Retirement Starts Today Radio

2050 seems like a long way away, however, it is closer than we think. In this week’s retirement headline, I share an article from Richard Archer at FinanceInsights.net which explores the future of retirement and the impact that technology has had on the past, present, and future of retirement. In the listener questions segment, I help Bruce with a question about using individual bonds vs bond funds in retirement.  You only have a couple of weeks left to answer our annual listener survey. It only takes about 3 minutes of your time to state your opinion and make your voice heard! Outline of This Episode [2:02] Will retired life be better in the future? [6:40] Technology can help retirees stay independent longer [11:08] Individual bonds or bond funds in retirement? [17:40] Using the portfolio immunization strategy Resources & People Mentioned Annual Listener Survey Retirement in 2050. Will Retired Life Be Better in the Future? Bond mutual funds article from Schwab Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Re

Are you fed up with paying state income taxes? Before you pack your bags and move to a no income tax state you’ll want to listen to this episode. Moving to a different state to save money on taxes could cost more than you think.  After listening to the retirement headline, make sure to stick around to hear Doug’s question about where to save extra money for retirement–my response may surprise you.  Outline of This Episode [1:22] Don’t move to save on income tax [6:33] Should I invest additional money in my tax-deferred 457B account? Resources & People Mentioned Why Moving to a State with Low Income Taxes Could Cost You Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Subscribe to the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Jim is only 3 weeks away from retiring and wants to know my top tips for someone approaching retirement. If you are on the countdown to retirement, make sure to listen to the listener's questions to hear what they are.  In the retirement headlines segment, we’ll explore the benefits of using a bucket withdrawal strategy for investments. You may be surprised to hear what the actual benefit of using the bucket strategy is. Listen in to hear what the bucket strategy can do for your retirement.  Outline of This Episode [1:22] Do bucket withdrawal strategies work well in retirement? [6:35] 3 Practical tips for someone retiring in 3-5 weeks Resources & People Mentioned WSJ article - Do ‘Bucket’ Investment Strategies Make Sense in Retirement? BOOK - Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod Future Self video Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Subscribe to the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradi

What does a good night’s sleep have to do with retirement planning? Listen to this episode to find out.  Today we’ll explore an article from Andrea Peterson over at the Wall Street Journal titled, To Get a Better Night’s Sleep, First Fix Your Day. After discussing how to apply her advice to retirement, we’ll tackle Bill’s questions. Since he has a few questions I’m trying something new and answering them in a lightning round style. Stick around until the end to discover if this method worked or if it was a flop.  Outline of This Episode [1:22] Findings from pandemic related sleep problems [6:45] How journaling can help you sleep better [11:00] When should Bill take Social Security? [11:55] Should he take the lump sum or the lifetime annuity? Resources & People Mentioned To Get a Better Night’s Sleep, First Fix Your Day by Andrea Peterson Oura Ring Whoop Strap Sound Retirement Radio with Jason Parker Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com Follo

Deciding whether to delay filing for Social Security is a hefty decision. Waiting to collect Social Security until age 70 will increase your monthly benefit by 32%, but that doesn’t mean much if you don’t live long enough to reap the rewards of being patient.  In today’s retirement headlines segment, I’ll share an article written by Jeffrey Levine from Kitces.com that discusses a workaround to the seemingly all-or-nothing decision of whether to collect Social Security benefits at full retirement age or to delay filing until age 70. If this decision has been weighing heavily on your mind, you won’t want to miss this episode.  Outline of This Episode [1:22] If you are a do it yourself investor you are your own financial advisor [5:30] Retroactive payments are granted as a lump sum payment [7:03] Use the nudge strategy [9:00] Drawbacks to the 6-month nudge strategy [12:48] Using QLACs and MYGAs to enhance a bucket strategy DIY investors need plenty of tools in their retirement planning toolbox Jeffrey Levine,

