Showing 50 results of 464
Jeremy Keil explains the top 3 tax efficient strategies for charitable giving in 2025. Most people give to charity because it’s meaningful to them — not because of the tax break. And that’s the right ...
Roth conversions can save thousands in taxes, but they can also trigger Medicare IRMAA surcharges that quietly add up to more than $5,000 a year. Most retirees never see it coming, because the rules f...
After enactment of the Social Security Reform Act of 1983, Social Security actuaries determined OASDI’s (Social Security’s or the system’s) long-range actuarial balance (LRAB) to be .02%, meaning that...
What if the biggest obstacle to a joyful retirement isn't your money — but the belief that you never have enough of it? In this episode, we discuss: Why "having enough" is both a financial and emotion...
Today, I'm thrilled to welcome Fritz Gilbert back for his second appearance on the podcast. Fritz is an award-winning blogger and author of The Retirement Manifesto, one of the most influential retire...
With talk of bubbles, corrections, and overvaluation dominating the headlines, we unpack how you can stay confident, stay invested, and stay sane when markets feel anything but predictable. In this ep...
Jeremy Keil explores 7 money moves you can consider before the new year to lower your taxes and keep more of your money in retirement. Every December, people scramble to finish holiday shopping, trave...
In this episode, Roger Whitney, a retirement planner with 30 years of experience, breaks down annual gifting limits and year-end planning. He shares practical strategies for giving that make a real im...
Steve spent more than two decades building video games, working with a team that felt more like family than coworkers. By all measures, he loved his work. But a heart attack in 2021 changed everything...
Most retirement advice quietly assumes you have a partner: two incomes, two Social Security checks, someone to split expenses with, someone to catch the slack if something goes wrong. But for singles,...
Retiring at 50 sounds bold, almost unthinkable for most people, but for Kent, it was the only decision that made sense once life, loss, and perspective pushed everything into focus. In this conversati...
At Dorval & Chorne Financial Advisors, we see every day how the right expertise—combined with the right questions—can make a meaningful difference in someone’s quality of life.
Discover why the biggest barrier to deeper relationships after 50 isn't conflict — it's the certainty we cling to without even realizing it. In this episode, we discuss: Why certainty "hardens" as we ...
Think waiting until 70 is the gold standard for Social Security? We dig into the real math behind delayed retirement credits and the hidden trade-offs that rarely make it into the headlines. Drawing o...
Retiring with a pension changes everything about your retirement math. Most people think about retirement in terms of net worth—how close they are to a million, two million, or more. But if you have a...
? Show Notes In this episode, Roger Whitney dives into the essentials of required minimum distributions, explaining the age thresholds, how the amounts are calculated using IRS life expectancy tables,...
Could striving for the "perfect" portfolio be holding you back from the fulfilling, financially confident life you've worked so hard for? Join us as we explore why embracing a "good enough" mindset ca...
Is your financial plan fit for purpose — or is your adviser peddling an outdated strategy? When you see these red flags, it's time for a second opinion.Evan...
In this episode of Retirement Reality, Darren shares what it’s really like to walk away from work at 54 and why it still feels surreal. After decades of saving, hitting his number, and paying of...
Meera and her husband have $4.5 million in retirement accounts and a $430K income. They want guidance on when to start Roth conversions, how much to convert each year, and whether to continue 401(k) c...
Everyone's wondering if this is the worst time to retire. With high valuations, stubborn inflation, and constant uncertainty, it's easy to feel uneasy about your timing. In this episode, we look at wh...
Today, I'm speaking with David McKnight. David is a best-selling author, world-renowned tax strategist, and financial educator who challenges some of the most popular (and misleading) retirement gurus...
Bills don't stop once you retire — and you can't expect your Social Security checks to cover them all. Don't risk running out of money. Instead, make a plan....
A single misunderstanding about Social Security spousal benefits can cost couples thousands over retirement. This episode unpacks the real math behind how Social Security treats spouses, ex-spouses, a...
When illness or death occurs within an unmarried same-sex partnership, family members can step in and push the surviving partner out. An estate plan is vital....
Discover what new research reveals about how retireesactuallyspend their money — and why front-loading your retirement income plan could be the key to enjoying your healthiest, most fulfilling y...
David asks for a general idea of what estate planning services typically cost, following up on the six-part podcast series. Although this show does not provide specific tax, legal, or financial advice...
What if the “smart” money choice isn’t the choice that builds your best life? This Root Talks episode starts with a bucket-list moment for James—throwing the first pitch at a P...
Extreme U.S. market concentration has made international equities not just a diversification play, but a timely opportunity....
Those “3x by 40, 6x by 50, 10x by 67” charts feel official—until your life doesn’t match the average. In this episode, James shows why age-based savings benchmarks miss the mar...
Veteran Atlanta advisors Margaret Wright and Bradley Martin are building MartinWright Advisory around institutional-grade portfolios, next-gen tech and a plan to sell the firm to other advisors....
Middle-class Americans say paying off debt is their top financial priority. Financial advisors say a fixation on paying down debt can hurt in the long run....
You've heard it a thousand times: "Wait until 70 to file for Social Security." But if that's such obvious advice, why do most retirees file earlier? In this episode, we uncover the hidden cost of wait...
How self-forgetfulness separates true fiduciary advisors from the rest. George Kinder reveals the key to being—and finding—the real deal....
In this episode of Retirement Reality, meet Donovan, a 55-year-old retiree who turned an unexpected career exit into an opportunity for freedom, reflection, and new purpose. Donovan shares how one def...
What if the key to a fulfilling retirement isn't about relaxation — but about doing the hard things you'd rather avoid? From rewiring your brain to deepening your sense of purpose, discover how ...
Do you leave meetings with your financial adviser feeling as though you've been bulldozed into decisions or you're unsure of what you're paying for?...
In this episode, we break down the newly signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and what it means for retirees. From the extension of the 2017 tax cuts to new rules around Roth conversions, Social ...
Today we answer a question from Ken, a recent retiree at 63, about how his Social Security claiming decision impacts his wife's future spousal benefit. We break down how spousal benefits are calculate...
Most retirees think tax planning ends with knowing their tax bracket, but that's just the beginning. In this episode, we unpack how different income sources interact in retirement, and how seemingly s...
Today we answer a question from Chris about The Good Life Abroad and whether we plan to take a trip with the company. We share our thoughts on the concept, what interests us about their offerings, and...
Today we answer a question from Sandi about how much umbrella insurance coverage you really need — especially as you approach retirement. We discuss why someone might choose a $2 million policy,...
Today we answer a question from Peter about what happens when a parent dies with a fully planned estate that avoids probate — and how the Small Estate Affidavit process works in practice. We dis...
In this special episode, we catch up on a backlog of insightful listener questions—covering everything from estate planning and Social Security taxation to Roth conversions and Medicare rules. I...
In the final installment of our 3-part estate planning series, we dive into one of the most overlooked—but critically important—aspects of planning: protecting your heirs' inheritance. It'...
Today we answer Jeff's question about using home equity to pay for end-of-life care — from tapping into equity for in-home support to selling the home to cover nursing home costs. In high-cost s...
In this episode, we shine the light on common estate planning mistakes that can derail even the best intentions. We discuss the risks of failing to update beneficiary designations and why relying sole...
Today we answer a question from Cathy about helping aging parents in California navigate care costs, preserve limited resources, and explore options like pro bono legal support. Although this show doe...
In this episode, we cover key tax considerations around wealth transfer. We cover the differences between federal estate tax and state inheritance tax, and explain why the stepped-up basis is such a p...
In this episode, Brian asks some great questions about using Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) for company stock inside a 401(k). We dive into the rules, timing, and strategies that could lead to majo...