Retiring Today

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...

Learn more about how you can prepare for retirement by downloading the complimentary Retire Your Way Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3Zqh7i3 Register for our next Journey to Retirement Online Workshop to learn more about building a comprehensive retirement plan. - https://bit.ly/4aeNR1B Collecting Social Security benefits is an important part of every retirement income plan, but the process can be compli...

Learn more about how you can prepare for retirement by downloading the complimentary Retire Your Way Toolkit - https://bit.ly/49mxO2z  Register for our next Journey to Retirement Online Workshop to learn more about building a comprehensive retirement plan. - https://bit.ly/4aeNR1B Overwhelmed with all the options when it comes to Medicare in 2025? In this episode of Retiring Today, we break down t...

Learn more about how you can prepare for retirement by downloading the complimentary Retire Your Way Toolkit - https://bit.ly/4eC5nPh Register for our next Journey to Retirement Online Workshop to learn more about building a comprehensive retirement plan. - https://bit.ly/4aeNR1B April 15th is an important tax date, but it may not be the most important when it comes to tax planning. In this episod...

In this episode of Retiring Today, host Molly Nelson and retirement planner Loren Merkle discuss the basics of Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). Learn about the evolution of IRAs since their creation in 1974, the tax advantages of making contributions, and the significance of rollover strategies from employer-sponsored plans, like a 401(k) or 403(b). They also discuss the impact of the sequen...

Learn more about how you can prepare for retirement by downloading the complimentary Retire Your Way Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3AByl3Q Register for our next Journey to Retirement Online Workshop to learn about building a comprehensive retirement plan. - https://bit.ly/4aeNR1B  In this episode of Retiring Today, we explore how inflation affects your retirement savings and discuss strategies to prote...

Learn more about how you can prepare for retirement by downloading the complimentary Retire Your Way Toolkit - https://bit.ly/4eaBLrW Register for our next Journey to Retirement Online Workshop to learn more about building a comprehensive retirement plan. - https://bit.ly/4aeNR1B In this week's episode of Retiring Today, host Molly Nelson and retirement planners Loren Merkle and Clint Huntrods, di...

Learn more about how you can prepare for retirement by downloading the complimentary Retire Your Way Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3Uq21rg Register for our next Journey to Retirement Online Workshop to learn more about building a comprehensive retirement plan. - https://bit.ly/4aeNR1B In this episode of Retiring Today, Dorothy (Molly Nelson) is looking to retire and needs some help from her friends, th...

In this episode of Retiring Today, Dorothy (Molly Nelson) is looking to retire and needs some help from her friends, the Lion (Loren Merkle) and the Tin Man (Chawn Honkomp). Join Dorothy as she discovers the six essential pillars along the yellow brick road - lifestyle, income, taxes, investments, health care, and legacy - to create her retirement plan. After a long journey, Dorothy eventually rea...

Learn more about how you can prepare for retirement by downloading the complimentary Retire Your Way Toolkit - https://bit.ly/4gXJY5o Register for our next Journey to Retirement Online Workshop to learn more about building a comprehensive retirement plan. - https://bit.ly/4aeNR1B In this episode of Retiring Today, Molly Nelson and Loren Merkle, along with AnnaMarie Morrow, Director of Medicare at...

In this episode of Retiring Today, host Molly Nelson and retirement planners Clint Huntrods and Loren Merkle dive into essential tips, strategies, and action steps for those aged 64 and dreaming of retirement. The team discusses the common mindset and concerns of individuals nearing retirement and emphasizes the importance of long-term planning through an insightful example of a hypothetical retir...

Dreaming of retirement at age 62? This episode of Retiring Today is packed with vital action steps to get you ready. Key topics include the power of Roth conversions, Social Security analysis, and optimizing your 401K. Whether it's understanding investment risks, crafting a comprehensive retirement plan, or maximizing Social Security benefits, this episode equips you with the knowledge to make inf...