You’ve worked hard and built up a healthy retirement plan balance, and the time to start spending it is finally here. But how can you be sure that your plan will provide the income you…
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Social Security and Taxes: Changes for 2025
Social security benefits are linked to inflation, and with inflation largely under control, the large cost-of-living (COLA) increases of the last several years are now a thing of the past. This year’s increase was much…
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I’d Like to Retire at 55. How Can I Access My Retirement Without Paying Penalties or Touching my Roth Accounts? l Ep 254
Retire at 55 – How to Access Retirement Without Penalties It’s been an interesting few weeks in the markets since President Trump’s inauguration. A Chinese company produced an AI chatbot that performs as well as…
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Inflation-Adjusted Increases Come Down to Earth
The Federal Reserve has succeeded in bringing inflation down to the long-term goal rate of near 2%, which is good news for consumers. But for savers and taxpayers, this means that the big increases we’ve…
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2025 Retirement Savings Contribution Limits
The IRS has increased the contribution limits for many retirement savings plans. In 2025, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, governmental 457 plans, and the Thrift Savings Plan for government employees and the armed services will see an increase…
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Is Your 401(k) Savings on Track?
Saving for retirement should be part of every stage of your work life, from your first job to your last years before retirement. A 401(k) or other similar employer-sponsored, tax-advantaged retirement savings vehicle is, for…
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Everyone Talks About Downsizing in Retirement, But I’m Not Sure It’s the Right Move For Me l Ep 249
Everyone Talks About Downsizing in Retirement, But I’m Not Sure It’s the Right Move For Me Downsizing in retirement from your large, long-held family home is a popular concept for retirees, but may not always…
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Gen Z Is Getting an Early Start on Financial Independence
Gen Z, the generation born between 1997 and 2012, is making its presence – and preferences – known. As of 2023, The U.S. Census Bureau reports that about 20% of the U.S. population falls into…
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Should We Move to Tennessee, Texas, or Florida to Reduce Costs in Retirement? l Ep 245
Lowest Cost States: Should We Move to Reduce Costs in Retirement? Financial media love to create lists of the “best” and “lowest cost” states to retire in. This week we answer a question about the…
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Understanding Self-Directed IRAs
The speed of change in the investment markets seems to be accelerating, and for many investors, traditional investments may not provide the risk-adjusted return they seek. Investors who access the markets through a taxable brokerage…
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