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Americans increasingly use 401(k)s as emergency funds, not retirement savings, exposing flaws in U.S. retirement policy and deepening insecurity.
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...
Larry and Barbara Cook thought they were helping government agents. In the end, they found themselves victims of tax and Medicare gotchas, as well as the scammers.
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...
Recently, I’ve been experiencing a bout of financial hopelessness that’s been surprisingly hard to shake. Rationally, I know I’ll be OK, but mentally, I’m stuck in this negative loop. It started after...
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...
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...
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...
Do you know where your retirement savings are invested? When I looked into mine, I discovered that parts of it ran counter to U.S. foreign policy priorities.
With the tax-free money in a health savings account, a person can pay for eyeglasses or medical exams, as well as a $1,700 baby bassinet or a $300 online parenting workshop. Those same dollars can’t b...
We feature two deep-dive research papers on private credit. One is from Victoria Ivashina of Harvard Business School and the other from a team that includes Amir Sufi, co-author of "House of Debt" (U....
In the Fall issue of this quarterly publication, you'll find a story that recommends capping benefits at about $2,000, one that shows why a combination of income annuities and withdrawals from savings...
What if the biggest opportunity to grow your retirement savings has nothing to do with chasing the next big investment and everything to do with taxes? In this episode, Ryan…
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...
A year-end personal finance guide covering RMD deadlines, Roth conversions, HSA, contribution strategies, and key tax-saving steps to complete by December 31.
Have financial holes in your retirement plan (like not enough savings or unknown risks)? See if you should use home equity to fill them. The post 5 Ways to Tap Home Equity in Retirement and 7 Times Wh...
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...
Today’s reader case touches on an issue that’s near and dear to my heart, so without further ado, let’s dive in! Hi Firecracker & Wanderer! I’ve been an avid reader of your...
? 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,...
After decades of saving/investing, it's hard to immediately switch to spending mode. Here's what worked for me over the last few years! Read more → The post Learning How to Spend Money (While Enj...
How do I turn my savings into a steady paycheck that lasts the rest of my life?There are a few ways to approach this challenge, but one of the most popular, and surprisingly flexible, is called the sy...
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...
Transitioning from saving to spending in retirement can be tricky, but devising a strategic plan can help ensure a smooth and worry-free retirement....
Your money may be better served outside of a retirement account....
The final weeks of the year are more than just holiday prep and family gatherings. They’re also your last chance to make financial moves before year-end that could boost your retirement savings,...
Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitball withdrawal strategies, Roth conversion timing, and saving priorities for every stage of life, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast numb...
Take our RMD quiz to test your retirement tax knowledge. Learn about RMD rules, IRS deadlines, and tax penalties that could shrink your savings....
The IRS will come knocking for its share of your tax-deferred retirement savings when you hit 73, but planning ahead for RMDs will ensure you're ready....
Editor’s note: This article has been updated on November 3, 2025 to ensure accuracy and reflect the most current information available. With paychecks…...
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...
The real retirement cost may not be as devastating as it seems....
My wife and I have always been savers. Now in retirement I'm struggling to spend any money beyond the required bills, food, and payments. With our pensions and social security, the basics are way more...
? 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...
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...
We asked a college savings professional and a financial planning expert for their advice....
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...
Interesting Social Security Scenario - What’s your take on this? ? or ? A (breadwinner) parent divorced a real deadbeat parent after 14 years of marriage -and (2) kids. Neither ever remarried. T...
Transitioning from a lifetime of diligent saving to enjoying your wealth in retirement tends to be riddled with guilt, but it doesn't have to be that way....
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,...
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...
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...
Daryl wants a simple explanation of why Health Savings Accounts matter and what makes them such a powerful retirement planning tool. Although this show does not provide specific tax, legal, or financi...
Dear Kristy, I just wanted to say that you have truly changed my life… Messages like this make my ears perk up. Despite having last heard from this particular reader about a decade ago, I remem...
My wife and I plan to retire at the end of 2028. While we both have good paying jobs now, for most of our adult lives, we've been barely making it - raising children and living paycheck to paycheck. O...
Think of investing in terms of time, savings and risk. By carefully monitoring all three, you'll keep your retirement plans heading in the right direction....
Millions of small 401(k) balances end up in safe harbor IRAs, where fees and low returns erode growth. But advisors can help reclaim lost savings....