Podcasts about social security

Erin and guest host Julissa Arce dive into the Trump administration's laissez-faire response to the devastating natural disasters in Nepal and Venezuela, the looming Social Security cliff, and the shady trend of political campaigns paying influencers for endorsements. Then they break down the bizarre saga of a man impersonating a 49ers player to scam women. They wrap up with a petty conversation about the Laura Owens trial and Chris Brown apologists.You can request a transcript by emailing transcripts@crooked.com. Include the podcast name, episode title, and air date. Please allow 48 hours for delivery.

-- On the Show: -- Ron DeSantis yells at a protester while potential Republican primary candidates maneuvering for the 2028 election begin testing their chances -- Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick uses hypothetical scenarios to justify missed economic growth targets and defend Donald Trump's tariffs -- Some Republican candidates are skipping the midterm convention because Donald Trump presents an electoral liability for competitive races -- Donald Trump claimed a friend at the DNC wore an ID chain containing his Social Security number, while asserting shoppers need ID to buy kiwis -- Donald Trump once again repeatedly slumps and drifts off to sleep during an active briefing inside the Oval Office -- Donald Trump rambles extensively about golfer Tiger Woods and his driver license problems during an Oval Office statement -- Lara Trump demands that elected Republicans provide complete personal loyalty to Donald Trump regardless of their own beliefs -- In a CNN debate, Adam Mockler attempted to focus on economic issues but Caroline Sunshine deflected to talk about the culture war and God -- On the Bonus Show: Exploring the possibility of a childless female president, gas prices are expected to set a new record, the White House is preparing for investigations, and much more...

Gloria Steinem died today at 92, and we're revisiting a conversation that's stayed with Jean for almost a decade. Recorded live at the Paley Center in 2017 at an event called Winning Plays: Black Women, Feminism, and Empowerment, this episode brings together Gloria Steinem and financial journalist Stacey Tisdale for a wide-ranging conversation on money, power, and freedom. It's a conversation about resilience, self-worth, and what it really means to bet on yourself financially at any age. More from Stacey Tisdale: Stacey's site, Mind Money Media: mindmoneymedia.com Winning Play$, Stacey's financial literacy nonprofit for students: winningplays.org Got a question about The Forever Paycheck, retirement, Social Security, or annuities? Send it to mailbag@hermoney.com, and Jean may tackle it in an upcoming mailbag episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is presented by Create A Video – In another example (in a long list) of how the Democrats and the Republicans are not the same, the Trump administration just tied federal food stamp and Social Security payments to state reporting of illegal immigrants. And then there is the federal crackdown on illegal alien commercial truck drivers who were given licenses by sanctuary Democrat states.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-pete-kaliner-show--6946691/support.Subscribe to the podcast My preferred podcast platform: SpreakerCheck out my preferred gold & silver company: Revelation Gold GroupHelp support Pete's Walk to End Alzheimers here.All the links to Pete's Prep are free! Plus get exclusive content here!Media Bias Check: GroundNews promo code!Advertising and Booking inquiries: Pete@ThePeteKalinerShow.com  

In 50 States Of Fear: California Part 2, we leave the haunted landscapes of Part One behind and meet some of the people who made California terrifying. First, there's Peg Entwistle, the talented young actress whose tragic death at the Hollywoodland sign became one of Hollywood's most enduring ghost stories. Then we descend into Synanon, a pioneering drug-rehabilitation program that transformed into an abusive cult complete with forced lifestyle changes, its own armed “Imperial Marines,” and an attempted murder involving a rattlesnake hidden inside a mailbox. Finally, we visit the seemingly sweet Sacramento boarding-house owner Dorothea Puente, who welcomed elderly and vulnerable tenants into her home, poisoned them, stole their Social Security checks, and buried their bodies beneath her garden. Get ready for another day in sunny Cali :) SHOW NOTESBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/scared-all-the-time--7084296/support.Get the latest episodes of our bonus show NEW FEAR UNLOCKED -- and a whole lot more! -- by supporting the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ScaredAllTheTime

Hunter Baker has more Washington than Wednesday can hold: Pentagon upheaval, the politics of AI data centers, Social Security's looming reckoning—and a lightning round besides. In Venezuela, an earthquake exposes a crisis years in the making, while Mary Muncy looks past Dolly Parton's carefully built image to the faith and roots beneath it. Plus: cheaper raccoon permits, and Maria Baer on the friend who asks, and Wednesday morning news.Support The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donate.Additional support comes from Boyce College—which offers a Christ-centered education built on the truth of God's Word. Every student—no matter their major—takes 30 hours of Bible and theology, learning how to think biblically, live faithfully, and lead with conviction.Formed from the 160-year legacy of Southern Seminary, Boyce College prepares students for maximum faithfulness in the world, the workplace, the church, and the family.Learn more at boycecollege.comFrom World Watch. A 10-minute daily news program that explores current events for students 5-12th grade. This high-energy show connects learners to the present, history and communities around the world. Join 40,000 Christian families that utilize World Watch as a tool to foster curiosity and have conversations about today's news as a discipleship rhythm within their families. “Whatever the news, the purpose of the Lord will stand!” First time? Take advantage of a 30-days free trial at worldwatch.news/podcast. Not ready to sign up? Check out a free episode at get.worldwatch.news/free-episode. And from Cedarville University—a Christ-centered, academically rigorous university located in southwest Ohio, equipping students for Gospel impact across every career and calling. Cedarville integrates a biblical worldview into every course in the more than 175 undergraduate and graduate programs students choose from. New online undergraduate degrees through Cedarville Online offer flexible and affordable education grounded in a strong Christian community that fosters both faith and learning. Learn more at cedarville.edu, and explore online programs at cedarville.edu/online.

⁠⁠⁠⁠Retirement planning may need a major rethink as longer lifespans and earlier retirement stretch what was once a standard 30-year retirement into 40 years or more. Rebie and Bo explain how longevity risk, inflation, bear markets, healthcare expenses, required minimum distributions, Social Security taxes, Medicare IRMAA surcharges, and the widow's tax can affect your retirement income. Plus, learn how tax diversification, the three-bucket strategy, HSA investing, and strategic Roth conversions can help create a more resilient retirement plan. If you're wondering how much you need to retire, when to retire, or how to make retirement savings last, this is where to start. Jump start your journey with our FREE financial resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reach your goals faster with our products⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take the relationship to the next level: become a client⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube for early access and go beyond the podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with us on social media for more content⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bring confidence to your wealth building with simplified strategies from The Money Guy. Learn how to apply financial tactics that go beyond common sense and help you reach your money goals faster. Make your assets do the heavy lifting so you can quit worrying and start living a more fulfilled life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1047. Host Laura Adams cuts through the confusion and explains the basics of Medicare for anyone approaching 65 or helping a relative compare options. You'll learn how parts of Medicare work, which expenses Medicare doesn't cover, how to fill insurance gaps, avoid lifetime penalties, and the truth about costly Medicare myths.Key Takeaways:Medicare Part A covers hospital and inpatient care (premium-free for most), while Part B covers doctor visits and outpatient services for a monthly premium ($202.90 in 2026).Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an all-in-one alternative that bundles Parts A, B, and usually D into a single plan with network restrictions and out-of-pocket caps, often adding basic dental and vision coverage.Original Medicare doesn't cover long-term care such as assisted living or nursing home stays, or routine dental, vision, and hearing care.Medigap protects against out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles and 20% coinsurance left behind by Original Medicare, but it cannot be combined with Medicare Advantage.Missing your Initial Enrollment Period triggers lifetime penalties unless you have active, creditable employer health coverage. Enrollment isn't automatic unless you already receive Social Security benefits when you turn 65. Discover more from Money Girl!FacebookNewsletterTranscripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com.Email: Laura@LauraDAdams.com or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Social Security is one of the most important pieces of a retirement plan, but how does the system work, and will it remain financially viable for future retirees? Roger begins a five-week series on building your Social Security playbook by exploring the program's history, funding structure, and current financial outlook. He also discusses potential paths to solvency, how he accounts for Social Security in retirement planning, and why building a resilient plan remains essential.OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN[00:00] Roger introduces a new five-week series designed to help you build your Social Security playbook.[01:37] The Retirement Answer Man YouTube channel is relaunching with weekly videos that complement the podcast.PRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT[02:35] Roger outlines the five-week Social Security series and explains what you need to understand to build your own playbook.[05:02] A brief history of Social Security provides context for how the program and its purpose have evolved.[08:18] Roger explains how today's workers fund benefits for today's retirees through payroll taxes.[11:58] Demographic changes and longer lifespans have caused benefit payments to exceed incoming payroll-tax revenue.[15:45] The 2026 Trustees Report projects what could happen in 2032 if Congress does not address Social Security's funding shortfall.[21:50] Roger explores possible paths to solvency and explains how he accounts for Social Security when building a resilient retirement plan.LISTENER QUESTIONS[37:40] Will claiming a reduced benefit at age 62 also reduce a spouse's future survivor benefit?[39:08] Should the decision to claim Social Security early account for the assets that can remain invested?[43:17] Is OpenSocialSecurity.com a useful tool for choosing a claiming strategy, and how can you respond to someone who wants to claim early because they fear Social Security will run out of money? SMART SPRINT[46:42] Claim your personal Social Security account at SSA.gov and consider contacting your federal representatives about addressing the program's solvency.CLOSING THOUGHTS[48:28] A listener demonstrates how small, consistent efforts can compound into meaningful progress over time.[52:50] Allison reviews The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett, and Roger shares his current book recommendation.REFERENCESSocial Security AdministrationOpen Social SecuritySubmit a Question for RogerSign up for The NoodleRetirement Answer Man on YouTubeThe Calamity Club by Kathryn StockettThe Way of Excellence by Brad Stulberg

Chris’s Summary Jim and I are joined by Jacob as we tackle four listener questions on Investment Positioning , covering Quicken tools for tracking positions, funding a delay period Minimum Dignity Floor with a stable value fund, evaluating a too-good-to-be-true real estate return, and weighing a target date fund for long-term care reserves. Jim’s “Pithy” Summary Chris and I are joined by Jacob as we work through four listener emails, all circling back to how we think about Investment Positioning in retirement. (6:45) One listener wants to know what Quicken features another listener used to track positions. Jacob reads the original listener’s own description of using Quicken to set up investment positions, plus separate categories for essential and discretionary spending. (14:30) George wonders whether the stable value fund in his large 401(k) is principal protected enough to draw on. He and his wife are both 60 and plan to delay Social Security roughly 10 years, and he’s weighing this fund as the source to bridge that gap. Jacob and I dig into rate reset timing, liquidity restrictions, and mandatory withholding before landing on an answer. (46:45) A listener asks whether a real estate offer promising 18 to 30 percent annual returns is worth pursuing. Chris lays out the single clearest test I’ve heard for spotting too-good-to-be-true returns. (1:09:30) Georgette raises the question of parking her long-term care dollars in a 2040 target date fund. Jacob walks through how we tier the L in our SEAL Reserve by age instead of relying on one fund’s glide path, and I get into the real difference between a “to” fund and a “through” fund, including the story of a deputy sheriff who learned that difference the hard way. The post Investment Positioning Questions: EDU #2635 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

(September 02, 2026) Congress is finally talking about saving Social Security. Dr. Jim Keany, Chief Medical Officer at Dignity Health St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, joins The Bill Handel Show for 'Medical News'! Dr. Keany speaks onSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Medicare may be one of the most important—and confusing—financial decisions you make in retirement. Between enrollment deadlines, late penalties, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, prescription coverage, and income-based premiums, there are plenty of decisions to navigate. And because some choices can have long-term financial consequences, understanding the basics before you enroll is an important part of wise stewardship. Eddie Holland, Senior Private Wealth Advisor and Partner at Blue Trust, as well as a CFP®, CPA, and Certified Kingdom Advisor®, recently joined Faith & Finance to help simplify Medicare and explain some of the most important planning considerations. Understanding Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D A good place to begin is with Medicare's different parts. Medicare Part A primarily covers hospital-related care, including inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing care, and hospice. For people who have accumulated the required work credits through either their own employment or their spouse's, Part A generally does not require a monthly premium. Medicare Part B covers many medical services outside the hospital, including doctor visits, lab work, and outpatient procedures. Unlike Part A, Part B generally carries a monthly premium, and higher-income retirees may pay more. Medicare Part D covers prescription drugs. Those enrolled in Original Medicare—Parts A and B—can generally purchase a separate Part D prescription drug plan. Medicare Part C, better known as Medicare Advantage, is offered through private insurance companies. These plans combine Parts A and B and often include Part D prescription coverage as well. Some plans may also offer additional benefits such as dental or vision coverage. Another option for those using Original Medicare is a Medicare supplement plan, commonly called Medigap. These private plans are designed to help cover some of the deductibles, copayments, and other expenses that Original Medicare does not pay. Pay Close Attention to Enrollment Timing Timing matters when enrolling in Medicare. Your Initial Enrollment Period generally lasts seven months: the three months before the month you turn 65, your birthday month, and the three months afterward. But turning 65 does not always mean you have to immediately leave employer-sponsored health coverage. If you or your spouse are still working and you have qualifying employer coverage, you may have access to a Special Enrollment Period, allowing you to delay certain portions of Medicare without facing a late enrollment penalty. Holland notes that employer size and the nature of the coverage can affect how Medicare coordinates with the employer plan. That makes it important to speak with your employer's benefits or human resources department before making assumptions about which coverage should come first. Employer Size Can Make a Difference If your employer has 20 or more employees, the employer health plan may generally remain the primary payer while you continue working, potentially allowing you to postpone Part B and its monthly premium. With an employer of fewer than 20 employees, Medicare may become the primary payer once you are eligible. In that situation, failing to enroll in Parts A and B could potentially leave gaps in coverage. You should also verify whether your employer's prescription drug coverage is considered creditable coverage for Medicare purposes. That can be especially important if you plan to delay Part D beyond age 65. The larger lesson is simple: Medicare decisions should rarely be made in isolation. Your employer coverage, retirement date, spouse's coverage, prescription needs, and other factors all need to be considered together. What Is IRMAA? For higher-income retirees, another important acronym to know is IRMAA, or the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. IRMAA is an additional charge added to Medicare Part B and Part D premiums when modified adjusted gross income exceeds certain thresholds. For 2026, Holland notes that IRMAA begins above $109,000 in modified adjusted gross income for single filers and $218,000 for married couples filing jointly. Medicare generally bases the surcharge on the most recent tax information available, which often means looking back two years. So, for example, 2026 Medicare premiums may be based on income reported on a 2024 tax return. That two-year lookback can surprise people whose financial situation has recently changed. If your income has fallen because of certain qualifying life-changing events, such as retirement, marriage, or widowhood, you may be able to request a reconsideration of the surcharge using Social Security Form SSA-44. Roth Conversions Can Affect Medicare Premiums IRMAA can also become an important consideration when planning Roth conversions. Suppose you retire before age 65 and decide to convert a significant amount of traditional IRA money to a Roth IRA. The conversion increases your taxable income for that year. Because Medicare looks back at previous tax returns when determining IRMAA, a large Roth conversion in the years immediately preceding Medicare enrollment could lead to higher Part B and Part D premiums later. That doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't complete the conversion. It simply means you should include the potential Medicare impact in the calculation. Tax planning, retirement planning, and Medicare planning are often interconnected. A decision that makes sense in one area can create consequences in another. Be Careful With HSA Contributions Health Savings Accounts require special attention as you approach Medicare eligibility. Once you are enrolled in Medicare, you can no longer contribute to an HSA. If you enroll around age 65, you need to coordinate the end of your HSA contributions with the beginning of your Medicare coverage. The issue becomes even more important for those who enroll after age 65 because Medicare Part A coverage can sometimes be applied retroactively, potentially affecting HSA eligibility for previous months. Holland recommends understanding the retroactive period before enrolling so you don't inadvertently make excess HSA contributions. Social Security can complicate matters further. If you begin receiving Social Security benefits, you may automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A. Anyone who is still contributing to an HSA should account for that before applying for Social Security. The good news is that money already accumulated in an HSA remains tax-advantaged and can still be used for many qualified medical expenses in retirement, including certain Medicare premiums. Holland notes, however, that HSA funds cannot be used tax-free to pay Medigap premiums. What If One Spouse Reaches Medicare Age First? Married couples can face another challenge when one spouse becomes eligible for Medicare while the other is still several years away. If the older spouse continues working, the employer plan may continue covering both spouses. Some companies also provide retiree benefits that extend coverage to a younger spouse after the older spouse retires. If employer coverage isn't available, COBRA may provide temporary coverage, although it can be expensive. Another possibility is purchasing insurance through the federal or state health insurance marketplace, where the younger spouse may qualify for premium subsidies depending on household circumstances. Whatever option you choose, don't overlook the cost. If one spouse retires several years before the other reaches Medicare eligibility, higher healthcare premiums may need to become a deliberate part of the retirement budget. Make Medicare Part of Your Larger Retirement Plan Medicare isn't simply a healthcare decision. It can affect your taxes, retirement income, Social Security strategy, HSA contributions, and monthly spending. That's why careful planning before age 65 can be so valuable. Understand what each part of Medicare covers. Know your enrollment windows. Talk with your employer before leaving workplace coverage. Consider the impact of your income on Medicare premiums. And coordinate decisions involving HSAs, Roth conversions, Social Security, and your spouse's health coverage. Medicare may be complicated, but you don't have to approach it blindly. Taking the time to understand your options can help you avoid costly mistakes, choose coverage that fits your circumstances, and steward the resources God has entrusted to you with greater wisdom and confidence. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I have a mortgage and a car loan and am considering consolidating them into one payment. Is that a good idea, and what type of loan would make sense? I received a letter saying my student loans were placed in permanent disability status, but I never applied for that. How can I verify whether it's legitimate and correct the situation if needed? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Blue Trust Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM) | Healthcare.gov AnnualCreditReport.com 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.

Send us Fan MailWhat happens to your money when a marriage ends? Divorce doesn't just end a marriage, it ends a financial plan, and most people have no idea what to do next.Jessica and Brandon break down rebuilding after divorce for all three sides: the one paying, the one receiving, and the spouse who walks away with almost nothing. They get into the parts nobody warns you about: how retirement accounts get split, why alimony no longer works in your favor at tax time, the credit hit from closing joint accounts, and the Social Security benefit you may be owed from an ex.Plus the 5 rules for getting back on solid ground. Whether divorce is on your radar, in progress, or years behind you, this is the playbook that protects what you built.New episodes every Wednesday. Follow so you never miss one.Show Notes:Interested in getting a prenup or postnup? Contact Aaron Thomas Get a $5 month for Point.Me our favorite way to find the best flightsGet 50% off of Monarch Money for one year with this linkSubscribe to The Sugar Daddy Podcast newsletterExplore The Sugar Daddy Podcast Stan Store — Downloadables, tools, and more to level up your money game together!Head over to our YouTube channel to catch this episode in full video form.You can also email us at: hello@thesugardaddypodcast.comConnect with us on Instagram We're most active over at @thesugardaddypodcastChat with BrandonWant to work together? Learn more about BrandonBook a free 30-min call to see if it's a fit.Show us some love, hit subscribe, leave a five star rating, and drop a quick review!Money, relationships, and the mindset to master both. Hosted by financial advisor Brandon and his wife Jessica, The Sugar Daddy Podcast breaks down how to build wealth, unpack old money beliefs, and have real conversations...

New SNAP restrictions put soda, candy, energy drinks, and the government's definition of junk food at the center of a grocery-store fight. Austin opens with JD Vance's $120,000 chicken coop and America's backyard-hen boom. John Tamny of RealClearMarkets argues that Social Security is not the cause of the national debt and challenges the conventional case for entitlement reform. Then Joseph Wargo of the John Birch Society examines Greg Bovino's claim that 100 million illegal immigrants are in the United States, the assumptions behind that number, birthright citizenship, public safety, and economic pressure. Follow Wake Up America on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so every new episode lands in your feed. Watch the full video.

Diesel prices are nearing record highs, and the pressure could soon show up across shipping, farming, retail, and the broader inflation picture.Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss why President Trump's push for more U.S. refineries faces major practical and economic hurdles, why diesel supplies are becoming especially tight, and how higher diesel costs could affect everything from the fall harvest to holiday retail shipments. They also cover Uber's latest job cuts, Broadcom earnings, whether AI is showing up in labor market data, Reagan's Social Security reforms, and why social media may be making it harder to solve big political problems.

So you want to start selling Medicare Advantage plans, but you aren't sure what kind of clients to look for? No problem. In our newest episode, we break down some of the characteristics of what one of your ideal clients may look like.     Get Connected:

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about the 10-year Treasury note yield hitting a high of 4.818% and what that means, what will likely happen when the Fed meets next week, why the market still seems impervious to uncertainty, what to know about Social Security insolvency, and to answer all of […]

Chaos is still the goal of the leviathan. PLUS, Dr. Robert Malone, co-author of the new book Homesteading for Health: One Farm Family's Guide to Food, Land, and Self-Sufficiency, talks to Shaun about the perversion of the food system, the need to take control of your own life, and gives real, practical advice on how to produce your own food in good, healthy soil. And The Heritage Foundation's Dr. EJ Antoni talks to Shaun about the ponzi scheme of Social Security and the illegal alien trucking scandal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 1 for 09/01/26 Drew and Dr. Mark Warshawsky cover the coming Social Security emergency (1:00). Topics: raising retirement age (10:51), means testing (14:55), solving the issue (16:55), DOGE (17:44), and borrowing from Social Security (20:20). Then, Dr. Ann Cavoukian covers the dangers of Digital ID (27:54). Topics: REAL ID (32:59), 666 (38:13), trucker strike (42:39), TSA (44:56), identity theft (46:46), and 23 & me (48:27). Links: https://itif.org/person/ann-cavoukian-0/ https://www.aei.org/profile/mark-j-warshawsky/

What should a good financial planner actually do for you? It should go far beyond choosing investments or building a retirement portfolio. A strong financial planning relationship should provide organization, accountability, objectivity, education, and proactive guidance while coordinating investments, taxes, Social Security, Medicare, insurance, estate planning, and retirement income. Just as importantly, your financial plan should evolve as your life, goals, markets, and tax laws change. Lance Roberts & Jon Penn examine what investors should expect from a financial planner, why personalization and communication matter, how a fiduciary relationship should work, and why good financial advice is ultimately about helping you make better decisions with your money. 0:00 INTRO 0:54 - Economic Previews & late earnings trickle in 3:15 - AI: Dis-inflationary AND Inflationary 4:57 - September is Seasonally Weak: 11:20 - Traditional Buy & Hold vs more active management & fear of gains 14:16 - Capital Preservation is first priority 17:44 - Separately Managed Accounts (SMA) vs S&P 20:04 - The Challenges of starting to build financial plan 26:00 - Getting Your Money's Worth from Financial Advisor 29:21 - The Problem of Account Accumulation & Dilution of Returns 34:02 - Budgeting, stress-testing, & tax planning opportunities 36:17 - Estate planning, medical directives, Durable POA 38:08 - Financial Planning priorities in Investing 39:06 - The Role of Life Insurance in Financial Planning 40:26 - Annuities' Bad rap - does it make sense? 44:00 - How much Liability Protection do You Need? Hosted by RIA Advisors' Chief Investment Strategist, Lance Roberts, CIO, w Senior Investment Advisor, Jonathan Penn, CFP Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer ------- Do you enjoy our content? Rate us on Google: https://bit.ly/4b9JtEo ------- Watch Today's Full Video on our YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/live/dRd4fGgwrkc -------- Watch our previous show, "Druckenmiller's Bond Market Warning" https://youtube.com/live/8HuTiqxY7yM ------- Watch today's "Before the Bell" report, "Don't Make a Big Bet Yet," https://youtu.be/9gNpbwdm97w ------- Articles mentioned in this report: "Loss: Why Crashes, Timing & Valuations Matter (Chapter 3 of 5)" https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/loss-why-crashes-timing-valuations-matter-chapter-3-of-5/dvice.com/resources/blog/why-retail-traders-consistently-underperform-over-time/ --- Get more info & commentary: https://realinvestmentadvice.com/insights/real-investment-daily/ ------- * REGISTER for our next Dynamic Learning Series, "The Smart Way to Pay for College," Thursday, September 3, 2026: https://streamyard.com/watch/mcE7YgphgMns --- Visit our Site: https://www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN --- Subscribe to SimpleVisor : https://www.simplevisor.com/register-new --- Connect with us on social: https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #StockMarket #SP500 #MarketOutlook #Investing #MarketCorrection #FinancialPlanning #FinancialAdvisor #RetirementPlanning #PersonalFinance #WealthManagement

A native of Columbia, SC, Ben is Co-Founder of Ready2Retire™, the leading retirement planning firm for people who want to retire with confidence. Ben greatly appreciates customer service and client satisfaction, honed from over 20 years of experience, and is recognized nationwide as a top retirement, insurance, Medicare, and Social Security planner.He has over 2,000 clients and has educated over 10,000 people. Ben is also President and COO of Insurance Advantage, an employee benefits agency he co-founded 13 years ago. Ben has previously served as COO of a human resources staffing firm and as Vice President of Asia and Europe for an American software company.Ben has extensive experience in economic development and consulting and worked as a Business Recruiter for South Carolina. Since Ben opened the Japan office in 2012, South Carolina has received over $2.2 billion in investment. In 2014, he was hired to write the Strategic Plan for the State of South Carolina.Based on ten years working overseas in Japan, Brazil, & Spain, he wrote the Amazon Best Seller The Global Superstar: How Your Students Can Develop an Advantage over Global Competition to help students prepare for careers in this changing economy. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance from Morehouse College, an International MBA from The University of South Carolina, and certificates from UNC and Temple University.He's conversant in Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish. He has served on numerous boards, including the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Association, the SC Chamber of Commerce, and the Columbia (SC) Chamber of Commerce. He's a member of the Nashville City Club and the Nashville Kiwanis Club.Ben splits time between his homes in Nashville, TN, and Columbia, SC, with his wife Kim, their two wonderful daughters Anna & Kate, and their dog Sophie. He loves traveling, spending time with friends and family, and helping his clients win.Learn More: https://www.ready2retire.netInfluential Entrepreneurs with Mike Saundershttps://businessinnovatorsradio.com/influential-entrepreneurs-with-mike-saunders/Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/interview-with-ben-green-co-founder-of-ready2retire-author-of-retire-rich-in-the-new-economy

What should a good financial planner actually do for you? It should go far beyond choosing investments or building a retirement portfolio. A strong financial planning relationship should provide organization, accountability, objectivity, education, and proactive guidance while coordinating investments, taxes, Social Security, Medicare, insurance, estate planning, and retirement income. Just as importantly, your financial plan should evolve as your life, goals, markets, and tax laws change. Lance Roberts & Jon Penn examine what investors should expect from a financial planner, why personalization and communication matter, how a fiduciary relationship should work, and why good financial advice is ultimately about helping you make better decisions with your money. 0:00 INTRO 0:54 - Economic Previews & late earnings trickle in 3:15 - AI: Dis-inflationary AND Inflationary 4:57 - September is Seasonally Weak: 11:20 - Traditional Buy & Hold vs more active management & fear of gains 14:16 - Capital Preservation is first priority 17:44 - Separately Managed Accounts (SMA) vs S&P 20:04 - The Challenges of starting to build financial plan 26:00 - Getting Your Money's Worth from Financial Advisor 29:21 - The Problem of Account Accumulation & Dilution of Returns 34:02 - Budgeting, stress-testing, & tax planning opportunities 36:17 - Estate planning, medical directives, Durable POA 38:08 - Financial Planning priorities in Investing 39:06 - The Role of Life Insurance in Financial Planning 40:26 - Annuities' Bad rap - does it make sense? 44:00 - How much Liability Protection do You Need? Hosted by RIA Advisors' Chief Investment Strategist, Lance Roberts, CIO, w Senior Investment Advisor, Jonathan Penn, CFP Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer ------- Do you enjoy our content? Rate us on Google: https://bit.ly/4b9JtEo ------- Watch Today's Full Video on our YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/live/dRd4fGgwrkc -------- Watch our previous show, "Druckenmiller's Bond Market Warning" https://youtube.com/live/8HuTiqxY7yM ------- Watch today's "Before the Bell" report, "Don't Make a Big Bet Yet," https://youtu.be/9gNpbwdm97w ------- Articles mentioned in this report: "Loss: Why Crashes, Timing & Valuations Matter (Chapter 3 of 5)" https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/loss-why-crashes-timing-valuations-matter-chapter-3-of-5/dvice.com/resources/blog/why-retail-traders-consistently-underperform-over-time/ --- Get more info & commentary: https://realinvestmentadvice.com/insights/real-investment-daily/ ------- * REGISTER for our next Dynamic Learning Series, "The Smart Way to Pay for College," Thursday, September 3, 2026: https://streamyard.com/watch/mcE7YgphgMns --- Visit our Site: https://www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN --- Subscribe to SimpleVisor : https://www.simplevisor.com/register-new --- Connect with us on social: https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #StockMarket #SP500 #MarketOutlook #Investing #MarketCorrection #FinancialPlanning #FinancialAdvisor #RetirementPlanning #PersonalFinance #WealthManagement

The Moneywise Radio Show and Podcast Monday, August 31st  BE MONEYWISE. Moneywise Wealth Management I "The Moneywise Radio Show & Podcast" call: 661-847-1000 text in anytime: 661-396-1000 website: www.MoneywiseGuys.com facebook: Moneywise_Wealth_Management LinkedIn: Moneywise_Wealth_Management Guest: A.J. Antongiovanni, President/CEO of Mission Bank website: https://www.missionbank.bank/ The opinions voiced in this podcast are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which strategies or investments may be suitable for you, consult the appropriate qualified professional prior to making a decision. A.J. Antongiovanni & Mission Bank are not affiliated with nor endorsed by LPL Financial or Moneywise Wealth Management  

Retirement fears are rising. But what are people really afraid of? Former Fidelity wealth management executive turned retirement coach David Conti joins us to break down his new Retirement Fear Index, ranking the top 10 things Americans fear most as they approach and live through retirement. At the top: healthcare and long-term care costs, running out of money, the future of Social Security, and inflation. We dig into what's driving those fears and which ones deserve the most attention. Richard, Terry, and Pam push back on whether fear is even the right lens and dig into what's actually actionable (32%), what takes behavior change (38%), and what you just have to sit with. Plus: how the Fear Index compares to the VIX and the Crypto Fear & Greed Index, why "confidence" isn't the same as "fear," and the real difference between a financial advisor, a retirement coach, and a financial therapist. Links: RetireMentors.net and RetirementFearIndex.com (David Conti's websites) I'm turning 70. Here's how I'm making this decade the richest of my retirement. (Marketwatch) Dealing with fear in retirement (Yahoo Finance) 2026 Retirement Confidence Survey (EBRI) Boston College Center for Retirement Research The 2025 OASDI Trustees Report University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Survey

A native of Columbia, SC, Ben is Co-Founder of Ready2Retire™, the leading retirement planning firm for people who want to retire with confidence. Ben greatly appreciates customer service and client satisfaction, honed from over 20 years of experience, and is recognized nationwide as a top retirement, insurance, Medicare, and Social Security planner.He has over 2,000 clients and has educated over 10,000 people. Ben is also President and COO of Insurance Advantage, an employee benefits agency he co-founded 13 years ago. Ben has previously served as COO of a human resources staffing firm and as Vice President of Asia and Europe for an American software company.Ben has extensive experience in economic development and consulting and worked as a Business Recruiter for South Carolina. Since Ben opened the Japan office in 2012, South Carolina has received over $2.2 billion in investment. In 2014, he was hired to write the Strategic Plan for the State of South Carolina.Based on ten years working overseas in Japan, Brazil, & Spain, he wrote the Amazon Best Seller The Global Superstar: How Your Students Can Develop an Advantage over Global Competition to help students prepare for careers in this changing economy. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance from Morehouse College, an International MBA from The University of South Carolina, and certificates from UNC and Temple University.He's conversant in Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish. He has served on numerous boards, including the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Association, the SC Chamber of Commerce, and the Columbia (SC) Chamber of Commerce. He's a member of the Nashville City Club and the Nashville Kiwanis Club.Ben splits time between his homes in Nashville, TN, and Columbia, SC, with his wife Kim, their two wonderful daughters Anna & Kate, and their dog Sophie. He loves traveling, spending time with friends and family, and helping his clients win.Learn More: https://www.ready2retire.netInfluential Entrepreneurs with Mike Saundershttps://businessinnovatorsradio.com/influential-entrepreneurs-with-mike-saunders/Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/interview-with-ben-green-co-founder-of-ready2retire-author-of-retire-rich-in-the-new-economy

In this episode of 'Retire with Style', hosts Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau discuss various aspects of retirement planning, including the importance of tax planning, the role of annuities in income protection, and strategies for managing inflation risk. They also touch on the upcoming YouTube live session focused on tax questions and the significance of understanding one's retirement income style awareness (RISA). The conversation emphasizes the need for a reliable income floor and the evaluation of whether additional annuities are necessary based on existing income sources like Social Security and pensions. Listen now to learn more!   Takeaways Tax planning is crucial as retirement approaches. Social Security can provide inflation-adjusted income. Annuities can fill income gaps but may not be necessary for everyone. Understanding RISA helps tailor retirement strategies. Inflation risk is a significant concern for retirees. Building a reliable income floor is essential for financial security. Different investments can bridge income gaps during retirement. It's important to evaluate existing income sources before purchasing annuities. Chapters 04:30 Upcoming YouTube Live and Tax Planning 06:37 Understanding Safety First and Income Protection 11:55 Inflation Risk and Annuities 14:35 Building a Social Security Delay Bridge 17:08 Risk Wrap and SPIAs for Essential Expenses 20:18 Different RISA Points for Different Purposes 22:25 Evaluating the Need for Annuities   Links

For years, Adam Koós, has been one of the loudest voices calling out annuities for their high commissions, hidden fees, and conflicts of interest, and in this episode, he owns it. He walks through exactly why annuities have earned their reputation, breaking down the commissions, internal costs, and penalties that most people never actually see. But Adam also makes the case that annuities aren't universally bad. He shares real examples of when a guaranteed income benefit can fill a gap in retirement income, ease the stress of an anxious investor, or take pressure off the rest of a portfolio, and he explains the one overlooked risk (inflation) that catches most annuity owners off guard. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: why annuities get such a bad rap 02:00 – The real reasons: high commissions and internal fees 05:00 – The conflict of interest behind commission-based advice 08:00 – The real problem: all-or-nothing thinking about annuities 09:00 – When a guaranteed income benefit can actually help 13:00 – How guaranteed income benefits work, step by step 18:00 – A real-world example: filling a retirement income gap 20:00 – The most overlooked risk: inflation 22:00 – A quick tour of fixed, indexed, and hybrid annuities 25:00 – Final thought: don't go broke safely Key Takeaways:

Episode 117: Social Security Claiming Strategies and Tips for Married CouplesIn this episode of One for the Money, we take a close look at one of the most important retirement decisions you can make: when to claim Social Security. While the timing can have a meaningful impact on your lifetime retirement income, too many people still make this choice without a clear strategy. We break down the key claiming ages, the tradeoffs between claiming early or delaying, and why the right decision should be based on your goals, income sources, life expectancy, and overall retirement plan.We also explore research showing why delaying benefits can often create more long-term value than claiming early and investing the difference. In the Tips, Tricks, and Strategies section, we discuss how married couples should think about spousal benefits, survivor benefits, and how to coordinate claiming decisions to support long-term retirement income.Key topics covered:When to claim Social Security and why timing matters.How claiming at 62, full retirement age, or 70 changes your benefit.Why many retirees leave money on the table by claiming too early.Research on the value of delaying benefits.Social Security strategies married couples may want to consider.How to think about survivor benefits and spousal coordination.Why listen: If you want a clearer framework for deciding when to claim Social Security, this episode offers practical guidance, planning considerations, and a few strategies that can help you make a more informed choice.

