Planning Matters Radio

When it comes to Medicare, most people focus on coverage… but not enough attention is paid to what you'll actually pay. As Peter with Richon Planning explains to Erin Kennedy, if you're considered a "high-income beneficiary" by the Social Security Administration, you could be hit with an extra charge called IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount)… and it can significantly increase your Me...

🚨 Social Security is facing a major deadline. A new report projects the trust fund could be depleted by 2032… which may mean benefit cuts of up to 22%. 📉 So what does that actually mean for you? In this conversation, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy break down: 👉 Is Social Security really "going away"? 👉 Should you claim early at 62? 👉 What changes could be coming from Washington...

Divorce isn't just emotionally difficult... it can be financially overwhelming if you're not prepared. If you're considering a divorce, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy break down three major costs people often underestimate: ⚖️ Legal Fees The average divorce costs $15,000–$20,000, but contested cases can exceed $100,000. Planning ahead can make a big difference. 🏠 Cost of Living Going...

Everyone's talking about SpaceX... and for good reason. The innovation is real. The technology is groundbreaking. And under Elon Musk, it's become one of the most talked-about companies in the world. But is it a great investment? In this video, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy offer this reality check: • Nearly 60% of IPOs since 1980 delivered zero or negative returns over 3 years • Hyp...

Retirement readiness isn't just about how much you've saved... it's about how you want to live. In this conversation, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin kennedy break down a simple, 5-step checklist to help you prepare for your next chapter: ✔️ Define what retirement actually looks like for you ✔️ Take stock of your financial and personal assets ✔️ Prioritize your health (it affects more than you...

  $133,000 — gone. So what's really going on here? And more importantly… how can families avoid it?  In this interview, @peter with @richonplanning and @erinkennedy break down: • Why inheritances are spent faster than other financial windfalls • The biggest mistakes families make when passing down wealth • Smart strategies to help ensure your legacy actually lasts Receiving an  inheritance  often...

It sounds like a smart move: claim your Social Security early, invest the checks, and get ahead. But for many high earners, that strategy can backfire… and cost far more than expected. As Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy discuss, claiming early and investing the benefit isn't as simple as it sounds. 🎯 We also break down: • How the Social Security earnings test can wipe out your benefit...

Most people planning for early retirement focus on investments… But the real shock? Healthcare. Starting in 2026, a little-known rule under the Affordable Care Act could create a massive financial trap: earn just one extra dollar, and your health insurance premiums could jump by tens of thousands. 🎯 In this interview, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy break down: • Why marketplace insur...

Planning for retirement isn't just about growing your investments... it's about preparing for the expenses that can quietly eat away at your nest egg. In this interview, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy break down 5 costs that are rising faster than many people expect... and what you can do now to stay ahead: • Health care expenses (because Medicare doesn't cover everything) • Home modi...

If you're thinking about retirement income, the real question isn't "Are annuities good or bad?" — it's "Are they right for you?" In this interview, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy break down: ✔️ Why annuities get such mixed reactions ✔️ The difference between fixed, indexed, and variable annuities ✔️ How to know which (if any) fits your plan ✔️ When the right time to buy might be ✔️ A...

From oil embargoes to global pandemics, the S&P 500 has faced decades of uncertainty, and historically, come out stronger on the other side. But what does that mean for your portfolio right now? In today's video, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy talk through: • How markets have responded to major global events over time • When it actually makes sense to adjust your investments... and wh...

A 401(k) can be one of your most powerful retirement tools, but timing those withdrawals matters more than most people realize. As Peter with Richon Planning explains to Erin Kennedy if you take money out too early, you could face penalties. But on the other hand, if you wait too long, required minimum distributions could push you into a higher tax bracket. So how do you strike the right balance?...

A growing number of Americans are heading back to work after retiring... not by choice, but by necessity. A new survey from AARP found that 7% of retirees re-entered the workforce in the past six months, up from 6% in summer 2025. The biggest reason? The rising cost of living. In fact, as Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy discuss: 💰 48% say they returned to work because they need the mo...

Life insurance is often seen as something you set up later in life... after marriage, kids, or buying a home. But waiting could mean missing out on some key benefits. In this interview, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy break down three important reasons young adults may want to consider life insurance sooner rather than later: ✔️ Lower costs: Policies are often significantly cheaper whe...

Turning 59½ can unlock a powerful (and often misunderstood) retirement planning option: the in-service rollover. Many workplace plans allow you to move part of your 401(k) into an IRA while you're still working, under rules set by the Internal Revenue Service. But is it actually better than staying in your employer plan? In this video, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy break down: 👉 Wha...

Social media platforms like TikTok are changing how people learn about money, but not always for the better. According to the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, 25% of adults now turn to social media for investing advice, and that number jumps to 61% for people age 35 and under. In this interview, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy break down why short, viral money tips can oversimplify...

Global tensions can rattle markets, but history shows the impact is often temporary. In this video, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy take a closer look at decades of data to put current headlines into context. Even though the conflict in Iran has pushed oil prices higher and caused short-term volatility, historically, the market has shown remarkable resilience after geopolitical shocks....

Trusts can feel complicated, and for many families, unnecessary. But in the right situation, a trust can be a powerful tool to protect your assets, avoid probate, and keep control in the right hands. In this conversation, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy break down when a trust makes sense, when it doesn't, and why beneficiary designations can be just as important as the estate plan its...

A recent case involving a Georgia advisor who pleaded guilty to a $380 million Ponzi scheme is a scary reminder: trust matters... and so does transparency. ⚠️ In this interview, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy walk through how investors can evaluate whether their advisor is truly acting in their best interest, what red flags to watch for 🚩, and what questions every client should feel...

There are a few birthdays that matter a lot more than the candles on the cake 🎂 Certain ages can unlock benefits, or create costly mistakes, if you don't plan ahead. In this interview, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy break down the key ages every investor and retiree should know, including: • 62 – When Social Security becomes available… but should you claim? • 59½ – Penalty-free withd...

The loss of a spouse is emotionally overwhelming, and for many families, it also brings unexpected  financial  stress. In this interview, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy walk through five common  financial   blind  spots  that often surface  after  a spouse's death... and the proactive steps couples can take  now  to protect each other later: •  Surprise Debt  –  Financial  obligations...

Improving your investment performance doesn't always mean taking more risk... or chasing the latest trend. In this video, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy break down 4 simple, fundamentals-based ways to improve results without adding complexity: ✔️ Automate and get out of your own way ✔️ Consolidate old accounts ✔️ Define your time horizon before investing ✔️ Save a little more each yea...

You've heard a lot about the stress of taking on too much risk in retirement. But as Peter with Richon Planning talks through with Erin Kennedy, playing it too safe can create just as much financial pressure.  In this interview, we walk through three warning signs your portfolio may be holding you back:  🔹 You constantly worry about running out of money Being overly conservative can limit growth—...

A new provision in President Trump's tax bill is getting a lot of attention: a government-funded $1,000 savings account for children, now known as "Trump Accounts." But as with most things in tax policy, the details matter. In this interview, Peter with Richonplanning and Erin Kennedy break down:   Who's eligible — and how families actually receive the money   Who can contribute and how much   How...

How old is too old to buy an annuity? It typically doesn't make sense to buy one if you're under 50, and most insurance companies stop selling them once you hit 90. But as Americans live longer, our fear of outliving our savings has pushed sales of annuities to record highs. In fact, annuity sales topped $432 billion in 2024, but as Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy discuss, that doesn't...