Podcasts about social security

You saved diligently for decades. But the tax bill waiting inside your IRA may be larger than you think, and it can grow every year.Ready to take your next step in retirement planning? Schedule a RetireReady Call at https://bit.ly/3Sy2vxlWant to go deeper? Download the Tax Strategies for Retirement guide at MerkleTaxGuide.comIn this episode, Loren Merkle, Molly Nelson, and Chawn Honkomp break down why taxes catch so many retirees off guard and what you can do about it now. They cover why money sitting in a 401(k) or traditional IRA is not yours to keep in full.They also walk through Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), which force you to take money out of your accounts whether you need it or not, and what that does to your tax bill over time. Loren walks through an illustrated example showing how one intentional Roth conversion strategy saved a pre-retiree over $110,000 in retirement taxes.The episode also covers what the national debt could mean for future tax rates, why Social Security timing affects your taxes more than most people realize, and how looking at your retirement accounts in three separate buckets gives you real choices about what you pay in taxes each year.--Loren Merkle, CFP®, RICP®, Certified Financial Fiduciary®https://merkleretirementplanning.com/staff-members/loren-merkle/Chawn Honkomp, CFP®, RICP®, Certified Financial Fiduciary®, CPA® https://merkleretirementplanning.com/staff-members/chawn-honkomp/Molly Nelson, Host of Retiring Today with Loren Merklehttps://merkleretirementplanning.com/staff-members/molly-nelson/--This video does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service by Merkle Retirement Planning LLC, Elite Retirement Planning LLC, MRP Insurance LLC, or any other third party regardless of whether such security, product or service is referenced in this episode. Furthermore, nothing in this episode is intended to provide tax, legal, or investment advice and nothing in this episode should be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any investment or security or to engage in any investment strategy or transaction. Merkle Retirement Planning, LLC does not represent that the securities, products, or services discussed in this episode are suitable for any particular investor. You are solely responsible for determining whether any investment, investment strategy, security or related transaction is appropriate for you based on your personal investment objectives, financial circumstances and risk tolerance. You should consult your business advisor, attorney, or tax and accounting advisor regarding your specific business, legal or tax situation. Medicare services provided through MRP Insurance, LLC. Any and all other services related to insurance are an outside business activity and are not offered through or supervised by Elite Retirement Planning, LLC. MRP Insurance, LLC, is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. This is an advertisement for insurance. By responding to the ad, you will be put in contact with a licensed insurance agent offering Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Supplement Plans, and Prescription Drug Plans. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent [5] organizations which offer [22] products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.

Ben Stein on The Capitalist Code, Author Todd R. Mitchell Jr., and GildaGram with Dr. Gilda CarleThis edition of The Neil Haley Show opens with a Total Celebrity conversation with economist, author, and actor Ben Stein about his book The Capitalist Code: It Can Save Your Life and Make You Very Rich. Stein traced his belief in owning capital back to his father, a prominent free-market economist, and to a family shaped by the Great Depression, arguing that owning capital, not just labor, is what gives ordinary people security. His central message was refreshingly simple: most people will never beat the market by picking stocks, so the smart move is to steadily buy a low-cost S&P 500 index fund and let compounding do the work over decades. He pointed to Social Security as far too thin to rely on, even for high earners, and framed buying the index as effectively owning a microscopic share of all American business without the headaches of running one. He urged listeners to start young and put investing on autopilot, predicting the market's next move is likely down before it climbs higher, and shared that Warren Buffett, whom he called a friend, endorsed the book by saying its readers need no other guide to investing. Stein balanced the financial talk with reflections on living for today as well as tomorrow, on order and discipline as keys to happiness, and on his gratitude for America, and he previewed a coming project on sobriety drawn from his years in recovery and his losses of friends and relatives to addiction. The advice is his own; listeners should weigh it for their own situation.Neil then welcomed author Todd R. Mitchell Jr., joined by his fiancee, to talk about his book Never Gave Up. A gifted athlete who earned a college basketball scholarship without ever playing a high school game and went on to eight years of arena football, Mitchell described how alcoholism shadowed every opportunity and closed door after door. Asked where he would be had he reached the NBA or NFL, he did not hesitate: homeless, broke, or dead, because the money would have arrived long before he reached the root of the problem. He traced a hard road through homelessness, incarceration, and car accidents, including spending his father's last twenty dollars on alcohol instead of food, and credited his turnaround to faith and to a partner who visited him every day during rehab and stood by him through relapse, understanding that recovery is a process rather than a single decision. His daughter, and the disappointment on her face one difficult day in Atlanta, became another anchor, and he spoke about the patience and grace it took his fiancee to walk beside him without giving up. Today Mitchell has finished school, earned a film production degree from Miami Dade College, and launched Born From The Ashes Mitchell Production Studios in Jacksonville. He and Neil went deep on the question every retired athlete faces, what you build once the crowd noise stops. Never Gave Up is available on Amazon, where it has been a number-one new release.The hour closes with two GildaGram simulcasts featuring co-host Dr. Gilda Carle, author of Real Men Don't Go Woke. In the first, Carle discussed the themes of her book, which she frames as an examination of male mental health and a rising rate of suicide among men and, increasingly, boys, arguing that men are being discouraged from speaking up and expressing themselves; she illustrated the point through Will Smith and responded directly to online critics of her work. In the second, she offered her take on a viral story about a workplace romance caught on camera, using it to talk through questions of power dynamics, consent, and consequences when a relationship crosses lines of authority. Find Ben Stein's The Capitalist Code and Todd R. Mitchell Jr.'s Never Gave Up on Amazon, and Dr. Gilda Carle's Real Men Don't Go Woke wherever books are sold.

Jim and Chris discuss listener emails on Social Security survivor benefits after the GPO repeal, estate planning for minor children, and Annuity Safety. (10:00) A listener asks whether the repeal of GPO permits the survivor in a mixed Social Security and non-covered pension couple to keep both Social Security benefits rather than only the higher benefit, and where this rule appears in the POMS. (37:00) The guys review whether a revocable living trust should remain the contingent beneficiary of retirement accounts while the couple's children are minors, despite the potential for higher taxes, and what alternatives or overlooked issues may apply. (1:16:15) Jim and Chris address whether someone considering a $500,000 single premium immediate annuity (SPIA) should split the purchase between two insurers to reduce insolvency and state guaranty association risk. The post Social Security, Estate Planning, Annuity Safety: Q&A #2631 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

Shockwaves hit national security! Discover how thousands on terror watchlists received benefits and Social Security numbers, and learn about the revival of a long-dormant 1996 statute to strip citizenship and deport active plotters!

Welcome to episode 342 of Grow Your Law Firm, hosted by Ken Hardison. In this episode, Ken sits down with Timothy Hiller, Partner at Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law. Tim shares how his firm is using AI to support a high-volume Social Security disability and VA practice while continuing to grow its personal injury department. The conversation explores how AI can help law firms build custom tools, streamline document-heavy work, improve financial forecasting, and reduce repetitive operational tasks. Tim also explains why firms need clear policies around data privacy and attorney review, how to communicate AI adoption to employees, and why he sees AI as a way to increase capacity and compete, not as a reason to reduce staff.   What you'll learn in this episode: 1. How to Start Using AI in Your Firm - Why law firm owners should experiment with AI tools before deciding to implement them - How everyday use helps leaders understand what AI can and cannot do 2. Building Custom AI Tools Without a Large Development Team - How Claude Code can help firms create custom lead-generation tools, calculators, and dashboards - Why firms can use AI to build solutions that better fit their specific practice areas 3. Using AI for High-Volume, Document-Heavy Cases - How AI can help summarize and organize large medical and administrative records - Why attorney review remains essential before submitting AI-assisted work to a court 4. Protecting Client Data and Managing Risk - Why firms should understand enterprise agreements and data privacy before using AI with client information - How internal AI policies can help prevent inaccurate filings and avoidable mistakes 5. Helping Employees Adopt AI - Why firms should present AI as a capacity-building tool rather than a replacement for staff - How leadership communication, employee ambassadors, and one-on-one conversations can reduce resistance         Resources:    Website: hillercomerford.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hiller-comerford-injury-disability-law Facebook: facebook.com/hillercomerford Instagram: instagram.com/hillercomerford         Additional Resources:    https://www.pilmma.org/the-mastermind-effect https://www.pilmma.org/resources https://www.pilmma.org/mastermind

Social Security Commissioner and IRS Commissioner Frank Bisignano joins Lisa Boothe for an in-depth conversation about modernizing America's largest government agencies, eliminating fraud, and bringing private-sector innovation to Washington. Drawing on decades of leadership at Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, First Data, and Fiserv, Bisignano explains why he left the corporate world to serve in the Trump administration, how technology is transforming Social Security, and what Americans should know about the future of Trump Accounts for children.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andy summarizes the recent 2026 annual Social Security trustees report, including what it would actually mean if the system's trust fund were to deplete, and what changes can be made to ensure that doesn't happenLinks in this episode:The full 2026 Social Security trustees report - hereSummary of the recently proposed PROMISE Act - hereThe recent episode of Inspired Money with me, Wade Pfau and Mary Beth Franklin discussing all things Social Security - hereTenon Financial monthly e-newsletter - Retirement Planning InsightsYouTube channel - Retirement Planning Education (formerly Retirement Planning Demystified)Retirement Planning Education website - www.RetirementPlanningEducation.com To send Andy questions to be addressed on future Q&A episodes, email andy@andypanko.com

Active fund managers have a new explanation for years of underperformance: index funds have made their old job harder. Don and Tom examine that award-winning excuse, revisit how indexing reshaped the business, and return to the stubborn arithmetic—when active management charges more, matching the market still means losing to it after fees.Listener questions widen the lens. A UK investor wants to move from 60/40 to 50/50 without taking needless currency risk, while a family needs a sensible plan for a $200,000 windfall, a near-term car purchase, Roth contributions, and the money left for a brokerage account.The show closes with a federal retiree's TSP allocation and a critique of an AI-built income portfolio stuffed with dividend funds. The throughline is simple: start with the job the money must do, favor total return over yield theater, and keep the plan easier to understand than the sales pitch.00:33 AI jingles on demand02:31 Active managers blame index funds08:34 A Social Security benefit wrinkle10:00 A UK investor moves from 60/40 to 50/5016:11 Planning a $200,000 windfall and car purchase20:20 A federal retiree's TSP choices22:59 AI builds a dividend-income portfolio28:24 The jingle experiment continuesQuestions? Comments? Click!

America is on track to become a "net mortality society," where deaths outnumber births. As births plummet to almost 25% below replacement, the United States faces a future with a shrinking population, and the consequences extend far beyond the American family. Nicholas Eberstadt argues that falling birth rates reflect a deeper cultural shift away from marriage, family, and the institutions that have long sustained prosperous societies, raising difficult questions about economic growth, immigration, Social Security, and America's future. He examines the consequences of the men-without-work problem in the wake of the COVID pandemic, the role of AI in shaping immigrants' job opportunities, and how socialism's growing popularity in America affects the labor market. Combined with fertility rates collapsing across the developed world and loneliness reaching unprecedented levels, can America capitalize on our advantages in a way that China can't? Or are we bound to the same fate as other countries like Poland or Japan? Can public policy reverse these trends, or is this ultimately a crisis of meaning and norms rather than economics? Ultimately, what happens when societies stop replacing themselves...Nicholas Eberstadt holds the Henry Wendt Chair in Political Economy at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), and is a senior adviser to the National Bureau of Asian Research. He has written numerous books and monographs, including His many books and monographs include Men Without Work: Post-Pandemic Edition (2022); Russia's Peacetime Demographic Crisis: Dimensions, Causes, Implications (2010). He has offered invited testimony before Congress on numerous occasions and has served as consultant or adviser for a variety of units in the US government. In 2020, he received the Irving Kristol Award, AEI's highest honor.Read the transcript here.Subscribe to our Substack here.

Your home may be more than a place to live in retirement. For some homeowners, it can also become a strategic financial resource—one that may help manage taxable income, protect investments during market downturns, and create greater flexibility around retirement withdrawals. Harlan Accola, who leads the reverse mortgage team at Movement Mortgage, joined the show today to explain how a reverse mortgage—specifically a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage, or HECM—can fit into a thoughtful retirement income strategy. A reverse mortgage is not right for everyone. But when used carefully as part of a broader financial plan, home equity may provide retirees with options they would not otherwise have. Why Reverse Mortgage Proceeds Are Different From Income One of the most common misconceptions about reverse mortgages is that homeowners sell or give up ownership of their homes. That is not the case. A reverse mortgage is a loan secured by the home, and the homeowner retains title as long as the requirements of the loan are met. Because the money received through a reverse mortgage is generally considered loan proceeds rather than earned or investment income, it is not typically included as taxable income on a federal income tax return. That distinction can be significant in retirement. Many retirees rely on a combination of Social Security, pensions, traditional IRAs, and 401(k)s. Withdrawals from tax-deferred retirement accounts generally increase taxable income, potentially affecting tax brackets and other income-based thresholds. Home equity can provide another source of cash. Instead of withdrawing every needed dollar from a traditional IRA or 401(k), a retiree may be able to strategically use home equity for a portion of living expenses. That could reduce the amount that must be withdrawn from taxable retirement accounts in a given year. The goal is not simply to avoid taxes. It is to thoughtfully manage when and how taxable income is recognized. Managing Retirement Withdrawals More Strategically Taxes in retirement are often about timing. Withdraw too much from a traditional retirement account in one year, and you may move into a higher tax bracket or cross other important income thresholds. Later in retirement, required minimum distributions can further limit how much control retirees have over taxable withdrawals. Social Security also adds another consideration. Depending on a retiree's income, up to 85% of Social Security benefits may be subject to federal income tax. That makes coordinating income sources especially important. For some retirees, access to home equity may allow them to take smaller taxable distributions during certain years while drawing on a reverse mortgage for additional cash needs. Meanwhile, money that remains invested has more opportunity to continue growing. That does not mean borrowing against a home is always preferable to withdrawing from investments. Reverse mortgages have costs, interest accrues on the loan balance, and using home equity reduces the equity that may otherwise remain available later. The question is whether strategically combining these resources could produce a better overall retirement outcome. Creating Flexibility for Roth Conversions Home equity may also play a role in Roth conversion planning. A Roth conversion involves moving money from a traditional IRA or other eligible tax-deferred retirement account into a Roth IRA. The amount converted is generally taxable in the year of the conversion, but qualified Roth withdrawals in retirement are tax-free. For some retirees, converting portions of traditional retirement accounts during lower-income years can make sense. The challenge is paying the resulting tax bill. Suppose someone converts a significant amount from a traditional IRA and then withdraws even more from that IRA to pay the taxes. That additional withdrawal can create additional taxable income, potentially making the strategy less efficient. A reverse mortgage may provide another option. Home equity could potentially be used to cover living expenses or the tax liability associated with a Roth conversion, allowing the retiree to better control how much is withdrawn from taxable retirement accounts. Over time, carefully planned conversions can also reduce the amount remaining in traditional accounts that may eventually be subject to required minimum distributions. Roth conversions involve many variables—including current and future tax rates, income needs, Medicare considerations, estate goals, and the retiree's overall financial picture—so they should be evaluated with qualified tax and financial professionals. Protecting Investments During Market Downturns Another potential use of a reverse mortgage is addressing what financial planners call sequence-of-returns risk. Sequence risk refers to the danger of experiencing significant investment losses early in retirement while simultaneously withdrawing money from the portfolio. Imagine that the market falls sharply and a retiree must sell investments to pay living expenses. Those shares are sold at depressed prices and are no longer invested when markets eventually recover. That combination of losses and withdrawals can make it much harder for a portfolio to recover. For retirees with sufficient home equity, a reverse mortgage line of credit may serve as what some planners call a buffer asset. Instead of selling investments during a severe market decline, a retiree might temporarily draw from home equity. When markets recover, withdrawals could shift back to the investment portfolio. Depending on the loan and financial circumstances, homeowners may also choose to repay some of what they borrowed, preserving greater home equity for future use. The broader principle is diversification—not merely among investments, but among the resources available to fund retirement. Home Equity Is a Tool, Not the Goal For many Americans, their home represents one of their largest financial assets. Yet traditional retirement planning often treats that wealth as untouchable until the home is sold or passed to heirs. A reverse mortgage can provide another option. That does not mean every retiree should borrow against a home. The costs, interest, estate implications, housing plans, and long-term needs all matter. Homeowners must also continue meeting loan requirements, including paying property taxes, homeowners insurance, and maintaining the property. But for the right household, home equity may become one piece of a coordinated retirement strategy—helping manage taxable withdrawals, create flexibility for Roth conversions, or avoid selling investments at an unfavorable time. As stewards, the goal is not simply to preserve every dollar of home equity or maximize every investment account. It is to wisely consider all the resources God has entrusted to us and use them with purpose. A home is first a place to live. But in retirement, it may also be a financial resource worth thoughtfully considering as part of the bigger picture. To learn more about reverse mortgages and Movement Mortgage, visit FaithFi.com/Movement. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: My daughter turns 20 in December and recently earned her nail technician license, but she isn't working yet. How can I help her start building credit and develop good saving habits? My husband and I are considering a reverse mortgage. Would we still own our home, and could we eventually sell it to a family member if we want to keep it in the family? I live on Social Security, have a paid-off home, a four-month emergency fund, and $75,000 in a CD. I received an offer to buy $5 gold pieces for $469 each, with a minimum purchase of five. Would buying gold like this be a wise move for me? My husband passed away, I used up my savings, and now I'm overwhelmed by debt. I enrolled in a debt-relief program that promised to lower my interest rates, but I'm not seeing much progress. What should I do next? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Christian Credit Counselors Movement Mortgage Capital One Savor Rewards Card for Students Bankrate | NerdWallet Open Hands Finance FaithFi Field Guide: How Much Money is Enough?  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.

Appearing before a GOP-led Senate Committee, Fauci repeatedly invokes the Fifth Amendment; New threats loom for Arizona's Indigenous voters; Reproductive rights debate expected in the next Texas legislative session; AARP poll: Older Georgia voters prioritize Affordability and Social Security.

