The Clark Howard Podcast

11.18.25 Ask An Advisor With Wes Moss

24 snips
Nov 18, 2025
Wes Moss dives into the emotional dilemma of whether parents should pay off their child's student debt. He emphasizes that safeguarding retirement is the ultimate gift to children. The discussion then shifts to AI's impact on the job market, revealing an optimistic forecast of 170 million new jobs emerging globally. Wes also answers listener questions, covering topics like retirement planning, tax strategies, and even apple varieties. The blend of financial wisdom and real-world applications makes for an engaging listen!
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ANECDOTE

Retirees Tempted To Bail Out Adult Kids

  • Wes Moss tells the story of Chuck and Susan, retirees tempted to pay off their son's student loans.
  • He explains why selling their mountain house or dipping into retirement to help now would harm their long-term financial security.
ADVICE

Prioritize Your Retirement First

  • Do prioritize funding your retirement before helping adult children and avoid increasing withdrawal rates.
  • Do remember that being financially independent yourself is a powerful inheritance and act of generational generosity.
ADVICE

Target Date Funds Withdraw Proportionally

  • Do not expect a target date fund to let you withdraw specifically from bonds; withdrawals come from the whole allocation.
  • Do consider holding separate bond funds if you want control over which assets you draw from in retirement.
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