RetirePluggedIn Podcast

Nora Hartquist

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Investing

Do you ever find yourself wondering what retirement truly has in store for you? Are you worried about how to make the most of your golden years, filled with joy, purpose, and financial security? Well, fear not, for we have the ultimate solution that will empower you with all the knowledge and guidance you need to thrive in retirement. Brace yourself for an unforgettable journey towards a fulfilling and enriching retirement lifestyle!

1d ago

RPI #026: Retiring on a 401(k)? Your Paycheck Has to Cover Taxes Too

RPI #026: Retiring on a 401(k)? Your Paycheck Has to Cover Taxes TooSteve and Joyce needed a little over $8,500 a month to spend. It took $10,000 a month to NET it. Episode Summary In this episode of Retire Plugged In, host Nora Hartquist shows how to turn your retirement plan into a paycheck once the deposits stop. You'll learn the maximum Social Security checks you can claim in 2026, why your income has to be funded for the GROSS amount so the first tax bill doesn't surprise you, and discover the Income Pipeline Strategy. Question of the Day 🗣️ Has anyone ever shown you the GROSS income you need in retirement, or only the net paycheck you are replacing? Key Take-aways Learn why each year you delay Social Security past full retirement age adds about 8%Give your money its five retirement jobs: Distribute, Generate Income, Manage Taxes, Preserve, GrowPlan for the GROSS paycheck, not the net. Taxes will ALWAYS be thereSee how $40,000 of RMD income you didn't need can raise your tax bracket and your Medicare premiumsBuild at least three Income Pipelines plus a Growth Engine, each funded for a different jobTimestamped Outline ⏱️ 00:00 - Quit your job, keep your paycheck? 01:00 - Social Security in 2026, and who writes the rest of the paycheck 02:30 - Save, Accumulate, Invest, Grow. Then the jobs change 03:26 - Three Retirement Numbers, and the Funding Number's first job 04:27 - The net paycheck, the gross, and the year-one tax bill 06:28 - Retirement plan assets, not the bank account 07:25 - RMDs, Medicare premiums and the single filer threshold 09:03 - Steve and Joyce: $8,500 to spend, $10,000 to NET it 09:52 - The Income Pipeline Strategy and the Retirement Toolbox 14:07 - Next week: Are Annuities Really That Bad? Links & Resources 🔗 Issue 025, Private Pensions Are Government-Backed. There's a Cap. (YouTube) -> https://youtu.be/mUQs_eWoprYTaxes in Retirement, Nora's adult education workshop -> https://retireforyou.com/2026april-taxes-in-retirement/Retire Plugged In community waitlist -> https://nora-hartquist.lpcontent.net/waitlistFree gift: Retire With Purpose, Passion, and Possibilities Bundle -> https://retirepluggedin.thecenterforretirementreadiness.com/Subscribe to Retire Plugged In (YouTube) -> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi-qFE3Wh0JY0Sr2jHuTsNw?sub_confirmation=1Connect & CTA 🎯 👉 Enjoyed this? Subscribe & leave a review on Apple Podcasts. 🎁 Get Nora's weekly breakdown of the retirement truths nobody else is telling you - the financial pitfalls, social dynamics, and scam threats that shape your retirement window: https://retirepluggedin.thecenterforretirementreadiness.com/ Credits Host: Nora Hartquist © 2026 Retire Plugged In. All rights reserved.
Oct 7

RPI #025: Private Pensions Are Government-Backed. There's a Cap.

