Explore every episode of the podcast Retirement Starts Today
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025: The Year of Donor Advised Funds? | 17 Nov 2025 | 00:21:46 | |
Major charitable-giving changes are set to take effect next year under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. As a result, 2025 may be the best—and possibly last—great year to make a big charitable gift and get the full tax benefit in the same year. Listen in to hear the changes that take place in 2026 that could make 2025 the best year to use donor advised funds. In our listener question segment, Christie inquires about buying a home in retirement: "Should we withdraw from investments, or use a mortgage?" Resource: Article by Ben Mattlin in Financial Advisor Magazine: "Why Some Advisors Are Daffy For Donor-Advised Funds" Connect with Benjamin Brandt
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| This Social Security Strategy Gives Retirees More to Spend | 10 Nov 2025 | 00:20:09 | |
A new report says retirees who use a so-called "bridge strategy" can actually spend more and need fewer assets to retire securely. That's right. By delaying Social Security and using other savings to "bridge the gap," you could improve your lifetime income, reduce longevity risk, and build more peace of mind into your plan. We will break down the research and find ways to make Social Security work harder for you. After that, I'll answer a listener question: What's the difference between a 5 year MYGA and a 5 year SPIA? Resource: Article by John Manganaro on ThinkAdvisor: This Social Security Strategy Gives Retirees More to Spend Connect with Benjamin Brandt
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| Retirement Dreams or Retirement Nightmares? Lessons from Today's Retirees | 08 Sep 2025 | 00:20:59 | |
"Only 5% of retirees say they're living the dream and 19% are living the nightmare." says Deb Boyden in an article from Yahoo Finance. Deb provides three lessons to protect your future, which we dig into to see how it applies to your retirement: Lesson 1: You're Probably Not Saving Enough In our Listener Question segment, we talk about the pro rata rule and Roth conversions. It's one of those areas that seems simple on the surface but trips a lot of people up once you start digging in, so we unpack what the pro rata rule really means and why, in most cases, an extra step at the point of retirement, and a bit of double-checking will keep things as clean and simple as possible. Resource: Article on Yahoo Finance from Deb Boyden: "Only 5% of retirees say they're 'living the dream' and 19% are 'living the nightmare.' Here are 3 lessons to protect your future" Connect with Benjamin Brandt
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| How to Pay 0% on Capital Gains [Rebroadcast] | 25 Dec 2023 | 00:16:39 | |
Would a 0% tax rate help you live an even better retirement? In this week's Retirement Headline, we'll explore a WSJ article titled How You Can Grab a 0% Tax Rate. If that doesn't pique your interest, I don't know what will! Listen in to hear how you can learn to plan so that you can take advantage of a 0% tax rate on capital gains income. This episode originally aired in August 2023. | |||
| 3 Tricks to Help Retirees Spend More [Rebroadcast] | 18 Dec 2023 | 00:18:58 | |
If you have diligently saved throughout your career, you may be ready to retire, yet still feel uncertain about spending your savings. To truly live your best life in retirement you need to learn how to shift from a saving mindset to a spending mindset. In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we'll help you do just that. This episode was first broadcast in July 2023. | |||
| 12 Reasons to Rent in Retirement [Rebroadcast] | 11 Dec 2023 | 00:22:17 | |
One of the greatest financial assumptions is that it's always better to own than to rent. However, in retirement, this may not be true. Once you are financially independent it is important to realize that not every dollar you spend needs to yield a return. Join me for this episode of Retirement Starts Today to question traditional thinking and to see how you can improve your life, spend more money, and have more fun in retirement. This episode was first broadcast in June 2023. | |||
| A Few Simple Tricks Turn Humble HSAs Into Wealth Builders [Rebroadcast] | 04 Dec 2023 | 00:18:08 | |
Do you have an HSA? If so, do you simply use it to pay for your medical expenses? Or do you use it as a way to build your wealth? Today we'll look at an article from Financial Advisor Magazine that will help us identify opportunities for wealth creation. Listen in to learn how to maximize the triple benefit of the humble HSA. This episode was first broadcast in March 2023. | |||
| The Puzzling Gap Between How Old You Are and How Old You Think You Are [Rebroadcast] | 27 Nov 2023 | 00:14:52 | |
