Retirement Starts Today

Latest Episodes:

2023 Changes to Social Security Benefits, Ep # 268 Oct 31, 2022

Show notes

There's big news in the world of retirement. The news is so big that we have 2 articles from mainstream media sources to check out in this week's retirement headlines segment. If you've been wondering how inflation will affect Social Security benefits you won't want to miss out on this episode.

Stick around for the listener questions segment to hear how to transition from biweekly paychecks to monthly portfolio withdrawals in retirement. This transition is trickier than you might think, so you won't want to miss my tips for making the adjustment.

Outline of This Episode

[2:02] The average Social Security beneficiary will increase by $140 per month
[4:52] What is COLA?
[9:20] Will you get the increase if you delay filing for Social Security?
[10:21] How to manage a monthly payday
[13:54] How to get extra credit from your portfolio

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/
Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap
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The Father Of 4% Rule Doesn't Buy 3% Alternative, Ep #267 Oct 24, 2022

Show notes

Have you been wondering if the 4% rule still applies with a bear market and high inflation? Many financial pundits may have you questioning the validity of this so-called retirement rule of thumb.

In the retirement headlines segment, I share a recent article from Financial Advisor Magazine that highlights quotes from the creator of the 4% rule, William P. Bengen. After sharing the retirement headline, I'll chime in with my own thoughts on the validity of the rule.

Stick around until the end of the episode to hear whether Social Security benefits increase each month that you delay filing until age 70 or each year.

Outline of This Episode

[1:52] William Bengen doesn't believe that it is necessary to adjust spending to 3%
[5:24] Where the 4% rule is helpful
[9:20] Do Social Security benefits increase each month you delay filing until age 70, or each year?

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/
Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasa
Subscribe to the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter

Dividends for Retirement Income? Read This First, Ep # 266 Oct 17, 2022

Show notes

Have you ever thought about purchasing stocks for purpose of generating dividend income? If that is part of your retirement plan, then you won't want to miss this episode. Today we're taking a look at a retirement headline from MarketWatch that highlights three considerations to be aware of before jumping into this strategy.

Stick around for the listener questions segment to hear the answer to Jerry's question about increasing his retirement spending until it's time to collect Social Security.

Outline of This Episode

[1:22] 3 tips for buying stocks to produce dividends in retirement
[5:01] Use a Swiss Army Knife portfolio
[7:25] On increasing retirement spending before Social Security

Resources & People Mentioned

The Nerd's Eye View blog
@DerekTharp on Twitter

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/
Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap
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11% of Retirees Plan to Maximize Social Security, Ep #265 Oct 10, 2022

Show notes

Why don't more people maximize their Social Security benefits? As a financial advisor, I often wonder at the surprisingly low percentage of people who choose not to optimize their Social Security benefit.

Today's retirement headline dives into that question in further detail by analyzing a study with plenty of data. Listen in to learn when many people choose to take Social Security and their reasons for making their decision.

Outline of This Episode

[1:42] When people plan to take Social Security and why
[7:26] 55% didn't think they would be able to replace three-quarters of their last paycheck amount in retirement income
[10:40] How should a new retiree fill their cash reserve bucket when stocks and bonds are down?

If you know someone who could benefit from the information we cover in this show, share it with them. You may end up encouraging them to consider retirement planning in a new way and improving their life.

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/
Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap
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$2 Million Retirement Plan, Ep #264 Oct 03, 2022

Show notes

Envisioning what your retirement will look like can often be a challenge, so it may be helpful to hear some examples of people in similar situations. In this week's retirement headlines segment, we'll explore a WSJ article from Veronica Dagher and Anne Tergesen that interviews 4 retirees who saved enough for a comfortable retirement. Listen in to hear how they spend their time and money.

Make sure to stick around until the end to hear the answer to Donna's question about changing her husband's variable annuity to a less expensive option.

Outline of This Episode

[2:02] What a $2 million retirement looks like in America
[12:45] How to move a variable annuity to a less expensive option

Resources & People Mentioned

Here's What a $2 Million Retirement Looks Like in America

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/
Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap
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Be Your Future Self Now, an Interview with my Coach, Dr. Benjamin Hardy, Ep # 263 Sep 26, 2022

Show notes

When we envision retirement, we think more about the things we'll do to enjoy our time than about the person that we'll become. My guest today encourages us to change that to spend more time thinking about who we want to be in the future.

Dr. Benjamin Hardy is an organizational psychologist, speaker, and author, in addition to being my coach. I have been involved in Dr. Hardy's coaching mastermind group for 8 months and I'm excited to extend his teaching to all of you. Make sure to stick around until the end of the episode to hear how you can receive a FREE copy of his new book, Be Your Future Self Now.

Outline of This Episode

[2:49] What are the benefits of learning about who we'll become in the future?
[5:02] How to assess the softer goals
[8:20] How to future set your goals when your life expectancy is shorter
[17:48] How to balance our future self with the present
[25:52] Retirement Starts Today Super Book Giveaway details

Resources & People Mentioned

BOOK - Thou Shalt Prosper by Daniel Lapin
Dan Sullivan
BOOK - Die with Zero by Bill Perkins

Connect with Dr. Ben Hardy

BenjaminHardy.com
BOOK - Be Your Future Self Now by Dr. Benjamin Hardy
BOOK - Personality Isn't Permanent by Dr. Benjamin Hardy
BOOK - The Gap and the Gain by Dr. Benjamin Hardy and Dan Sullivan
BOOK - Who Not How by Dr. Benjamin Hardy and Dan Sullivan

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/
Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap
Subscribe to the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter

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Six Things to Consider Before You Move in Retirement, Ep # 262 Sep 19, 2022

Show notes

Have you been considering a change of scenery in retirement? Before you pack up the house, make sure to listen to today's episode.

In the Retirement Headlines segment, we'll check out an article from Harriet Edelson at MarketWatch.com which discusses 6 considerations before moving in retirement. This informative article lists statistics and anecdotal examples that can help you make the relocation decision easier.

I was really excited to see today's listener question as I have been researching retirement calculators. Stick around until the end to discover 2 helpful calculators that could help you understand when you have enough to retire.

Outline of This Episode

[1:22] Why people choose to move in retirement
[3:43] 6 things to think about before moving in retirement
[11:06] Recommendations for public websites to understand whether you are close to your retirement goals

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/
Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap
Subscribe to the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter

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The Inflation Reduction Act - What it Means for Retirees, Ep #261 Sep 12, 2022

Show notes

I'm sure you have heard the news about the recent Inflation Reduction Act, but what will this Act mean to you as a retiree? We'll explore this question by examining an article written by Kelly Anne Smith over at Forbes.

If politics isn't your thing, don't worry, it's not mine either. I scour the internet looking for the most neutral, least political articles that I can get my hands on. So, if you are interested in only the facts and how they apply to you, then don't miss out on the retirement headlines segment today to hear what the Inflation Reduction Act could mean for you.

In the listener questions segment, I have a 3-part question from a listener survey respondent. I'll answer whether you should convert a 401k or traditional IRA to a Roth IRA first, the pros and cons of converting 401Ks and IRAs, and whether there is any rush to convert 401Ks to Roth IRAs.

Outline of This Episode

[3:02] What the Inflation Reduction Act means for you
[11:32] On converting to Roth IRAs from 401K or IRA

Resources & People Mentioned

Forbes article - The Inflation Reduction Act Is Now Law—Here's What It Means For You
PODCAST - The Retirement Tax Podcast with Benjamin Brandt and Steven Jarvis
BOOK - Be Your Future Self Now by Benjamin Hardy
BOOK - Raise Your Healthy Deserve Level by Gary Kadi

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/
Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap
Subscribe to the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter

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All Things Social Security with Devin Carroll, Ep #260 Sep 05, 2022

Show notes

The decision of when to take Social Security is one of the biggest that you will face in retirement. Many people turn to Social Security break-even calculators to help them make the decision, but my guest today insists that this shouldn't be your only deciding factor.

Social Security expert, Devin Carroll from SocialSecurityIntelligence.com joins me today to discuss all things Social Security. We'll touch on the break-even math, including where it works and where it doesn't, cost of living adjustments, the possibility of the Social Security system going bankrupt, and how Congress could fix the Social Security funding problem.

Since Social Security is such an important part of retirement planning you won't want to miss this episode.

Outline of This Episode

[1:22] The break-even calculator has been used for years to help people decide when they should file
[5:36] An example of how the break-even calculator could work
[8:02] Why very few people wait until 70 to file
[8:50] What's next for the cost of living adjustment
[12:42] Will Social Security go bankrupt?
[16:08] How could the government fix Social Security problems?

Resources & People Mentioned

Rachel Greszler

Connect with Devin Carroll

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/
Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap
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Serena Williams Feels 'No Happiness' Retiring —Will You? Ep # 259 Aug 29, 2022

Show notes

You may have seen the news about tennis superstar, Serena Williams' upcoming retirement. In a recent interview, Serena expresses her heartache about her decision. In our retirement headlines segment, we'll explore an article from MarketWatch that compares Serena Williams' feelings with those of many retirees upon their decision to retire.

Afterward, we'll check out a question from our recent listener survey about whether one listener should move to be closer to family in retirement. This answer to this question is tricky and not the same for everyone, so make sure you stay around until the end to hear my thoughts.

Outline of This Episode

[1:32] Serena Williams feels no happiness upon retirement
[7:45] My thoughts on combatting depression in retirement
[10:04] What are the benefits and pitfalls of moving closer to the children in retirement?

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect with Benjamin Brandt

Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/
Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap
Subscribe to the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter

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