Capitalist Investor

Private equity, private credit and private real estate could soon become more common inside 401(k) plans, opening the door to investments that have traditionally been limited to institutions and wealthy investors. In this episode, the team breaks down the potential benefits and risks of adding private assets to retirement accounts, including diversification, higher fees, limited liquidity and the...

One of the most influential voices in retirement research has changed her thinking on three major planning topics, and those shifts could have real implications for retirees and do it yourself investors. In this episode, the team breaks down why retirement planning involves much more than simply choosing investments, including taxes, Social Security, Medicare, income planning and withdrawal strate...

With the end of 2026 approaching, there are several important retirement planning deadlines that could impact your taxes, savings and Medicare costs heading into the new year. In this episode, the team breaks down three key areas to review before year end: maximizing 401(k) contributions and catch up provisions, completing Roth conversions before the December 31 deadline and preparing for Medicare...

The baby boomer retirement wave isn’t coming, it’s already here. In this episode of The Capitalist Investor , the conversation focuses on what record numbers of Americans reaching retirement age could mean for Social Security, Medicare, the labor market, housing, and retirement planning. The discussion covers the growing strain on Social Security, rising healthcare costs, retirement readiness, the...

For individuals approaching or already in retirement, retirement account structure can become just as important as investment performance. Decisions involving 401(k) plans, traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, rollovers, and future required distributions can have meaningful tax and planning implications. In this episode, the discussion explores why substantial retirement assets often migrate from employer...

Changes to the tax code can have meaningful consequences for retirement planning, particularly when provisions include income limits, expiration dates, and different rules depending on age or account type.  In this episode, Tony Zabiegala and Derek Gabrielsen review several tax provisions affecting retirees and families. Topics include the temporary senior deduction, current tax brackets, estate t...

As 2026 enters its final third, investors face an unusual combination of strong market fundamentals and several potential sources of volatility.  In this episode, Tony Zabiegala and Derek Gabrielsen examine what has supported the market so far, including broader market participation, a rotation from growth toward value, and earnings and revenue growth. They also consider what could challenge that...

After spending decades accumulating wealth, shifting into retirement spending can be more difficult than expected. For many retirees, the challenge is not simply determining whether they have enough assets. It is becoming comfortable using those assets without feeling that they are jeopardizing the future.  Derek Gabrielsen, CRPC®, and Dave Abate, CFP®, discuss the psychology behind this transitio...

Workplace retirement plans are beginning to offer more ways for participants to convert accumulated savings into retirement income. For investors nearing retirement, these options raise an important planning question: should a portion of a 401(k) be used to create a predictable lifetime income stream?  In this episode, Derek Gabrielsen, CRPC® and Dave Abate, CFP® discuss the evolution of 401(k) pl...

Women often face a different retirement planning equation. Longer life expectancies, career interruptions related to caregiving, lower average retirement savings, and the increased likelihood of managing finances alone later in life can all influence retirement income decisions. This episode examines Social Security timing, survivor benefits, pension elections, long-term care risk, and the role of...

Roth conversions can provide meaningful tax-planning flexibility, but they are not automatically appropriate for every investor. The decision depends on current income, expected future tax rates, required minimum distributions, Medicare considerations, retirement cash flow, and the intended use of inherited assets.  Derek Gabrielsen, CRPC® — Senior Wealth Advisor, and Tony Zabiegala, CRPC® — Senio...

Retiring into a bear market can put even a well-funded retirement plan under immediate pressure. The danger is not only the decline itself, but having to fund spending from depressed investments—and making emotional decisions that lock in losses. Derek Gabrielsen, CRPC® — Senior Wealth Advisor, and Tony Zabiegala, CRPC® — Senior Wealth Advisor, examine three retirement scenarios and the choices th...

Rate cuts were expected at the beginning of 2026. Then inflation concerns and rising energy prices put potential rate hikes back on the table. Now, the latest inflation data has changed the outlook once again. In this episode of The Capitalist Investor, the team breaks down why inflation may remain between 3% and 4% for the foreseeable future and what that could mean for stocks, bonds, real estate...

The Federal Reserve just released data linking immigration to housing market trends. Learn how rising house prices impact your retirement. This episode of The Capitalist Investor examines recent research from the Federal Reserve regarding the connection between unauthorized immigration and housing market trends. We bypass the political noise to focus strictly on the economic data provided by the c...

Roth or traditional IRA? 401(k) or IRA? Tax deduction now or tax-free withdrawals later? These are common questions when saving for retirement, but many people get stuck trying to make the “perfect” decision and end up delaying the most important step: actually saving. In this episode of The Capitalist Investor, the crew breaks down common IRA and retirement account mistakes, including why Roth vs...

A record number of Americans are tapping their 401(k)s through hardship withdrawals, and the reasons are not small or careless expenses. Many people are using retirement savings to avoid foreclosure, cover medical bills, or pay for major home repairs. In this episode of The Capitalist Investor , Derek and Dave Huberty discuss what is driving the increase in hardship withdrawals, why inflation and...

SpaceX just made history with the largest IPO ever, raising $75 billion and quickly becoming one of the most valuable companies in the world. The excitement has investors asking one question: Should you buy SpaceX stock? In this episode of The Capitalist Investor , Derek and Jack take a balanced look at the opportunities and risks surrounding SpaceX's public debut. Rather than focusing on hyp...

Most retirement planning focuses on building wealth. But what happens when age, illness, or cognitive decline make it difficult, or impossible, to manage your money? In this episode of The Capitalist Investor , Diamond Hands D is joined by Sam and Jack to talk through one of the most important retirement planning conversations families tend to avoid: how to protect your finances before something g...

For decades, the 4% rule has been one of the most common retirement planning guidelines. The idea was simple: withdraw 4% of your portfolio in the first year of retirement, adjust for inflation each year, and your money should last for 30 years. But does that rule still work today? In this episode of The Capitalist Investor , Diamond Hands D is joined by Sam and Jack to break down where the 4% rul...

Most people assume the key to retirement is aggressively saving every extra dollar possible. But what if working just two more years could have an even bigger impact? In this episode of The Capitalist Investor , Tony and Derek break down the surprising math behind delaying retirement. They explain how two additional working years can potentially increase 401(k) contributions, allow more time for c...

Many Americans dream about retiring early, but few fully understand the healthcare costs that come before Medicare eligibility at age 65. In this episode of the Capitalist Investor, Mark Tepper and Tony Zabiegala break down the real financial impact of retiring early and why healthcare planning needs to be part of every retirement strategy. They discuss COBRA, Affordable Care Act options, HSA stra...

What happens when one spouse is ready to retire… and the other hasn’t even thought about what retirement actually looks like yet? In this episode of The Capitalist Investor , the team breaks down the retirement conversations couples often avoid until it’s too late. From retirement timelines and spending habits to travel plans, Social Security decisions, healthcare costs, and lifestyle expectations...

What happens when the market drops right as you need your money most?  In this episode, we break down one of the biggest retirement planning mistakes people make: being overexposed to the stock market without a true cash safety net. Using real-world market scenarios like the 2020 crash, we discuss sequence of returns risk, retirement income planning, and why liquidity matters more than most invest...

Are Social Security increases actually helping retirees or quietly falling behind? In this episode of The Capitalist Investor, we break down why a recent 2.8% cost of living adjustment may feel more like a loss than a gain. When rising costs for healthcare, groceries, and energy outpace government adjustments, retirees are left asking a simple question: is this really enough? We also explain how C...

Most people think they understand retirement planning … but the reality is, small decisions today can completely change your future. Whether you’re contributing to a 401k , exploring a Roth IRA , or just starting to think about saving for retirement , this conversation breaks down what actually matters. We cover how everyday spending habits impact your ability to save , build retirement income , a...