McNamaraOnMoney

Planning for a loved one with a disability involves more than saving money. It requires protecting their future without jeopardizing access to essential benefits. In this episode, Mike McNamara speaks with Joan McGrath, CEO of Plan of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, about the critical role of Special Needs Trusts, how they help preserve eligibility for programs like SSI and Medicaid, and the key d...

In this episode of McNamara on Money, host Mike McNamara introduces a new listener-focused series built around live, one-hour retirement consultations. He invites individuals and couples to volunteer for on-air sessions, offering a $200 incentive to participants willing to discuss their 401(k) plans, retirement goals, and financial concerns by Zoom, phone, or in studio. The episode explains how th...

In this episode, financial advisor Alyssa McNamara Reed breaks down the growing interest in Roth accounts and Roth conversions, explaining why they can be powerful retirement planning tools but are not right for everyone. She compares traditional IRAs, which offer upfront tax deductions, with Roth accounts, which provide tax-free growth and tax-free retirement distributions. Reed explains why Roth...

This week, join guest host Patrick Haraden from Lockton Companies in Boston for a discussion about Medicare. This episode of McNamara On Money features a practical conversation with experts from Abacus Business Consulting about the often-confusing world of Medicare. The discussion breaks down the major parts of the program, including Part A, which covers hospital care, and Part B, which covers out...

In this episode, Mike McNamara delivers a blunt assessment of America’s growing financial instability, comparing the federal government’s spending habits to a household headed toward bankruptcy. He explains how persistent deficits, trillions in new borrowing, and interest payments on a national debt approaching $39 trillion are creating an unsustainable cycle. McNamara warns that rising interest r...

In this episode, financial advisor Alyssa McNamara Reed speaks with reverse mortgage specialist David Tourtillott about the modern role of federally regulated Home Equity Conversion Mortgages. David Tourtillott explains how today’s reverse mortgages differ from the poorly regulated and often misunderstood products of the past. Insured by the FHA, these loans include safeguards designed to protect...

This episode features financial advisor Justin McNamara and insurance professional Guy Ziriak discussing two often-overlooked forms of protection: disability insurance and long-term care insurance. They begin with disability insurance, explaining why it is best understood as income protection. The conversation covers the difference between short-term employer benefits and long-term individual poli...

This episode of McNamara on Money explores how vocational education is creating alternative pathways to stable, high earning careers as traditional college costs continue to rise. Host Alyssa McNamara Reed speaks with representatives from Southshore Technical School about the growing demand for skilled trades and the school’s hands-on approach to career preparation. Guests Bob Melo and Amy Dao dis...

In this episode, financial advisor Alyssa McNamara Reed sits down with wedding planner Ashley Fiddler to discuss the realities of planning modern weddings and managing the often substantial costs that come with them. From event management and partial planning to full-service coordination, Ashley explains how professional planners help couples navigate timelines, vendor relationships, and high-pres...

In this episode, host Justin McNamara sits down with Social Security expert Kurt Zarnowski, a former SSA insider, to break down how the system actually works. From earning the required credits over a ten-year minimum to understanding how your highest 35 years of income shape your benefit, they clarify the mechanics that determine what you receive in retirement. The conversation also examines timin...

In this episode, financial advisor Mike McNamara reduces long-term stability to two non-negotiable rules. First, live within your means. Spend less than you earn, and treat retirement and education savings as fixed monthly obligations, not optional leftovers. McNamara argues that consistency and discipline matter more than investment skill, especially in a landscape where many rely too heavily on...

In this radio interview, financial expert Alyssa McNamara Reed and certified specialist David ourtillott discuss the mechanics and benefits of federally regulated reverse mortgages. They clarify that modern Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM) are transparent, government-insured tools designed to help seniors aged 62 and older access their home's wealth without monthly payments. Tourtillott exp...

