loader from loading.io

Addressing Social Security’s Cost-of-Living Adjustment for 2025, Ep #175

RETIREMENT MADE EASY

Release Date: 11/15/2024

Protect Your Retirement and Make Smarter Decisions in Uncertain Times, Ep #208 show art Protect Your Retirement and Make Smarter Decisions in Uncertain Times, Ep #208

RETIREMENT MADE EASY

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [02:30] Market volatility explained [05:50 Why panic selling hurts your retirement. Real examples of investors cashing out at the wrong time [07:50] Understanding risk tolerance and behavior [12:50] The “bucket strategy” for retirement investing [24:45] Long-term care insurance decisions [35:20] The Obamacare subsidy cliff (2026 changes) [39:00] Biggest decisions in retirement planning: Listener questions  [44:00] The biggest risk: overspending in retirement   Stay Calm When Times Get Tough When...

info_outline Demystifying HSAs, FSAs, and Social Security Benefits, Ep #207 show art Demystifying HSAs, FSAs, and Social Security Benefits, Ep #207

RETIREMENT MADE EASY

Retirement planning can feel overwhelming, but understanding key benefits and strategies can help you make the most of your financial future. On the show this week, I tackle listener questions on Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), and Social Security. If you’re considering an HSA, are curious about contribution limits, or want to know how HSAs can work alongside FSAs, I break it down in simple, clear language. I also answer a wide range of Social Security questions, and discuss how your benefits are calculated, timing your claim, navigating survivor benefits,...

info_outline Avoiding Retirement Regrets: What Retirees Say They’d Do Differently Ep #206 show art Avoiding Retirement Regrets: What Retirees Say They’d Do Differently Ep #206

RETIREMENT MADE EASY

On the show this week, I draw on real-world experiences from current retirees to uncover the surprises, challenges, and valuable lessons they wish they’d known before stepping into retirement. If you're curious about the realities of social interaction after leaving the workforce, managing rising healthcare costs, or navigating company-specific 401(k) features, this episode is for you.    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [00:00] Retirement lessons from retirees [08:23] Prioritizing tax planning in retirement [15:06] Retirement accounts &...

info_outline Tax Planning Tactics and Life Insurance Questions, Ep #205 show art Tax Planning Tactics and Life Insurance Questions, Ep #205

RETIREMENT MADE EASY

In today's show, I tackle two hot topics listeners have been asking about: tax planning in retirement and the role of life insurance in your golden years. Drawing from real questions and common scenarios. But that's not all: I also dig into the nuances of life insurance in retirement, explaining when it makes sense to keep or reconsider a policy, and how it can be a powerful tool for risk management, legacy planning, or supplementing income.    You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... 06:03 Tax planning vs. preparation 11:17 Optimizing Roth conversions in...

info_outline The ‘What If’ Scenarios of Retirement Planning, Ep 204 show art The ‘What If’ Scenarios of Retirement Planning, Ep 204

RETIREMENT MADE EASY

Retirement planning isn’t just about crunching numbers and sticking to a tight budget—it’s about envisioning what’s truly possible for your future. These hypothetical scenarios, often overlooked by retirees, can do more than just safeguard your financial well-being; they can enhance your happiness and help you discover opportunities you never thought attainable. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...  05:16 Encouraging Big Thinking in Retirement 10:15 Planning for Early or Delayed Retirement 11:50 Philanthropy and Charitable Giving in Retirement ...

info_outline The Top Retirement Questions You Should Be Asking (But Might Be Missing), Ep #203 show art The Top Retirement Questions You Should Be Asking (But Might Be Missing), Ep #203

RETIREMENT MADE EASY

In this episode, I decided to do something a little different. Over the last two weeks, my team and I compiled a list of questions submitted by listeners and clients, some common, some obscure, and some that people simply don't know how to ask. I’ve got a legal pad in front of me with over 30 questions, ranging from "Am I saving too much?" to "Do I really need a trust?". We cover a lot of ground today, including the nuances of Roth conversions, the often-overlooked power of HSAs, and the "gas guzzler" analogy I use to explain tax-inefficient investing. I also address the fear of economic...

