Welcome to Seeking Retirement
We curate a selection of educational retirement articles sourced from the web, authored by genuine retirees and financial experts. These articles contain valuable insights and guidance suitable for every phase of retirement planning, whether you're considering early retirement, traditional retirement, or already enjoying retired life. We've categorized the content to facilitate your search for topics that pique your interest. Our aim is to assist you in charting a path towards a fulfilling and joyful retirement. We extend our best wishes for a prosperous and contented journey ahead!
Showing 50 results of 7273
What millennials are saying about retirement
Oct 01 2024
I’ve had some recent encounters with younger folks that I thought I’d share. I’m not judging them at all, I just think it’s interesting how much attitudes have changed. This is...
reddit.com
How to transition from salaried job to part-time hourly without overworking?
Oct 01 2024
I’ve been teaching for over 40 years. After COVID, I went to part-time, remotely doing research and writing for my employer. I am having a really hard time working hourly on projects. I’ve...
reddit.com
Settling The Work From Home Debate Once And For All
Oct 01 2024
One of the most significant developments to come out of the pandemic, if not the greatest, was the shift to remote work for millions of employees. Beginning in March 2020, businesses quickly adapted o...
financialsamurai.com
I Made a Bad $10,000 Investment. On Purpose.
Oct 01 2024
Our post-recital ice cream social was in full swing. The kids were running rampant, the leftover ice cream was slowly ... Read more...
physicianonfire.com
2025 Drug Plan Premiums: Under Control But In Flux
Oct 01 2024
One of the goals of the Inflation Reduction Act is to lower drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries. The $2,000 cap on Part D out-of-pocket costs are a big step forward....
forbes.com
Why a Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity Could Make Sense Right Now
Oct 01 2024
Fluctuations in the stock market, high interest rates and unpredictable geopolitical events have made it more important than ever to find a predictable and…...
annuity.org
Maximizing Passive Income Streams for Financial Independence
Oct 01 2024
Many people cherish the dream of becoming financially independent, and as such, a state provides its citizens with financially determined freedom. Hence, creating several forms of passive income is on...
thinksaveretire.com
FAANG FIRE Book Club
Oct 01 2024
There was overwhelming support for a broadly FIRE themed book club! We’ll cover a mix of classic staples like The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins and The Little Book of Common Sense Investin...
andrenader.substack.com
Tax-Savvy In-Plan Roth Conversions and Inherited IRA Withdrawals - 497
Oct 01 2024
Should David in Ohio use 457 funds to do an in-plan Roth conversion in his 403(b) plan, and should he hire a financial advisor? Chris in DC needs a retirement and Roth conversion spitball analysis, an...
purefinancial.com
Should We Always Pull From our Brokerage Account First in Retirement? (Hint: No)
Oct 01 2024
Patrick and Mary will soon both be retired. They are curious about what their withdrawal strategy should be as they balance various retirement accounts, including a pension, IRAs, and a brokerage acco...
buzzsprout.com
How to Overcome Fears of Spending in Retirement
Oct 01 2024
Ben has been a saver his entire life, which helped position him for an early retirement at the age of 53. Yet, he faces a big challenge. Having maintained his modest lifestyle, Ben’s comfortable...
buzzsprout.com
Unexpected Retirement: Finding Happiness and New Adventures
Oct 01 2024
Elaine didn’t decide to retire at age 57, but changes in her company meant an early retirement for her. Being caught off guard, she didn’t feel emotionally prepared to make the shift, even...
buzzsprout.com
Facing Health Challenges in Retirement and Learning to Reconnect with Your Spouse
Oct 01 2024
After his father lost healthcare coverage in retirement and had to pay for a major health event with savings, Derek was highly motivated to ensure sufficient coverage in retirement. He even considered...
buzzsprout.com
How to Thrive in Retirement by Embracing the Unknown
Oct 01 2024
Chris has been retired for a little over a year while his wife has continued to work. Now that Chris has “tried on” retirement and found the fit good, his wife will likely join him within ...
buzzsprout.com
The Benefits of a Retirement Community and How to Find Your Purpose in Retirement
Oct 01 2024
Meet Joe Sullivan, who found the first few years of retirement very difficult. Community is important to Joe, but he wasn't getting sufficient, routine social interaction to make meaningful connection...
buzzsprout.com
Am I Too Old for Roth Conversions? 3 Things to Consider
Oct 01 2024
Gary is a 73-year-old with $8 million in savings. Despite having substantial assets, he’s concerned about missed opportunities for Roth conversions as he faces significant required minimum distr...
buzzsprout.com
3 Key Factors to Consider Before Paying Your Mortgage Off in Retirement
Oct 01 2024
Connor plans to retire soon and wonders if he should pay off his mortgage of $300,000 or invest those funds, especially since he has a low interest rate. James gives a detailed response and reveals wh...
buzzsprout.com
Pre-Retirement Tax Planning: Things to Know to Save Big in Retirement
Oct 01 2024
Retirement tax planning should begin well before retirement. Listener Jodie, with over $2 million in assets in various types of accounts, is concerned about the high tax bracket she anticipates she be...
buzzsprout.com
Social Security Demystified: Calculating Taxation, Provisional Income, and the Tax Torpedo
Oct 01 2024
Listener Michael asks about how Social Security is taxed, the rationale behind the 50% and 85% tax thresholds, and the implications of these taxes on Social Security and IRA withdrawals. James respond...
buzzsprout.com
The Roth Conversion Sweet Spot: Maximize Retirement Savings (And Avoid Costly Mistakes)
Oct 01 2024
Listener Nael opens up a discussion about Roth conversions. There are benefits to doing Roth conversions, but can you do too many? Are there any downsides to Roth conversions? Reaping the tax benefits...
buzzsprout.com
How to Estimate Your Tax Bill in Retirement (And How to Pay it)
Oct 01 2024
David has a question about taxes in retirement: When you’re retired and no longer getting a regular paycheck from which your employer withheld tax payments on your behalf, how do you estimate th...
buzzsprout.com
Retirement Income Strategies: IRA vs. Brokerage Withdrawals (The Tax-Smart Choice for Retirees)
Oct 01 2024
Mark asks a common question – What should I do regarding my withdrawal strategy? Should I first pull from my brokerage account or my IRA? There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but James provides...
buzzsprout.com
Planning for Large Costs in Retirement | Beyond the 4% Rule
Oct 01 2024
Listener Sherry asks a good question: How do large, one-off expenses (like a new roof, new car, etc.) fit in the 4% Rule? James explains the concept of the 4% Rule and its limitations while demonstrat...
buzzsprout.com
Early Retirement Health Insurance Strategies | Roth Conversions vs. ACA Subsidies
Oct 01 2024
Healthcare subsidies are like a tax break and should always be optimized, right? That seems like an easy question that should have a straightforward answer. But the correct answer is, “It depend...
buzzsprout.com
Everything You Need to Know About Medicare: Q&A with a Medicare Expert
Oct 01 2024
Drew Shockley of MOVE Health Partners joins James to address questions about Medicare. He overviews the Medicare system, explains Parts A, B, C, and D, and breaks down what Medicare does and doesn&rsq...
buzzsprout.com
How to Prepare for Retirement Within 5 Years: 401k, Savings & Investment Changes
Oct 01 2024
Graham and his wife are in their early 50s and plan to retire in 5 years. He wonders if they should continue maxing out their 401ks, how their investments should change, and what they should do with s...
buzzsprout.com
How to Know When You Should Stop Saving for Retirement (and What to Do Next)
Oct 01 2024
Drew, a burnt-out, financially responsible 40-something father of two, hopes he can scale back from his stressful job and still be okay when it’s time to retire. James offers a practical and phi...
buzzsprout.com
3 Simple Steps to Determine If You Can Retire
Oct 01 2024
How do you know if you can retire? It seems straightforward, but the answer is far from simple. Beyond portfolio balances and age thresholds, there are other things to consider. James explains his thr...
buzzsprout.com
Lump Sum vs. Annuitization: Tax Implications for Your Non-Qualified Annuity
Oct 01 2024
Joe is planning for retirement and wants to minimize his tax burden, especially on the interest earned from his three annuities. James explains that non-qualified annuities are purchased with post-tax...
buzzsprout.com
At What Age Should I Work with a Financial Advisor?
Oct 01 2024
Deciding to work with a financial advisor is about more than how much you've stashed away. It's also about determining whether an advisor's benefits outweigh the costs. In your higher earning years, f...
buzzsprout.com
Sell, Rent, or Borrow? Best Ways to Use Home Equity in Retirement
Oct 01 2024
Listener Ray is wondering what to do with his home as he embarks on a nomadic, van-life journey in retirement. Should he sell it to finance his travels or retain it for potential appreciation and cash...
buzzsprout.com
Pay ZERO Capital Gains Tax vs Roth Conversions in Retirement: How to Determine Which is Best
Oct 01 2024
Listener Drew asks about a tax strategy for juggling capital gains and Roth conversions. While it can be a complicated question – especially when large accounts are involved – James provid...
buzzsprout.com
Tax-Smart Strategies for Wealth Transfer: Secure Your Family's Future
Oct 01 2024
James responds to listener Jerry’s question about the optimal time to distribute inheritance or charitable gifts: before or after passing away. James walks listeners through four important thing...
buzzsprout.com
Roth Conversion Strategies to Protect Your Spouse's Future Tax Burden
Oct 01 2024
A listener says, “Eventually, one spouse will pass before the other, which will often catapult the survivor into a significantly higher tax bracket. Shouldn’t a Roth strategy take this int...
buzzsprout.com
Should I Fund my Retirement Needs by Purchasing an Annuity?
Oct 01 2024
Jason and his wife face a crucial decision: whether to purchase an annuity or pursue traditional investments as they prepare for a full-time, slow-travel retirement. With a diverse array of income sou...
buzzsprout.com
How Should I Invest Bucket #1 of my Retirement Portfolio (3 Bucket Strategy)
Oct 01 2024
The "Three Bucket Strategy" is a popular retirement income planning method. The first bucket covers immediate expenses in retirement. Listeners John and Donna are seeking advice on constructing their ...
buzzsprout.com
At What Point Should I Take the Tax Hit on Unrealized Gains?
