Ep 165: Social Security Advanced Planning
Retire With Peace
In this episode, David Zaegel wraps up the series on Social Security by discussing advanced topics, including the importance of Roth IRA conversions and their tax implications. He emphasizes the need for strategic planning to protect surviving spouses and maximize benefits from Social Security and IRAs. The conversation highlights the interplay between tax strategies and retirement planning, urging listeners to consider the long-term effects of their financial decisions.
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Ep 164: Social Security Strategies for Couples
Retire With Peace
In this episode, David Zaegel discusses planning strategies for couples regarding Social Security benefits. He emphasizes the importance of maximizing benefits, planning for taxes, and protecting the surviving spouse. The conversation covers various strategies, including delaying benefits for higher earners and considering health factors when deciding when to claim benefits. Zaegel highlights the need for couples to work together in their planning to ensure they receive the maximum potential benefits.
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Ep 163: Social Security Benefit Calculations
Retire With Peace
In this episode of the Retire with Peace podcast, host David Zaegel delves into the intricacies of Social Security calculations, focusing on how benefits are determined based on an individual's earnings history. He explains the importance of the highest 35 years of earnings, the adjustment for inflation, and the calculation of the Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME) and Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). Additionally, he discusses spousal benefits and the strategies couples can employ to maximize their Social Security benefits.
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Ep 162: The Basics of Social Security
Retire With Peace
In this episode of the Retire with Peace podcast, host David Zaegel discusses the fundamentals of Social Security, including its history, funding mechanisms, eligibility requirements, and the timing of retirement benefits. He emphasizes the importance of understanding how Social Security works to effectively plan for retirement, highlighting key aspects such as the minimum and maximum ages for collecting benefits and the impact of waiting to claim benefits on monthly payouts.
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Ep 161: Downsize Sooner Rather Than Later
Retire With Peace
In this episode, we explore why making the move sooner rather than later can save you money, reduce stress, and give you more freedom in retirement. Here’s what you’ll discover: ✅ The hidden costs of waiting to downsize ✅ How moving earlier can improve cash flow and reduce taxes ✅ The emotional and lifestyle benefits of simplifying sooner ✅ Practical steps to decide when the time is right
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Ep 160: Affordable Care Act Subsidy Changing
Retire With Peace
In this episode of the Retire with Peace podcast, host David Zaegel discusses significant changes in retirement planning due to the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act premiums. He emphasizes the importance of tax planning strategies to manage insurance premiums and the implications for future income. The conversation highlights the need for proactive planning as the expiration date approaches, encouraging listeners to consider their financial strategies for 2026 and beyond.
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Ep 159: DIY Tax Planning Will Be More Difficult
Retire With Peace
In this episode, David Zaegel discusses the complexities introduced by recent tax legislation and the importance of careful tax planning. He emphasizes the challenges of navigating the new tax landscape, particularly for those attempting to manage their taxes without professional help. Zaegel shares insights on the necessity of understanding various tax credits and deductions, and the potential pitfalls of DIY tax planning. He advocates for the use of specialized software and professional guidance to avoid costly mistakes and maximize tax benefits.
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Ep 158: How Individual Bond Returns Work
Retire With Peace
In this episode of the Retire with Peace podcast, host David Zaegel discusses the advantages of investing in individual bonds over bond funds, emphasizing the importance of understanding coupon rates and bond pricing. He explains how interest rate fluctuations affect bond values and how to calculate actual returns based on the purchase price of bonds. The conversation provides valuable insights for investors looking to secure their retirement income through strategic bond investments.
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Ep 157: Social Security is Still Taxed
Retire With Peace
In this episode, David Zaegel clarifies misconceptions surrounding a recent bill affecting Social Security taxation. He emphasizes that the bill does not eliminate taxes on Social Security income but introduces an additional standard deduction for seniors, which can help reduce taxable income. The discussion includes details about income limits and how the new deduction works in retirement planning.
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Ep 156: IRA Review: Traditional vs. Roth
Retire With Peace
In this episode of the Retire with Peace podcast, host David Zaegel delves into the fundamental differences between Traditional and Roth IRAs. He explains the tax implications of each type of IRA, including income limits and the benefits of tax deductions versus tax-free withdrawals in retirement. Zaegel emphasizes the importance of understanding these differences for effective retirement planning and suggests a balanced approach by utilizing both types of accounts.
info_outlineIn this episode of the Retire with Peace podcast, host Dave Zaegel discusses the importance of strategic retirement planning, particularly focusing on the S&P 500 index and the risks associated with investing during retirement. He emphasizes the need for a balanced approach that includes both long-term growth investments and a short-term investment bucket to mitigate risks such as sequence of returns. The conversation highlights the significance of having a well-structured investment strategy that prioritizes safety and growth for retirement income.
Takeaways
- Beating the S&P 500 isn't always a great idea.
- Investing in the S&P 500 provides diversification and low costs
- Short-term money should not be invested in the stock market.
- Sequence of returns risk can significantly impact retirement savings.
- Having a short-term investment bucket is crucial for retirees.
- A balanced investment strategy typically includes 30-40% in short-term funds.
- Long-term growth is essential, but safety is equally important.
- Retirement planning should focus on both growth and income needs.
- It's important to avoid hyper-focusing on the S&P 500 during retirement.
- A well-structured investment strategy can mitigate risks.