Secure Your Retirement

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss the concept of annuitization and immediate annuities versus deferred annuities. Annuities can come from different sources, such as insurance companies or municipal pensions.  Listen in to learn how immediate annuities work, their pros and cons, and risks such as the potential loss of the principal if the annuitant d...

In this episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss the difference between FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) insurance and SIPC (Securities Investor Protection Corporation) insurance. Both FDIC and SIPC offer protection of funds held in accounts at financial institutions like Charles Schwab or Fidelity. Listen in to learn about the basics of FDIC insurance, whi...

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon, Murs, and Shawn discuss Medicare planning for people nearing the age of 65. Shawn explains the timelines and eligibility criteria for the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), Special Enrollment Period (SEP), and General Enrollment Period (GEP).    Listen in to learn the importance of understanding enrollment periods to avoid...

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs speak with Lynne Moore about the concept of aging in place, comparing it to continuous care retirement communities (CCRCs). Lynn has an extensive background in geriatrics and now works with ThriveMore, an organization specializing in helping people age in place.  Listen in to learn how ThriveMore's program supports seniors...

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon, Murs, and Nick discuss downsizing in retirement. Scenarios such as lifestyle preferences and financial needs are what make downsizing a consideration for retirees.  Listen in to learn how we use practical scenarios to help clients visualize the potential outcomes of downsizing decisions. You will also gain insights into the importa...

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon, Murs, and Taylor discuss in detail the importance of spending more in retirement as a savvy saver. Taylor provides a numerical analysis and insights into how spending habits in retirement can impact your financial plan in a scenario of a sample retired couple in their late 60s.  Listen in to learn the importance of aligning expense...

In this episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss the importance of spending more in retirement. The savings habits we build in our working years can unintentionally lead to a fear of spending money to enjoy life in retirement. Listen in to learn how to shift your mindset from fear of spending and start building good habits that will lead to a successful retirement. You...

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss the meaning of portfolio diversification and why you shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket. True portfolio diversification means spreading your money across multiple layers of different options.  Listen in to learn about the four major strategies we use to significantly diversify investment portfolios for our cl...

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs speak with Andrew Opdyke about a 2024 1st quarter economic update and the expected economic changes in the second quarter. Andrew is a Certified Financial Advisor and Economist at First Trust Advisor. Listen in to learn how the current concentration performance and the 2024 elections will impact the market volatility and economy...

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss the impact of the sequence of returns on your retirement plan. The sequence of returns is the risk associated with how your money makes or loses money, and it can significantly impact your retirement plan. Listen in to learn the importance of having income safety and growth buckets to make your retirement smoother and re...

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon, Murs, and Taylor discuss navigating tax withholding for retirees. When you retire, you have various sources of income, and you can choose to either withhold the tax on them, make estimated tax payments throughout the year, or do a combination of both. Listen in to learn about your tax withholding options regarding your social security b...

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss the possible impact of the presidential election on your retirement investments. Political uncertainty causes increased volatility in the short term, and the idea here is to maintain security and peace of mind regarding your retirement plan.  Listen in to learn why combining the strategic core and tactical portfolio...

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs speak with Mercedes Fernandez about keeping mobility in retirement. Mercedes is the founder of Movement, lead Geriatric Physiotherapist, a certified senior fitness instructor, and an authorized CPR/First Aid responder. Listen in to learn the most common mobility issues in older adults and the good habits you can develop to reduc...

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss things to consider when gifting and loaning money to children. There are tax and financial implications when it comes to gifting, but you can do it right when you understand all the legalities. Listen in to learn the importance of understanding the purpose of gifting money to your kids to help you structure it and think...

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss how to harness the power of step-up in basis when it comes to inheritance. A basis is the original investment into something and can be a big tax strategy as a step-up in inheritance. Listen in to learn about the tax advantage inheritors get when capital gains on investments are erased when you pass away. You will also l...

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs have Shawn Southard, our in-house Medicare expert, talk about Medicare's doughnut hole. Medicare’s doughnut hole is a temporary limit on what a Medicare drug plan will pay towards the course of the drug. Listen in to learn about the importance of enrolling into a prescription drug plan at the right time to avoid paying penalties...

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon, Murs, and Nick discuss beneficiary best practices and what’s discussed in a typical beneficiary’s meeting. Things can change in a year, and that’s why we believe it’s important to update or change beneficiaries annually. Listen in to learn how we prepare for the beneficiaries’ topic before the client meeting. You will also learn how pri...

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon, Murs, and Taylor discuss how to prepare to file for the 2023 taxes. The first things you should be looking at include your different sources of income and tax forms connected to that income. Listen in to learn the importance of working with a professional tax preparer to avoid misreporting different income taxes. You will also learn why...

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs have Joseph O'Donnell, a cybersecurity safety expert, talk about cybersecurity safety in retirement. Joe explains the nature of phishing emails and texts, how they’re used to trap you into giving out personal information, and the two powerful ways to avoid falling victim to phishing emails. Listen in to learn the importance of s...

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss why you shouldn’t gamble with your retirement. They compare how gambling in Vegas and retirement investing co-relates and why having an expert help you with your retirement strategy is important. Listen in to learn about the risk and reward concept in retirement investing and how your age and life experiences will impact...

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss the 529 plan as a tax-free investment vehicle and the new ruling around it. A 529 plan is a tax-free compound interest account funded for qualified educational expenses. Listen in to learn about the stipulations around the new ruling enabling rolling unused 529 money into a Roth IRA for the beneficiary you set it up for....

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs have our in-house Medicare specialist, Shawn Southard, discuss the Medicare Advantage open enrollment. With an education background and a servant's heart, Shawn is passionate about helping people find the right Medicare plans. Listen in to learn about the benefits of a Medicare Advantage plan and the reasons for the Medicare Adv...

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss what you should get for the fee you’re paying a financial advisor. When looking for a financial advisor, it’s important to ask yourself what you’re getting versus their fee. Listen in to learn about the three major types of financial advisors and what each offers you. You will also learn about categories of our Wealth In...

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs highlight some different episodes throughout 2023. These episodes’ topics are significant resources for retirement planning and would greatly help if you went back and listened. Listen in to learn the different episodes with information about what you need in retirement, including a power of attorney, estate planning, retirement...

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss the important tax numbers for 2024. Tax rate numbers for 2024 are out, and it’s important to understand them to make the necessary adjustments and know how your income will be affected. Listen in to learn how the progressive tax system works and the importance of understanding your marginal and average tax rates. You wil...