In this episode, we take a closer look at Monte Carlo simulations—a tool used in retirement planning to estimate your chances of success. But are those percentages really reliable? Can an 85% or 90% success rate give you confidence in your retirement plan? We’ll explain how these simulations work, how different assumptions can lead to very different results, and why you shouldn’t just rely on past returns. 

If you’re thinking, "I love the Big Picture Retirement podcast!” please consider rating and reviewing this show! This helps us support more people -- just like you -- move toward a confident retirement. Just scroll down to the “ratings and reviews” section, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. We add new content every week, and if you’re not following, you’ll likely miss out. Follow now! 

Don’t miss the Big Picture Retirement Planning Cheat Sheet. We've distilled the essential brackets, thresholds, and rules of retirement into an easy-to-digest, three-page summary. https://www.carrolladvisory.com/pl/2148282517 

Want to ask Devin or John your question? Just visit https://www.bigpictureretirement.com/ and click on the “Ask A Question” menu selection. 

Although this show does not provide specific tax, legal, or financial advice, you can engage Devin or John through their individual firms. 

Contact Devin’s team at https://carrolladvisory.co/podcast1

Contact John’s team at https://www.rossandshoalmire.com/ 

In this episode, we explore the realities of stock-picking, revealing that it’s a gamble where the odds are heavily stacked against the average investor. Studies show that most individual stocks underperform or lose value over time, so we make a strong case for the smarter and more reliable approach. 

If you’re thinking, "I love the Big Picture Retirement podcast!” please consider rating and reviewing this show! This helps us support more people -- just like you -- move toward a confident retirement. Just scroll down to the “ratings and reviews” section, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. We add new content every week, and if you’re not following, you’ll likely miss out. Follow now! 

Don’t miss the Big Picture Retirement Planning Cheat Sheet. We've distilled the essential brackets, thresholds, and rules of retirement into an easy-to-digest, three-page summary. https://www.carrolladvisory.com/pl/2148282517 

Want to ask Devin or John your question? Just visit https://www.bigpictureretirement.com/ and click on the “Ask A Question” menu selection. 

Although this show does not provide specific tax, legal, or financial advice, you can engage Devin or John through their individual firms. 

Contact Devin’s team at https://carrolladvisory.co/podcast1

Contact John’s team at https://www.rossandshoalmire.com/ 

In this episode of the Big Picture Retirement podcast, we dive into listener questions about Social Security, tackling a wide range of scenarios to help you navigate the complexities of your benefits.

Lois asks about the earnings limit for survivor benefits versus other benefits for someone born in 1955. She’s been told she must repay two months of benefits because her earnings exceeded the limit. Are the SSA's guidelines accurate?

Jane inquires if filing for Social Security at age 65 will affect her survivor benefits when her husband, who is 70, passes away. She also wonders if she can file for a reduced spousal benefit at 65 and what impact this has on her overall benefit strategy.

Sheila is contemplating whether to draw down from her IRA instead of taking Social Security before age 70, aiming to ensure she doesn't outlive her savings. We explore the benefits of delaying Social Security.

B.D. shares a challenging experience with the SSA regarding overpayments and benefits for a disabled adult child. How can they determine the correct benefits and address these overpayment issues?

Carolyn wants to know if her husband, who receives a government pension affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), can draw spousal benefits from her Social Security, which is higher than his own but less than half of his pension.

Don is currently working while collecting Social Security and asks if his benefits will be adjusted to account for new Social Security taxes paid.

Tom seeks advice on whether to take Social Security at age 66 or wait until his full retirement age in 2025 to maximize both his and his wife's benefits.

Bob plans to wait until 70 to draw Social Security to maximize benefits and wonders if his wife is entitled to 50% of his total benefit or just 50% of his FRA benefit. Additionally, he asks if his wife can claim his benefit amount at 70 if he passes away before her.

Kevin discusses the debate around the best time to take Social Security, particularly the pros and cons of taking it between FRA and age 70.

Hal asks if his wife needs to apply for the spousal benefit or if the SSA will automatically adjust her benefits when he starts collecting his at age 70.

If you’re thinking, "I love the Big Picture Retirement podcast!” please consider rating and reviewing this show! This helps us support more people, just like you, move toward a confident retirement. 

Just scroll down to the “ratings and reviews” section, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. We add new content every week, and if you’re not following, you’ll likely miss out. Follow now!

Don’t miss the Big Picture Retirement Planning Cheat Sheet. We've distilled the essential brackets, thresholds, and rules of retirement into an easy-to-digest, three-page summary.

https://www.carrolladvisory.com/pl/2148282517

Want to ask Devin or John your question? Just visit https://www.bigpictureretirement.com/ and look for the tab on the right side that says “Send A Voicemail.

”Although this show does not provide specific tax, legal, or financial advice, you can engage Devin or John through their individual firms.

Contact Devin’s team https://carrolladvisory.co/podcast1

Contact John’s team athttps://www.rossandshoalmire.com/

Want to ask a question? You can find us in our Facebook group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/bigpictureretirement

When it comes to rental property, you have to protect yourself in two ways:

Your business from your personal issues, and your personal life from your business issues.

This week, Devin and John talk about the ways to protect your real estate interests.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.bigpictureretirement.com/118

Not long ago, Devin and his brothers inherited some property. Thankfully, this deal went pretty smoothly because they all wanted to sell it.

However, not all inheritances go as smoothly.

Knowing about the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act should make you want to go back to your estate plan, and see how you can amend your estate plan to avoid these potential conflicts.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.bigpictureretirement.com/117

When you're talking about estate planning, and the care of pets, some interesting things can happen. It's not uncommon for people to want to provide for their pets in their wills, whether designating the person who will care for the pet, or providing money to care for the pet. There used to be a lot of pitfalls when creating plans for pets. Technically, an animal is property and the animal has the same legal rights as any other property (like a couch). This is really hard for animal people to comprehend. Get the information you need by listening to this episode. For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.bigpictureretirement.com/estate-planning-for-pets

Is it possible that your heirs might disagree with your will? There are many things you can do to reduce or even eliminate fights after you are gone.

In this week's episode, elder lawyer John Ross talks about the dos and don'ts of writing a will when you think there might be conflict between your survivors.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://bigpictureretirement.com/115

This week's episode includes some reader questions, and a review of the The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 (the SECURE Act).

The SECURE Act has passed the House of Representatives, and a similar bill is working in the Senate.

For more, visit the show notes at https://www.bigpictureretirement.com/5-things-to-know-about-the-secure-act-of-2019 

Current reports show there will only be enough money coming into Social Security to pay about 75% of Social Security Benefits. Even if we have record-setting economic numbers, we're very close to being too little, too late.

Can a President make changes quick enough to solve the problem?

Devin explains how one change can solve the problem, and how other ideas only partially keep Social Security solvent.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.bigpictureretirement.com/113 

90% of contested probate cases were between the surviving wife and the children of the deceased man.

We received an email from a listener whose widowed father met a new woman and let her into his life. However, the kids have some concerns about the new friend, and a little research has shown some concerning information about this person.

There is a very specific routine of how people commit elder abuse. Listen as John spells out the secrets of the Financial Abuser's Playbook.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.bigpictureretirement.net/112 

Spring is here, and it's a great time to do some financial spring cleaning. Devin and John go over a few things you want to do:

• A fee audit
• Double-check your beneficiary designations.
• ...and more

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.bigpictureretirement.net/111 

"Medicare for All" has been in the news a lot lately. Senator Bernie Sanders thinks insurance companies should be abolished and everyone should get Medicare.

So this week, Devin and John talk about the pros and cons of different ideas about expanding Medicare coverage to folks of lower ages.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.bigpictureretirement.net/110 

An exclusive interview with Congressman John Larson about the proposed changes to Social Security in the SS2100 Act.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.bigpictureretirement.net/109 

In this episode, we tackle a diverse range of listener questions from reverse mortgages, annuities, Roth conversions, healthcare before the Medicare age, and a lot more. 

Tune in as we discuss:

• Al's Question: Recommendations for reverse mortgages and the conditions under which they can be beneficial.

• Paul's Inquiry: Using deferred annuities, specifically laddering Fixed Income Annuities with no fees, as alternatives to bonds to generate "safe" money in retirement.

• Pete's Scenario: The implications of converting a large amount to a Roth IRA and using it to cover all retirement needs.

• Sid's Concern: Strategies for obtaining affordable healthcare before Medicare eligibility for himself and his younger wife.

• Susan's Request: Fun and humanitarian investment options for extra funds in retirement.

• Mark's Situation: Possibilities for reasonable healthcare coverage if retiring at 62, with a focus on income-based options.

• Hayle's Curiosity: A personal question about our host's marital status.

If you’re thinking, "I love the Big Picture Retirement podcast!” please consider rating and reviewing this show! This helps us support more people, just like you, move toward a confident retirement. 

Just scroll down to the “ratings and reviews” section, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. We add new content every week, and if you’re not following, you’ll likely miss out. Follow now!

Don’t miss the Big Picture Retirement Planning Cheat Sheet. We've distilled the essential brackets, thresholds, and rules of retirement into an easy-to-digest, three-page summary.

https://www.carrolladvisory.com/pl/2148282517

Want to ask Devin or John your question? Just visit https://www.bigpictureretirement.com/ and look for the tab on the right side that says “Send A Voicemail.

”Although this show does not provide specific tax, legal, or financial advice, you can engage Devin or John through their individual firms.

Contact Devin’s team https://carrolladvisory.co/podcast1

Contact John’s team athttps://www.rossandshoalmire.com/

Want to ask a question? You can find us in our Facebook group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/bigpictureretirement

A trust is a legal entity, just like a corporation or an individual person. All trusts will have an exchange of property and three categories of people:

• The people who create it, called the grantors, or the settlers, or the trust-makers
• The people in charge of the trust, usually called the trustees
• The beneficiaries: the people who get the benefit of the trust

Devin and John go over the different types of trusts and when to use them.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.bigpictureretirement.net/108 

Are illegal immigrants going to cause the collapse of the Social Security system?

The Social Security trustees reports that more immigration is a benefit to the system.

Devin and John of Big Picture Retirement look at both sides and get to the truth behind Illegal Immigration and Social Security.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.bigpictureretirement.net/107 

Danielle Roberts of BoomerBenefits.com is back again this week, talking with Devin about more Medicare issues. Danielle is an expert on Medicare supplements and Medicare Advantage plans, and runs the Boomer Benefits company to help seniors with their Medicare needs.

In last week’s episode, Danielle and Devin talked about the parts of Medicare, the difference between a Medicare supplement and a Medicare Advantage plan, and how to find the right agent and product for you.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.bigpictureretirement.net/106

Danielle Roberts explains the different parts of Medicare to us in a way that is easy to understand and follow.

This is Part 1 of a 2-part series with Danielle Roberts of BoomerBenefits.com.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.bigpictureretirement.net/105 

How do you figure out how much money you're spending on your investments?

In this encore presentation, Devin and John talk about the types of fees you might be paying, and how you can figure out what they are.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://www.bigpictureretirement.net/104 

David Stein, host of the Money For The Rest of Us podcast, will explain the importance of trade, and how the trade, and trade wars, might impact you and your retirement.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://www.bigpictureretirement.net/103

Devin and John continue working their way through some of the listener questions that have been coming in.

John has a question about making a trust the beneficiary of an IRA, and then Devin has a question about Social Security benefits for public employees who have not contributed to Social Security.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.bigpictureretirement.net/102 

John received a question from a listener with a blended family. The wife needs long-term care, and the assets to support such an expense!

He talks about “Medicaid estate recovery” and other recommendations for power of attorney, etc.

Then Devin answers a question about the Social Security earnings limit and then tackles some myths about Social Security.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.bigpictureretirement.net/101 

What kind of rights do grandparents have?

John Ross from the Big Picture Retirement Show deals with a lot of people in retirement, and many of those folks have grandchildren.

He shares some harrowing stories and tips you can use to makes sure your rights are honored.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://www.bigpictureretirement.net/100 

CRUTS are Charitable Remainder Trusts.

Any time you are dealing with charitable planning, you must first have the charitable intent.

You can find some tax benefits that go along with that charitable intent, but you have to start with the charitable intention.

Ultimately, the charity is almost always going to benefit more than the donor.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://www.bigpictureretirement.net/099

In this episode, Devin dives deep into the Social Security questions sent in by our listeners. Topics include questions on the earnings limit, spousal benefits, survivor benefits, and the big one...how future benefit cuts could impact retirees

If you’re thinking, "I love the Big Picture Retirement podcast!” please consider rating and reviewing this show! This helps us support more people, just like you, move toward a confident retirement. 

Just scroll down to the “ratings and reviews” section, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. We add new content every week, and if you’re not following, you’ll likely miss out. Follow now!

Don’t miss the Big Picture Retirement Planning Cheat Sheet. We've distilled the essential brackets, thresholds, and rules of retirement into an easy-to-digest, three-page summary.

https://www.carrolladvisory.com/pl/2148282517

Want to ask Devin or John your question? Just visit https://www.bigpictureretirement.com/ and look for the tab on the right side that says “Send A Voicemail.

”Although this show does not provide specific tax, legal, or financial advice, you can engage Devin or John through their individual firms.

Contact Devin’s team https://carrolladvisory.co/podcast1

Contact John’s team athttps://www.rossandshoalmire.com/

Want to ask a question? You can find us in our Facebook group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/bigpictureretirement

Part 2 of the conversation about active versus passive investing with guest Rick Ferri, author of Smart Money.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.bigpictureretirement.net/098 

This week, Devin welcomes Rick Ferri to the show to talk about active versus passive investing.

But before the interview gets started, John and Devin have an entertaining conversation about the recently released 2019 Social Security and Medicare adjusted numbers, including:

• The increase in Social Security benefits
• Medicare premiums
• Adjusted Social Security earnings limit
• Higher limit on how much money you will pay Social Security benefits
• and more!

For more information, visit the show notes at http://www.bigpictureretirement.net/097

In light of the recent market activity, Devin and John thought it would be useful to re-broadcast their original episode on the lessons they've learned from past market declines.

Lesson 1: Market declines are normal
Lesson 2: No one can consistently predict market movements
Lesson 3: The best days hang out with the bad days

...and more two more you can read about at https://www.bigpictureretirement.net/lessons-learned-from-market-declines

On the surface, Social Security survivor benefits seem pretty simple: at the death of the first spouse, the surviving spouse is eligible to receive his or her own benefit, or the benefit of the deceased, whichever is greatest.

In today's show, Devin and John go over:

• Who Is Eligible for Survivor's Benefits
• How Much Is The Spousal Survivor Benefit
• The RIB LIM, or "Widow's Limit"
• and Restricted Filings

For more information, visit the show notes at http://www.bigpictureretirement.net/095

Important benefits offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are changing.

Devin and John talk about:

• Improved Pension with Aid and Attendance
• Clearly Defined Assets Test
• Adding A Look-back Period

For more information, visit the show notes at http://www.bigpictureretirement.net/094

Part 3 in the Big Picture Retirement series on Drawdown Strategies: Brandon Renfro talks about "setting a floor."

For more information, visit the show notes at http://www.bigpictureretirement.net/093

Part 2 in our series. In this episode we answer the question "How are you going to take your money out so that it lasts?" Then, once you have a plan for which accounts you should access in which order, how are you going to figure out the amount of income to take out from your portfolio?

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.bigpictureretirement.net/092

When you stop working, you've put aside some money into different types of accounts, and maybe you have a pension, or some rental property, or other investments. How do you start converting those assets into an income stream that will last for the rest of your life?

Brandon Renfro, Ph.D., joins Devin on a discussion about:

• The tax torpedo
• The Net Unrealized Appreciation Rule
• Provisional income and how much of your Social Security is taxable

For more details, visit the show notes at https://www.bigpictureretirement.net/091

There are a few areas within Social Security that you could mess up without even meaning to do things wrong.

One of my most trusted mentors has often told me, "Big doors swing on little hinges."

I've found that to be applicable to many things in life and it's certainly true in retirement planning. The small decisions you make, when stretched over long periods, can have big consequences.

Here are the 5 Social Security mistakes that can cost you dearly when you retire.

There's more to learn at http://www.bigpictureretirement.net/090

Did you know you could buy a horse as an investment in your IRA? What about real estate and other assets?

Kirk Chisholm, of Innovative Advisory Group, joins us to explain how self-directed IRAs work. They a tricky thing, so you need to understand the rules before taking any action.

You will learn what a Disqualified Person is, the rules behind handling real estate in an IRA, and what other things you can find in a self-directed IRA.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://www.bigpictureretirement.net/089

If you regularly donate to your church or other charities, donor advised funds (DAFs) might be something you want to look into. These funds offer some big perks. First off, you get a potential tax deduction in the year you contribute, even if the money is given out to charities gradually. Secondly, you have the freedom to decide when to donate. This means if you're facing a high tax bill one year, you can contribute more to your DAF and then distribute it to your chosen causes over time. In today’s episode, we’ll explore how DAFs work and discuss a potential change that could affect them.

If you’re thinking "I love the Big Picture Retirement podcast” please consider rating and reviewing this show! This helps us support more people -- just like you -- move toward a confident retirement. Just scroll down to the “ratings and reviews” section, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. We’re adding new content every week and if you’re not following there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

Want to ask Devin or John your question? Just visit https://www.bigpictureretirement.com/ and look for the tab on the right side that says “Send A Voicemail.” 

Although this show does not provide specific tax, legal, or financial advice, you can engage Devin or John through their individual firms. 

Contact Devin’s team at https://carrolladvisory.co/podcast1

Contact John’s team at https://www.rossandshoalmire.com/ 

What’s the big deal about cryptocurrencies? And is it too late to get in now?

Joe Saul-Sehy from Stacking Benjamins joins us to talk about what cryptocurrencies are and what we should be looking out for in the future of Bitcoin.

One of the benefits Joe shares is, “It is a way to get governments out of transactions, and also a way to make transactions happen faster.” It’s sort of like moving money into the currency of a different country, except that it isn’t (so far) regulated by the government, and transfers can happen super-fast.

Is this a currency, or is this an investment? Listen to learn more.

For more information, visit the show notes at https://www.bigpictureretirement.net/088

Continuing on from last episode's discussion about buying rental property for retirement income, Devin and John talk about the mechanisms for evaluating a rental property.

...and John will entertain you with taxes.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://www.bigpictureretirement.net/087

Have you thought about using rental properties for retirement income?

Is rental real estate a good choice for retirement income for you?

John and Devin go through some of the benefits of rental property.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://www.bigpictureretirement.net/086

People are always talking about probate, and the many ways to avoid probate.

Probate is the legal process of figuring out who gets your stuff.

One of the biggest misconceptions about probate is that your estate does not go through probate if you have a will.

Be sure that if you have a will, your estate will go through the probate process. But here’s the thing: this process doesn’t apply to non-probate transfers.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://www.bigpictureretirement.net/085

The big benefit of the Roth IRA is that you fund it with after-tax money and it grows tax free, and then when you take it out, it is also tax free, if you meet the qualifications.

The big problem with a Roth IRA is that there are income limits to be able to make contributions to a Roth IRA. There are a lot of people out there who can't contribute to a Roth IRA.

So, how do you contribute to a Roth IRA if you make too much money? You use a backdoor Roth IRA.

We have really good notes for you. To read more or to share the show with someone else, visit http://www.bigpictureretirement.net/084

By the end of 2016, there was $660 BILLION dollars in Roth IRAs. So, lots of people are getting this right.

Where you can get some of it wrong

1.It lets you put the money in after tax, so you don’t get to deduct the money from your income in the tax year. But, you get to take the money out tax free.

2.If you put money into a Roth, you can pull out your contributions at any time without taxes or penalties

3. You can withdraw from the Roth at any time to purchase a home

4. There’s no required minimum distribution from a Roth IRA

For more information, visit the show notes at http://bigpictureretirement.net/083

Is there any value in doing your codicil in blood?

A codicil is an amendment to a will. They can be used when there is a smaller change and it seems easier than doing a whole new will.

Is there a time and place for a codicil? Yes, if no one is going to be mad and challenge the change that you've made.If you're changing beneficiaries, or executors, and they're going to be upset, you need to do a whole new will.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://bigpictureretirement.net/082

Many industries utilize a lot of different types of designations, and that's also true for financial advisors. What do they all mean, and should you care?

Devin asked John, "How many designations do you think there are for financial advisors?" John thinks there is really no way to know that for sure. At FINRA, one of the regulatory bodies for financial advisors, there is a page of 180 designations listed, as of today, and close to 100 of them begin with the word "Certified."

Why do these designations even exist?

Listen in for more, or read the show notes at http://bigpictureretirement.net/081

Listener Becky asks if it is legal to place a surveillance camera in the room of your loved one, specifically in grandma's nursing home.

Devin also answers the question "Does keeping a balance on my credit card help my credit score?"

For more information, visit the show notes at http://bigpictureretirement.net/080

What are the the moral or ethical considerations of using strategies and loopholes to utilize government programs? Is this ethical? It cheating? Is it getting close to fraudulent?

John and Devin go through some scenarios. For more information, visit the show notes at http://www.bigpictureretirement.net/079

In today's episode, we examine the recent IRS Chief Counsel Memorandum, which introduces significant changes to one of the cornerstone strategies in estate planning. We explore how these new guidelines impact assets placed in trusts like intentionally defective grantor trusts (IDGTs) and spousal lifetime access trusts (SLATs). These trusts have traditionally been used to 'freeze' asset values for estate tax purposes while benefiting from more favorable individual income tax rates. But there’s a core piece of this that is going to look different moving forward.

If you’re thinking "I love the Big Picture Retirement podcast” please consider rating and reviewing this show! This helps us support more people -- just like you -- move toward a confident retirement. Just scroll down to the “ratings and reviews” section, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. We’re adding new content every week and if you’re not following there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

Want to ask Devin or John your question? Just visit https://www.bigpictureretirement.com/ and look for the tab on the right side that says “Send A Voicemail.” 

Although this show does not provide specific tax, legal, or financial advice, you can engage Devin or John through their individual firms. 

Contact Devin’s team at https://carrolladvisory.co/podcast1

Contact John’s team at https://www.rossandshoalmire.com/ 

While we move into our new recording studio, and with all the new listeners coming on board, we are replaying an episode from 6 months ago: The Tatoo Factor and Predictions that Didn't Happen

Devin shared some examples of pretty dire predictions by investment professionals, and asked David and Andrew how they would respond.

David points out that the fear of losing everything is pretty compelling – there’s a natural instinct to avoid danger.

Andrew recommends that clients focus on their individual plans that has been prepared for their unique situation and risk tolerance.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://www.bigpictureretirement.net/052

Devin talks about good reasons to file for Social Security at age 62.

Every situation is different, and some folks will benefit more if they file later, but there are many people for whom it makes sense to file early:

• You need the income
• You Are Single and Have Health Issues
• Issues Related To Your Spouse’s Benefits
• Survivor Benefits
• Minor or Disabled Children

For more information, visit the show notes at http://www.bigpictureretirement.net/episode-77-5-smart-reasons-to-file-early-for-social-security/

Devin and John welcome Brandon Renfro to talk about Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT).

A REIT is a packaged investment product, like a mutual fund, that is invested in real estate related assets.

There are a couple of different types of REITS that you can buy.

For more information, visit the show notes at http://www.bigpictureretirement.net/076