The Rob Berger Show

The CBO released a report estimating that under current law, Social Security benefits will be cut by 23% in 2034. For those who can claim Social Security between then and now, the potential cut raises an important question. How should the potential cuts affect when you claim social security? In this video we use the free tool Open Social Security to answer this question. Join the newsletter: https...

We'll start by discussing what's called the SEC Yield of a bond fund. Then we'll turn to your questions. Join the newsletter: https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...

For those considering moving their TSP investments to an IRA, here are mutual funds and ETFs that mirror the C Fund, S Fund, I Fund and F Fund of the Thrift Savings Plan. We also look at the G Fund, which doesn't have an alternative. Join the newsletter: https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...

The Vanguard Dynamic Spending Rule is one of several retirement withdrawal strategies that use the guardrails concept. The idea, in theory, is to generate a spending plan that has some of the annual spending consistency of the 4% Rule, while at the same time remaining sensitive to market fluctuations. I'll walk through how the rule works, its pros and cons, and a free tool that will enable yo...

Warren Buffett just released his annual letter to shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway. Here 7 powerful lessons every investor can learn from the Oracle of Omaha's letter. Join the newsletter: https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...

We'll begin tonight discussing the upcoming battle over the debt ceiling, and how our nation's debt and interest payments may affect a retiree's future. Then I'll turn to your questions. Join the newsletter: https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...

Here are 8 action items I review at the end of each year. They help me make sure I'm not missing anything for 2022, and they prepare me for 2023. Join the newsletter: https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...

Must investors have multiple accounts. These may include 401(k) and 403(b) accounts, any number of IRAs, taxable accounts, and even HSAs. Multiple accounts raise an important question. Should you implement you replicate your asset allocation plan within each account or just make sure your portfolio as a whole matches your investment plan? In this video will cover the following: 0:00 How to Invest...

In this video I update my credit card rewards strategy, including our current balance we've accumulated just from credit cards. I also walk through a simple 3-card strategy you can use to generate on average 3% or more in cash back. We'll also look at how one can build wealth with credit card rewards or improve spending outcomes in retirement. ———————————— Credit Cards Mentioned in this...

A total international fund will include some exposure to emerging markets. The question we cover in this video is whether we should seek additional exposure through an emerging market ETF or mutual fund. Join the newsletter: https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...

Today I'll discuss how I pick individual companies to invest in, and the downsides of stock ownership. Then I'll answer your questions. Join the newsletter: https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...

We'll begin by talking about a simple method to test various retirement scenarios. Then I'll answer your questions. Join the newsletter: https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...

Living off dividends in retirement can be a very safe approach to retirement spending. But it has nothing to do with the dividend. Here's why. In addition to what's in the video, living off of dividends may not keep up with inflation. That's particularly true with higher yielding investments. Join the newsletter: https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...

Today we talk about two words that can help us accomplish the impossible. Then I answer your questions. Join the newsletter: https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...

Today we'll start by comparing brokered CDs with Bank CDs. I'll then do a review of a viewer's portfolio. Then we'll turn to your questions. Join the newsletter: https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...

In today's video we answer a viewer's question about retirement portfolios. Specifically, does it make sense to have a 100% bond portfolio in retirement? Join the newsletter: https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...

We'll begin discussing Dave Ramsey's view of a safe withdrawal rate in retirement. Then I'll cover your questions. Join the newsletter: https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...

Many claim that the 60/40 portfolio is dead. They argue that because of interest rates, inflation, and bond returns this year, a retiree should no longer rely on a portfolio of 60% stocks and 40% bonds. Here's why I believe that the 60/40 portfolio is as valid today as it has ever been. Join the newsletter: https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...

Today we take a detail look into a fairly new financial planning software called Projection Lab. As you'll see, the tool offers a lot of features and an excellent user interface for a reasonably price. Join the newsletter: https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...

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How long term capital gains are taxed is a source of confusion for many. Some of the questions I've heard-- Can long-term capital gains put me in a higher tax bracket for ordinary income? Does my ordinary income affect my capital gains tax? Is there really a 0% tax bracket for long term capital gains and how does it work. To be clear, I am not a tax professional. I have spent a lot of time st...

Here are 3 of my favorite portfolio trackers, starting with Personal Capital-- https://robberger.com/go/personal-cap... A portfolio tracker helps to manage multiple investment accounts, including retirement and taxable accounts, as well as HSAs. The best portfolio trackers are free or low cost, offer an easy user interface, and provide useful information about your portfolio. My favorite is Person...

Target date retirement funds make investing easy. With just one fund you get immediate diversification across U.S. stocks, international stocks and bonds. The best target date funds have low expense ratios and a sound asset allocation strategy. In this vide we'll look at 3 of the best target date retirement funds. We'll also look at one to avoid and why. Finally, we'll take a look a...

In most cases, distributions from a 401k, IRA or other retirement account before the account owner reaches the age of 59.5 are subject to a 10% penalty. There are, however, a number of exceptions. Some of the exceptions are unique to IRAs, while others are unique to 401k and other Workplace Retirement Plans. Generally, I classify these exceptions into one of three types: hardship exceptions, inves...

Some financial advisors put clients in 10, 20 or even more ETFs and mutual funds. Some think they do this to make investing look complex and to justify their unreasonable fees. Regardless of the reason, it makes understanding the portfolio more difficult, and for no good reason. In this video I walk through my 3-step process for simplifying any investment portfolio. We look at a viewer's 11-f...