Showing 50 results of 702
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Is your financial plan fit for purpose — or is your adviser peddling an outdated strategy?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...
In this episode, we explore how to pass on your assets smoothly and efficiently—without dragging your loved ones through probate court. You'll learn why probate can be costly and time-consuming,...
In this inbox episode, we break down how the Social Security earnings limit works—especially for C corp owners who split income between salary and dividends. Learn what counts toward the limit, ...
In the first part of our series on estate planning, we laid the groundwork for why incapacity planning matters and what documents you need to get started. But there's more to it than just having your ...
Today kicks off a brand-new series on estate planning. Estate planning is one of those things everyone knows they should do—but far too many people put it off, sometimes until it's too late. And...
John asks about buying the individual sectors of the S&P 500 and rebalancing based on performance instead of simply buying an index fund. Devin shares the pros and cons that he can see with this s...
Rosemary's husband is scaling back to 32 hours a week as part of his transition plan before switching careers. With Social Security in mind, she asks: Will this reduced income impact their future bene...
Planning to travel in retirement? In this episode, I sit down with Andrew Motiwalla from The Good Life Abroad to discuss how retirees can make the most of their travel experiences—without the st...
This week, we're diving into a question about the tax treatment of Special Needs Trusts. There are two types—First-Party and Third-Party trusts—but how does each one affect taxes? We'll br...
For countless retirees, the greatest challenge isn't saving money, but spending it. After years of diligent saving, the transition to drawing down those hard-earned funds can be fraught with anxiety a...
Dan asks: If monthly income from an IRA exceeds $2,908 for a single person, would that result in disqualification for Medicaid? We break down the income limits, potential strategies to navigate Medica...
We've heard this hundreds of time... 'I wish someone had warned me about this when I retired.' More often than not, they're referring to one of five key challenges that catch many retirees by surprise...
In this episode, Tammy asks about the pros and cons of doing Roth conversions in retirement to manage Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) down the road. With $2.9 million in combined IRAs and curren...