Friends Talk Money

Social Security is back in the headlines, with warnings that the trust fund could become insolvent as early as 2032. Does that mean your benefits are at risk? Should you claim early? Economist Larry Kotlikoff joins us to separate fact from fear. We explain what "insolvency" really means, why the long-term funding gap may be much larger than most people realize, what Congress could do to fix it, an...

Retirement confidence has hit its lowest point since post-COVID — and for good reason. From skyrocketing Medicare premiums to housing costs, Social Security uncertainty, growing debt, and the crushing weight of caregiving, retirees are facing a financial storm no one fully planned for. In this episode, Terry, Richard, and Pam break down the top 5 worries from the brand-new 2026 Retirement Confiden...

Nearly 3 in 4 couples say money is a source of tension in their relationship. But most never figure out why, or what to do about it. In this episode of Friends Talk Money , Richard, Pam, and Terry talk with Heather and Doug Bonaparte, a married couple and co-authors of the book Money Together . Heather is a business and legal affairs attorney. Doug is a certified financial planner and founder of B...

Tax season just got a major overhaul. The One Big Beautiful Bill changed more tax rules than anything since 2017, and if you're over 65, retired, or earning tip or overtime income, you could be leaving serious money on the table. In this episode of Friends Talk Money, we sit down with Lisa Green-Lewis, TurboTax spokesperson and trusted tax expert, to break down every major change you need to know...

Description : Becoming a financial caregiver for an aging parent can happen overnight. And even financially savvy families can find themselves unprepared. In this episode of Friends Talk Money , we talk with Beth Pinsker , author of My Mother's Money and personal finance writer at MarketWatch . Beth shares what she learned while managing her mother's finances during a long medical crisis, includin...

The Dow is hovering near 50,000. AI stocks are dominating the market. And investors are feeling both confident and anxious at the same time. It's the first Friends Talk Money episode of 2026, and we're joined by expert market strategist Jim Stack, founder of InvestTech Research , to unpack what's really happening beneath the surface of today's stock market and what it means for investors nearing o...

AI is now answering millions of financial questions every day, but how much of it can you actually trust? In this episode of Friends Talk Money , Pam Krueger, Terry Savage, and Richard Eisenberg dive deep into the surge of AI-generated financial advice and unpack the risks, myths, and surprising mistakes that tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and DeepSeek are making. A major study shows AI gives...

Gen X is officially in the retirement danger zone — and many are worried about outliving their savings. In this episode of  Friends Talk Money , Richard Eisenberg, Terry Savage, and I sit down with author and workplace/retirement expert Kerry Hannon to dig into the findings from her new book,  Retirement Bites: A Gen X Guide to Securing Your Financial Future . We explore: Why more than half of Gen...

Three-quarters of Medicare beneficiaries say choosing a Medicare plan is confusing, and nearly 7 in 10 (69%) Medicare beneficiaries have not compared their own source of Medicare coverage with other Medicare options offered in their area during past open enrollment periods, according to surveys. These actions can cost you money and limit your medication coverage and pharmacy access. In this episod...

Nearly 1 in 4 Americans over 50 are planning a job change this year, according to a new AARP survey—but here's the surprising part: 65% haven't taken any steps to prepare. In this episode of Friends Talk Money, hosts Terry, Richard, and Pam dig into what's really driving career changes for people over 50, 55, and 60—and what older job seekers need to know to stay competitive in today's market. We...

Generation X is often called the "forgotten middle child" between Boomers and Millennials, but with 65 million Gen Xers moving into their 50s and early 60s, they're facing a massive financial challenge: skyrocketing healthcare costs. In this episode of Friends Talk Money , Pam Krueger, Terry Savage, and Richard Eisenberg unpack why healthcare, not retirement savings, is now the #1 financial concer...

More Americans in their 50s, 60s, and beyond are starting businesses than ever before—but they're also facing new, mounting challenges. In this episode of  Friends Talk Money , we unpack what's fueling this surge in encore entrepreneurship and how recent policy shifts—especially cuts to the Small Business Administration (SBA) and new trade barriers—are making it harder for older founders to succee...

The 2025 Budget Bill — aka the "One Big Beautiful Bill" — is now law. But behind the headlines and hype, how does it impact your taxes, Social Security, Medicare, estate plan, and healthcare costs? In this episode of Friends Talk Money, Pam Krueger, Terry Savage, and Richard Eisenberg break down what really matters — no politics, no spin, just the facts that can help (or hurt) your financial futur...

Artificial intelligence is quietly reshaping the way we plan—and pay—for long-term care. In this new episode of Friends Talk Money, Richard, Pam, and Terry sit down with Lily Vittayarukskul, Co-Founder and CEO of Waterlily, for a candid conversation about what most people get wrong about long-term care and how AI is changing the game. In this episode, you'll learn: Why most Americans underestimate...

Special Guest : Lisa Gomez Big changes are coming to your 401(k) and workplace retirement plans in 2025 — are you ready for them? In this new episode, the Friends Talk Money team sits down with retirement policy expert Lisa Gomez (former Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employee Benefits Security) to unpack what's changing and how it could affect your money. We're covering : How catch-up contribut...

If you're like a lot of people nearing retirement, your 401(k) or 403(b) is probably the biggest part of your savings. But do you actually know how it's invested—or how much risk in stocks you're taking on without realizing it? In this episode of Friends Talk Money , we're going to look more closely. Ron Surz, a long-time retirement investing expert and president of Target Date Solutions joins us—...

Is your financial advisor truly working in your best interest — or theirs? In this eye-opening episode, the Friends Talk Money team turns the mic toward their own co-host, Pam Krueger, as she reveals the personal story behind Wealthramp , the platform she created to connect investors with trustworthy, vetted financial advisors. Pam shares the shocking truths she uncovered about conflicts of intere...

In this episode of  Friends Talk Money , we're joined by Phil Moeller, renowned journalist and co-author of  Get What's Yours: The Secrets to Maxing Out Your Social Security . Phil dives into all things Social Security—unpacking the latest changes, what they mean for you, and how to make smart decisions that can boost your retirement benefits. Topics we cover : Key Social Security changes for 2025...

Ready to explore the world without breaking the bank? The Friends Talk Money crew sat down  with Barbara Talisman from Talisman Travel Tribe, who shares her top tips for traveling the world on a shoestring budget! From finding cheap flights to scoring affordable accommodations, Barbara's got you covered. What's your go-to tip for saving money while traveling?

Looking for help this tax season? The Friends Talk Money team welcomes IRS spokesperson Eric Smith to discuss important tax changes and tax planning strategies. As a trusted tax accountant for the IRS, Eric breaks down the difference between tax credits and deductions, and shares valuable insights into new tools 'direct file' and 'free file' and other crucial matters that could affect your finance...

Rebuilding your finances after a disaster can feel overwhelming, but you're not alone. The  Friends Talk Money crew sits down to learn more from Wealthramp-network advisor Mitchell Freedman, CPA/PFS, who's lived through this before himself. His personal and practical tips on preparing for and recovering from financial crises are invaluable. Mitch highlights how working with a fee-only fiduciary fi...

Worried whether the stock market is too risky for your retirement money? You're not alone! We're going to help you decide how to sleep at night and still invest so you're money's working for you. Tune in as the  Friends Talk Money  team chats with Jim Stack from InvesTech Research to uncover smart strategies for navigating your retirement journey.

Thinking about a Roth conversion but not sure if it's the right move? The  Friends Talk Money team breaks down six key things you need to know before making a decision! From tax implications to future benefits, we've got you covered. Curious about how a Roth conversion could impact your financial future?

The  Friends Talk Money  team is here to help you start 2025 off right! From organizing your important documents to aligning your investments with your goals, we've got the tools and tips you need for a successful financial year! What financial goals are you going to cross off your list this year?

Debra Whitman Chief Public Policy Officer, AARP joins the  Friends Talk Money crew to give us a glimpse into her latest book, 'The Second Fifty'. Dive into the conversation as Richard, Pam, and Terry discuss the big questions about health, wealth, and longevity in midlife and beyond. What's the biggest question you have about navigating this new chapter? Listen to learn more!