Decoding Retirement

As benefits are cut and Social Security approaches possible insolvency, retirees are being asked to work longer and accept fewer benefits. Is this inevitable, or is an alternative outcome possible? On this episode of Decoding Retirement, host Robert "Bob" Powell speaks with Teresa Ghilarducci, Professor of Economics at The New School, about challenging the conventional assumptions around retirement. Teresa discusses the 'retirement gap,' the ways retirees can speak out against cuts, and how guaranteed retirement accounts could be an effective way to support Americans through their golden years. Yahoo Finance's Decoding Retirement is hosted by Robert Powell. Find more episodes of Decoding Retirement at https://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/decoding-retirement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prospective retirees hoping to cash in their Social Security after 2033 may be in for a rude awakening. The 2025 Trustees Report confirmed that the program will only be able to pay 77% of the expected disbursements after 2033, and with the expected tax cuts from the new Republican budget bill, that number could shrink even faster. On this episode of Decoding Retirement, host Robert "Bob" Powell speaks with certified retirement management advisor Marcia Mantell about these findings and more, delving into the serious implications for your retirement. Marcia discusses what you can do to make up for the shortfall, how US birth rates may be affecting financial projections, and the potential effects of up to 8 million people losing their healthcare coverage through the Affordable Care Act. Yahoo Finance's Decoding Retirement is hosted by Robert Powell. Find more episodes of Decoding Retirement at https://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/decoding-retirement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Republican tax bill has been signed into law, and many of its provisions will affect retirement and benefits for millions of Americans. On this episode of Decoding Retirement, host Robert "Bob" Powell discusses the bill with Jae Oh, CFP and education fellow at the Alliance for Lifetime Income, diving into the complex provisions and adjustments that could directly impact you. Jae gives his expert insight on changes in plan eligibility, funding for Medicare, and increases in the cost of coverage. For actionable advice that will get you ahead of the curve, check out this episode of Decoding Retirement. Yahoo Finance's Decoding Retirement is hosted by Robert Powell. Find more episodes of Decoding Retirement at https://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/decoding-retirement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are the biggest mistakes people make when managing their retirement accounts? This week on Decoding Retirement, Robert "Bob" Powell dives into the complex world of IRAs with "the IRA Whisperer" Denise Appleby, CEO of Appleby Retirement Consulting. Denise discusses what to do if you miss your required minimum distribution, the best way to do a 401(k) rollover, and the IRS forms you need to stay on top of your retirement. To hear expert insight on a key component of retirement planning, check out this episode of Decoding Retirement. Yahoo Finance's Decoding Retirement is hosted by Robert Powell. Find more episodes of Decoding Retirement at https://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/decoding-retirement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can AI really replace a skilled financial professional? In this episode of Decoding Retirement, Robert "Bob" Powell speaks with Nick Holeman, director of financial planning at Betterment, about why you might not want to ditch your adviser for a chatbot just yet. Nick also discusses how to utilize the Roth conversion window, how political uncertainty is affecting the market, and approaching your investments algorithmically to focus on goals, not just growth. Yahoo Finance's Decoding Retirement is hosted by Robert Powell. Find more episodes of Decoding Retirement at https://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/decoding-retirement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning for what happens to your finances when you're gone can be a tough but necessary conversation. On this episode of Decoding Retirement, Robert "Bob" Powell speaks with Jeffrey Levine, chief planning officer of Focus Partners Wealth, about balancing a happy retirement with a sizable nest egg for your family to inherit. Jeffrey discusses how to maximize tax efficiency, how aggressive your portfolio should be, and how to ensure your expenses don't exceed your income. Yahoo Finance's Decoding Retirement is hosted by Robert Powell. Find more episodes of Decoding Retirement at https://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/decoding-retirement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the Trump administration's budget bill works its way through Congress, many people are wondering how the bill's provisions on taxes and Social Security will affect their finances. On this episode of "Decoding Retirement," Robert “Bob” Powell speaks with Lisa Featherngill, national director of wealth planning at Comerica Bank. Lisa discusses what deductions are likely to stay in the bill, the solvency of Social Security, and how retirees may have to adjust their spending. Yahoo Finance's Decoding Retirement is hosted by Robert Powell. Find more episodes of Decoding Retirement at https://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/decoding-retirement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you part of the record-breaking cohort of people reaching retirement age this year? On this episode of "Decoding Retirement," Robert “Bob” Powell speaks with Fiona Greig, global head of investor research and policy at Vanguard. Fiona discusses how to generate steady income to last through your golden years, and sheds light on helpful tools like auto-enrollment in company retirement plans and asset calculators to give your retirement a boost. Yahoo Finance's Decoding Retirement is hosted by Robert Powell. Find more episodes of Decoding Retirement at https://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/decoding-retirement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

College has long been seen as a ticket to the middle class, but does that still hold true when paying for college seems more and more out of reach for the average American family? On this episode of "Decoding Retirement," Robert “Bob” Powell speaks with Tricia Scarlata, head of education savings for J.P. Morgan Asset Management. Both being parents of college-age children, Bob and Tricia talk about the importance of saving early in tax-advantaged accounts, being realistic about financial aid, and how retirement savings are often affected by paying for your child's education. Yahoo Finance's Decoding Retirement is hosted by Robert Powell. Find more episodes of Decoding Retirement at https://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/decoding-retirement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of "Decoding Retirement," Robert “Bob” Powell speaks with Chris Herman, head of personal retirement at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Having dealt with caregiving for his mother for nearly 25 years, Chris discusses the often unforeseen difficulties that come with managing finances for an elderly family member. In this wide-ranging conversation, Bob and Chris talk about the necessity of having difficult conversations, budgeting for anticipated future expenses, and making sure your children are also getting a financial education. Yahoo Finance's Decoding Retirement is hosted by Robert Powell. Find more episodes of Decoding Retirement at https://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/decoding-retirement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices