Retirement Starts Today

Benjamin Brandt CFP®, RICP®
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Retirement Starts Today Podcast

Do you want to spend more money in retirement, while paying less taxes? Great news, you're in the right place! I'll also teach you the benefits of retiring TO something, while most retirees only solve half the equation by retiring FROM something. Tune in every Monday morning - hosted by Benjamin Brandt CFP, RICP. Join my "Every Day is Saturday" weekly newsletter for show notes, free book giveaways and other great retirement content: www.retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Lessons From Another ‘Faux-tirement’

    How can we better prepare for a successful retirement? We’re exploring the lessons from a recent article by Christine Benz of Morningstar, where she reflects on her six-week sabbatical and how "mini-retirements" can help us test the waters before we fully retire.  We talk about how the luxury of unscheduled time, balancing purpose, and the importance of finding joy in small moments can shape our ideal retirement experience. I also have a listener-inspired segment on protecting personal data in the age of cyber threats and data breaches. Outline of This Episode [00:58] How should we handle data breaches and protect our information in retirement? [03:02] Lesson 1: Why is unscheduled time an underrated luxury? [05:15] Lesson 2: Why having a sense of purpose is crucial in retirement [06:49] Lesson 3: How hard is it to balance leisure and obligations in retirement? [08:47] Lesson 4: What joy can we discover in small moments during retirement? [10:26] Brett Mulvaney shares how he got started in financial planning [14:08] Steps for protecting your Social Security and tax data after a breach Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast Network Christine Benz’s Lessons From Another ‘Faux-tirement’ Christine Benz, How to Retire (Morningstar) IRS Identity Protection PIN Social Security Online Services Connect with Benjamin Brandt Become a Client: www.retirementstartstoday.com/start Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Join the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Dive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

    22 min

  2. 16 SEPT

    Six Lessons From Six Years of Retirement (from Fritz Gilbert’s Retirement Manifesto)

    Are you actually prepared to navigate the complexities of retirement? We’re exploring Fritz Gilbert’s Six Lessons From Six Years of Retirement, shared from his blog The Retirement Manifesto.  One by one, we’ll walk through these lessons, keeping in mind that retirement is an evolving journey, not a static experience. For those who still need to optimize their post-work life, these lessons will show you a roadmap. We then talk about a listener question about portfolio management—whether to prioritize Roth conversions or refilling cash buckets when your investments outperform expectations. We get deep into the importance of tax diversification and flexibility in retirement, especially why having options—whether it’s a Roth, brokerage, or IRA—is absolutely crucial when facing financial uncertainties. If you’re preparing for or already navigating retirement, today is an excellent lesson from the ‘upperclassmen’—those a few years ahead of us in the retirement game. Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast Network Original Six Lessons article by Fritz Gilbert (and The Retirement Reality Series) Dan Sullivan’s The Strategic Coach program Connect with The Retirement Manifesto Author Fritz Gilbert Fritz Gilbert’s The Retirement Manifesto Connect with Benjamin Brandt Become a Client: www.retirementstartstoday.com/start Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Join the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Dive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

    18 min

  3. 9 SEPT

    Freedom or Free-fall (Tom’s Story)

    Retirement is not just a transition from work to leisure. It’s a continuous journey of self-discovery. We explore the story of Tom, who reflects on the emotional and financial challenges he faced after leaving a successful career. From adjusting to a fixed income to finding new ways to matter outside of his career, Tom’s experiences give us valuable lessons for those nearing retirement. In light of Tom’s story, we talk more about Roth conversions and the evolving rules surrounding Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). We’ll tell you how to manage Roth conversions, even after reaching RMD age, and the importance of tax planning as part of a truly comprehensive retirement strategy. Learn how to make smarter financial decisions as you prepare for (or continue through your continuous journey of) retirement. Outline of This Episode [2:06] What challenges arise when going from a fulfilling career to retirement? [3:11] How do you cope when you’re no longer excited about retirement? [5:31] Can part-time work in retirement bring meaning or just fill time? [4:56] How do you adjust to losing status and income? [4:03] Why is adapting to a fixed income harder than expected in retirement? [9:46] How many Roth conversions can you make after turning 73? [10:41] Is converting IRA funds to a Roth still a good strategy after RMD age? [12:07] What happens if you delay your first Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)? [13:50] How do changes in tax laws impact retirement decisions? Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast Network Tom Pendergast’s Blog: Out Over My Skis (Retirement Freedom or Free Fall article) Connect with Tom Pendergast Tom Pendergast’s Blog Connect with Benjamin Brandt Become a Client: www.retirementstartstoday.com/start Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Join the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Dive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University

    18 min

  4. 2 SEPT

    How Does Inflation Impact Retirement?

    You know inflation is something to consider in retirement, but how much should you worry about it?  On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore an article from Of Dollar and Data that dives into the nitty gritty of inflation by analyzing three hypothetical retirement scenarios.  Learn how to plan for any eventuality so that you can better prepare for rising costs as you age.  Outline of This Episode [2:02] How inflation impacts retirement [9:10] In conclusion [11:05] Do balanced funds make sense in the distribution stage of retirement? Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast Network Our Annual Listener Survey Of Dollar and Data Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit:http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter:https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Join the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Dive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts,Stitcher,TuneIn,Podbean,Player FM,iHeart, orSpotify

    19 min

  5. 26 AUG

    Permission to Spend in Retirement

    In retirement, retirees make the big switch–drawing on savings rather than contributing to them. This is often when the trouble comes–the psychological hurdle comes when it’s time to start spending your hard-earned savings.  In this episode, you’ll learn how to understand the mental barrier that comes with the big switch and learn strategies to overcome it. Listen to learn how to use your retirement funds without guilt or fear of financial instability. Outline of This Episode [1:22] Will you need permission to spend in retirement? [4:06] Strategies to overcome your mental hurdle about spending [14:57] How do you handle the taxes from different types of income?  Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast Network Annual Listener Survey Morning Star article Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit:http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter:https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Join the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Dive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts,Stitcher,TuneIn,Podbean,Player FM,iHeart, orSpotify

    25 min

  6. 21 AUG

    How Do You Know It’s Time to Retire?

    Knowing when to retire is not just an economic decision; it’s highly personal. In an era where your work is with your identity, deciding when to retire can feel monumental. So how do you know when the time is right? That’s what we’ll explore in today’s episode. In addition to discussing this retirement headline, Bret Mulvaney joins the show again to help me answer our listener question. Press play to listen. Outline of This Episode [1:06] Retirement Starts Today updates [3:48] How do you know it’s time to retire? [12:35] Does bank health matter if it is FDIC insured? Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast Network Vox article Dan Sullivan - The Strategic Coach Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit:http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter:https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Join the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Dive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts,Stitcher,TuneIn,Podbean,Player FM,iHeart, orSpotify

    21 min

  7. 12 AUG

    Tightwads vs Spendthrifts

    Do you feel pain when spending money? Or perhaps it’s the opposite, and you spend a little too freely without much thought, pain, or remorse? In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore an article on how to make the most out of retirement by trying to land somewhere in the middle of the spending spectrum. Whether you find yourself to be a “tightwad” or a “spendthrift” you’ll find this episode to be a helpful exploration of gaining happiness from your retirement spending plan.  Outline of This Episode [1:22] The two types of money people [5:20] Pre-establish pivot points [11:45] How to deal with rising insurance premiums Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast Network The Wealth of Common Sense Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit:http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter:https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Join the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Dive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts,Stitcher,TuneIn,Podbean,Player FM,iHeart, orSpotify

    19 min

  8. 5 AUG

    5 Common Portfolio Mistakes

    It’s easy to make mistakes in your investment portfolio, but as you get closer to retirement, it becomes more important than ever to make sure you are maximizing your financial health so that you can achieve your long-term goals.  In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll take a look at an article written by Christine Benz which highlights several common errors that investors make. Listen in to avoid these mistakes and learn the actions you can take to rectify the problems. Outline of This Episode [1:34] Are you making these common portfolio mistakes? [9:08] Does your asset allocation reflect your portfolio goals? [12:13] Amy is worried about staying invested, what can she do? Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast Network MorningStar article Connect with Benjamin Brandt Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit:http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ Follow Ben on Twitter:https://twitter.com/retiremeasap Join the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter Dive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts,Stitcher,TuneIn,Podbean,Player FM,iHeart, orSpotify

    22 min
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About

Do you want to spend more money in retirement, while paying less taxes? Great news, you're in the right place! I'll also teach you the benefits of retiring TO something, while most retirees only solve half the equation by retiring FROM something. Tune in every Monday morning - hosted by Benjamin Brandt CFP, RICP. Join my "Every Day is Saturday" weekly newsletter for show notes, free book giveaways and other great retirement content: www.retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter

Information

  • Creator
    Benjamin Brandt CFP®, RICP®
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2024
  • Episodes
    314
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Retirement Starts Today Radio
  • Show Website
    Retirement Starts Today

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