Appearing before a GOP-led Senate Committee, Fauci repeatedly invokes the Fifth Amendment; New threats loom for Arizona's Indigenous voters; Reproductive rights debate expected in the next Texas legislative session; AARP poll: Older Georgia voters prioritize Affordability and Social Security.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heartland-newsfeed-radio-network--2904397/support.

What if budgeting wasn't about restriction, but about giving every dollar a purpose? This week, Roger sits down with Jesse Mecham, founder of YNAB (You Need A Budget), to discuss the power of intentionality with money. Together, they explore how asking one simple question, "What is this money for?" can reduce financial stress, improve decision-making, and help align your spending with the life you want to create. Roger also answers listener questions on rebalancing retirement portfolios, qualified dividends, supporting adult children, calculating net worth, and whether financial planners have financial planners of their own.OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN(00:00) Roger introduces this week's conversation on intentionality with money, previews his interview with Jesse Mecham, and shares updates on the August replay schedule and upcoming Social Security series.RETIREMENT TOOLKIT FEATURING JESSE MECHAM(03:06) Roger sits down with Jesse Mecham, founder of YNAB, to discuss how approaching money with intention instead of restriction can reduce financial worry and help you align your spending with what matters most. LISTENER QUESTIONS(38:47) Christine asks about rebalancing her retirement portfolio.(43:00) Peter asks about qualified and ordinary dividends.(47:28) Paul asks about supporting adult children financially.(56:05) Ron asks whether future taxes should be considered when calculating net worth (58:38) Lisa wonders whether financial planners have financial planners of their own.SMART SPRINT(01:01:55) Reflect on how intentional you are with your money and consider reading Jesse Mecham's book, Never Worry About Money Again, to help align your spending with the life you want to create.CLOSING THOUGHT(01:03:23) Roger reflects on the summer goals he set earlier in the year and encourages you to revisit your own intentions before the season ends. REFERENCESNever Worry About Money Again by Jesse MechamYNAB (You Need A Budget)Submit a Question for RogerSign up for The NoodleNote: The opinions expressed are for informational purposes only and should not replace personalized advice from licensed professionals.

Listener questions take over the studio as Don and Tom work through a very big pile without sacrificing any more forests than necessary. The quick tour runs from life insurance in retirement to the seductive yield on floating-rate bank-loan ETFs—and why extra income usually comes with extra risk.Then a live call turns asset allocation into an actual retirement plan: how a couple can move from 90/10 to 70/30, use Roth space intelligently, and rebalance without guessing what the market will do next. The hosts also weigh simplifying banking at Fidelity or Schwab, the Social Security shortfall, and the limits of retiring at 53 on a $2.8 million 401(k).It's a brisk, practical Q&A about making portfolios safer, simpler, and realistic—plus expensive vacations, old television, and the strange persistence of paper.00:00 A special midweek Q&A03:29 Life insurance after retirement06:47 The risk behind high-yield bank-loan ETFs11:12 Bonds inside Roth accounts13:14 Moving a portfolio from 90/10 to 70/3022:54 Spending more after years of saving25:18 Consolidating banking at a brokerage26:53 How to repair Social Security31:10 Can $2.8 million fund retirement at 53?Questions? Comments? Click!

Chris’s Summary Jim and I continue our discussion on the Fun Number, this time tackling what comes out first and how we plan for covering retirement income gaps. We look at funding both the delay period and post-delay period, including how a SPIA quote helps determine how much to set aside today to close a future gap. We also address aging and long-term care, and the smaller, less common carve-out for a guaranteed inheritance tied to a special needs dependent. Jim’s “Pithy” Summary Chris and I pick up the Fun Number conversation right where we left off, and this time we’re finally cracking open the toy box to show you what has to come out before anything gets set aside for fun. I still say it best with the seesaw: younger you on one side, older you on the other, and every dollar you carve out first is a promise you’re making across that fulcrum. We walk through the delay period, those years before your Social Security or pension is fully turned on, and why we don’t discount those dollars down the way you might expect. Then Chris shifts to the post-delay period, pulling a real annuity quote to price out a future income gap and translating that future need into a present-day number using our See Through Portfolio thinking, so you can actually see which assets are spoken for and which ones aren’t. We talk through how to close retirement income gaps step by step, and I even work in my usual gripe about the crystal ball nobody’s built yet. From there we get into the harder, more emotional carve-outs, the ones tied to aging, long-term care, and in some cases a guaranteed inheritance, before circling back to what’s actually left over for you to enjoy. There’s a reason people tend to want to spend now rather than reserve for later, and we talk about why that instinct is so hard to fight. Next week Jacob joins us to talk through how we actually invest each of these positions, so consider this the setup for that conversation. The post Covering Retirement Income Gaps: EDU #2630 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

"Ute" (SUV), "chips" (French fries), "sunnies" (sunglasses), and "mates" (friends) are just a few of the slang terms I picked up earlier this year when the Keens visited our family in Brisbane, Australia.  Another was "super," which is short for "superannuation." This mandatory savings program is central to Australia's retirement planning. And recently, President Trump floated the idea of implementing a similar program here in the U.S.  On today's show, we discuss if taking some inspiration from our friends Down Under could provide a "super" solution to Social Security's looming insolvency and help more Americans build their nest eggs for retirement. 

The Consumer Price Index determines your grandmother's Social Security, your SNAP benefits, your divorce settlement, and — historically, at least — whether the president keeps his job. It is also, according to British journalist and novelist John Lanchester, intellectually thrilling. In the fourth episode of our Unsung series, Kelly talks with the writer The Economist called "a down-to-earth and witty guide to the most complicated ideas of our time" about what it means to live in a country that counts everything — and what happens when we start to lose faith in the numbers.If you haven't yet, pick up Michael Lewis's Who Is Government? and John Lanchester's new novel Look What You Made Me Do (Norton, May 2025).To connect with Kelly and get a list of her weekly takeaways, join Kelly's free Substack.

AI stocks are booming, valuations are stretched, and capital spending is surging. Does that add up to a bubble—or just another story investors cannot reliably time? Tom and Don walk through Fidelity's warning signs without pretending anyone can ring a bell at the top.The practical conclusion is less exciting and more useful: stay diversified, keep realistic expectations, include the fixed income your plan needs, and do not mistake a recent gain for money the market owes you forever.Then a caller pressure-tests the flexible 5% withdrawal idea, followed by questions on delaying Social Security after leaving work and why convertible bonds add complexity without much benefit for individual investors.00:00 Time compression and the AI boom02:42 Is artificial intelligence in a bubble?04:51 Earnings, cash flow, and valuation signals07:14 Capital spending and the rate-cycle argument08:56 Fidelity's verdict—and the diversified response11:13 The greed hidden inside market timing13:04 How flexible is a flexible 5% withdrawal?19:56 Delaying Social Security after stopping work23:44 Convertible bonds and a very expensive C-share fundQuestions? Comments? Click!

Choosing when to claim Social Security can have a lasting impact on your retirement income, but many retirees make this decision without fully understanding how the rules work. In this Q&A episode, Jeremy Keil answers three listener questions that uncover some of the most common Social Security misconceptions facing married couples. Jeremy explains why your retirement date and your Social Security claiming date are two separate decisions, how poor health should factor into your planning, and why survivor benefits often deserve more attention than the higher earner's own benefit. He also clarifies common confusion around spousal benefits, outdated claiming strategies, and the way delayed retirement credits are actually applied after full retirement age. Whether you're approaching retirement or helping a spouse make these important decisions, this conversation offers practical guidance to help you coordinate your retirement plan and make more informed Social Security choices. For disclosures and conflicts visit keilfp.com/disclosures.

Economist Lawrence Kotlikoff, a professor at Boston University and the founder of Maxifi, says that "irrational exuberance" is something that routinely returns to the market, which is why so many crises over history get labeled with the word "panic," and while he does not see current conditions leading to that yet, he does think the market and economy have significantly more downside risk than upside potential right now. Kotlikoff, a prolific author on the markets and economy, says investors should be taking advantage of high real returns on inflation-protected bonds and less interested in a stock market that feels like it is building a bubble. He also discusses the future of Social Security, which he has researched extensively, and says it needs a complete overhaul, because the math on short-term fixes gets ugly for individual Americans fast. In an extended Money Life Market Call, Tom Plumb, portfolio manager for The Plumb Funds — Plumb Equity and Plumb Balanced — discusses finding "disruptive growth companies," and notes that while everyone wants to assume that all artificial-intelligence related stocks are "disruptive," the reality of who will be the ultimate winners and losers amid the new technology is less clear than the market currently makes it out to be.

Retirement may be the biggest trip of your life—but have you planned the journey or are you hoping everything works out when you arrive? In this episode, Brandon Bowen explains why retirement planning requires more than simply reaching a savings goal. The conversation covers Social Security timing, tax strategies, investment allocation, retirement income planning, and common blind spots that can catch retirees off guard. Learn how having a well-defined retirement roadmap can help you evaluate key decisions before leaving the workforce and why preparation often matters as much as the destination itself. Like what you hear? Get a second opinion today: bowenwealth.com Follow us on social media: YouTube | Facebook | LinkedInSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you afford to retire? A recent Transamerica survey found that 62% of Americans worry they could work their entire lives and still not have enough money to retire. In this episode, David Hollander explores the biggest retirement risks facing today's retirees, including inflation, Social Security uncertainty, long-term care costs, and retirement income planning. He also shares ways to help you identify potential gaps and make more informed financial decisions as you prepare for retirement. 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.

Social Security claiming strategies, spousal benefit rules, and tech market rotations—what do you need to know?   This week, Matt, Lee, and John are unpacking the topics clients and viewers keep asking them about: navigating the timing of Social Security benefits, avoiding tax traps in retirement, and the recent market rotation between Apple and NVIDIA. Topics Discussed: ➡ Social Security Claiming Strategies & Break-Even Realities: The team examines the core decisions behind filing for Social Security between ages 62, 67, and 70. They discuss how full retirement age (FRA) works, how family longevity and break-even math impact your decision, and why rushing to claim out of fear of the system running out can be a costly mistake. ➡ Rules for Spousal, Survivor, and Divorced Benefits: A detailed look at the nuances of Social Security for couples and single individuals. The conversation breaks down spousal top-ups, survivor benefit adjustments upon the death of a spouse, and the lesser-known rules that allow ex-spouses to claim on a former partner's earnings record if married for at least 10 years. ➡ The Hidden Single-Tax Bracket Trap: How moving from a joint tax return to a single filing status after the loss of a spouse can significantly increase your tax burden. The guys highlight proactive strategies—like Roth conversions—to help protect retirement income against future tax shocks. ➡ Tech Rotations: Apple vs. NVIDIA & Earnings Season: A look at market cap shifts as Apple reclaims the top spot over NVIDIA, the pullback in chip stocks, and how investors are evaluating heavy corporate AI expenditures during earnings season.   02:15 Overview of social security planning questions 04:56 What happens when a spouse dies: the surviving benefit 06:20 Receiving an ex-spouses benefit07:14 The tax impact from filing marital verses single shocks people 08:53 When should I start social security? 16:22 Divorce can impact your financial plan but don't panic 17:42 NVIDIA, Apple and other tech stock news

Could one financial decision undo decades of retirement savings? JoePat Roop discusses why chasing headlines, market trends, and shiny investment opportunities can distract from what matters most. From Social Security strategies to 401(k)s, taxes, healthcare costs, and retirement income planning, he explains why a comprehensive plan beats speculation. 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.

What if the biggest retirement risk isn’t running out of money, but running out of income? Steve Hoyl discusses why estate planning remains critical for every household, how staying in place and fear-driven saving can affect retirement decisions, and what workers can do if AI or career changes alter their timeline. The conversation also covers income planning, Social Security timing, the habits of successful savers, and why flexibility can make a difference when navigating retirement. Get Your Complimentary Retirement Analysis Social Media: Facebook | XSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a new bill in Washington that sounds like a fix but is really just a promise to eventually have a debate about one. That's not why this episode matters. What matters is that Social Security is suddenly everywhere in the headlines, and if you've been putting off understanding how your own claiming decision actually works, that's a gap that gets more expensive the longer it sits. This episode is the one to finally close it. No single mistake, no one hot take, just a real walkthrough of the claiming ages, the spousal rules, the survivor benefits, and the myths that trip people up most, so you can stop guessing and start deciding with confidence.What You'll Walk Away WithWhy the "estimated benefit" number on your Social Security account can be wildly wrong, especially if you're not planning to work until 67The real reason waiting until 70 pays off, and why it has almost nothing to do with growthA subtle, surprisingly common mistake that can quietly wreck a smart claiming strategy years after you made itWhat actually happens to your benefit if your spouse passes away first, and how remarriage timing can change everythingWhy the industries where workers never pay into Social Security create a completely different retirement mathThe dollar threshold that can force you to pay back benefits you already claimedA 2024 rule change that may directly affect certain public employees and hasn't gotten nearly enough attentionWhy raising the retirement age matters a lot less than people assume, depending on how you actually want to retireHow a totally different tax, the Medicare surcharge, quietly rides along with your Social Security decisionsA quick true-or-false round that separates Social Security fact from the myths everyone repeatsWhy This Matters NowIf you're in your 40s, Social Security can feel like something to figure out later, right up until a headline makes it feel urgent and confusing at the same time. The truth is, you don't need to predict what Congress will do. You need to understand the mechanics that are already in your control: when you claim, how you and a spouse coordinate, and how your own work history shapes the number. Get that right, and you turn a source of money stress into one less thing you have to worry about, freeing up mental space for the parts of your financial life you actually want to think about, like the next trip, not the next committee hearing.From the BasementDoug tests his trivia chops with a game built to separate fact from political fantasy, and OG gets fired up about something that has absolutely nothing to do with retirement, and everything to do with golf tickets. It's the reminder that even a deep dive into claiming strategy still comes with a little basement chaos along the way.Resources MentionedThe PROMISE Act, explained — CNBC's breakdown of the bipartisan bill and the 2032 trust fund deadlineCreate your SSA.gov account — check your earnings history and benefit estimateid.me login for SSA.gov — the identity verification step for your Social Security accountThe Walt Disney Company: Walt's Era — Acquired podcast — the four-hour deep dive Doug referenced on Disney, Oswald the Rabbit, and protecting your nameStacking Benjamins Guides - Scout + a quick and easy checklist are just two of the reasons these complete reference tools are your top choice to manage your HR Benefits, your taxes, or college planning.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Most people think tax strategy is the starting point. It's not. It's the final layer that sits on top of a life you actually want to live.In this episode, Ari Taublieb, CFP®, responds to a listener with over $3 million across pre-tax, Roth, and brokerage accounts, plus a pension and future Social Security. On paper, everything looks optimized. In reality, he's stuck on a question that keeps a lot of high savers from moving forward.Should he use his brokerage account for income, for tax strategies, or to fund Roth conversions?The answer is not as simple as picking the most tax-efficient move. In fact, focusing on taxes first can lead to the wrong outcome entirely. Ari walks through why having too much income later in life can create a “tax bomb,” how required minimum distributions change the equation, and why Roth conversions can make sense when future tax rates are likely higher.But the real takeaway has nothing to do with spreadsheets.Before deciding on conversions, withdrawal strategies, or tax brackets, the first question is much simpler. How much do you actually want to spend? Without that clarity, even the best tax plan can lead to regret. With it, the right strategy becomes much easier to see.Because the goal is not to minimize taxes at all costs. The goal is to use your money in a way that actually improves your life while you still have the time and energy to enjoy it.--Advisory services are offered through Root Financial Partners, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Viewing this content does not create an advisory relationship. We do not provide tax preparation or legal services. Always consult an investment, tax or legal professional regarding your specific situation.The strategies, case studies, and examples discussed may not be suitable for everyone. They are hypothetical and for illustrative and educational purposes only. They do not reflect actual client results and are not guarantees of future performance. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal.Comments reflect the views of individual users and do not necessarily represent the views of Root Financial. They are not verified, may not be accurate, and should not be considered testimonials or endorsementsParticipation in the Retirement Planning Academy or Early Retirement Academy does not create an advisory relationship with Root Financial. These programs are educational in nature and are not a substitute for personalized financial advice. Advisory services are offered only under a written agreement with Root Financial.Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy HereGet access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy hereAri Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA  is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.

A heartwarming story about a 92-year-old Chick-fil-A employee sparks a bigger conversation with Zach Abraham about purpose, retirement, Social Security, and the financial planning mistakes that can cost retirees thousands. Plus, Zach explains when Roth conversions make sense—and when they absolutely don't. Subscribe and stay tuned for new episodes every weekday! Follow us here for […]

The right financial advisor can help you plan for the future. But the right kind of counsel can do something more: help you stay anchored to what matters most. When we seek financial guidance, we're not simply looking for information. We're looking for direction. And for believers, that direction should be shaped by God's Word—not merely by the market. Money decisions are never just financial. They touch our hopes, fears, sense of control, and ultimately our trust in God. That's why Scripture consistently points us toward the importance of wise counsel. The Wisdom of Seeking Counsel Proverbs 11:14 says: “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” That word safety matters. It points to the protection and stability that can come when we humbly seek wisdom beyond our own perspective. Seeking counsel requires humility. It means admitting that we don't always see the whole picture. That isn't weakness—it's wisdom. Consider Moses in Exodus 18. God had called him to lead Israel, yet his father-in-law, Jethro, noticed something Moses had missed. People were lining up from morning until evening while Moses tried to handle every dispute himself. Jethro told him plainly, “What you are doing is not good.” He then suggested a better way. Moses listened. He delegated responsibility, and both he and the people were better served. If Moses needed wise counsel, surely we do too. That is especially true when it comes to money. In a culture that prizes financial independence, it can be easy to confuse independence with self-reliance. But Proverbs 19:20 reminds us: “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.” Every Financial Plan Reflects a Worldview Not all counsel is the same. Technical expertise matters. Credentials matter. Experience matters. But the worldview beneath the advice matters too. Every financial recommendation carries assumptions about what constitutes success, how much is enough, where security is found, what generosity should look like, how we should think about retirement, and ultimately what wealth is for. Advice may sound impressive and still quietly move our hearts toward goals Scripture never gives us. Jesus warned in Luke 12:15: “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” A spreadsheet can help us plan, but it cannot shepherd the heart. That is one reason values-aligned financial counsel can make such a meaningful difference. Why Shared Values Matter Recent research from Pinkston compared clients working with Certified Kingdom Advisors® (CKA®)—financial professionals trained to integrate biblical wisdom into their practice—with clients of general financial advisors. Among clients of general advisors, 64% prioritized investment returns. Among CKA® clients, however, 70% prioritized shared beliefs and values. For many Christian investors, shared faith is not simply an added benefit. It shapes the entire financial conversation. That alignment also appears to foster significant trust. CKA® clients reported a 98% retention rate and a Net Promoter Score of 83, compared with 58 among general-advisor clients. But perhaps even more important is how values-aligned counsel can broaden the conversation beyond financial performance alone. Eighty-one percent of Certified Kingdom Advisors® (CKA®) said they help clients incorporate faith or values-based investing into their financial plans, compared with 57% of general advisors. Clients working with CKA®s were also twice as likely to have significantly increased their charitable giving. That matters because Scripture never treats money in isolation. It connects our financial choices with worship, trust, contentment, generosity, and obedience. Jesus said in Matthew 6:21: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Our financial decisions do more than move money. They reveal—and help shape—what has captured our hearts. Counsel That Sees Money as Stewardship The research also found that 72% of Certified Kingdom Advisors® (CKA®) reported being very fulfilled in their work, compared with 48% of general advisors. In addition, 80% said their work was closely aligned with their life's purpose. That kind of perspective matters. When an advisor sees financial planning not simply as managing assets but as serving people, the relationship can become about much more than maximizing returns. It can create space to ask deeper questions: How much is enough? What has God entrusted to me? How should generosity shape my financial plan? What does faithful stewardship look like in this season? Those are not questions a financial calculator can answer by itself. Finding the Right Financial Counsel So, how do you find wise, values-aligned financial counsel? Start by asking good questions. Ask a prospective advisor how their faith shapes the way they think about money, risk, generosity, success, and the purpose of wealth. Look for someone with both professional competence and a worldview that recognizes God as the ultimate owner of everything we have. A wise advisor will not make every decision for you—and shouldn't. You remain responsible for the resources God has entrusted to your care. But the right advisor can help you cut through the noise, ask better questions, see blind spots, and build a financial plan around what matters most. Surrounding yourself with godly, competent counsel does not remove your responsibility as a steward. It can help you carry that responsibility more faithfully. To connect with a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA®) who is committed to integrating biblical wisdom with financial expertise, visit FindACKA.com. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I'm 65 and planning to retire in January. My wife and I will have a little over $100,000 a year from Social Security, Air Force retirement, and VA disability. I also have $200,000 in a 401(k)—$150,000 traditional and $50,000 Roth. How much of the traditional 401(k) can I convert to Roth each year, and would it make sense to spread those conversions over several years to minimize taxes? My wife and I have $80,000 that we'd like to earn interest on. We could leave it untouched for three to six months. Would an online high-yield savings account, CD, or another option make the most sense? I have about $36,000 in a 457 deferred compensation plan and cash match account. What are my options for that money? Can I move it elsewhere, leave it where it is, or set up monthly withdrawals? I'm 40 and have $70,000 in a Roth IRA, $46,000 in a traditional IRA, and $200,000 in a taxable brokerage account. Should I use the traditional IRA or taxable account to put more money into Roth? And over time, should I keep some money in the traditional IRA for tax diversification or eventually convert it all? I'd like to understand how Social Security is taxed. Does annuity income count toward the income thresholds that determine whether Social Security benefits are taxable? And how is the annuity income itself taxed? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Bankrate AdelFi Christian Banking FaithFi Field Guide: How Much Money is Enough?  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.

Bill and Andy Bush open with the one regret they've never heard from a retiree: "I saved too much." Drawing on conversations with plan participants, they explore the regrets people do voice — wishing they'd started earlier, stayed invested, or captured more of the company match — and why those missed opportunities can't be recovered once a contribution year lapses. The brothers make the case for balance, weighing Bill Perkins' "Die with Zero" philosophy of enjoying the here-and-now against the risk of shortchanging your future self. Along the way they dig into maximizing the match, the underused 50-plus and 60-to-63 "super" catch-up contributions, the new Roth catch-up rule for high earners, and the triple-tax-advantaged power of the HSA. They close with a mid-year nudge to review your savings rate and a reminder that money should buy choices, not guilt. ⏱ Episode Timeline & Key Topics 00:03 – Welcome & The Regrets We Hear Bill and Andy open the show with the common regrets they hear from plan participants: "I wish I'd saved more," "I wish I'd stayed in the market," "I wish I'd started earlier," and "I wish I'd taken the match longer." 00:53 – The One Regret Nobody Voices Nobody ever says they saved too much. Andy reframes the goal as balance — saving for later without abandoning a reasonable lifestyle now, or vice versa. 01:34 – Why Retirement Feels Too Far Away Bill notes how "retirement feels far away" leads people to defer saving, even though early dollars have the most time to compound. Life gets expensive as competing priorities — marriage, kids, college, car and house payments — crowd out saving. 02:08 – "Die with Zero" and Valuing What Feels Endless Andy shares Bill Perkins' insight from "Die with Zero": when something feels abundant or endless, we don't fully value it — which is exactly the trap with retirement saving that still feels far off. 02:53 – Missed Opportunities, Not Saved Dollars People nearing retirement rarely regret the money they saved; the regret is around opportunities missed. Each year's contribution limit lapses and can't be refilled later. 03:34 – Deathbed Regrets and Living with Balance Andy recalls that the biggest end-of-life regrets are rarely about working harder — they're about relationships, taking risks, and speaking up. The takeaway: plan forward for a long life while keeping balance today. 04:41 – Know How Your Company Match Works Bill urges participants to understand and maximize the match — an instant return, whether dollar-for-dollar or 50 cents on the dollar — and to capture that opportunity every year. 05:06 – When "Just the Match" Isn't Enough Andy raises the flip side: maxing the match may still fall short. The key questions are whether a match exists, what it is, and whether hitting it will actually be enough for your situation. 05:50 – Catch-Up and Super Catch-Up Contributions Bill covers catch-up contributions starting at age 50 and the SECURE 2.0 "super" catch-up for ages 60 to 63. Despite peak earning years, usage is low — roughly 5% of eligible 50-plus savers per the Public Retirement Research Lab, and low teens in Vanguard's How America Saves. 06:49 – Freeing Up Dollars in Your 50s As kids leave home and certain expenses fall away, your 50s can be a window to put more toward retirement — after assessing where you stand on your savings track. 07:39 – The New Roth Catch-Up Rule for High Earners Bill explains the rule rolled out this year: high earners (making $150,000 or more with an employer the prior year) who are 50-plus must make catch-up contributions as Roth. Some savers are balking — even skipping catch-ups entirely — rather than going Roth. 08:19 – Roth vs. Taxable: Why the Rule May Be a Gift Andy points out that money saved outside the plan gets taxed on dividends and gains along the way, while Roth is taxed up front and then grows and distributes tax-free. Bill notes high earners often can't deduct a traditional IRA anyway. 09:16 – The Value of Tax-Advantaged Space and the HSA The brothers highlight the range of tax-advantaged vehicles — 401(k), IRA, and the HSA, the triple-tax-advantaged account tied to a high-deductible health plan that blends the best of Roth and pre-tax. 09:49 – HSAs, Healthcare Costs, and Reimbursing Yourself Later Andy explains why the HSA may be the best retirement vehicle: healthcare becomes a bigger expense with age, and saving receipts now lets you reimburse yourself tax-free years later for big-ticket costs. 11:09 – An HSA Catch-Up Strategy for Couples Bill shares a lesser-known tip: when both spouses are 55-plus, the family contribution plus two catch-ups is allowed — but the second catch-up must go in a separate HSA. IRAs and HSAs can be funded up to the April tax deadline. 11:59 – Planning for Taxes Down the Road Andy notes most people focus only on today's taxes and overlook RMDs and legacy planning. Structuring your accounts thoughtfully can improve your future tax picture without costing much now. 12:35 – Can You Actually Save Too Much? Back to the opening question: yes, it's possible — high earners who live well within their means, or those who live so frugally the balance tips too far toward later at the expense of enjoying now. 14:01 – Money Should Buy Choices, Not Guilt Bill frames it as the balance of financial security and financial sacrifice. Savings should give you more choices in retirement — not maximize an account balance for its own sake. 15:08 – Confidence Scores and the Science of a Plan Andy describes the individual financial planning process: taking inventory of assets, income sources, and expenses to produce a confidence score across retirement ages, factoring in Social Security timing, Roth conversions, RMDs, and guaranteed income. 17:04 – Mid-Year Savings-Rate Checkup At the midpoint of 2026, Bill encourages listeners to review what they've saved in the first six months and adjust for the second half, aiming for a household savings rate near the often-cited 15% (including any match). 18:10 – "My Spouse Handles That" Andy addresses participants who leave saving entirely to a spouse — trust is great, but both partners should know whether the plan will be enough down the road. 18:39 – Wrap-Up: Better to Have Extra Than Be Short Bill contrasts arriving at retirement with $200,000 extra versus $200,000 short. Savings rates matter and long-term thinking gets you there. The brothers close with contact info — brothers, but not twins. ✅ Key Takeaways Quick Reference •             Nobody regrets saving — they regret missed opportunities — each year's contribution limit lapses and can't be refilled later, so capture it while you can •             Aim for balance, not extremes — don't sacrifice today's life entirely for the future, or the future entirely for today •             Start early to let time do the work — early dollars have the most time to compound, even when retirement feels far away •             Understand and maximize your match — a dollar-for-dollar or even 50-cents-on-the-dollar match is an instant return you should capture every year •             Maxing the match may not be enough — check whether hitting the match actually funds the retirement you want •             Use catch-up and super catch-up contributions — available at 50, with an enhanced amount for ages 60 to 63, yet only about 5% of eligible savers use them •             The Roth catch-up rule can work in your favor — high earners ($150K+) doing catch-ups must go Roth, which grows and distributes tax-free rather than getting nibbled by taxes in a taxable account •             The HSA may be your best retirement vehicle — triple-tax-advantaged, and you can save receipts now to reimburse yourself tax-free later •             Plan for future taxes, not just today's — think about RMDs, Roth conversions, and legacy before they arrive •             Money should buy choices, not guilt — the goal is confidence and options in retirement, not the biggest possible balance •             Do a mid-year savings-rate check — review the first six months and adjust; a common benchmark is around 15%, including any match

A heartwarming story about a 92-year-old Chick-fil-A employee sparks a bigger conversation with Zach Abraham about purpose, retirement, Social Security, and the financial planning mistakes that can cost retirees thousands. Plus, Zach explains when Roth conversions make sense—and when they absolutely don't. Schedule your FREE risk review from Bulwark Capital at https://KnowYourRiskPodcast.comSubscribe and stay tuned for new episodes every weekday!Follow us here for more daily clips, updates, and commentary:YoutubeFacebookInstagramTikTokXLocalsMore InfoWebsite

As the federal debt held by the public surpasses GDP, Adam Haman asks Bob Murphy what it means and the options going forward.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this episode.Bob's proposal for reforming federal finances. His proposal for letting people opt out of Social Security. His lecture on debt burdens on future generations.The HamanNature substack.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Jim and Chris discuss listener emails on Social Security survivor benefit strategies, a Roth 401(k) catch-up rule loophole, HSA reimbursement for Medicare premiums, pension options including a lump sum rollover, and trust titling versus individual beneficiaries. (13:00) — George asks whether his brother can claim his own Social Security benefit at 62 and switch to the higher survivor benefit at full retirement age. (22:45) — A listener asks whether starting a new job in 2026 could exempt him from the new mandatory Roth 401(k) catch-up rule. (28:45) — The guys field a question about using HSA funds to reimburse Medicare Part A premiums paid for a spouse before age 65. (40:00) — Jim and Chris review a listener’s decision to take a pension lump sum and roll it into an IRA over the annuity options. (1:13:00) — Georgette asks which accounts should be retitled into her trust versus left as individual beneficiary designations. The post Social Security, Roth 401k, HSA Reimbursement, Pension Options, Trust Planning: Q&A #2630 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

Mark Thornton opens with an update on the “Stocks versus Manure” prediction contest, where agricultural stocks are beating the S&P 500 year to date. He then joins Maggie Lake on Wealthion to discuss gold, silver, mining stocks, Kevin Warsh, Fed policy, interest rates, the dollar, and why the long-term thesis for precious metals rests on debt, deficits, monetary inflation, and financial repression.On Side B, Thornton appears on NTD to discuss the rising appeal of democratic socialism among younger Americans. He argues that young voters are reacting to real burdens—debt, unaffordable education, healthcare, housing, and Social Security promises—but are being drawn toward policies that cannot solve them. Mark also explains why socialism fails in theory and practice, from the calculation problem to incentives, and why education is essential to reversing the trend.2026 is the Year of Rothbard—Murray's 100th birthday—and we're celebrating by giving away free copies of The Origins of the Federal Reserve through July 31. Grab yours today at https://mises.org/issuesfree20% off listener offer on the insulated Minor Issues tumbler and three of Mark's books: https://mises.org/MinorIssuesTumbler. Use coupon code Thornton.Be sure to follow Minor Issues at https://Mises.org/MinorIssues

Is Social Security really running out of money? Headlines often paint a frightening picture, but what does the 2025 Social Security Trustees Report actually say? In this episode of Finishing Well, Certified Financial Planner Hans Scheil and Robby Dilmore separate fact from fiction as he breaks down the numbers behind the Social Security Trust Fund. Hans explains how the system is funded, what the trust fund really is, why alarming news reports can be misleading, and what practical steps lawmakers could take to strengthen the program for future generations. If you've ever wondered whether your Social Security benefits are secure or wanted a clearer understanding of how the system works, this conversation offers straightforward answers, practical insight, and a biblical perspective on stewardship, honesty, and planning wisely for the future. "Visit cardinalguide.com to access free retirement resources, browse our complete library of episodes, and connect with the Finishing Well ministry. Together, we're helping people honor God by finishing well."

Gene and Alyssa answered questions and explored important topics: He insisted his advisor buy Space X.  Now he's blaming the advisor? She is selling a home they bought in 1970, her husband died in 1996.  What is her cost basis? He asks how to best use $300,000 inherited very unexpectedly? She asks how to handle a 401(k) with regular, Roth, and after-tax funds for her RMDs? Free Second Opinion Meetings Meet with a More than Money advisor to review your entire financial picture or simply project your retirement Meet with our Social Security partner to plan the best S/S strategy for you Meet with our estate planning attorney partner to review your estate plans – if you have any Meet with our insurance partner to review your life or long term care coverages Discover how to have your 401(k) professionally managed without leaving your company plan Schedule a free second opinion meeting with a More than Money advisor? Call today (610-746-7007) or email (Gene@AskMtM.com) to schedule your time with us.

On this edition of The Federalist Radio Hour, Republican Senator Ron Johnson joins Federalist Senior Elections Correspondent Matt Kittle to discuss the future of the Senate Budget Committee in the aftermath of Chairman Lindsey Graham's death and dissect issues such national debt, social security, Medicare fraud, and combatting the surge of democratic socialism. The Federalist Foundation is a nonprofit, and we depend entirely on our listeners and readers — not corporations. If you value fearless, independent journalism, please consider a tax-deductible gift today at TheFederalist.com/donate. Your support keeps us going.

In this unforgettable episode of Andy Frasco's World Saving Podcast, Andy sits down with two residents of Kavod Senior Life whose life stories are filled with resilience, heartbreak, humor, and hope. Beverly shares an incredibly emotional journey through childhood abuse, addiction, domestic violence, and ultimately finding faith and sobriety. Her story is one of survival, forgiveness, and discovering purpose after unimaginable trauma. Today, she dedicates her life to helping women facing the same struggles she once endured. Then, sociology professor Tim Diamond brings decades of wisdom—and plenty of laughs—to a wide-ranging conversation about healthcare, Social Security, climate change, education, aging, and what younger generations should know before it's too late. Along the way, he reflects on near-death experiences, teaching around the world, and why conversation is still one of humanity's greatest tools. This episode is a powerful reminder that every person has a story worth hearing, and that some of life's greatest lessons come from those who've lived the longest. If these conversations moved you, please like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who could use a little hope today.

Mark Thornton turns Austrian analysis on economic inequality itself—not whether the pie is growing, but how government intervention re-slices it. Drawing on Rothbard's distinction between specific and general factors of production, he shows the mechanism: any protection, license, tariff, or subsidy enriches the insiders of the favored industry while forcing the displaced resources out into the unprotected economy, where they compete down everyone else's wages and returns. He works the logic through healthcare, and frames the whole thing around the rise of democratic socialism in America's cities—arguing the young are right to be angry about the debt, Social Security, and unaffordable healthcare their elders voted in, even as the socialist cure would deepen the disease.Recorded at the Mises Institute in Auburn, Alabama, on July 24, 2026.Mises University is the world's leading instructional program in the Austrian School of economics, and is the essential training ground for economists who are looking beyond the mainstream.

Episode 652: Social Security faces real financial pressure, but that doesn't mean benefits are disappearing. Learn what the latest projections actually mean, and why retirees shouldn't make decisions based on scary headlines. Then, discover where your forgotten 401(k) money may be hiding, how to track it down, and what to do once you find it.

Can you collect Social Security at 62 and continue working? The answer is yes, but whether you should is a much bigger question. Nick and Eric explain how working while collecting benefits can impact your retirement income, when earnings limits come into play, and why claiming Social Security is only one piece of a much larger retirement strategy. Learn how income planning, tax planning, and understanding your long-term financial picture can help you make a more confident claiming decision. Here's what we discuss in this episode:

Peter Schiff is the host of The Peter Schiff Show podcast and a longtime economist and gold advocate. In this conversation, we break down real inflation versus the official CPI, the Fed's political motivations, and whether AI and tariffs are inflationary or deflationary. We also cover the Iran war's impact on oil, Social Security's looming collapse, and a five-year bet on bitcoin versus gold.===================Arch Public is an agentic trading platform that automates investment strategies across Stocks, Commodities, ETFs and Crypto. Whether you're rotating into AI & Gold, allocating to the S&P 500, or accumulating Bitcoin, Arch Public executes your plan 24/7 without ever taking custody of your assets or funds. Sign up today at https://www.archpublic.com, and start your FREE automated trading strategy! ===================Need liquidity without selling your crypto? Take out a Figure Crypto-Backed Loan, allowing you to borrow against your BTC, ETH, or SOL with 12-month terms, 8.91% interest rates, and no prepayment penalties. Or check out Democratized Prime (https://figuremarkets.co/pomp) and earn ~9% APY on real world assets, paid hourly. Unlock your crypto's potential today at Figure! https://figuremarkets.co/pomp Figure Lending LLC dba Figure (NMLS 1717824). Loans subject to approval. Crypto collateral may be liquidated. Terms apply - see full disclosures at figure.com/disclosures/===================Looking for a better place to trade? BloFin gives traders access to deep liquidity, advanced futures products for crypto AND TradFi assets, fast execution, and a clean, intuitive interface—all in one platform. To celebrate their partnership with us, they're giving away $100,000 in Deposit & Trade Rewards. Deposit, trade, and earn rewards based on your activity during the campaign. Check them out at ( https://partner.blofin.com/d/Pomp ).===================This episode is brought to you by mogul ( https://www.mogul.club/pomp ). Deloitte estimates that $4 trillion of real estate will move onto the blockchain over the next decade. Through tokenized residential real estate, mogul gives investors access to professionally managed properties with targeted yields, monthly rent payouts, and potential tax benefits — all without the headaches of being a landlord. Learn more and claim a special offer at https://www.mogul.club/pomp . See important disclosures at disclaimer.mogul.club.===================0:00 - Intro0:50 - How high is inflation really right now?14:36 - AI, robotics, tariffs & deportations: deflationary or not?25:24 - Will the Iran war make inflation worse?33:40 - Could inflation hit double digits? (Trump vs. Biden blame)40:29 - Social Security's looming collapse50:14 - Does Peter Schiff own bitcoin?52:43 - Bitcoin vs. gold: the real performance numbers1:00:45 - The bitcoin vs. gold bet1:05:40 - The "Crazy Uncle Portfolio"1:10:02 - What's actually in Peter Schiff's portfolio?1:18:54 - Outro

Many people assume they have to wait until age 59½ before they can retire because that's when retirement accounts generally become available without the 10% early withdrawal penalty. But in reality, early retirement is often less about how much you've saved and more about how you access your money. In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA, CFP® discusses the planning strategies that can help bridge the gap before traditional retirement account access, why saving across different account types creates flexibility, and how thoughtful income planning can make early retirement a realistic option. We discuss: Why age 59½ matters—and why it doesn't necessarily determine when you can retire Planning opportunities including the Rule of 55, 72(t), and Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) Why taxable brokerage accounts, Roth IRA contributions, and cash reserves can create flexibility Building a retirement income bridge before Social Security, pensions, and Medicare begin Healthcare planning before age 65, including COBRA and ACA Marketplace coverage Have questions? Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 20-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals. http://bit.ly/calltruewealth   Our website:  https://www.truewealthdesign.com/ Phone: 855.TWD.PLAN Contact our team: https://www.truewealthdesign.com/contact-a-financial-advisor/ Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://www.truewealthdesign.com/financial-resources/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrueWealthDesign/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/true-wealth-design/ X: https://x.com/truewealthdesgn   Watch the show now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjENBHOti-IEJFqeydZm_Fg?sub_confirmation=1

Meet my friends, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton! If you love Verdict, the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show might also be in your audio wheelhouse. Politics, news analysis, and some pop culture and comedy thrown in too. Here’s a sample episode recapping four takeaways. Give the guys a listen and then follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton talk about how the Democratic Party is experiencing a demographic and ideological divide. They argued that the party’s most vocal socialist activists are disproportionately white, college-educated, and affluent, while many Black and Hispanic voters hold more practical and transactional political priorities centered on issues such as healthcare, affordability, public safety, and economic opportunity. The discussion explored whether the far left is merely influencing the party or has become an increasingly mainstream force within Democratic politics. The hosts tied this debate to broader national issues including immigration policy, open borders, Israel, transgender politics, and the rise of democratic socialism. They also briefly noted Arizona’s primary election and discussed its significance in the national political landscape, particularly regarding the future of Governor Katie Hobbs. Clay and Buck devoted considerable attention to the potential safety benefits of autonomous driving technology. They discussed the approximately 40,000 annual traffic fatalities in the United States and suggested that self-driving systems could dramatically reduce accidents caused by human error, particularly among young drivers. The hosts compared the coming transportation revolution to the transition from horses to automobiles in the early twentieth century, arguing that autonomous vehicles could become one of the most transformative technological developments of modern times. They also discussed how self-driving technology could eventually reduce teenage driving fatalities, improve traffic flow, lower insurance costs, and improve overall road safety. The conversation then expanded into a broader discussion about why Democrats lost recent elections and who may lead the party in the future. Clay argued that today’s Democratic Party has moved substantially leftward compared to the Democratic Party of Bill Clinton, Al Gore, or even Barack Obama. The hosts suggested that Democratic leaders continue to misdiagnose voter dissatisfaction by blaming messaging failures instead of addressing policy positions that many voters reject. They debated possible future Democratic presidential contenders, including Kamala Harris, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, while emphasizing that they see the Democratic leadership vacuum as one of the most intriguing political stories heading toward the next presidential election cycle. An extensive interview with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who discussed a number of major economic and policy initiatives. Bessent highlighted the administration’s “Trump Accounts” program, which provides investment opportunities for young Americans and newborn children. He explained how government-seeded investment accounts, combined with family contributions and private-sector philanthropy, could potentially grow into significant financial assets over time. The discussion focused on wealth building, financial literacy, investment growth, family savings strategies, and long-term economic opportunity for American children. Bessent also provided an update on the U.S. economy, discussing inflation, energy prices, tax relief measures, and working-family economic policies. He argued that inflation pressures caused during the Biden administration continue to affect household budgets but maintained that underlying economic conditions remain strong. He highlighted tax policies including no taxes on tips, no taxes on overtime pay, Social Security tax relief, and deductions tied to American-made vehicles. The secretary emphasized that many of these benefits are targeted toward middle-class and working-class Americans. Foreign policy and national security were another major theme of the interview. Bessent discussed efforts to track, freeze, and recover assets connected to Iran’s ruling regime and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He described ongoing investigations into Iranian financial networks, frozen cryptocurrency wallets, luxury properties, and what he characterized as widespread corruption among Iranian leadership. The secretary argued that economic sanctions and financial pressure complement military actions against Iran and are designed to weaken the regime while preserving assets for the Iranian people. The conversation also touched on government efficiency, fraud prevention, and taxpayer protection. Bessent explained how enhanced coordination between federal payment systems and anti-fraud databases has helped the Treasury Department identify and block payments being sent to individuals who were deceased. He described efforts to modernize federal systems and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending programs, claiming that hundreds of millions of dollars in improper payments could ultimately be prevented. South Carolina politics briefly entered the discussion when Clay asked Bessent about the late Senator Lindsey Graham and speculation surrounding Graham’s sister as a potential candidate. Bessent praised Graham’s service, commented on the competitive Republican primary developing in South Carolina, and reiterated that he intends to remain focused on his current role as Treasury Secretary rather than pursuing elected office. The interview concluded with a lighthearted exchange about President Donald Trump’s late-night phone calls and work habits. Make sure you never miss a second of the show by subscribing to the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton show podcast wherever you get your podcasts! ihr.fm/3InlkL8 For the latest updates from Clay and Buck: https://www.clayandbuck.com/ Connect with Clay Travis and Buck Sexton on Social Media: X - https://x.com/clayandbuck FB - https://www.facebook.com/ClayandBuck/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/clayandbuck/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuck Rumble - https://rumble.com/c/ClayandBuck TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@clayandbuck YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when corporate cyber-theft, dark money networks, and political manipulation collide? Host Joe sits down with elite Military Analyst B to dissect the jaw-dropping paper trail provided by tech insider Raul. Together, they pull back the curtain on how routine banking fraud metastasized into systematic election manipulation designed to protect bad actors at the highest levels of global finance and intelligence.Analyst B brings an uncompromising tactical perspective to the evidence, breaking down actual documents with surgical precision. From altered Social Security numbers and stolen American identities to paper trails linking Coltor accounts, Soros funding, Citibank channels, and shell entities like Corani Consulting, this episode exposes the operational blueprint used to execute—and attempt to conceal—one of the most sophisticated financial-electoral schemes in modern history.This isn't theory; it's a forensic breakdown of real documentation. Joe and Analyst B connect the dots between military-grade cyber operations, institutional corruption, and the cover-up that followed. Tune in for a raw, hard-hitting hour that cuts straight through the noise and confronts the evidence head-on.