We are spending some extra time off from the podcast over this holiday season to spend time with family. I hope you're using this opportunity to spend some time with family as well. I've gone through my favorite episodes of 2023 to bring you some fantastic rebroadcasts. So here's one and I hope you enjoy it! The Puzzling Gap Between How Old You Are and How Old You Think You Are, first broadcast in May 2023. Do you ever get together with your friends from high school and wonder why they all look so old? Are you surprised by the image that you see in the mirror each morning? If so, you're not alone. In today's retirement headline segment, we'll explore an article from Jennifer Senior at MSN.com that examines the abstract concept of feeling a different age in your head than you physically are in years. Related to the retirement headline, today's listener question is about how to understand when you are mentally ready to retire. Learn how important purpose is in your decision to retire. | |||
| Spend Your Principal! Ep #323 | 20 Nov 2023 | 00:20:04 | |
Most people are worried about spending too much and running out of money in retirement. However, few people worry about spending too little. In this week's episode of Retirement Starts Today, you'll learn why you should spend your principal in retirement. Our retirement headline comes from Dr. Jim Dahle at the Whitecoat Investor and shows us why many people don't spend enough of their money and how you can take a practical approach to spending more. If you are like most people, one of your main worries about retirement is that you'll end up running out of money. While this is a well-founded fear for many underfunded Americans, chances are, if you are listening to this show, you aren't an underfunded retiree. While the current state of retirement savings is quite shocking, if you have a healthy retirement portfolio, you don't have to lump yourself in with the majority of Americans. Outline of This Episode
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| Boost Your Retirement Confidence by 17% with One Simple Trick, Ep #322 | 13 Nov 2023 | 00:20:27 | |
Would you like to have more confidence in your retirement plan? In the retirement headlines segment, you'll learn one simple way to increase your certainty about what you can accomplish in retirement. In the listener questions segment, Bret helps answer what the essential aspects of an estate plan include. If you are ready to get serious about retirement planning press play to get started. Outline of This Episode
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| 5 Alternatives To The 4% Retirement Withdrawal Rule, Ep #321 | 06 Nov 2023 | 00:21:44 | |
Do you wish you had more optionality when it comes to designing your retirement? In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we'll explore an article from Forbes that poses five alternatives to the 4% rule that you may want to explore for your retirement withdrawal strategy. In our retirement headlines segment Bret and I team up to answer a question that both Google and ChatGPT got wrong. Find out what it is by listening until the end! Outline of This Episode
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| I Saved Too Much for Retirement, Ep # 320 | 30 Oct 2023 | 00:22:22 | |
What happens if you get to retirement age and realize that you saved too much? Believe it or not, this does happen and has its own set of problems. In this episode, we'll explore those problems along with some potential solutions. Stick around until the end of the episode to hear our listener question about deciding whether to do Roth conversions or take ACA health insurance premium tax credits. Outline of This Episode
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| Bad Timing Cost Fund Investors 17% Ep #319 | 23 Oct 2023 | 00:26:09 | |
Would you like to make $170,000? On this episode, you'll learn what you can do to save yourself 17% in lower returns over a decade. On a million-dollar portfolio that comes to $170,000! In the Retirement Headline segment, we'll dive into an article from Financial Advisor Magazine which explores Morningstar's annual Mind the Gap study analyzing the performance of mutual and ETFs and comparing them to the returns achieved by individual investors. Press play to hear what you can do to improve your investor performance. Outline of This Episode
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| Why Your Old Spending Habits Won't Work in Retirement | 01 Sep 2025 | 00:19:07 | |
If you've saved more than a million dollars, that puts you ahead of 90% of your peers. Statistically, that makes you a super saver. But one of the biggest challenges super savers face is this: it's hard to spend your own money. In this episode, I share one exercise that can help break some of those old habits and open the door to a more fulfilling retirement. A Practical Exercise Think back over the last year or two and pick a trip that you really enjoyed. Itemize all the spending decisions you can remember:
Take each line item and triple it. Then think of two or three ways you could possibly spend that new tripled amount. Listen to the rest of the episode and learn how we can rewire our brains from saving mode to spending mode. Connect with Benjamin Brandt
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| Ways to Use Home Equity in Retirement, Ep #318 | 16 Oct 2023 | 00:22:09 | |
Have you thought about using your home's equity to help you fund a portion of your retirement? In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we'll explore a Morningstar article that examines ways to use this supersized emergency fund. If you are ready to start thinking about retirement outside the box, listen to this episode to hear how you can supplement your retirement by using your home equity. Outline of This Episode
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| Plan on Living to 100, Ep # 317 | 09 Oct 2023 | 00:21:51 | |
Do you remember when you were a kid and were fascinated by the thought of living to be 100? It seemed like such a far-fetched idea, but now with advances in technology, nutrition, and medicine, this far-flung notion increasingly seems like a real possibility. As you may have guessed, today's retirement headline discusses planning to live until age 100. We'll explore what that prospect means for your retirement income, goals, and health. Share this episode with a friend so you can discuss it together! Outline of This Episode
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| Traveling After 65 with Danielle Roberts from Boomer Benefits, Ep #316 | 02 Oct 2023 | 00:28:19 | |
Medicare's open enrollment is starting soon, so I've invited Danielle Roberts from Boomer Benefits to join me today. In this episode, we're discussing what's new with Medicare in 2024, the important dates to remember for open enrollment, when to reevaluate your health insurance options, and how to ensure you have health coverage when traveling abroad in retirement. Press play to hear what's new in Medicare. Outline of This Episode
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| 401K Millionaires are Back! Ep # 315 | 25 Sep 2023 | 00:22:02 | |
As retirement super savers, you all know that slow and steady wins the race. According to this Wall Street Journal article, that race is paying off again for many Americans. In the retirement headlines segment, we'll take a look at this article. Then in the Listener Questions segment, Bret and I will discuss the merits of having one firm handle investments, taxes, and retirement planning. Outline of This Episode
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| The Problems with Monte Carlo Are in Your Mind, Ep #314 | 18 Sep 2023 | 00:26:20 | |
Even if you aren't familiar with Monte Carlo analyses, you've probably used it. Monte Carlo drives math behind the retirement planning software that you use. Monte Carlo software is truly amazing, however, the way people look at it is wrong. In this episode, you'll hear the pros and cons of Monte Carlo analysis and how you can use a Monte Carlo calculator to maximize your full retirement potential. Outline of This Episode
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| Why Are the Notes Found in Aretha Franklin's Couch a Valid Will? Ep #313 | 11 Sep 2023 | 00:20:11 | |
Aretha Franklin can teach you more than a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T. On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, you'll learn from her estate plan (or lack thereof). After hearing about this estate plan gone haywire Bret and I will team up to answer a listener's question on how you can transition from a saving to a spending mindset. Listen in to ensure that your estate isn't tied up for years while your heirs battle out the details in court. Outline of This Episode
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| Overdoing Delayed Gratification, Ep #312 | 04 Sep 2023 | 00:17:06 | |
Here at Retirement Starts Today, we are always looking for ways to teach you how to spend more money so that you can enjoy an even better retirement. However, many times our clients and listeners have trouble loosening their purse strings. After years of being diligent savers, instead of enjoying the fruits of their labor, retirees reaching financial independence often find another reason to be frugal. Listen in to hear how you may be overdoing delayed gratification. Outline of This Episode
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| 7 Tips to Maintain a Sense of Purpose in Retirement, Ep #311 | 28 Aug 2023 | 00:20:09 | |
I've always said that it's important to retire to something rather than away from something. To do that means finding a sense of purpose. In this episode, we'll explore an article from PhysicianOnFIRE.com that discusses how retirees can discover and maintain a sense of purpose in their lives after leaving the workforce. Make sure to stick around for today's listener question. This one was my favorite one this year so don't miss it! Outline of This Episode
