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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
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Now displaying: Page 4
Oct 24, 2022

Have you been wondering if the 4% rule still applies with a bear market and high inflation? Many financial pundits may have you questioning the validity of this so-called retirement rule of thumb. 

In the retirement headlines segment, I share a recent article from Financial Advisor Magazine that highlights quotes from the creator of the 4% rule, William P. Bengen. After sharing the retirement headline, I’ll chime in with my own thoughts on the validity of the rule. 

Stick around until the end of the episode to hear whether Social Security benefits increase each month that you delay filing until age 70 or each year. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:52] William Bengen doesn’t believe that it is necessary to adjust spending to 3%
  • [5:24] Where the 4% rule is helpful
  • [9:20] Do Social Security benefits increase each month you delay filing until age 70, or each year?

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Oct 17, 2022

Have you ever thought about purchasing stocks for purpose of generating dividend income? If that is part of your retirement plan, then you won’t want to miss this episode. Today we’re taking a look at a retirement headline from MarketWatch that highlights three considerations to be aware of before jumping into this strategy. 

Stick around for the listener questions segment to hear the answer to Jerry’s question about increasing his retirement spending until it’s time to collect Social Security.

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:22] 3 tips for buying stocks to produce dividends in retirement
  • [5:01] Use a Swiss Army Knife portfolio
  • [7:25] On increasing retirement spending before Social Security

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Oct 10, 2022

Why don’t more people maximize their Social Security benefits? As a financial advisor, I often wonder at the surprisingly low percentage of people who choose not to optimize their Social Security benefit. 

Today’s retirement headline dives into that question in further detail by analyzing a study with plenty of data. Listen in to learn when many people choose to take Social Security and their reasons for making their decision. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:42] When people plan to take Social Security and why
  • [7:26] 55% didn‘t think they would be able to replace three-quarters of their last paycheck amount in retirement income
  • [10:40] How should a new retiree fill their cash reserve bucket when stocks and bonds are down?

If you know someone who could benefit from the information we cover in this show, share it with them. You may end up encouraging them to consider retirement planning in a new way and improving their life.

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Oct 3, 2022

Envisioning what your retirement will look like can often be a challenge, so it may be helpful to hear some examples of people in similar situations. In this week’s retirement headlines segment, we’ll explore a WSJ article from Veronica Dagher and Anne Tergesen that interviews 4 retirees who saved enough for a comfortable retirement. Listen in to hear how they spend their time and money. 

Make sure to stick around until the end to hear the answer to Donna’s question about changing her husband’s variable annuity to a less expensive option. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [2:02] What a $2 million retirement looks like in America
  • [12:45] How to move a variable annuity to a less expensive option

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Sep 26, 2022

When we envision retirement, we think more about the things we’ll do to enjoy our time than about the person that we’ll become. My guest today encourages us to change that to spend more time thinking about who we want to be in the future. 

Dr. Benjamin Hardy is an organizational psychologist, speaker, and author, in addition to being my coach. I have been involved in Dr. Hardy’s coaching mastermind group for 8 months and I’m excited to extend his teaching to all of you. Make sure to stick around until the end of the episode to hear how you can receive a FREE copy of his new book, Be Your Future Self Now

Outline of This Episode

  • [2:49] What are the benefits of learning about who we’ll become in the future?
  • [5:02] How to assess the softer goals
  • [8:20] How to future set your goals when your life expectancy is shorter 
  • [17:48] How to balance our future self with the present
  • [25:52] Retirement Starts Today Super Book Giveaway details

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Sep 19, 2022

Have you been considering a change of scenery in retirement? Before you pack up the house, make sure to listen to today’s episode. 

In the Retirement Headlines segment, we’ll check out an article from Harriet Edelson at MarketWatch.com which discusses 6 considerations before moving in retirement. This informative article lists statistics and anecdotal examples that can help you make the relocation decision easier.

I was really excited to see today’s listener question as I have been researching retirement calculators. Stick around until the end to discover 2 helpful calculators that could help you understand when you have enough to retire. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:22] Why people choose to move in retirement
  • [3:43] 6 things to think about before moving in retirement
  • [11:06] Recommendations for public websites to understand whether you are close to your retirement goals

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Sep 12, 2022

I’m sure you have heard the news about the recent Inflation Reduction Act, but what will this Act mean to you as a retiree? We’ll explore this question by examining an article written by Kelly Anne Smith over at Forbes

If politics isn’t your thing, don’t worry, it’s not mine either. I scour the internet looking for the most neutral, least political articles that I can get my hands on. So, if you are interested in only the facts and how they apply to you, then don’t miss out on the retirement headlines segment today to hear what the Inflation Reduction Act could mean for you. 

