What are the three predictors of retirement happiness? Dr. Michael Finke, CFP® from the American College of Financial Services tells us what his research shows. He also shares his insights on the four percent rule for retirement withdrawals and whether there is anything we can do to stave off the effects of aging on our cognitive abilities. That’s today on Your Money, Your Wealth podcast number 523 with Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA. Plus, Joe and Big Al do some retirement spitballing: can Jon in Pennsylvania retire early at age 56, and would it be better for him to take his pension monthly or as a lump sum? Steve and his wife in Colorado are 48 and 54 and have $3 million saved. When can they retire? Eager Eagle and his wife in Washington state have $2 million saved at ages 61 and 63. Can they retire next year?

Free financial resources & episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-523

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What is your retirement income style? Dr. Wade Pfau, CFA, RICP®, is the co-founder of RISAprofile.com, providing investors with retirement income style awareness. He returns to Your Money, Your Wealth® today on podcast number 522 to talk about four different styles of retirement income, distribution planning and the four percent rule. Plus, what does Dr. Pfau think will happen with President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, scheduled to sunset at the end of this year? What are Dr. Pfau’s thoughts on annuities as part of your retirement plan? Next, "Joe Anderson’s Top 5 Things" to help you manage the impact of all this market volatility on your portfolio. Also, Joe Anderson CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitball for "Al Bundy" in St. Louis: what withdrawal strategy makes sense for him, and what he should do with his IRA and 401(k) money?

Free financial resources & episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-522

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast

01:00 - Retirement Income Style, Tax Laws, and Annuities with Dr. Wade Pfau

16:39 - What's the Future of Your Social Security? Watch Last Week's YMYW Podcast & Subscribe on YouTube

17:08 - Joe Anderson’s Top 5 Things: How to Manage Market Volatility

26:27 - Learn to Escape These 11 Tax Traps and You'll Save in Retirement on YMYW TV, Download the Tax Planning Guide

27:13 - What Should I Do With My IRA and 401(k)? I'm 61 and Have $10M. (Al Bundy, St. Louis)

00:00 - YMYW Podcast Outro

What does the future hold for your Social Security under the new Trump administration and Elon Musk's DOGE, the Department of Government Efficiency? Nationally-renowned financial thought leaders Jamie Hopkins, Jeff Levine, Eric Ludwig, and Steve Parrish share their insights with Big Al Clopine, CPA at the American College of Financial Services’ Horizons Conference in San Diego, CA on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast 521. First, the College's President, George Nichols, gives a brief overview of the institution and their inaugural conference. 

Plus, Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al spitball on whether Ricky and Lucy in Wisconsin even bother saving for retirement - they’re expecting to inherit about 20 million dollars. When should Tybob in Arizona collect Social Security? Are Roth conversions right for him? Should he go for Medicare or Medicare Advantage? Speedy Racer in Georgia needs a retirement spitball, and Gilligan in New York shares insight for other Gilligans trying to avoid a retirement shipwreck.

Free financial resources & episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-521 

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WATCH Are You Ready for Retirement? On YMYW TV

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READ about all of today’s guests

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast

01:10 - The American College of Financial Services and The Horizons Conference with George Nichols III, CAP®

03:59 - What is the Future of Your Social Security Under the New Administration?

13:11 - Watch Are You Ready to Retire? on YMYW TV and Download the Retirement Readiness Guide

14:05 - Should We Bother Saving for Retirement? We're Inheriting $20M. (Lucy & Ricky, WI)

19:05 - When to Claim Social Security? Should I Do Roth Conversions? Medicare vs. Advantage? (Tybob, AZ)

23:28 - I'm 50 With $2.4M Saved. Should I do 72(t) Tax Elections and Retire Right Now? (Speedy Racer, North GA)

33:12 - Download the Key Financial Data Guide for free

34:30 - Comment: Your Podcast Is Impactful for the "Gilligans" (Gilligan, NY)

40:48 - Next Week on the YMYW Podcast

Martin and Caterina in Green Bay are in their 40s and haven’t yet saved a million bucks. Are they on track to retire at age 58? Can Piggie and Kermit in California retire today at ages 50 and 57 and still build wealth for their children? Can Galahad and Zoot in Chicago retire early in their 50s, or do they need to keep working? Do Bo and Daisy have enough saved to retire now at 61 and 56? Plus, Chuck in South Carolina asks, if you can retire early, why wouldn’t you? Spitballing early retirement, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast 520 with Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA.

Free financial resources & episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-520

WATCH this episode on YouTube

WATCH Don't Make These 10 Will and Trust Mistakes on YMYW TV

DOWNLOAD the Estate Planning Organizer

CALCULATE your Financial Blueprint

ASK Joe & Big Al for your Retirement Spitball Analysis

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast

00:48 - In Our 40s and Haven't Hit a Million Yet. Are We On Track for Retirement? (Martin & Caterina, Green Bay - voice)

10:29 - We Have Over $5M. Can We Retire Today at 50 and 57 and Still Build Wealth for Our Kids? (Piggy & Kermit, CA)

18:24 - Watch 10 Will and Trust Mistakes to Avoid on YMYW TV and Download the Estate Planning Organizer

19:08 - We’re 56 and 52 With $500K. Can I Retire Early at 62? (Galahad and Zoot, Chicago)

25:36 - We’re 61 and 56 With $600K. Have We Saved Enough for Retirement? (Bo & Daisy, upstate NY)

33:49 - Calculate Your Financial Blueprint

34:12 - We’re 61 and 58 With $1.5M. How Much Can We Spend in Retirement, When Should We Claim Social Security? (Hefwannabe and Jane, OK)

42:19 - If You Can Retire Early, Why Wouldn't You? (Chuck, SC)

48:11 - YMYW Podcast Outro

How much do Nick and Nora in Pittsburgh, and Doc Mc Muffin and her Mr. in Minnesota, need to have saved, and how much can they afford to spend in retirement? What are the disadvantages to Fred and Ethel in Virginia if Ethel collects her Social Security early? Are the Moonshiner and the City Girl in Florida so obsessed with avoiding RMDs and IRMAA that they're wasting too much savings on Roth conversions? That’s today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast 519 with Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA. Plus, will the tax benefits on a rental property offset the negative cash flow for Lily's 29-year-old son, who has started his professional career with a $750K salary?

Free financial resources & episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-519

DOWNLOAD the Withdrawal Strategy Guide for free

LIMITED TIME OFFER: Download the Money Makeover Guide by this Friday, March 7! Watch Complete Money Makeover: How to Do a Financial Facelift on YMYW TV

YMYW Accolades on Feedspot and Goodpods

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast

00:51 - How Much Should We Have Saved Before Retirement? (Nick & Nora, Pittsburgh, PA)

12:01 - Download the Withdrawal Strategy Guide for free

12:38 - We're 40 with $2.7M Saved. Spitball on What We're Missing. (Doc McMuffin, MN)

18:40 - Any Disadvantages to Claiming Social Security Early? (Fred & Ethel, VA)

26:11 - Am I Overly Obsessed with Reducing RMDs and IRMAA, Wasting too Much on Roth Conversions? (The Moonshiner and the City Girl, Orange Park, FL)

34:52 - LIMITED TIME OFFER: Download the Money Makeover Guide by this Friday, March 7! Watch Complete Money Makeover: How to Do a Financial Facelift on YMYW TV

35:36 - Son Makes $750K. Will Rental Property Tax Benefits Offset Negative Cash Flow? (Lily, CA)

40:32 - Joe and Big Al's Very First Jobs

44:18 - YMYW Accolades on Feedspot and Goodpods

Is it better to save for retirement in traditional 401(k)s and IRAs, or in Roth accounts? That’s today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast 518 with Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA. Plus, what are the rules around contributing to two different types of Roth accounts? If required minimum distributions will be staggered because of a couple’s age difference, should they convert their retirement savings to Roth, or leave it alone? But first, Joe and Big Al have a backdoor Roth conversion withdrawal debate to settle.

Access free financial resources and the episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-518

DOWNLOAD The Ultimate Guide to Roth IRAs for free

WATCH Will Your Money Last Through Retirement? on YMYW TV

DOWNLOAD The Retirement Lifestyles Guide for free

WATCH Is a Market Correction Coming in 2025? Q&A and Feedback (YouTube Exclusive)

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast

01:02 - Can Backdoor Roth Conversions Be Withdrawn at Any Time? (Tyler, Arlington, VA)

06:11 - Am I Allowed to Have Two Roth Accounts? Should I Use My Roth 403(b)? (Kimberly, NY)

07:06 - Should I Switch Contributions from Traditional TSP to Roth? (Kate, Cleveland, OH)

11:47 - Download the Ultimate Guide to Roth IRAs for free

12:43 - Self-Insuring Long-Term Care: Traditional IRA or Roth? (Neo, San Clemente, CA)

18:05 - Our RMDs Will Be Staggered. Should We Convert $4M to Roth or Leave It Alone? (Mike, Western PA)

22:00 - Should I Switch Traditional IRA Contributions to Roth? (Joe, NC)

25:39 - Watch Will Your Money Last Through Retirement? on YMYW TV, Download the Retirement Lifestyles Guide for free

26:31 - Should We Dial Back Pre-Tax Savings and Put More in Brokerage? (Herc & Angel, MA)

31:44 - We Can Mega-Save. What’s Our Plan of Attack? Ricky Bobby, Charlotte, NC)

38:42 - Watch "Is a Market Correction Coming in 2025? YMYW Podcast Q&A and Feedback" (YouTube Exclusive)

Should Nancy in Washington take out a 401(k) loan and invest it in her brokerage account to catch up on saving for her retirement? When Joe and Big Al talk about having a balanced portfolio of various asset classes like stocks and bonds, Brian in Naperville, Illinois wonders whether that asset allocation strategy takes into account the stabilizing effect of monthly Social Security payments? That’s today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast 517 with Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA. Plus, Joy and her brother are each inheriting $400,000. How should they each invest it for their very different financial situations? Mike in Colorado has a good guaranteed income stream, so what should he do with the money he’s drawing from his taxable IRA every year - convert to Roth, put it in a brokerage account, go on a cruise? And finally, Skipper asks the fellas to spitball on whether he should do Roth conversions or take advantage of zero percent capital gains tax rates. Access free financial resources and the episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-517 

DOWNLOAD the free Retirement Income Strategies Guide

REGISTER for the free Risk Management and Retirement Planning webinar, Wednesday, February 26, 12pm Pacific / 3pm Eastern

WATCH Retirement Rebound: 5 Plays to Help You Score a Comeback on YMYW TV

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What are the benefits and differences between exchange-traded funds and mutual funds? Mike in Colorado wants to know. How should Lauren in Florida approach the fixed-income portion of her investment portfolio? Would a balanced fund be good for asset allocation in the decumulation phase for DJ in Missouri? Plus, Karen wants to make a one-time roulette investment. Should she hire a broker or do it herself? Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitball on investing from the basics to the alternatives, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 516. But first, something for YMYW’s legion of Old-Fashioned drinkers: find out how you can put your money where your mouth is with our special guest Jeremy Kasler, the founder and CEO of CaskX, making investing in whiskey and bourbon more accessible and transparent for investors.

Access free financial resources and the episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-516

DOWNLOAD The Investing Basics Guide

WATCH Financial Facts vs. Fiction: The Truth May Shock You! on YMYW TV

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WATCH the full interview with Jeremy Kasler of CaskX

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast

00:55 - How to Invest in Bourbon and Whiskey with Jeremy Kasler, Founder and CEO of CaskX (watch the full interview exclusively on YouTube)

12:17 - Watch Financial Fact vs. Fiction: The Truth May Shock You! On YMYW TV, Download the Retirement Readiness Guide

13:09 - Big Al and Joe's Favorite Bourbons or Whiskeys

15:17 - ETFs vs. Mutual Funds Explained (Mike, CO)

18:34 - Bonds, Bond Funds, TIPs, CDs: Where to Invest for Fixed Income? (Lauren, FL)

21:47 - Download the Investing Basics Guide, Calculate your Free Financial Blueprint

22:54 - Is a Balanced Fund Good for Asset Allocation in the Decumulation Phase? (DJ, Missouri)

27:33 - One-Time Roulette Investment: Should I Hire a Broker or Do It Myself? (Karen)

31:46 - Outro: Next Week on the YMYW Podcast

Financially speaking, should Old Bear in Northern Kentucky marry his Honey? How should Sebastian in Virginia navigate the financial aspects of his separation? That’s today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast 515 with Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA. Plus, Famous Missourians want to know, how much is enough for retirement, and when can you take your foot off the gas? Can Paul with the Big Wallet Bridge the long gap between retiring and claiming Social Security benefits? And can Aspiring Adventurer in Oregon retire single at age 58?

Access free financial resources and the episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-515

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WATCH: Going Solo: Navigating Your Financial Future Single on YMYW TV 

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Timestamps: 

00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast

00:44 - Financially Speaking, Should Old Bear Marry His Honey? (Northern Kentucky, near Cincinnati, OH)

08:20 - Navigating Finances When Separating from Your Spouse (Sebastian, VA)

14:52 - Watch Going Solo: Navigating Your Financial Future Single on YMYW TV, Download the Going Solo Guide for free

15:22 - How Much is Enough for Retirement? When Can We Take Our Foot Off the Gas? (JC Penney & Laura Ingalls Wilder, Kansas City, MO)

28:10 - How to Bridge the Long Gap Between Retirement and Social Security (Paul with the Big Wallet)

38:29 - Calculate your free Financial Blueprint

39:00 - Can I Retire at Age 58? Where to Save? Should I Do a Roth Conversion Ladder in Retirement? (Aspiring Adventurer, OR)

50:49 - YMYW Podcast Outro

Mike and his wife in Tampa are 39 and 36, they’ve got nearly a million bucks saved. Are they on track for retirement? Kate in California is 55 and hopes to retire in the next couple of years. How should she manage deferred compensation and retirement withdrawals? That’s today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 514 with Joe Anderson, CFP®, and Big Al Clopine, CPA. Plus, Joe and Big Al answer questions from our YouTube viewers on considering IRMAA when making Roth conversions, paying Roth conversion taxes quarterly or in December or in January, protecting a gifted house from a child’s ex, and the tax impact of rebuilding on an inherited property. Finally, 8 years ago, Joe and Big Al said you shouldn’t have more than 2% of your portfolio in gold and one YouTube viewer said that did not age too well. What do the fellas think today? We’ll find out.

Access free financial resources and the episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-514

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WATCH How to Cruise Into Your Retirement on YMYW TV

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast

00:56 - 39 & 36 With Nearly $1M. How Are We Doing? (Mike, Tampa, FL)

07:30 - Watch How to Cruise Into Your Retirement on YMYW TV, Download the Cruising Into Retirement Checklist and Guide by Friday, Jan. 31, 2025!

08:14 - Hoping to Retire in the Next Couple of Years. How Should I Manage Deferred Comp and Withdrawals? (Kate, CA, 55)

16:23 - Download the Withdrawal Strategy Guide for free

16:56 - Roth Conversions Prior to IRMAA for Alex in podcast 510? (Thomas, YouTube)

18:54 - How to Pay Roth Conversion Taxes Before Filing 2024 Taxes? (PoolMileThirty, YouTube)

21:39 - Paying Roth Conversion Tax in December vs. January (TacticalTruth, YouTube)

22:53 - How To Avoid Child's Ex Taking Half of Gifted House? (Emjay, YouTube)

23:53 - Will Kids Keep Stepped Up Basis If They Build New House on the Property? (Thaigera, YouTube)

27:53 - Gold Doesn't Grow? That Didn't Age Well (Eldon, YouTube comment)

29:39 - Outro: Next Week on the YMYW Podcast

Today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast 513 with Joe Anderson, CFP®, and Big Al Clopine, CPA, YMYW listeners in their 40s are ready to call it quits at work, become financially independent, and retire early. Can they afford to do it? Peter and Joanna want to retire in the next two years. "Burned Out and Ready to Retire" wants out of his toxic office. If Maryland Chicken Man never earns another dollar, how much can he withdraw from his retirement accounts each year? Plus, Suzanne in Massachusetts is 69 and needs $60K annually for 30 years. Is she all right?

Access free financial resources and the episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-513

DOWNLOAD the 2025 Key Financial Data Guide for free

WATCH 10 Big Retirement Regrets to Avoid (Before It’s Too Late) on YMYW TV

CALCULATE your Free Financial Blueprint

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ASK Joe & Big Al for your Retirement Spitball Analysis

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Timestamps: 

00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast

01:09 - We're 45 and 44. Can We Retire in the Next 2 Years? (Peter & Joanna, NJ)

10:24 - Watch 10 Big Retirement Regrets to Avoid (Before It’s Too Late) on YMYW TV, Calculate your Free Financial Blueprint

11:23 - I'm 42 and I Work in a Toxic Office. Can I Afford to Retire? (Burned Out and Ready to Retire, NJ)

21:53 - Download the 2025 Key Financial Data Guide for free

22:32 - I’m 69 and Need $60k/Year for the Next 30 Years. Am I All Right? (Suzanne, MA)

25:19 - I'm 45. If I Never Earn Another Dollar How Much Can I Withdraw Every Year? (Maryland Chicken Man)

34:54 - Outro: Next Week on the YMYW Podcast