Accessible Finance For Retirement

In this episode, Eric and Rachael Johns answer listener questions and discuss an article from The Retirement Manifesto titled 'Three Questions That Determine 99% of Your Retirement Success.' They delve into the importance of having a reliable cash flow plan, accounting for healthcare and unexpected costs, and how to spend time and stay fulfilled in retirement. The hosts also explore variou...

In Episode 88 of Accessible Finance for Retirement, hosts Eric and Rachael Johns address detailed listener questions focusing on retirement planning and investment strategies. The episode features an in-depth analysis of a specific retirement plan consultation involving a proposed complex portfolio. They explain key financial concepts like Monte Carlo analysis, portfolio diversification, risk tole...

Welcome to episode 87 of Accessible Finance for Retirement with Eric and Rachael Johns. In this episode, we address listener questions covering crucial topics like the right time to hire a financial advisor, effective management of 401Ks and Roth IRAs, and navigating required minimum distributions (RMDs). Additionally, we discuss the timing of IRA rollovers and estimated tax payments. Gain expert...

In Episode 86 of Accessible Finance for Retirement, hosts Eric and Rachael Johns address several pressing questions from their listeners. Topics include the benefits of opening a Roth IRA in a spouse's name, strategies for placing cash in high-yield money market accounts, understanding the differences between active and passive investment management fees, and guidance on handling tax implicati...

In this final installment of our Roth IRA miniseries, hosts Eric and Rachael Johns take you beyond the basics and dive deep into advanced Roth strategies that can help you maximize your retirement savings. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting to explore Roth accounts, this episode is packed with actionable insights and expert tips. What you'll learn in this episode: -The lat...

Welcome to episode 84 of Accessible Finance for Retirement! Hosted by Eric and Rachael Johns, this episode dives into Roth IRA Conversions, a powerful strategy for managing taxable income and optimizing your retirement savings. Learn about the fundamentals of Roth conversions, strategic timing, and common pitfalls to avoid. Discover how to leverage Roth conversion ladders, and why deliberate plann...

Unlocking Roth IRA Secrets: Fundamentals Explained | Accessible Finance Ep 83 Welcome to episode 83 of Accessible Finance for Retirement! Eric and Rachael Johns kick off a three-part miniseries on Roth accounts, starting with the fundamentals. They discuss the origins of Roth IRAs, basic differences between Roth and traditional IRAs, and key rules and contributions limits. Get to know the signific...

In episode 82 of Accessible Finance, hosts Eric and Rachael Johns delve into retirement regrets and how to avoid common pitfalls. They discuss personal stories from retirees who wish they had started saving earlier, misunderstood Medicare coverage, mismanaged investment strategies, failed to seek professional advice, and avoided important financial conversations with family. The episode emphasizes...

In episode 81 of Accessible Finance, Eric and Rachael Johns discuss how to create and fund your retirement bucket list without breaking the bank. They share their own bucket list items and emphasize the importance of quantifying costs and setting realistic goals. The episode covers key strategies such as setting up dedicated savings accounts, budget reallocation, and considering side hustles. They...

Welcome to episode 80 of Accessible Finance with Eric and Rachael Johns! In this rapid-fire session, Eric answers your most pressing retirement questions without his famous 'It depends' caveat. From the biggest mistakes made before retirement to whether you should downsize your home, we cover it all. Also discussed are Roth IRAs vs. traditional IRAs, how to estimate healthcare costs in ret...

Welcome to episode 79 of Accessible Finance! Join Eric and Rachael Johns as they break down how to compare job offers beyond just the paycheck. Learn what benefits to look for, how to quantify those benefits, and why they matter more than you might think. From healthcare and retirement plans to paid time off and work flexibility, this episode covers everything you need to know to make an informed...

In episode 78 of Accessible Finance, we tackle the challenge of managing tax risks in pre-tax accounts like 401(k)s and traditional IRAs. Eric and Rachel discuss the importance of considering future tax brackets and RMDs (Required Minimum Distributions) while planning your retirement. Learn about strategies like Roth conversion ladders to mitigate hefty tax bills, the significance of filling the l...

In Episode 77 of Accessible Finance, we tackle a pressing question: 'How do I reduce my tax bill before I retire?' Eric and Rachael discuss critical strategies for those nearing retirement, including deferring income, maximizing pre-tax contributions, leveraging donor-advised funds for charitable giving, and planning Roth conversions. They delve into the importance of preparing for retirement well...

In episode 76 of Accessible Finance, we break down the three tax buckets: taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free accounts. Discover how each impacts your taxes, flexibility, and financial planning. Learn the pros and cons of each account type and why having a balanced mix across all three buckets is essential for strategic withdrawals and minimizing tax liabilities. Join us as we dive into the detail...

In episode 75 of Accessible Finance, we address an emotional and critical listener question from someone who has recently lost a spouse and feels overwhelmed with financial decisions. The discussion covers key initial steps such as pausing big decisions, getting organized, securing income sources, and the importance of involving trusted financial professionals. We discuss the tax implications of g...

🎙️ Episode 74: Navigating Your Retirement in a Down Market Are you planning to retire but worried about the market downturn? Is it wise to push on or is waiting the better option? In this episode, Rachael and Eric tackle one of the toughest questions facing soon-to-be retirees: the market’s impact on your retirement timeline. Key Highlights:Should you retire now or delay? Discover the decision-mak...

In episode 73 of Accessible Finance, hosts dive into a detailed listener question about retirees with pension plans. They discuss the implications of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) ending, its impact on social security benefits, and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). The episode explores strategies for pension holders, including whether teachers should work summer jobs to earn social s...

Financial Planning for Life's Unexpected Curveballs | Accessible Finance Ep. 72In Episode 72 of Accessible Finance, we tackle the topic of preparing your finances for life's unexpected events by sharing a very personal one of our own. Whether it's a sudden health diagnosis, an unexpected expense, or another unforeseen event that can shake your financial stability, we cover actionable s...

In this episode, we answer the question: "I don't trust financial advisors because of bad past experiences. What questions should I ask to find the right one now?" Unfortunately, you're not alone, and this is SUCH an important topic! Firstly, NOT ALL FINANCIAL ADVISORS ARE CREATED EQUAL. There are different certifications, pay structures, and philosophies. What questions are most critical? How do...

In this episode, we answer the question: "I just retired, but my spouse is still working. How should we handle taxes now that our income brackets are so different?" Ultimately, Filing status matters, the impact of retirement income needs to be assessed, and withholding adjustments should be analyzed. For retirees not yet taking income (aka waiting to draw on SS and not required to take RMDs), ther...

In this episode, we answer the question: "Our adult child is struggling financially and keeps asking us for money. How do we help without jeopardizing our own retirement? Short answer: Assess your own financial help, the nature of the struggle, and the terms of the help--communication is key! Be honest about your limits, offer non-financial support where possible, and set boundaries. 🎙️ Have...

In this episode, we answer questions regarding Roth withdrawals, Roth conversions, and how to choose a fiduciary advisor--including a crucial discussion on what questions to ask and what could cause a lack of consensus among planners when comparing.🎙️ Have a financial scenario you’d like us to discuss (without giving personalized advice)? Send your questions to podcast@equilibriumfp.com—we’ll keep...

In this episode, we answer questions regarding whether you can contribute to a Roth if your income is a pension, where a full commission job should put retirement savings, and timing cashing in of iBonds. 🎙️ Have a financial scenario you’d like us to discuss (without giving personalized advice)? Send your questions to podcast@equilibriumfp.com—we’ll keep your information completely anonymous! 📢 D...

In this episode, we answer questions regarding whether it ever makes sense to have a portfolio with only equities if equities truly outpace other investment classes over the long run, and clarification on the tax code while making a decision on a Roth conversion versus taking more from an inherited IRA. 🎙️ Have a financial scenario you’d like us to discuss (without giving personalized advice)? Sen...

In this episode, we answer questions regarding high yield savings versus CDs, inherited stock portfolios, whether there is a time one should leave the market altogether, and how to split bond/stock investment allocations as you age. 🎙️ Have a financial scenario you’d like us to discuss (without giving personalized advice)? Send your questions to podcast@equilibriumfp.com—we’ll keep your informatio...