Are You Richer Than You Think? Retirement Benchmarks and Planning Insights

Think you might be richer than you realize? In this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase examine realistic benchmarks and practical frameworks for retirement planning.

• Define what the “rich ratio” means and consider how it may reframe your retirement outlook.

• Compare your savings habits to U.S. medians to understand the broader landscape.

• Acknowledge that building wealth typically occurs over long periods and that consistency can be meaningful.

• Discuss research on how happiness and financial confidence often plateau beyond certain savings levels.

• Evaluate the roles of traditional and Roth IRAs, 457(b)s, pensions, and brokerage accounts to support flexibility.

• Identify scenarios where a standalone brokerage account may be unnecessary for certain savers.

• Consider a target date fund allocation approach that may better align with your stated risk tolerance.

• Weigh convenience, costs, and tax features of index mutual funds versus ETFs, including changes following a major fund industry patent expiration.

• Clarify how the Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) rule for company stock in 401(k)s works and where tax treatment can differ.

• Review key factors when choosing between a state pension plan and a self directed plan for teachers and public employees.

• Position specialized pension income, including Railroad Retirement, as part of a base income layer within an overall plan, subject to program rules.

• Incorporate year round tax planning as a component of a well documented retirement strategy, noting that individual circumstances vary.

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