In the listener questions segment, I have a 3-part question from a listener survey respondent. I’ll answer whether you should convert a 401k or traditional IRA to a Roth IRA first, the pros and cons of converting 401Ks and IRAs, and whether there is any rush to convert 401Ks to Roth IRAs.

Outline of This Episode

  • [3:02] What the Inflation Reduction Act means for you
  • [11:32] On converting to Roth IRAs from 401K or IRA

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Sep 5, 2022

The decision of when to take Social Security is one of the biggest that you will face in retirement. Many people turn to Social Security break-even calculators to help them make the decision, but my guest today insists that this shouldn’t be your only deciding factor.

Social Security expert, Devin Carroll from  SocialSecurityIntelligence.com  joins me today to discuss all things Social Security. We’ll touch on the break-even math, including where it works and where it doesn’t, cost of living adjustments, the possibility of the Social Security system going bankrupt, and how Congress could fix the Social Security funding problem. 

Since Social Security is such an important part of retirement planning you won’t want to miss this episode. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:22] The break-even calculator has been used for years to help people decide when they should file
  • [5:36] An example of how the break-even calculator could work
  • [8:02] Why very few people wait until 70 to file
  • [8:50] What’s next for the cost of living adjustment
  • [12:42] Will Social Security go bankrupt?
  • [16:08] How could the government fix Social Security problems?

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Aug 29, 2022

You may have seen the news about tennis superstar, Serena Williams' upcoming retirement. In a recent interview, Serena expresses her heartache about her decision. In our retirement headlines segment, we’ll explore an article from MarketWatch that compares Serena Williams’ feelings with those of many retirees upon their decision to retire. 

Afterward, we’ll check out a question from our recent listener survey about whether one listener should move to be closer to family in retirement. This answer to this question is tricky and not the same for everyone, so make sure you stay around until the end to hear my thoughts. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:32] Serena Williams feels no happiness upon retirement
  • [7:45] My thoughts on combatting depression in retirement
  • [10:04] What are the benefits and pitfalls of moving closer to the children in retirement?

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Aug 22, 2022

Have you ever considered taking a sabbatical from work? If you did take one, would it ruin your career and financial goals? Most companies in the United States don’t offer paid sabbaticals like some in Europe, so doing so would require extensive planning. Jake Northrup at Kitces.com recently wrote an article that could help financial planners and DIYers plan how to take a sabbatical without destroying their financial future. 

If taking a mini-retirement appeals to you, make sure to listen in to hear how it could affect your financial goals. You’ll also discover loads of resources that could help you make the most of your financial planning for such an endeavor. Make sure to stick around until the end of the episode to hear my response to whether I think Social Security is doomed. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [2:22] The idea of traditional retirement is being challenged
  • [6:02] An example of how one couple planned their sabbatical
  • [9:20] How taking time off could affect your long-term goals 
  • [13:26] Will Social Security be eliminated by the Supreme Court?
  • [17:04] How to secure your benefit against possible reductions in Social Security

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Aug 15, 2022

Have you considered moving to a new city in retirement? If you work in the tech industry you may find a city willing to pay you to move there. 

In today’s retirement headline segment, we’ll dive into an article written by Christopher Mims at The Wall Street Journal which explores towns that provide incentives to lure highly paid tech workers away from Silicon Valley.

Don’t miss out on the listener question segment especially if you have or are considering an annuity. I’ll explain the various fees, benefits, and drawbacks to these insurance investment products. 

This is the last week to complete our annual listener survey, so if you haven’t filled it out yet, then please do so that you can voice your opinions and help direct the future of this show. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:22] Some towns are offering moving incentives to remote tech workers 
  • [5:14] How could this improve your retirement?
  • [6:34] How variable annuity fees are calculated
  • [8:40] Annuities can provide many options
  • [12:56] My thoughts on annuities
  • [16:30] Don’t forget to fill out our annual listener survey

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Aug 1, 2022

Nobody likes to think about their own death but to save your loved ones from the headache of trying to navigate your digital accounts without your passwords, you’ll need to set them up for success now. If you don’t take steps to share your accounts after your death, gaining access to your data could be a lengthy and challenging process.

I recently found an excellent article from Dalvin Brown at The Wall Street Journal which discusses How to Pass On Your Passwords When You Die. This article gives tips on what to do with our digital lives when we pass away. 

Make sure to stick around until the end of the episode to hear a question about Roth conversions and taxes. And if you haven’t done so yet, please take 3 minutes and fill out our 5th Annual Listener Survey to help me improve the show for you.

Outline of This Episode

  • [2:52] How to pass on your passwords
  • [7:35] Using a password manager
  • [10:15] Using passkeys makes sharing challenging
  • [13:42] Roth conversions and taxes

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Jul 25, 2022

 Many of us have financial goals that extend beyond ourselves to include friends and family. Doing so can be an enormous help to those you love, but it is important to consider your own financial well-being in conjunction with that of the ones you want to help. Today, we’ll look at an article that explores how to intentionally offer financial support to your loved ones without deviating from your financial goals.

The article that we’ll look at comes from Sophia Bera at GenYPlanning.com and it takes a different approach to a timeless topic. Approaching issues from a different angle can give you a new perspective.

In the listener questions segment, we’ll discuss two questions: one about inverse ETFs and another about the specific mechanics of doing a Roth conversion. Make your voice heard by completing our annual listener survey!

Outline of This Episode

  • [3:12] Money is a team sport
  • [10:54] Create healthy boundaries
  • [13:24] My thoughts on inverse ETFs in a declining market
  • [16:54] Should Dave rebalance first before making a Roth conversion?

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Jul 18, 2022

Have you ever tried tax loss harvesting? With the markets down across the board, now is a good time to learn to utilize this tax-saving tool. I found a great article about this from Barrons.com that I share in the retirement headline segment. The article explores the traps that can befall someone trying to use this strategy.

Afterward, in the listener questions segment, we’ll dive into the question: do I need life insurance in retirement? You may be surprised to learn that there is no one size fits all answer to this question. 

If you have been a long-time listener of Retirement Starts Today, you may remember that I use our annual listener survey to improve the show each year. Now is the time to make your voice heard. Please take a few minutes to fill out this mostly multiple-choice survey so that we can ensure that we are bringing you the most relevant content to help guide you on your retirement journey.

Outline of This Episode

  • [2:17] Tax loss harvesting can be more sizzle than steak
  • [3:44] 7 Tips for tax loss harvesting
  • [15:29] How much life insurance does Jim need in retirement?

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Jul 11, 2022

If you are like many retirees and soon-to-be retirees, you may be rethinking your entire investing strategy. Stocks are down, interest rates are up, and inflation is eating away at your purchasing power. 

One listener wonders, with everything going on in the world, should they shift their investments into commodities? In the listener question segment, I discuss what commodities are, how to invest in them, and share my thoughts on whether investing in commodities is a good idea.

Before the listener questions, we’ll explore a retirement headline written by Eleanor O’Sullivan at Rethinking65.com which examines what life might look like if more people live to age 114.

Join me on this episode of Retirement Starts Today as we explore the effects of technology on longevity and whether you should jump ship from your sinking stock portfolio to invest in commodities.

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:32] Planning to live to 114?
  • [3:15] Cell phones improve access and democratize healthcare
  • [7:53] Technology can help in every aspect of our lives
  • [11:03] Is it time to invest in commodities?
  • [13:08] How to invest in commodities
  • [17:55] My thoughts on investing in commodities

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Jul 4, 2022

Nobody likes to experience the uncertainty that a bear market brings, but it’s an even more challenging experience to weather when you are a recent retiree. It’s easy to lose sight of your goals in a bear market which is why I found an article outlining some lessons that you can remember during a bear market.

Listen to this episode to hear some wise words of wisdom that may help you keep your wits about you during this bear market. Stick around until the end to hear my thoughts on tax-loss harvesting. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:42] 5 lessons to remember in bear markets
  • [9:20] How to use tax-loss harvesting

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Jun 27, 2022

It’s no secret that we’re living longer than ever. People are living so long that we may soon be seeing 6 generations in a single-family. 

With people living such a long time it makes retirement planning even more challenging than ever before. Understanding the 4 stages of retirement can help understand the different approaches to money management in each stage. Listen in to learn the 4 stages of retirement and how they can help you plan your retirement. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:42] There may soon be 6 generations in a single family
  • [2:52] You may be in the anticipation stage of retirement
  • [4:23] The reinvention stage is perhaps the most challenging stage
  • [6:52] The reflection stage leads to thoughts on legacy
  • [9:49] Renting vs. owning in retirement

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Jun 20, 2022

Inflation is weighing heavy on the minds of retirees right now, so when I came across this article on WSJ.com from Cristin Lourosa-Ricardo, I knew I had to share it with you. Listen in to try and find the silver lining of inflation. 

If you are a financial advisor fan of this show, make sure to stick around until the very end for a special announcement.

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:38] How to lessen the impacts of inflation
  • [5:19] Why you should buy the car you're leasing
  • [9:00] Control lifestyle creep
  • [14:34] How to balance a portfolio in this economic climate

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Jun 13, 2022

It’s true, money can’t buy happiness. But does how you choose to spend your money affect your happiness? Today we’ll discuss one article that challenges that old adage. We’ll also discuss a multifaceted question from a listener who just accepted an early retirement package. We’ll help her consider whether to rollover funds into an IRA and figure out what to do with her target-date funds. Listen in to hear the answers to this question and to consider whether money could actually buy happiness.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/money-cant-buy-happiness-or-can-it-ep-148/

Jun 6, 2022

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you've probably noticed a bit of an issue with the stock market lately. This can be distressing for any retiree, but when the declines in stock prices are coupled with high inflation and rising interest rates, then you have a triple threat to your retirement plans. 

Today we have a special guest joining the show. Joseph Hogue, CFA from the Let's Talk Money!  YouTube channel, is here to help us understand what the heck is going on with the stock market. If you have been trying to figure out what you should be doing with your portfolio you won’t want to miss this interview with Joseph Hogue

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:22] What is a CFA?
  • [3:22] What the heck is going on with the stock market?
  • [8:55] Will this be over sooner or later?
  • [10:50] Should we rebalance now?

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May 30, 2022

We’ve all heard of the 4% rule, but did you know that the creator’s recommendation for it has changed over the years? 

I recently discovered an article from ThinkAdvisor.com that included an interview with the father of the 4% rule, Bill Bengen. In the retirement headlines segment, we’ll take a close look at the article and learn directly from Mr. Bengen’s perspective and then I’ll offer my own. Don’t miss out on this glimpse into the mind of the creator of the 4% rule. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [2:12] Manage the risk portion of your retirement nest egg actively
  • [7:00] Adjust your withdrawal rates along with inflation
  • [7:47] My thoughts on using the 4% rule
  • [15:03] Is there a way to improve Jim’s retirement plan?

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May 23, 2022

Are you planning on enjoying an active retirement? If so, it may cost you more than you think. 

On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, I interview Thatcher Taylor, the financial advisor behind ProPathFinancial.com. Thatcher and I discuss how to prepare financially and mentally for an active retirement.

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:42] How to navigate the balance between
  • [3:18] How plan for a longer retirement
  • [9:00] A phased retirement plan could help you stay active
  • [11:55] Do you have a sense of purpose in retirement?
  • [18:33] Check out Thatcher’s YouTube channel

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May 9, 2022

If you are looking to ease into retirement by transitioning into a part-time role first, you won’t want to miss this episode of Retirement Starts Today. In the retirement headlines segment, we’ll explore an article by Anne Tergesen at the Wall Street Journal which outlines topics to consider when phasing out your retirement before retiring fully. 

Make sure to stick around for the listener questions segment to hear a question from Scott about how to evaluate COLA options on a pension. Press play to start planning your amazing retirement. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:32] Talk to your employer about how to work fewer hours
  • [3:12] Plan your income
  • [6:34] Social Security considerations
  • [11:51] To take the COLA or non-COLA option on a pension

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May 2, 2022

If you have received an inherited IRA or think you will in the future you won’t want to miss this episode. In the retirement headlines segment, we’ll take a look at the proposed changes in regulations regarding inherited RMDs based on the Secure Act of 2020.

In the listener questions segment, we’ll hear from Jim who has a question about rebalancing retirement income buckets. Make sure to stick around until the end so that you understand the best way to manage your buckets in retirement. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:32] The IRS interpretation isn’t what we thought it would be
  • [7:36] An example to illustrate an inheritance scenario 
  • [10:45] What can we learn from this new rule?
  • [14:25] Should you have 5 years of income or 25% of your portfolio value in bucket #1?
  • [17:18] Should you rebalance when stocks and bonds are down?
  • [18:56] Do Vanguard total bond funds qualify for bucket #1 or #2?
  • [22:03] Should you maintain a small list of funds in a portfolio?

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Apr 25, 2022

How much thought have you given to your future self? This week’s retirement headline explores the concept of nurturing your future self now so that you can increase your health, happiness, and financial security.

Over in our listener questions segment, I’ll answer a question from an anonymous listener about increasing their spending in retirement. They are looking for advice on whether they can afford to substantially increase their spending this year. Listen in to hear the Retirement Starts Today version of Suze Orman’s “Can I Afford It.”

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:58] Thinking about your future self can help you build a happier life
  • [7:52] Who is your future self 10 years after retirement?
  • [11:00] Should this listener spend the money that he didn’t spend in the past 3 years?

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