The Retirement Show: Your Life, Your Money with Scott Sierens

In today's episode, we're diving into three often underestimated issues that could significantly impact your retirement plan. With valuable insight and practical strategies, Scott sheds light on how to overcome these challenges and secure a smoother financial future.   Here are some key takeaways from this episode:  Longevity's Wake-Up Call: Drawing from historical trends and technological advance...

Money can't buy love, but it can certainly start some spicy debates between you and your better half. In this episode, we explore five money minefields that can test even the most solid relationships in retirement. Listen in as Scott shares some tips on how to resolve some of these common financial sources of tension and emphasizes the importance of open communication and compromise.    Here are s...

We're back with another mailbag episode for today's show! We're here to answer financial questions from listeners just like you. Stick around and see what strategies you can learn from today's show.  Eddie is 62 and hates his job but is making a great income. He asks if it would be a mistake to walk away from this job before retirement. Catherine asks if she should give some money to her grandkids...

The journey to retirement can be turbulent, but with the right tools and knowledge, you can navigate this path with confidence. In today's mailbag episode, we answer some listener questions about handling retirement contributions, fearing a recession, and banking on an inheritance for your retirement.   Tune in as Scott discusses the importance of planning for the best and preparing for the worst...

Who are you learning from when it comes to making sure your retirement plan is successful? If you're of the age that your mom and dad retired 20 or 30 years ago, the world was a much different place when they walked away from their paychecks. Let's talk about how things are different now…   Here's what we'll discuss in this episode: It's okay to work beyond age 65 + why you should do what is best...

Don't get us wrong. In many cases, your 401(k) can be your best investment vehicle, offering numerous benefits and tax advantages and many times a 100% return on some of your contributions (also known as an employer match). However, it's important to recognize that it might not always be the optimal choice for everyone. Join us in this thought-provoking episode as we dissect 5 reasons why someone...

It's the last week of the month, so we're diving into the listener mailbag for today's episode! Tune in as Scott answers some listener questions that have recently been sent into the show and see what knowledge you can gain from them. Stick around, because these strategies could be useful for your life or help you avoid financial mistakes in the future.   Here's what we'll discuss in this episode:...

We commonly get asked if life insurance is needed in retirement. With many advertisements and commercials emphasizing the importance of life insurance, this can be an understandably confusing topic. So, in today's episode, we're going to talk about the purpose of life insurance, explore the circumstances that warrant its need, and discuss what you can do with your policies if you find it unnecessa...

Who wouldn't want extra cash in their pocket without having to pay taxes to the IRS? In today's episode, Scott dives into the topic of getting more tax-free gains and shares valuable strategies for growing your wealth without paying hefty taxes. From contributing to a Roth 401(k) or SEP Roth to utilizing the backdoor Roth IRA process, Scott provides insights to help you make the most of tax-free g...

No one enjoys making mistakes, as they can result in wasted time and money and cause significant stress and frustration. In the complex world of retirement planning, there are countless pitfalls one could fall into if you aren't properly prepared. In this episode, we're going talk about the top 5 money mistakes that Scott often sees in retirement planning and how to avoid making them.    Here's wh...

In this episode, we dive into a common question: Can you work and receive a wage income while collecting Social Security? The answer may surprise you, as it's yes, maybe, and no. Join us as we explore each response in detail, discussing whether your benefits would be reduced and uncovering ways to reclaim any deductions. Additionally, we'll discuss four key ingredients to consider when deciding th...

In today's episode, we continue discussing and answering listener questions we've received. Scott will answer questions on paying off your home mortgage, navigating retirement discussions with your partner, and leaving behind an inheritance for your children. Listen in as you may find yourself asking a similar question, in a similar scenario, or able to take the strategies discussed to help improv...

Effective retirement planning involves not only knowing your sources of income, such as Social Security but also having a clear understanding of the expenses that will be incurred from that income. It's very important to consider all potential costs to ensure a comfortable retirement. In Scott's experience, there is one cost that many individuals tend to overlook or underestimate, and that's what...

In today's episode, we are going to look at the results of the 2023 Retirement Confidence Survey . Join us as Scott unpacks these surprising statistics, shares his takeaways, and reveals the insights they provide when it comes to retirement planning. Whether you are nearing retirement or have already retired, this episode is packed with valuable information.    Here's what we'll discuss in this ep...

Retirement can come with a lot of tax questions and concerns. From understanding the tax implications of withdrawing from your retirement accounts to minimizing taxes on investment income, it can be overwhelming. In today's episode, we'll break down the 7 tax questions that people approaching retirement are asking.   Here are a few lessons that we'll discuss in this episode:  What are the tax impl...

We're going to dive into some listener questions today! In this mailbag episode, we'll discuss the differences between Roth conversions and Roth contributions and clarify which of these options have income limits. We will also explore what to do if your 401k contributions are already maxed out. We'll then wrap up with an insightful discussion on spousal Social Security benefits.   Here are a few l...

To celebrate our 100 th episode of the podcast, we're going to share 10 lessons from retirees to help you and your retirement plan. These tips will help you build wealth, reduce stress during the planning process and retire with confidence. So, whether you're retired or not, this episode will be packed with valuable lessons for folks of all ages.   Here are a few lessons that we'll discuss in this...

When it comes to saving for retirement, many people automatically turn to the 401(k) as their go-to account. But is it really the best option for everyone? While the 401(k) is certainly a powerful tool, it may not be the best choice for all your retirement savings. In this episode, we'll explore the pros and cons of 401(k) plans and introduce alternative retirement savings options that can help di...

Finding yourself between jobs can be frustrating. Whether you were fired, laid off, or just had to step away of your own choosing, change can feel challenging, but can also present exciting opportunities. In today's episode, we're going to talk about changing careers and cover five financial planning considerations when transitioning into a new job. Here's some of what you'll learn in this episode...

In this episode, we're opening up the listener mailbag to answer questions about distributions that you might need to take from an inheritance, combining old 401ks into an IRA, and how to invest for inflation and how to invest if you're on the doorstep of retirement.   Here's some of what you'll learn on this episode:  An explanation of what inflation is and how it works. 3:10 Why you need to have...

Did you know the government is going to force you to take money out of some of your retirement accounts as you get older, even if you don't want to? In today's episode, we talk about what required minimum distributions are, why they exist and when they might start for you. Ignoring them could lead to major taxes issues down the road that might be difficult to overcome.   Here's some of what you'll...

If you're looking for some last-minute tax tips before filing your 2022 taxes, this episode is for you. We're going to talk about strategies you can utilize to reduce your taxes for last year or utilize to get some tax-free money growing for your future.   Here's some of what you'll learn on this episode:  The first strategy is being able to make contributions to your IRA. (3:41) The second strate...

Whenever we first start talking to someone about what they're going to need for retirement, we usually hear some of the same answers. They'll name some of the basics like mortgage and utilities and then run through the fun stuff like travel and hobbies. But too often, there are five expenses that people typically miss when planning for their retirement, and that's what we're going to talk about to...

 Even if you've been saving your money and investing for a long time it's easy to make rookie mistakes. On this episode, we'll cover some of the top rookie mistakes we see people make, illustrate how to avoid them or how to fix them if you've already made some mistakes in your financial life.   Here's more of what you'll learn on this episode:  First mistake: Having investments with no purpose. We...

Today we're going to open up the mailbag to answer your financial questions and we'll be covering some great income, tax and investing topics. We hope this episode provides some great information that you can take and implement into your financial plan to help you build wealth and retire with confidence.    Here's more of what you'll learn on this episode:    Should I start converting as much as m...