Can You Retire at 55 with Modest Savings?

YMYW friends, welcome to 2026. What actually mattered most to you in 2025? It turns out to be tax-free gains on investments, retirement timing, and claiming Social Security. Today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 563, Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA break down the smartest tax moves, the biggest Roth mistakes to avoid, and how real people solve real retirement problems - with the help of special guests Susan Brandeis CFP® and the IRA guru, Ed Slott, CPA. Find out when Roth conversions help or hurt, how to lower lifetime taxes for you and your heirs, what it really takes to retire confidently, even without a massive portfolio, and more. Watch or listen and steal the financial strategies that made YMYW's most popular episodes of the year.

Free Financial Tools & Resources in This Episode:

https://bit.ly/ymyw-563 (full show notes & episode transcript)

The Complete Roth Papers Package - 3 free downloads in one!

Don't Let These 10 Risks Break Your Retirement - YMYW TV

Financial Blueprint (self-guided)

EASIRetirement (self-guided)

Financial Assessment (Meet with an experienced professional)

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Chapters:

• 00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast
• 00:54 - Roth IRA is "The Greatest Account Ever" Per Ed Slott. But Why?
• from ep. 526: YMYW most listeners and plays in 2025 on Apple Podcasts, YMYW most downloaded in 2025 across all podcast platforms
• 20:46 - Is There a Point Where Roth Conversions No Longer Make Sense? (Jerry, Phoenix, AZ)
• from ep. 535: YMYW most views, watch time, and new subscribers in 2025 on YouTube, most engaged listeners in 2025 on Apple Podcasts
• 32:13 - Roth Conversions vs. Taking Advantage of Zero Percent Cap Gains (Skipper, CA)
• from ep. 517: YMYW most consumed episode in 2025 on Apple Podcasts
• 43:06 - We're in Our Early 40s with $795K Saved. Can We Retire at 55? (Mr Buckeye, OH)
• from ep. 546: YMYW longest average view duration in 2025 on YouTube
• 55:12 - Is My Husband Eligible for Spousal Social Security Benefits Now that WEP and GPO Are Gone? (Cherilyn, El Cajon, CA)
• from ep. 536: YMYW most plays, most listeners, and most viewers in 2025 on Spotify
• 59:53 - Outro: 2025 Stats and Next Week on the YMYW Podcast