Oct 01 2024
Benjamin, nearing retirement at 65, faces a familiar dilemma with his taxable account housing expensive mutual funds. Despite their underperformance, converting to low-cost index funds entails a signi...
buzzsprout.com
Maximize Your Early Retirement: Should You Save to 401k or Brokerage Accounts?
Oct 01 2024
Typical retirement strategies assume a retirement age of over 60. With an earlier retirement goal, a careful look is required to determine what strategies will create the best outcome. James responds ...
buzzsprout.com
Safe Withdrawal Rate Myths: Debunking 3 Common 4% Rule Mistakes
Oct 01 2024
The 4% rule helps us understand how much we can safely take out of our portfolio each year without running out of money in retirement. Yet, as simple as the 4 percent rule seems, the practical implica...
buzzsprout.com
What's the Right Roth Conversion Amount to Avoid a Tax Nightmare in the Future?
Oct 01 2024
Sammy, a 51-year-old retiree, is seeking advice on how much she should convert from her traditional IRA to a Roth IRA each year to avoid jumping tax brackets and minimize the taxation of her social se...
buzzsprout.com
How to Maximize Social Security Spousal Benefits
Oct 01 2024
James addresses a common concern for a couple approaching retirement through a listener’s question. Listener Rob plans to collect Social Security early at 62, raising questions about his wife&rs...
buzzsprout.com
Bond Ladders in 2024: How to Build a Bond Portfolio for Your Retirement
Oct 01 2024
As one listener prepares for an early retirement, James discusses the situation, covering how to build a bond ladder based on non-retirement funds. James provides a different way of looking at the sto...
buzzsprout.com
3 Ways to Protect Against Sequence of Return Risk in Retirement
Oct 01 2024
James explores the concept of sequence of return risk in retirement planning. Most people are unaware of how risky this is, as it doesn’t become an issue until you begin living off your portfoli...
buzzsprout.com
Should We Sell Stocks to Make a Large Purchase?
Oct 01 2024
Should you sell long-term stocks for a real estate investment? I walk through one listener’s question and explain what you need to consider before making such a decision. Aside from the obvious&...
buzzsprout.com
Am I Crazy For Paying My Financial Advisor $25k/year?
Oct 01 2024
When you’re doing well financially, paying advisor fees might seem unnecessary. So do you need an advisor if you’re already in a good place? Having a successful retirement isn’t just...
buzzsprout.com
When Should You Collect Social Security if Your Spouse is Much Older?
Oct 01 2024
James addresses a listener's question regarding Social Security strategies in retirement. Sasha, aged 59, seeks advice on when to start collecting Social Security, considering her husband's benefits a...
buzzsprout.com
Roth IRA Tax-Free Withdrawals: 5-Year Rule Explained
Oct 01 2024
James explores the nuanced aspects of Roth IRAs, shedding light on intricacies that can confound even experienced investors. Through a listener question from Manfred, a retiree contemplating a $50,000...
buzzsprout.com
Tax-Loss Harvesting Strategies to Maximize Your Benefit and Avoid Costly Mistakes
Oct 01 2024
Tax loss harvesting is a strategy that investors use to reduce their tax bill. However, there are many misconceptions about tax loss harvesting, including when it's valuable and how to do it ef...
buzzsprout.com
How to Teach Your Adult Children to Plan for Retirement
Oct 01 2024
James walks through a framework of how you ensure that your legacy goals include more than just leaving a chunk of money to your kids when you're gone. He explains the key concepts that can help your ...
buzzsprout.com
Does It Ever Make Sense to Purchase an Annuity?
Oct 01 2024
Have you ever wondered if purchasing an annuity makes sense for you? There are two conflicting opinions from financial advisors: some advocate for annuities while others advise against them. James exp...
buzzsprout.com
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Why Retirement is Important
Retirement is an important milestone in a person's life because it marks the end of their career and the beginning of a new phase of life. It is a time when people can stop working and start enjoying the fruits of their labor. There are several reasons why retirement is important:
Financial stability: Retirement allows people to stop working and start relying on their savings, investments, and any other sources of income they may have. This financial stability can provide peace of mind and allow people to enjoy their retirement years without worrying about money.
Health benefits: Retirement can also have health benefits. It can reduce stress and allow people to have more time to focus on their physical and mental well-being. This can lead to a longer and healthier retirement.
Personal fulfillment: Retirement can also provide an opportunity for personal fulfillment. People may want to pursue hobbies, travel, or spend more time with loved ones. Retirement allows them to do so without the constraints of work.
Social support: Retirement can also provide social support and a sense of community. Many people find that they have more time to spend with friends and family, and may join social groups or organizations that can provide a sense of belonging and purpose.
Overall, retirement is an important phase of life that allows people to enjoy the fruits of their labor, focus on their health and well-being, and pursue personal fulfillment and social connections.