Dolphin Financial Radio

Would you have been better off investing money in Legos or stocks, bonds, or gold from 1987 to 2015? The answer might surprise you. Tune in as we discuss a recent study on how investing in toys actually led to better returns over time.

What is the highest monthly Social Security benefit one may receive? In this show we answer that question as well as how your benefit is calculated. Will you receive the highest possible Social Security benefit?

There are new Social Security statements available! The redesigned statements show information in a new format. What used to be four pages has been condensed into two pages that are easier to comprehend. In this show we review these changes and talk about Social Security in general.

Can a realtor, a business advisor, or a financial advisor NOT act in your best interest? Unfortunately, the answer is sometimes yes. In this show we explore a recent real estate deal gone sour. A man sold his property for $4 million and then less than 24 hours later it was resold for $7 million. What can we learn from this and how do you know if your advisor is on your side of the table or not?

Are taxes going up because of inflation!? While many parts of the tax code are adjusted to account for inflation, some parts are not. That means higher taxes, in a way, as people experience "tax bracket creep." In this show we discuss several taxes that actually increase as inflation increases including Social Security, home sales, and state and local taxes.

The cost of Medicare is going up over 14% in 2022. Social Security checks are going up, but by only 5.9%. Why are healthcare costs going up so much? How do retirees deal with these increases? We discuss the details and strategies in this show.

There are many stories of people turning into millionaires seemingly overnight through investments in cryptocurrencies. In this show we discuss a story of one man turning $8,000 into $1 million! Is it something you can do?

What's it like getting your financial advice and retirement planning guidance from a "Big Bank" or Wirehouse"? In this show we talk with a former in-house bank financial adviser who recently joined Dolphin Financial Group. We ask him questions about what differences to expect about the advice given by a financial representative of a big bank as opposed from a small boutique fin...

When the stock market crashes, many people "panic sell." They will let emotions take over and "freak out." Is this a bad thing? In this show we discuss who is more likely to panic sell and why it might not be such a bad thing after all.

The 2022 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) was declared to be 5.9%. It is the biggest annual increase since 1982! In this show we discuss how this is determined, why it happened, and why many people won't actually see the full 5.9% increase in their Social Security checks.

How do you leave money with strings attached? Many families have a particular "Black Sheep" or difficult member that doesn't quite fit the mold or has an issue. Common issues might be alcohol or substance abuse, disliked spouses, or lack of money management skills. In this show we talk with an estate planning attorney on how to handle these types of situations. Can you rule from the...

Heads you win $200, Tails you lose $100. Do you take that bet? Some people are so risk averse, they may not take that bet. Does this behavior get worse in retirement? Are people in retirement less likely to make a bet, even with a highly favorable expected outcome?

Isn't retirement something everyone strives for? It's our "golden years" of relaxation and carefree living, right? This isn't always the case. In this show we discuss five major reasons why retirement isn't all it's cracked up to be. Listen in to hear about the top drawbacks of retiring and learn how to avoid this negativity when you decide to join the retirement...

If given a lump sum to invest over ten years, which strategy would lead to higher returns: Investing the entire lump sum at once or investing the lump sum evenly over the first year. Investing over time is also known as Dollar Cost Averaging and it's very popular. However, is it the better option when there is a long-term time horizon? We'll answer that question in this podcast.

Where do people get their retirement income from? Are people relying on Social Security, an IRA, or maybe a pension? In this show we discuss the sources of retirement income by generation along with ideas on where that income should come from. If you are thinking about retirement and aren't sure where the money will come from, listen in!

According to the recent August 2021 update from Social Security, the combined Trust Fund is expected to be depleted by 2034. This is one year earlier than estimated last year. This means that in 2034, only 78% of benefits will be payable to Social Security beneficiaries. What does this mean, why is it happening, and what should you do about it?

How much does Medicare cost? Isn't it free? If I have to pay for Part A or B, who do I make the check out to? What is an IRMAA? How do I pay for Medicare? In this show we talk about the cost to the Medicare beneficiary. We discuss the price for each part of Medicare and the ways to pay for it. If you are new to Medicare and are wondering how the pricing works, be sure to listen in.

In this show we talk about when people are claiming Social Security Benefits and why they do so. The math suggests delaying, yet people don't. Be sure to listen in to make sure you aren't messing up this important lifetime decision.

In this show we talk about how people are fairing with retirement planning. Many people know WHAT they need to do, but are they doing it? We discuss the results from the 21st Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey and compare the results to our last show about the four keys to a satisfying retirement. Are people setting themselves up to be satisfied in retirement?

Some recent research points to key factors that may be the leading reasons why people have a satisfying retirement. In this show we review and discuss this research from the Employee Benefit Research Institute’s Retirement Security Research Center (even more exciting than it sounds)! What should you do now to assist in having a satisfying retirement?

For many retirees, much of their net worth is tied up in their home as equity. Should they consider a Reverse Mortgage to tap into that equity? What are the pros and cons of this financial instrument? In this show we bring on a Reverse Mortgage expert to discuss the current situation of reverse mortgages.

What do retirees regret the most. After working with retirees for over a decade, Dan Wendol shares his opinion on what those in retirement seem to regret the most. It's not necessarily a financial regret and it might surprise you.

Can money buy happiness? In this show we talk about the ways you can spend money in retirement to make yourself happier. The discussion revolves around the book "Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending" by Elizabeth Dunn and Michael Norton.

Ever wonder what to write in a co-worker's retirement card? Do you want a funny quote to say at a retirement party? In this show we share some of our favorite retirement quotes and one-liners.

Certificates of Deposit (CDs) have been a popular options for savers over the decades. With current CD rates so low, are they still a viable option for retirement? In this show we talk about the current CD situation and how they fit into retirement planning today.