info_outline 2026 Changes You Can’t Ignore: Social Security, Tax Rules, and Withdrawal Realities, Ep #202 show art 2026 Changes You Can’t Ignore: Social Security, Tax Rules, and Withdrawal Realities, Ep #202

RETIREMENT MADE EASY

Welcome to 2026! A new year brings a fresh set of rules for your retirement savings, and not all of them are straightforward. With the turning of the calendar comes changes to contribution limits, Social Security adjustments, and new tax mandates that could catch you off guard if you aren't paying attention. In this first episode of the year, I break down exactly what is changing for 2026, from the "good news" of higher contribution limits to the "bad news" of Medicare premium hikes that might eat up your entire Social Security cost-of-living adjustment. I also dive into a controversial new...

info_outline Making Your Money Last: A Smarter Approach to Retirement Income, Ep #201 show art Making Your Money Last: A Smarter Approach to Retirement Income, Ep #201

RETIREMENT MADE EASY

How do you take the savings you’ve built over a lifetime and turn it into reliable income you can count on year after year? That’s a question I’ve been hearing more and more, and it makes sense, without a clear withdrawal strategy, retirees can unintentionally drain their accounts too quickly, trigger unnecessary taxes, or simply feel unsure about whether they’re doing things the right way. Making the shift from accumulating money to actually using it can feel uncomfortable, and my goal is to help people approach that transition with clarity and confidence. In this episode, I break the...

info_outline Retirement Realities: Tackling the Pain Points That Matter Most, Ep #200 show art Retirement Realities: Tackling the Pain Points That Matter Most, Ep #200

RETIREMENT MADE EASY

In this 200th episode, I focus on the real pain points retirees face and the importance of planning ahead. Drawing from years of conversations with clients and listeners, today's discussion highlights how assumptions about retirement often don’t match reality, especially when it comes to taxes, lifestyle choices, and healthcare. Taxes remain one of the biggest surprises, as many retirees discover they’re not in a lower bracket after all. Withdrawals from 401ks, IRAs, and pensions are taxed as ordinary income, and Social Security can also be partially taxable. At the same time, couples must...

info_outline How Close Are You to Retirement? Listener Questions Answered, Ep #199 show art How Close Are You to Retirement? Listener Questions Answered, Ep #199

RETIREMENT MADE EASY

Today, in our 199th episode, I dive into some timely updates on Social Security and answered a batch of long-overdue listener questions. We kick things off with the newly announced 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security benefits starting January 2026. While that sounds like good news, I cautioned listeners not to celebrate too quickly.  Medicare Part B premiums are expected to rise by 11.6%, or about $21.50 per month, which will eat into that COLA, leaving most recipients with a net increase of only around $34.50. I argue that announcing the Social Security COLA a month...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

In this episode of the Retirement Made Easy Podcast, we dive deep into the 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for Social Security. We break down how the COLA works and what it means for your retirement planning.

With the 2025 COLA coming in at 2.5%, we explore how this adjustment could affect your benefits—whether you’re still working or already collecting Social Security. We also discuss the projected rise in Medicare Part B premiums and why it’s crucial to plan conservatively for future costs.

Tune in to discover how the COLA can be a powerful tool in your retirement strategy, while understanding the importance of not relying too heavily on it. If you’re planning for retirement, this episode is packed with essential insights to help you build a more secure financial future.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

  • [2:13] Check out our free resources at RetirementMadeEasyPodcast.com
  • [3:18] How Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustment works
  • [8:25] What type of COLA should we project for the future? 
  • [10:36] Expected future cost of Medicare Part B premiums
  • [13:25] The COLA is incredibly powerful
  • [17:40] Retirement is a journey—not a finish line
  • [20:25] Plan conservatively and err on the side of caution

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect With Gregg Gonzalez



Subscribe to Retirement Made Easy
On Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts