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
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: Page 3
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

Jan 16, 2023

Welcome back to Retirement Starts Today Radio! Today we have an extra special episode for two reasons. 

Today, you’ll finally meet our newest advisor, Bret Mulvaney. He joins me today to discuss the most recent legislation regarding tax and retirement planning. 

This entire episode is dedicated to reviewing the Secure Act 2.0. Listen in to learn what’s changing in retirement planning and how the Secure Act 2.0 will change your retirement tax situation.

Outline of This Episode

  • [2:12] The age for RMDs is changing
  • [7:58] Qualified Charitable Distributions have not changed
  • [10:35] Roth 401k or 403b no longer needed RMD
  • [12:00] An update to 529 plans
  • [16:58] Key takeaways

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

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

Jan 9, 2023

Do you ever wish you could sneak a peek into someone else’s retirement financial plan? Our retirement headline this week does just that. The article, Some Now More Later, takes a look into Richard Connor’s decision-making process as he examines how best to allocate his retirement funds and how he and his wife decided how to claim their Social Security benefits.

After the retirement headlines segment, we’ll discuss the best way to rebalance a portfolio in retirement. And lastly, in the personal development segment, you’ll hear our first audio submission from Linda on how she made an investment in herself by committing to learning a foreign language in retirement. Don’t miss out on this informative episode!

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:52] Deciding how to claim Social Security with multiple sources of income
  • [9:32] Connor and Vicky’s retirement income plan
  • [17:18] A rebalancing question
  • [23:20] Linda has started to learn Spanish 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

Jan 2, 2023

Welcome back to a new year or Retirement Starts Today Radio! Just as you have been envisioning your retirement, I’ve been envisioning exciting new things for this podcast. 

This year we are kicking off a couple of new additions to the show that I’m particularly excited about. After the retirement headlines, we’ll have our new Lead Financial Advisor, Bret, join us as an occasional co-host for the listener questions segment. In addition to our original segments, you’ll hear from listeners like yourself in our new personal development segment. 

On this episode, you’ll hear the latest news on the Social Security front, I’ll answer a question about the best investment options for mid-term investments in a retirement portfolio, and one listener, Frank, will describe how he is investing in his health to improve his retirement. Make sure to stick around until the end to hear the latest addition to your second favorite retirement podcast!

Outline of This Episode

  • [2:12] The number of American retirees is outpacing the number of workers
  • [3:52] There are really only two ways to solve this problem
  • [10:15] My thoughts on claiming Social Security
  • [11:40] The best investment options for short and intermediate-term
  • [17:39] Frank is proud of exercising every day 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

Dec 30, 2022

Answer four simple questions and schedule an introductory Zoom call: www.retirementstartstoday.com/meeting

Dec 26, 2022

2050 seems like a long way away, however, it is closer than we think. In this week’s retirement headline, I share an article from Richard Archer at FinanceInsights.net which explores the future of retirement and the impact that technology has had on the past, present, and future of retirement.

In the listener questions segment, I help Bruce with a question about using individual bonds vs bond funds in retirement. 

You only have a couple of weeks left to answer our annual listener survey. It only takes about 3 minutes of your time to state your opinion and make your voice heard!

Outline of This Episode

  • [2:02] Will retired life be better in the future?
  • [6:40] Technology can help retirees stay independent longer
  • [11:08] Individual bonds or bond funds in retirement?
  • [17:40] Using the portfolio immunization strategy

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

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

Dec 19, 2022

Are you fed up with paying state income taxes? Before you pack your bags and move to a no income tax state you’ll want to listen to this episode. Moving to a different state to save money on taxes could cost more than you think. 

After listening to the retirement headline, make sure to stick around to hear Doug’s question about where to save extra money for retirement–my response may surprise you. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:22] Don’t move to save on income tax
  • [6:33] Should I invest additional money in my tax-deferred 457B account?

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

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

Dec 12, 2022

Jim is only 3 weeks away from retiring and wants to know my top tips for someone approaching retirement. If you are on the countdown to retirement, make sure to listen to the listener's questions to hear what they are. 

In the retirement headlines segment, we’ll explore the benefits of using a bucket withdrawal strategy for investments. You may be surprised to hear what the actual benefit of using the bucket strategy is. Listen in to hear what the bucket strategy can do for your retirement. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:22] Do bucket withdrawal strategies work well in retirement?
  • [6:35] 3 Practical tips for someone retiring in 3-5 weeks

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

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

Dec 5, 2022

What does a good night’s sleep have to do with retirement planning? Listen to this episode to find out. 

Today we’ll explore an article from Andrea Peterson over at the Wall Street Journal titled, To Get a Better Night’s Sleep, First Fix Your Day. After discussing how to apply her advice to retirement, we’ll tackle Bill’s questions. Since he has a few questions I’m trying something new and answering them in a lightning round style. Stick around until the end to discover if this method worked or if it was a flop. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:22] Findings from pandemic related sleep problems
  • [6:45] How journaling can help you sleep better
  • [11:00] When should Bill take Social Security?
  • [11:55] Should he take the lump sum or the lifetime annuity?

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

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

Nov 28, 2022

Deciding whether to delay filing for Social Security is a hefty decision. Waiting to collect Social Security until age 70 will increase your monthly benefit by 32%, but that doesn’t mean much if you don’t live long enough to reap the rewards of being patient. 

In today’s retirement headlines segment, I’ll share an article written by Jeffrey Levine from Kitces.com that discusses a workaround to the seemingly all-or-nothing decision of whether to collect Social Security benefits at full retirement age or to delay filing until age 70. If this decision has been weighing heavily on your mind, you won’t want to miss this episode. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:22] If you are a do it yourself investor you are your own financial advisor
  • [5:30] Retroactive payments are granted as a lump sum payment
  • [7:03] Use the nudge strategy
  • [9:00] Drawbacks to the 6-month nudge strategy
  • [12:48] Using QLACs and MYGAs to enhance a bucket strategy

DIY investors need plenty of tools in their retirement planning toolbox

Jeffrey Levine, the author of Getting Comfortable Delaying Social Security with Six Month Reversible Delays, has a way of explaining complex financial concepts by breaking them into understandable bites. You can follow him on Twitter @CPAPlanner if you are looking for another go-to financial resource. 

Although today’s retirement headline was written for financial advisors, it contains valuable information for the do-it-yourself investor. As a DIY investor, you need to recognize that you are your own financial advisor. Kitces.com offers a wealth of information and is one of my favorite retirement planning resources. 

Nudging your Social Security claiming decision can lessen the worry of making the wrong choice

The biggest question that you probably have about Social Security is how big will your benefit be? The answer hinges on two factors: your earnings history and when you choose to take your benefit. 

By the time you get ready to retire, there isn’t anything you can do about your past earnings history, but you can control when you decide to collect your benefit. The longer you wait to collect, the larger your monthly check will be. Each year that you choose to wait your payment will increase by 8%. 

With lifespans continually increasing it can make a lot of sense to delay filing for Social Security. However, not everyone will live long enough to reap the rewards of delaying their monthly benefit. 

Many people see the decision to delay taking Social Security until age 70 as an all-or-nothing endeavor, but that is not the case. In fact, as Jeffrey Levine explains, this decision can actually be broken up into a series of 8 smaller decisions. 

By using the strategy of nudging the decision forward every 6 months, you can break this seemingly all or nothing choice into 8 separate, independent, reversible decisions which will lessen the fear of an all or nothing approach.

Challenges to using the every 6-month nudging approach

As with every financial strategy, there are drawbacks to using the nudge approach every 6 months. The most obvious is that if you happen to die during your wait, you won’t be able to collect the benefits. The author makes an important side note for married couples to consider this drawback. Listen in to hear what it is. 

Another downfall is that retroactive applications can reduce your lifelong benefits. Something else to consider is that if you file retroactively, you will receive retroactive benefits in a lump sum which could lead to a spike in your marginal tax rate for the year. 

Breaking down the decision of when to claim your retirement benefits into many smaller, less drastic decisions can give peace of mind to the decision-maker especially when they understand that the decision is reversible. 

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

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

Nov 21, 2022

Do you wish that there was a list of what to do and what not to do in your retirement? I recently discovered an article from MorningStar.com written by Sheryl Rowling titled 8 Financial Do's and Don'ts for the 7-Figure Retirement, and I thought it would be perfect to share with my listeners. You'll learn several tips that you should consider when planning your retirement.

After we analyze the article’s do’s and don’ts, we’ll turn to Debbie’s question about taking Social Security early in order to protect beneficiaries. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:42] 8 Financial Do's and Don'ts for the 7-Figure Retirement
  • [4:11] Boredom is a 4 letter word in retirement
  • [6:25] Don’t take Social Security too late
  • [10:19] Don’t write checks to charity
  • [12:07] Consult a financial professional
  • [13:45] Should Debbie take Social Security early?

8 Financial tips for a successful retirement

Don’t retire too early. Retiring too early can be detrimental to both your psyche and your savings. If you have to retire early or sooner than expected, make sure that you retire to something rather than away from something. Creating a purpose in retirement can ensure that you don’t get bored. Boredom is a four-letter word in retirement. 

For every year that you retire early, you have one less year of savings and one more year of spending. Do the math to learn what that could mean for your portfolio.

Do watch your taxable income level. This may sound odd, but it often makes sense to pay more taxes now in order to pay significantly less later. Retirement is one time in your life when you have control over the taxes you pay. Implementing careful tax planning strategies can save you over the course of your retirement.

Don’t take Social Security too early or too late. When to take Social Security is a complex question, and the answers vary depending on the individual. It’s usually best to wait until full retirement age to start taking benefits and it’s often even better to delay until age 70 especially if you’re married. Listen in to hear what I usually recommend to my clients.

Do consider Roth conversions. If you have the opportunity to convert your IRA to a Roth you should even though you must pay tax on the amount converted. Remember that since these are after-tax dollars, the income they provide is never taxed.

Do consider retirement stages and safe withdrawal rates when determining your budget. Spending more in the early years of retirement makes sense as long as you consider several factors. You’ll need to ensure that you have a safety net in place and that you have a plan to reduce your spending over time or whenever the market becomes uncooperative.

Don’t lock yourself into financial commitments or expensive payments. Long-term expenses like leasing a luxury car can lock you into financial commitments that you can’t free yourself from. Becoming the Bank of Mom and Dad can not only ruin your kids’ chances of financial independence, but it can also ruin your relationship and your own financial security in retirement. 

Don’t write checks to charity. Instead of writing checks to charity, consider contributing appreciated stocks. This way of charitable giving can save you more in taxes. One way to utilize this strategy is by creating a donor-advised fund (DAF) which could be likened to a charitable IRA.

Do consult a financial professional. Obviously, I agree with this tip. Consider consulting a CPA as well as a financial advisor so that you can ensure that you are considering every angle in your retirement plan.

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

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

Nov 14, 2022

Have you been wondering how to best prepare for the end of the tax cuts coming up in 2026? One of our listeners is and they would like to know how Roth conversions should factor into planning for the end of those tax cuts. You might be surprised by my response to her question, so don’t miss out on the listener questions segment today to hear my answer.

If you are Medicare aged you’ll want to pay attention to the Retirement Headlines segment today as we discuss Medicare’s open enrollment period. You’ll learn what changes to pay attention to and why. Make sure to press play to hear what you need to know about Medicare’s open enrollment period, how to plan for the tax cut sunset, and a special announcement regarding the show.

Outline of This Episode

  • [3:02] What’s new for Medicare open enrollment
  • [8:52] How to prepare for the 2026 tax code changes

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

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

Nov 7, 2022

What a difference 18 months makes in the housing market! Many who bought their homes at the peak of the real estate boom are beginning to regret their decision. A recent article from BuzzFeed tells stories of remorse experienced by several homeowners who are now in over their heads. 

In this episode, we’ll explore the homeowners’ stories, and compare expert opinions. Finally, I’ll close the segment with my own thoughts. Make sure to stick around until the end to hear my observations about clients’ spending patterns once they reach retirement. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:22] Many who have bought a house in the past 2 years now regret it
  • [5:39] Advice from different financial advisors
  • [9:02] My takeaways
  • [11:33] My interesting observations about clients’ spending patterns

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

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

1 « Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next » 12