Retirement Starts Today

Click here to work with us! Are you spending too little in retirement, worried you might outlive your savings? Many retirees struggle to strike the right balance, often holding back on enjoying the wealth they've worked a lifetime to build. I'll show you how to overcome those fears and spend with confidence while still planning for the future. What about real estate? Whether you're thinking about renting instead of owning, leveraging home equity for long-term care, or even investing in rental properties, the right approach can make all the difference. I'll share practical insights to help you figure out what works best for your lifestyle and financial independence. Retirement is your chance to live on your terms, free of unnecessary stress and worry. By understanding the psychology of spending and making thoughtful decisions about your biggest assets, you can enjoy the freedom and security you've earned. Let's get started. Outline of This Episode [0:00] The Start of 2025 [1:50] Spending Struggles in Retirement [4:40] Connecting with Your Future Self [6:12] Underspending Biases and Longevity Risk [12:01] Real Estate in Retirement [14:10] Renting vs. Owning [16:10] Home Equity for Long-Term Care Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast Network Morningstar Article: Tips to spend less or more in retirement by Samantha Lamas. Benjamin Brandt's Book: Retirement Starts Today. Capital City Wealth Management: Benjamin Brandt's financial planning firm. Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com Subscribe to the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Work with Benjamin: https://retirementstartstoday.com/start Follow Retirement Starts Today in:Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or iHeart Get the book!Retirement Starts Today: Your Non-financial Guide to an Even Better Retirement

Major charitable-giving changes are set to take effect next year under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. As a result, 2025 may be the best—and possibly last—great year to make a big charitable gift and get the full tax benefit in the same year. Listen in to hear the changes that take place in 2026 that could make 2025 the best year to use donor advised funds. In our listener question segment, Christie inquires about buying a home in retirement: "Should we withdraw from investments, or use a mortgage?" Resource: Article by Ben Mattlin in Financial Advisor Magazine: "Why Some Advisors Are Daffy For Donor-Advised Funds" Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com Subscribe to the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Work with Benjamin: https://retirementstartstoday.com/start Follow Retirement Starts Today in:Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or iHeart Get the book!Retirement Starts Today: Your Non-financial Guide to an Even Better Retirement

A new report says retirees who use a so-called "bridge strategy" can actually spend more and need fewer assets to retire securely. That's right. By delaying Social Security and using other savings to "bridge the gap," you could improve your lifetime income, reduce longevity risk, and build more peace of mind into your plan. We will break down the research and find ways to make Social Security work harder for you. After that, I'll answer a listener question: What's the difference between a 5 year MYGA and a 5 year SPIA? Resource: Article by John Manganaro on ThinkAdvisor: This Social Security Strategy Gives Retirees More to Spend Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com Subscribe to the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Work with Benjamin: https://retirementstartstoday.com/start Follow Retirement Starts Today in:Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or iHeart Get the book!Retirement Starts Today: Your Non-financial Guide to an Even Better Retirement

If something promises higher returns, it comes with higher risk — even if that risk isn't easy to see. And if something promises to protect your downside, it's usually charging you for it through fees, limited upside, or long-term lockups. Today's headline from Ben Henry-Moreland fits that idea perfectly. "Why 'Downside Protection' ETFs Don't Protect Portfolios As Well As A Stock-Bond Mix (In The Long Term)". After that, I'll answer a listener question about taxes & avoiding underpayment penalties from a surprise inheritance. Should they make an extra quarterly payment to the IRS to avoid penalties, or is there a smarter way to handle it? I'll explain how the safe-harbor rules work, and why a simple IRA-withholding trick can sometimes do the same job even better. Resource: Article by Ben Henry-Moreland on Kitces.com: Why "Downside Protection" ETFs Don't Protect Portfolios As Well As A Stock-Bond Mix (In The Long Term) Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com Subscribe to the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Work with Benjamin: https://retirementstartstoday.com/start Follow Retirement Starts Today in:Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or iHeart Get the book!Retirement Starts Today: Your Non-financial Guide to an Even Better Retirement

A few episodes ago, we covered Derek Tharp's research suggesting that not everyone should delay until 70 — especially those with shorter life expectancies or limited assets. This week's headline brings the opposite perspective: Michael Finke argues that for higher-income retirees who expect to live longer, claiming early is almost always a mistake — and that fear-based decisions about Social Security's solvency can cost retirees hundreds of thousands in lifetime income. Plus, a listener asks about giving with warm hands vs cold hands - which is a euphemism for giving during life vs giving after death. How much can they give without fear of running out of money? Resource: Michael Finke article on ThinkAdvisor: Why Advisors Should Never Recommend Social Security Claiming at 62 Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com Subscribe to the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Work with Benjamin: https://retirementstartstoday.com/start Follow Retirement Starts Today in:Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or iHeart Get the book!Retirement Starts Today: Your Non-financial Guide to an Even Better Retirement

Do lower-cost funds tend to outperform pricier ones over time? Jeffrey Ptak analyzed fifteen years of performance data covering virtually every U.S. mutual fund and ETF. He divided them into five "cost buckets," from the cheapest 10% all the way up to the most expensive 10%. He then compared each group's average monthly return against its peers within the same category. The result? A clean, almost perfect staircase of performance. The cheapest funds outperformed the second-cheapest, which outperformed the middle, which beat the expensive ones — and so on — all the way up the ladder. The longer the time horizon, the wider the gap became. That's from Jeffrey's Peak Substack piece "It's So Simple: Fees Predict Performance", which we go through in this episode. We also answer a listener question from Ray about a 5-year SPIA, continuing the listener question from the previous episode. Resource:Jeffrey Ptak article from Substack: It's So Simple: Fees Predict Performance Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com *Subscribe to the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Work with Benjamin: https://retirementstartstoday.com/start Follow Retirement Starts Today in:Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or iHeart Get the book!Retirement Starts Today: Your Non-financial Guide to an Even Better Retirement

A recent study by Vanguard reveals that the real value of financial advice lies in its emotional benefits and time savings rather than just investment returns. Clients report significantly reduced financial stress and more peace of mind. Surprisingly, many undervalue these emotional returns, often focusing solely on portfolio management. Additionally, the podcast answers a listener's query about Health Savings Accounts and their interaction with Medicare premiums, shedding light on reimbursement rules and eligible expenses.

Only 4% of retirees wait until 70 to claim Social Security, raising questions about the common delay advice. Derek Tharp’s research challenges traditional assumptions, emphasizing the risks of mortality and sequence-of-returns. The discussion highlights a need for a comprehensive financial strategy that incorporates various income sources. Additionally, the pros and cons of single premium immediate annuities (SPIAs) are explored, with insights on when they might be suitable. Overall, it's a call for personalized retirement planning over one-size-fits-all advice.

Dive into the complexities of Roth conversions under new tax laws with insights from Ed Slott, emphasizing the importance of maximizing low tax brackets. Discover how new income caps complicate these conversions and the impact of the senior bonus deduction. Explore the pros and cons of moving companies to semi-annual reporting, from cost reduction to concerns about transparency. Learn practical strategies for annual conversion scenarios and why sticking to core retirement practices is key, regardless of reporting frequency.

Should you claim Social Security early and invest the funds? Explore the risks, like permanent benefit reductions and potential tax consequences. Discover why delaying benefits may provide better long-term growth through COLA adjustments. The discussion also features listener questions on traditional versus alternative portfolios, emphasizing the importance of a balanced approach to risk management. Learn strategies for maintaining a stable retirement portfolio to reduce stress and ensure steady income.