Do you wish that there was a list of what to do and what not to do in your retirement? I recently discovered an article from MorningStar.com written by Sheryl Rowling titled 8 Financial Do's and Don'ts for the 7-Figure Retirement, and I thought it would be perfect to share with my listeners. You'll learn several tips that you should consider when planning your retirement. After we analyze the article’s do’s and don’ts, we’ll turn to Debbie’s question about taking Social Security early in order to protect beneficiaries.  Outline of This Episode [1:42] 8 Financial Do's and Don'ts for the 7-Figure Retirement [4:11] Boredom is a 4 letter word in retirement [6:25] Don’t take Social Security too late [10:19] Don’t write checks to charity [12:07] Consult a financial professional [13:45] Should Debbie take Social Security early? 8 Financial tips for a successful retirement Don’t retire too early. Retiring too early can be detrimental to both your psyche and your savings. If you have to retire early or sooner than e

Have you been wondering how to best prepare for the end of the tax cuts coming up in 2026? One of our listeners is and they would like to know how Roth conversions should factor into planning for the end of those tax cuts. You might be surprised by my response to her question, so don’t miss out on the listener questions segment today to hear my answer. If you are Medicare aged you’ll want to pay attention to the Retirement Headlines segment today as we discuss Medicare’s open enrollment period. You’ll learn what changes to pay attention to and why. Make sure to press play to hear what you need to know about Medicare’s open enrollment period, how to plan for the tax cut sunset, and a special announcement regarding the show. Outline of This Episode [3:02] What’s new for Medicare open enrollment [8:52] How to prepare for the 2026 tax code changes Resources & People Mentioned What’s New for Open Enrollment from Investment News Retirement Repair Shop podcast with Mary Beth Franklin Medicare series with Dani

What a difference 18 months makes in the housing market! Many who bought their homes at the peak of the real estate boom are beginning to regret their decision. A recent article from BuzzFeed tells stories of remorse experienced by several homeowners who are now in over their heads.  In this episode, we’ll explore the homeowners’ stories, and compare expert opinions. Finally, I’ll close the segment with my own thoughts. Make sure to stick around until the end to hear my observations about clients’ spending patterns once they reach retirement.  Outline of This Episode [1:22] Many who have bought a house in the past 2 years now regret it [5:39] Advice from different financial advisors [9:02] My takeaways [11:33] My interesting observations about clients’ spending patterns Resources & People Mentioned BuzzFeed article Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Subscribe to the newsletter: https

There’s big news in the world of retirement. The news is so big that we have 2 articles from mainstream media sources to check out in this week’s retirement headlines segment. If you’ve been wondering how inflation will affect Social Security benefits you won’t want to miss out on this episode.  Stick around for the listener questions segment to hear how to transition from biweekly paychecks to monthly portfolio withdrawals in retirement. This transition is trickier than you might think, so you won’t want to miss my tips for making the adjustment. Outline of This Episode [2:02] The average Social Security beneficiary will increase by $140 per month [4:52] What is COLA? [9:20] Will you get the increase if you delay filing for Social Security? [10:21] How to manage a monthly payday [13:54] How to get extra credit from your portfolio Resources & People Mentioned Social Security Benefits to Increase 8.7% in 2023 from ABC News Social Security Announces Biggest Benefit Hike Since 1981 from CBS News  Inflatio

Have you been wondering if the 4% rule still applies with a bear market and high inflation? Many financial pundits may have you questioning the validity of this so-called retirement rule of thumb.  In the retirement headlines segment, I share a recent article from Financial Advisor Magazine that highlights quotes from the creator of the 4% rule, William P. Bengen. After sharing the retirement headline, I’ll chime in with my own thoughts on the validity of the rule.  Stick around until the end of the episode to hear whether Social Security benefits increase each month that you delay filing until age 70 or each year.  Outline of This Episode [1:52] William Bengen doesn’t believe that it is necessary to adjust spending to 3% [5:24] Where the 4% rule is helpful [9:20] Do Social Security benefits increase each month you delay filing until age 70, or each year? Resources & People Mentioned The Father Of ‘4% Rule' Doesn't Buy 3% Alternative Delayed Social Security Planner Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get

Have you ever thought about purchasing stocks for purpose of generating dividend income? If that is part of your retirement plan, then you won’t want to miss this episode. Today we’re taking a look at a retirement headline from MarketWatch that highlights three considerations to be aware of before jumping into this strategy.  Stick around for the listener questions segment to hear the answer to Jerry’s question about increasing his retirement spending until it’s time to collect Social Security. Outline of This Episode [1:22] 3 tips for buying stocks to produce dividends in retirement [5:01] Use a Swiss Army Knife portfolio [7:25] On increasing retirement spending before Social Security Resources & People Mentioned The Nerd’s Eye View blog @DerekTharp on Twitter Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Subscribe to the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Subscribe

Why don’t more people maximize their Social Security benefits? As a financial advisor, I often wonder at the surprisingly low percentage of people who choose not to optimize their Social Security benefit.  Today’s retirement headline dives into that question in further detail by analyzing a study with plenty of data. Listen in to learn when many people choose to take Social Security and their reasons for making their decision.  Outline of This Episode [1:42] When people plan to take Social Security and why [7:26] 55% didn‘t think they would be able to replace three-quarters of their last paycheck amount in retirement income [10:40] How should a new retiree fill their cash reserve bucket when stocks and bonds are down? If you know someone who could benefit from the information we cover in this show, share it with them. You may end up encouraging them to consider retirement planning in a new way and improving their life. Resources & People Mentioned The Prudennt Pessimist episode Just 11% of Near-Retir

Envisioning what your retirement will look like can often be a challenge, so it may be helpful to hear some examples of people in similar situations. In this week’s retirement headlines segment, we’ll explore a WSJ article from Veronica Dagher and Anne Tergesen that interviews 4 retirees who saved enough for a comfortable retirement. Listen in to hear how they spend their time and money.  Make sure to stick around until the end to hear the answer to Donna’s question about changing her husband’s variable annuity to a less expensive option.  Outline of This Episode [2:02] What a $2 million retirement looks like in America [12:45] How to move a variable annuity to a less expensive option Resources & People Mentioned Here’s What a $2 Million Retirement Looks Like in America Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Subscribe to the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter

When we envision retirement, we think more about the things we’ll do to enjoy our time than about the person that we’ll become. My guest today encourages us to change that to spend more time thinking about who we want to be in the future.  Dr. Benjamin Hardy is an organizational psychologist, speaker, and author, in addition to being my coach. I have been involved in Dr. Hardy’s coaching mastermind group for 8 months and I’m excited to extend his teaching to all of you. Make sure to stick around until the end of the episode to hear how you can receive a FREE copy of his new book, Be Your Future Self Now.  Outline of This Episode [2:49] What are the benefits of learning about who we’ll become in the future? [5:02] How to assess the softer goals [8:20] How to future set your goals when your life expectancy is shorter  [17:48] How to balance our future self with the present [25:52] Retirement Starts Today Super Book Giveaway details Resources & People Mentioned BOOK - Thou Shalt Prosper by Daniel Lapin Da

Have you been considering a change of scenery in retirement? Before you pack up the house, make sure to listen to today’s episode.  In the Retirement Headlines segment, we’ll check out an article from Harriet Edelson at MarketWatch.com which discusses 6 considerations before moving in retirement. This informative article lists statistics and anecdotal examples that can help you make the relocation decision easier. I was really excited to see today’s listener question as I have been researching retirement calculators. Stick around until the end to discover 2 helpful calculators that could help you understand when you have enough to retire.  Outline of This Episode [1:22] Why people choose to move in retirement [3:43] 6 things to think about before moving in retirement [11:06] Recommendations for public websites to understand whether you are close to your retirement goals Resources & People Mentioned MarketWatch article Fidelity Retirement Income Calculator Vanguard Retirement Income Calculator Connect

I’m sure you have heard the news about the recent Inflation Reduction Act, but what will this Act mean to you as a retiree? We’ll explore this question by examining an article written by Kelly Anne Smith over at Forbes.  If politics isn’t your thing, don’t worry, it’s not mine either. I scour the internet looking for the most neutral, least political articles that I can get my hands on. So, if you are interested in only the facts and how they apply to you, then don’t miss out on the retirement headlines segment today to hear what the Inflation Reduction Act could mean for you.  In the listener questions segment, I have a 3-part question from a listener survey respondent. I’ll answer whether you should convert a 401k or traditional IRA to a Roth IRA first, the pros and cons of converting 401Ks and IRAs, and whether there is any rush to convert 401Ks to Roth IRAs. Outline of This Episode [3:02] What the Inflation Reduction Act means for you [11:32] On converting to Roth IRAs from 401K or IRA Resources & P

The decision of when to take Social Security is one of the biggest that you will face in retirement. Many people turn to Social Security break-even calculators to help them make the decision, but my guest today insists that this shouldn’t be your only deciding factor. Social Security expert, Devin Carroll from  SocialSecurityIntelligence.com  joins me today to discuss all things Social Security. We’ll touch on the break-even math, including where it works and where it doesn’t, cost of living adjustments, the possibility of the Social Security system going bankrupt, and how Congress could fix the Social Security funding problem.  Since Social Security is such an important part of retirement planning you won’t want to miss this episode.  Outline of This Episode [1:22] The break-even calculator has been used for years to help people decide when they should file [5:36] An example of how the break-even calculator could work [8:02] Why very few people wait until 70 to file [8:50] What’s next for the cost of living

You may have seen the news about tennis superstar, Serena Williams' upcoming retirement. In a recent interview, Serena expresses her heartache about her decision. In our retirement headlines segment, we’ll explore an article from MarketWatch that compares Serena Williams’ feelings with those of many retirees upon their decision to retire.  Afterward, we’ll check out a question from our recent listener survey about whether one listener should move to be closer to family in retirement. This answer to this question is tricky and not the same for everyone, so make sure you stay around until the end to hear my thoughts.  Outline of This Episode [1:32] Serena Williams feels no happiness upon retirement [7:45] My thoughts on combatting depression in retirement [10:04] What are the benefits and pitfalls of moving closer to the children in retirement? Resources & People Mentioned Market Watch article on Serena Williams’ retirement Vogue article Study on the prevalence of depression in retirement The benefits of

Have you ever considered taking a sabbatical from work? If you did take one, would it ruin your career and financial goals? Most companies in the United States don’t offer paid sabbaticals like some in Europe, so doing so would require extensive planning. Jake Northrup at Kitces.com recently wrote an article that could help financial planners and DIYers plan how to take a sabbatical without destroying their financial future.  If taking a mini-retirement appeals to you, make sure to listen in to hear how it could affect your financial goals. You’ll also discover loads of resources that could help you make the most of your financial planning for such an endeavor. Make sure to stick around until the end of the episode to hear my response to whether I think Social Security is doomed.  Outline of This Episode [2:22] The idea of traditional retirement is being challenged [6:02] An example of how one couple planned their sabbatical [9:20] How taking time off could affect your long-term goals  [13:26] Will Social Se

Have you considered moving to a new city in retirement? If you work in the tech industry you may find a city willing to pay you to move there.  In today’s retirement headline segment, we’ll dive into an article written by Christopher Mims at The Wall Street Journal which explores towns that provide incentives to lure highly paid tech workers away from Silicon Valley. Don’t miss out on the listener question segment especially if you have or are considering an annuity. I’ll explain the various fees, benefits, and drawbacks to these insurance investment products.  This is the last week to complete our annual listener survey, so if you haven’t filled it out yet, then please do so that you can voice your opinions and help direct the future of this show.  Outline of This Episode [1:22] Some towns are offering moving incentives to remote tech workers  [5:14] How could this improve your retirement? [6:34] How variable annuity fees are calculated [8:40] Annuities can provide many options [12:56] My thoughts on annuit