Info

Retirement Starts Today

Do you want to spend more money in retirement, while paying less taxes? Great news, you're in the right place! I'll also teach you the benefits of retiring TO something, while most retirees only solve half the equation by retiring FROM something. Tune in every Monday morning - hosted by Benjamin Brandt CFP, RICP. Join my "Every Day is Saturday" weekly newsletter for show notes, free book giveaways and other great retirement content: www.retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter
RSS Feed Subscribe in Apple Podcasts
Retirement Starts Today
2024
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2023
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2022
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2021
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2020
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2019
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2018
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April


2015
October


Categories

All Episodes
Archives
Categories
Now displaying: 2023
Jul 3, 2023

If you want an amazing retirement you need to start thinking about your future self. We discussed the idea of your future self on a previous episode where I interviewed my coach, Dr. Benjamin Hardy.

In this episode, we’re taking a look at another book on the future self, Your Future Self by Hal Herschfield. I’m listening to the audiobook now and this topic has me thinking about how it applies to retirement. Listen in to hear more about this book and my exciting announcement about my own explorations into the topic of the future self in retirement. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [2:55] 4 observations on how your future perspective impacts your present
  • [8:15] 4 areas that you can reflect on to improve your future self
  • [12:15] The risk vs the value of starting Social Security at 62 versus 65

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Jul 1, 2023

Happy 4th of July weekend!!
Can you believe the podcast that started as a crazy experiment on my kitchen counter in the fall of 2015 is now over 300 episodes?! Thank you for all your support over these many years. 

As a way to say thank you, I'm heavily discounting Retirement Income University this month. 

Enter promo code "PODCAST" for a special $300 price to celebrate episode #300 (nearly 40% off). 

Click here -> www.RetirementIncome.University

Happy 4th of July weekend, have a hot dog for me! 

Jun 26, 2023

One of the greatest financial assumptions is that it’s always better to own than to rent. However, in retirement, this may not be true. Once you are financially independent it is important to realize that not every dollar you spend needs to yield a return.

Join me for this episode of Retirement Starts Today to question traditional thinking and to see how you can improve your life, spend more money, and have more fun in retirement. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:42] Change your relationship with money
  • [3:21] With financial independence you can throw money away
  • [3:55] 12 reasons to rent in retirement
  • [10:20] How the Guyton-Klinger spending strategy works

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Jun 19, 2023

Have you considered working part-time in retirement? A growing number of older adults are choosing to continue work even after reaching retirement age. While some continue work due to financial necessity, many choose work that offers fulfillment and enjoyment.

In the retirement headlines segment of this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore the meaning and nature of work and what that could mean for your retirement. 

Make sure to stick around for the listener questions segment where we consider the pros and cons of keeping a stable value fund in a 401K while rolling over the rest of the 401K into a Roth. This is an interesting question to explore since the pros and cons have changed recently and what once were pros are now cons. Listen in to hear why.

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:22] Many older adults are choosing to work in retirement
  • [5:16] What could this mean for younger people?
  • [8:41] The pros and cons of rolling a portion of a 401K into an IRA

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Jun 12, 2023

If you clicked on this title you may be wondering what a $300 gym bag has to do with retirement. Well, this podcast focuses on learning how to spend more money and pay less taxes to set yourself up for the ideal retirement.

Outline of This Episode=

  • [1:32] What a new gym bag can teach us about retirement

  • [4:20] The lens that you view your purchases through

  • [6:25] A thought experiment

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

 

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Jun 5, 2023

Have you ever considered joining a retirement mastermind group? Many of us choose mastermind groups to further our careers, businesses, or other areas of our lives, but few think to create one for retirement planning.

Today, we’ll focus this entire episode on Fritz Gilbert’s recent article on his experience creating a retirement mastermind group. 

You won’t want to miss out on hearing what you could learn from a retirement mastermind. Make sure to listen until the end to hear how you can create your own retirement mastermind group.

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:42] How you could learn from a retirement mastermind
  • [4:55] What Fritz has learned from his mastermind
  • [9:33] How you can create your own mastermind

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

May 29, 2023

Have you ever thought about how much money you need to be truly happy? If so, you’re not alone. And chances are that number is elusive. 

In today’s Retirement Headline segment, we’ll check out an article from The Atlantic called “The Reason Many Ultrarich People Aren’t Satisfied With Their Wealth.” In doing so, we’ll explore human nature and how to know when enough is enough.

In the Listener Questions segment, one listener asks how to withdraw funds from a taxable account during early retirement. Don’t miss out on discovering the logistics of how to access your money in retirement. Press play to find out. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:42] What inspires the ultra-rich to keep spending?
  • [5:55] What can this teach us about retirement?
  • [8:16] How to withdraw funds from a taxable account in retirement

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

May 22, 2023

If you have found this podcast you’re probably interested in spending more money, spending less in taxes, and making life even better in retirement. 

On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’re taking a look at how to spend more money in retirement by assessing a two-part article from AdvisorPerspectives.com called A Framework for Assessing Variable Spending Strategies. 

If you are trying to figure out how to maintain your desired standard of living throughout retirement, you won’t want to miss hearing the authors’ findings. Press play to listen.

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:28] A variable spending strategy is better than a fixed withdrawal strategy
  • [6:40] Different types of spending strategies
  • [8:35] My thoughts
  • [11:45] How employee stock option plans work

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

May 15, 2023

Welcome back to the second part of our lessons in estate planning. Bret and I recently reviewed all of our clients’ estate plans and in doing so, we learned a lot from this exercise that could help you and your heirs.

If you haven’t listened to last week’s episode make sure to go back and listen–especially if you have stepchildren or blended families. In this episode, you’ll learn why you might want to disclaim some assets, how to specifically disinherit a child, and why it is so important to clearly state your medical wishes to all of your kids. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:22] Why you may want to disclaim assets
  • [6:00] What to do if you want to specifically disinherit one of your children
  • [8:07] Common
  • [11:22] Make sure your medical wishes are clear to all your children
  • [13:53] Surprising things we learned from our clients

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

 

May 8, 2023

Bret and I recently reviewed all of our clients’ estate plans this spring and, as a result, we have so much to share with you about what we learned. It was so much that we had to break it into multiple episodes!

If you are curious about how this sort of meeting goes and wish that you could be a fly on the wall, you won’t want to miss this episode. 

Today we’ll discuss why you need to ask yourself what could go wrong, why it’s so important to consider where your documents are located, why you may want to consider having your medical power of attorney or living will a digital document, and how an executor is a mini dictator. 

Everyone needs an estate plan. Listen in to hear what you need to consider when you create or update yours.

Outline of This Episode

  • [2:02] Having your estate planning docs in order can help you sleep better
  • [4:14] Don’t create complexity by trying to keep things simple
  • [9:17] Where are your documents located?
  • [12:38] How can your kids prove to a hospital that they can make medical decisions on your behalf?
  • [14:24] Commonly misunderstood ideas about estate planning
  • [25:01] The pros and cons of having co-powers of attorney or individual powers of attorney

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

May 1, 2023

Do you ever get together with your friends from high school and wonder why they all look so old? Are you surprised by the image that you see in the mirror each morning? If so, you’re not alone. 

In today’s retirement headline segment, we’ll explore an article from Jennifer Senior at MSN.com that examines the abstract concept of feeling a different age in your head than you physically are in years. 

Related to the retirement headline, today’s listener question is about how to understand when you are mentally ready to retire. Learn how important purpose is in your decision to retire.

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:02] Subjective age is feeling a different age in your head
  • [6:37] What can this teach us about retirement?
  • [8:50] Understanding the mental aspect of deciding when to retire

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Apr 24, 2023

Have you made any changes to your retirement savings due to the poor economy? If you did, you’re not alone. 

According to a Financial-Planning.com article, half of America stopped saving for retirement last year. Don’t miss hearing why this is such a bad idea.

Stick around for the listener questions segment where Bret and I address one listener’s worry about the upcoming changes to the tax code. Retirement Starts Today is the podcast where you learn how you can spend more money, pay fewer taxes, and live a better life.

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:42] 50% of Americans stopped saving last year
  • [6:10] My thoughts
  • [8:46] How prepared should I be for the sunset on tax laws in 2026

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Apr 17, 2023

You may be excited to jump on the early retirement bandwagon, but before you do, listen to this episode. In our retirement headlines segment, we explore a peer-reviewed article that shows that early retirement can accelerate cognitive decline. 

Stay tuned for the listener questions segment to hear how to reimagine your retirement spending mindset by creating a flexible spending plan. 

Retirement Starts Today Radio is a way to learn about having more income, paying fewer taxes, and creating an even better retirement, so if that sounds like the life you’re trying to create, press play now. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:22] Cognitive decline can increase in retirement
  • [3:50] My takeaways from the article
  • [6:52] How can I convince my partner to spend more money in retirement?

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Apr 10, 2023

Many DIY investors would like to learn more about the latest changes in financial and tax laws but don’t have the same opportunities to attend professional financial conferences. The good news is that Bret and I do have these opportunities, and we relish sharing our findings. 

On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, Bret shares his insights from his boots-on-the-ground experience at Ed Slott’s recent conference in Las Vegas. If you are curious about the changes surrounding IRAs and other retirement accounts as a result of the Secure Act 2.0, you won’t want to miss Bret’s distillation. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [3:22] Private letter rulings are very expensive
  • [6:23] Tax laws are getting more complicated
  • [11:52] Main themes of the conference
  • [17:30] Don’t squander your biggest advantage in retirement

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Apr 3, 2023

Have you ever used a Monte Carlo analysis to help you plan retirement? If so, the results can seem scary. You may be looking for a 100% likelihood of success so that you can rest easy–after all, you are probably hoping for a 100% successful retirement.

However, in this episode of Retirement Starts Today, you’ll learn why a 100% success rate should not be your goal. Listen in to hear why.

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:42] Retirement plan uncertainties
  • [8:00] Don’t shoot for 100% success with a Monte Carlo analysis
  • [10:25] How to figure out the cost basis

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Mar 27, 2023

We talk about retirement income guardrails a lot on this show, but today we’ll go into greater depth while exploring an article from Kitces.com. This article was written by a mentor of mine and takes an advisor’s perspective on how to discuss spending increases and decreases with clients.

These are fantastic conversations to review if you have been implementing or thinking about using the guardrails strategy in your retirement plan. Grab a pen and paper and take some notes to reflect as you listen so that you can keep them handy and run them through your own filter. 

Stick around until the end to hear from a listener who is unhappy with their advisor, yet concerned about the tax implications of switching to a new one.

Outline of This Episode

  • [2:22] What are guardrails?
  • [10:20] How to have the spending reduction conversation
  • [15:30] What to do if you are unhappy with your financial advisor

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Mar 20, 2023

Do you want to know how you can fully utilize your biggest advantage over the IRS? Listen to this episode to find out. 

Today, we explore a ThinkAdvisor.com article that turns traditional retirement tax thinking on its head. Then, Bret helps me answer a listener's question about opening a Roth IRA when your salary is too high. Bret has a great tip that you may not have thought of before. Finally, you’ll hear from Mike in Tuscon who is engaging in his love of music in retirement. Don’t miss out on this episode to hear how you can plan to improve your retirement.

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:22] Delaying taxes in retirement isn’t always the best
  • [5:10] My thoughts
  • [7:42] What about opening a Roth IRA and only making Roth conversions
  • [12:45] How Mike is investing in himself

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Mar 13, 2023

Do you have an HSA? If so, do you simply use it to pay for your medical expenses? Or do you use it as a way to build your wealth? Today we’ll look at an article from Financial Advisor Magazine that will help us identify opportunities for wealth creation.

Listen in to learn how to maximize the triple benefit of the humble HSA.

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:22] A few tricks to turn the humble HSA into a wealth builder
  • [12:30] What is the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation?

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Mar 6, 2023

Do you combine your finances with your partner? If you do, chances are that you might be happier. In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore a WSJ article written by Julia Carpenter titled Couples Who Combine Finances Are Happier. So Why Don’t More Do It?

In addition to examining the benefits of combining finances, we’ll take a look at the reasons couples choose not to pool their resources. Finally, I’ll share my thoughts on why merging with your spouse's finances could be a boon to your retirement. 

Make sure to stick around for the listener question segment. Bret and I discuss whether it is worth self-funding long-term care rather than purchasing long-term care insurance. Listen in to hear discover whether you’re surprised by our response.

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:22] Couples who pool their finances are happier
  • [6:30] Do we recommend self-funding long-term care insurance?

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Feb 27, 2023

Giving advice to your parents can be a challenge both for you and for them. However, there comes a time when the roles reverse and our parents may need to hear our practical advice. If you have been wondering how to go about doing this you’re not alone. 

This week we’ll explore a retirement headline from Francine Russo at WSJ titled How to Give Your Parents Advice That They Will Actually Listen To. And to continue with the parent-child relationship theme we’ll answer a listener question about moving to be near the kids and grandkids in retirement. Don’t miss out on this helpful episode. Press play now. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:12] How to give your parents advice
  • [6:32] On moving to be closer to adult children and grandchildren

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Feb 20, 2023

Investing in yourself is a great way to invest in your retirement. You may know Fritz Gilbert from the Retirement Manifesto blog or you may even have read his book, Keys to a Successful Retirement. What you may not know is how he has invested in himself in retirement. 

On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, you’ll hear how Fritz has chosen to invest in his community and himself through a charity that his wife started. Listen in to hear how Fritz's life took off in unexpected directions because he chose to follow his curiosity. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [2:22] How Fritz's life has changed in retirement 
  • [5:30] Getting engaged in a charity is a great transition
  • [10:23] How he has invested in his physical health

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Fritz Gilbert

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Feb 13, 2023

Do you typically like to get your taxes done early? Before you rush out to submit your tax return, listen to this episode to hear why you might want to wait.

In this episode, we’ll explore a CNBC article by Kate Dore that lists the reasons you may want to wait to file your taxes in 2023. After the Retirement Headlines segment, Bret and I will discuss the differences between bonds and bond funds to see if we can answer which one is better.

Finally, in the Personal Development section, Scott from Houston will let us know what he has been doing to improve his life and health in retirement. This episode is packed full of helpful, informative ideas that you can use to improve your life in retirement. Press play now to listen.

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:22] Early filers should wait to submit their tax returns
  • [6:00] Which are better: bonds or bond funds?
  • [12:52] Scott is reassessing the practices and habits of his everyday life

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Feb 6, 2023

I’m so excited to bring you this interview with Gary Kadi. Gary is the author of one of the best books I read in 2022, Raise Your Healthy Deserve Level. I call this an accidental retirement book because although it is not specifically written for retirees, many topics apply to retirement. 

Gary has so much to share in this interview. We discuss how to receive good things in life, how your net worth is directly proportional to your self-worth, why you shouldn’t reject good things, why only 5% of people retire with financial freedom, and how to find fulfillment in retirement.

This was a fantastic interview and I know you’ll enjoy hearing from Gary Kadi. Press play to hear what he has to say. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [2:12] In life you don’t get what you deserve, you get what you think you deserve
  • [6:20] Tips to work on yourself that can spill over into your finances
  • [8:50] Retirement is an inside job
  • [13:00] What do you do to find fulfillment in retirement
  • [19:49] Accept yourself for who you are

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Gary Kadi

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Jan 30, 2023

Many people are concerned that rising interest rates will eventually crash the housing market. Future retirees can become overly worried about the housing market since the value of their homes plays a huge role in their retirement plans.

This is why an article from Annie Lowrey at the Atlantic caught my eye. Today, we’ll dive into the article, The U.S. Needs More Housing Than Almost Anyone Can Imagine, and prognosticate the future of the housing market. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:32] Addressing housing affordability concerns
  • [7:50] What to look for in a tax preparer
  • [14:50] What Jim did to improve his retirement

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Jan 23, 2023

Have you ever thought about what the future might be like for your children and grandchildren? In this week’s retirement headline, we’ll explore a Wall Street Journal article called What Old Age Might Be Like for Today’s 30-Year-Olds

During the listener questions segment, one listener wonders whether it is possible to have too much Roth money. Finally, stay tuned for the personal development segment where we learn what Jerry is doing to find purpose and stay active in retirement. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:22] What old age might look like for today’s 30-year-olds
  • [7:38] My thoughts
  • [9:12] Is it possible to have too much Roth money?
  • [13:57] Jerry’s investments in himself in retirement

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

« Previous 1 2 3 Next »