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| How to Pay 0% on Capital Gains, Ep #310 | 21 Aug 2023 | 00:17:26 | |
Would a 0% tax rate help you live an even better retirement? In this week's Retirement Headline, we'll explore a WSJ article titled How You Can Grab a 0% Tax Rate. If that doesn't pique your interest, I don't know what will! Listen in to hear how you can learn to plan so that you can take advantage of a 0% tax rate on capital gains income. Outline of This Episode
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| Dirty Dozen Tax Scams, Ep #309 | 14 Aug 2023 | 00:23:14 | |
Scammers are constantly changing their playbooks to try and stay ahead of the authorities. That is why the IRS annually updates its "Dirty Dozen Tax Scam" list. This week we'll explore the latest article from the IRS on this year's tax scams then we'll check out an article from Financial Advisor Magazine that involve questionable tax practitioners and charitable remainder annuity trusts. Don't miss out on this week's listener question because chances are, you have had this question as well. Outline of This Episode
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| Don't Let Your Brain Shrink Your Retirement Benefits | 25 Aug 2025 | 00:17:19 | |
We're taking another look at one of retirement planning's sneakiest pitfalls — underestimating your own life expectancy. We explore why smart people make short-sighted Social Security decisions, how psychological biases can distort your thinking, and why planning to live a long time isn't pessimistic. Then, our listener question covers the nuts and bolts of how to apply for Social Security (online, phone or in-person), a critical heads-up for widows who want to claim survivor benefits without accidentally locking in reduced retirement benefits, and what happens when spousal benefits enter the mix after one spouse files before the other. Resources:
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| Should We Even Worry About IRMAA? Ep #308 | 07 Aug 2023 | 00:23:56 | |
As a financial advisor that thinks a lot about the Medicare surcharge IRMAA, an article titled Stop Worrying About IRMAA written by a source I trust certainly caught my eye. In this episode, we'll explore what IRMAA does, reflect on the article, and discuss whether the IRMAA surcharge is worth worrying about. If you have questions about IRMAA or are starting to approach Medicare age you won't want to miss out on this episode. Outline of This Episode
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| The Most Powerful Way to Live Longer? Ep #307 | 31 Jul 2023 | 00:19:21 | |
Who wants to live longer? I know I do! Before you start taking magic pills and seeking the fountain of youth in an effort to increase your life span, Alex Janin from the Wall Street Journal suggests you start exercising. In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we'll explore Alex's article, What if the Most Powerful Way to Live Longer Is Just Exercise? Make sure to stick around for the end of the show where Bret and I turn traditional retirement advice on its head as we answer one listener's question about how to draw down their various retirement accounts. Outline of This Episode
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| 3 Tricks to Help Retirees Spend More, Ep #306 | 24 Jul 2023 | 00:19:26 | |
If you have diligently saved throughout your career, you may be ready to retire, yet still feel uncertain about spending your savings. To truly live your best life in retirement you need to learn how to shift from a saving mindset to a spending mindset. In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we'll help you do just that. This is the podcast where you can learn how to spend more money and pay less taxes on your way to an even better retirement. Listen in to learn how you can start spending more money so that you can enjoy your best retirement. Outline of This Episode
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| The #1 Retirement Challenge That No One Talks About, Ep #305 | 17 Jul 2023 | 00:16:31 | |
If you are new to the show, welcome! This is a place where we talk about how to spend more money, pay less taxes, and have an even better retirement. Today we're investigating that last part–the even better retirement. In the retirement headlines segment, we'll take a look at a CNBC article that dives into an 85-year happiness study from Harvard University. Results from this study reveal the number one retirement challenge no one is talking about. Listen in to hear what this could be. Outline of This Episode
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| Your Brain Has Tricked You Into Thinking Everything Is Worse, Ep # 304 | 10 Jul 2023 | 00:16:30 | |
Do you long for a lost golden age when everything was better? If you do you're not alone. Many people feel that society is experiencing a moral decline. But is that really true? On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we'll explore a New York Times article that challenges this way of thinking and attributes it to cognitive biases. Listen in to learn what you can do to improve your thinking about the present and the future so that you can experience an even better retirement. Make sure to listen until the end of the episode to hear how you can celebrate my 300th episode with me and save 40% on Retirement Income University. Outline of This Episode
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| Your Future (Retired) Self, Ep #303 | 03 Jul 2023 | 00:22:04 | |
If you want an amazing retirement you need to start thinking about your future self. We discussed the idea of your future self on a previous episode where I interviewed my coach, Dr. Benjamin Hardy. In this episode, we're taking a look at another book on the future self, Your Future Self by Hal Herschfield. I'm listening to the audiobook now and this topic has me thinking about how it applies to retirement. Listen in to hear more about this book and my exciting announcement about my own explorations into the topic of the future self in retirement. Outline of This Episode
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| EP #300 Celebration! (HUGE discount on Retirement Income University) | 01 Jul 2023 | 00:03:02 | |
Happy 4th of July weekend!! Enter promo code "PODCAST" for a special $300 price to celebrate episode #300 (nearly 40% off). Click here -> www.RetirementIncome.University Happy 4th of July weekend, have a hot dog for me! | |||
| 12 Reasons to Rent in Retirement, Ep #302 | 26 Jun 2023 | 00:21:56 | |
One of the greatest financial assumptions is that it's always better to own than to rent. However, in retirement, this may not be true. Once you are financially independent it is important to realize that not every dollar you spend needs to yield a return. Join me for this episode of Retirement Starts Today to question traditional thinking and to see how you can improve your life, spend more money, and have more fun in retirement. Outline of This Episode
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| The Power of Semi-Retirement and Work-Life Balance, Ep #301 | 19 Jun 2023 | 00:18:16 | |
Have you considered working part-time in retirement? A growing number of older adults are choosing to continue work even after reaching retirement age. While some continue work due to financial necessity, many choose work that offers fulfillment and enjoyment. In the retirement headlines segment of this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we'll explore the meaning and nature of work and what that could mean for your retirement. Make sure to stick around for the listener questions segment where we consider the pros and cons of keeping a stable value fund in a 401K while rolling over the rest of the 401K into a Roth. This is an interesting question to explore since the pros and cons have changed recently and what once were pros are now cons. Listen in to hear why. Outline of This Episode
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| $300 Gym Bag, Ep # 300 | 12 Jun 2023 | 00:13:01 | |
If you clicked on this title you may be wondering what a $300 gym bag has to do with retirement. Well, this podcast focuses on learning how to spend more money and pay less taxes to set yourself up for the ideal retirement. Outline of This Episode=
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| Inside the new Tax Rules for Retirees | 18 Aug 2025 | 00:28:38 | |
We're going inside the new tax rules for retirees. From a brand-new $6,000 deduction for seniors to major changes in how charitable giving is handled, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act has reshaped key parts of the retirement tax landscape. We'll break down what's changed, what's just political spin, and what you can do right now to take advantage of these new rules. After that, we answer a listener question: Have you ever wondered what the letters behind a Financial Advisor's name mean? Resources:
Connect with Benjamin Brandt
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| Retirement Mastermind Groups, Ep #299 | 05 Jun 2023 | 00:14:07 | |
Have you ever considered joining a retirement mastermind group? Many of us choose mastermind groups to further our careers, businesses, or other areas of our lives, but few think to create one for retirement planning. Today, we'll focus this entire episode on Fritz Gilbert's recent article on his experience creating a retirement mastermind group. You won't want to miss out on hearing what you could learn from a retirement mastermind. Make sure to listen until the end to hear how you can create your own retirement mastermind group. Outline of This Episode
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| Rich People Unsatisfied with Their Wealth, Ep #298 | 29 May 2023 | 00:14:48 | |
Have you ever thought about how much money you need to be truly happy? If so, you're not alone. And chances are that number is elusive. In today's Retirement Headline segment, we'll check out an article from The Atlantic called "The Reason Many Ultrarich People Aren't Satisfied With Their Wealth." In doing so, we'll explore human nature and how to know when enough is enough. In the Listener Questions segment, one listener asks how to withdraw funds from a taxable account during early retirement. Don't miss out on discovering the logistics of how to access your money in retirement. Press play to find out. Outline of This Episode
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| A Comparison of Variable Spending Strategies, Ep # 297 | 22 May 2023 | 00:19:57 | |
If you have found this podcast you're probably interested in spending more money, spending less in taxes, and making life even better in retirement. On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we're taking a look at how to spend more money in retirement by assessing a two-part article from AdvisorPerspectives.com called A Framework for Assessing Variable Spending Strategies. If you are trying to figure out how to maintain your desired standard of living throughout retirement, you won't want to miss hearing the authors' findings. Press play to listen. Outline of This Episode
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| My Kids Don't Want My Stuff - Lessons in Estate Planning Part 2, Ep # 296 | 15 May 2023 | 00:20:50 | |
Welcome back to the second part of our lessons in estate planning. Bret and I recently reviewed all of our clients' estate plans and in doing so, we learned a lot from this exercise that could help you and your heirs. If you haven't listened to last week's episode make sure to go back and listen–especially if you have stepchildren or blended families. In this episode, you'll learn why you might want to disclaim some assets, how to specifically disinherit a child, and why it is so important to clearly state your medical wishes to all of your kids. Outline of This Episode
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| How Could This Go Horribly Wrong? Lessons in Estate Planning Part 1, Ep #295 | 08 May 2023 | 00:34:47 | |
Bret and I recently reviewed all of our clients' estate plans this spring and, as a result, we have so much to share with you about what we learned. It was so much that we had to break it into multiple episodes! If you are curious about how this sort of meeting goes and wish that you could be a fly on the wall, you won't want to miss this episode. Today we'll discuss why you need to ask yourself what could go wrong, why it's so important to consider where your documents are located, why you may want to consider having your medical power of attorney or living will a digital document, and how an executor is a mini dictator. Everyone needs an estate plan. Listen in to hear what you need to consider when you create or update yours. Outline of This Episode
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| The Puzzling Gap Between How Old You Are and How Old You Think You Are, Ep #294 | 01 May 2023 | 00:14:44 | |
Do you ever get together with your friends from high school and wonder why they all look so old? Are you surprised by the image that you see in the mirror each morning? If so, you're not alone. In today's retirement headline segment, we'll explore an article from Jennifer Senior at MSN.com that examines the abstract concept of feeling a different age in your head than you physically are in years. Related to the retirement headline, today's listener question is about how to understand when you are mentally ready to retire. Learn how important purpose is in your decision to retire. Outline of This Episode
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| 50% of Americans Stopped Saving Last Year! Ep #293 | 24 Apr 2023 | 00:17:52 | |
Have you made any changes to your retirement savings due to the poor economy? If you did, you're not alone. According to a Financial-Planning.com article, half of America stopped saving for retirement last year. Don't miss hearing why this is such a bad idea. Stick around for the listener questions segment where Bret and I address one listener's worry about the upcoming changes to the tax code. Retirement Starts Today is the podcast where you learn how you can spend more money, pay fewer taxes, and live a better life. Outline of This Episode
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| Early Retirement Can Accelerate Cognitive Decline, Ep # 292 | 17 Apr 2023 | 00:13:54 | |
You may be excited to jump on the early retirement bandwagon, but before you do, listen to this episode. In our retirement headlines segment, we explore a peer-reviewed article that shows that early retirement can accelerate cognitive decline. Stay tuned for the listener questions segment to hear how to reimagine your retirement spending mindset by creating a flexible spending plan. Retirement Starts Today Radio is a way to learn about having more income, paying fewer taxes, and creating an even better retirement, so if that sounds like the life you're trying to create, press play now. Outline of This Episode
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| Conference Breakdown, Ep #291 | 10 Apr 2023 | 00:21:44 | |
Many DIY investors would like to learn more about the latest changes in financial and tax laws but don't have the same opportunities to attend professional financial conferences. The good news is that Bret and I do have these opportunities, and we relish sharing our findings. On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, Bret shares his insights from his boots-on-the-ground experience at Ed Slott's recent conference in Las Vegas. If you are curious about the changes surrounding IRAs and other retirement accounts as a result of the Secure Act 2.0, you won't want to miss Bret's distillation. Outline of This Episode
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| Monte Carlo Failures Aren't Plane Crashes, Ep #290 | 03 Apr 2023 | 00:16:17 | |
Have you ever used a Monte Carlo analysis to help you plan retirement? If so, the results can seem scary. You may be looking for a 100% likelihood of success so that you can rest easy–after all, you are probably hoping for a 100% successful retirement. However, in this episode of Retirement Starts Today, you'll learn why a 100% success rate should not be your goal. Listen in to hear why. Outline of This Episode
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| Why Financial Independence is Overrated | 11 Aug 2025 | 00:19:22 | |
Nick Maggiulli's latest article in Of Dollars & Data challenges one of the core ideas that drives personal finance blogs, podcasts, and even some of our own thinking — the belief that financial independence should be the ultimate goal. We explore the surprising downsides of chasing early retirement, the difference between financial independence and financial freedom, and why something called "Coast FIRE" might be the real goal worth aiming for. I also answer a listener question: What can retirees do to fight back against inflation? One listener asks how to protect their buying power as costs keep rising. We go over several practical, actionable ways to stretch your dollars and build an inflation-resistant retirement. Resource: Article by Nick Maggiulli in Of Dollars & Data: Why Financial Independence is Overrated Connect with Benjamin Brandt
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| Conversations about "Guardrails," Ep #289 | 27 Mar 2023 | 00:22:17 | |
We talk about retirement income guardrails a lot on this show, but today we'll go into greater depth while exploring an article from Kitces.com. This article was written by a mentor of mine and takes an advisor's perspective on how to discuss spending increases and decreases with clients. These are fantastic conversations to review if you have been implementing or thinking about using the guardrails strategy in your retirement plan. Grab a pen and paper and take some notes to reflect as you listen so that you can keep them handy and run them through your own filter. Stick around until the end to hear from a listener who is unhappy with their advisor, yet concerned about the tax implications of switching to a new one. Outline of This Episode
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| Delaying Taxes in Retirement Isn't Always Best, Award-Winning Paper Shows, Ep #288 | 20 Mar 2023 | 00:19:17 | |
Do you want to know how you can fully utilize your biggest advantage over the IRS? Listen to this episode to find out. Today, we explore a ThinkAdvisor.com article that turns traditional retirement tax thinking on its head. Then, Bret helps me answer a listener's question about opening a Roth IRA when your salary is too high. Bret has a great tip that you may not have thought of before. Finally, you'll hear from Mike in Tuscon who is engaging in his love of music in retirement. Don't miss out on this episode to hear how you can plan to improve your retirement. Outline of This Episode
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| A Few Simple Tricks Turn Humble HSAs Into Wealth Builders, Ep # 287 | 13 Mar 2023 | 00:18:05 | |
Do you have an HSA? If so, do you simply use it to pay for your medical expenses? Or do you use it as a way to build your wealth? Today we'll look at an article from Financial Advisor Magazine that will help us identify opportunities for wealth creation. Listen in to learn how to maximize the triple benefit of the humble HSA. Outline of This Episode
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