” The issue is not money itself but the heart's relationship to it. Jesus also warned that we cannot serve both God and money. Money is powerful because, in many ways, it functions like a key. It can unlock access to many of the things the heart desires—comfort, influence, experiences, possessions, pleasure, recognition, or a sense of control. That is why our financial decisions are so revealing. They show what we are chasing. Of course, money can be used in a good and God-honoring way. It can provide for needs, support a family, bless a neighbor, fund ministry, relieve suffering, and express worship through generosity. But money can also reveal that our hearts are running after something other than God. Our spending decisions tell a story. The question is whether that story points to Christ as our greatest treasure. The Challenge of a Consumer Culture Financial self-control is especially challenging in a culture that constantly tells us to buy now, upgrade now, and satisfy every desire now. Technology has made temptation more immediate than ever. Social media platforms and online ads are designed to place curated products directly in front of us. The very things we are most likely to want often appear in our feeds, inboxes, and search results. That means our commitment to Christ is being tested constantly—not only by obviously sinful things, but also by good gifts that can quietly become ultimate things. A vacation can be a gift. A home can be a gift. A hobby can be a gift. A meal, a phone, a car, a cup of coffee, or a new pair of shoes can all be received with gratitude. But when the gift becomes more captivating than the Giver, our desires have become disordered. Temperance helps us receive God's gifts with open hands, gratitude, and perspective. Jesus Shows Us Perfect Self-Control One beautiful picture of this comes after the resurrection in John 21. The disciples had spent the night fishing and caught nothing. Jesus met them on the shore and neither rebuked them for fishing nor told them that physical things did not matter. Instead, He helped them find fish, prepared a fire, and invited them to breakfast. Fresh fish and warm bread were not treated as distractions from spiritual life. They were gifts to be enjoyed with Jesus at the center. That is a wonderful picture of temperance. Biblical self-control does not require us to reject every earthly blessing. It teaches us to enjoy every blessing in communion with Christ, remembering that He is better than the gifts He gives. We do not need to abandon money or pretend material needs do not matter. But we do need to ask whether Christ remains central in how we earn, spend, save, give, and enjoy. A Question for Every Financial Decision So how can we practice temperance in our financial lives this week? One simple question can help: How is God remaining central in this decision? That question does not produce a mechanical answer, but it does reveal the heart. It invites us to pause, pray, and consider whether our money is serving our love for God or competing with it. Self-control is not the joyless denial of every good thing. It is the Spirit-given ability to enjoy God's gifts without letting them replace God as our ultimate treasure. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I'm 67, and my wife is 68. We have a traditional IRA, and I'm concerned that once RMDs begin at 73, the withdrawals could eventually push us—or my wife, if I pass first—into a higher tax bracket and increase Medicare premiums. What planning steps should we consider? I've been overpaid on Social Security SSDI and am currently repaying it. Do I have to repay the full amount before I can switch to my regular Social Security retirement benefit? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) The Book of Giving: How the God Who Gives Can Make Us Givers by Pierce Taylor Hibbs Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of 'Retire with Style', Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau dive into tax planning strategies, focusing on Roth conversions, effective marginal tax rates, and withdrawal strategies for retirement. They discuss the implications of current tax rates, the importance of blending techniques in tax planning, and the necessity of tax diversification for a successful retirement. The conversation is driven by listener questions, providing practical insights for navigating complex tax scenarios in retirement. The conversation dives into various aspects of retirement planning, focusing on Roth IRAs, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and annuities. They discuss the rules surrounding Roth IRAs, particularly the five-year requirement for qualified distributions. The conversation shifts to HSAs, highlighting their tax benefits and strategies for spending versus saving. Finally, they explore the complexities of managing annuities in relation to Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), emphasizing the importance of understanding contract values and the implications of delaying income streams from annuities. Listen to now to learn more!    Takeaways  Roth conversions can be beneficial for legacy planning. You need to work through the math of conversions. Tax rates are at a historical low right now. Blending techniques can optimize your tax strategy. You can't just solve it mathematically. It's complicated; we need better software. What's my tax rate today versus in the future? Forty percent might be reasonable for Roth conversions. You want to always be blending your distributions. Tax diversification is crucial for retirement planning. You need to have had a Roth IRA open for at least five years. Inheriting HSAs can lead to tax implications for beneficiaries. HSAs provide tax-free distributions for qualified medical expenses. It's important to keep receipts for HSA distributions. Using HSAs strategically can aid in tax planning during retirement. RMDs must be taken from both IRAs and annuities. Delaying income from annuities may not be the best strategy. Spending down annuity contract value can maximize benefits. Understanding contract value is crucial for annuity holders. RMDs from annuities can be complex and require careful planning. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and World Cup Banter 01:49 Tax Planning Questions Begin 02:29 Roth Conversions and Tax Brackets 07:18 Analyzing Effective Marginal Tax Rates 11:23 Historical Tax Rates and Future Predictions 13:39 Withdrawal Strategies for Retirement 15:08 Blending Techniques in Tax Planning 21:08 The Importance of Tax Diversification 21:54 Understanding Roth IRA Rules 23:20 Navigating Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) 27:14 Tax Benefits of HSAs Explained 29:52 Strategies for Managing Annuities and RMDs   Links

In this episode, Kelley discusses critical retirement planning topics including pension options, inherited IRAs, tax strategies, and the importance of personalized financial planning. Kelley shares insights to help listeners make informed decisions for a secure retirement. 800-810-8060 California Wealth AdvisorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In what may be our last quiz, ever, Tom turns the tables and puts Don in the hot seat with a Wall Street Journal high-school personal finance quiz—covering the Magnificent Seven, Roth IRAs, TIPS, efficient markets, yield curves, market risk, and dollar-cost averaging. Don does reasonably well, but not without protesting a dubious “debt avalanche” question and getting tangled up in a couple of accounting and risk terms. After the quiz-show nonsense, the guys tackle a listener question from Joseph in Pennsylvania: should your stock/bond allocation be based on a fixed percentage of your portfolio, or should it be driven by how many years of spending you want buffered in safer assets? Tom and Don explain why the answer depends on more than just income needs—it also depends on your emotional tolerance for volatility, your need for growth, and the role fixed income plays in helping you stay invested when markets get ugly.0:22 Tom becomes quizmaster and introduces the Wall Street Journal high-school personal finance quiz2:12 Question 1: Which stock is not part of the Magnificent Seven?3:47 Question 2: Which retirement account does not require withdrawals at a certain age?5:09 Question 3: TIPS, STRIPS, Series I bonds, and inflation-adjusted principal6:58 Question 4: Debt payoff strategies and the disputed “debt avalanche” answer9:13 Question 5: Efficient market hypothesis10:12 Question 6: What an inverted/downward-sloping yield curve says about future rates11:25 Question 7: Return on equity math and a heavily leveraged company12:56 Question 8: What it means when net present value equals zero14:44 Question 9: Why putting your emergency fund in stocks creates market risk16:52 Question 10: Unsystematic risk versus broad market risk18:57 Question 11: Dollar-cost averaging20:06 Tom and Don wrap up the quiz and revisit the “debt avalanche” controversy21:11 Listener question from Joseph in State College, Pennsylvania21:34 Should bond allocation be based on a fixed percentage or on years of spending?22:07 Risk tolerance vs. risk profile: why income needs are only part of the equation23:26 Why a 5-year spending buffer in safer assets can make sense in retirement24:13 The emotional role of bonds and fixed income during market declinesQuestions? Comments? Click!

A new study says the average retired couple needs $1.16 million to retire comfortably. Scary headline — until you do the math. Because retirement was never about reaching a number. It's about the paycheck that number can produce.In this week's Money On Tap, Ben Brayshaw and Dan Michelon take the "magic number" apart piece by piece. They trace where $1.16 million actually comes from — $84,000 in average spending, $37,700 in Social Security, and a 4% withdrawal covering the gap — then show what the headline can't see: sequence of returns risk, the tax code, health events, and the market's habit of dropping 25–30% when you can least afford it. The centerpiece is a tale of three couples: Couple A with $1.8 million and no guaranteed income beyond Social Security, Couple B with $950,000 and a teacher's pension, and Couple C with $900,000 who built their own pension with an annuity — and ended up more secure than the couple with twice the money.What you'll learn:Where the $1.16 million figure really comes from — and why the study converts it to income immediatelyWhy the race-to-a-number mindset is programmed into us, and why it fails in retirementThe tax reality: 12% vs. 22% brackets, Social Security taxation, RMDs at 73, Medicare's hidden 3–5% "tax," and climbing capital gains ratesThe bucket strategy: cash for years 0–3, buffered strategies and dividends for 3–7, growth for 7+Why 1% of inefficiency on a 4% drawdown is really 25% of your incomeCouple A vs. B vs. C: how guaranteed income beats a bigger portfolioThe timing trap: why buying the annuity after the crash locks in the lossRewriting the 4% rule with 5–7% joint lifetime annuity payoutsPlus Money In The News:SpaceX goes public: Wall Street's sky-high price targets, the trillion-dollar valuation, and why investors stay cautiousTrump floats an Australian-style retirement system with 12% employer contributionsThe IRA saver's match arriving in 2027: who qualifies, and why the income limits are so tightRead the companion blog: https://www.brayshawfinancial.com/blogSchedule a free consultation: https://app.greminders.com/t/9f3ce72e/initialconsultaBrowse the full Money On Tap library: https://www.brayshawfinancial.com/money-on-tapContact UsPhone: 855-226-8551Email: info@yourmoneyontap.comOffice: 116 South River Road, Bedford, NH 03110Web: brayshawfinancial.comSecurities and advisory services offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. All other services offered through Brayshaw Financial Group, LLC are independent of Osaic Wealth, Inc. Annuity guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.If the S&P 500 is up 10%, why isn't my portfolio?Because the S&P 500 is cap-weighted: seven stocks absorb about a third of every dollar, and the top 10 holdings make up 35–55% of most S&P funds. In 2026 those mega-caps lagged — the Mag Seven are collectively negative — while sectors like energy (+28.1%) and technology (+26.8%) led. If your ETFs overlap in the same top names, you own the laggards several times over. The fix starts with knowing what you actually own.

Are Roth conversions good for YOU? Why - or why not? Today's AMA episode is all about that topic.  Looking for a financial planner?  → PlanWithJesse.com In this Ask Me Anything episode, Jesse answers a wide range of listener questions about Roth conversions, moving beyond the basic mechanics to explore the nuanced trade-offs that determine whether a conversion creates value or simply accelerates taxes unnecessarily. He begins by reviewing the core Roth conversion framework, explaining that the strategy works best when investors can intentionally pay taxes today at significantly lower rates than they expect to face in the future, emphasizing that tax arbitrage—not tax avoidance—is the primary objective. From there, he tackles common questions about whether Roth conversions are truly necessary, arguing that even ideal candidates often view conversions as optimization opportunities rather than make-or-break retirement decisions. He explores the merits of micro-conversions versus larger bracket-filling conversions, the concept of "neutral" Roth conversions where tax rates remain unchanged, and the non-mathematical benefits that may justify them, including reduced future RMDs, protection against the widow's tax trap, estate-planning simplicity, and greater certainty around future tax policy. Jesse also examines whether retirees should prioritize Roth assets for heirs, cautioning that aggressive conversion strategies can sometimes leave both retirees and beneficiaries worse off if the taxes paid today outweigh future savings. Additional listener questions address the timing of Roth conversions, the dangers of trying to time the market, the elimination of conversion reversals under current tax law, and the importance of factoring state income taxes into conversion decisions, particularly for retirees planning interstate moves. He concludes with a comprehensive Roth conversion checklist covering tax bracket management, break-even analysis, Social Security taxation, IRMAA surcharges, ACA healthcare subsidies, charitable giving strategies, estate planning considerations, and numerous other interactions that can dramatically alter the value of a conversion. Throughout the episode, Jesse argues that Roth conversions are neither universally beneficial nor inherently necessary, but instead represent one of many planning levers that should be evaluated carefully through the lens of taxes, timing, opportunity cost, and long-term financial goals. Key Takeaways: • Roth conversions work best when current tax rates are meaningfully lower than future tax rates. • Roth conversions are often oversold as a universal solution. The correct Roth conversion amount is sometimes zero. • Roth assets are generally more attractive to heirs than traditional IRA assets. • Social Security taxation and IRMAA surcharges can dramatically increase the effective cost of conversions. • ACA healthcare subsidies can be reduced or eliminated by Roth conversion income. • Roth conversions should be evaluated within the context of a complete financial plan rather than as a standalone strategy. Key Timestamps: (01:20) – The Basics of Roth Conversions (04:31) – When to Do a Roth Conversion (09:08) – Roth Conversions Are Oversold (10:46) – Q1: Should I Just Not Bother with Roth Conversions? (15:28) – Q2: Should I Err on the Side of Too Small a Conversion? (19:23) – Q3: What About Neutral Roth Conversions? (24:57) – Q4: Should I Leave Roth Dollars for My Heirs? (28:48) – Q5: Dollar-Cost Averaging vs. Lump-Sum Roth Conversion? (32:59) – Q6: Can You Undo Roth Conversions? (36:33) – Q7: In What State Should I Do Roth Conversions? (41:26) – Q8: How Do Roth Conversions Interact with Social Security & IRMAA? (42:53) – The Roth Conversion Checklist Key Topics Discussed:The Best Interest, Jesse Cramer, Wealth Management Rochester NY, Financial Planning for Families, Fiduciary Financial Advisor, Comprehensive Financial Planning, Retirement Planning Advice, Tax-Efficient Investing, Risk Management for Investors, Generational Wealth Transfer Planning, Financial Strategies for High Earners, Personal Finance for Entrepreneurs, Behavioral Finance Insights, Asset Allocation Strategies, Advanced Estate Planning Techniques More of The Best Interest: Check out the Best Interest Blog at https://bestinterest.blog/ Contact me at jesse@bestinterest.blog Need a financial planner?  → PlanWithJesse.com  The Best Interest Podcast is a personal podcast meant for education and entertainment. It should not be taken as financial advice, and is not prescriptive of your financial situation.

Our guests on the podcast today are Cody Garrett and Sean Mullaney. They're both advice-only financial planners, and they're the co-authors of a new book called Tax Planning To and Through Early Retirement. Cody is a certified financial planner and the founder of Measure Twice Money, where he helps DIY investors make informed decisions aligned with their values. He also leads Measure Twice Planners, which is an educational community for financial planners. Sean Mullaney is a certified public accountant and head of Mullaney Financial & Tax. He also writes the blog, TheFITaxGuy.com, which is focused on the intersection between financial independence and taxes. Episode Highlights 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:27 Defining Early Retirement, the 4% Rule, and Withdrawal Strategies 00:11:03 Fear-Based Tax Narratives and Retirement Calculators 00:15:10 Rethinking Future Tax Rate Assumptions 00:23:14 Retirement Savings Tax Trade-Offs 00:30:08 Taxable Accounts in Early Retirement 00:32:29 Backdoor Roth IRAs, Asset Allocation, and Sequence Risk 00:44:03 RMDs, Roth Conversions, and Retirement Planning Tools More From Morningstar Bill Bengen: ‘Inflation Is the Greatest Enemy of Retirees' A Tax-Smart Plan for In-Retirement Withdrawals in 3 Steps Morningstar's Tax-Planning and IRA Resources for 2026 If you have a comment or a guest idea, please email us at TheLongView@Morningstar.com. Follow Christine Benz (@christine_benz) and Ben Johnson (@MstarBenJohnson) on X, and Christine Benz, Amy Arnott, and Ben Johnson on LinkedIn. Visit Morningstar.com for new research and insights from Christine, Ben, and Amy. Subscribe to Christine's weekly newsletter, Improving Your Finances. If you want more Morningstar podcasts, check out The Morning Filter and Investing Insights. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Which term always messes with you — effective tax rate, backdoor Roth, cost basis, or RMDs? Write it below

Is retirement harder today than it was 30 years ago—or do we just have more choices and more noise? Steve Hoyl explores how retirement planning has evolved, from the days of pensions to today's challenges of inflation, taxes, Social Security misconceptions, and online financial advice. Steve shares real client stories, discusses the impact of required minimum distributions (RMDs), and explains a creative way some families are using retirement assets to help future generations. The conversation also tackles FOMO, YOLO, and JOMO and how each mindset can influence retirement decisions. Get Your Complimentary Retirement Analysis Social Media: Facebook | XSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you writing checks to Uncle Sam in retirement and wondering why the tax bill hasn't stopped? In this episode of Retirement Coffee Talk, Charisse Rivers of Zinnia Wealth breaks down the shocking reality of retirement taxes, from escalating RMDs to the steep financial impacts of the "widow's penalty." Discover why traditional, cookie-cutter advice fails and how building a proactive, all-weather portfolio can protect your savings from market meltdowns. Learn how strategic tax planning and custom income bucket strategies can unlock more wealth during your prime "go-go" years. Like this episode? Hit that Follow button and never miss an episode!

This week Roger explores the idea of "digging where your feet are" and how focusing on what you can do today can reduce anxiety about the future and regret about the past. In the Retirement Toolkit, he explains the basics of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), including when they begin, which accounts they affect, how they're calculated, and strategies for managing them through retirement. Listener questions cover Roth conversions, 401(k) rollovers, donor-advised funds versus direct charitable giving, and healthcare costs before Medicare. Roger closes the episode with a Fourth of July story about unexpected kindness from strangers in rural Texas.OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN(00:00) Roger introduces the idea of "dig where your feet are" and explains why focusing on today's actions leads to better retirement planning than living in the future or the past.RETIREMENT TOOLKIT(04:06) Roger breaks down Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), explaining what they are, when they begin, which retirement accounts are affected, how they're calculated, and strategies for minimizing their long-term tax impact.LISTENER QUESTIONS(17:10) Michael asks whether Roth conversions are worthwhile with only a short window between retirement and the start of Required Minimum Distributions.(23:10) Lynn asks how to minimize market risk when rolling a 401(k) into an IRA and worries about being out of the market during the transfer.(28:19) Sandy shares concerns about donor-advised funds and encourages earlier conversations around charitable giving. Roger discusses both the advantages and criticisms of donor-advised funds.(32:52) John shares concerns about healthcare costs before Medicare. Roger discusses replacing vague fears with concrete planning and evaluating the trade-offs of retiring early.SMART SPRINT(38:01) Roger's challenge this week: estimate your future Required Minimum Distribution using an online calculator to better understand how RMDs may affect your retirement income and taxes.CLOSING THOUGHTS (38:54) Roger shares a Fourth of July story about his daughter receiving help from several strangers after experiencing car trouble in rural West Texas, reflecting on kindness, generosity, and the spirit of America.REFERENCESSubmit a Question for RogerSign up for The NoodleCharles Schwab Required Minimum Distribution CalculatorNote: The opinions expressed are for informational purposes only and should not replace personalized advice from licensed professionals.

Every major retirement decision comes with one important question: When? In this episode of Protect Your Assets, David Hollander discusses the timing decisions that can have a lasting impact on your financial future, including when to claim Social Security, when required minimum distributions (RMDs) begin, when Roth conversions may make sense, and how the order of retirement account withdrawals can influence your long-term tax strategy. Whether you're approaching retirement or already there, this episode offers practical retirement planning insights to help you make more informed decisions about your income, taxes, and legacy. You can send your questions to questions@pyaradio.com for a chance to be answered on air. Catch up on past episodes: http://pyaradio.com Liberty Group website: https://libertygroupllc.com/ Attend an event: www.pyaevents.com Schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation: https://calendly.com/libertygroupllc/scheduleacall/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you know whether your retirement plan is on track, or are you simply hoping it is? Whether retirement is years away or just around the corner, it's wise to pause and take a closer look at your plan today. A retirement checkup can help you know where you stand, identify potential gaps, and make adjustments before small issues become major problems. Many people know they should be saving, but they're less certain whether they're saving enough. That's where a thoughtful review can bring clarity—not just about the numbers, but about faithful stewardship in the season ahead. Know Your Retirement Savings Target No single rule of thumb fits everyone. Your retirement goal depends on many factors, including when you retire, how long you live, your lifestyle, your health, your generosity goals, and whether you'll have income from Social Security, a pension, rental property, or part-time work. Still, benchmarks can be helpful. As a starting point, one common guideline is to aim for about 10-12 times your income by age 67. The point isn't to become discouraged if you're behind. The point is to know where you stand. Once you have a clearer picture, you can make wise adjustments. Know Your Retirement Spending Number Your spending number may be even more important than your savings balance. A million dollars can be plenty for one household and not nearly enough for another because spending determines how much income your portfolio must produce. Start with your current budget, then consider what may change in retirement. Will your mortgage be paid off? Will travel increase? Will transportation costs go down? Will you support adult children or aging parents? Will you downsize, relocate, or stay where you are? Those questions help you see not only what retirement may cost, but also what kind of stewardship this next season may require. Have a Withdrawal Plan It's also important to think carefully about how much you'll withdraw from your savings each year. A common guideline has been the 4% rule, first developed by financial planner William Bengen. He has since updated his research, suggesting the number may be closer to 4.7% with a more diversified portfolio. Fidelity describes it more broadly as a 4%-5% sustainable withdrawal range. So, if you retire with $500,000, you might begin by withdrawing around $20,000 to $25,000 in the first year, then adjust over time. Of course, this is not a guarantee, and it does not mean you'll never touch the principal. Your actual withdrawal rate should depend on your age, health, investment mix, inflation, market conditions, and whether your essential expenses are covered by guaranteed income. The danger is assuming you can withdraw 8%, 10%, or even 12% from your portfolio every year without consequences. For most retirees, that's not a plan. It's a countdown. Prepare for Health Care Costs Medicare is a blessing, but it doesn't cover everything. Retirees may still face premiums, deductibles, co-pays, prescription costs, dental care, vision care, hearing expenses, and more. Long-term care is a separate issue altogether. Recent estimates suggest that a 65-year-old retiring today may need well over $170,000 for health care costs throughout retirement—and that does not include long-term care. For a married couple, health care becomes a major planning item. That's why it's important to prepare in advance and not assume Medicare will cover every need. Understand Social Security For many retirees, Social Security will be one of the largest sources of guaranteed income. You can claim benefits as early as age 62, but doing so can permanently reduce your monthly benefit by as much as 30%. Delaying past full retirement age until age 70 can increase your benefit by 8% for each full year you wait—up to 24% if your full retirement age is 67. Of course, delaying is not always the right answer. Health, family history, income needs, marital status, and work plans all matter. But because this is often a permanent decision, it's worth looking carefully before you claim. Review Your Investment Allocation As you approach retirement, your portfolio may need to become more conservative. But that doesn't mean moving everything to cash. Retirement may last 20 or 30 years, and inflation can quietly erode your purchasing power over time. A wise allocation should balance the need for stability with the need for continued growth. This is one area where trusted counsel can be especially helpful. A Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA®) can help you think through your investments, income needs, and long-term stewardship goals through a biblical lens. Retirement Is Not the End of Stewardship Finally, remember that retirement is not the end of stewardship. Psalm 92 says of the righteous, “They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green” (Psalm 92:14). That's a richer vision than simply withdrawing from work and responsibility. Retirement is not about drifting. It's about faithfulness in a new season. So yes, check the numbers. Know your savings target. Build a realistic spending plan. Prepare for health care. Understand Social Security. Review your investments. But also ask, “Lord, what fruit do You want to grow in this season of my life?” If you'd like help reviewing your retirement plan with an advisor who shares your biblical values, visit FindACKA.com to connect with a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA®). On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I've worked at qualifying universities for nearly 10 years under Public Service Loan Forgiveness, but deferments and forbearances kept me from reaching 120 qualifying payments. I now qualify for the buyback program and could pay for about 15–17 missed months to reach forgiveness sooner. Should I do the buyback now or keep making regular payments until I reach 120? I have a home equity loan at 6% with a $32,000 balance and eight years left, and a car loan at 6.09% with a $35,000 balance and six years left. Which should I focus on paying off first? My job is ending soon, and I have only a small amount saved for retirement. I'm about to receive a $16,000 settlement. Given my situation, how should I use or invest that money? I've been with my local bank since 1996, but it's been bought out three times. How do I know when it's time to switch banks, and what should I look for in a new one? I'm turning 73 this August and will need to begin taking RMDs from my IRA based on the end-of-year 2025 balance. I'd like to use Qualified Charitable Distributions to reduce taxable income. When should I make the QCDs so they count toward my RMD? I'm trying to understand fixed indexed annuities. Are they a good option, and what should I consider before using one as an investment? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Christian Credit Counselors Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are one of the most misunderstood—and potentially costly—parts of retirement planning. Nick and Eric break down exactly what RMDs are and why they can have a significant impact on your taxes, Social Security benefits, Medicare premiums, and overall retirement strategy. They also discuss common mistakes retirees make and how strategies like Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) can help reduce taxes while supporting causes you care about. Here's what we discuss in this episode:

Why do so many retirees struggle to spend money they've spent decades saving? Don and Tom explore the psychology behind retirement spending, including the fear of running out of money, the reluctance to touch principal, and how guaranteed income sources like Social Security, pensions, and even simple immediate annuities can make retirees more comfortable enjoying their wealth. They discuss practical strategies for creating spending confidence, the importance of comprehensive retirement planning, and why delaying meaningful experiences can be riskier than spending. The episode also answers a listener question about setting up a Roth IRA for a teenager and examines the latest uncertainty surrounding 529-to-Roth transfers.0:05 Introduction: Why retirees struggle to spend money they can afford to spend1:36 Fear of running out versus fear of missing out in retirement2:52 Why even millionaires worry about spending their savings3:51 The saver mentality and the challenge of switching to spending mode4:47 Research shows many retirees barely touch their nest eggs5:29 YOLO, aging, and the reality of declining mobility later in life6:02 Why retirees prefer spending Social Security, dividends, and interest over principal8:04 Travel, aging, and the danger of postponing experiences8:49 Creating confidence through retirement planning9:56 Using Social Security and RMDs to cover essential expenses10:12 Flexible withdrawal strategies for retirement spending11:39 Could a simple immediate annuity help retirees spend more confidently?12:42 Healthcare costs, aging, and changing spending patterns13:30 Recency bias and how it distorts retirement decisions14:48 Why lifelong savers have trouble becoming spenders16:27 Summer slowdown and a request for more listener questions17:58 Listener question: Setting up a Roth IRA for a 19-year-old daughter19:16 Evaluating Avantis ETFs and M1 Finance for a young investor19:48 Why a single-fund solution may be better for small accounts20:56 The importance of emerging markets exposure22:40 Understanding 529-to-Roth IRA transfer rules24:33 The unanswered question of beneficiary changes and the 15-year ruleQuestions? Comments? Click!

Financial Assessment (Meet with an experienced professional):https://bit.ly/PureFreeAssessment11 rapid-fire spitballs today from Joe Anderson, CFP®, and Big Al Clopine, CPA, on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 587, on everything from Roth conversions and RMDs to whether a guy named Wayne can finally treat himself to a seventy-five-thousand-dollar Audi. Aaron in Syracuse just hit a million bucks in his 401(k) and realizes he needs a spitball on keeping his RMDs low. Do new Roth conversions restart the 5-year clock? 72-year-old Mike in Texas wants to know. Marion inherited a not-yet-five-year-old Roth, and an IRMAA problem along with it. Lu and Stephen each argue that the fellas' conversion and retirement spitball math might be misleading. Teachers Tony and his wife have pensions that cover everything, so should they even keep saving? John and Peggy need a retirement spitball, Rajesh wonders if he should pay off his mortgage or convert to Roth, and Mike in San Marcos asks about funding a Roth with pension money.Free Financial Resources in This Episode: https://bit.ly/ymyw-587 (full show notes & episode transcript)Retirement Accounts Guide - free download:https://purefinancial.com/white-papers/retirement-accounts-guide/?utm_source=captivate&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=whitepaper-retirement-accounts-guide&utm_content=ymyw-pod-ep587-description-whitepaper401(k) vs. IRA vs. Equity Compensation: The Real Math - YMYW TV:https://purefinancial.com/ymyw/episodes/recipe-for-retirement-retirement-plans-explained/?utm_source=captivate&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ymyw-tv&utm_content=ymyw-pod-ep587-description-tv-s10e12Financial Blueprint (free, self-guided):https://purefinancial.com/financialblueprint/?utm_source=captivate&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=financial-blueprint&utm_content=ymyw-pod-ep587-description-blueprintREQUEST your Retirement Spitball Analysis:https://bit.ly/AskJoeAndAlDOWNLOAD more free guides:https://bit.ly/PureGuidesREAD financial blogs:https://bit.ly/PureFinBlogWATCH educational videos:https://bit.ly/PureEdVideosSUBSCRIBE to the YMYW Newsletter:https://bit.ly/YMYWNewsletterConnect With Us:Subscribe on YouTube and join the conversation in the comments:https://bit.ly/YMYW-YTSubscribe or follow YMYW in your favorite podcast app:https://lnk.to/ymywLeave your honest reviews and ratings in Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-money-your-wealth/id312900254Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast01:32 - $1.1 Million in My 401(k) at 56: Should I Do Roth Conversions Before RMDs Hit? (Aaron, Syracuse, NY04:51 - Can You Fund a Roth IRA With Pension Money? (Mike, San Marcos, CA)06:14 - Can You Roll an UTMA Into a 529 for Tax-Free Education Savings? (Bob the Builder, Westchester, NY)10:29 - I'm 72 With a 25-Year-Old Roth. Do New Conversions Trigger the 5-Year Clock for Roth Withdrawals? (Mike, TX)11:43 - Inherited a Roth Less Than 5 Years Old: Are the Earnings Taxable? Can IRMAA Be Avoided? (Marion)15:59 - You Ignore Future Income! How to Spitball Spending When a Pension and Social Security Are Coming (Stephen)21:02 - Are Your Roth Conversion Calculations Misleading? Why Future RMDs Need an Inflation Check (Lu)24:57 - We're Teachers With Pensions That Cover Everything. Should We Stop Saving and Fund the 529s? (Tony, NY28:23 - $4 Million and Ready to Exit the Rat Race at 61. Do the Numbers Work? (John and Peggy, San Jose, CA34:37 - $4 Million 401(k) and a 6.5% Rental Mortgage: Pay It Off or Convert to Roth? (Rajesh)38:42 - We're 62 With $1 Million. Can I Finally Buy the $75K Audi, or Should I Lease? (Wayne, Long Beach, NY)43:17 - Outro: Next Week on the YMYW Podcast

