Financial Fitness

Today Bob looks at several areas you don't want to overlook in retirement planning, including assuming you won't live a long time, ignoring your spouse after you pass, not having debt, and three other important topics.

Today Cortney Dale joins Megan to go over the 2019 Medicare Open Enrollment period which begins this week, and some of the changes you need to be aware of. In the second half of the show, Bob talks about longevity and how that affects retirement planning.

Today Bob is joined by his son Kurt from Ag Risk Solutions to talk about agricultural issues, among them decisions coming up for farmers on new crop insurance programs.

When you are looking for the right professional to help you plan for retirement, there are things you should ask about during the process. Bob takes a look at what these are and how you can determine the right professional to take care of whatever financial needs you have.

Bob goes over a number of pieces of advise he has received over the years, starting when he was in college and continuing forward. Many of his suggestions revolve around staying away from debt in its many forms as much as possible.

Bob again addresses the issues which surround fees in their investment accounts and how most people don't realize how much they are being charged. He also has a mid-year update on how things are going in the investment world and that media claims or headlines shouldn't knock you off the plan you have going forward.

People are living longer than ever before, and retirements are longer, too. Today Bob addresses the factors involved including remaining engaged for a longer and more satisfying retirement.

Today Bob talks about the factors that make his most successful clients better off in a financial sense, especially the mistakes they avoid in building their nest eggs to make sure their retirement years are as worry free as possible.

On the eve of the tax filing deadline for 2019, Bob addresses how income taxes can snowball into an avalanche of making payments you never saw coming, and how proper tax planning can help you avoid a big tax bite.

No one likes to think about having to need long term care, especially because paying for it requires a lot of money. Today Bob addresses this issue, which is heavily on the minds of Kansans, and how to deal with it when putting together a solid retirement plan.

What kind of fees are you paying for your investments? The answer is probably more than you think - because so many of the fees are hidden. Today Bob talks about places where high fees may be chipping away at your returns and how a good planner can help bring them down with proper investment placement.

Today Bob talks about what is on the minds of Kansans going into the new year, with long term care as one of the major concerns. Also Washington correspondent Andy Friedman checks in with what he sees ahead politically which could affect the market landscape.

Today Bob talks about the idea of chipping away at various goals to make eventual big progress, and that the idea of just a little more return on investments can add up to big bucks for retirement in the long run.

Planners can use active or passive investment templates. Today Bob talks about each and how they can work for individuals depending on their appetite for risk and other factors.

Taxes are one of the most overlooked areas in retirement planning. Today Bob discusses the importance of tax planning and how taking some forward looking steps can save you a lot of money come retirement time.

Last October the stock market started a precipitous nosedive which lasted through the final quarter of the year. Bob looks at the causes and that the volatility may continue depending on various factors including interest rates. The show also features financial educator David Bach on the market situation and how higher rates could help retirees and their income situation.

Stocks and bonds are the traditional areas used by many planners for retirement. But Bob looks closer at bonds and talks about why they don't provide the kind of income needed by more and more of today's retirees, and offers some alternatives that are better for income planning.

Retirement planning takes, well, planning. And some of the ideas involved aren't always obvious. Today Bob looks at some bypasses, or shortcuts - different kinds of strategies people can benefit by that are hidden in plain sight.

Bob is joined by Mike Scherer of Ag Risk Solutions on this program. They talk about the current ag economy and how it effects farmers at present, and how it could effect them in planning for their future.

Everyone wants to get more from their plan, and that means putting enough into it to be sure that happens. Today Bob discusses some ways you may be able to increase your savings in unique ways, such as decreasing investment fees, or automating savings on a regular basis, or using unexpected things like bonuses or inheritances to put into your investment accounts.

If you feel your plan is not bringing you the returns you are expecting, it may not be the plan's fault. Bob goes over some reasons, such as not giving it enough time to work, or having unrealistic expectations. He also discusses ways to be sure you know what to expect from your plan or how to make adjustments so it stays on track for what you need.

We are always looking for the newest and best ways to address our physical health as we age. But what about our financial health? Today Bob discusses how to do this with the help of a qualified professional, and ways to help boost your savings, if needed, to be sure you have all the money you will need.

An annuity, when structured properly, is one of the few ways to provide guaranteed retirement income. But how can you determine if one if needed for your portfolio? Today Bob discusses this issue and how to get the right kind of annuity to fit your specific needs.

There are distinct stages of retirement as people start to slow down. Today Bob addresses each of them and the type of planning required for each to make sure your money lasts all the way.

You can say or believe you are set to retire, but your budget might tell you otherwise. Today Bob helps you answer the questions you need to ask before setting that date for good.