Retire Sooner with Wes Moss

Wes Moss
  • 4.4 (444)
  • Investing
  • Updated Weekly

Wes Moss is on a mission: help at least 1 million Americans of any age retire sooner and find joy along the way. A seasoned finance professional, best-selling author, broadcaster, and teacher, Wes has done extensive research on the habits of the happiest retirees. On this podcast, Wes shares key lifestyle and money habits you can implement now to prepare for a secure future while not depriving yourself of happiness in the present. In addition to leveraging his 20+ years of knowledge as an investment advisor, Wes brings in guests and specialists to teach you how to set and work towards your financial and lifestyle objectives. Refreshingly-free of mind-numbing financial jargon and unrealistic money goals, Retire Sooner with Wes Moss gives listeners the tools on how to retire sooner in the real world.

  1. 18h ago

    Are Retirees Underspending? Pensions, Trump Accounts, and Aging Alone

    Could you be spending more in retirement than you think? On this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase dig into new research on retiree spending, a possible comeback for pensions, and a wide-ranging batch of listener questions about saving, investing, and planning for the future.   ·       Explore research suggesting many retirees may underspend, and why money that arrives as an income stream may feel easier to spend than money pulled from savings. ·       Climb the "yield ladder" and see how dividends and interest from different types of investments may factor into retirement income. ·       Examine why more employers seem to be offering pensions again, and how cash balance plans may differ from traditional pensions. ·       Unpack where extra cash flow may go once the mortgage is paid off, from Roth 401(k) catch-up contributions to brokerage accounts. ·       Learn when a 529 plan may be "enough," and how Trump accounts and future Roth conversions may fit into a child's long-term savings. ·       Review how withdrawals from a 403(b) with both pretax and Roth money may be taxed. ·       Compare investing a lump sum all at once versus dollar-cost averaging over time. ·       Follow how the U.S. government and Federal Reserve may add money to the system, and what that may have meant for post-COVID inflation. ·       Discover options for people aging alone, including financial powers of attorney, professional fiduciaries, and trust companies.   From Jean Chatzky’s new book on retiree spending and pensions to 529s, Roth conversions, and estate planning, Wes and Christa take on some of the money questions many listeners may be facing. Listen and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast for more educational conversations about retirement planning, investing, and financial independence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. Sep 24

    Beyond the Numbers: Retirement Happiness, Housing, Pensions, and 401(k)s

    Retirement planning is often about more than reaching a number; it’s also about what life looks like once you get there. On this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase explore the financial decisions, relationships, and sense of purpose that may factor into retirement life. Explore research on retirement happiness and the factors often associated with well-being as we age. Examine sobering trends involving suicide, overdose deaths, and social isolation among older Americans. Discover how purpose, community, and meaningful connections may relate to retirement well-being. Consider the “friendship recession” and what shrinking social circles may mean for life after work. Start meaningful conversations with loved ones about some of the tougher realities of aging and retirement. Compare the financial considerations of upsizing in retirement versus staying put. Weigh renting versus buying and the financial trade-offs that may come with each option. Review concentrated stock positions, step-up in basis, capital gains, and inheritance considerations. Clarify factors to consider when consolidating multiple 401(k) accounts after changing jobs. Evaluate pension lump sums versus monthly payments, including the 6% test as one way to compare the options. Explore factors to consider when deciding whether to invest HSA assets for potential long-term healthcare expenses. Balance retirement account contributions against the financial trade-offs of paying down a mortgage. Compare target-date funds with customized portfolios during the retirement accumulation and distribution phases. Read Wes’s new book, The Retire Sooner Method, and explore the research behind the financial and lifestyle characteristics often associated with a happier retirement. Listen and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast for an engaging, educational conversation about retirement planning, financial independence, and life beyond the paycheck.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. Sep 17

    Coast FI, Everyday Millionaires, and Retirement Money Decisions

    What might everyday millionaires, Coast FI, and skilled trades teach us about building wealth and planning for retirement? On this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase explore the money decisions, tradeoffs, and strategies that may help shape the road to financial independence. ·       Discover how “everywhere millionaires” are building wealth through hands-on businesses far beyond the Silicon Valley spotlight. ·       Explore the appeal of Coast FI and why life’s financial curveballs may complicate even a carefully designed plan. ·       Examine how skilled trades such as plumbing and electrical work may fit into the conversation around careers, income, and wealth building. ·       Assess how risk tolerance, time horizon, and market swings may help shape a retirement investment mix. ·       Consider how young, high-earning professionals might weigh taxes, student loans, and workplace retirement plansas their incomes grow. ·       Compare lump-sum and monthly pension options while factoring in inflation, COLAs, longevity, and income needs. ·       Evaluate securities-backed lines of credit, including their potential benefits and risks, and how they differ from traditional mortgages. ·       Learn how realizing investment gains may affect reportable income and eligibility for ACA health insurance subsidies. ·       Understand the tax and eligibility considerations surrounding custodial accounts and Roth IRAs for young adults. ·       Explore Wes’s new book, The Retire Sooner Method, and the research behind his approach to the financial and lifestyle characteristics associated with a happier retirement. Listen and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast for more conversations about retirement planning, investing, financial independence, building wealth, and the financial and lifestyle decisions that may come into play on the road to financial independence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Sep 12

    Forget the K-Shaped Economy: The E-Shaped Economy, AI, and Retirement Planning

    Is the economy really K-shaped, or are we looking at a different letter entirely? On this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase tackle the “E-shaped economy,” interest rates, retirement planning, AI, dry powder, and the pursuit of a happier retirement. ·       Rethink the K-shaped economy as Wes considers whether an “E-shaped economy” is more associated with today’s financial landscape. ·       Connect the dots between interest rates, housing, bonds, 401(k)s, consumer sentiment, and spending. ·       Discover how “dry powder” may fit into a retirement income strategy and how cash reserves may be used and replenished over time. ·       Consider the role dry powder may play within a diversified retirement portfolio. ·       Navigate a familiar retirement dilemma: What happens when one spouse wants to make a big purchase and the other would rather save? ·       Examine the relationship between liquid assets and total net worth and why that balance may matter in retirement. ·       Question whether AI can handle financial planning on its own, and where human judgment may still play a role. ·       Explore retirement planning considerations for those who may feel like they’re getting a late start. ·       Consider cash-management approaches for loved ones who prioritize financial security and leaving a legacy over spending. ·       **Meet **The Retire Sooner Method, Wes’s new book exploring five lifestyle and financial characteristics his research found among some of America’s happiest retirees. ·       Compare two factors that may contribute to a happier retirement: meaningful core pursuits and a good night’s sleep. Listen to the Retire Sooner Podcast for a lively and educational conversation about retirement planning, investing, the economy, and the pursuit of a happier retirement.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Sep 12

    Can You Retire Sooner? Mortgages, Rental Income, Investing & Retirement Risks

    When should you retire, and what might shape the years that follow? On this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase tackle listener questions about retirement planning, investing, retirement income, and the surprises life may throw your way. ·       Consider why retiring sooner may provide more time to enjoy healthy, active retirement years. ·       See what certain retirement stories may reveal about health, longevity, and planning for the unexpected. ·       Explore Wes’s new book, The Retire Sooner Method, and his latest research on happy retirees. ·       Examine how rental property income may factor into retirement cash flow and diversification, along with the risks and responsibilities of owning real estate. ·       Weigh paying down the mortgage against keeping cash available for a future home or land purchase. ·       Meet what some refer to as the “boomer candy” of investing—buffered ETFs—and learn how their potential benefits, limitations, and risks may function. ·       See why sequence of returns risk may matter when you start withdrawing money in retirement. ·       Untangle the tax, diversification, and emotional considerations that may come with selling a concentrated stock position. ·       Navigate the investing, tax, and financial questions that may come with retiring abroad. Join Wes and Christa for real questions, relatable stories, and an educational look at the decisions that may shape retirement planning. **Listen and subscribe to the **Retire Sooner Podcast for more conversations about investing, retirement income, and the pursuit of an earlier, happier retirement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. Aug 27

    Rapid-Fire Retirement Q&A: Roths, College Savings, Bonds, and More

    Got retirement questions? Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase tackle them in this rapid-fire episode of Retire Sooner Podcast. Take an educational look at retirement planning, investing, Roth accounts, college savings, bonds, and more. ·       Explore considerations for when high-yield savings account rates start heading south, including evaluating brokerage money market funds. ·       Balance daycare bills, taxable investing, and 529 college savings when there never seems to be enough room in the budget for every goal at once. ·       Understand how backdoor Roth and mega backdoor Roth strategies work and factors to consider. ·       Consider the tricky question of whether a potential inheritance belongs in a retirement plan. ·       Look beyond the higher distributions of high-yield ETFs to the potential risks hiding underneath. ·       See what it’s like for financial advisors to juggle client concerns, annual planning, and a steady stream of market and economic news. ·       Review The Retire Sooner Method, from getting the financial pieces in place to finding purpose, nurturing friendships, and getting better sleep. ·       Compare individual bonds, bond funds, and bond ETFs when weighing income characteristics, diversification, and simplicity. ·       Evaluate whether boosting Roth or after-tax contributions may make sense as retirement gets closer. Hear Wes and Christa take on the retirement questions that may be on your mind, too. **Listen and subscribe to the **Retire Sooner Podcast for more educational conversations about money, retirement, and building toward a happy retirement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. Aug 20

    Stock Market All-Time Highs: What Could They Mean for Your Retirement?

    The stock market may be hitting all-time highs, but is that a reason to celebrate or worry about what comes next? On the Retire Sooner Podcast, Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase turn current headlines and listener questions into a lively conversation about investing, retirement, Social Security, housing, 55+ communities, healthcare, and more. ·       See what history may tell us about stock market all-time highs, why they have historically arrived in bunches, and how corrections may fit into the picture. ·       Track the S&P 500’s historical performance and put today’s market highs into historical perspective. ·       Ask whether early retirement might work by weighing spending, taxes, healthcare, Social Security, and retirement withdrawals. ·       Consider how much your adult children should know about your net worth, inheritance, and estate plans. ·       Weigh the pros and cons of using 529 plan funds for private education, including a potential wrinkle for families in New York. ·       Picture life in a 55+ community and explore ways to test-drive the lifestyle before making a move. ·       Think through renting in retirement and how rising housing costs may affect a long-term retirement budget. ·       Navigate the tougher side of retirement planning, including healthcare, Social Security, long-term care costs, and caregiving. ·       Revisit when to claim Social Security as questions continue around the program’s future funding and potential changes. ·       Discover the Retire Sooner Method and explore a framework intended to help you think through the financial and lifestyle pieces of an earlier, happier retirement. Listen and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast for an engaging, educational take on the money and life questions that often come along with planning for retirement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. Aug 13

    How to Retire Sooner: The Rule of 55, 4% Rule, Roth Conversions, and the Keys to a Happier Retirement

    What does it really take to retire sooner and enjoy the years you’ve worked so hard for? On this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase tackle listener questions about retirement planning, investing, taxes, retirement income, and the pursuit of a happier life after work. ·       Examine the idea of building a retirement life map around what matters most to you. ·       Discover what Aristotle can teach us about retirement happiness, purpose, and fulfillment. ·       Confront spending anxiety and why letting yourself enjoy your savings can be surprisingly difficult. ·       Consider when it might be time for a change of scenery—and what a move may mean for your finances. ·       Compare **cost-of-living **calculators when sizing up potential retirement destinations. ·       Analyze strategies for untangling concentrated stock positions, diversification, and the potential tax tradeoffs. ·       Explore the Rule of 55 and when it may provide penalty-free access to certain 401(k) funds. ·       Experience the Retire Sooner Method, from the Money & Happiness Green Zones and Core Pursuits to relationships and sleep. ·       Break down the 4% rule of thumb, withdrawal rates, and the fear of running out of money. ·       Weigh a HELOC versus IRA withdrawal while considering taxes and potential Roth conversions. ·       Walk through listener scenarios involving retirement readiness, withdrawal strategies, and investment allocation. Retirement is about more than hitting a number—it’s also about figuring out what you want those years to look like. Listen and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast for more educational conversations about the money and life behind a happier retirement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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4.4
out of 5
444 Ratings

About

Wes Moss is on a mission: help at least 1 million Americans of any age retire sooner and find joy along the way. A seasoned finance professional, best-selling author, broadcaster, and teacher, Wes has done extensive research on the habits of the happiest retirees. On this podcast, Wes shares key lifestyle and money habits you can implement now to prepare for a secure future while not depriving yourself of happiness in the present. In addition to leveraging his 20+ years of knowledge as an investment advisor, Wes brings in guests and specialists to teach you how to set and work towards your financial and lifestyle objectives. Refreshingly-free of mind-numbing financial jargon and unrealistic money goals, Retire Sooner with Wes Moss gives listeners the tools on how to retire sooner in the real world.

Information

  • Creator
    Wes Moss
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2026
  • Episodes
    326
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Copyright © 2004 – 2021 Wes Moss
  • Show Website
    Retire Sooner with Wes Moss

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