The Retirement and IRA Show

Jim Saulnier, CFP® & Chris Stein, CFP®

With Jim & Chris

  • 1 hour 21 minutes
    Social Security, Inherited Roth IRAs, Inherited IRA RMDs, and Roth Withdrawals: Q&A 2502

    Jim and Chris sit down to discuss Social Security, inherited Roth IRAs, an inherited IRA RMD case, and reporting Roth withdrawals.

    (12:45) The guys answer a question about earning enough Social Security credits while working overseas and how this impacts Medicare eligibility and spousal benefits.

    (22:45) Georgette asks whether taking a Child-in-Care benefit now will allow her to switch to a higher survivor benefit later.

    (33:00) A listener wonders if a trust can preserve the tax-free growth of an inherited Roth IRA beyond the 10-year withdrawal rule.

    (46:15) Jim and Chris talk about a very confusing inherited IRA RMD case they are working on.

    (1:12:00) George seeks advice on reporting Roth IRA withdrawals after a Roth conversion and dealing with AGI changes when filing taxes.

    The post Social Security, Inherited Roth IRAs, Inherited IRA RMDs, and Roth Withdrawals: Q&A 2502 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

    11 January 2025, 6:00 am
  • 1 hour 31 minutes
    Retirement Planning Dialogue: EDU #2502

    In this EDU dialogue show, Jim and Chris are joined by Jake to explore listener questions about Social Security, income annuities, strategies for deploying dollars in retirement, and other Retirement Planning related topics.

    Mentioned JP Morgan Article 

    The post Retirement Planning Dialogue: EDU #2502 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

    8 January 2025, 6:00 am
  • 1 hour 32 minutes
    Spousal Benefits, IRMAA, Step-Up Basis, Family Maximums, Beneficiaries, and Inheritances: Q&A #2501

    Jim and Chris discuss listener questions relating to Social Security spousal benefits, IRMAA planning, step-up in basis rules, family maximums, IRA beneficiaries, and factoring inheritances into retirement planning.

    (12:00) George asks how his wife’s spousal Social Security benefit will be calculated, specifically regarding COLA increases to his PIA and his delayed filing at age 70.

    (20:30) A listener inquires about minimizing IRMAA surcharges following Roth conversions by using form SSA-44 to waive the surcharge for consecutive years.

    (31:15) In a PSA, Jim and Chris clarify a mistake from a previous episode regarding the IRS definition of fair market value (FMV) for determining the stepped-up basis of inherited stocks.

    (38:15) A listener seeks clarification on Social Security family maximum benefits and how spousal and child benefits are calculated when the family’s total benefits change over time.

    (43:00) George asks for advice on naming IRA beneficiaries, including per stirpes designations, contingent options, and considerations for blended families and remarriages.

    (1:08:30) The guys discuss how to factor potential inheritances into retirement planning, particularly when the timeline and asset usage remain uncertain.

    The post Spousal Benefits, IRMAA, Step-Up Basis, Family Maximums, Beneficiaries, and Inheritances: Q&A #2501 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

    4 January 2025, 6:00 am
  • 1 hour 16 minutes
    Developing Confidence With Retirement Spending: EDU #2501
    Jim and Chris, once again joined by Jake, a fellow planner at Jim Saulnier & Associates, discuss a recent Wall Street Journal article about why retirees often hesitate to spend in retirement. The guys share some tips to build retirement spending confidence.

    The post Developing Confidence With Retirement Spending: EDU #2501 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

    1 January 2025, 6:00 am
  • 1 hour 57 minutes
    Social Security Benefits, IRMAA, RMDs, Annuities, and Beneficiaries: Q&A #2452

    Jim and Chris discuss listener and forum questions relating to Social Security benefits, IRMAA, RMDs, annuities, and beneficiaries. Chris kicked off the episode with a bold dare, promising listeners the “best show of the year” since it’s the last one for 2024. Jim took the challenge seriously, turning it into a record-breaking two-hour extravaganza with seven questions. (Hopefully Chris has learned his lesson!)

    (10:45) The guys address a Social Security question on a financial services forum Jim follows.

    (22:30) A listener follows up on a prior episode to ask about spousal and child-in-care benefits when Social Security’s family maximum is already reached.

    (35:45) A listener provides a PSA about successfully using form SSA-44 multiple times to reduce IRMAA.

    (40:30) George asks for clarification on whether the end-of-year IRA balance for RMDs is based on the market value at the opening or closing of December 31st.

    (45:15) A forum post prompts a discussion about how a lifetime income benefit from an IRA annuity is valued when converting to a Roth IRA. (Correction: Jim incorrectly described the process for valuing a publicly traded security for “step-up in basis” purposes. The correct method is to average the high and low on the date of death, not the open and close.)

    (1:03:00) Jim and Chris address a post-SECURE Act forum question: Are RMDs required in 2024 from an inherited IRA if distributions were already taken in prior years?

    (1:14:45) The final forum question explores whether naming a contingent beneficiary on an IRA is necessary if the primary beneficiary is a trust.

    The post Social Security Benefits, IRMAA, RMDs, Annuities, and Beneficiaries: Q&A #2452 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

    28 December 2024, 6:00 am
  • 1 hour 3 minutes
    Individualized Retirement Planning Strategies: EDU #2452

    Jim and Chris continue discussing different approaches to retirement planning, focusing on a listener’s DIY strategy. They cover key topics like withdrawal strategies, risk management, and tax considerations, emphasizing personalized solutions to fit individual goals.

    The post Individualized Retirement Planning Strategies: EDU #2452 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

    25 December 2024, 6:00 am
  • 1 hour 37 minutes
    IRMAA, 457b, QCDs, and Roth Conversions: Q&A #2451

    Jim and Chris discuss listener questions relating to IRMAA, Social Security benefits, 457B plans, Qualified Charitable Distributions, and Roth conversions.

    (8:30) The guys address a listener question about using form SSA-44 to appeal IRMAA surcharge.

    (20:45) George seeks clarity on whether and how his wife’s 457 plan distributions will impact their Social Security benefits.

    (42:00) A PSA from Georgette shares her experience with using check-writing from an IRA for QCDs.

    (46:00) Jim and Chris weigh in on advice given to a widow about converting her late husband’s SIMPLE IRA to a Roth IRA.

    (1:20:45) A listener asks for guidance on handling the pro-rata rule after a backdoor Roth conversion and the implications of an IRMAA discrepancy due to a late-reported Roth conversion.

    The post IRMAA, 457b, QCDs, and Roth Conversions: Q&A #2451 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

    21 December 2024, 6:00 am
  • 1 hour 8 minutes
    Charitable Remainder Trusts: EDU #2451

     Jim and Chris welcome on another member of the JSA team – Paul Neiffer, CPA – to discuss Charitable Remainder Trusts. They dive into what they are and how you might use them.

    The post Charitable Remainder Trusts: EDU #2451 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

    18 December 2024, 6:00 am
  • 59 minutes 35 seconds
    IRMAA, Spousal Benefits, IRA Withdrawals, QCDs, and Roth Contributions: Q&A #2450

    Jim and Chris discuss listener questions relating to IRMAA, SS Spousal Benefits, IRA withdrawals, Qualified Charitable Donations, and Roth contributions.

    (6:45) A listener looks for assistance filling out form SSA-44 to have his IRMMA surcharge reevaluated.

    (24:15) George wonders if his wife claiming her Social Security benefits early will reduce her spousal benefit when he takes his SS at full retirement age.

    (36:00) Jim and Chris share a listener’s perspective on the advantages of paying federal taxes with an IRA withdrawal.

    (39:15) The guys weigh in on using the check-writing ability from an IRA to make QCDs.

    (52:15) Jim shares a case study where someone might be able to double their annual Roth contributions.

    The post IRMAA, Spousal Benefits, IRA Withdrawals, QCDs, and Roth Contributions: Q&A #2450 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

    14 December 2024, 6:00 am
  • 1 hour 9 minutes
    Retirement Planning Philosophy and Process Dialog: EDU #2450

    Jim and Chris once again welcome their colleague, Jake Turner, EA, and Candidate for CFP® certification, to the show. Together, they address listener questions and take a deeper dive into their retirement planning philosophy and process.

    The post Retirement Planning Philosophy and Process Dialog: EDU #2450 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

    11 December 2024, 6:00 am
  • 1 hour 15 minutes
    Family Benefit Limit, Means Test, QCDs, Tax Strategies, and SPIA Income: Q&A #2449

    Jim and Chris discuss listener questions relating to the Family Benefit Limit, Means Test, Qualified Charitable Donations, tax strategies for pension benefits, and spreadsheet tracking of SPIA income.

    (10:00) Georgette asks about factoring in the Family Benefit Limit while deciding when to start taking Social Security

    (19:30) A listener looks for a better understanding of Survivor Benefits and the means test.

    (32:30) Jim and Chris discuss whether someone can continue to use the same QCD in an Inherited IRA.

    (40:15) The guys dive into a question about tax strategies relate to a defined pension benefit.

    (56:30) A do-it-yourselfer wonders about an appropriate way to account for SPIA income in his spreadsheets.

    The post Family Benefit Limit, Means Test, QCDs, Tax Strategies, and SPIA Income: Q&A #2449 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

    7 December 2024, 6:00 am
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