Retirement planning is the process of determining how much you will need to save and invest in order to have enough money to live on during retirement. It involves setting goals, analyzing your current financial situation, and making a plan to help you reach your retirement goals.
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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...
FROM THE ARTICLE. These steps can help protect your savings as rising prices erode retirees’ purchasing power. By Cameron Huddleston, AARP. Published November 04, 2025. Your wallet isn’t t...
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...
Proactive planning and professional guidance can help to build your confidence and give you clarity when you're navigating major life transitions....
Let's find out why financial planning is the ultimate marshmallow test and explore a few tips for how you can ace it. The post Why Financial Planning is the Ultimate Marshmallow Test appeared first on...
Proactively reviewing your health coverage, RMDs, and IRAs can lower retirement taxes in 2025 and 2026. Here’s how....
Technology is transforming the small-plan retirement market—and fast. In this episode of the401(k) Specialist Podcast, we sit down withSue Hardy, Head of Plan Operations atSandy, Utah-based401GO...
As a veteran financial journalist, I tried the free AI-powered platform, Waterlily. Here's how it provided fresh insights into my retirement plan — and might help you....
Government 457(b) plans are about to get more complex as new Roth catch-up requirements come into force. Here's how to prepare for the changes....
The Medicare.gov plan finder has been experiencing some technical issues during Medicare Open Enrollment....
I retired about 4 months ago. We downsized to a single story with plans for it to be our forever home about 6 years ago. One bonus was the really large backyard for our urban/suburban area. But I&rsqu...
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...
"Risk" and "uncertainty" are similar concepts. But your financial plan has to be prepared to cope with both. I think that mix is what's making some folks a little uneasy right now. In addition to the ...
Planning for Retirement: Social Security and Beyond!Tuesday, Dec 2, 2025. 2:00 p.m. ET • 1:00 p.m. CT • 12:00 p.m. MT • 11:00 a.m. PT. Duration: 60 Minutes. Zoom - Free Online Event. FR...
? SHOW NOTES In this episode, Roger Whitney explores the art of retirement goal setting with his signature blend of practical advice and thoughtful reflection. He sits down with Cesar Aguirre, who sha...
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...
Congratulations on getting your estate plan in order. Now, you need to communicate the relevant details to ensure your plan is effectively carried out....
Anyone else have any plans for this week? November has begun, need to start our idle time strong. Me? If I can time the traffic this afternoon, going to take my skis in to ski shop to get them tuned. ...
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....
Should the new temporary senior tax deduction change your Roth conversion strategy? Joe and Big Al spitball for Chris in Maple Grove, Minnesota, who wonders whether to keep converting to Roth now that...
When people think of what could haunt their retirement, they often imagine running out of money, facing unexpected expenses, or living too long. But as we discuss in this episode, there's a more insid...
Tax planning often slips to the bottom of our financial to-do lists—until a surprise bill or missed opportunity crops up. But behind the scenes, the right process for an ongoing tax strategy can...
Planning for retirement isn't just about hitting your savings targets and hoping for the best. It's about getting creative, asking new questions, and challenging your own assumptions. We follow the re...
Planning for your child's college education can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with skyrocketing tuition costs and countless savings options. This week on the show, we're discussing the ques...
Are you taking advantage of all your Roth opportunities? We break down the differences between the Roth IRA, Roth 401(k), or the Mego Backdoor Roth 401(k). by comparing your choices with another favor...
The second quarter of 2025 was anything but dull in the financial world. But despite the turbulence, both US and international stocks finished the first half of the year up over 10%. Over the last 12 ...
Few people properly plan for the decumulation stage of their retirement. A few missteps can derail one’s finances or disrupt their life....
A few practical steps today can make your future more secure – and less stressful....
“Through the historic Inflation Reduction Act, the Medicare program is meeting the needs of people with Medicare more than ever ... Read more...
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...
We asked a college savings professional and a financial planning expert for their advice....
Let's apply Maslow's hierarchy of needs to financial planning to create a guide for ranking financial priorities....
I am planning to retire (hopefully) soon, and I keep reading things that say I'll need 70% of my pre-retirement income, or 80%, or 90%. The idea being that you will lose some of the expenses related t...
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 ...
Think you have retirement planning down to a science? Consider these scary statistics....
You say you can handle a 40% crash, but does it matter? Your plan ignores your income, debt, and timeline. Here’s the risk capacity data it skips....
Make the most of year-end by reviewing contributions, taxes, and benefits. Smart planning now can strengthen your finances and set you up for success in 2026....
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...