The Rob Berger Show

In today's Five Question Friday (FQF) video, we cover these questions: 1. What Happens To Bond Funds When the Fed Cuts Rates?2. Where to Invest If Stocks Are a No-go3. How are Mutual Fund Sales Taxed?4. Should Annuities Replace Bonds?5. Brokerage Account vs Roth IRAResourcesSnowball-Analytics: https://go.robberger.com/snowball-ana...10 Year Treasury & Fed Fund Rate: https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/T1...VTINX: https://investor.vanguard.com/investm...FTBFX: https://fundresearch.fidelity.com/mut...Vanguard LifeStrategy Funds: https://investor.vanguard.com/investm...Join the Newsletter. It's Free:https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...

In this 2025 Year-End Investment Portfolio Review we cover the following topics:1. Asset Allocation    a. Diversification / changes    b. Rebalancing2. Simplification3. Beneficiaries4. Performance5. Tax Loss or Gain Harvesting6. Fees    a. Fund fees    b. Advisor fees7. Evaluate Your Performance    a. Did you buy/sell anything    b. What worried you during the yearJoin the Newsletter. It's Free:https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...

In today's Five Question Friday (FQF) video, we look at these five topics:1. 10% yield on bonds2. Where to hold bonds3. Co-signing a mortgage4. Paying taxes on a Roth conversion5. Asset allocation of real estate investmentsBonus: Cost of long-term care calculatorResources:https://www.carescout.com/cost-of-careJoin the Newsletter. It's Free:https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...

In today's Five Question Friday (FQF) video, we look at these five questions:1. Have we been lied to about our Social Security break-even age?2. Is it ok to restart the 4% rule if the market goes up in early retirement?3. I am nervous about the run up in AI stocks . . . Could it be a good idea to consider diversifying from VTI to an “equal-weighted index fund like Invesco S&P Equal Weight ETF or others like it?4. I’m 64 and I would like to begin annual Roth conversions from my traditional IRA’s.  Can you review the rules surrounding these conversions in one’s retirement years?  I would like to know how soon I can withdraw converted funds and their associated earnings penalty free and tax free.5. You’ve mentioned in the past that you transitioned from a six-fund portfolio to a simpler three-fund setup. I’m curious — was that change mainly about reducing complexity and streamlining your investments, or did it reflect a stage of investment maturity and confidence in a more minimalist approach?Join the Newsletter. It's Free:https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...

In today's Five Question Friday (FQF) video, we cover these questions:1. How to invest $15 million?2. For the 4% withdrawal rate devised by Bill Bengen, what measure of inflation did he use?  Are there other measures that you think might be more appropriate?3. If you have a retirement portfolio with a 6% yield does the 4% rule apply?4. Is a 7-year MYGA a better deal than a 7-year Treasury?5. If the yield from a High Yield Savings account is paying out 3.8 to 4.0%, why would it ever be a good investment to buy bonds or bond ETFs with their recent volatility?Bonus Question: Can you explain more about your choice to practice Bikram Yoga over other types of Yoga?Join the Newsletter. It's Free:https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...

Discover essential strategies for tax planning with a detailed 2025 tax estimator. Learn effective ways to analyze Roth conversions without expensive tools and decide whether to pay off your mortgage early or invest instead. Explore the value of identity theft protection services and why freezing credit can be a smart move. Finally, understand how reinvesting versus spending dividends impacts your retirement planning. Join for insightful financial advice that can help you achieve financial freedom!

Ari Parker, JD, co-founder of Chapter and Medicare expert, shares invaluable insights on navigating Medicare. He breaks down the choice between Medigap and Medicare Advantage, emphasizing flexibility and travel benefits. Ari explains the importance of pairing Medigap with a well-reviewed Part D plan and discusses the pitfalls of relying solely on Original Medicare. He also outlines strategies for switching plans, avoiding late enrollment penalties, and maximizing benefits for federal retirees. It's a treasure trove of advice for anyone approaching Medicare!

In this episode, we'll walk through the key differences and pros and cons of Original Medicare vs Medicare Advantage plans.ResourcesIt's Not That Complicated (pdf): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hqs4...Medicare & You 2026 (pdf): https://www.medicare.gov/publications...2025 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-she...Medicare Part A Costs: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs...Medigap Plans: https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-...KFF Medigap Article: https://www.kff.org/medicare/key-fact...Compare Medicare Plans: https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare...Join the Newsletter. It's Free:https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...Get free guidance on Medicare from Chapter, a company I've partnered with, by calling 410-220-5494. If you call Chapter, please let me know about your experience.

In this episode, we'll walk through resources you can use to get free help with Medicare. The Resources are broken into three categories:1. Free online educational content2. Free Medicare guidance from SHIP3. Free Medicare guidance from insurance brokersResourcesMedicare: https://www.medicare.gov/CMS: https://www.cms.gov/KFF: https://www.kff.org/topic/medicare/SHIP: https://www.shiphelp.org/JAMA Study on SHIP: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama...Chapter: 410-220-5494Federal Lawsuit: https://www.justice.gov/opa/media/139...Join the Newsletter. It's Free:https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...Get free guidance on Medicare from Chapter, a company I've partnered with, by calling 410-220-5494. If you call Chapter, please let me know about your experience.

In this episode, we'll walk through 7 things you must know about Medicare's annual open enrollment period.ResourcesIt's Not That Complicated (pdf): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hqs4...Medicare & You 2026 (pdf): https://www.medicare.gov/publications...2025 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-she...Medicare Part A Costs: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs...Medigap Plans: https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-...KFF Medigap Article: https://www.kff.org/medicare/key-fact...Can I Change Medigap Plans? https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-...Compare Medicare Plans: https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare...Join the Newsletter. It's Free:https://robberger.com/newsletter/?utm...Get free guidance on Medicare from Chapter, a company I've partnered with, by calling 410-220-5494. If you call Chapter, please let me know about your experience.