Dolphin Financial Radio

Private pensions are a thing of the past, but that doesn't mean you can't create your own version. Unless you work for a government agency, odds are you don't have access to a traditional defined benefit plan. In this show we discuss some ways to create the guaranteed income that previous generations relied upon for retirement.

Does it make sense to own precious metals as an investment? How do you own gold, silver, platinum, etc.? In this show we discuss the idea of owning precious metals both on paper and physically. We discuss the pros and cons of using these alternative investments.

In May of 2021, the Biden administration asked for a 9.7% increase in the Social Security Administration budget. This is the money used to run the program. In this show we discuss what this money is used for and whether or not the Social Security Administration is being run effectively.

If someone dies and leaves you their retirement account (IRA), what happens? What are your options? In this show we discuss the new rules (2020) that revolve around inheriting an IRA from a spouse, a parent, or a stranger. Tune in to make sure you aren't penalized for mishandling an inherited IRA.

What happens to your Social Security if your spouse dies? Do you get to keep your own or your deceased spouse's? What about if an ex-spouse dies? What if you got remarried? In this show we discuss the details of Social Security Survivor Benefits. Learn everything you need to know about getting the most out of this situation.

Home equity is often a large part of a retiree's net worth. How can you use this home equity as part of a retirement plan? In this show we talk about four different ways to tap into your home equity as a means to augment retirement assets and/or income. Does it make sense to view your home as a retirement asset?

In May of 2021 the House Ways & Means Committee Passed "The Securing A Strong Retirement Act," also known as the SECURE Act 2.0. In this show we discuss ten of the major parts of this proposed legislation that have the potential to greatly impact retirement in America.

Inflation is the current talk of the town. Many financial pundits are suggesting it is time to start adjusting investment strategies to counter inflation. Even Warren Buffett sounded off on the topic during his 2021 shareholders meeting. In this show we discuss inflation, whether we are experiencing it, and what to do about it when it comes to your finances.

There are 7 unique money personality types according to psychology expert Ken Honda. In this show we review the different personalities and discuss how each type impacts retirement planning and living.

Sometimes parents or grandparents want to give their young family members financial gifts. In this show we talk about the various types of financial gifts you can give children along with the pros and cons of each.

Can you claim Social Security, yet continue working? Yes you can, but then you are subject to the "Social Security Earnings Test." In this show we discuss the details of the Earnings Test, how to avoid having Social Security benefits withheld, what "earnings" really are, and all the other important details of working while claiming Social Security.

Reducing your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) can have many benefits including reducing taxes and increasing benefits. However, sometimes the year passes and you still want to lower AGI for the previous year. In this show we discuss some ways to retroactively reduce your AGI for the previous year.

Can you save too much for retirement? What about saving too much during retirement? Many people talk about saving more and more for retirement, but sometimes you might actually save too much. In this show we talk about scenarios where people are saving too much for retirement. We also discuss how some retirees are keeping too much in savings and not spending enough!

There are major changes to the health insurance marketplace as a result of the passage of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) in March 2021. The health insurance premium subsidies have increased and more people can qualify. In this show we discuss the changes and how it can result in thousands of dollars in savings for many Americans.

What should retirees do with their stimulus checks? People in retirement are getting more stimulus checks as part of the government plans to combat the global pandemic. In this show we talk about the priorities that retirees should consider when it comes to what to do with this money. We list 6 different options for the checks in order of importance.

Buffered Notes are a financial product that offers some downside protection from market losses. However, they don't come without a catch. In this show we discuss these particular structured notes, the pros and cons, as well as whether or not these products make sense for people to use as part of their financial plan.

One of the biggest surprise expenses during retirement is dental. The costs of keeping your teeth in good shape can be astronomical. During retirement, many people see bills above $10,000 for dental work. In this show we discuss the options for dealing with dental costs during retirement.

Retirement planning is critical for those who want to retire with peace of mind. However, sometimes expenses occur that are unexpected, even for the best planners. In this show we discuss five expenses that seem to catch retirees by surprise. Knowing about these potential expenses in advance can really help you avoid the problems associated with a financial surprise. Listen in!

A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a very powerful financial tool. Many people use them while working to build up a tax-free pool of money for health expenses. However, are HSAs useful in retirement? What happens to an HSA if you retire and enroll in Social Security? Does an HSA still work if you are on Medicare? Can you keep contributing if your spouse works? Is an HSA always tax free? In this sho...

What has been the impact of the global pandemic on the long-term care industry. Are the few insurance companies that still offer Long Term Care insurance feeling the pain of such travesty in our nursing homes or are they benefiting in some twisted way? In this show we explore the current and future of long term care as it relates to Covid 19.

Social Security is a program that has been under intense financial strain over the decades. Something needs to change before it goes bankrupt. In this show we talk about the changes Joe Biden mentioned while running for President. While President Biden be able to solve the Social Security problem we all face?

Can I get my ex-spouse's Social Security? How much will I get? How long do I have to be married? Can I get Social Security if I remarry? Will my ex know I'm getting their Social Security? In this show we answer all the questions you might have about claiming Social Security based on an ex-spouse.

What is crytocurrency? What is Bitcoin? Should I own it or is it a scam? How does it work? There are many questions surrounding cryptocurrency. The discussions are heating up as the price of Bitcoin rises higher and higher. We revisit our last conversation about Bitcoin in 2019 and bring on our resident crypto follower - Jonah Faulkner to shed some light on this complex topic.

Living in the United States can be expensive. Retiring on a fixed income can be near impossible. In this show we discuss the idea of retiring in Mexico. We explore a recent article about a woman that moved from California to Mexico and is living in retirement on roughly $1,000 per month.

Okay, so the new year is finally here! What should you do now? In this episode we talk about what you need to be doing with your finances in 2021 to help have a better financial future.