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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 5
Apr 18, 2022

If you are heading into retirement you probably have a bucket list that you want to work on. While just about everyone has heard of a bucket list, not many are familiar with the concept of reverse bucket lists. 

On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore this concept by referring to an article from Jeff Stein at Inc.com. You’ll learn how a reverse bucket list could help you manage your wants versus your needs. 

Stick around for the listener questions segment to hear which assets to look at when doing a Roth conversion. You’ll also hear a question from Paul about the logistics of retirement withdrawals.

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:42] Using reverse bucket lists to prioritize
  • [5:20] What assets to use at when looking at Roth conversions
  • [9:48] The logistics of retirement withdrawals 
  • [12:48] Make sure the money comes out of the right accounts

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Apr 11, 2022

Do you wish you could have more freedom at work yet still earn a paycheck? Remote work and flexible scheduling may help you ease into retirement rather than plunging in all at once.

In our retirement headline segment today, we’ll explore an article from the Wall Street Journal that discusses a new phenomenon that is a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Additionally, I’ll answer Frank’s question about using the bucket time segmentation strategy in retirement. Listen in to hear details about what those buckets might look like and how to time withdrawals from each bucket. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:32] How should the increase in mortgage interest rates change your retirement plans?
  • [3:21] Part-time retirement programs are on the rise
  • [7:40] Obstacles to phased retirements
  • [8:25] My thoughts on phased retirement
  • [9:54] How to determine when your long-term retirement savings bucket is up or down

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Mar 28, 2022

When people begin retirement planning they usually have 3 main questions. We cover the questions about what to do about healthcare before Medicare and should I pay off my house regularly on this show. However, the third question, what do I do if I still have kids at home, is not one we regularly address. That is why I’m excited to have Bobbi Rebell, author of the new book, Launching Financial Grown Ups on the show today.

Bobbi is here to discuss the growing phenomenon of adult kids living with their parents and how that can impact your retirement plan. You won’t want to miss this episode if your kids are not completely launched. Listen in to hear Bobbi’s fantastic advice for creating an exit strategy to get your children off the payroll.

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:22] What to do if we have kids at home when facing retirement?
  • [7:20] What can we do to prepare our kids for an exit strategy?
  • [10:53] How to deal with our children’s financial mistakes
  • [19:07] Don’t rob kids of the ability to think things through

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Mar 21, 2022

Have you been hesitant to retire this year because of all that is going on in the world? On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore a retirement headline from Maurie Backman at The Motley Fool called 3 Reasons Why 2022 May Be a Bad Year to Retire, but then you’ll hear my rebuttal to each of her 3 arguments. 

If you have been on the fence about whether you should take the plunge and retire now, you won’t want to miss this episode. Make sure to stick around until the end of the episode to hear an anonymous question about how to be certain that you won’t owe interest and penalties on a Roth conversion. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [2:11] Pitfall #1 - The pandemic is still raging
  • [5:00] Pitfall #2 - Inflation is rampant
  • [8:15] Pitfall #3 - Stability is important
  • [12:23] An underpayment penalty question

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Mar 14, 2022

With the news that January’s inflation rate was a staggering 7.5%--the highest level in 40 years–everyone has inflation on their minds lately. Many retirees are reassessing how they can protect their nest eggs. 

On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore a WSJ headline, “There’s No Perfect Way to Inflation-Proof Your Investments,” by Anne Tergesen. If you have been wondering how you can best use your investments to hedge against inflation in retirement, don’t miss out on this episode to hear the pros and cons of several different options. Make sure to listen to the end to hear how long you might have to hold on to gold so that it keeps pace with inflation. (Spoiler alert–it’s a lot longer than you think!) 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:22] Inflation is on the mind of every retiree in 2022
  • [3:57] I bonds are the belle of the ball
  • [6:14] The pros and cons of TIPS
  • [7:23] The pros and cons of stocks, commodities, and real estate
  • [10:06] The pros and cons of buying gold
  • [11:29] How to pay taxes on Roth conversions

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Mar 7, 2022

Many people begin retirement with the question: what’s next? That question can plant the idea of starting a second chapter whether it be a new business, a side hustle, a passion project, or a consulting business. The question then becomes, how to get started? 

Gabe Nelson, the host of the Solopreneur Money podcast, is here to discuss how you can start a business in retirement. In this episode, you’ll learn tips on how to get started, how to decide what to charge, how long it should take to become profitable, and so much more. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:58] What are some tips for someone that wants to start a business in retirement?
  • [5:28] How to keep track of expenses
  • [7:00] At what point does the business have to become profitable?
  • [11:30] How to move from employee to employer
  • [14:00] The kinds of clients that Gabe works with
  • [16:42] Gabe never plans on retiring

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Feb 21, 2022

Tax season is here. This yearly duty is something that a good portion of citizens put off until the last minute, with some even requesting an extension to file later. However, today I have 8 reasons for you to consider filing your taxes early. Listen in to discover why you might want to bite the bullet and file your tax return early this year.

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:12] 8 reasons to file your 2021 tax return early
  • [4:18] Why you should try to get as small a refund as possible in retirement
  • [8:09] Should Marion invest 25% of her portfolio in a fixed annuity over 10 years?

This is a great list to encourage people to get started on their taxes. I’ve had my thoughts on tax planning for a while now that I’m cohosting the Retirement Tax Podcast with Steven Jarvis. Check it out if you are interested in tax planning strategies in retirement. 

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Feb 14, 2022

You may be worried about money in retirement, but are you worried that you won’t spend enough of it? Today’s retirement headline comes from Neil Templin over at Barrons.com and it examines how people’s core spending and saving habits from their working years continue in their retirement years. 

Listen to this episode to hear the author’s suggestion for how to rectify this issue and whether or not I agree with him. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:22] Retirees aren’t spending enough
  • [5:30] Create a retirement paycheck
  • [7:20] My thoughts on the article
  • [10:00] join the newsletter
  • [11:07] How to invest for retirement with limited assets

Retirees aren’t spending enough

Why do people continue to save in retirement when they are expected to be spending? Retirees Aren’t Spending Enough of Their Nest Eggs, Here’s Why, an article written by Neil Templin, examines the reasons why some people don’t plan to spend down their assets in retirement. These retirees' portfolios remain the same or sometimes even grow at a time of life when they should be diminishing. The author looks into why this phenomenon is happening.

Reasons for reluctant spending in retirement

One study even revealed that ¾ of participants had seen their assets remain the same or grow in retirement. There are numerous reasons why this could happen. 

The robust stock market over the past ten years could contribute to a steady or growing portfolio. However, even with strong returns, some people may not feel comfortable enough to loosen their purse strings and spend their savings in retirement. Templin lists these reasons for reluctant spending habits in retirement:

  • Fear of running out of money paired with uncertain longevity 
  • Worry about future medical expenses 
  • Concern over rising long term care costs
  • Learning from a parent’s retirement experience
  • Spending habits from working years continue through retirement 
  • Not wanting to be a burden on their children

It is difficult to change the core values that people have about spending. Saving is a habit developed over time and retirees are discovering that they can’t simply flick a switch and turn it off. 

A solution to reluctant retirement spending 

The author next examines research on retirees with pensions. The research showed that those who received more than half of their income in regular payments spent much more in retirement than those who received less than half of their income regularly. 

The article concludes that creating a pension-style income or regular paycheck by using annuities could be a solution for retirees who are reluctant to spend in retirement. 

An alternative to purchasing annuities in retirement

My concern with purchasing annuities to solve this problem is that this solution eliminates the freedom to choose. With a flexible spending strategy, retirees can spend confidently. They understand that when the market doesn’t behave ideally that there is always a plan b to fall back on. This flexible spending strategy relies on education and knowledge to give retirees the peace of mind they need to spend confidently. Listen in to hear how Guyton’s Guardrails could inspire confidence in your retirement spending strategy. 

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Feb 7, 2022

 Do you know where you’ll live when you retire? Deciding where to live in retirement is one of the biggest retirement decisions that you’ll make. There are so many factors to consider that it can be overwhelming with the myriad choices. 

On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore a headline from J.D. Roth at GetRichSlowly.org that reveals a new tool from The New York Times which helps people find places to live that suit their lifestyles. 

You’ll also hear the answer to Frank’s question about the inflexibility of safe withdrawal rules for those who choose to delay taking Social Security.

If you have been considering moving in retirement, don’t miss out on this episode to discover how this fun tool could help you narrow down your choices. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:22] A useful tool to help you choose a place to live
  • [4:03] My thoughts on purchasing a second home in retirement
  • [7:01] On taking larger withdrawals in your 60s to delay taking Social Security
  • [11:14] How I use Guyton’s Guardrails to set up safe withdrawal rates

This useful tool can help you choose a place to live in retirement

Today’s retirement headline, A Useful New Tool to Help You Pick a Place to Live, comes from J.D. Roth’s blog GetRichSlowly.org. In the article, the author explores a new interactive tool from The New York Times that could help you decide where to live based on your lifestyle choices. 

The interactive quiz uses 35 different factors which can help you narrow down the 17,000 cities and towns across the country they have to choose from. These factors include choices like population density, climate, racial diversity, political affiliation, the average cost of living, and many more. Users can even emphasize which qualities matter most to them.

After exploring a few options, users can compare their favorite choices in an easy-to-read table. Although the tool, isn’t the end all be all in deciding where to live, it may be able to accurately narrow down some areas for you to consider. 

Since the tool comes from the New York Times, it is behind a paywall you may be blocked if you have already read your free articles for the month. If you haven’t, spend some time exploring the variables to see which places look good to you. 

You may not qualify for a mortgage

Many retirees choose to buy a second home in retirement, and I work with several clients that have considered this option. When purchasing a home in retirement, it is important to remember a few rules. 

Oftentimes, people don’t realize that after leaving their career behind it can be very challenging to get a mortgage. Since qualifying for a mortgage depends on income rather than assets, many recent retirees discover that they may not qualify for a mortgage even when they have the assets to purchase the home outright.

One way to prevent this issue is by massaging your portfolio income to a level that the bank would approve to secure the loan. After closing on the mortgage, then you can reset your portfolio withdrawals back to normal.

Don’t be afraid to rent

If you are considering purchasing a second home or moving to a new area in retirement, don’t be afraid to rent first. By renting for several months in the city you would like to move to, you’ll be able to explore the town and understand where the desirable (and undesirable) areas are. Renting first could save you from a mistake that could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Learn more about moving in retirement and how using Guyton’s Guardrails could help you set up flexible, safe withdrawal rates in retirement on this episode of Retirement Starts Today.

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Jan 31, 2022
Is saving for the future preventing you from enjoying your present life? This may be an unpopular opinion for a financial podcast, but it is important to ask difficult questions to experience growth. If over-saving is preventing you from enjoying your present life, then you need to make changes. 

On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll examine an article by Darius Foroux that asks, Are You Saving Too Much Money? After the retirement headlines segment, I’ll answer a question from CJ about using a donor-advised fund to offset the last year of high income before retirement. Get ready to ask challenge yourself and explore your financial decisions as you press play. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:42] Saving too much money for your future could prevent you from enjoying your present life
  • [4:32] How to know when you’re saving too much?
  • [6:53] Does it make sense to create a donor-advised fund to get a tax deduction?
  • [10:22] What other deductions could you take advantage of?

Saving too much for the future could prevent you from enjoying the present

Today is the most important day that you have to live. If you are saving too much money you may not be able to enjoy today to its fullest. There are people that save up to 70% of their income while planning an early retirement, but this type of habitual frugality can get in the way of enjoying life in the present. Although saving a high percentage of your salary could give you confidence about your future, it can be difficult to unwind that practiced frugality to truly enjoy life. 

How to know if you are saving too much

If you’re constantly asking yourself on a daily basis how much things cost, you might be saving too much. Try not to calculate your spending down to the penny. Instead, be more conscious of how you spend your money. The is a balance between spending your entire paycheck and over saving is fluid and complex, so it is important to analyze your situation to understand the best saving situation for you.

There are several factors to consider when analyzing your savings patterns:

  • How old are you? 
  • What do you value in life? 
  • What type of lifestyle do you want? 
  • Do you have a career you enjoy? 
  • Where do you live? 
  • What are the odds you can do your work until you’re old? 
  • Do you have a support system? 

Understanding the answers to these questions can help you recognize whether you are saving too much. 

How to balance saving for the future while maximizing today

So, how do we balance living in the present and making the most of our lives today while, at the same time, being responsible stewards for our future selves? A good place to start is by coming up with a financial strategy that incorporates your values. Once you do that, you can use the free tools available on the internet to help you determine how much you need to save. 

Self-reflection is important to understand whether you are truly living your best life now or if you are waiting for some arbitrary future date to pursue happiness. Are you living your best life now? If not, what are you waiting for?

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Jan 17, 2022

Tax scams are as old as taxes themselves, so are you doing everything you can do to avoid them? In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore what the IRS labels, ‘the dirty dozen’ tax scams. You’ll learn who is targeted by the various scams and then you’ll discover what you should do to protect yourself from scammers. Make sure to stick around until the end of this episode to hear what you should avoid doing so that you don’t fall prey to tax scammers. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:24] The IRS has issued a warning to taxpayers
  • [6:10] Protection for taxpayers
  • [9:00] Dave wonders whether he should build his home with cash or use a mortgage

Watch out for the ‘dirty dozen’

Every year the IRS publishes its list of the 'dirty dozen’ tax scams that citizens should be on the lookout for. This year’s list comes directly from the IRS website in an article called Americans Urged to Watch Out for Tax Scams During the Pandemic. The article breaks up the 12 types of schemes into 4 categories based on who carries them out or whom they affect. 

The scams can be described as pandemic-related scams, personal information cons, ruses that focus on unsuspecting victims like seniors and immigrants, and schemes that persuade taxpayers into performing unscrupulous actions. The IRS urges everyone to stay aware of scams and scammers, especially during tax season.

Economic impact payment theft

This first category of the dirty dozen is related to the pandemic-related stimulus payments from the government which are still under threat from identity thieves. 

Look for these warning signs to spot identity theft scams. Any text messages, random incoming phone calls, or emails inquiring about bank account information or requesting recipients to click a link should be considered suspicious and deleted without opening. Remember that the IRS will never initiate contact with taxpayers by phone, email, text, or social media asking for a Social Security number or other personal or financial information related to economic impact payments. 

Be alert to mailbox theft by checking your mail frequently and reporting suspected mail losses to the post office. It is also important to remember that IRS.gov is the agency’s official website for payments, refunds, or other tax information. 

Unemployment fraud leading to inaccurate taxpayer 1099-Gs

Stay vigilant about receiving receipts of unemployment benefits that you did not actually receive since this could be a sign of identity theft. This is yet another way that identity thieves try to steal stimulus payments. Taxpayers should look out for a form called 1099-G which reports unemployment compensation that they did not receive. 

If you do receive this form, the IRS urges you to contact the appropriate state agency for a corrected form. If a corrected form cannot be obtained in time for taxpayers to file a timely tax return, they should complete their return claiming only the unemployment compensation and other income they actually received. 

How you can protect yourself

This year the IRS made its IP PIN program available to all taxpayers. In the past, this program was only available to victims of identity theft. The IP PIN will help prevent fraudulent filings from identity thieves by serving as a key to unlock a taxpayer’s tax account. In addition to the IP PIN, the IRS is further working to reduce fraud by strengthening tax software password protocols, asking for driver's license numbers as a way to prove identity, limiting the number of tax refunds going to bank accounts, and making personal information from tax transcripts. 

It is important to stay one step ahead of scammers so that you can protect yourself from fraud. Remember that the IRS will never ask you for your personal information via phone, text, or email. 

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Jan 10, 2022

Do you have gold as a part of your investment portfolio? Several years ago there were loads of infomercials about investing in gold, but after today’s retirement headline you may want to think twice about complicated investment strategies.

Don’t miss out on this real-world cautionary tale which provides an example of how and why owners of IRAs with assets invested in nontraditional means need to follow strict guidelines. Press play to listen.

Outline of This Episode

  • [2:32] Don’t make this $300,000 tax mistake
  • [5:25] You don’t have to invest your IRAs in stocks and bonds
  • [12:40] You don’t need complexity to have great retirement investments
  • [13:50] When the first RMD is taken from an IRA is the money considered earned income?
  • [16:08] Does the custodian of an IRA pay taxes directly before distribution of the money?

Are you signed up for the Every Day Is Saturday newsletter?

If you have been wondering how you can submit your own listener question, make sure to head on over to my website RetirementStartsTodayRadio.com and simply click the ask a question button.

Another way to submit a question is by responding to my weekly Every Day Is Saturday newsletter which is delivered every Thursday morning. By joining the newsletter not only will you be reminded that in retirement every day is Saturday (even Thursday mornings), you’ll also get links to articles and resources that were mentioned on the show. 

Why one couple owes the IRS $300,000 for storing gold in their home

How’s this for a headline? A Couple Stored a Gold IRA at Home. They Owe the IRS More Than $300,000. Today’s retirement headline was written by Laura Sanders at WSJ. The article discusses a scheme that was promoted years back when ads extolled the benefits of using IRA assets to buy silver and gold coins to store at home or in a safe deposit box. However, the IRS has made it clear that there are strict rules that must be adhered to regarding IRA investments, and the couple failed to follow those rules.

You don’t have to invest your IRAs in stocks and bonds

Many people don’t realize that retirement investment accounts don’t have to invest the assets in typical securities like stocks, mutual funds, and ETFs. The law actually gives retirement plan investors many options on how they invest funds, as long as it’s not in collectibles such as artwork. Retirement accounts can hold investments in real estate, litigation funding, deeds of trust, and even cryptocurrency. One thing to watch out for with these kinds of alternatives is if your investment asset isn't liquid you could be in for some trouble around the time of your 72nd birthday when RMDs start.

Make sure to follow the rules

The article emphasizes that savers who have decided to invest in alternative assets must follow strict rules so that they are not considered self-dealing. Investors who do not follow the rules closely are risking financial catastrophe. Listen in and click through to the article to hear the details of the case so that you can understand how to avoid this type of costly situation.

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Jan 3, 2022

You may have noticed how the spirit of giving changed your mood this holiday season. That is because giving can actually increase your happiness. This week’s retirement headline from BigThink.com is titled How Generosity Changes Your Brain, and it discusses recent research on how giving to others promotes happiness. On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, you’ll learn how acting on your generosity creates numerous psychological and physiological benefits in your body.

If one of your goals for 2022 is to be more generous or even if you simply want to reflect on the acts of gift-giving that you experienced over the holiday season, don’t miss the retirement headline segment. Then make sure to stick around until the end of the episode to hear my favorite retirement resources.

Outline of This Episode

  • [2:42] How generosity changes your brain
  • [8:02] How you can incorporate giving into your retirement plan
  • [9:47] Dave is looking for quality retirement resources

Giving can increase happiness

Can spending your money maximize your happiness? We’ve all been told that money can’t buy happiness. However, new research suggests that the opposite is actually true: spending money can bring joy. 

Rather than buying things to increase happiness, researchers have found that sharing wealth with others is what creates long-lasting contentment. New research has been able to scientifically measure the ways that giving can improve joy. Giving actually releases neurochemicals like oxytocin and endorphins in your brain that are known to increase happiness. Have you noticed this phenomenon whenever you give to others?

Volunteering is sharing the gift of your time

In addition to giving money and gifts to others, giving the gift of time increases happiness as well. During the working years, donating time can be a challenge with all the other commitments that people have. This issue disappears in retirement.

Volunteering can even improve health. Science shows that generosity can increase longevity. Researchers found that retirees who volunteer were less likely to die over the course of a 5-year study. The results of the study showed that volunteering boosted people’s overall well-being. Regular volunteering is even more beneficial to health than giving financially. Do you have plans to make volunteering a regular part of your retirement?

How to maximize your happiness through regular giving

Making a habit of generosity is a great way to improve your happiness and health in retirement. Whether you choose to give financially or donate your time, the results will benefit you.

Now that you know that giving can increase your joy, you can find ways to maximize that happiness. One way to ensure that you are optimizing your giving is by giving consciously rather than setting up an automated gift to charity each month. 

If you do automate your giving, looking at your bank statements each month to see how much you spend on yourself and comparing that with your spending on others can also increase your contentment. 

Have you thought of giving your time or money in retirement? Volunteering or donating money in retirement can also give you a renewed purpose. Think about ways that you could increase giving in ways that align with your values. Listen in to hear my favorite volunteer opportunity.

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Dec 27, 2021

Would you want to raise your standard of living for half of what you live on now? Tim Leffel did, which is why he chose to uproot his family from their life in Nashville to move to a small city in Mexico. Tim is the author of the book A Better Life for Half the Price and he joins me today to discuss the pros and cons of living abroad.

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn how you can save money by living abroad. Tim is an expert in the subject and has written extensively about this topic. Listen in to hear this interview. 

Outline of This Episode

  • What made Tim decide to live in Mexico?
  • Why did he rent before buying?
  • What are examples of how he saves money by living in Mexico?
  • Do you need to know Spanish before moving to Mexico?
  • Why would people not want to move abroad?

Why did Tim choose to move to Mexico?

Tim and his wife have traveled extensively and even lived in Seoul, Korea, and Istanbul, Turkey when they were young. When they had their daughter they knew that they didn’t want to live in the far flung reaches of the world but they still wanted the experience of living abroad. 

Mexico was close by and easy to travel to, plus they liked the culture and the food which made it an easy choice to settle on. They chose to live in the central Mexican town of Guanajuato which is a mid-sized city of 200,000 with pleasant weather all year round. 

It makes sense to rent first before purchasing abroad

Tim chose to rent for a year first before taking the plunge and purchasing a home. He remarks that buying a house abroad is not like it seems on those popular house hunting TV shows. 

There is a lot you need to think about when buying a home abroad. The zoning laws aren’t the same as in the U.S. and it can be hard for a foreigner to understand what things are worth without living there first. Tim recommends putting in the time and effort to truly understand the market value before purchasing a home. 

What are examples of how he saves money by living in Mexico?

It’s no secret that living in Mexico is less expensive than living in the U.S. Rent in the United States can easily cost $2000. In Mexico, you can find a house to rent for a fraction of that.

Healthcare expenses are notoriously high in the U.S. and in Mexico, Americans are shocked to find how easy it is to pay for those expenses out of pocket.

Tim finds that his total monthly expenses in Mexico are roughly equivalent to what he paid in rent in the U.S. Not everything is cheaper in Mexico though, listen in to hear about what costs more in Mexico.

Do you need to know the language first?

You would think that you need to be fluent in the language before moving abroad, but there are some places in Mexico where you can get by being monolingual.

Tim still doesn’t consider himself fluent, although he is learning the language. Since his daughter went to school in Mexico, she had the opportunity to become fluent. Would you want to learn the language before moving abroad?

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Dec 20, 2021

Despite the economic downturn, 2020 turned out to be a fantastic year for charitable giving. In this episode, we’ll look at how people chose to give and you’ll learn about the efficiency of giving through donor-advised funds (DAFs). 

In the listener questions segment, you’ll learn how to survive a bear market in retirement. We’ll investigate the length of the average bear market and see how you can prepare for the worst in your retirement years. 

Outline of This Episode

  • 2020 was a banner year for giving
  • Planning ahead can help alleviate a hefty tax bill
  • What is the average length of recovery from a bear market?
  • Look into Guyten’s Guardrails

Shwab and Fidelity both showed an increase in giving

You would think that with the economic downturn of the last year that people would tighten their bootstraps and cease giving to charities, but it turned out that the opposite was true. The two largest brokerage firms, Schwab and Fidelity, recorded increases in charitable donations. 

Donations were made in response to the Covid pandemic and the social justice protests that marked the year. The biggest recipients of these charitable gifts were organizations that provide food and other necessities

Donor-advised funds are an important vehicle for charitable giving

Fidelity Charitable and Schwab Charitable both use donor-advised funds as a vehicle for charitable giving. Donor-advised funds (DAFs) have become popular since they are simple and make for an easy way to give strategically. These charitable investment accounts allow a donor to make a charitable contribution, receive a tax deduction, and then distribute the money over time. Have you thought of changing the way that you make charitable contributions?

What are the benefits of using DAFs?

DAFs have become more popular in recent years due to changes in tax laws. The new standard deduction for charitable giving increased to $24,800 for a married couple. By creating a DAF, donors can contribute a lump sum every few years and then administer the funds to the charities they choose over time. Many advisors recommend donor-advised funds as a receptacle for their clients to strategically deduct charitable contributions. Listen in to hear a real-world example of how a DAF can be used. 

Planning ahead can create a tax deduction

We must all pay our taxes, but we never want to overpay -- no one wants to leave the taxman a tip. If you are charitably minded, a donor-advised fund is an excellent way to implement a multi-year tax strategy and take advantage of the standard deduction. Think about how lump sum giving every few years could change your tax situation. It pays to plan your taxes ahead in retirement.

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Dec 13, 2021

We’ve all been sitting at home for the past year and now everyone is getting the travel bug. That’s why today we’re kicking off the Summer Travel Series with an interview with Lee Huffman. Lee hosts a podcast called We Travel There and he writes a frugal travel blog at BaldThoughts.com. I’ve been curious about the world of travel hacking, so I have plenty of questions for Lee about using travel points, how to find the best travel resources, and, of course, where to travel. Check out this interview to help you plan your summer vacation. 

