Retire Sooner with Wes Moss

Start the year with structured context around today’s most frequently discussed retirement planning questions on the Retire Sooner Podcast, hosted by Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase. This episode presents an educational review of real listener scenarios, placing retirement, investing, and planning topics within a long-term analytical framework. • Review current U.S. wealth statistics by discussing commonly cited data on net worth, retirement account balances, and generational financial trends. • Outline household risk considerations by examining how families often think about emergency savings, retirement contributions, and income stability. • Discuss real estate planning considerations by evaluating factors involved in purchasing a condo for college-bound children, including cash flow and potential resale dynamics. • Describe fiduciary planning relationships by outlining services commonly associated with comprehensive retirement planning, tax coordination, and advisory fee structures. • Explain the “Rule of 55” by clarifying how early access to employer-sponsored retirement plans is typically referenced. • Summarize shared characteristics of long-term savers by highlighting recurring themes reported by listeners with higher household savings levels. • Compare buffered ETFs by discussing how downside buffers and capped upside features are typically weighed within diversified portfolios. • Examine mortgage buyout scenarios by outlining considerations for co-owned property, interest-rate assumptions, and loan structure implications. • Analyze bond duration risk by discussing how interest-rate changes and yield-curve movements may influence long-duration bond pricing. If you’re searching for clear, educational discussions around retirement planning, investing considerations, and household financial decision-making, this episode may add perspective. Listen and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast for ongoing conversations that help place financial topics in a long-term context. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What actually shapes life in retirement—your finances, your relationships, or both? In this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase walk through new research on happiness in retirement and unpack several financial and economic topics that often come up in retirement planning conversations. • Share findings from a 2025 Money and Happiness in America study that looks at how social connection is commonly linked to reported retirement satisfaction. • Talk through research showing how the number of close personal relationships is often discussed when measuring happiness among retirees. • Reflect on how American friendships have changed over time and why staying socially connected is frequently part of retirement lifestyle discussions. • Put into context recent government jobs reports by explaining what unemployment and labor-market numbers generally indicate. • Walk through estate-planning considerations around life insurance, guardians, and trustees that many families review over time. • Cover the core factors people often look at when evaluating bond funds, including yield, duration, expenses, and benchmarks. • Discuss how Roth IRAs, traditional IRAs, brokerage accounts, and HELOCs are commonly weighed when addressing short-term cash needs during real-estate transitions. • Answer listener questions about Roth IRA contributions, in-plan conversions, account-funding priorities, and retirement-plan considerations when changing jobs. The episode keeps the focus on education, context, and real-world questions retirees and pre-retirees are already asking. Listen and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast for ongoing conversations that connect money, lifestyle, and long-term planning—without the hype. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explore the complexities of retirement planning in today’s economy. Dive into healthcare enrollment periods and real-world examples that showcase the impact of subsidies. Understand the implications of recent Federal Reserve rate cuts and their effects on mortgages. Get insights into Social Security claiming strategies based on individual circumstances. Discover how to manage retirement portfolios by merging taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free accounts for optimal asset allocation. Listen for expert advice on navigating retirement timing and financial planning.

Looking for an educational overview of today’s most commonly searched retirement planning topics? In this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase provide context around retirement income planning, tax considerations, and widely referenced financial frameworks, helping listeners better understand how these concepts are typically discussed. • Review how Roth IRA conversions are generally evaluated and why converting an entire retirement account balance in a single tax year can materially affect taxable income calculations. • Explain how marginal tax brackets apply to large conversions and why simplified terms like “tax bomb” may not fully reflect how tax liability is determined. • Highlight considerations associated with forgotten or inactive 401(k) accounts and why consolidation is often discussed from an organizational or administrative perspective. • Examine how withdrawal flexibility prior to Social Security eligibility is commonly framed when discussing early-retirement income planning. • Outline factors frequently reviewed when evaluating whether life insurance coverage remains appropriate as family and financial circumstances change. • Clarify how Secure 2.0 legislation outlines limited 529 plan–to–Roth IRA rollovers, including applicable statutory rules, eligibility criteria, and contribution constraints. • Compare the traditionally cited 4% withdrawal framework with alternative retirement income scenarios that include pensions or guaranteed fixed-rate income sources. • Discuss how “dry powder” reserves are often described using bond ETFs or money market ladders within retirement planning conversations. • Evaluate the role small- and mid-capitalization stocks may play alongside large-cap equities within diversified, long-term portfolio discussions. • Reframe home value benchmarks in an inflationary environment while noting why mortgage status is often considered when assessing retirement readiness. Listen and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast for ongoing discussions that explore retirement planning concepts, market context, and long-term financial considerations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gain a grounded, research-informed perspective on retirement planning in this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, where Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase examine the emotional, behavioral, and organizational factors that often influence how individuals approach life after work. This conversation highlights commonly referenced frameworks and planning considerations, offering context for listeners seeking to better understand the many moving parts of a thoughtful retirement process. • Explore the behavioral and psychological dynamics behind transitioning from a saver mindset to a spending mindset in retirement, including the frequently cited “millionaire’s paradox.” • Understand how creating a written retirement plan may help provide structure, along with why general withdrawal frameworks—such as the commonly referenced 4%+ rule—are used for discussion rather than as recommendations. • Consider approaches for maintaining emotional objectivity when making financial decisions throughout retirement. • Reflect on why some financial professionals continue working and how their experience may contribute to broader retirement-planning conversations. • Review the potential role a fiduciary or financial advisor may play in helping individuals identify common planning pitfalls, organize long-term strategies, and evaluate tax and estate considerations. • Identify widely used criteria for assessing whether a fiduciary advisor aligns with an individual's values, communication preferences, and planning philosophy. • Explore end-of-year tax-related considerations—including SALT limits, charitable deduction rules, HSAs, clean-energy credits, bonus depreciation provisions, and updates to 529 plan flexibility—while recognizing that tax implications depend on each household’s specific circumstances. • Evaluate the educational value some families see in establishing custodial investment accounts for children or grandchildren as part of broader financial learning. • Assess the administrative reasons some individuals review whether consolidating retirement accounts may support clearer oversight of their financial landscape. If you're interested in expanding your understanding of the factors that may shape retirement decision-making, this episode offers context to help you think through your own process. Listen and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast for ongoing discussions centered on thoughtful, well-informed retirement planning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stay informed about today’s highly-searched retirement and financial planning topics in this new episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast with Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase. Gain clear, accessible context on economic trends, retirement rules, portfolio structures, and planning conversations that are shaping long-term decision-making discussions. • Explore how the proposed 50-year mortgage is influencing conversations around affordability, home-equity timelines, and shifting real estate structures. • Recognize how the K-shaped economy reflects differing financial experiences across households and shapes discussions about consumer sentiment and wealth-building patterns. • Clarify how mortgage leverage and ultra-long terms relate to borrowing structures, payoff timelines, and the considerations homeowners may evaluate. • Understand how equal-weighted investing frameworks are designed to help distribute exposure more evenly across sectors to address concentration awareness. • Review how equal-weighted and sector-weighted ETFs and mutual funds structure market exposure and present alternative allocation methodologies. • Assess the factors often discussed when evaluating early Social Security filing, especially when immediate income needs are already met. • Compare modeled scenarios that illustrate how different 401(k) contribution timelines can affect projected balances under various assumptions. • Examine informational considerations for highly compensated employees, including restoration plan structures, tax mechanics, and withdrawal rules. • Weigh the structural differences between W-2 and 1099 income in high-income medical professions, including taxation, liability frameworks, and benefits access. • Explore available approaches for high earners encountering Roth IRA limits, such as after-tax contributions, mega-backdoor Roth structures, and ETF allocation strategies. • Hear listener questions addressing savings habits, employer-plan options, and retirement-plan mechanics discussed in real-world scenarios. • Identify informational steps that may support ongoing awareness throughout different stages of retirement planning. If you want to stay current on the retirement conversations shaping today’s financial landscape, listen and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast. Join Wes Moss, Christa DiBiase, and the Retire Sooner community for grounded, ongoing discussions aimed at helping listeners stay informed and intentional about long-term planning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover how life events can profoundly influence your financial future. The discussion ranges from the emotional and financial impacts of caregiving for aging parents to how relationship changes like marriage or divorce shift financial priorities. Learn about the significance of milestones that unlock retirement benefits and the potential pitfalls of home renovations. Embrace lifelong learning and unretirement as ways to enhance fulfillment. Weigh the role of inheritance as an aid rather than a foundation in retirement planning.

Ready to explore the real questions shaping today’s retirement conversations? In this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase respond to listener scenarios on family financial decisions, workplace retirement plans, and the changing job landscape—offering context to help listeners better understand the factors involved in long-term planning. In this episode, you’ll: • Explore how non-monetary inheritance can influence family values, expectations, and financial communication across generations. • Review key considerations when evaluating whether to help adult children with debt while maintaining alignment with your own financial priorities. • Understand how focusing on personal financial stability can contribute to more durable and sustainable multigenerational planning. • Clarify what may occur when accessing target date funds and how portfolio allocation generally functions within workplace retirement plans. • Analyze the current discussion surrounding backdoor Roth IRA strategies in connection with 2025 tax legislation and broader tax-advantaged planning choices. • Assess situations that may prompt a review of your financial plan, including market fluctuations, life transitions, or meaningful changes in account balances. • Highlight World Economic Forum projections on how artificial intelligence may influence workforce trends and job categories over the coming years. • Identify occupations that may evolve, contract, or emerge as technology expands—from smart-home system roles to next-generation agricultural positions. • Compare traditional and Roth considerations commonly discussed within the FIRE community across various income situations. • Outline factors individuals may consider when receiving lump-sum back pay, including potential implications for overall financial planning. • Enjoy a lighthearted discussion about Gala versus SnapDragon apples and how everyday preferences can reflect broader spending habits. • Examine how fixed-income sources can be viewed within the context of an individual’s overall retirement framework. This episode provides clear, educational discussion for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of retirement-related topics. Listen and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast to stay connected to future conversations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ready to explore thoughtful, research-driven ways to help plan for financial confidence and fulfillment in retirement? In this episode of The Retire Sooner Podcast with Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase, the hosts unpack timely topics around housing trends, investment considerations, and purposeful living—helping listeners make informed, values-based decisions for their next chapter. • Review current housing market trends and how shifting buyer and seller dynamics may be influencing property values across the U.S. • Identify regions where housing supply and demand are changing, and how local factors might shape opportunities for homeowners and prospective buyers. • Clarify the relationship between Federal Reserve rate changes and mortgage rates, and understand the broader economic influences that affect borrowing costs. • Compare the considerations of maintaining retirement assets in a TSP versus transferring to another investment platform, including factors like plan flexibility, fees, and ERISA protections. • Evaluate ways to balance cash, bonds, and equities in a diversified portfolio when interest rates fluctuate, keeping long-term goals and risk tolerance in focus. • Discuss how Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) and TIPS ladders might function as inflation-aware options within a retirement income strategy. • Explore the potential role of dividend-paying stocks in retirement portfolios, recognizing both their income potential and market risk factors. • Reflect on the story of a 58-year-old who joined a college football team, illustrating how personal growth and purpose can possibly remain central at any stage of life. • Hear examples of retirees finding meaning in second careers, creative work, and volunteer efforts, highlighting how purpose may support emotional and financial well-being. • Consider how partnering with a fiduciary financial advisor can sometimes help you evaluate choices, understand trade-offs, and create a plan that aligns with your family’s priorities. Stay informed and intentional as you think through what your own version of a fulfilling, financially confident retirement could look like. Listen and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast for thoughtful discussions on investing, financial planning, and attempting to live a happier, more purposeful life in retirement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stay informed about the changing retirement landscape with hosts Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase as they unpack today’s relevant financial topics—from the growing influence of AI-related stocks to strategies for maintaining a well-balanced retirement plan. This episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast focuses on education, awareness, and practical insights to help you better understand the factors that can potentially shape your long-term financial journey. • Explore how AI-related stocks are influencing the S&P 500 and what increased market concentration may mean for maintaining a diversified investment mix. • Review thoughtful rebalancing considerations designed to help preserve diversification across asset classes—including small caps, mid caps, international equities, and fixed income. • Understand the structure and potential risks of employee stock purchase plans (ESPPs), including holding periods and portfolio exposure considerations. • Clarify what the idea of a “million-dollar retirement” represents by examining how individual goals, income needs, and household spending habits differ. • Consider long-term planning concepts such as Roth IRA conversions for inherited assets and the potential benefits of engaging multiple generations in family financial discussions. • Examine the latest Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), how it compares historically, and common perspectives regarding future program sustainability. • Evaluate options for managing excess savings allocated toward shorter-term goals—such as travel or home projects—based on time horizon and comfort with potential market movement. • Discuss flexible withdrawal and income planning considerations that may help support the transition from early retirement to Social Security eligibility. Enhance your financial awareness and stay up to date with the Retire Sooner Podcast. Listen and subscribe for educational discussions on market trends, retirement fundamentals, and strategies to help you make well-informed financial decisions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices