Retirement Talk Radio's Podcast

With all the volatility this year, there are a lot of individuals re-examining the value their advisor brings in. Without knowing every option and without understanding how different financial services are structured, it can be difficult to truly evaluate your performance. That’s why we want to provide a clear breakdown of what fees and costs advisors typically charge.   We’ll start today’s discussion with Laura Stover, RFC® and Darlene Tucker, CFP® by unpacking the fees that you’ll often find from Registered Investment Advisory firms. Understanding the ‘wrap’ fee structure and everything it includes is a great start, but it’s very important to know differences you’ll find from institutional versus retail money management. Along with the fees we’ll detail, you should also take into account the added value that comes from having a comprehensive planning team. Being able to lay out a clear plan that you understand and can follow adds significant value to the performance of the portfolio because it eliminates th

There’s nothing quiet about the impact inflation is having on Americans right now, but inflation has long been considered the silent killer for retirement because of its ability to slowly erode your nest egg over time. If you aren’t properly prepared to offset the year-to-year decrease in purchasing power, it might mean trouble for your retirement down the road.  On this episode, Laura Stover, RFC® and Michael Wallin, CFP® will dive into everything surrounding inflation to help you understand how we’ve gotten to this point, determine whether the worst is behind us, and figure out when we might see things return to normal levels. The Fed believed this inflationary issue would be resolved in the short term, but now there’s worry that this could continue well into 2023 and even 2024.  So what can you do to protect your nest egg and keep from falling behind inflation? We’ll tell you a few actions you can take right now and explain how inflation adjustments are built into the LifeArcPlan™ system. Redefining Wealth

Coming off an incredible decade of growth and returns in the stock market, the feeling among investors isn’t nearly as optimistic in 2022. Darlene Tucker, CFP® joins Laura Stover, CFP® on the show today to help us look forward and determine what lies ahead for the market as the economy comes to a halt. While many things feel similar to the lost decade of the 1970s, there are some notable differences like our declining dependence on foreign oil and supply chain issues that might indicate a better outcome.   While we understand the concern right now, it’s important to remember that recession is a normal part of the business cycle. What we want to try and determine is whether this is just a normal pullback or a sign of larger problems? Our economy today shows promise in a few key areas so the hope is that history doesn’t repeat itself.   That’s why this show will focus on helping you determine what your next steps are as an investor. Part of that discussion includes explaining why the traditional 60/40 portfolio

It’s difficult to feel settled when markets are falling and uncertainty clouds the future, but we know that corrections are a normal and essential part of the cyclical nature of the market. They release pressure on markets when equities rise too fast, but that doesn’t ease our mind when we’re in the midst of the turbulence. What can help, however, is maintaining the right perspective.  Having a comprehensive plan can really paint the bigger picture and help bring the long-term back into focus. The goal isn’t just your investment returns. It’s about reaching the overall goals you’ve set for your future. Today, Laura Stover, RFC® and Michael Wallin, CFP® will tell you what you need to keep in mind to navigate the market volatility so that you’ll avoid trying to time the market and keep from acting emotionally when the large swings occur. Plus, we’ll tell you why times like these can actually become opportunities for investors with the right perspective. You can also find out more about an upcoming live appearan

In a year that’s been highlighted by uncertainty and volatility, iBonds have risen in popularity thanks to a guaranteed interest rate that’s been on the rise alongside inflation. Being able to generate a return of over 9% on your cash is pretty appealing, but should iBonds be a part of your portfolio right now?  Laura Stover, RFC® and Michael Wallin, CFP® will break it all down on this episode and help you understand all of the important details about iBonds, which we didn’t hear much about in 2021 because the stock market was in a strong position. We understand that people are searching for safety and guarantees right now, and iBonds hit a lot of those comfort words that clients talk about. With a minimum investment of $25 and a maximum of $10,000 each year, it’s a tool that all investors can utilize. But should you? We’ll take you through the fine print, help you understand how they’re used, and then take you through the factors we consider when determining where they fit into a client’s financial plan.  Re

When it comes to the world of investing, critiquing prior financial choices is a very common practice and it leads to us falling into the trap of hindsight bias. Studies have shown that people will go back and change opinions after the fact and then form new ones that more closely match how reality unfolded. It’s how we justify our past decisions and why it can be so difficult for investors to make better decisions moving forward. So many of the actions we take are based on yesterday’s headlines, and that can be a completely misleading strategy to follow. This is why we have to put the right financial principles and framework in place rather than trying to time the market and chase returns. We know the market goes up, down and sideways, which is why we try to help clients catch their emotions through setting expectations and building a plan. Investors need to know there will be contractions in the market, and we want to make sure they take the steps to protect their portfolio. Today we’re going to talk about

Most people enjoy being in control of their life and it’s hard to let go when it comes to money. That’s why it’s not a surprise that the do-it-yourself approach has cropped up everywhere over the past decade, but is DIY investing a successful strategy? We’re going to explore the idea of building your own retirement plan with a special co-host today, Darlene Tucker, CFP®, who is a colleague and a close friend of ours.   We’ve found that the typical DIY investor is a well-educated professional with reasonable means who prefers to build their own portfolios without help. Having information at our fingertips has given people more confidence to manage their own money, but the savings you’ll generate comes at a high cost to your retirement.   An experienced investment manager can help you navigate volatile periods, keep you from acting emotionally, and help you determine proper allocations as life changes, and that value often greatly outweighs the fees you would have saved from doing it yourself. Plus, there’s a l

The common theme in the market this year has been volatility, and that hasn’t slowed down at all throughout the summer. The month of August saw the S&P 500 drop 4.2 percent after four straight days of declines, which was driven by the expectations stemming from the Fed’s plan for tight policy. We learned more about that during Fed Chair Jerome Powell speech at a conference in Jackson Hole where he spoke on monetary policy and price stability.    The question getting now is when will the volatility begin to reduce and what might be coming through the end of the year and into 2023? This episode will examine the criteria that determines this like supply chain problems, supply and demand economics, and tightening disposable income. Plus, Laura and Michael will give their thoughts on what we’ve learned from this recent market movement and whether we’ll ever return to 3% inflation. And as always, we want to provide ways that our Redefining Wealth® process helps you address these market concerns by mitigating ri

Most people don’t understand the connective tissue that exists between government spending and how that impacts us all because it’s our responsibility to pay that money back. David Walker, the seventh Comptroller of the United States, is one of the handful of well-respected experts that are telling us that America is facing large economic problems due to recent fiscal policy and growing national debt. As Walker points out in his latest book, becoming a global superpower requires a country gaining power in four areas: economic, diplomatic, military, and cultural. That economic strength being the most important because it impacts the ability to influence through diplomacy, build the military, and increases opportunity to make a cultural impact. And that’s where our country is currently wavering.   In order to address the issue of rising debt and inflation, you have to reduce spending or cut some of the entitlements. That likely means higher tax rates – potentially significant – could be on the horizon and you

After years and years of saving money, there will come a point where we need to make withdrawals for retirement income and have to begin taking money out of those IRA accounts and those qualified accounts. The question many pre-retirees and retirees have is how do you know how much you can pull out and spend safely? This is a topic that’s very relevant to anyone approaching retirement, but even if you don’t think you’ll need to take money out of these accounts any time soon, you absolutely should put a plan in place well in advance so that you know you’ll be pulling money out safely and efficiently. This episode will explore what the research tells about withdrawal rates and take you through the different variables we consider when developing our Redefining Wealth® Custom Blueprint Income Plan. Understanding income and expenses is critical in times of volatility like we’re seeing now, which is why a combination of income planning strategies is essential to long-term success. We want to make sure you have a pr

We began the discussion on sequence of return risk on our last podcast and we want to continue addressing some key components to this risk. Not understanding how this impacts your portfolio can present a real threat to your retirement.  In this part of our discussion, we’ll explore the four general spending and investing techniques for managing sequence of returns risk that Dr. Wade Pfau talks about. Plus, we’ll run through the Four L’s (longevity, lifestyle, liquidity, and legacy) that impact the retirement planning process and impact risk. This is a vital discussion that you need to have with your financial advisor and it’s part of our Redefining Wealth Process® that protects retirees throughout all of their retirement.  This episode will also feature a bonus conversation on the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and a few of the items that aren’t getting enough attention, including the $74 billion stock tax.  Redefining Wealth® Custom Blueprint Income Plan: https://redefiningwealth.info/schedule/ Rate, Revie

Understanding the sequence of return risk in your portfolio is one of the most important things we can learn about while planning for retirement and yet there is not enough conversation out there on this topic. We need to understanding this risk even more now with a disappointing job report and the current market volatility.   So, what is sequence risk then? It’s the risk that comes with the order in which your investment returns occur. In other words, if the market dips early in your retirement, is the longevity of your portfolio still secure? On today’s episode, we’ll discuss this little-known topic and how the Redefining Wealth Process® protects retirees throughout all of their retirement.   Redefining Wealth® Custom Blueprint Income Plan: https://redefiningwealth.info/schedule/   Rate, Review and Subscribe to the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/retirement-talk-podcast-with-laura-stover/id571347188   How to Connect: redefiningwealth.info lswealthmanagement.com Schedule a Review: https://red

Believe it or not, the Fed was wrong. It turns out the inflation we’ve been experiencing is not transitory. They thought these high prices would stick around for six months or less. However, that’s certainly not the case and consumer sentiment is very low. With this low confidence it’s expected we’ll continue to see market volatility. So, what can investors do now to protect their portfolios?  If you are in retirement or nearing retirement, you need a flexible and predictable framework. With market swings, inflation, and a possible recession threatening your finances you need a plan that will be adaptable to unfavorable situations. The Redefining WealthSM Process® is built in just this way, to protect you from these unsteady times. Join us on today’s episode as we explore investor patience, market recovery, and investing fees, and much more.  Redefining Wealth® Custom Blueprint Income Plan: https://redefiningwealth.info/schedule/ Rate, Review and Subscribe to the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas

We are continuing our discussion this week on annuities and the value they have with a balanced portfolio. We’ll focus specifically on the differences between annuities and bonds with our special guest host, Joe Casey.  An annuity is a contract with an insurance company that ensures income in the future. It’s simple and can be valuable to the right investor. On the other hand, bonds are a bit more complex and are reactionary to interest rates. Join us today as we break down these differences and consider which investment is best for you. Redefining Wealth® Custom Income Plan: https://redefiningwealth.info/schedule/   Rate, Review and Subscribe to the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/retirement-talk-podcast-with-laura-stover/id571347188   How to Connect: redefiningwealth.info lswealthmanagement.com Schedule a Review: https://redefiningwealth.info/schedule/   Timestamps (show notes): 4:48 – What is the foundation of annuities? 8:31 – Index crediting 14:41 – Income riders on annuities  19:35 – Ass

We’ve been discussing the market and the volatility investors have been experiencing all year long. With this bear market many investors are wondering if they should move to cash because it’s safe. But, with 9.1% inflation rate we need to consider how to balance our portfolio. So, what are some alternatives when it comes to building our income plan? On the other hand, annuities can be a benefit to many investors, when used properly. However, rising interest rates impact this investment tool. On today’s episode, we’ll break down the relationship between annuities, interest rates, and your retirement plan.  Article mentioned in today’s show: https://www.thinkadvisor.com/2022/03/17/10-fast-facts-about-interest-rates-and-annuities/ Redefining Wealth® Custom Income Plan: https://redefiningwealth.info/schedule/ Rate, Review and Subscribe to the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/retirement-talk-podcast-with-laura-stover/id571347188 How to Connect: redefiningwealth.info lswealthmanagement.com Schedule

The S&P just had its worst half since 1970. With these jarring numbers, every investor is wondering if the stock market is ready to recover in the back half of 2022? None of us can know exactly when the market will recover, but there are some signs we can explore that may give us some insight into the rest of the year.    Obviously, the biggest issue our economy is currently facing is inflation. With the highest rate of inflation since 1980, the Federal Reserve is raising interest rates to slow spending. With the looming threat of a recession, pre-retirees and retirees need to understand how this bear market could impact their portfolio and lifestyles. On today’s show, we’ll break down why the market has fallen so dramatically, whether we are in a recession, the ways to manage your portfolio through the Redefining Wealth Process®, and much more.  Article mentioned in today’s show: https://www.fool.com/investing/2022/07/03/down-21-is-the-stock-market-ready-to-recover-in-th/ Redefining Wealth® Custom Incom

Many of us are desperate to get back to normalcy, especially because of what we’ve experienced over the past two years. But the market seems to keep reminding us that everything isn’t exactly normal and unfortunately, we’ve been in correction mode all year long. On today’s episode, we’ll break down a recent article that explores investor misperceptions, behavior biases, and how these factors hurt our portfolios, especially in times like these.  Loss aversion bias probably harms investors the most, losses hurt your plan twice as much as gains help your plan. This can trigger other behavioral biases, such as the reluctance to sell an investment if it’s trading below the original purchase price. Emotional decision making can be one of the most dangerous factors posed against growth in your retirement plan. So, join us today as we explore emotional decision making, selling at a loss, things you need to avoid doing during market corrections, and much more.  The article mentioned in today’s show: https://blairbelle

Do you truly understand the difference between volatility and risk? Modern portfolio theory was trademarked in the 1950s and is often still used today in our industry. This approach is still viable today and highlights understanding portfolio risk and the proper way to measure volatility. Standard deviation is a mathematical formula we use to measure and estimate risk. While it doesn’t address all major risks, it’s an essential part of protecting your portfolio and following the Redefining Wealth® process.   The risk in your portfolio can come from various areas: business, purchasing power, high interest rates, etc. All of these threats are working against your retirement plan and that’s why we use standard deviation. Our goal is to build a portfolio that takes on the least amount of risk possible and still garners high returns. On today’s episode we’ll break down how we measure risk, beta exposure, and much more.  Redefining Wealth® Inflation Guide: https://redefiningwealth.info/schedule/ Rate, Review and Su

Now more than ever, people are realizing the importance of a long-term financial plan. Things can threaten your plan seemingly out of nowhere. A year ago, inflation was hardly a topic of concern, but looking at today’s market has a lot of us worried about the future. As a way to combat rising inflation, the Fed is looking to raise interest rates which could impact our portfolios even more. So, how do we protect our wallets and ensure our shock proof our retirement plan? If you’re getting close to retirement, we want to insulate you from as much risk as possible. You must have a plan, that we stick to and execute. On today’s episode, we’ll breakdown the core pillars of a shock proof retirement plan and how we can invest with a purpose. Redefining Wealth® Inflation Guide: https://redefiningwealth.info/schedule/ Rate, Review and Subscribe to the Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/retirement-talk-podcast-with-laura-stover/id571347188  How to Connect:redefiningwealth.info lswealthmanagement.com Schedule

With the current volatility trends in the market, many of us are wondering what to expect in the coming months and years. The S&P is down over 20%, inflation is on the rise, and consumers are concerned. The reality is that many investors are facing major losses. Conservative investors are even experiencing volatility in their fixed-income investments. Despite these fears, the economy is doing well and while we don’t know for certain whether a recession will occur, we know we don’t have a market problem. What we’re facing is an investor and inflation problem.   If you’re approaching retirement this can be an alarming time, but implementing a plan to get through this tough spot is very possible through the Redefining Wealth Process. Everything is going to revolve around income, if inflation is limiting your spending power that’s where our focus should be. Avoiding sequence or timing risk is what impacts returns more than the market. Join us today as Laura and Michael break down the current and future trends