Outline of This Episode

  • Where should we get started?
  • What should one look for in travel points?
  • How saving miles and points are like saving for retirement
  • The go-to resources to use
  • Places to check out 

How should we all get started traveling again?

The pandemic has left many of us homebound for over a year, so now that many people are fully vaccinated, everyone is ready to get on the road again. The big question is: how should we get started? 

Lee recommends using the travel credits that you may have accrued from canceled vacations over the pandemic. Those credits and vouchers may have expiration dates, so be sure to check the fine print to ensure that you don’t lose out. 

He also suggests getting your summer trips booked ASAP. The sooner you book, the sooner you’ll be able to find reward availability and lower prices. The more people begin traveling the higher the prices will rise. 

What about international travel?

Travel within the U.S. is on the rise, but people are also itching to travel internationally. Since the vaccine rollout has been different in each country, it is important to carefully investigate the specific travel rules for the country you wish to go to. Each country has its own pandemic rules and regulations. Some countries require negative Covid tests upon arrival and others may require you to be fully vaccinated. It is also important to remember that if you travel internationally, you will need a negative Covid test to enter the U.S. again, regardless of your vaccination status. Listen in to hear how many hotels in Mexico are helping travelers with this requirement.

What are the best ways to earn points?

You can earn travel points and rewards even when you are not traveling by using a credit card. Lee recommends the Capital One Venture Rewards card to get started. You can get cash back or earn extra miles with each purchase that you make. Listen in to hear how you can get started with the Capital One Venture rewards program to start traveling this summer. 

Lee compares saving miles and points with saving for retirement. He states that the two best days to start saving your miles are 10 years ago and today. He also mentions the importance of using your miles periodically. You don’t want them to become devalued over the years. 

How to use your travel miles

There are more ways you can earn travel miles than just making purchases. There are apps that you can use like Dosh to help you earn extra miles on each transaction. 

If you have had a travel rewards card for years but find it difficult to use, you won’t want to miss this interview with Lee Huffman as he explains how you can best use your hard-earned miles. He not only mentions how to use your miles, but he also includes fantastic resources that you can check out to help you find availability so that you can actually use the points that you have accrued. 

Make sure to check out Lee’s podcast, We Travel There, to get inspiration for your next travel destination. He interviews locals to help his listeners understand how to get there, where to go, what to do, how to get around, and where to stay. 

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Dec 6, 2021

What is the number one travel goal for people approaching retirement? Disney! People young and old alike love to go to Disney. In my 15 years of retirement planning, I have discovered that a multi-generational trip to Disney is at the top of most people’s bucket lists. That is why I have brought the world’s foremost expert on Disney travel, Lou Mongello, on to Retirement Starts Today for an interview. Lou and I discuss all things Disney: the must-see attractions, when to go, how to plan, and what is so special about Disney. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:52] What’s so special about Disney?
  • [4:29] What are the must-see attractions?
  • [8:45] When to go
  • [12:53] Plan in advance
  • [15:56] Lou’s favorite thing at Disney

What’s so special about Disney that everyone wants to go there?

Since Disney is the number one bucket list item for many people there must be something extra special about it. When I ask Lou why it is so special, he is unable to quantify this phenomenon. He chalks it up to the way Disney makes us feel. If you have been, you know what he means. 

One way that Disney is able to give us those warm fuzzy feelings is with its customer service. Disney’s level of service is unparalleled. They always go beyond expectations which is why everyone remembers Disney with such fondness. No other place in the world enjoys such a level of brand loyalty. 

What are the must-see attractions?

There is so much to do at Disney. In Orlando, there are not only the 4 main theme parks but there are water parks and resorts to enjoy as well. It can be challenging to figure out what to do when there is so much to choose from. 

There is something for everyone at Disney. Lou recommends the classics from Magic Kingdom in addition to some of the newer attractions. Grandma and the littles are sure to enjoy It’s a Small World and the Jungle Cruise. The Haunted Mansion is another Magic Kingdom classic. At Hollywood Studios, the Tower of Terror and Rock n Roller Coaster are fun for the thrill-seekers in the family. And Frozen and Toy Story are hits with the kids. The Animal Kingdom safari also brings joy to the entire family.

When to go?

When planning your Disney vacation it is you’ll need to consider when to go. This will depend on your family’s schedule, but there is more to consider. Disney has different travel seasons. The peak season includes major holidays and summer. The off-peak times are the rest of the year. During the off-peak times, you can find values on food and lodging prices. 

One tip to use while planning your Disney vacation is to use a Disney travel agency. Many don’t realize that Disney agents are free to the consumer since they get paid by Disney. When planning your Disney vacation make sure to take advantage of these experts. They can help you make the most of your holiday. 

What is the best age to go to Disney?

There is no bad age to go to Disney. There is so much to do that appeals to every age group. That is what makes Disney such a great multigenerational vacation getaway. Not only is there something for everyone, but there is a wide variety of accommodations and food choices. You can customize your vacation to your family’s specific wishes. The most important thing to do is plan ahead. Much like financial planning, planning before you go to Disney will ensure that you get the most out of your family holiday.

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Nov 29, 2021

Since travel is on many soon-to-be retirees' must-do lists I have created this summer travel series with various travel experts. Danielle Desir from the Thought Card podcast joins me today to discuss how to travel to any destination on a budget. Recognized by Flight Network as one of the best travel hackers in the world, Danielle has figured out how to travel to bucket-list destinations on a dime. Are you ready to learn how to plan your next big trip on any budget? Listen in to discover how.

Outline of This Episode

  • Danielle’s journey to bucket list budget travel
  • Identify the things that you value
  • Take an individual approach 
  • Danielle’s top destinations
  • How to choose to repeat a destination
  • Jet lag tips
  • Where to learn more about travel hacking with Danielle

If you’re on a budget, don’t settle for inexpensive destinations, think big!

Many people think that if they are on a budget they can only travel to budget-friendly places, but Danielle Desir takes a different approach. As a travel hacker, Danielle has learned how to make travel to bucket-list destinations more affordable. She describes using an abundance mentality as a way to make affordable travel work. She recommends getting creative when planning, “take what you have and make it work.”

Identify what matters to you

The first step in becoming a financially savvy traveler is to identify what you value in travel. Is it important to you to be comfortable on a flight? Do you like to eat out and try the best local cuisine? Do you want to see everything you can in one location? Do you prefer luxury accommodations? 

Once you have identified what the most important aspects of travel are to you then you will understand where you can be flexible in your spending. If eating out isn’t important to you then you can save money by packing a sack lunch each day. If a fancy hotel room isn’t important then you could save money by staying in a hostel or an inexpensive Airbnb or motel. 

Understanding what you value in travel will help you save money and ensure that you have an amazing time on your trip. 

Make a game of saving money

Another way to save money is to gamify your planning experience. By making a game of saving money you can compete with yourself to see how much money you can save each time you travel. You can cut costs in a variety of ways by looking for inexpensive accommodation, saving on flights, or by using travel points. Gamifying your travel costs allows you to get creative and save more. 

Communication is key when it comes to couples’ travel

When traveling with your significant other it is important to take into account what they value as well. Make sure to communicate with them so that you are both on the same page. They may value different things about travel so it is important not to skimp in the areas that matter to them. 

You should also be understanding of your partner's travel experience. There may be one partner that is more travel savvy than the other. That means that the travel-savvy partner needs to be patient and explain the importance of the things that you do to save money when traveling. 

It is also important to remember that traveling in retirement will be much different than traveling for work. You are out there to have fun. Listen to this episode with travel expert Danielle Desir to hear how you can travel to any destination affordably. 

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Nov 22, 2021

Now is a great time to start financial and tax planning for the next year. To do so, you must first look at any changes that were made to tax laws. We’ll do that by exploring 2 articles from Forbes and CNBC which take a closer look at any imminent changes to the tax code.

Then we’ll dive into the main segment with an article from Investment News which claims that fewer retirees are claiming Social Security at age 62. Listen in to hear if there will be any tax and retirement planning changes that affect you and to hear why fewer people are claiming Social Security early. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [1:42] Changes in tax planning for 2022
  • [5:12] Changes in retirement savings plans for 2022
  • [8:08] Fewer retirees are claiming Social Security at 62

Tax updates from Forbes

Despite all the news media clamoring that there might be significant tax changes in 2022, there haven’t been many changes. According to an article from Forbes, marginal tax rates will rise slightly. The standard deduction will rise to $12,950 for individuals and $25,900 for married couples filing jointly. Capital gains rates remain unchanged for the next year, however, the brackets moved slightly to keep pace with inflation. Unfortunately, the charitable deduction that was available to nonitemizers in 2021 did not carry over to 2022. The SALT tax cap could possibly increase from $10,000 to a significantly higher number, but as of this recording, it is not yet official. 

Retirement plan changes in 2022

Do you max out your 401K? I’m always shocked when I realize how few people actually maximize their savings. Only 8.5% of workers save the maximum allotted amount. 

Even though the vast majority of people do not max out their 401Ks, savers will have the opportunity to save even more next year. The employee contribution limit for tax-deferred retirement savings plans will increase to $20,500 which is up $1,000 from 2021. On the other hand, Roth IRA limits will remain unchanged at $6,000. 

So despite the dramatic headlines in the financial media earlier this year, very little has changed for tax and retirement planning from 2021 to 2022. We’ll keep you posted if anything new arises. 

Fewer retirees are claiming Social Security at age 62

If you are curious about the effects of the baby boom consider this: the number of men who turned 62 has more than doubled between the years of 1997 and 2019. This shocking number makes it easy to be fooled by the number of people who claim Social Security early since the number of people who claim Social Security has risen, but when you look at the percentage of people who claim early the statistics have declined greatly. According to a study at Boston College by the Center for Retirement Research (CRR), the percentage of 62-year-olds who claim Social Security early at age 62 has decreased in the past 20 years. 

How has the Covid pandemic affected Social Security claiming age behavior? 

Although we won’t have hard data for another year, it looks like some older workers who lost their jobs may have turned to Social Security to help make ends meet. Early evidence shows that the effects of Covid have not pushed large numbers of people into early retirement. This could be because those most affected cannot afford to stop working.

I’m encouraged that folks are waiting to collect Social Security and in doing so growing the guaranteed income portion of their retirement income. Hopefully, this is due to retirees actively making the decision to defer, rather than deferring because they are having to work longer. Whether it is planned or unplanned, deferring will result in a larger benefit for those retirees. 

This is our last original episode of 2021 so that I can spend more time over the holidays with my family. We’ll close out the year with a list of my favorite episodes from 2021. Enjoy the holiday season, and we’ll meet again in 2022!

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Nov 15, 2021

Have you ever filled out a questionnaire at your financial advisor’s office? If you have, it was probably a risk tolerance questionnaire. I have my own opinions about them, but you’ll have to wait until the end of this episode to hear what it is. 

On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore an article from AdvisorPerspectives.com written by Dr. Wade Pfau and Alex Murguia which argues that risk tolerance questionnaires (RTQs) don’t work. You’ll hear new retirement slang and acronyms as well as a discussion of retirement income sourcing. 

Dr. Pfau has also developed his own tool to use that can help you select the best deaccumulation approach. Don’t forget to stick around until the end to hear my thoughts. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [2:22] How risk tolerance questionnaires are used
  • [5:45] The different approaches
  • [10:35] Two different styles
  • [12:58] My personal criticisms of risk tolerance questionnaires

What are risk tolerance questionnaires used for?

RTQs are a tool that help financial advisors identify the amount of volatility that clients can handle in their investment portfolios. These tools generally consist of 9 questions and they are designed to establish a baseline so that the advisor can rank the investor on a scale of 1-5 from conservative to aggressive. These documents are especially helpful for advisors to stay compliant as they choose portfolio recommendations.

Why retirement investing is different

RTQs work best in the accumulation stage of people’s lives, but when it comes to retirement they fall flat. In retirement, a person must shift their way of thinking from accumulation to decumulation and this can be a challenging adjustment in mindset. Viewpoints on funding daily expenses inevitably change when one is completely dependent on living off one’s investment capital without the luxury of human capital to cushion the blows of a bear market. 

Retirement brings added risks

In addition to a change in mindset, there are unavoidable spending shocks that arise in retirement. This means that retirees need to consider how much of their assets they need to keep on hand for these unexpected events and market downturns. 

Not only are there the everyday expenses that come along, but retirement brings on further risks. There is constantly the risk of outliving your money and becoming a burden to others since no one knows their own longevity. Another retirement risk is lifestyle risk. To maintain a comfortable lifestyle in retirement it is important to ensure enough discretionary income to fully enjoy retirement. 

Why RTQs don’t work 

RTQs work better for people in the accumulation stage of life because they weren’t designed to handle the broader questions that retirement brings. They can play a small role in helping to decide asset allocation, however, they cannot be used in place of a retirement plan. 

It is important to come up with a retirement income strategy based on goals first. By beginning a retirement plan with a questionnaire you end up boxing yourself into a strategy that may not be in alignment with your ultimate retirement goals. Listen in to hear why I think RTQs are a poor excuse for proper retirement planning. 

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Nov 8, 2021

Do you let news headlines affect your choices? The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College wanted to learn more about this question, so they conducted a study to find the answers. In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll take a look at the findings of this study and analyze how people’s misconceptions can influence their life choices in retirement. After checking out the retirement headline, I’ll clarify a Rule of 55 question from Dave. Listen in to hear how headlines may be affecting your decisions.

Outline of This Episode

  • [2:32] Media coverage of Social Security could affect claiming age
  • [7:21] Don’t let scary headlines plan your retirement for you
  • [9:40] A tricky Rule of 55 question from Dave

Do sensational headlines affect people’s retirement decisions?

I found an article written by Emile Hallez at Investment News titled Media Coverage of Social Security Could Affect Claiming Age which piqued my interest since, as a financial advisor, this is exactly what I don’t want to hear. 

In this age of social media, we are used to immediate gratification which means that many people don’t dig past a news story’s headline to learn more. The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College studied this phenomenon in relation to Social Security benefits and retirement age. Articles on Social Security often emphasize the trust fund depletion date which leads people to believe that the entire Social Security system is insecure. 

Check out the episode where we recently reviewed an article similar to the ones shown in this study.

How did people react to the experiment?

To analyze how people reacted to headlines, researchers showed several types of headlines on Social Security to participants and then asked them a series of questions about their confidence in the Social Security system. The researchers studied how the type of headline affected people’s decisions regarding their own retirement plans. 

They discovered that workers shown headlines that emphasized the Social Security depletion date decided to claim Social Security a year earlier than those in the control group. Learn more about how the study was conducted and the results by pressing play.

Don’t let alarming headlines plan your retirement

A careful retirement plan should be created based on what is right for you and your family. You’ll want to consider your financial future in the long term and how it will affect your life. Shocking headlines incite many to act on fear, but this would be short-sighted. Once you have a retirement plan in place, you can refer back to it when making any decisions about your retirement rather than a knee-jerk reaction. 

Rules of thumb for claiming Social Security

If you are listening to a retirement podcast, hopefully, you aren’t easily swayed by sensational Social Security headlines, but how should you plan on claiming Social Security? If you are married then I suggest deferring the larger benefit for as long as possible. You can collect the smaller benefit whenever you need the income. By deferring the larger benefit, you will be deferring income longer which will leave room to do Roth conversions if needed and the larger benefit will grow to serve the spouse that lives the longest. It doesn’t matter who earned the larger benefit because upon the first death the smaller benefit expires and the larger one continues. 

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Nov 1, 2021

Our chances of death are 100%, so that means at some point in your life you will probably experience the death of a loved one, and you’ll need to prepare for your own passing. Choosing the right executor can make a traumatic time more bearable. The role of executor is not an easy one, which is why it is important to choose wisely. 

In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, you’ll hear an interview with executor expert, David Edey. David has recently written a book titled How to Pick an Executor and Avoid Family Fights. After listening to this interview you’ll be able to choose and become an exemplary executor. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [2:32] How to prepare your executor
  • [4:37] Should you hire a 3rd party or ask a family member
  • [10:15] How to be the world’s best executor
  • [15:34] More about David’s book

What you can do to prepare your executor

David learned how to be a rock star executor from his own challenging family experience. It took him 7 years, 10 court appearances, and $50,000 in lawyers’ fees to settle his parents' estate and they both had a will!

Everyone seems to know someone with an executor horror story which is why he decided to write his book. David wants to teach others how they can choose or be a fantastic executor.

If you ask someone to become your executor, you must ensure that they have all the tools they need to perform their duty. Make sure to have an up-to-date will in place. Talk with your beneficiaries so that they know what to expect when the time comes. Your digital assets and files should be organized and easily accessible. No one wants to be looking around for missing paperwork when they are dealing with the loss of a loved one. Make it as easy as possible for the executor to get the job done. 

How to choose an executor

Families can fall apart when it’s time to settle an estate which is why it is important to carefully choose an executor. You could choose a family member, a friend, or a third party. If you choose to hire a third party there will be many fees involved. If you choose one of your children over another it is important to communicate with both the chosen executor and the other children to ensure that you help to keep the family harmony after you pass. 

There is no one right way to choose an executor, but you should consider the health and age of the chosen executor. It is important to choose someone who can keep the dynamic that you want to set for the estate and that can get the job done. 

How to be a fantastic executor

If you have been chosen to be an executor you need to ask plenty of questions. It is important to understand where important documents, passwords, and information are. Insist that the will is up to date and that everything is labeled in an easy-to-find location. David’s book has a wealth of resources that can walk you through the process of being an executor. He explains the protocols for shutting down social media, bank accounts, and other online accounts. You can also check out David’s Executor Help podcast. 

Family dynamics can fall apart when a loved one passes. Doing the proper preparations for your passing may be challenging now, but it will pay off in the long run. Doing so will ensure that you leave a legacy and not a mess. 

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Oct 25, 2021

If you are like many Americans who watch the news, inflation is probably on your mind. Since the Covid 19 pandemic began costs have been rising. We are still facing the effects of the supply chain breakdowns brought on by the pandemic in addition to extreme worldwide weather events. 

These events have led to an increase in the price of goods on everything from fuel to food to lumber. This type of inflation can be stressful for the average working family but even more worrisome for those on the cusp of retirement. 

Listen in to hear the latest Social Security news and learn how you can combat rising costs. Make sure to scroll down to the bottom of the show notes to access all the links mentioned in this episode. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [2:52] Good news about Social Security
  • [4:26] How COLA is calculated
  • [5:40] COLA may not be enough to keep up with inflation
  • [9:28] What can we do to hedge for inflation?

Recipients of Social Security are getting a raise

If you are already retired and receiving your Social Security benefits, I have good news! The annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) will increase by 5.9% in 2022 which will boost the individual income of recipients by about $92. This is the largest increase in Social Security benefits since the 7.4% augmentation in 1983. 

Over the past decade, the rise in COLA has been negligible, only averaging 1.65%. This minimal increase is due to the way COLA is calculated. This calculation is based on the change in prices of a market basket of goods as measured by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPIW). 

