Retire With Ryan

This week on the show, we're discussing the specifics of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) as we head into the second half of 2025. Whether you're approaching your first year of RMDs or have been taking them for a while, I break down everything you need to know, from when you need to start taking distributions based on your birth year, to how RMDs are calculated, which accounts are affected, a...

With the recent passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, also known as the Big Beautiful Bill, significant changes are coming to both solar panel and electric vehicle tax credits.  I break down what these changes mean, how they can affect your savings, and what steps you might want to take before these credits disappear. From figuring out if solar panels make sense for your home to understanding ho...

This week, I'm addressing a listener's question: Should you collect Social Security at age 62 and invest the money, or wait until your full retirement age, or even age 70, for a bigger benefit? I break down the math and the risks, weighing the advantages of guaranteed annual increases and cost-of-living adjustments against the potential (and pitfalls) of stock market returns.  I also explain key r...

I'm exploring a common dilemma for anyone coming into a lump sum of money, whether from an inheritance, the sale of a business, or another windfall: Should you invest in a traditional brokerage account or opt for an annuity? On this week's episode, I discuss the key differences between annuities and brokerage accounts, highlighting the five major pitfalls of annuities that are often overlooked. Yo...

From the truths about making large purchases in retirement to whether you really need to pay off your mortgage before you stop working, I'm sharing years of financial expertise to challenge a few retirement myths so you can make balanced, informed decisions. We're talking strategies for charitable giving, clearing up misconceptions about reverse mortgages, and explaining why inflation may be your...

Building on last week's discussion about why rolling over your old 401(k) into an IRA could be a smart move, this episode flips the script. It explores seven compelling reasons you might want to leave your 401(k) with your previous employer instead. I break down factors like fees, company stock advantages, penalty-free withdrawals, legal protections, and unique investment options that could all in...

In today's episode, I'm diving into a topic that's top-of-mind for anyone who's switched jobs: what should you do with your old 401(k) plan? I discuss five key reasons why moving them into an IRA could simplify your financial life, from consolidating accounts for better control to gaining access to a broader range of investment options, reducing fees, optimizing Roth and after-tax funds, and makin...

This week on the show, I'm joined in person by investment veteran Michael Sheldon, who brings over 26 years of experience in the financial services industry. We dig into essential strategies for investing as you approach and enter retirement, covering asset allocation, diversification, income planning, and how to handle inevitable market volatility.  Whether you're a pre-retiree, a recent retiree,...

On this week's episode, I'm discussing the Federal Employees Retirement System, or FERS, a program that covers nearly all civilian federal workers. If you're a federal employee curious about when you're eligible to retire, how your pension is calculated, what the Thrift Savings Plan offers, or how special early retirement and survivor benefits work, this episode is your go-to resource.  We're brea...

Thinking about collecting Social Security while you're still working? It's a tempting option, but there are several crucial mistakes you'll want to avoid. Using real-life stories, I'm laying out the four big pitfalls, like earning over the social security limit, jeopardizing your health savings account, mishandling Medicare enrollment, and forgetting about tax withholding. These missteps can lead...

It's been announced that Warren Buffett is stepping down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. In this episode, I'll discuss Buffett's humble beginnings, his approach to investing, and the philosophy that built one of the most successful companies in history. I'll also break down Warren Buffett's wisdom into seven powerful, practical tips that align with my own approach to advising clients. Listen for tip...

On the show today, I'm discussing something that could be a game-changer for your retirement savings: Health Savings Accounts, or HSAs. If you're on a high deductible health plan, you might be eligible for this unique, triple tax-free account, but are you making the most of it? I'm sharing the top five mistakes people make with their HSA accounts. If not avoided, those mistakes can cost you seriou...

Radio personality Dave Ramsey is a huge name in the personal finance niche. While he's celebrated for helping countless listeners take control of their finances, many of his recommendations have sparked debate within the financial planning community.  I'm going to break down six of the most controversial opinions promoted by Ramsey, including advice on retirement withdrawals, debt payoff strategie...

Welcome to a special milestone episode of Retire with Ryan! In this 250th episode, we're digging into one of the most frequently asked topics by listeners: Social Security. I answer four real-life listener questions about Social Security benefits - covering issues such as survivor benefits after divorce, spousal and ex-spousal benefit eligibility, changes to the Windfall Elimination Provision and...

This time, we're featuring financial insights from co-host Ryan Morrissey, who's here to help you navigate this turbulent financial landscape. We'll explore the recent volatility sparked by President Trump's tariff announcements and discuss the remarkable market rebound that followed. Ryan also lays out six strategic moves you can make to optimize your investment strategy during these downturns, w...

As you get closer to the age of 73, it's more and more important to understand the financial strategies you can use to avoid a "tax tsunami" or "tax bomb." In this episode, I break down the basics of RMDs, explaining how they are calculated and the importance of planning ahead. You'll want to make a note of these four key strategies to reduce your RMDs and ensure a smoother financial journey as yo...

In this episode, I address listener concerns about the future of Social Security, especially given recent changes under President Trump's administration and the involvement of the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge).  I'll dive into the current state of Social Security, the potential impact on your benefits, and how you can maximize those benefits moving forward. With solvency concerns loom...

In this episode of  Retire with Ryan , I'm talking about the growing threat of smishing, a type of phishing scam where fraudulent text messages try to trick you into revealing personal information like your social security number, bank account details, or credit card information. I'll explain how these scams are targeting individuals like you and share some important tips on how to protect your ph...

Maximizing your retirement plan contributions is one of the most powerful ways I can help you secure your financial future. As we near the end of the first quarter of 2025, it's the perfect time to review your contributions. In this episode, I break down how you can ensure you're contributing the maximum allowable amount and why it's essential to do so. I explain how to calculate your contribution...

What's the best way to protect your retirement savings when the market feels unpredictable? In today's episode of  Retire with Ryan , I cover the growing uncertainty caused by political decisions and how they affect your investments.  From tariffs to immigration changes and government cutbacks, I'll share insights on how to navigate this volatility and keep your portfolio secure. Whether you're ne...

In this episode, I dive into the latest developments with the Social Security Fairness Act and what these changes mean for retirees who were previously ineligible for Social Security benefits. With potential increases in payments and retroactive benefits, this episode is packed with critical insights for anyone impacted by the new law. I break down real-world examples to show exactly how these cha...

What is the best way to access equity in your home for retirement income? In this episode of Retire with Ryan , host Ryan Morrissey is joined by Mitch Cooper, a Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional with Mutual of Omaha, to explore this very question.  Mitch returns to the show to share his expertise on reverse mortgages, a powerful tool that allows retirees to tap into the equity of their homes...

In this episode of Retire with Ryan, we're diving into the ins and outs of 1031 Exchanges with expert Eric Brecher. As Executive Vice President at the Chicago Deferred Exchange Company, Eric brings years of experience in navigating this complex IRS provision, which allows real estate investors to defer capital gains taxes when selling property.  If you're interested in real estate investments and...

When it comes to retirement plans, the general rule is that you can't access funds in your retirement account(s), without penalty, until age 59 ½. If you withdraw funds prior to 59 ½, you'll get hit with a 10% penalty and income tax (if coming from a non-Roth account). But there are  some instances in which you can make withdrawals penalty-free. We'll dive into this in this episode of Retire with...

Will AI stocks like NVIDIA continue their meteoric rise, or are we heading toward a market correction? What do recent Federal Reserve decisions mean for your investments and mortgage rates? And is it time to reconsider small-cap stocks?  In this episode, I sit down with Michael Collins, CEO of WinCap Financial, to tackle the biggest financial trends of 2025. We discuss the future of AI-driven inve...