This interview features Julie Shields-Rutyna from the Massachusetts Education Finance Authority (MEFA), who discusses the complexities of college financial aid and decision-making. The conversation focuses on the significance of National College Acceptance Day on May 1st and the necessity of comparing award letters using tools like cost calculators. Shields-Rutyna explains the distinctions between...

Financial advisor Mike McNamara provides a detailed analysis of major life expenses, specifically focusing on the high costs of college education and automobile ownership. He argues that the primary purpose of higher education should be career preparation, urging parents to set strict budgetary limits and consider higher-earning majors or trade schools to protect their retirement. McNamara highlig...

In this episode, Alyssa McNamara Reed interviews Stacy Havens, an independent college counselor from Student Pathways, to discuss the complexities of higher education planning. They emphasize that the application timeline has shifted earlier, suggesting that students begin exploring interests as soon as freshman or sophomore year to reduce senior-year pressure. The conversation covers the financia...

In this episode, Justin McNamara interviews an interview with Niki Conte from the Massachusetts Health Connector, who explains the state’s insurance marketplace and upcoming enrollment deadlines. The discussion clarifies that open enrollment typically ends in late January, providing a critical window for individuals without employer-sponsored coverage to secure health plans. Ki describes how subsi...

This week, join guest host Patrick Haraden, Employee Benefits and Risk Management Strategist at Lockton Companies for a discussion about Insurance and Employee Benefits along with his guest Nikki Conte, the Director of Outreach and Education for the Massachusetts Health Connector, explaining how the state’s official insurance marketplace functions. The discussion clarifies that the Connector serve...

In this episode, Mike McNamara discusses the hidden expenses of homeownership and strategies for enduring a potential market downturn. He argues that most homeowners significantly underestimate total costs, emphasizing that mortgage payments are merely a financial floor rather than a ceiling. To manage these properties, he recommends budgeting at least two percent of a home's value annually to cov...

This week join Mike McNamara and his guest Susan Peavey, a veteran travel professional. The discussion highlights the evolving role of travel agents, emphasizing how their expertise provides security and personalized logistics that internet booking sites often lack. Peavey explains the benefits of bundled vacation packages, the importance of travel insurance, and the complexities of organizing des...

On this show, Alyssa McNamara Reed and Social Security expert Kurt Czarnowski talk about the complexities of Social Security benefits. The speakers outline the historical evolution of the program, explaining how eligibility shifted from a calendar-based system to one determined by credits and lifetime earnings. They clarify essential concepts such as full retirement age, the financial impact of ea...

In this episode, hosts Justin and Michael McNamara discuss financial planning updates for 2026, focusing on significant changes to retirement contribution limits and tax laws. They highlight the new "super catch-up" provisions for older workers and explain how higher earners may be required to direct certain contributions into Roth 401(k) accounts. The conversation shifts to the rising costs of ho...

In this episode. join host Alyssa McNamara Reed provides a detailed look at mortgage management and the mechanics of debt reduction. She utilizes amortization tables to illustrate how interest payments are front-loaded, demonstrating how even small monthly overpayments can significantly shorten a loan’s lifespan and save homeowners thousands in interest. The discussion also features a caller who s...

On. this episode, we explore the complexities of retirement planning, specifically addressing the question of how much one needs to save. Hosts Alyssa McNamara Reed and Mike McNamara emphasize that savings targets are highly individual, depending on factors like marital status, pension eligibility, and lifestyle expectations. We address the risks of inflation, the nuances of required minimum distr...

In this episode, Justin McNamara is joined by, Niki Conte, a director at Massachusetts Health Connector, who explains what Massachusetts residents need to know about getting health insurance - and why timing matters. She highlights the January 23rd deadline to enroll in coverage that begins in February, noting that for most people, this is the last chance to sign up unless they experience a qualif...

In this episode, financial advisor Mike McNamara tackles two of the biggest threats to a secure retirement: debt and the rising cost of education. Mike explains how many people unintentionally put their own future at risk—by carrying high credit card balances, maintaining expensive lifestyles, or prioritizing their children’s college tuition ahead of retirement savings. He makes a simple but power...