Your Life Simplified: A Financial & Wealth Management Podcast

Sequence of returns risk is the possibility that an investor will have lower returns over time due to withdrawals made during low or negative return years. It may not be something thought about regularly, but it is something that everyone should consider, especially when planning for retirement. We're joined by Justin Richter of Mariner Wealth Advisors who helps us understand what the overall impacts of taking distributions in a down market can look like over time and explain what strategies can be put in place to mitigate this risk.

Many people consider their tax situations when there is a filing deadline coming up, but the reality is, by taking a more comprehensive look at your tax plan, you can potentially improve your overall wealth plan. Ryan Drake of the Mariner Wealth Advisors tax planning and preparation group joins us to talk about common mistakes and opportunities he sees when speaking with clients. Additionally, he shares ways in which you could improve your tax situation before year end.

Estate planning is a topic often put off as a conversation that can be had in the future. However, do you know what would happen if you were to suddenly pass and you didn't have an estate plan in place or if it was drafted incorrectly? Jadin Winberg of Mariner Wealth Advisors discusses some of the more common mistakes he has encountered with reviewing and discussing estate plans.

We've compiled your top financial questions and are dedicating this episode of Your Life, Simplified to providing answers. Discussing topics such as charitable giving, taxes, investments, risk management, retirement planning, education funding, enrolling in Medicare versus staying on your company's healthcare plan after age 65, to finding an insurance policy when you have a pre-existing condition, our guests – Pat Kummer and George Fernandez - provide their views in an effort to help make finances, and the ensuing topics around it, less complicated.

The market has been a wild ride in 2019, and the volatility in price swings and investor psychology isn't letting up. Despite current popular opinion that recession is imminent, we are reading the signs differently. Jeff Krumpelman, chief investment strategist of Mariner Wealth Advisors joins the show to discuss how he and his team views the market changes and why he urges investors to remain cautiously optimistic and focused on trends in data.

Women often take a backseat when it comes to long-term financial planning. They're busy juggling family, career and professional goals, but it's imperative that women take charge of their financial futures too. Jana Shoulders of Mariner Wealth Advisors joins us to discuss the importance of women being educated about their finances and finding a wealth advisor that holistically supports them.

Divorce can be a very difficult time, and with emotions running high, it can be beneficial to have someone advocating for you when it comes time to look at how to split your finances. We invite Megan Brozowski of Mariner Wealth Advisors to discuss how having an advisor, and specifically a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, can alleviate the burden of making those decisions on your own as well as running the numbers to know what you need to continue living your lifestyle.

Since their introduction, opioids have been an effective tool in pain management for many. Unfortunately, they have also been the path to powerful addiction for others. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 130 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. Dr. Chris Jenson, a former ER doctor who spent time with the CDC and is now an educator, joins the podcast to discuss the opioid epidemic as a situation that could potentially affect any one of us.

As we grow older, we will all need to make choices regarding senior living. Whether you're making decisions for your parents, a spouse, yourself or other loved ones, it is important to have a clear understanding of the housing options available. Choices can range from facilities with assisted living services or memory care to continuing care retirement communities (also known as life plan communities) to receiving assistance in your home, and each of these options has different implications for your health and finances. Join us as we talk with Sally Abrahms, an award-winning writer and nationally recognized expert on aging, as she shares her insights on trends in senior living that may influence your choice in housing options.

It's no secret higher education tuition costs are rapidly rising. So when it comes to college planning your mind likely goes right to dollar signs. But there's more to planning for college than just finances. Cozy Wittman of College Inside Track goes beyond loans and scholarships for an in-depth discussion on college planning considerations you may not be thinking about.