Our guest on the podcast today is Brett Arends. Brett has been a columnist for MarketWatch, The Wall Street Journal, and other Dow Jones publications since 2007. His regular column for MarketWatch is called ROI, and he has also written for SmartMoney, TheStreet.com, and the Boston Herald. In addition, Brett has written several books including Storm-Proof Your Money: Weather Any Economy, Rebuild Your Portfolio, Protect Your Future. Brett took a double first in history at Cambridge University and did postgraduate research at Oxford University. He's also a chartered financial consultant. Episode Highlights 00:00:00 Financial Journalism Origins and Early Stock-Picking Lessons 00:11:12 Comparing the AI Boom to Dot-Com Bubble 00:21:53 Diversification, Index Funds, and AI Bubble Risk 00:26:25 Why Private Securities Are a Bad Deal 00:33:09 Why TIPS Are Attractive Under Rising Inflation 00:38:10 Generating Retirement Income and Immediate Annuities 00:45:35 Social Security and Policy Risks More From Morningstar GQG: Why We Are Still in an AI Stock Market Bubble Jeremy Grantham: ‘Almost Everything Looks More Attractive Than the US Equity Market' How to Use TIPS in Your Portfolio 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.

The episode covers market bubbles, diversification, Social Security timing, and retirMarkets aren't mysterious—they're driven by one of the oldest economic principles there is.In this episode of Talking Real Money, Tom and Don explain why supply and demand can send prices soaring in the short run… and why disciplined investors should usually ignore the excitement.You'll also hear practical answers to listener questions about Social Security timing, investment clubs, umbrella insurance, and protecting retirement assets.00:12 Financial Fysics returns: Rule #2—Supply and Demand02:04 Tom returns from vacation03:32 Reviewing Rule #1 before diving into Rule #204:10 Why supply and demand mostly affects short-term prices05:25 The difference between investors and traders06:18 The dot-com bubble and today's AI enthusiasm08:35 Market efficiency, trading volume, and why surprises matter10:55 Every bubble eventually runs out of buyers12:35 Listener Question: Delaying Social Security versus investing the money17:55 Why Social Security decisions are always personal19:25 Listener Question: Are investment clubs worthwhile?23:48 Listener Question: IRA protection, lawsuits, and umbrella insurance30:05 What actually determines umbrella insurance costs31:42 AI accidentally creates an extremely “chunky” TomQuestions? Comments? Click!

(July 21, 2026) KTLA & KFI tech reporter Rich DeMuro joins the show for ‘Tech Tuesday.’ Today, Rich talks about China challenging America’s AI dominance, authors suing Anthropic for using their books to train Claude, and Samsung’s new foldable phones set to debut. Garbage trucks may start spying on you with attached cameras. Newly retired couples may lose $16,000/yr in social security in 2033.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When many people hear the word justice, they think of courtrooms, laws, or political debates. Those ideas are part of justice, but Scripture offers a much broader vision. Justin Lonas, Senior Director of Foundational Products and Regional Partnerships at the Chalmers Center, helps churches and ministries think biblically about poverty, generosity, restoration, and justice. He joins the show today as part of our financial virtues series to explain that biblical justice is not merely a political slogan or legal principle. It is a way of life shaped by righteousness, mercy, and love of neighbor. Because money affects nearly every part of our lives together, justice has profound implications for how we earn, spend, save, give, invest, hire, and lend. Justice as God Intended It In Scripture, justice includes holding wrongdoers accountable, protecting the innocent, and maintaining public order. But it also includes restoration—putting things right when people or relationships have been harmed. The Bible's vision of justice is rooted in shalom: the wholeness and flourishing that exist when people live in right relationship with God, one another, themselves, and creation. The Hebrew word often translated as “justice” is mishpat. A closely related word, tzedakah, is usually translated as “righteousness.” Scripture frequently places the two ideas side by side, like in Psalm 89:14: “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.” Modern culture often separates these concepts. Justice is treated as a public or legal matter, while righteousness is viewed as a matter of private morality. Scripture does not divide them so neatly. Both flow from the character of God, and both should characterize His people. Justice is not merely about demanding our rights. It also calls us to recognize our responsibilities toward others. Why Justice Is a Financial Issue Every financial decision affects someone. The way we earn money affects employees, customers, vendors, and communities. The way we spend it supports particular businesses and practices. The way we invest provides capital to certain companies and industries. Even the way we save, lend, hire, or purchase services can influence others' well-being. That means biblical stewardship cannot be reduced to personal wealth accumulation or individual financial responsibility. Those matters are important, but God's concern is broader than our personal balance sheets. Scripture teaches that God owns everything. The land, our abilities, the opportunities before us, and the resources produced through our work all ultimately belong to Him. Wealth is not something we create entirely by ourselves; it is received within a world God made and sustains. Because God owns it all, we cannot separate our economic lives from His concern for righteousness, mercy, and justice. More Than Simple Fairness Justice is sometimes reduced to treating everyone exactly the same. But biblical justice goes beyond simple fairness. People experience hardship for many reasons. Sometimes poverty is connected to unwise personal decisions. At other times, it results from exploitation, illness, disability, family instability, limited opportunity, or the broader brokenness of the world. Poverty is complex because the effects of sin are complex. When justice is viewed only through the lens of personal merit, we may conclude that everyone simply receives what they have earned. That perspective can cause us to overlook the different burdens people carry and the obstacles they face. Biblical justice invites us to consider not only what people deserve, but also how we can pursue restoration, extend mercy, and help our neighbors flourish. That does not mean ignoring personal responsibility. It means recognizing that Scripture calls us to hold responsibility and compassion together. Poverty and Broken Relationships The Chalmers Center emphasizes that poverty is not merely a lack of money or possessions. It is often connected to broken relationships. God created human beings to live in four fundamental relationships: with God, with ourselves, with others, and with creation. When sin entered the world, each of those relationships was damaged. Our relationship with God was broken. Our understanding of our own dignity and identity became distorted. Our relationships with others became vulnerable to conflict, injustice, and exploitation. Even our relationship with work and creation became marked by frustration. As Lonas puts it, broken people create broken systems, and broken systems can contribute further to human brokenness. But the gospel offers real hope. Jesus is restoring people to God and will one day make all things new. His work does not merely affect our “spiritual lives.” It begins transforming every part of life, including how we use money, conduct business, serve our communities, and relate to our neighbors. Financial stewardship, therefore, becomes one way we participate in God's work of restoration—not as saviors, but as faithful servants who reflect His character. Practicing Justice Through Everyday Decisions Biblical justice may sound like a large or abstract concept, but it often takes shape through ordinary financial choices. Consider where your money goes. Instead of looking only for the lowest price or the greatest personal benefit, ask whether some of your spending could strengthen your community or create opportunities for others. That might mean purchasing from a small local business, supporting a family working to establish itself in your neighborhood, or hiring someone who needs an opportunity to develop new skills. Business owners may be able to offer second chances to people who have struggled to find employment due to a criminal record or a difficult past. Churches and families may be able to use repairs, maintenance, or other projects as opportunities to build relationships with people in their communities. Justice can also influence how employers set wages, how lenders treat borrowers, how investors evaluate companies, and how consumers consider the people behind the products they purchase. The goal is not to make every financial decision perfectly. We often lack complete information, and our choices involve competing responsibilities. The goal is to become more attentive to how our financial lives affect our neighbors. Becoming Allies, Not Merely Helpers People experiencing poverty do not simply need outsiders to arrive with answers. They need relationships, community, dignity, and opportunities to contribute. Rather than viewing ourselves only as helpers, we can learn to become allies—people willing to listen, build relationships, share life, and work alongside others. This approach also reminds us that the relationship is not one-sided. People on the economic margins have wisdom, gifts, experiences, and perspectives that the broader community needs. Flourishing rarely happens in isolation. God created us to depend on Him and live in community with one another. Justice recognizes that our well-being is connected to the well-being of our neighbors. Biblical justice is not merely an idea to affirm. It is a way of ordering our relationships and resources under God. As we seek to earn, spend, give, and invest faithfully, our financial decisions can become tangible expressions of righteousness, mercy, and love. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I'll begin drawing my full Social Security benefit in December. How much can I earn without affecting my benefits or creating a tax issue? My husband and I have been married 55 years and have tithed throughout our marriage. We're now over 65, drawing Social Security, working part-time, and receiving some investment income. We still tithe on all of it, but I'm wondering: biblically speaking, is there guidance on giving from Social Security income if we already tithed on the income we earned before retirement? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Chalmers Center Helping Without Hurting Series Tithing in Retirement: A Thoughtful Framework by Anthony Saffer (Article in Faithful Steward, Issue 6 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.

Veronique de Rugy warns that Social Security faces a 2032 deadline when trust fund assets will be depleted. Without reform, benefits could be cut by 22%. She advocates for means-testing to preserve benefits for those who truly need them, criticizing the current political silence on the issue. (13)FDR