In this informative episode, host Wendy Jones sits down with Brian Kurtz, a seasoned financial advisor with AIP Financial. Brian breaks down complex retirement planning topics in a simple and practical way, including how RMDs work, why they matter, and how failing to take them properly can lead to IRS penalties. We dive into the world of annuities, explaining the differences between immediate and deferred , as well as fixed, indexed, and multi-year guaranteed annuities (MYGAs). Brian highlights how these tools can provide guaranteed income, protect against market losses, and offer stability in uncertain financial times. Key Highlights in this Episode: Understanding RMDs (Required Minimum Distributions):Brian explains how RMDs begin at age 73, how they are calculated based on retirement account balances and life expectancy, and why missing them can result in IRS penalties. He also shares strategies for managing withdrawals across multiple accounts. Tax-Smart Retirement Strategies:Learn how Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) can allow retirees to satisfy RMD requirements while reducing taxable income and supporting charitable organizations. Annuities Simplified:Brian breaks down immediate vs. deferred annuities, and explains how fixed annuities—including indexed annuities and MYGAs—can provide guaranteed growth, income security, and protection from market downturns. Safe Money vs. Growth Investing:A practical discussion on balancing retirement portfolios. Podcast Schedule: Tune in to Next Steps for Seniors with new episodes dropping twice a week at 7:00 AM! Every Tuesday: Educational and insightful content to help you navigate the practical steps of aging. Every Friday: Spiritual and emotional support to encourage your heart and mind. Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Spotify, IHeart Podcasts so you never miss an episode, and if you enjoyed today's show, please leave us a rating and review!Learn more : https://omny.fm/shows/next-steps-4-seniors-with-wendy-jonesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Which of these terms confused you the most before today — Roth vs. Traditional, RMDs, or capital gains? Tell me below

This week in Five Question Friday (FQF): mega IPOs, sequence of returns risk, RMDs from a bonds-only IRA, Roth conversions after 59 1/2, and VT versus VTI plus VXUS.Question 1: Will the giant IPOs coming in 2026 drain money from the market and depress stock prices?Question 2: Is 20% to 30% in bonds enough protection against sequence of returns risk?Question 3: If you move your IRA entirely into bonds, will RMDs force you to sell bonds when they're down?Question 4: If you're over 59 1/2, why not make every IRA withdrawal a Roth conversion?Question 5: Is "VT and chill" costing you 0.7% a year compared to holding VTI and VXUS separately?Resources mentioned in the video:SpaceX IPO pricing: https://www.npr.org/2026/06/11/nx-s1-...S&P 500 buyback data: https://www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/cor...Money market fund assets: https://www.ici.org/research/stats/mmfBengen's original 1994 paper: https://www.financialplanningassociat...Kitces/Pfau rising equity glidepath: https://www.kitces.com/blog/should-eq...IRS RMD FAQs: https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/...IRS Publication 590-B (Roth and IRA distribution rules): https://www.irs.gov/publications/p590bRMDs come out before conversions: https://irahelp.com/new-rule-all-ira-...The two Roth 5-year rules: https://www.kitces.com/blog/understan...The VT vs VTI/VXUS articles in question: https://princetonasset.com/2026/05/25...Elm Wealth on VT vs VTI/VXUS: https://elmwealth.com/vt-vs-vti-vxus/Bernstein on the rebalancing bonus: https://www.efficientfrontier.com/ef/...Foreign tax credit basics: https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Forei...Join the Newsletter. It's Free:https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...

Are you worried that required minimum distributions (RMDs) could force unnecessary taxable income and shrink your hard-earned retirement savings? In this episode of Retirement Answers, Jacob Duke explains when RMDs become a real problem, offers a quick rule of thumb based on how much you hold in tax-deferred accounts, and walks through five ways to reduce future RMDs.

Send us Fan MailI started taking RMD‘s two years ago. RMDs may be straightforward, but the decision is not!                                                                                                                      Since taxpayers with a qualified retirement plan normally take RMD‘s, there are questions concerning timing and best strategies once RMDs are required.If you'd like to be a part of a free online retirement community, join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/399117455706255/?ref=share

Are hidden tax traps quietly impacting your retirement income? In this episode, Frankie Guida breaks down five common tax pitfalls retirees may face. The discussion covers how Social Security can be taxed, the impact of required minimum distributions, Medicare surcharges, and the role of withdrawal timing across different accounts. He also explores how income levels and account types can influence tax exposure over time, highlighting why understanding these factors can play a key role in structuring a retirement strategy. Schedule a complimentary appointment: A Better Way Financial Learn more about Frank and Frankie's book here! Buy Frank's book! Amazon Best Seller, “The Book on Retirement: A Better Way to Stretch Your Retirement Dollars While Living the Lifestyle of Your Dreams.” Buy Frankie's book! Amazon Best Seller, ""A Better Way to Retire: How a Fiduciary Retirement Planner Can Be the Key to Financial Success" CLICK HERE to register for one of our upcoming Tax-Smart Retirement Planning Dinner Workshops. Follow us on social media: Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federal retirement planning at 60: if you're a year or two from retiring from federal service with a FERS pension, Social Security, and about $1M saved in your TSP, here are 5 decisions to make before you retire — so you stop asking "Am I okay?" and start building the retirement you actually want.This covers income order, TSP taxes and RMDs, Roth conversions, FEHB and Medicare timing, and IRMAA — gaps many federal employees miss before retiring.Apply for a Retirement Consultation: https://perspectivefunnel.co/682642d22275ec003bfa6626/691df07396253e003c42b434/?ps_hello=THE 5 DECISIONSYour numbers look fine — but you still don't feel okay. That's the gap we're closing.1) Income order — You've got three engines: your FERS pension, Social Security, and TSP. The pension turns on the day you retire. Social Security has a filing window from 62 to 70 — thousands of dollars a month for life. TSP is the lever you control. The real question: which do you draw from first, and which do you let grow?2) Taxes & RMDs — Required minimum distributions start between age 73 and 75 (depending on your birth year) from your Traditional TSP, IRA, and 401(k). They land on top of your pension and Social Security, which can push you into a higher bracket in retirement. The years before then are your Roth conversion / sequencing window. And IRMAA is a real Medicare surcharge that hits about two years later.3) Healthcare — FEHB is gold and stays with you in retirement. Medicare enters at 65: do you take Part B, skip it, or coordinate with FEHB? Miss the enrollment window and there's a late-enrollment penalty. Decide before the deadline, not after.4) Investments — You're shifting from accumulation to distribution. The portfolio that got you here often isn't the one that should carry you through retirement. Rethink risk and your TSP fund mix so a bad market doesn't force you to sell at the wrong time.5) Purpose — Plan what you're retiring TO, not just what you're retiring from. We've seen federal employees retire with $1M and go back to work in six months — no Monday-morning plan. Money is half the equation; structure, identity, and what's on your calendar are the other half.WHAT TO DO THIS MONTH: Lock your exact retirement date. Run three tax pictures (year one, when Social Security starts, when TSP/IRA withdrawals begin — and how much to withhold). Map your income order. Make the FEHB + Medicare call early. Write down your first 90 days on a calendar, not a spreadsheet. Do it intentionally, not perfectly.CHAPTERS0:00 Age 60, a Federal Pension, and $1M Saved — What Comes Next?0:27 Your Numbers Look Fine but Still Feel Unclear0:38 Decision 1 — Your Federal Retirement Income Order (Pension, SS, TSP)1:46 Decision 2 — TSP Taxes, RMDs, Roth Conversions & IRMAA2:46 Decision 3 — FEHB, Medicare Part B & Healthcare Timing3:34 Decision 4 — Shifting From Accumulation to Distribution5:38 Decision 5 — Planning What You're Retiring To6:19 What to Do This Month Before You Retire6:42 Apply for a Federal Retirement ConsultationMORE RESOURCESFederal Retirement Guidebook: https://cdfinancial.org/being-a-federal-employee-book/Take the Checklist Challenge: https://cdfinancial.org/checklist-challenge/Weekly Federal Retirement Planning Newsletter: https://cdfinancial.com/newsletterOPM Retirement Center: https://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/OPM FERS Information: https://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/fers-information/Social Security Full Retirement Age: https://www.ssa.gov/retirement/full-retirement-ageMedicare Late Enrollment Penalties: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs/avoid-penaltiesWHO WE ARECD Financial helps federal employees and retirees make smarter retirement decisions around FERS, TSP, FEHB, Medicare, survivor benefits, and retirement income planning. Our mission: help federal employees retire with more clarity, confidence, and peace of mind. Subscribe for practical federal retirement planning content designed to help you understand your benefits, avoid common planning gaps, and prepare for your next chapter.DISCLAIMERThis video is for educational purposes only and is not financial, legal, tax, healthcare, or investment advice. Federal retirement decisions depend on your individual service history, agency records, health coverage, survivor needs, income goals, and personal circumstances. Always consult qualified professionals and review official OPM guidance before making retirement elections.Advisory services are offered through CD Financial LLC dba CD Financial, an Investment Adviser in the State of California. Insurance products and services are offered through CD Financial & Insurance Services LLC, an affiliated company. Opinions expressed are solely those of CD Financial. Information herein is derived from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed as to accuracy or completeness.#FederalRetirement #FERSRetirement #FederalEmployees #RetirementPlanningSupport the show

Inflation is rising again—so what does that really mean for your retirement income? This episode with JoePat Roop unpacks the latest inflation data, shifting Fed expectations, and how higher prices at the pump and grocery store can impact your long-term plan. The conversation also explores how taxes, required minimum distributions, and income strategies intersect with today’s economic environment. From Roth conversion considerations to long-term care costs, the focus stays on one key question: is your life savings structured to keep up with rising expenses and deliver consistent income through retirement? For more information or to schedule a consultation call 704-946-7000 or visit BelmontUSA.com! Follow us on social media: YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SpaceX officially went public, raising a record $75 billion and becoming the largest IPO in history—and Jeremiah Bates and Nick Daniels spend the first hour breaking down what that means for investors, how IPOs work, whether buying newly public companies makes sense, and how many investors may gain exposure through index funds and retirement accounts. The conversation then shifts to a major tax planning issue approaching at the end of 2026: Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) investments. The guys explain why deferred gains from these investments are becoming taxable, the planning opportunities available before the deadline, and what investors should be doing now to prepare. The show also covers donor-advised funds, highly appreciated stock strategies, the differences between flat-fee planning and traditional asset management, and practical retirement tax planning topics including required minimum distributions (RMDs), qualified charitable distributions (QCDs), Roth conversions, and Medicare-related planning opportunities.   Listen, Watch, Subscribe, Ask! https://www.therealmoneypros.com Hosts: Jeremiah Bates & Nic Daniels ————— Ataraxis PEO https://ataraxispeo.com Tree City Advisors of Apollon: https://www.treecityadvisors.com Apollon Wealth Management: https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/ —————————————————————

When does a Roth Conversion make sense—and when could it be a costly mistake? In this episode of Money Matters, Scott and Pat tackle one of the most common retirement planning questions: whether a Roth Conversion is the right move for your financial future. They break down a real-life caller's situation involving IRAs, pensions, charitable giving, required minimum distributions (RMDs), and the tax implications of converting retirement assets. The show also features an emotional conversation with Laura, a member of the “sandwich generation” who is balancing retirement planning while supporting aging parents and a special-needs child. Scott and Pat discuss pension decisions, reverse mortgages, life insurance needs, and how to navigate competing financial priorities without sacrificing long-term security. Plus, they explore tax-efficient investing strategies, asset location, charitable giving through donor-advised funds, and why taxes may be one of the biggest threats to your retirement wealth. If you've ever wondered whether a Roth Conversion belongs in your retirement plan, this episode is packed with practical insights. What You'll Learn: -Roth Conversions & Retirement Tax Planning -Tax-Efficient Investing Strategies -Retirement Planning for the Sandwich Generation -Reverse Mortgages & Aging Parent Care -Charitable Giving, RMDs & Retirement Income Planning   Join Money Matters:  Get your most pressing financial questions answered by Allworth's co-founders Scott Hanson and Pat McClain. Call 833-99-WORTH. Or ask a question by clicking here.  You can also be on the air by emailing Scott and Pat at questions@moneymatters.com. Download and rate our podcast here.

What if a happier retirement has as much to do with how you spend your time as how you invest your money? In this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase explore the research behind retirement happiness, answer listener questions on retirement planning, and share how you can pre-order Wes's new book, The Retire Sooner Method, and unlock exclusive bonuses! • Discover why core pursuits—the activities that get you excited to start the day—are often linked to greater retirement satisfaction. • Explore the hobbies, passions, and routines most commonly found among retirees who report higher levels of happiness and fulfillment. • Review how retirement withdrawal frameworks work, including considerations around cash reserves and 4%+ distribution strategies. • Compare Equity Indexed Annuities (EIAs), dividend-focused approaches, and pension-versus-lump-sum options when evaluating retirement income choices. • Consider Roth conversions, required minimum distributions (RMDs), and other tax-planning factors that may influence long-term retirement strategies. • Evaluate the opportunities and risks that may come with concentrated RSU and company stock positions. • Understand how FDIC insurance works and what to know about coverage for savings accounts and CD ladders. Whether you're years from retirement or already there, this episode blends retirement happiness research with practical financial planning conversations. Listen to the Retire Sooner Podcast and subscribe for more discussions about retirement, investing, personal finance, and building a life you look forward to living. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Retirement confidence is at its lowest level since 2017, and the twist is that many people are doing “fine” on paper. So why are folks hesitant to stop working? I walk through what I see after helping hundreds of retirees: Confidence is not built by a bigger portfolio. It is built by a clear plan you can follow when inflation spikes, the market drops, or health care costs surprise you.We start with the data behind the 2026 Retirement Confidence Survey and the real drivers of anxiety: Inflation, rising medical costs, Social Security and Medicare uncertainty, market volatility, and the fear of outliving your money. Then I break down the five building blocks of retirement confidence: Reliable income, cash reserves (including the five-year “war chest” to manage sequence of returns risk), a retirement tax strategy that considers RMDs, Social Security taxation, and IRMAA, thoughtful health care and long-term care planning, and most importantly a written retirement plan that ties it all together.

Apply for a Retirement Consultation:https://perspectivefunnel.co/682642d22275ec003bfa6626/691df07396253e003c42b434/?ps_hello=%20Get the Digital Federal Retirement Guidebook:https://cdfinancial.org/being-a-federal-employee-in-the-era-of-trump-book/Take the Checklist Challenge:https://cdfinancial.org/checklist-challenge/Subscribe for Weekly Federal Retirement Planning Content:https://cdfinancial.com/newsletterYou're 60, you have a federal pension and $1M saved — so why doesn't it feel like enough? The answer is 5 unmade decisions, not more dollars.If you are within a year or two of leaving federal service with a FERS pension and a healthy TSP balance, this is the time to stop asking "Am I okay?" and start asking "Have I decided?" In this video, Charles and Marcus break down the 5 Decisions Framework federal employees should work through before finalizing retirement: income order, taxes and RMDs, healthcare, investments, and purpose.Whether you are trying to decide when to file for Social Security, how to manage the tax window before RMDs begin at 73, or how FEHB and Medicare Part B fit together, this episode walks through the planning areas many federal employees overlook — including the two decisions that have nothing to do with a spreadsheet.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━FEDERAL RETIREMENT RESOURCES━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━OPM Retirement Center:https://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/Social Security Delayed Retirement Credits:https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/delayret.html━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━TIMESTAMPS━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━0:00 Age 60 With a Federal Pension and $1M — Am I Okay?2:00 Why "Am I Okay?" Is the Wrong Question3:00 Decision 1: Income Order — Pension, Social Security, or TSP First?5:30 Decision 2: Taxes & RMDs — The Age 73 Cliff and Your Tax Window7:30 Decision 3: Healthcare — FEHB + Medicare Part B9:30 The Two Decisions That Aren't About Money10:00 Decision 4: Investments — From Accumulation to Distribution12:00 Decision 5: Purpose — The Tuesday at 10 AM Test14:00 What to Do This Month If Retirement Is Approaching16:30 "Have I Decided?" — The Real Question18:30 How to Get Answers for Your Specific Situation━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━WHO WE ARE━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━CD Financial helps federal employees and retirees make smarter retirement decisions around FERS, TSP, FEHB, Medicare, survivor benefits, retirement income planning, and health-focused financial strategies.Our mission is simple:Help federal employees retire with more clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.Subscribe for practical federal retirement planning content designed to help you better understand your benefits, avoid common planning gaps, and prepare for your next chapter with confidence.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━Advisory services are offered through CD Financial LLC dba CD Financial, an Investment Advisor in the State of California. Insurance products and services are offered through CD Financial & Insurance Services LLC, an affiliated company.This video is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, legal, tax, healthcare, or investment advice. Federal retirement decisions depend on your individual service history, agency records, health coverage, survivor needs, retirement income goals, and personal circumstances. Always consult qualified professionals and review official OPM guidance before making retirement elections.Opinions expressed herein are solely those of CD Financial and our editorial staff. The information contained in this material has been derived from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed as to accuracy or completeness and does not purport to be a complete analysis of the materials discussed. All information and ideas should be discussed in detail with your individual adviser prior to implementation.retire at 60 federal employee, federal pension and TSP retirement, FERS retirement at 60, can I retire with 1 million and a pension, TSP withdrawal strategy, when to take Social Security federal employee, RMD age 73, Roth conversion before RMDs, FEHB and Medicare Part B, IRMAA surcharge, sequence of returns risk, retirement income order, federal retirement planning#federalretirement #FERS #retirement #TSP #federalemployees #retirementsavings #governmentemployee #RetireAt60 #FederalPension #CDFinancialSupport the show

Apply for a Retirement Consultation:https://perspectivefunnel.co/682642d22275ec003bfa6626/691df07396253e003c42b434/?ps_hello=%20Get the Digital Federal Retirement Guidebook:https://cdfinancial.org/being-a-federal-employee-in-the-era-of-trump-book/Take the Checklist Challenge:https://cdfinancial.org/checklist-challenge/Subscribe for Weekly Federal Retirement Planning Content:https://cdfinancial.com/newsletterComment Below:Are You Waiting Too Long to Plan Your Roth TSP Strategy?If you are a federal employee in the final stretch before retirement, your Roth TSP conversion strategy could affect far more than just this year's taxes. In this video, we walk through how traditional TSP balances, FERS pension income, Social Security, RMDs, and Medicare IRMAA can all stack together later in retirement.Many federal employees assume they will automatically be in a lower tax bracket after they retire. But for FERS retirees with a pension, Social Security, and a large traditional TSP balance, that assumption may create planning gaps that do not show up until years later.Whether you are trying to reduce future required minimum distributions, create more tax flexibility, or avoid common mistakes around Roth conversions, this episode shows why the timing of your TSP tax strategy matters.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━IN THIS VIDEO YOU CAN LEARN━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━Why Roth TSP conversions may matter before federal retirementHow a traditional TSP balance can create future RMD pressureWhy FERS pension income and Social Security can affect your tax bracketHow larger RMDs may increase Medicare IRMAA riskWhy “I'll be in a lower tax bracket later” may not always apply to federal employeesHow a $50,000 per year Roth conversion example may change long-term tax outcomesWhy having outside money to pay the tax bill is important before convertingHow Roth planning can give retirees more control over future income━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━FEDERAL RETIREMENT RESOURCES━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━TSP Roth In-Plan Conversions:https://www.tsp.gov/investing-strategies/roth-in-plan-conversions/IRS Required Minimum Distributions:https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-required-minimum-distributions-rmdsSSA IRMAA Sliding Scale Tables:https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0601101020OPM Retirement Center:https://www.opm.gov/retirement-center/━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━TIMESTAMPS━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━0:00 The $80,000 TSP Roth Mistake Federal Employees Should Understand0:24 Roth Conversions With a Pension While Still Working0:53 The “Lower Tax Bracket in Retirement” Assumption1:30 Linda and Susie: Same Federal Retirement, Different TSP Strategy2:19 Traditional TSP vs. Roth Conversion Planning3:12 How RMDs Can Push Taxes and Medicare Costs Higher3:54 Why Roth TSP Money Can Create More Retirement Flexibility4:32 The Tax Delta: How One Decision May Create an $80,000 Difference5:14 Why Today's Tax Brackets Matter for Federal Retirement Planning5:42 When Roth Conversions May Not Make SenseAdvisory services are offered through CD Financial LLC dba CD Financial, an Investment Advisor in the State of California. Insurance products and services are offered through CD Financial & Insurance Services LLC, an affiliated company.Opinions expressed herein are solely those of CD Financial and our editorial staff. The information contained in this material has been derived from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed as to accuracy and completeness and does not purport to be a complete analysis of the materials discussed. All information and ideas should be discussed in detail with your individual adviser prior to implementation.Support the show

When it comes to retirement savings, Roth IRAs are among the most powerful tools for achieving tax diversification and financial flexibility. Knowing how and when to tap into your Roth IRA can make a tremendous difference in optimizing your tax situation, ensuring income over the years, and even establishing a valuable legacy for your heirs. On the podcast this week, we're digging into the strategic considerations around Roth IRA withdrawals, covering timing, special scenarios, tax rules, and advanced planning for both your retirement and your family's future.   Roth IRA Withdrawal Rules Before you even think about crafting a withdrawal strategy, it's essential to understand the rules that govern Roth IRA distributions:   Contributions: The money you contribute to your Roth IRA can be withdrawn at any time, free of taxes and penalties. This is because you've already paid taxes on these funds. Earnings (Growth): The gains in your Roth IRA—the earnings on your contributions—are subject to stricter rules. To withdraw these growth dollars tax- and penalty-free, you generally must: Be at least 59½ years old. Have held the Roth IRA for at least five years Roth IRAs offer unique flexibility since they aren't subject to required minimum distributions (RMDs) during the account owner's lifetime, allowing for long-term, strategic use.   Timing Your Withdrawals: Three Key Life Phases Pre-Retirement Flexibility Withdrawing from your Roth IRA before retirement isn't common, but certain life events may make it necessary. Common scenarios include college costs not fully covered by a 529 plan, job loss or layoff, with the Roth IRA serving as an emergency fund if you lack other options, or a first-time home purchase, with special provisions allowing up to $10,000 of earnings to be withdrawn penalty-free for this purpose. While, ideally, your Roth contributions keep compounding for retirement, knowing that you can access them penalty-free if needed provides valuable peace of mind—especially for younger savers balancing competing priorities. Strategic Retirement Withdrawals Once you reach retirement, timing and tax strategy become crucial. Most advisors recommend tapping taxable brokerage and pre-tax accounts (like traditional IRAs or 401(k)s) first, saving Roth IRA withdrawals for years when you need extra flexibility. Scenarios where a Roth withdrawal is especially powerful include when you want to avoid higher tax brackets or Medicare surcharges, or you want to maximize healthcare subsidies. Withdrawing from your Roth IRA rather than from pre-tax accounts can help keep income below the "cliff" and preserve valuable subsidies. Careful coordination, often with personalized modeling or tax projections, ensures you maximize lifetime tax efficiency—not just minimize taxes in a single year. Legacy and Heir Planning For many, the ultimate goal is to leave a financial legacy. The Roth IRA shines here because withdrawals by beneficiaries are tax-free, although subject to a 10-year withdrawal rule for most non-spouse heirs. By positioning the Roth IRA as a legacy asset, you create flexibility for both yourself and your beneficiaries while minimizing future tax headaches.   Why a Personalized Withdrawal Strategy Matters Retirement income planning is complex, with countless moving parts: tax brackets, healthcare premiums, surprise expenses, and more. The accumulation phase may seem simpler, but the drawdown phase is where careful coordination—and making the most of your Roth IRA—ensures long-term success and peace of mind. Detailed, personalized planning is the key to maximizing your savings and retiring with confidence.   Outline of This Episode [01:08] Roth IRAs will likely be used for withdrawals eventually, but not typically first  [03:54] Why you might make pre-retirement withdrawals [06:08] Roth IRA withdrawals in retirement [08:00] Managing withdrawals to optimize taxes [12:19] Managing pre-tax and after-tax accounts [14:55] Personalized financial planning and tax strategies   Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast Network Roth Conversion by the Decades, Ep #171  Which Roth Account Is the Right Scoop for You? Ep #245 Your Retirement Secret Weapon: The Mega Backdoor Roth, Ep 144    Connect With Chad and Cameron https://www.financialsymmetry.com/podcast-archive/  Connect on Twitter @csmithraleigh @TeamFSINC Follow Financial Symmetry on Facebook   Subscribe To This Podcast   Apple Podcasts Stitcher Google Play  

Jim and Chris discuss listener emails on whether Social Security should be compared to an annuity, Rule of 55 distribution rules, using period-certain annuities during the delay period, QLAC timing and taxes, and using a SPIA for Minimum Dignity Floor coverage. (5:20) The guys address a listener's objection to describing Social Security as an annuity and whether that comparison is accurate. (32:00) A listener seeks clarification on Rule of 55 distributions after receiving conflicting information about whether plan-specific rules matter. (38:45) Georgette asks whether a 10-year period before her mortgage is paid off can be treated like a delay period and covered with a period-certain annuity. (51:30) Jim and Chris answer a question about whether QLACs can be purchased for a spouse from an IRA, how QLAC timing can be structured, and how payments are taxed. (1:13:45) George wonders whether relying on excess RMDs or purchasing a qualified second-and-survivor SPIA from IRA funds is a better way to support long-term MDF coverage. The post Social Security, Rule of 55, QLAC Timing, SPIAs: Q&A #2623 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

Don records through a booming Florida thunderstorm while tackling five listener questions. He discusses a thoughtful strategy for using a UTMA account to teach investing and potentially fund a future Roth IRA, then provides a detailed overview of what goes into a true financial plan, including cash flow analysis, insurance, estate planning, tax strategy, retirement projections, and investment management. Another listener asks about investing for a long life, prompting Don to explain why maintaining a diversified portfolio and spending less than portfolio growth are the keys to retirement sustainability. He also addresses when retirees might safely move from a 4% withdrawal rate toward 5%, emphasizing flexibility over rigid rules. The episode concludes with a discussion of HSAs, explaining why they are often better spent during retirement rather than left to non-spousal heirs, who may face less favorable tax treatment.0:04 Florida thunderstorm opening and update on the new podcast website and question system2:35 Using a UTMA account as a teaching tool, harvesting gains for a child, and eventually funding a Roth IRA4:47 What a comprehensive financial plan actually includes beyond investments6:14 Gathering financial data, setting goals, cash flow analysis, and risk management7:42 Asset allocation, diversification, Monte Carlo simulations, and behavioral coaching8:28 Retirement planning, Social Security timing, Roth conversions, RMDs, and tax strategies10:23 Listener crediting the show for retirement confidence and asking about investing for longevity12:37 Why spending less than portfolio growth is the key to long-term retirement success14:15 Whether a 4% withdrawal rule can become 5% later in retirement15:45 Fixed versus flexible withdrawal strategies and how age affects sustainable spending17:49 HSA withdrawal decisions in retirement and inheritance considerations19:31 Why HSAs generally should be spent rather than preserved for non-spousal heirs20:52 Meet-an-Advisor invitation and how portfolio reviews can uncover hidden risksQuestions? Comments? Click!

Is your 401k employer match really free money? We break down how the match actually works and what nobody tells you. We're diving into the critical topic of retirement planning, specifically addressing the volatility of investments like 401ks. If you're concerned about market dips impacting your retirement savings, we explore alternative strategies. It's about ensuring your financial planning prioritizes accessibility and security for your future and your family, considering options beyond traditional investing. 

What if giving is not losing at all, but investing in what lasts forever? Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:20 to “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” That one command reshapes the way we think about money, possessions, and generosity. Wealth can be dangerous when it owns us, but when it is surrendered to God, it can become a powerful tool for eternal good. Randy Alcorn, bestselling author and founder of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM), has spent decades helping Christians think biblically about money, possessions, generosity, and eternity. His message is both sobering and hopeful: wealth is a test, but it can also become a tool for God's Kingdom. Money Reveals the Heart Money has a powerful influence on our spiritual lives because it reveals what we truly value. Jesus said in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” The way we handle money is not separate from our discipleship. It shows what we trust, what we prioritize, and where our affections are directed. As Alcorn explains, money is not spiritually insignificant. It has power. Either it will serve God, or we will find ourselves serving it. That is why Scripture speaks so directly about the danger of loving money. In 1 Timothy 6:9–10, Paul warns that “those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare,” and that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.” He goes on to say that some have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. Those are sobering words. Money is a good gift from God. It can provide for needs, bless families, support ministry, and help those who are suffering. But when it becomes the object of our trust or the center of our affections, it competes with God for our hearts. Wealth Is Both a Tool and a Test The danger of wealth is real, but it is not the whole story. Money surrendered to God can be used in deeply meaningful ways. It can help advance the gospel. It can meet practical needs. It can support Bible translation, provide clean water, help rescue those trapped in exploitation, care for the vulnerable, and strengthen the work of the local church. Money is not the source of transformation—God is. But God often uses the resources of His people to accomplish His purposes in the world. That is why faithful stewardship begins with surrender. We come before the Lord and say, “This all belongs to You. What do You want me to do with it?” When wealth is surrendered to God, it loses its grip on our hearts and becomes an opportunity to participate in His redemptive work. Giving Is Investing in Eternity Jesus' command to store up treasures in heaven reframes generosity. Giving is not merely parting with money. It is investing in what lasts. Alcorn compares this to investing in a company. When you own shares, you naturally begin to pay attention. You read the reports. You notice the headlines. Your interest follows your investment. The same principle applies spiritually. When we put our resources toward the things of God, our hearts begin to follow. If we want to care more deeply about our church, missions, the poor, or the work of the gospel, one practical step is to invest our time, energy, and money there. Generosity does not only bless the recipient. It reshapes the giver. It moves our hearts toward the Kingdom of God. Generosity Produces Joy In Acts 20:35, Paul reminds the Ephesian elders of Jesus' words: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” That does not mean giving is merely a duty. It means generosity leads to joy. The generous life reflects the heart of God, who gives freely and abundantly. Grace itself is rooted in God's giving nature. When we give, we are not simply checking off a spiritual responsibility. We are participating in the generosity of God. That is why giving can loosen anxiety, deepen purpose, and bring joy. The world often defines “the good life” as having more, spending more, and pursuing personal comfort. But Scripture points us toward a better way. In 1 Timothy 6:18–19, Paul urges the wealthy “to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,” so that they may “take hold of that which is truly life.” The good life is not found in accumulation. It is found in generosity. Defining Enough One of the most important steps in faithful stewardship is learning to define enough. Without a finish line, we can easily assume that every increase in income is meant to raise our lifestyle. But many of us already have more than we need. The question is not simply, “What can I afford?” but “What has God entrusted to me, and how does He want me to use it?” A financial finish line helps create margin for intentional Kingdom-focused generosity. It keeps accumulation from becoming automatic. It invites us to ask better questions about contentment, purpose, and eternal impact. Everything we own is temporary. Possessions wear out. Trends fade. What once felt essential can quickly become clutter. That does not mean material things are evil, but it does mean they cannot bear the weight of our hope. Giving helps break the hold that money and possessions can have on our hearts. Giving Is Not Losing Wealth is both a tool and a test. When we cling to it, it can pull us away from dependence on God. But when we surrender it, money can become a means of worship, service, and eternal investment. Generosity reminds us that God is our ultimate treasure. It trains our hearts to trust Him. It frees us from the illusion that more money will finally make us secure. And it allows us to participate in the work God is doing in the world. Giving is not losing. In the Kingdom of God, giving is investing in what lasts forever. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I live in a 55-plus community in a manufactured home on leased land. We own the home but not the land, which belongs to the community owner. Would a reverse mortgage be possible in this situation, or would a manufactured home on leased land qualify? I have both a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA for retirement, but I'm not retired yet. Why am I required to take RMDs from my IRA at age 72 or 73, even if I'm still working? Do Roth IRAs have RMDs? And how much can my husband and I give through Qualified Charitable Distributions to help reduce taxes? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Money, Possessions, and Eternity by Randy Alcorn The Treasure Principle, Revised and Updated: Unlocking the Secret of Joyful Giving by Randy Alcorn Giving Is the Good Life: The Unexpected Path to Purpose and Joy by Randy Alcorn Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM) Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A recent landmark study from BlackRock caught David McKnight – he shares what it was all about and why you should care in this new episode of the Power of Zero Show. For decades, Americans were told that if they simply contributed faithfully to their 401(k) and avoided emotional decisions during market downturns, they would have enough money in retirement. According to the BlackRock study, retirees who incorporated guaranteed lifetime income in the form of an annuity into their retirement portfolio experienced an average increase of 22% in potential retirement spending. That number became approximately a 25% increase for lower income retirees! The increase came primarily from giving retirees greater confidence to spend money because a portion of their retirement income was guaranteed for life. David explains that, while 30 or 40 years ago retirees could rely on company pensions that provided predictable monthly income for life, the modern retirement system has shifted enormous responsibility onto the shoulders of ordinary Americans. Employers used to bear the responsibility for generating the income stream and ensuring that retirees did not outlive their money.  Today, however, pensions have all but disappeared, and most Americans now rely on 401(k) or other tax-qualified retirement plans. One of the big problems is the fact that such tax-affirmed accounts can help you build wealth, but don't come with instructions on how to make sure your money lasts a full 30-year retirement. The BlackRock study echoes something that David has stressed several times on the show: retirees spend more when at least a portion of their retirement income is guaranteed. David clarifies that when he talks about guaranteed lifetime income, he does not suggest retirees place all of their assets into annuities or eliminate market exposure altogether. David talks about 100% stock allocation and why you can be much more aggressive in your stock market allocation once you create an income floor in retirement. The current status quo of the American fiscal system – and exploding national debt – appears to be painting a picture where future tax rates will be significantly higher than they are today. David is a strong advocate for tax-free investment accounts in retirement. In particular, he points to six different tax-free income streams: Roth IRAs, Roth 401(k)s, Roth conversions, RMDs up to standard deductions, certain types of cash value life insurance as a volatility shield in retirement and, if you can keep your provisional income low enough, your Social Security can be 100% tax-free. David touches upon a strategy that can give you guaranteed tax-free income for life. The old retirement model gave Americans confidence through company pensions. The modern model requires retirees to create their own personal private pension in the form of an annuity. It's important to understand that retirement isn't just about accumulating wealth, but also about creating a stream of lifetime income that's guaranteed to last as long as you do. David concludes by explaining what retirement planning should accomplish beyond merely maximizing account balances.     Mentioned in this episode: David's new book: The Secret Order of Millionaires David's national bestselling book: The Guru Gap: How America's Financial Gurus Are Leading You Astray, and How to Get Back on Track Tax-Free Income for Life: A Step-by-Step Plan for a Secure Retirement by David McKnight DavidMcKnight.com DavidMcKnightBooks.com PowerOfZero.com (free video series) @mcknightandco on Twitter  @davidcmcknight on Instagram David McKnight on YouTube Get David's Tax-free Tool Kit at taxfreetoolkit.com BlackRock BlackRock's paper Who Benefits From Guaranteed Lifetime Income?

In this episode, Anderson attorneys Amanda Wynalda, Esq., and Eliot Thomas, Esq., tackle eight listener questions on a wide range of tax topics. They open with a deep dive into the tax advantages of purchasing property in an Opportunity Zone, covering both the original program and the newly reinvigorated Opportunity Zone 2.0 launching January 1, 2027, including deferral periods, stepped-up basis benefits, and rural vs. urban pathways. They also explain required minimum distributions and the five-year Roth seasoning rules, the nuances of married filing separately in community property states, and strategies for reducing passive capital gains tax after a multifamily syndication sale. Amanda and Eliot break down Qualified Small Business Stock under Section 1202, including new tiered exclusion rates and documentation requirements, walk through K-1 preparation and 1065 filing for limited and general partnership structures, and cover the Accumulated Earnings Tax for C corporations. The episode wraps with guidance on claiming education expenses for new businesses, amending prior-year returns, and using C corporations as the right vehicle for startup cost deductions. Tune in for expert advice on these topics and more! Submit your tax question to taxtuesday@andersonadvisors.com Highlights/Topics: [00:00] — Intro and questions [10:04] "If I'm still working for the company that sponsors my 401k when I turn 73, even if it's part time, do I need to take RMDs or required minimum distributions from that account? And once my Roth 401k is quote unquote seasoned for 5 years, if I roll it over to another Roth IRA account I have already had for 5 years, am I still able to take out the profits tax free?" - Still employed means no RMD required unless you own over 5% of the business. [13:42] "I am looking at a couple different commercial rental properties. One of them is in an opportunity zone in Florida. What are the benefits slash tax advantages of purchasing a property in an opportunity zone? Are there any downsides?" –Opportunity Zones defer capital gains tax with stepped-up basis and potential ten-year appreciation exclusion. [22:08] "My husband and I file separately. I itemize and my accountant said because I itemize, my husband must also itemize, which is worse for him as he loses out on the standard deduction. Is there any way around this? In addition, the IRS wants to know my salary on his return, which then leads to him owing tons of additional taxes. How can this be? Why would he be taxed on my income? I'm already being taxed on my income. So this year he left my salary blank on his tax return. Will this come back to bite him and incur fees? We file separately for many reasons, including me having rentals and he has child support and other things affecting his return." - Community property states require spouses to split income; no double taxation occurs. [30:32] "I was a passive investor in a multifamily unit deal. The property was sold and my CPA informed me that I have capital gains tax of 55,000 for 2025. Anything I can do to reduce this tax? If not, what could I have done differently?" - Cost segregation on existing property can create passive losses to offset the gain. [36:57] "I'm investing 250k in a software startup pre Series A. The founders say it qualifies under section 1202 as a qualified small business stock or QSBS. Let's say the stock grows 10x over the next 10 years, so my stock becomes worth 2.5 million. Ten years from now, how do I prove to the IRS that the profit should be tax free under section 1202? Do I just document it now and hope they agree when I file an 8949 when I sell? It seems like there are no assurances they'll agree and the profits, though not subject to income tax, still become part of my estate, potentially subject to estate tax. Is it just easier investing using my Roth to ensure that all future gains will be income tax free?" – Thorough documentation of C corp status and assets under $75 million proves 1202 eligibility. [48:20] "Anderson created my limited partnership and general partnership structure. My questions are which entity has to create or issue a K1 and who prepares it for me? And when preparing the 1065 tax return, who do I list as the limited partner, me or the entity?" - The limited partnership files the 1065 and issues K-1s; list yourself as the limited partner. [50:16] "I invested in education for several businesses last year. None have come to fruition yet. Is the education able to be claimed on 2025 taxes? Also I filed without any of the education being claimed. So I was wondering if I could amend my taxes at some point this year." - Amend within three years; a C corp can claim education costs as deductible startup expenses. Resources: Tax and Asset Protection Events https://andersonadvisors.com/real-estate-asset-protection-workshop-training/?utm_source=the-tax-advantages-of-purchasing-a-property-in-an-opportunity-zone%20&utm_medium=podcast Schedule Your FREE Consultation https://andersonadvisors.com/strategy-session/?utm_source=the-tax-advantages-of-purchasing-a-property-in-an-opportunity-zone%20&utm_medium=podcast Anderson Advisors https://andersonadvisors.com/ Toby Mathis YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@TobyMathis Toby Mathis TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@tobymathisesq Clint Coons YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ClintCoons

Jim and Chris discuss listener emails on Social Security survivor and ex-spouse benefits, using annuity income to satisfy RMDs, and annuity laddering strategies for both SPIAs and DIAs and MYGAs. (6:30) George writes in about a cousin who turns 62 in November 2026 and whose ex-spouse recently passed away — he wants to know what survivor and ex-spouse Social Security claiming options may be available. (19:45) A listener asks whether annuity income payments from a qualified annuity can be used to satisfy the RMD requirement on a separate IRA, potentially eliminating the need to take distributions from the IRA altogether. 43:15) The guys hear from a long-term buy-and-hold investor at the start of his transition from accumulation to decumulation who is drawn to the idea of purchasing SPIAs or DIAs in multiple chunks rather than a single lump sum and is curious about tradeoffs as well as how to apply a dollar-cost averaging mindset to annuity income. (1:01:00) Jim and Chris take a question from a listener about 2.5 years from retirement who is considering laddering MYGAs through his 401(k) and wants to know whether the yield advantage of A-rated carriers is worth the added risk compared to sticking with A+ or higher, and whether CD laddering might be a simpler alternative. The post Social Security, Annuity RMDs, Annuity Laddering: Q&A #2622 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

Retirement planning is not about retirement.That's the provocation David opens with — and he means it. This episode isn't another checklist. It's a ground-up rethink of what the 5-to-10-year sprint before retirement actually demands: emotionally, philosophically, and financially.Starting with a question no financial podcast has the nerve to ask — is retirement even a biblical concept? — David works through everything from the psychology of stopping work to the hard mechanics of income portfolios, tax strategy, and the risks that blow up otherwise solid plans.If you've been coasting toward retirement on autopilot, this episode is the alarm clock.In This Episode0:00 — Cold OpenWhy the conventional framing of retirement is wrong, and what this episode is actually going to cover.~3:00 — Is Retirement Even a Biblical Concept?The word never appears in Scripture. The one exception in Numbers 8, what the parables actually teach about accumulation, and why the biblical model looks more like a pivot than a finish line.~9:00 — The Behavioral Trap: What Will You Actually Do?The identity crisis nobody warns you about, retirement depression, underspending vs. overspending, and five questions worth sitting with before you make any financial decisions.~15:00 — The Purpose Problem: Should You Even Fully Retire?The happiest retirees David has seen, the financial benefits of partial work, and why "retire to something" beats "retire from something" every time.~20:00 — Business Owner or Employee: The Decisions Are DifferentW-2 employees: catch-up contributions, pension options, the healthcare gap before Medicare, Social Security timing. Business owners: exit planning, retirement plan vehicles, tax-efficient value extraction, and the concentration risk problem.~26:00 — Accumulation vs. Distribution PortfoliosWhy the portfolio that built your wealth can destroy your retirement. Sequence of returns risk explained plainly — same average return, completely different outcomes.~29:00 — The Bucket StrategyThree buckets, three time horizons, one framework that eliminates panic selling. How Bucket One is your shock absorber and why Bucket Three can still be aggressive.~32:00 — Roth vs. Pre-Tax: The Great DebateIt's almost always "and," not "or." Tax diversification, the Roth conversion window, and why business owners have unique opportunities here.~35:00 — The Risks Nobody Wants to Talk AboutLongevity risk (you live longer than your money does) and long-term care (70% of retirees will need it). What hybrid products exist now and why waiting to have this conversation is itself a costly decision.~38:00 — Spend on Experiences While You Can + Legacy PlanningThe go-go, slow-go, no-go framework. Why retirees wait too long. Legacy basics: beneficiary designations, powers of attorney, donor-advised funds, and the "talk while you can" imperative.Key Takeaways

Corrie ten Boom once said, “If the devil can't make you sin, he'll make you busy.” That's a sobering thought, especially in a world where many of us feel like life is moving faster than we can keep up. Deadlines, family responsibilities, bills, errands, emails, appointments, and unexpected needs can make every day feel like a sprint. And when life moves that fast, it's easy to make financial decisions on the fly. We don't always neglect stewardship out of carelessness. Sometimes, we neglect it because we're tired. We stop paying attention. We spend reactively instead of prayerfully. We put off conversations we need to have. We ignore creeping lifestyle inflation. We delay generosity until things “settle down.” Before long, the pace of life begins shaping our financial decisions more than the wisdom of God does. The Spiritual Danger of Distraction Busyness can be more spiritually dangerous than it first appears because it doesn't always oppose faithfulness with rebellion. Sometimes it opposes faithfulness with distraction. Jesus warned about this in Luke 8, when He described the seed that fell among the thorns. He said it was choked by “the cares and riches and pleasures of life” (Luke 8:14). In other words, ordinary life can become so crowded that it chokes out what truly matters. We can spend hours worrying, scrolling, comparing, impulse buying, chasing the next opportunity, or reacting to every headline while neglecting the simple habits that build faithful stewardship: planning, giving, saving, communicating, and trusting God. Jesus highlights a similar tension in Luke 10. Martha is working hard, serving diligently, and doing good things. But Mary is sitting at Jesus' feet, listening. Jesus gently says, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary” (Luke 10:41–42). Martha wasn't doing something sinful. She was doing something useful. But even useful things can become disordered things when they crowd out what matters most. That applies to stewardship, too. It's possible to work hard, earn income, pay bills, and stay active, yet slowly lose sight of the heart of stewardship: trusting God, aligning our resources with His priorities, and handling money with wisdom and intentionality. Stewardship Is Worship Stewardship is never just about transactions. It's about worship. Every dollar we earn, spend, save, or give becomes an opportunity to express what we believe about God. Do we trust Him? Do we believe He is our provider? Do we see money as ours to control—or His to manage? That's why financial faithfulness requires more than good intentions. It requires margin—not just margin in your bank account, but margin in your soul. Dallas Willard once said, “Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day.” That certainly has implications for our finances as well. Hurry can lead to impulse spending, neglected planning, avoidable debt, forgotten generosity, and anxiety-driven decisions. When our lives are hurried, our money often becomes hurried, too. So what does it look like to remain financially faithful in a busy season? Slow Down Long Enough to Notice Proverbs 27:23 says, “Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds.” In an agrarian society, a person's wealth was often tied up in flocks and herds. To know their condition meant slowing down enough to count them, care for them, and manage them wisely. Today, your “flock” may be your bank account, budget, bills, giving plan, savings, or debt. Awareness is often the first step toward wisdom. You can't faithfully steward what you never stop to notice. Prioritize What Matters Most If generosity, saving, debt reduction, or wise planning matter to you, don't leave them to chance. Put them on the calendar. Automate what you can. Schedule the budget conversation. Decide in advance what you will give. Review your spending before the month gets away from you. What gets scheduled often gets done. What gets ignored often drifts. Faithful stewardship rarely happens by accident, especially in a busy season. Simplify Where Possible Sometimes the problem isn't just a busy calendar. It's an overcomplicated life. Too many commitments. Too many subscriptions. Too many obligations. Too many purchases to manage and maintain. Simplicity can be an act of stewardship. It creates room to pay attention, to say yes wisely, to say no faithfully, and to focus your resources on what God has truly entrusted to you. Remember That Small Faithfulness Matters You may not have time today for a complete financial overhaul. But you may have time to review one statement, cancel one unnecessary expense, pray over one decision, or have one honest conversation. Small acts of faithfulness matter. Over time, small decisions can reshape your habits, your household, and your heart. The goal isn't to do everything at once. The goal is to take the next faithful step. Keep the Goal in View The goal of stewardship is not perfect financial performance. It's faithfulness. God is not asking you to control every outcome or master every detail. He is inviting you to trust Him, seek His wisdom, and handle what He has entrusted to you with care. So in a busy season, don't let hurry make your financial decisions for you. Slow down. Pay attention. Make room for what matters. And remember: faithful stewardship begins not with a frantic rush to do more, but with a quiet willingness to seek God first. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I'm 71½ and have been using CDs to make charitable gifts. Is there a way to know whether Roth conversions from my IRA still make sense? Is now an optimal time to do more conversions? And once I begin taking RMDs, can I still do Roth conversions? My husband and I are setting up a trust, but he doesn't know much about my health. I'd like to name another relative as my medical power of attorney. Is that allowed, and could my husband override that decision? Also, is the ‘Five Wishes' document a good tool for end-of-life and medical preferences? I'm 67 and receiving Social Security and Medicare. My wife is 60, works part-time as a teacher, and is on Obamacare. If she retires at 62 and starts Social Security, will my benefit be reduced? And can she stay on Obamacare until 65, or does she need to enroll in Medicare at 65? We own two homes in different states and plan to sell one in the next three to four years. For the capital gains exclusion on a primary residence, do the two years of ownership and use have to be consecutive, or can they be any 24 months within the last five years? And if we split time between both homes, can we still qualify? My husband and I are 70 and 72, and we own five rental properties. We may sell them when he's around 78. From a tax and Medicare premium standpoint, is it better to sell them all in one year or spread the sales over multiple years? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Five Wishes Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jim and Chris discuss listener emails on the SSA-44 and IRMAA process for a couple approaching Medicare, Social Security survivor benefit strategy, tax diversification for young investors, HSA vs. IRA prioritization and spending strategy during the delay period, and inherited IRA RMD rules for non-eligible beneficiaries. (15:30) A listener approaching Medicare asks how the SSA-44 process applies when one spouse is retiring while the other continues to work, and whether their planned Roth conversions could complicate the IRMAA appeal filing. (33:15) Georgette wonders whether she can start her own Social Security at 67, switch to a lower survivor benefit if her husband passes, and then return to her own larger benefit at 70. (41:00) The guys hear from a parent helping his adult children decide whether to convert their traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs or preserve a mix of account types for tax diversification in retirement. (57:45) Jim and Chris address two questions: (1) whether HSA contributions should be prioritized over IRA contributions for retirement savings, and (2) how to bridge a cash flow gap when brokerage funds run out during the delay period without undermining ongoing Roth conversions. (1:26:15) A listener asks whether a non-eligible beneficiary who inherits a traditional IRA before the decedent’s required beginning date must still take RMDs, given that the decedent had already taken one RMD in the year they turned 73. The post IRMAA, Social Security, Tax Diversification, Delay Period, Inherited IRA: Q&A #2620 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

Don opens this Friday Q&A episode with a personal reflection on finally releasing his historical fiction novel The Line Uncrossed, inspired by his great-great-grandfather's imprisonment at Andersonville during the Civil War. Listener questions then cover the wisdom (or insanity) of converting millions from a traditional IRA to a Roth all at once, the evolving role of “538” savings accounts, why covered calls and options strategies often disappoint despite sounding clever, skepticism over the show's repeated praise of Avantis and Dimensional funds, and the surprisingly massive dollar amounts collected in ETF management fees. Throughout, Don leans hard into skepticism, simplicity, evidence-based investing, and the dangers of overcomplicating portfolios or tax planning.0:05 Friday Q&A tradition and how listeners submit spoken questions1:28 Don talks about releasing The Line Uncrossed next week2:22 Andersonville inspiration and writing historical fiction3:29 Listener asks about converting $4.1M traditional IRA to Roth to avoid RMDs5:55 Why a massive one-time Roth conversion could be financially disastrous7:17 RMD misconceptions and the need for professional tax planning8:13 Discussion of proposed “538” accounts and Roth conversion possibilities10:40 Listener asks about covered calls, selling puts, and options strategies12:06 Why buying options is gambling and covered calls eventually fail13:28 The illusion of downside protection with covered calls14:58 Skeptic questions repeated mentions of Avantis and Dimensional funds17:31 Don explains factor investing, Fama/French research, and fee tradeoffs20:30 Why TRM recommends Avantis and Dimensional despite higher costs20:38 Don responds directly to accusations of compensation or sponsorship21:47 Listener shocked by millions paid in ETF management fees22:26 What ETF management fees actually pay for behind the scenes23:27 Why large ETF operations require huge staffs and compliance teams24:33 Final call for listener questions and advisor meetingsQuestions? Comments? Click!

Andy and Brad Flood from Tenon Financial share their thoughts on a handful of current events and "hot topics" relating to retirement planning. Specifically, they talk about:Portfolio withdrawal strategies for addressing sequence of returns risk ( 10:44 )Using financial planning software and dealing with its limitations ( 26:25 )Thoughts on Medicare surcharges known as IRMAA, and how much they should be factored into tax planning ( 40:25 )Dealing with legacy investments in client's accounts when clients want to streamline and simplify their holdings, but also want or need to continue to hold some existing positions of theirs ( 46:14 )Balancing optimization and simplicity in financial planning; when is "good enough," enough? ( 58:29 )When in the year to take distributions from Required Minimum Distributions ("RMDs") ( 1:12:19 )A summary of our processes and semiannual meetings at Tenon Financial ( 1:19:02 )Links in this episode:Tenon Financial's website summarizing services and fees - https://tenonfinancial.com/services-and-feesTo send Andy questions to be addressed on future Q&A episodes, email andy@andypanko.comMy company newsletter - Retirement Planning InsightsFacebook group - Retirement Planning Education (formerly Taxes in Retirement)YouTube channel - Retirement Planning Education (formerly Retirement Planning Demystified)Retirement Planning Education website - www.RetirementPlanningEducation.com