Kickstart Your New Year: Essential Financial Tips for a Better Life
Release Date: 12/13/2024
The High Cost of Doing Nothing: Medicare Open Enrollment Mistakes to Avoid for 2026
Friends Talk Money Podcast
Three-quarters of Medicare beneficiaries say choosing a Medicare plan is confusing, and nearly 7 in 10 (69%) Medicare beneficiaries have not compared their own source of Medicare coverage with other Medicare options offered in their area during past open enrollment periods, according to surveys. These actions can cost you money and limit your medication coverage and pharmacy access. In this episode of Friends Talk Money, we unpack what you need to know about Open Enrollment and your plan options, diving into the pros and cons of Original Medicare plus a supplement and Part D plan versus...
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Job Search After 50: Career Change, Ageism & AI Tips
Friends Talk Money Podcast
Nearly 1 in 4 Americans over 50 are planning a job change this year, according to a new AARP survey—but here’s the surprising part: 65% haven’t taken any steps to prepare.In this episode of Friends Talk Money, hosts Terry, Richard, and Pam dig into what’s really driving career changes for people over 50, 55, and 60—and what older job seekers need to know to stay competitive in today’s market. We cover: Why boomers and Gen Xers are rethinking retirement and launching second-act careers How to avoid the black hole of job applications and get results through networking and research...
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Gen X’s Retirement Shock: The Truth About Healthcare Costs
Friends Talk Money Podcast
Generation X is often called the “forgotten middle child” between Boomers and Millennials, but with 65 million Gen Xers moving into their 50s and early 60s, they’re facing a massive financial challenge: skyrocketing healthcare costs. In this episode of Friends Talk Money, Pam Krueger, Terry Savage, and Richard Eisenberg unpack why healthcare, not retirement savings, is now the #1 financial concern for Gen X. From high insurance premiums and long-term care to hidden out-of-pocket costs, we break down: Why Gen X is more worried about healthcare than retirement savings How rising costs are...
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Older Americans Are Starting Businesses—and Why It’s Getting Harder
Friends Talk Money Podcast
More Americans in their 50s, 60s, and beyond are starting businesses than ever before—but they’re also facing new, mounting challenges. In this episode of Friends Talk Money, we unpack what’s fueling this surge in encore entrepreneurship and how recent policy shifts—especially cuts to the Small Business Administration (SBA) and new trade barriers—are making it harder for older founders to succeed. Special guest Hedy Ratner, co-founder of the , joins us to discuss how older entrepreneurs, particularly women and minorities, are being affected. We cover: Why older Americans are...
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The ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’: What It Really Means for Your Taxes, Medicare & Retirement
Friends Talk Money Podcast
The 2025 Budget Bill — aka the “One Big Beautiful Bill” — is now law. But behind the headlines and hype, how does it impact your taxes, Social Security, Medicare, estate plan, and healthcare costs? In this episode of Friends Talk Money, Pam Krueger, Terry Savage, and Richard Eisenberg break down what really matters — no politics, no spin, just the facts that can help (or hurt) your financial future. What you'll learn: What the $6,000 senior tax deduction really does — and who qualifies Whether your Social Security will still be taxed Big changes to the SALT deduction and why it...
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How AI Is Revolutionizing Long-Term Care Planning
Friends Talk Money Podcast
Artificial intelligence is quietly reshaping the way we plan—and pay—for long-term care. In this new episode of Friends Talk Money, Richard, Pam, and Terry sit down with Lily Vittayarukskul, Co-Founder and CEO of Waterlily, for a candid conversation about what most people get wrong about long-term care and how AI is changing the game. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why most Americans underestimate the true cost and likelihood of needing long-term care How Waterlily uses AI and over 500 million data points to predict your personal care needs The real numbers behind self-funding vs....
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4 Big 401(k) Changes in 2025: What You Need to Know
Friends Talk Money Podcast
Special Guest: Lisa Gomez Big changes are coming to your 401(k) and workplace retirement plans in 2025 — are you ready for them? In this new episode, the Friends Talk Money team sits down with retirement policy expert Lisa Gomez (former Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employee Benefits Security) to unpack what’s changing and how it could affect your money. We’re covering: How catch-up contributions are getting a big boost for people aged 60-63 Why Roth 401(k)s are becoming a bigger deal — especially for higher earners The growing trend of adding private market and crypto...
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What’s in Your 401(k)? It’s Time to Look.
Friends Talk Money Podcast
If you’re like a lot of people nearing retirement, your 401(k) or 403(b) is probably the biggest part of your savings. But do you actually know how it’s invested—or how much risk in stocks you’re taking on without realizing it? In this episode of Friends Talk Money, we’re going to look more closely. Ron Surz, a long-time retirement investing expert and president of joins us—and he’s not afraid to call out where he thinks popular target date funds are falling short. He’ll walk us through what he believes is a better way to structure retirement portfolios, especially for people...
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The Truth About Financial Advisors: Friends Talk Money Co-Hosts Interview Pam Krueger
Friends Talk Money Podcast
Is your financial advisor truly working in your best interest — or theirs? In this eye-opening episode, the Friends Talk Money team turns the mic toward their own co-host, Pam Krueger, as she reveals the personal story behind , the platform she created to connect investors with trustworthy, vetted financial advisors. Pam shares the shocking truths she uncovered about conflicts of interest in the financial industry and why too many investors unknowingly work with advisors who don’t prioritize their clients' financial well-being. Learn how Wealthramp is disrupting the traditional advisor...
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Social Security: True or False
Friends Talk Money Podcast
In this episode of Friends Talk Money, we're joined by Phil Moeller, renowned journalist and co-author of Get What’s Yours: The Secrets to Maxing Out Your Social Security. Phil dives into all things Social Security—unpacking the latest changes, what they mean for you, and how to make smart decisions that can boost your retirement benefits. Topics we cover: Key Social Security changes for 2025 and beyond How these updates may affect your benefits Strategies to optimize your Social Security claiming decisions Common mistakes to avoid when planning for retirement Whether you're...
info_outline- Unlock Your Financial Future - Begin by consolidating all your year-end IRA statements and harness the power of an online RMD calculator to determine your 2025 minimum distributions. This crucial step ensures you’re setting aside the right amount for a secure future.
- Refresh Your Records - Keep your IRA beneficiaries up-to-date to safeguard your legacy.
- Optimize Your Portfolio - Align your investment allocations with your 2025 goals by reviewing your retirement portfolio.
- Explore Secure Investments - Consider securing a 4% CD, available online, to bolster your financial safety net.
- Seek Expert Insight - Gain a fresh perspective on your financial strategies by consulting a trusted professional.
- Enhance Your Security - Use a password manager to protect your personal information and investments.
- Guard Against SIM Fraud - Contact your phone provider (AT&T, Verizon, etc.) to establish a password-protected process, shielding your SIM from fraudsters.
- Prepare for Tax Season - With potential tax changes on the horizon, start organizing now to navigate the upcoming tax season smoothly.
- Reimagine Retirement - As retirement landscapes evolve, envision your future with flexibility, considering the trend of working into later years.