Retiring Today

Inheriting assets can carry emotional weight and financial complexity. In this episode of Retiring Today, we explain the five most common types of inherited assets and how they're taxed, transferred, and treated under current rules. Key Takeaways: - The five main asset types: cash, brokerage accounts, retirement accounts, real estate, and insurance/annuities. - Why inherited IRAs come with a 1...

Planning for retirement means more than saving money—it means preparing for the realities that can shape your future. Today, we count down the top 10 retirement wake-up calls that reveal what many retirees wish they had known sooner. This episode speaks directly to individuals and families ages 55+ preparing for retirement. It’s a reminder that the most confident retirements begin with thoughtful...

Many investors fall into recognizable patterns—behaviors that can create challenges during retirement. Whether it’s reacting too quickly to market swings, holding onto the wrong investments, or waiting for the perfect moment that never comes, these habits can affect your long-term retirement goals. In this episode, you’ll meet four common investor types: the panic seller, the sideliner, the clinge...

When it comes to investing for retirement, not all the advice you hear is accurate or helpful. Today, we’re putting eight common retirement investment beliefs to the test in a round of Retirement Fact or Fiction. Drawing on real-life examples, historical data, and years of helping families and individuals plan for retirement, Loren Merkle and Haley Gutschenritter join Molly Nelson to explain why s...

Retirement planning isn’t just about your investments — it’s about your lifestyle, your goals, and how you want to live every single day after you stop working. In this episode of Retiring Today, we reveal seven essential questions that every financial advisor should ask you as you prepare for retirement. From Social Security election strategies to building recession-resistant income, this convers...

Many Americans approaching retirement ask, “How do I stack up?” In this episode, Loren Merkle and Chawn Honkomp explore how average retirement savings vary by age and income—and why those numbers don’t tell the whole story. While national benchmarks offer context, your retirement readiness depends on your lifestyle, where you live, and the strategies outlined in your retirement plan. Discover how...

Market swings can feel unsettling, especially as retirement approaches. In this episode of Retiring Today, Loren Merkle and Clint Huntrods join Molly Nelson to explain why some of the best market days often follow the worst—and what that means for your retirement investments. They discuss how emotions, world events, and economic uncertainty influence markets, and how a retirement plan can help you...

Long-term care is one of the most overlooked—but essential—parts of retirement planning. This episode breaks down what long-term care actually includes, how much it may cost, and why it’s important to have a plan that integrates long-term care before exploring insurance options. A hypothetical example illustrates how long-term care costs can affect a retirement portfolio and the types of solutions...

Taxes don’t stop when your paycheck does, and what you think you know about taxes in retirement could cost you. In this episode of Retiring Today, we break down five common assumptions about retirement taxes and reveal whether they’re fact or fiction. Each statement is explored in detail to help you understand how retirement income, account types, and where you live can all shape your future tax b...

Legacy planning is more than just deciding who gets what—it's about making things easier for your loved ones and making sure your wishes are honored. This episode walks through five common estate planning mistakes that can cause stress, confusion, and financial problems down the road. We talk about the power of updating your beneficiaries, why having a will or trust matters, and how to make su...

You’ve saved, you’ve budgeted, and you’ve run the numbers—but have you really thought about how you’ll live in retirement? In this episode, we highlight common lifestyle pitfalls that can lead to boredom, frustration, or missed opportunities. We explore four key traps many retirees fall into: making emotional decisions, spending too little out of fear, letting others’ opinions influence your choic...

When was the last time you thought about your estate plan—or whether you even have one? In this episode, Loren Merkle and Molly Nelson sit down with estate planning attorney Charlie Bottenberg to explore why legacy planning matters and how it fits into a comprehensive retirement plan. If you haven’t created your own plan, the state already has one for you—and it might not reflect your wishes. Lear...

Retirement can bring freedom, but only if your income plan is built for your needs. In this episode of Retiring Today, we walk through five common income traps that can catch families by surprise. Each trap is unpacked with practical steps to help you think more critically and make more informed decisions. -- Ready to take the next step? Schedule a call now at https://bit.ly/4kCEI8y to get answers...

Market volatility is inevitable—but it doesn’t have to be a setback. In this episode, retirement planners Loren Merkle and Clint Huntrods join host Molly Nelson to help you rethink volatility as an opportunity. They explain how two proactive strategies, dollar-cost averaging and Roth conversions, can turn down markets into powerful moments for long-term retirement growth. Clint breaks down dollar-...

Health care is one of the most misunderstood—and potentially costly—parts of retirement. In this episode of Retiring Today, we analyze three common health care traps that can affect your income, confidence, and quality of life in retirement. From Medicare premiums to long-term care expenses, these health care traps can be avoided with proactive planning. Here’s a quick look at each trap and how to...

A common misconception is that retirement always brings a lower tax bill, but without proactive planning, taxes can quietly become one of your biggest retirement expenses. In this episode of Retiring Today with Loren Merkle, we clear up this myth and walk through four tax traps that could lead to unnecessary tax bills in retirement. -- Ready to take the next step? Schedule a call now at https://bi...

Are you focused too much on your investments as you approach retirement? In this episode of Retiring Today, we dive into three critical investment traps that retirees should avoid when planning for retirement: Investment Hyperfocus: Over-focusing on day-to-day market fluctuations or portfolio balances while overlooking other areas of retirement planning. Taking Unintended Risk: Failing to assess a...

What if the way you withdraw your money in retirement matters just as much as how you saved it? The truth is, not all retirement income is taxed the same—and how you take distributions can dramatically impact how much you actually get to keep. In this episode, we break it all down with a hypothetical case study that follows a woman named Sherri and shows how thoughtful tax planning gave her over $...

Are you 10 years or less from retirement and wondering where to begin with retirement planning? We walk through your essential retirement checklist to help you get organized, reduce risks, and gain lasting confidence in your retirement journey. If you're ready to feel more organized and more confident as you transition into retirement, this episode is a great place to start. -- Ready to take t...

Your 401(k) is a significant part of your retirement savings—but what should you do with it once you retire? In this video, we’ll break down your options, highlight potential risks, and help you make informed decisions about your 401(k). Every retirement journey is unique, and your 401(k) strategy should align with your personal goals. -- Ready to take the next step? Schedule a call now at https:/...

Most retirees don’t realize it, but RMDs aren’t just mandatory—they can be a tax time bomb waiting to happen. Without planning, they could push you into a higher tax bracket, costing you more in taxes than expected. Today, we break down the latest RMD rules, penalties, and tax strategies to help you keep more of your money in retirement. We also walk through a hypothetical case study featuring Pau...

Will your retirement savings last as long as you do? Many retirees worry about running out of money, especially as life expectancies increase. Retirement planners Loren Merkle and Chawn Honkomp discuss creating a retirement strategy that accounts for longevity. According to the Social Security Administration, a man turning 65 today is projected to live until 84, while a woman is expected to reach...

Learn more about how you can prepare for retirement by downloading the complimentary Retire Your Way Toolkit - https://bit.ly/4h5HnWq Register for our next Journey to Retirement Online Workshop to learn more about building a comprehensive retirement plan. - https://merkleretirementplanning.com/all-online-events/ Did you know that 48% of people retire earlier than they expected? A recent study reve...

Learn more about how you can prepare for retirement by downloading the complimentary Retire Your Way Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3Pq2l6C Register for our next Journey to Retirement Online Workshop to learn more about building a comprehensive retirement plan. - https://merkleretirementplanning.com/all-online-events/ Ready to unlock the full potential of your Roth IRA? In this episode of Retiring Today...

Learn more about how you can prepare for retirement by downloading the complimentary Retire Your Way Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3ZW4ZpA Register for our next Journey to Retirement Online Workshop to learn more about building a comprehensive retirement plan. - https://bit.ly/4aeNR1B Just like you wouldn't buy a car without a test drive, you should put your retirement plan through a trial run. Discove...