Even with next year’s close to record-breaking increase, COLA may not be enough to truly combat inflation. 

Are yearly inflation adjustments to Social Security enough to truly keep up with inflation?

Despite yearly inflation adjustments, Social Security benefits have decreased their buying power by 32%. Even though COLA has increased benefits by 55% since 2000, senior citizens’ expenses have actually increased by 104.8% over this same timeframe. 

This ThinkAdvisor article has a photo slideshow that illustrates 10 costs that older Americans have seen risen over the past 20 years.

The article cites The Senior Citizens League (TSCL), an advocacy group, which is trying to change the way COLA is calculated. While TSCL supports legislation that could modestly increase COLA, you won’t want to wait for Congress to ensure that you can maintain buying power in retirement. 

What can we do to hedge for inflation in retirement?

Buying (and holding) stocks in the best companies in the world is the best way to hedge for inflation. The best companies in the world will hire the best employees in the world, and together they will figure out how to find efficiencies and raise prices which will provide you with positive returns and an increasing long-term share price, regardless of inflation.

An allocation to 50-70% stocks should be plenty to keep your portfolio growing, which will grow your account balances over the long term and allow you to increase your monthly distributions. With this kind of diversified portfolio, you’ll be able to use your cash and bonds to weather the storms and ride out bumpy markets. 

How are you planning to combat inflation in your retirement plan?

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Oct 18, 2021

The end of the year is coming up right around the corner, and you know what that means: it’s time for end-of-the-year tax planning! However, this year’s tax planning may look a bit different with new tax legislation making its way down the congressional pipeline. Many wealthy individuals are nervous about what the current regime has in store for them. This is why when I saw the headline Tax Moves Advisors Should Be Making Before Year's End in Financial Advisor Magazine I knew I had to share it with my audience. If the news of the tax legislation has you worried, you won’t want to miss this episode. 

Outline of This Episode

  • [2:22] It’s time for year-end tax planning
  • [8:53] Why you should donate to charity this year
  • [12:44] How to offset future inherited income taxes
  • [18:08] How a qualified charitable distribution could help with taxes

Do you have tax-change proposal fatigue?

Keeping up with all the changes in tax legislation over the past few years can be exhausting. It seems like once in a generation tax law changes happen every couple of years. 

One of the most troubling things about new tax legislation is wondering when it will take effect. Will the new law come into play at the end of the year, or will the changes be retroactive? While this can cause a bit of worry there is no sense in speculating. There is only so much that you can do to prepare. 

Realize more income now to be proactive about the potential tax law changes

While we have no idea what the future might hold, we can still have the presence of mind to plan ahead. One way to combat a hefty tax bill next year is to accelerate your income now. 

For instance, if companies typically give bonuses at the beginning of the next year, they could pay those bonuses out in December instead. 

Another way to realize more income sooner rather than later is to close any business sales before the end of the year to lock those earnings in under the current tax law. 

Enter into deduction mode if you are close to retirement

If you are nearing retirement and you know your income will drop once you retire, you should be in deduction mode. Take advantage of HSAs and 401Ks rather than Roth IRAs to reduce your income and maximize your contributions between now and the end of the year 

If your income decreases once you retire then you can start Roth conversions to mitigate the tax deductions you took when you had a higher income. 

Year-end tax tips

If you file the standard deduction, don’t miss out on the charitable deduction of $300 for singles and $600 for married couples. 

If you are able to itemize your deductions and you are charitably minded, consider funding future years' charitable contributions through a donor-advised fund (DAF). If you have highly appreciated stock then you could use it to contribute to charity while also realizing a valuable tax deduction. 

Another way to finish out the year is to anticipate your year’s earnings so that you can fill up your tax bracket with Roth conversions. This is a great way to take advantage of the historically low tax rates. 

Worrying about future changes won’t help at all, instead, do what you can to take advantage of this year’s low tax rates to prepare for an uncertain future.

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Oct 11, 2021

Do you wish that you could have a mulligan when it comes to taking your Social Security benefit? Once you file for Social Security, it seems like your decision is set in stone. But what if I told you that you have options to reverse your decision? 

In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore an Investment News article written by one of my favorite Investment News contributors, Mary Beth Franklin. This article provides options for those who have remorse about the timing of their Social Security claim.

In the listener questions segment, we’ll discuss Jerry’s question about his health insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act and how they are affected by the 8.5% rule.

This episode is jam-packed with helpful retirement information, so press play now to continue your retirement education.

Outline of This Episode

  • [3:02] 3 Social Security do-over options
  • [8:25] Check out the Retirement Repair Shop podcast
  • [9:24] Jerry’s ACA insurance premium questions
  • [13:50] Clarification on the ACA 8.5% rule 

There are 3 ways that you could reverse your Social Security timing

Have you found yourself regretting the timing of your Social Security benefits claim? Maybe you wish that you had waited longer to receive a larger benefit or maybe your retirement timeline has changed based on the pandemic or other factors. If so, I have good news for you. There are 3 ways that you could reverse your decision. 

There are many people that wish they could go back and change the timing of their Social Security claim, so if you are one of them make sure to listen to this episode to learn which choice might best fit your needs. 

Withdraw your application

You may not realize this, but you can withdraw your Social Security benefits application. Use form 521 to do so, but keep in mind that there’s a catch. 

You’ll have to repay any earnings you or your dependents have received. Withdrawing your application can only be done once, but doing so will allow you to apply again later when your monthly check would be higher. 

You’ll also want to consider whether you are already enrolled in Medicare. If you withdraw your application, your Medicare premiums will no longer be automatically deducted from your Social Security benefit, so you’ll have to find another way to pay. 

Suspend your benefits

If repaying your Social Security benefits isn’t feasible, then you might want to consider suspending your benefits. This way you don’t have to repay anything, however, keep in mind that not only will your benefits stop, but also this action will stop any benefits to a dependent family member. Your benefits would then start again at age 70. Listen in to discover why this may be a good strategy for married couples. 

Request a lump sum payout

Requesting a lump sum payout works only for individuals who have reached full retirement age. They can request a lump-sum payout of up to 6 months of retroactive benefits. This option would best be used by someone who has an urgent need for cash or for people who waited until after their full retirement age to claim either spousal or survivor benefits. After receiving a lump-sum payment, that person could then voluntarily suspend benefits and earn delayed retirement credits up to age 70 which would boost future monthly benefits. 

Claiming Social Security seems like such a permanent decision so if life comes along and changes your plans it’s good to know that you have these alternatives to consider. 

Resources & People Mentioned

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