RPI #025: Private Pensions Are Government-Backed. There's a Cap.Cliff retired on $125,000 a year. The guarantee kicked in exactly as designed, and it paid him $28,000. Episode Summary In this episode of Retire Plugged In, host Nora Hartquist breaks down what you actually own when you own a pension. You'll learn what the PBGC guarantee really pays when a plan terminates, why a pension can still be reduced after you have already retired, and discover the five questions to answer before you choose a pension option. Question of the Day 🗣️ If you have a pension option, which of the five questions do you not have an answer for yet? Comment below; Nora reads every response. Key Take-aways Learn why understanding your pension doesn't GUARANTEE your pension, and what the PBGC does when a plan terminatesSee how a $125,000/yr. pension was restricted to $28,000 - $28,999/yr., with no COLAsUnderstand how a pension can still be reduced after you have already retired and started collectingGet what a Survivor Benefit really costs, and the three things life insurance cannot replaceDiscover the five questions to answer before you choose a pension optionTimestamped Outline ⏱️ 00:00 - Opening - Retire Plugged In Issue #025 01:01 - Ralph gets a standing ovation and turns in his badge the next day 02:20 - The bills don't retire just because you retire 03:52 - CSRS, FERS and the Thrift Savings Plan 04:58 - How guaranteed is guaranteed - the PBGC cap and Cliff's pension 07:04 - Sharon's letter - pensions that change after you retire 08:31 - Tom and Lilly - why insurance is not the same trade 11:28 - Gloria's buyout at 51 and the 72(t) that could not be changed 14:21 - The five questions to answer before choosing a pension option 15:31 - Next week - can you build your own pension Links & Resources 🔗 Investopedia: Why Pensions Remain a Key Source of Income for Current Retirees Despite Declining Access -> https://www.investopedia.com/why-more-retirees-rely-on-pensions-than-most-people-realize-12036525Forbes: PBGC Pension Termination: A Worker's Perspective by Terry O'Rourke, United Airlines -> https://www.forbes.com/sites/edwardsiedle/2010/09/10/pbgc-pension-termination-a-workers-perspective-by-terry-orourke-united-airlines-december-15-2007/Pension Rights Center: Companies That Have Changed Their Defined Benefit Pension Plans -> https://pensionrights.org/resource/companies-that-have-changed-their-defined-benefit-pension-plans/Should I Take My Pension as a Lump Sum? (this week's gift, the fpPathfinder decision tree) -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fFWuZeoZoKez-p1Zd1ksO11FdmwTD6yJ/view Free gift: Retire With Purpose, Passion, and Possibilities Bundle -> https://retirepluggedin.thecenterforretirementreadiness.com/Subscribe to Retire Plugged In (YouTube) -> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi-qFE3Wh0JY0Sr2jHuTsNw?sub_confirmation=1Connect & CTA 🎯 👉 Enjoyed this? Subscribe & leave a review on Apple Podcasts. 🎁 Get Nora's weekly breakdown of the retirement truths nobody else is telling you - the financial pitfalls, social dynamics, and scam threats that shape your retirement window: https://retirepluggedin.thecenterforretirementreadiness.com/ Credits Host: Nora Hartquist © 2026 Retire Plugged In. All rights reserved.
Sep 30

RPI #024: How Much of Your Retirement Paycheck Is Dependable?

RPI #024: How Much of Your Retirement Paycheck Is Dependable?Before you can know if you've saved enough, find out how much of your retirement paycheck is actually dependable. Episode Summary In this episode of Retire Plugged In, host Nora Hartquist breaks down how to find the income you can really count on before you ever calculate your Funding Number. You'll learn why readiness is a gap rather than a balance, how the deep dive through a year of statements reveals your real spending, and discover the Social Security record error that can quietly erase benefits you earned. Question of the Day 🗣️ Do the deep dive through one year of statements, then tell us how far off your estimate was. Comment below; Nora reads every response. Key Take-aways Learn why your readiness for retirement is measured by a gap, not by your account balanceSort what you actually spend using BODE, then find your Floor and your Lifestyle GapDo the deep dive that shows most people spend 15 to 25% more than they estimatedCheck your ssa.gov record before an error costs you the benefits you earnedSee why delaying from 67 to 70 is worth roughly $500,000 to the average coupleTimestamped Outline ⏱️ 00:00 - Opening - Retire Plugged In Issue #024 02:12 - Readiness isn't your balance, it's a gap 03:43 - Opening YOUR Retirement Toolbox - the tools you already have 04:27 - Step 1 - your REAL annual spending 05:18 - Don't LIE to yourself - plan for the person you actually are 05:36 - Step 2 - your GROSS dependable income 06:21 - "$0" on a year they earned over $75,000 07:18 - $1,000 a month, and $500,000 over a retirement 08:32 - What your decision does to your surviving spouse 12:09 - Taxes, Provisional Income, and avoiding a surprise bill Links & Resources 🔗 The average retirement savings by age (Kiplinger) -> https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/retirement-planning/average-retirement-savings-by-ageSocial Security payment dates by birthday (USA TODAY) -> https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2026/08/17/social-security-benefits-who-gets-paid-aug-19/91295225007/What You Need to Know When You Get Retirement or Survivors Benefits (SSA, 32 pages) -> https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10077.pdfSet up or check your Social Security record -> https://www.ssa.govFree gift: Retire With Purpose, Passion, and Possibilities Bundle -> https://retirepluggedin.thecenterforretirementreadiness.com/Subscribe to Retire Plugged In (YouTube) -> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi-qFE3Wh0JY0Sr2jHuTsNw?sub_confirmation=1Connect & CTA 🎯 👉 Enjoyed this? Subscribe & leave a review on Apple Podcasts. 🎁 Get Nora's weekly breakdown of the retirement truths nobody else is telling you - the financial pitfalls, social dynamics, and scam threats that shape your retirement window: https://retirepluggedin.thecenterforretirementreadiness.com/ Credits Host: Nora Hartquist © 2026 Retire Plugged In. All rights reserved.
Sep 23

RPI #023: There Isn't One Retirement Number. There Are Three

RPI #023: There Isn't One Retirement Number. There Are Three Suppose you need $8,000 a month to spend. That is not your retirement income number, and taxes sit in the gap. Episode Summary In this episode of Retire Plugged In, host Nora Hartquistbreaks down why you don't have one retirement number, you have three. You'll learn what each of the three numbers actually measures, why the amount you expect to spend is not the amount of income you need, and discover why most advisors hand you the last number first. Question of the Day 🗣️ What's your "Retirement Income Number" now that you've worked out the REAL amount you'll need every month? Comment below; Nora reads every response. Key Take-aways Learn the three Retirement Numbers - lifestyle, income and funding - and what each one measuresSee why $8,000 a month to spend is not $8,000 of retirement incomeUnderstand why "your taxes will be lower in retirement" may have it backwardsFind out how Provisional Income can pull up to 85% of your Social Security into federal taxable incomeHear what happened to a 17% CD bought in 1981 when rates fell to 6%Timestamped Outline ⏱️ 00:00 - Opening - Retire Plugged In Issue #023 00:06 - Because there isn't just one 02:54 - A destination, a route, technology, and no idea where I was 03:42 - Taxes sit between those two numbers 05:16 - "Tax defer, your taxes will be lower in retirement" 05:47 - Provisional Income and up to 85% of your Social Security 07:29 - It's a math equation - the $8,000 example 09:32 - Mom and Dad, a 17% CD in 1981, and what happened when rates hit 6% 10:58 - The three Retirement Numbers, and why advisors start at the end Links & Resources 🔗 States that tax Social Security benefits in 2026 (Kiplinger) -> https://www.kiplinger.com/taxes/states-that-tax-social-security-benefits13 states that don't tax IRA and 401(k) distributions (AARP) -> https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/states-that-do-not-tax-your-retirement-distributions/Free gift: Retire With Purpose, Passion, and Possibilities Bundle -> https://retirepluggedin.thecenterforretirementreadiness.com/Subscribe to Retire Plugged In (YouTube) -> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi-qFE3Wh0JY0Sr2jHuTsNw?sub_confirmation=1Connect & CTA 🎯 👉 Enjoyed this? Subscribe & leave a review on Apple Podcasts. 🎁 Get Nora's weekly breakdown of the retirement truths nobody else is telling you - the financial pitfalls, social dynamics, and scam threats that shape your retirement window: https://retirepluggedin.thecenterforretirementreadiness.com/ Credits Host: Nora Hartquist © 2026 Retire Plugged In. All rights reserved.
Sep 16

RPI #022: Retirement Isn't a Math Problem. It's a Life Design Problem

RPI #022: Retirement Isn't a Math Problem. It's a Life Design Problem Two couples. Opposite incomes. Opposite outcomes. The difference has nothing to do with how much money they have. Episode Summary In this episode of Retire Plugged In, host Nora Hartquist breaks down why retirement is a life design problem long before it is ever a math problem. You'll learn why you have to design your retirement before you finance it, what a vague retirement vision actually sounds like, and discover why one couple taking in $15,000 a month is still struggling. Question of the Day 🗣️ If money weren't the limiting factor, what kind of retirement would you build? Comment below; Nora reads every response. Key Take-aways Learn why the first retirement question is what you're building, not which product to buySee what happens when you buy lumber before you have a blueprint for your retirementUnderstand why six guaranteed income streams still left one couple struggling every monthGet the questions that turn "I'll travel" into something you can actually fundDiscover RTS, Retirement Tool Syndrome, and why the equipment isn't the hobby Timestamped Outline ⏱️ 00:00 - Opening - Retire Plugged In Issue #022 00:16 - Hiring an architect - the first question isn't the two-by-fours 01:03 - Design Before Dollars - the Retirement Vision 02:26 - "I'll figure that out when I've retired" - Wrong Answer 02:46 - Retirement isn't a math problem, it's a life design problem 03:32 - Nancy and Ed - designed in advance, no bills into retirement 04:35 - Brent and Carol - $15,000/mo. and still struggling 07:43 - Living Plugged In - Startitis, UFOs and SABLE 10:18 - The equipment isn't the hobby. Using it is. Links & Resources 🔗 Retirement Vision Workbook -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lt1Kqm6pSCR3cR_07jRTUT63hLPTBKoP/viewRetire Plugged In membership waitlist -> https://nora-hartquist.lpcontent.net/waitlistFree gift: Retire With Purpose, Passion, and Possibilities Bundle -> https://retirepluggedin.thecenterforretirementreadiness.com/Subscribe to Retire Plugged In (YouTube) -> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi-qFE3Wh0JY0Sr2jHuTsNw?sub_confirmation=1Connect & CTA 🎯 👉 Enjoyed this? Subscribe & leave a review on Apple Podcasts. 🎁 Get Nora's weekly breakdown of the retirement truths nobody else is telling you - the financial pitfalls, social dynamics, and scam threats that shape your retirement window: https://retirepluggedin.thecenterforretirementreadiness.com/ Credits Host: Nora Hartquist © 2026 Retire Plugged In. All rights reserved.
Sep 9

RPI #021: Stop Asking Which Retirement Product Is Best

RPI #021: Stop Asking Which Retirement Product Is Best Asking "what's the best investment for retirement?" is a trick question. Here's the one to ask instead. Episode Summary In this episode of Retire Plugged In, host Nora Hartquist breaks down why "what's the best retirement product?" is the wrong question, after two large firms trained her to believe their own products were the only ones worth having. You'll learn the nine compartments of the Retirement Toolbox, why good advisors keep selling the wrong tool, and the one move to make instead of blaming them. Question of the Day 🗣️ Which compartment of the Retirement Toolbox should Nora open first: Income, Taxes, Long-Term Care, or Legacy? Comment below; Nora reads every response. Key Take-aways Learn why "what's the best tool in the toolbox" is the wrong question to ask an advisorUnderstand the two reasons good advisors keep selling the wrong tool: the Kool-Aid or being trappedSee why most "independent advisors" at large firms aren't independent at allGet the move to make instead of blaming your advisor: thank them, then find a specialistDiscover the nine compartments of the Retirement Toolbox series launching next issue Timestamped Outline ⏱️ 00:00 - Opening - Retire Plugged In Issue #021 01:15 - Inside the first large firm - trained to believe THEIR products 02:07 - The 3rd-party trainings she was warned not to attend 04:01 - Two big reasons - the Kool-Aid and being TRAPPED 06:37 - DON'T BLAME THEM - thank your advisor, then find a distribution specialist 08:28 - You're asking the wrong question - what problem am I trying to solve? 09:43 - The Retirement Toolbox - the nine compartments 16:16 - Closing - the Retirement Toolbox series starts next week Links & Resources 🔗 New Research: Having These Personality Traits Could Protect You From Dementia (TheHealthy.com) -> https://www.thehealthy.com/alzheimers/news-positive-personality-traits-prevent-dementia-november-2023-study/Retire Plugged In membership waitlist -> https://nora-hartquist.lpcontent.net/waitlistFree gift: Retire With Purpose, Passion, and Possibilities Bundle -> https://retirepluggedin.thecenterforretirementreadiness.com/Subscribe to Retire Plugged In (YouTube) -> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi-qFE3Wh0JY0Sr2jHuTsNw?sub_confirmation=1 Connect & CTA 🎯 👉 Enjoyed this? Subscribe & leave a review on Apple Podcasts. 🎁 Get Nora's weekly breakdown of the retirement truths nobody else is telling you - the financial pitfalls, social dynamics, and scam threats that shape your retirement window: https://retirepluggedin.thecenterforretirementreadiness.com/ Credits Host: Nora Hartquist © 2026 Retire Plugged In. All rights reserved.
Sep 2

RPI #020: Your Grandchild's Future: It's Math, Not Magic

RPI #020: Your Grandchild's Future: It's Math, Not Magic A kindergartner with a multimillion-dollar retirement account? It's not magic. It's math and time. Episode Summary In this episode of Retire Plugged In, host Nora Hartquist breaks down how a Trump Account can turn a child's early years into a multimillion-dollar retirement account - through math and time, not the $1,000 seed deposit. You'll learn who should open the account, the "Growth Period" contribution rules, and why converting to a Roth IRA at 18 is her best idea. Question of the Day 🗣️ Are you planning to help fund a Trump Account for a grandchild, and which question do you still need answered before you do? Key Take-aways Learn who should open a Trump Account - and why the parent must set it up, even if grandparents fund itUnderstand the "Growth Period" rules: a $5,000/yr. total contribution limit until the year before age 18See which contributions don't count toward the limit, including government seed moneyKnow why you should NOT roll the account into another IRA at 18 - and her best idea insteadDiscover why decades of extra compounding can change a family's financial futureTimestamped Outline ⏱️ 00:00 - Opening - Retire Plugged In Issue #020 01:01 - Who should open one? 02:18 - Pro Tip: open the account with $0 03:54 - The $1,000 window - Jan. 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2028 04:33 - The rules - "Growth Period" and who can contribute 05:53 - The $5,000/yr. total limit and what doesn't count 08:57 - How does the taxation work? 11:26 - What happens when the child turns 18? 13:39 - Don't roll it into another IRA - convert to a Roth first 17:08 - The INSPIRED part - math, time, and 60-year compounding Links & Resources 🔗 Detailed Step-by-Step Trump Account Setup Tutorial -> https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/1951889/sites/193816586777266144/50-plus-digital-llc-drofwpTrump Account Taxation - Withdrawal Tax Guide -> https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/1951889/sites/193816586777266144/50-plus-digital-llc-drofwpInvest America - Dell Foundation's $250 for eligible children -> https://investamerica.org/dell/AMAC Magazine - How Your Contributions Can Grow in a Trump Account -> https://publication.amac.us/view/35449439/14/Retire Plugged In Membership waitlist -> https://nora-hartquist.lpcontent.net/waitlistFree gift: Retire With Purpose, Passion, and Possibilities Bundle -> https://retirepluggedin.thecenterforretirementreadiness.com/Subscribe to Retire Plugged In (YouTube) -> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi-qFE3Wh0JY0Sr2jHuTsNw?sub_confirmation=1 Connect & CTA 🎯 👉 Enjoyed this? Subscribe & leave a review on Apple Podcasts. 🎁 Get Nora's weekly breakdown of the retirement truths nobody else is telling you - the financial pitfalls, social dynamics, and scam threats that shape your retirement window:https://retirepluggedin.thecenterforretirementreadiness.com/ Credits Host: Nora Hartquist © 2026 Retire Plugged In. All rights reserved.
Aug 26

RPI #019: Grandparents, You Probably Can't Open a Trump Account

RPI #019: Grandparents, You Probably Can't Open a Trump Account Millions formed an opinion on Trump Accounts in hours. If you have grandkids, the details matter more. Episode Summary In this episode of Retire Plugged In, host Nora Hartquist breaks down what grandparents actually need to know about Trump Accounts before opening one for a grandchild. You'll learn the IRS priority order for who can open an account, why the "monitor" controls investment decisions, and how these accounts compare to a 529 or UGMA. Question of the Day 🗣️ Were you planning to open a Trump Account for a grandchild yourself, and did you know about the IRS priority order? What questions do you have about Trump Accounts? Key Take-aways Learn why grandparents usually can't open a Trump Account - the IRS priority order explainedUnderstand why the "monitor" controls investments, even if a grandparent funds the accountSee why these accounts require nearly two decades of accurate record-keepingKnow that investments are limited to a Treasury-chosen menu, not individual stock picksCompare Trump Accounts against 529s and UGMAs before you decideTimestamped Outline ⏱️ 00:00 - Opening - Retire Plugged In Issue #019 00:31 - Misinformation spreads faster than understanding 02:04 - Misinformation #1: You probably can't open the account 03:32 - The parent becomes the "monitor" - who really decides 04:03 - Misinformation #2: Records for nearly two decades 05:48 - Misinformation #3: The LIMITED investment menu 07:18 - Misinformation #4: What about the 529? 08:25 - Misinformation #5: Is it all taxable? 10:28 - Misinformation #7: UGMA and UTMA compared 11:30 - Next week - the tax rules nobody is talking about Links & Resources 🔗 Retire Plugged In waitlist -> https://nora-hartquist.lpcontent.net/waitlistIssue #018 - Facing The Bear? Don't Play Dead! -> https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/trump-accounts-arent-what-you-think-cep-chfebc-cf2-cltc--o1hje/?trackingId=3rhmU4ZlR9qAlJzafRtK9w%3D%3DFree gift: Retire With Purpose, Passion, and Possibilities Bundle -> https://retirepluggedin.thecenterforretirementreadiness.com/Subscribe to Retire Plugged In (YouTube) -> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi-qFE3Wh0JY0Sr2jHuTsNw?sub_confirmation=1 Connect & CTA 🎯 👉 Enjoyed this? Subscribe & leave a review on Apple Podcasts. 🎁 Get Nora's weekly breakdown of the retirement truths nobody else is telling you - the financial pitfalls, social dynamics, and scam threats that shape your retirement window: https://retirepluggedin.thecenterforretirementreadiness.com/ Credits Host: Nora Hartquist © 2026 Retire Plugged In. All rights reserved.

Do you ever find yourself wondering what retirement truly has in store for you? Are you worried about how to make the most of your golden years, filled with joy, purpose, and financial security? Well, fear not, for we have the ultimate solution that will empower you with all the knowledge and guidance you need to thrive in retirement. Brace yourself for an unforgettable journey towards a fulfilling and enriching retirement lifestyle!

Creator

Nora Hartquist
Years Active

2026
Episodes

26
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 RetirePluggedIn Podcast
Show Website

RetirePluggedIn Podcast