Monolith Money Show

A recent study shows a number of American over age 50 have little to no retirement savings. Jeff and Camille discuss some ways this is being addressed across the board, and also some ways people can catch up. They also revisit how retirement dreams sometimes clash with the reality of it, and also offer some timeless advice.

Jeff and Camille go over some of the major regrets people have when it comes to retirement planning, including not starting to save early enough and more. They also look at ways to take control of your retirement planning, as well as answering some listener questions.

Social Security may have problems with funding down the road, but it won't go bankrupt. That is what most experts believe, and Jeff and Camille take a look at what may happen with this essential program and what to do to make the most of your benefits. They also revisit the crucial subject of estate and legacy planning and how to take care of it now to be sure things transition smoothly after you...

Camille goes solo today and talks about how important it is to make sure your degree of risk matches what you are comfortable with in retirement, and how having a proper plan can make sure that risk lines up with what you want. She also looks at retirement risks, as well as answering listener questions.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, passed in 2017, is set to expire at the end of this year, and rates will go up if nothing is done between now and then. Jeff and Camille discuss the importance of tax planning to help lower your tax bill in retirement. 

Jeff and Camille revisit various money challenges during retirement, especially longevity risk, inflation and the fear of running out of money. They also look at possible signs you could need a different advisor for the stage of life you are in now, as well as answering questions from the mailbag.

A recent poll discovered many younger workers feel they are not in as good as financial shape when it comes to retirement as their parents were. Jeff and Camille go over these results and discuss ways people can help themselves get into a better position for retirement. They also revisit the topic of balancing your retirement portfolio as well as answering mailbag questions.

Jeff and Camille first address ways to help maximize your retirement income, then ways to help protect it.

Jeff and Camille look at some of the major mistakes that wealthier individuals may be making with their portfolio choices as they get close to or into retirement. They also revisit four major questions about retirement planning that affect almost everyone.

Larger retirement accounts are a blessing - at least until it comes to turning those savings into income and other vehicles needed specifically for retirement. Jeff and Camille take a look at the strategies used to provide reliable lifetime income, as well as how to plan for taxes so Uncle Sam doesn't eat up a huge hunk of those savings.

First, Jeff and Camille address planning opportunites for so-called high net worth individuals, then move on to some ways to help protect you receive protected, or guaranteed, income for retirement, including optimizing Social Security benefits and using products such as annuities with income riders to help provide income that will be there every month, not just sometimes.

Where you will live in retirement is a question many boomers are starting to answer as they are about to embark on post-working life. Jeff and Camille look at a study which notes trends that are happening and how planning is essential to determine how you will or can live in retirement. They also revisit the subject of the growing government debt and how tax planning can play into that.

It seems inevitable that tax rates will be going up in the future, perhaps as soon as the end of this year. Camille is solo on this show, and she takes a look at some of the best strategies to use to help keep more money in your pocket instead of giving it to Uncle Sam.

Women have their own special needs when it comes to retirement planning. Jeff and Camille take a look at why this is, and what women can do to help themselves become familiar with a plan that may have been done by their spouse or partner, or to set up a plan for themselves. 

Much of today's retirement savings is in IRA or 401K accounts, which means it has never been taxed - but it will be taxed as ordinary income when it is withdrawn. Jeff and Camille go over options and strategies you can use so you can pay the lowest amount legally possible to the IRS.

Health care, longevity and losing a spouse or partner are some of the risks associated with a long retirement. Jeff and Camille discuss these areas and how to plan to best protect yourself when and if any of these things happen. They also revisit how to optimize your 401K savings, as well as take a look back at the year 2008.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is set to expire at the end of the year unless Congress passes something to replace it. And inflation is still hanging around as well. These can cut into your nest egg unless you plan for them, and Jeff and Camille discuss some of the strategies that can help you preserve that hard earned retirement savings.

Finding the right investment mix for your portfolio can help you reach your goals. Jeff and Camile discuss how rebalancing your investments with the help of a financial professional can go a long way toward reaching the goals for each individual or couple. They also answer questions in their ever popular mailbag segment.

Jeff and Camille go over tips for you to get the most out of your 401K account, including proper diversification, reviewing investment choices and aligning everything with your retirement timeline.

The U.S. government debt now stands at $36 trillion and growing fast. Jeff and Camille look at this issue and how expected rising taxes to pay for it could affect your retirement portfolio, as well as the best ways to plan for taxes and save money now for the future.

Jeff and Camille take a look at this week's re-election of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency, and what it could mean going forward, especially as it pertains to retirement planning. Later they revisit four retirement unknowns and how to plan for them, including longevity and taxes.

The Federal Reserve dropped interest rates by a half percent a few weeks ago, and further cuts are expected. Jeff and Camille look at what you can do now with the parts of your portfolio that are affected by these cuts to keep up the growth that is needed.

People have experienced unprecedented events in the past few years, including the pandemic, high inflation, huge swings in the stock market, and more. Jeff and Camille look at what could lie ahead and how working with a financial professional can help plan for a number of scenarios to help you maintain what you've saved.

Retirement means an entirely different shift in paying taxes, and it could mean you would pay more to Uncle Sam unless you look ahead and plan accordingly. Jeff and Camille look at the tax issue, especially the upcoming scheduled changes in rates at the end of 2025, and how tax planning could help save you thousands of dollars.

Estate and legacy planning can be one of the more overlooked pieces of a retirement plan, but its importance shouldn't be overlooked. Jeff and Camille take a look at how to make sure the things you leave behind go to whoever it is supposed to go to, and in the most efficient way possible.