There's a type of retirement risk we don't talk about very often.It's not a stock-market crash.It's not inflation.It's not running out of money.It's divorce.More specifically—divorce later in life.There's even a name for it now: gray divorce, generally referring to couples divorcing after age 50.And financially, divorcing at 55, 60 or 65 is very different from divorcing at 30.At 30, you may have another three decades to rebuild.At 60?Retirement might be five years away.Or you may already be retired.Suddenly, one household becomes two.One retirement portfolio becomes two.One house may have to support two future housing needs.Healthcare changes.Social Security matters.Taxes matter.Beneficiaries matter.And perhaps the biggest mistake somebody can make is beginning the legal process before they truly understand their financial position.So today we're going to walk through seven financial steps to consider before filing for a gray divorce.And whether you're contemplating divorce, already going through one, or simply know somebody who is—this is one show where getting the financial decisions right can affect the rest of your life.”

Could a reliable income stream be the missing piece in your retirement plan? In this episode, Frank Guida and Frankie Guida discuss the role of income planning in retirement and why some retirees value predictable income sources. They explore how pensions and annuities fit into a retirement strategy, considerations around Social Security claiming decisions, and ways to evaluate investment risk, taxes, and income needs. The conversation also highlights a real-world planning scenario that shows how different retirement timelines can impact long-term retirement income. . Schedule a complimentary appointment: A Better Way Financial Learn more about Frank and Frankie's book here! Buy Frank's book! Amazon Best Seller, “The Book on Retirement: A Better Way to Stretch Your Retirement Dollars While Living the Lifestyle of Your Dreams.” Buy Frankie's book! Amazon Best Seller, ""A Better Way to Retire: How a Fiduciary Retirement Planner Can Be the Key to Financial Success" CLICK HERE to register for one of our upcoming Tax-Smart Retirement Planning Dinner Workshops. Follow us on social media: Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn how to measure your retirement progress when you have a pension and figure out how much more you really need to save. How do you know if your pension actually has you covered for retirement — or if you still need to keep saving aggressively alongside it? Hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola sit down with Anna, a journeyman electrician in Portland whose union job comes with a defined benefit pension — yet she isn't sure whether that's enough to retire at 60. They explore how to account for a pension when gauging your retirement progress, why pension projections can be tricky when work hours vary, how to use the three-bucket framework (guaranteed income, invested accounts, and cash reserves) to see where your plan stands, and how Social Security projections could help you figure out exactly how much more you need to save. Pension Plan vs. 401(k): Types, Pros & Cons: https://www.nerdwallet.com/retirement/learn/pension-plan  How Long Will My Money Last in Retirement? Calculator, How to Stretch It: https://www.nerdwallet.com/retirement/learn/how-long-will-your-retirement-savings-last  Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header  To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. *The show notes were created with the assistance of AI. They have been reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy and quality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An estimated $124 trillion is expected to pass from Baby Boomers to their heirs by 2048, marking one of the largest transfers of wealth in history. And women are expected to play a particularly significant role. Sharon Epps, President of Kingdom Advisors, joined the show today to discuss this historic shift and the opportunity it presents for women to approach wealth with wisdom, preparation, and biblical faithfulness. Why Women Are at the Center of the Wealth Transfer Economists have been talking about the Great Wealth Transfer for years, but it is no longer simply a future prediction. The transfer is already underway. Women are uniquely positioned within it in part because they tend to live longer than men. As a result, many women will experience both intragenerational transfers—wealth passing from a spouse—and intergenerational transfers from parents and other family members. But inheritance is only one part of the picture. Women already earn income, manage household resources, invest, give, and make significant financial decisions. Research indicates that women are involved in approximately 94% of household purchasing decisions. That means the stewardship opportunity ahead doesn't begin when an inheritance arrives. It is already here. A Biblical Legacy of Women and Stewardship Women using financial resources to advance God's purposes is nothing new. Luke 8:1–3 describes several women who supported Jesus and His disciples out of their own means. These women were not merely observers of Christ's ministry. Their financial generosity helped make the work possible. Likewise, in Romans 16:1–2, Paul commends Phoebe and describes her as a benefactor of many, including himself. In a culture where women often had limited social and economic influence, Phoebe used what God had entrusted to her to serve others and help advance the gospel. Their examples remind us that financial stewardship has always been about something greater than accumulating or managing money. It is about faithfully using whatever God provides for His purposes. Faithfulness Changes With the Seasons 1 Corinthians 4:2 says, “Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” That calling applies to every believer, but the practical responsibilities of stewardship can look different in different seasons. A woman may move through seasons as a student, professional, wife, mother, caregiver, business owner, widow, retiree, or some combination of these roles. At various times, she may be an earner, an inheritor, a household financial manager, or all three. The circumstances change, but the responsibility remains: stay informed, equipped, and engaged with the resources God has entrusted to you. That can mean understanding the household finances, learning how investments work, participating in conversations about estate planning, preparing for retirement, or developing a thoughtful plan for generosity. Faithful stewardship does not require becoming a financial expert. But it does require engagement. Money as a Tool for Purpose For some women, managing finances comes naturally. Others may quickly say, “I'm just not a numbers person.” But stewardship is about much more than numbers. Money is a tool that can help us care for family, support ministries, meet needs, practice hospitality, create opportunities for others, and generously participate in work that matters to us. Seen through that lens, financial stewardship becomes less about mastering spreadsheets and more about connecting resources with purpose. Whether wealth is earned, inherited, or managed on behalf of a household, every dollar presents an opportunity to ask: How can I use what God has entrusted to me faithfully? An Opportunity for the Whole Family The Great Wealth Transfer also creates an opportunity for important conversations between husbands and wives, parents and children, and across generations. Preparing the next steward involves more than transferring assets. It means passing along wisdom. Families can begin discussing questions such as: What has God entrusted to us? What values do we want our financial decisions to reflect? How much is enough? What role should generosity play in our estate plans? Is the next generation prepared to manage what they may eventually receive? These conversations can help transform inheritance from a simple financial transaction into an intentional act of stewardship. Preparing for an Historic Stewardship Opportunity The coming wealth transfer represents an extraordinary financial moment, but for Christians, the most important question is not simply who will control the wealth. It is how that wealth will be stewarded. Women have faithfully earned, managed, given, and used resources for God's purposes for generations. As trillions of dollars change hands in the decades ahead, women of faith have another significant opportunity to continue that legacy. The goal is not merely to receive more wealth, but to be prepared to manage God's money God's way—using it wisely, generously, and faithfully for the purposes He places before us. This month, FaithFi is releasing its first-ever special edition of Faithful Steward magazine, entirely focused on women stewarding wealth. When you become a FaithFi Partner, we'll send you this special issue as our way of saying thank you for supporting the ministry. Learn more at FaithFi.com/Give. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: Can you recommend a reputable Christian debt consolidation company that could help lower a large monthly payment? I'm almost 69 and plan to wait until 70 to claim Social Security. If I keep working after 70, will my benefit continue to increase, and do I still pay Social Security taxes? I also keep having to pull from savings to cover my checking account. Who can help me build a realistic budget and get my spending under control? My wife and I earn a good income but still owe taxes each year. I've increased my 401(k) contributions to lower taxable income. Is that the best approach, or should I adjust my withholding or set money aside for taxes? I'm 65, plan to keep working, and have about $20,000 in savings with monthly expenses around $4,000. How should I use that money to prepare for retirement? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Christian Credit Counselors 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.

What does financial planning actually mean beyond managing an investment portfolio? Jeremiah Bates and Nic Daniels are joined by Bob Ruelle, Senior Vice President of Financial Planning at Apollon Wealth Management, to walk through how an experienced planner approaches a client's entire financial picture. Bob explains why good planning starts with understanding a person's goals, lifestyle, concerns and priorities before recommending anything—and why the financial plan itself should ultimately be the benchmark for whether a strategy is working. The guys cover tax planning, Roth conversions, retirement withdrawal strategies, RMDs, Social Security, Medicare IRMAA, insurance, risk management and estate planning—and, more importantly, how those decisions affect one another. Bob explains why a good financial plan organizes your finances, while a great one connects them, prioritizes the biggest opportunities and continues evolving as life changes. Later, they discuss common estate-planning mistakes, including outdated trusts and assets that were never properly titled. A caller whose husband is incapacitated after a bicycle accident brings the importance of powers of attorney and incapacity planning into real life. And to wrap it up, whether it can make sense to give children part of their inheritance while you're still alive, including annual gift exclusions, gift-tax reporting, appreciated property, cost basis and the tradeoffs between gifting assets now versus leaving them at death.   Listen, Watch, & Connect! https://www.therealmoneypros.com ————————————————————— Ataraxis PEO https://ataraxispeo.com Tree City Advisors of Apollon: https://www.treecityadvisors.com Apollon Wealth Management: https://apollonwealthmanagement.com/ —————————————————————

Larry Lepard's third appearance, and his position has sharpened each time. Days 6 and 21 asked whether the Big Print was coming. This one was about the mechanism, and his answer is the bond market. His central claim: yield curve control is the destination. "It has to be. There's no other choice." The open questions he named are what they call it, how they justify it, and what the politics look like. The mechanism, in his words: once the Fed formally caps a rate, "the entire bond market is going to look at the Fed and say, sold to you. And their balance sheet explodes. And that's the big print." The doom loop, with a number. The average rate across all outstanding US debt is about 3.45%, and every maturity on the curve today prices above it. Each rollover raises interest cost, widening the deficit, forcing more issuance. He pointed at the whole world, not just Treasuries. US, German, French, Italian and Japanese 10-year yields all near multi-year highs. His read: "the bond markets are telling us, we don't believe you." On Warsh: painted into a corner. The speech was hawkish enough that absent very soft data he has to hike on September 16, and Lepard doubts he will. His prediction: Warsh's credibility is gone within six months. Why he thinks the choice is already made: given a trapped chair, "he'll always choose the inflationary path versus the collapse-the-economy path." Brady asked what happens to the institutions legally required to hold bonds. Lepard went to insurers first, flagged private equity buying up insurance businesses, and questioned whether annuity holders get paid what they expect. The World War II precedent was his template. Debt-to-GDP around 120% after the war, a year of roughly 18% inflation in the early 1950s, and yield curve control running through 1952. Inflating out is the historical answer. He drew a careful distinction with Lyn Alden's gradual-print view and conceded her case: absent a crisis, a slow grind is what policymakers prefer. His note: Powell already reversed tightening and called it reserve management, not QE. Asked what would change his mind, he gave a real answer: governments behaving responsibly. Cutting defense, narrowing the footprint, means-testing Social Security and Medicare. He does not expect it. He owned the cost of being early. He compared himself to Michael Burry being right about housing too soon and said plainly that he has suffered stretches of this trade since 2008 and expects more. The close was not doom, and he said so directly. He argued the absence of sound money has cost millions of lives, that his forecast is arithmetic and not pessimism, and that sound money leaves his grandkids better off.

Social Security's trust fund is projected to run short in 2032, and Congress is only now beginning to talk about what a fix might look like.Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss why Social Security reform is getting harder the longer lawmakers wait, the three main levers available to address the shortfall, and why any solution is likely to create political and generational conflict. They also cover Apple's leadership change, what John Ternus may mean for the company's AI strategy, rising diesel prices, retirement housing choices, the economic fallout from a powerful El Niño, and why financial scams remain a major risk for consumers.

The U.S. national debt is approaching $40 trillion, but what does that actually mean for you and your financial future? Nick Hopwood, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management joins The Steve Gruber Show to discuss the growing national debt, Social Security, Medicare, the U.S. economy, and what today's fiscal challenges could mean for younger generations.  Nick also shares what individuals and families can do now to prepare, plan ahead, and take greater control of their financial future.

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  Chris warns Washington may turn to a European-style VAT tax to tackle Social Security and America's soaring debt. The problem? Without spending reform and a balanced budget, he fears Congress will simply collect more—and spend more.

After 3+ decades of MoneyTalk, if we haven't sold you on the importance for saving for retirement, then you haven't been listening! But just in case you need more convincing, Donna and Nathan offer 10 reasons to save for retirement, including: Social Security likely won't be enough to live on, people are living longer, new 401K features make saving easier than ever, and more. Also on MoneyTalk, Stock Trivia: Battle of the Sowas. Hosts: Donna Sowa Allard, CFP®, AIF® & Nathan Beauvais, CFP®, CIMA®; Air Date: 8/25/2026; Original Air Date: 8/11/2023. Have a question for the hosts? Leave a message on the MoneyTalk Hotline at (401) 587-SOWA and have your voice heard live on the air!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Pour Over is a Christ-first, politically neutral news podcast. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we cover the day's biggest stories in ~10 minutes, and pair the biggest headlines with brief biblical reminders. Every Saturday, TPO Explains does a shallow dive into your most-asked questions. On today's episode: What is the Strait of Hormuz? Available to watch on Spotify and YouTube here. Looking to support us? You can choose to pay ⁠here⁠. Thanks to our sponsors: The Voice of the Martyrs: Get a free copy of Tortured for Christ | vom.org/TPO  Wild Alaskan: $35 off your first box | code: TPO Quince: Free shipping | quince.com/tpo AdelFi: Apply for the Harvest Bundle | https://adelfibanking.com/pourover Upside: extra 25 cents back for every gallon on your first tank of gas | code: TPO LMNT: free 8-pack with purchase | https://links.thepourover.org/LMNT_Podcast Mosh: 25% off first variety pack + 20% off subscription | code: TPO25 Serving Orphans Worldwide: Give a gift to feed a child for a month | https://servingorphans.org/thepourover MORE FROM TPO: ⁠Free newsletter⁠ ⁠Watch TPO on YouTube⁠ ⁠Download the TPO App⁠ Unless otherwise noted, all scripture references are from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) translation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

TONIGHT-CONTENTS-8-26-2026California Swells Weather And Nevada CasinosJeff Bliss discusses a massive southern ocean swell creating rare surfing conditions at Newport Harbor's channel. Driven by an intense tropical storm off Mexico, California is experiencing unprecedented humidity and a nearly five-degree Fahrenheit rise in ocean temperatures, prompting a surge in marine life including hammerhead and great white sharks. Turning to Nevada, Bliss describes the K-shaped economy, where Las Vegas strip casinos profit from wealthy international tourists, while local traffic declines. He details In-N-Out's slow, quality-controlled eastward expansion and concludes with Berkeley's controversial, permissive approach toward housing campus homeless encampments, noting they receive government-funded clean needles and glass pipes. (1)Separation Of Powers And Election FraudRichard Epstein discusses a federal ruling by Judge Indira Talwani blocking the Trump administration's postal mail-in voting regulations for the 2026 midterms. Epstein asserts the administration overstepped, as the Constitution explicitly delegates election regulation to Congress, not the executive. He criticizes Chief Justice John Roberts's defense of the unitary executive, calling his opinions a disgrace that allows executive power to swamp both the legislature and the judiciary. Lastly, Epstein references Paul Krugman's views on Trump's destructive physical and institutional teardown of Washington and laments how flawed standing doctrines prevent ordinary citizens from legally challenging executive overreach in federal court. (2)Veronique de Rugy of the Mercatus Center details the alarming surge of the United States gross national debt to record heights, exceeding forty trillion dollars. She argues that the country suffers from an out-of-control spending problem rather than a lack of tax revenue, citing massive unpaid pandemic spending. De Rugy blames both political parties for avoiding structural reforms and warns of the critical 2032 deadline when Social Security and Medicare funding will face automatic, severe cuts. She predicts that Congress will resort to further debt and inflation, which will heavily penalize the public, while indebted European nations face similar struggles. (3)Economic Boom In Idyllic Lancaster CountyJim McTague details the thriving post-pandemic economy of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Tourism remains robust, with attractions like the Renaissance Faire drawing two hundred thousand visitors annually. The local real estate market is red-hot, with retirees purchasing existing homes with cash and bid-ups creating million-dollar McMansions. McTague notes that rising inflation has packed Costco aisles with middle-class shoppers seeking the famous five-dollar loss-leader rotisserie chickens. He also discusses local commercial resistance to data centers, explaining how the impoverished borough of Columbia rejected a lucrative data center deal that would have solved its fiscal deficits, while baby boomers power local restaurants. (4)Small Business Growth And AI IntegrationGene Marks reports on his travels, conversing with host John Batchelor about a Quebec credit union conference where executives discussed loans, competitiveness, and adopting AI in front and back offices. Due to high mortgage rates, credit unions are shifting focus toward commercial loans. In Atlanta's thriving steel industry, tariffs have boosted competitiveness, and companies are deploying AI-powered robotic arms, gloves, and dogs to improve safety. Finally, a recent Pew Research survey indicates that Gen X is leading AI adoption because older, established professionals feel more secure than younger generations, though Marks calls the fear of job loss an urban legend. (5)French Resistance And World War ExileJane Rogoyska, author of Hotel Exile: Paris in the Shadow of War, Part Two: Rogoyska details how German anti-fascists and French Jews fled Paris for Marseilles and Spain in 1941. While Heinrich Mann escaped successfully, philosopher Walter Benjamin tragically committed suicide at the Spanish border. Rogoyska notes that Samuel Beckettjoined the resistance after Paul Léon's arrest. The Abwehr, aided by the treacherous priest Robert Alesch, infiltrated resistance networks, but was sidelined as the Gestapo's brutality worsened. Post-war, the Lutetia hotel became a repatriation center processing concentration camp survivors. Beckett survived and wrote literary masterpieces, while Alesch was executed. (6)Nuclear Politics And Precision Guided WarfareHenry Sokolski, executive director of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center, discusses the unpublicized nuclear cooperative agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia. He warns host John Batchelor that keeping side agreements secret from the American public prevents Congressional oversight. Saudi Arabia refuses to sign the additional protocol for inspections, claiming it violates sovereignty. Sokolski also highlights Poland's conflicting stances on hosting nuclear weapons, Germany's interest in funding the United Kingdom's Trident submarine program, and how Russia uses precision-guided munitions to target civilians and demoralize Ukraine, moving nuclear weapons further into the background, concluding that this is the new reality. (7)Debating Environmental Politics Of Data CentersKevin Frazier leads a roundtable with Jim McTague and Simon Constable discussing the political and environmental backlash against data centers. Frazier details how Lancaster City welcomed data centers to erase its school district's deficit, while the poorer borough of Columbia rejected a lucrative deal due to local protests. Frazier argues that data centers are vital national infrastructure, defending the construction jobs they create and noting that blocking them harms the digital economy. Finally, Constable shares trivia from his Wall Street Journal quiz, revealing that Virginia leads the United States in data centers, followed globally by the United Kingdom. (8)V

Veronique de Rugy of the Mercatus Center details the alarming surge of the United States gross national debt to record heights, exceeding forty trillion dollars. She argues that the country suffers from an out-of-control spending problem rather than a lack of tax revenue, citing massive unpaid pandemic spending. De Rugy blames both political parties for avoiding structural reforms and warns of the critical 2032 deadline when Social Security and Medicare funding will face automatic, severe cuts. She predicts that Congress will resort to further debt and inflation, which will heavily penalize the public, while indebted European nations face similar struggles. (3)

Republicans have been complaining about Social Security since it began- have they finally persuaded a nation not to expect much so they can keep taxes on the rich as low as possible?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jim and Chris discuss listener emails on Social Security survivor benefits and earnings records, financing a home purchase, and using a fixed indexed annuity (FIA) for discretionary spending. (11:15) A listener asks why a Social Security estimate lists a $3,944 survivor benefit rather than the projected $5,101 age-70 benefit and which amount would actually be paid. (21:45) The guys consider whether adding previously omitted stock option income to a 2017 earnings record could result in higher Social Security benefits and back pay. (31:30) Jim and Chris weigh using a 60-day IRA or Roth IRA rollover to finance a home purchase before selling the current home against a HELOC or mortgage. (55:15) Another listener asks for their thoughts on using a fixed indexed annuity (FIA) with an income rider to support discretionary spending and how it compares with their simpler annuity strategies. The post Social Security, Social Security, Home Purchase, Fun Spending: Q&A #2635 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

EVERY TIME someone says, "The science is settled," take it with a grain of salt. A new report shows that the universe is expanding faster than current models predict. What does that mean? It's possible that current models of the universe are flawed, which means scientists may have to rewrite the rules by which they think the universe operates. "He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision" (Psalm 2:4, ESV). We recognize the verse is not directed at human scientists, but it does seem appropriate. This story led to a deep discussion of the nature of time, eternity, and why we humans are not created to live forever in our current bodies. We also discuss the rise in technocratic bureaucracy, as evidenced by the spread of Flock AI-powered surveillance cameras in American cities and the proposal by the World Health Organization for a $30 billion budget to prevent future pandemics. (Bear in mind the total WHO budget last year was just over $3 billion.) That led to a brief discussion of the news this week that the US federal deficit officially hit $40 trillion. That's about a third of the actual debt when you include unfunded liabilities like Social Security and Medicare.  Also, two former congressman wrote a piece for the Wall Street Journal recently debunking the official narrative that the 2008 subprime mortgage collapse was the result of greedy lenders and investors. It was, in fact, the result of government policies that led to mortgages being written for unqualified borrowers in the pursuit of government social engineering policies. But rather than putting blame on government, the official story blamed Wall Street to justify even more government control over the free market. Finally, we discussed the tragic mudslide and flash flood in Nepal and Tibet this week. That brought to mind something we discussed 20 years ago about the potential of a catastrophic mega-tsunami caused by the collapse of the La Palma volcano in the Canary Islands. It seems that newer models show that the fear is unwarranted. Derek's new book War of the Watchers Book One: From Baal to Balfour is now available at Amazon in paperback and as a Kindle e-book! It's also a part of a special offer at the SkyWatchTV store: Get War of the Watchers, Derek's previous book The Second Coming of Saturn, and a 13-part teaching DVD based on The Second Coming of Saturn for your donation of at least $45! ‘ Here's the link to the trailer for the book. Follow us! • X (formerly Twitter): @pidradio | @sharonkgilbert | @derekgilbert• Telegram: t.me/gilberthouse | t.me/sharonsroom | t.me/viewfromthebunker• Substack: gilberthouse.substack.com | SharonKGilbert.substack.com• YouTube: @GilbertHouse | @UnravelingRevelation• Facebook.com/pidradio Thank you for making our Build Barn Better project a reality! f you are so led, you can help out at www.GilbertHouse.org/donate. Get our free app! It connects you to this podcast, our weekly Bible studies, and our weekly video programs Unraveling Revelation and A View from the Bunker. The app is available for iOS, Android, Roku, and Apple TV. Links to the app stores are at pidradio.com/app. JOIN US IN ISRAEL (NOTE NEW DATES)! We will tour the Holy Land October 25–November 6, 2027 with an optional three-day extension to Jordan. For more information, log on to GilbertHouse.org/travel. Think better, feel better! Our partners at Simply Clean Foods offer freeze-dried, 100% GMO-free food and delicious, vacuum-packed fair trade coffee from Honduras. Find out more at GilbertHouse.org/store/.

Behind on retirement savings or starting to invest later in life? Brian and Bo break down how to catch up on retirement in your 40s and 50s, including how much you should have saved by age, retirement savings rates, 401(k) and Roth IRA strategies, catch-up contributions, Social Security, and the power of working longer. You'll see how increasing your savings rate, reducing high-interest debt and fixed expenses, and growing your income can dramatically change your retirement trajectory. If you feel behind financially, learn the practical steps that can help you build wealth, invest for retirement, and create a realistic financial independence plan. Jump start your journey with our FREE financial resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reach your goals faster with our products⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Take the relationship to the next level: become a client⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube for early access and go beyond the podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with us on social media for more content⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bring confidence to your wealth building with simplified strategies from The Money Guy. Learn how to apply financial tactics that go beyond common sense and help you reach your money goals faster. Make your assets do the heavy lifting so you can quit worrying and start living a more fulfilled life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our Head of U.S. Public Policy Research Ariana Salvatore looks at what the midterms may reveal about politician's appetite for tackling the faster-than-expected increase in the U.S. debt.Read more insights from Morgan Stanley.----- Transcript ----- Ariana Salvatore: Welcome to Thoughts on the Market. I'm Ariana Salvatore, Head of U.S. Public Policy Research at Morgan Stanley. Today, why fiscal is back in focus and what we can learn about the broader debt trajectory from the upcoming midterm elections. It's Friday, August 28th at 10am in New York. Fiscal policy has moved back onto investors' radars following Treasury's recent buyback announcements. Those came in the same week that total U.S. debt crossed $ 40 trillion for the first time, a milestone that arrived months earlier than most people expected. As my colleague Andrew Sheets puts it, that's a big number. But the more useful question isn't the number itself. It's whether all this debt is starting to act as a brake on the economy.We don't quite yet see a credibility problem in the Treasury market, but that's exactly why fiscal is back in the conversation. And it sits against a bigger backdrop. The U.S. continues to run large deficits in an economy that isn't in a recession. Our economists expect the deficit to stay around 6 percent of GDP through 2027. And voters are clearly concerned about elevated debt levels. So why isn't fiscal austerity coming up more in DC? Simply put, we think the political incentives point the other direction. At the risk of oversimplifying, fiscal consolidation or deficit reduction means either less spending or more taxes. And the political costs of those choices land immediately. We think neither party, therefore, has the incentive to take on that type of policy change – if we don't see a meaningful cliff or a risk to existing programs, especially into an election. But what about after? We think the midterms won't in and of themselves be a catalyst to fix the debt trajectory. But they can tell us something about where this goes next. And I'd point to two things in particular. The first is Social Security. It's not likely to be the headline issue in November, but we could see a useful test case for the debt conversation more broadly because the deadline is creeping closer. The latest trustees report projects the retirement trust fund will become insolvent in the fourth quarter of 2032. And at that point, it could only cover roughly 78 percent of scheduled benefits without a change in law. Now, that's likely to matter more in 2028 than in this cycle, since whoever wins the White House that year will be in office when it hits. But the midterms can still show us where the politics are consolidating. Recent polling points to a fairly consistent pattern. Voters want lawmakers to act. They prefer raising taxes on high earners over broader benefit cuts. And they're notably more open to trimming benefits when it's targeted at the top of the income distribution. That likely explains why a number of 2026 candidates have converged on lifting the payroll tax cap, while some Republicans have largely retreated from campaigning on things like a higher retirement age. Watching which of those messages actually wins, especially in Senate races like New Hampshire or Maine, where a significant share of the electorate depends on these benefits, could provide some useful hints with respect to which of these policy changes actually resonate with voters and end up reflecting the eventual fix. The second is the broader fiscal landscape after the election. If we get a divided government in November, that typically means more fiscal noise around the recurring deadlines, like government funding and the debt ceiling. Those two matter for markets in very different ways. A shutdown's bigger effect tends to be indirect. So, think delayed or lower quality government data since agencies can end up working from smaller survey samples. That leaves investors and the Fed making decisions with less complete information for weeks at a stretch sometimes. The debt ceiling is more direct. That shows up most clearly in the Treasury bill market. Bills maturing around a potential deadline tend to cheapen relative to other short-term benchmarks as investors have to price default risk into that narrow window. And that's the case even when a resolution is still the base case. So, here's the through line: fiscal likely isn't about to become Washington's top priority just because debt crossed $40 trillion. But the midterms are a chance to see whether the political incentives are starting to shift – on Social Security specifically, and on the broader appetite for political fights around funding deadlines more generally. Either way, we think fiscal policy is set to stay in the headlines in the years to come. And especially so as we head into the 2028 presidential election season. Thanks for listening. If you enjoy the show, please leave us a review wherever you listen. And share your Thoughts on the Market with a friend or colleague today.

CONTENTS JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 8-26-2026.832Greenwich Observatory (Robert Chambers, p.200, 1832) - Copy.pngJohn Batchelor and Michael Bernstam analyze the revenue-sharing deal between Iran and Oman over the Strait of Hormuz, which does not resolve the critical global refinery shortage. Decades of zero Western refinery expansion, alongside Ukrainian drone strikes disabling Russian capacity, has left a global deficit of 5.6 to 6 million barrels per day of refined products. This is especially severe for diesel, which requires heavy crude unlike the light sweet crude produced by the US shale revolution. With U.S. refineries running at maximum capacity, the threat of mechanical failures risks a full-blown supply crisis. (1)Richard Reinsch discusses the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and their principles, which advocate for economic collectivism, nationalizing private industries, and dismantling the U.S. constitutional republic in favor of a unicameral legislature. Reinsch contrasts this with a historical 1922 Kremlin conversation where Soviet leader Joseph Stalin accused American communist Jay Lovestone of "heresy" for arguing "American exceptionalism"—the idea that American working-class prosperity made them resistant to Marxism. Today, Reinsch views the DSA as an overeducated, white, urban phenomenon failing to win working-class or minority voters. (2)Rogier Windhorst and David Livingston: Professor Windhorst warns that the Hubble Space Telescope's orbit will begin to decay uncontrollably by September 2033 due to solar maximum atmospheric expansion. To prevent a hazardous, uncontrolled re-entry, Windhorst advocates for a robotic servicing mission to boost Hubble's orbit. As the only remaining telescope with precise blue-ultraviolet capabilities, Hubble's data remains critical and heavily in demand. Windhorst urges NASA to fund a $100 million rescue mission and eventually construct the Habitable Worlds Observatory to search for Earth-like exoplanets starting in 2040. (3)David Hebert discusses the fiscal debates surrounding Social Security's impending 2032 shortfall. Hebert refutes the idea that raising tax rates increases treasury revenue, noting that tax revenue historically remains constant at 17–18% of GDP because high rates prompt tax avoidance. Instead of "starving the beast" of resources, Hebert advocates for "starving the beast of responsibility" by decentralizing programs through federalism to cut administrative costs. He urges structural reforms to Social Security, highlighting that the ratio of workers supporting each retiree has plummeted from 40-to-1 down to 2-to-1. (4)Captain James Fanell (US Navy, retired), co-host Gordon Chang: Fanell warns that China is nearing completion of a military installation on Triton Island in the Paracels, expanding its "ring of control" in the South China Sea. He cautions that China may soon fortify Scarborough Shoal, threatening to block the northern South China Sea and degrade U.S. naval operations. In response to this rising coercion, the Philippines is boosting its 2027 defense budget by 6.3%, allocating $800 million for modernization with a heavy focus on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance drones. Fanell urges more assertive naval cooperation to deter further Chinese expansion. (5)Dean Cheng, co-host Gordon Chang: Cheng analyzes China's space program and its pursuit of reusable booster technology to match SpaceX's cost-saving launch cadences. Although China has successfully recaptured first-stage boosters, it has not yet demonstrated refurbishing or reusing them. Cheng notes that China seeks space dominance to deploy six mega-constellations and establish moon colonies. He suggests that a delay in China's lunar south pole probe—officially blamed on solar exposure—is likely due to the ongoing accident investigation of the Long March 7 rocket failure. Cheng predicts a Chinese astronaut will walk on the moon by December 31, 2030. (6)Charles Burton, co-host Gordon Chang: Burton discusses the escalating trade war between Canada and the Trumpadministration, which triggered $20 billion in Canadian retaliatory tariffs and a 7.5 billion CAD business support package. The dispute has sparked public anti-Trump sentiment and personal mudslinging between Donald Trump and Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Stalled negotiations, compounded by unacceptable U.S. demands regarding French labeling laws, have shattered bilateral trust. Burton warns that Canada is prepared to pivot away from MAGA toward free trade with Europe and China, despite severe risks of Chinese economic coercion. (7)Jack Burnham outlines China's persistent military coercion campaign targeting Taiwan, noting that Beijing separates economic trade truces from its aggressive goal to subjugate the island. China's provocations, including Coast Guardpatrols east of Taiwan and flights over the median line, are designed to establish a "new normal." In December 2025, China responded to an $11 billion U.S. arms package by launching "Justice Mission 2025," an expansive military exercise simulating blockades and practicing "all-dimensional deterrence" to discourage U.S. intervention and test regional capabilities. (8)Doug Messier details SpaceX's plans to build "Starbase Louisiana," a massive $100 billion, 125,000-acre spaceport designed as the world's largest launch facility. Scheduled for construction in 2027 and launches by 2029, the facility will feature ten launch pads supporting thousands of annual, airline-style Starship flights. While bringing thousands of jobs, the coastal development raises environmental concerns regarding wetland habitats, which SpaceX has pledged to help restore. Messier also highlights Space Force's startup funding arm, SpaceWERX, which is fostering new aerospace innovators like Antares Nuclear and Muon Space. (9)Jeremy Zakis reports on the unprecedented rainfall sweeping across Australia, driven by a super El Niño cycle interacting with the Indian Ocean Dipole. South Australia and Adelaide experienced the heaviest downpours, breaking monthly rainfall records in a single day, while Sydney's infrastructure coped with several inches of rain. Victoria and Melbourne were largely spared due to the Great Dividing Range acting as a barrier. Zakis warns that weekly spring rains are highly unusual and threaten to fuel rapid forest undergrowth, which could dry out and create a dangerous bushfire hazard during future droughts. (10)

David Hebert discusses the fiscal debates surrounding Social Security's impending 2032 shortfall. Hebert refutes the idea that raising tax rates increases treasury revenue, noting that tax revenue historically remains constant at 17–18% of GDP because high rates prompt tax avoidance. Instead of "starving the beast" of resources, Hebert advocates for "starving the beast of responsibility" by decentralizing programs through federalism to cut administrative costs. He urges structural reforms to Social Security, highlighting that the ratio of workers supporting each retiree has plummeted from 40-to-1 down to 2-to-1. (4)

Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., beat back a close challenge from Rep. Ralph Norman to win her GOP Senate primary runoff. We look at the race, and how MAGA, Inc., a super PAC affiliated with President Trump, spent big to get her over the finish line.Then, a look at the Social Security trust fund. The mechanism funding Social Security is running out of money, and potential solutions aren't popular. How might Congress fix it?This episode: voting correspondents Miles Parks and Ashley Lopez, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson.This podcast was produced and edited by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs.Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show's perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

On Tuesday's Mark Levin Show, we lost an American legend: Dolly Parton passed away at the age of 80. The news was sudden and hits in a personal way. Dolly was the quintessential American: grew up dirt poor, she became a success not due to socialism or government programs, but through talent and hard work. She wasn't a political hack and had her opinions, but she loved this country and was a great patriot. There was never any hint of scandal in her private life. She had some health problems in the last years of her life and recently posted basically a goodbye to her fans. She'll be remembered along with legends like Elvis and Johnny Cash. Dolly Parton, American legend. She will be missed. Also, Social Security is in deep trouble. Founded in 1935 as government-funded retirement insurance, it's expanded massively from its original scope to more than 58 million recipients. Unlike in years past, soon there will not be enough workers to pay into the system. It's effectively broke. Social Security is meant to be funded by payroll taxes - effectively, a tax on employment. The money is supposed to be deposited into a trust fund, but that no longer exists. Today's retirees get less benefits than they paid in. And those who didn't pay into the system, like illegal aliens, get full benefits. Politicians are running Social Security into the ground like they did Medicare. Then, why are so many young people socialists? Because they don't read substantive stuff. And not these AI-generated books, but real books by real authors who did their own original research. Young people these days would rather get on TikTok and social media than read a book about America, the Constitution, the Third Reich, the Holocaust, or isolationism in the 1930s that led to Pearl Harbor. Ever see these videos where someone goes to college campuses and ask students basic questions about American civics? What does the Senate do? What is the Electoral College? What does packing the Supreme Court mean? They haven't a clue. This is why education is so important, especially early in life. We've handed education over to the government and teachers' unions, and we wonder why kids grow up loving socialism? Finally, Jeanne Allen, author of "The Education Avengers: How and Why a New Class of Heroes Is Fighting America's Biggest Battle," tells the stories of twelve remarkable individuals who, like The Avengers from the Marvel movie, fought for those who can't defend themselves: children. The Education Avengers took on the Hydra - aka the education establishment, the many-headed tangle of rules, compliance mandates, unions and apathy. These people come from different backgrounds: teachers, entrepreneurs, pastors, parents, innovators and business leaders. They're examples of what ordinary people can do when they band together and don't accept the status quo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices