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.
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Ep 155: Big Beautiful Bill: Key Planning Items
Retire With Peace
In this episode of the Retire with Peace podcast, host David Zaegel discusses the significant impacts of a new bill passed in Congress on financial and retirement planning. He outlines ten key items from the bill, including the permanence of current tax rates, changes to the SALT cap, and new deductions for seniors and children. The conversation emphasizes the complexities introduced by the bill, while also highlighting potential benefits for tax planning.
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Ep 154: Good Retirement Plans Don't Fail (Unless You Do)
Retire With Peace
Summary In this episode of the Retire with Peace podcast, host David Zaegel discusses the key elements of a successful retirement plan. He emphasizes that a well-structured retirement plan can withstand economic fluctuations and stresses the importance of making necessary adjustments over time. Zaegel warns against common pitfalls such as panic selling during market downturns and consistently overspending, which can jeopardize retirement security. He advocates for the use of financial guardrails to help individuals navigate their retirement spending and investment strategies effectively....
info_outlineIn this episode of the Retire with Peace podcast, host David Zaegel discusses how to maintain calm amidst the chaos of the stock market and economic uncertainty. Using the analogy of flying through turbulence, he explains that just as pilots remain composed during bumpy flights, investors can also navigate market fluctuations with confidence. Zaegel emphasizes the importance of understanding that companies are actively working to overcome challenges and that market downturns can present opportunities for long-term investors. He advocates for having a solid financial plan in place, including setting aside sufficient income to weather market storms, allowing time for companies to recover and thrive.