Avoid These Seven Medicare Enrollment Mistakes and Protect Your Finances, #271
Retire With Ryan
Are you turning 65 soon or starting to think seriously about healthcare in retirement? This week, I discuss the complicated world of Medicare—with a focus on the seven most costly mistakes people make when enrolling. From missing crucial deadlines and underestimating penalties, to overlooking the true costs Medicare doesn’t cover and getting tripped up by income-related surcharges, I give practical advice to help you avoid expensive pitfalls and make confident choices for your health and your wallet. Whether you’re working past 65, exploring Medicare Advantage and Medigap, or just...
info_outline
Education Planning After the One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Key 529 Plan Changes, #270
Retire With Ryan
Paying for education is a major expense for many families, so I’m breaking down why 529 plans remain the preferred way to save for college, thanks to their tax advantages and flexible growth. I unpack updates, such as increased limits for K-12 tuition withdrawals, expanded uses for trade and vocational schools, and the new ability to roll funds into ABLE accounts for individuals with disabilities. Plus, learn about the new Trump accounts, the option to roll over leftover 529 funds into your child’s Roth IRA, and strategies to make the most of your education savings. Whether you’re...
info_outline
Maximizing Spousal Social Security Benefits for Married Couples, #269
Retire With Ryan
For married couples planning their retirement, understanding spousal Social Security benefits can seem like a labyrinth. This week, I’m answering a listener's question about how spouses can maximize their Social Security benefits. Join me as I break down the key rules, eligibility requirements, and strategies that can help you and your spouse make the most of your benefits over your lifetimes. Whether you're nearing retirement or still a few years away, I can help you understand primary insurance amounts, full retirement age, and what happens if one spouse claims benefits early. If you...
info_outline
Understanding HSA Changes for 2026, #268
Retire With Ryan
The power of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) as a tool for both managing health expenses and building your retirement savings is often overlooked. On this episode, I’m sharing the basics of HSAs, highlighting their triple tax-free advantage, and explaining why they might be one of the best ways to maximize your retirement savings, even compared to more familiar accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s. I also unpack some important upcoming changes to HSAs thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, set to take effect in 2026. These changes expand HSA eligibility, especially for those on healthcare...
info_outline
Surviving the ACA Subsidy Cliff, #267
Retire With Ryan
The future of Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) subsidies is a pressing issue for retirees and anyone shopping for health insurance on the ACA marketplace. With the generous subsidies brought by the American Rescue Plan Act set to expire at the end of 2025, I break down exactly how these subsidies work, what changes are coming in 2026, and what that means for your wallet. We’re talking eligibility thresholds, how income is calculated, why premiums might rise, and—most importantly—shares practical strategies for lowering your adjusted gross income to continue qualifying for subsidies...
info_outline
Understanding the New Charitable Contribution Rules from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, #266
Retire With Ryan
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act affects charitable contributions for retirees and individuals considering their tax strategies. I’m walking you through three major changes: the restoration of the charitable cash deduction for non-itemizers, new limitations on how much can be deducted for larger contributions, and a cap on itemized deductions for high earners. Whether you give to charity every year, are planning a large gift, or just want to maximize your tax benefits, I’m sharing practical tips about when and how to make your contributions in light of these updates. You will want to hear...
info_outline
Should You Open a Trump Account for Your Child’s Future? #265
Retire With Ryan
The brand-new “Trump account” is a tax-deferred savings option for American children created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. I break down who’s eligible for up to $1,000 in free government contributions, how these accounts work, and how they stack up against other popular savings vehicles like 529 plans, IRAs, custodial accounts, and regular brokerage accounts. If you’re a parent or grandparent thinking about the best way to jumpstart your child’s financial future, you’ll want to tune in for my honest comparison of the Trump account's pros, cons, and quirks, plus tips on making...
info_outline
How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Impacts Retirees, #264
Retire With Ryan
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4th, brings about several important tax changes. I’m discussing what these updates mean, especially for retirees, and sharing practical advice on how to take advantage of new deductions and avoid unexpected tax hits. From permanent adjustments to tax brackets and an increased standard deduction, to special benefits for those aged 65 and older, I cover everything you need to know to optimize your retirement strategy. Whether you're curious about Social Security taxation, itemized deductions in high-tax states, or planning smart...
info_outline
Required Minimum Distributions Explained, #263
Retire With Ryan
This week on the show, we’re discussing the specifics of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) as we head into the second half of 2025. Whether you’re approaching your first year of RMDs or have been taking them for a while, I break down everything you need to know, from when you need to start taking distributions based on your birth year, to how RMDs are calculated, which accounts are affected, and the potential tax consequences for missing a withdrawal. I’m also sharing eight practical strategies you can use to lower your future RMDs, including asset diversification, Roth conversions,...
info_outline
How the Big Beautiful Bill Impacts Solar & EV Tax Credits, #262
Retire With Ryan
With the recent passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, also known as the Big Beautiful Bill, significant changes are coming to both solar panel and electric vehicle tax credits. I break down what these changes mean, how they can affect your savings, and what steps you might want to take before these credits disappear. From figuring out if solar panels make sense for your home to understanding how electric vehicle credits work (and when they’re expiring), this episode is packed with actionable insights and tips, especially for those planning for retirement or looking to cut down on...
info_outlineThis time, we're featuring financial insights from co-host Ryan Morrissey, who's here to help you navigate this turbulent financial landscape. We'll explore the recent volatility sparked by President Trump's tariff announcements and discuss the remarkable market rebound that followed.
Ryan also lays out six strategic moves you can make to optimize your investment strategy during these downturns, whether it's buying the dip, rebalancing your portfolio, or taking advantage of tax efficiencies. Stay tuned for valuable tactics and practical advice to bolster your financial well-being and prepare for a successful retirement. Let's get started with Retire with Ryan!
You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
-
[0:00] Suggested market strategies for navigating a down market
-
[5:45] Invest early in Roth IRA, IRA, HSA, and 529 accounts to capitalize on market declines and potential growth.
-
[6:46] Rebalance your portfolio regularly to maintain target allocation and capitalize on market shifts without overthinking decisions.
-
[8:37] Set your savings up so you put a certain amount in every month to take advantage of dollar cost averaging.
-
[9:01] Cut your losses and sell underperforming investments
-
[10:41] How to take advantage of tax losses inside your taxable investment accounts
-
[15:00] Consider replacing mutual funds with ETFs for better tax efficiency when the market is down for long-term benefits.
Smart Investment Moves to Leverage Stock Market Declines
Market volatility is not uncommon, but it can be nerve-wracking for investors. Yet, as seasoned investor Warren Buffett famously said, "Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful." In times of market downturn, opportunities abound for those who know where to look. Here’s a breakdown of six strategic moves you can make to take advantage of a down market:
1. Buy the Dip
When markets decline significantly, it presents a unique buying opportunity. This strategy involves purchasing stocks when their prices are lower than usual, positioning yourself to benefit when prices rebound. It’s important to remember that timing the market perfectly is nearly impossible, but by entering a 10% decline or more, you're likely to see gains as the market recovers. This can also be a great time to maximize your contributions to your IRA, Roth IRA, or HSA to take full advantage of the opportunity.
2. Rebalance Your Portfolio
Portfolio rebalancing is crucial for maintaining your desired asset allocation, especially after market fluctuations. For instance, market dips might skew this balance if your target is a 60/40 stock-to-bond ratio. Rebalancing during market declines can ensure the original allocation is restored and takes advantage of lower stock prices.
3. Automate Your Investments
Automating investments ensures consistent contributions to your portfolio, regardless of market conditions. Dollar-cost averaging mitigates the risks associated with market volatility. Whether through a 401(k), IRA, or other investment accounts, setting up automatic contributions allows you to buy into the market regularly without second-guessing the timing.
4. Sell Underperforming Investments
Market downturns clarify which investments are not worth holding onto. If individual stocks or mutual funds consistently underperform, it may be time to cut losses and reinvest the capital into more promising assets. Clearing these underperformers cleans up your portfolio and allows you to focus on investments with better potential.
5. Harvest Tax Losses
Down markets offer a chance to engage in tax-loss harvesting. Selling securities at a loss can offset taxable gains from other investments, reducing your tax liability. Additionally, you can claim up to $3,000 in capital losses against your ordinary income each year. When using this strategy, be mindful of the wash sale rule, which prohibits repurchasing the same or substantially identical security within 30 days to claim the tax loss.
6. Transition to Tax-Efficient Investments
During a market downturn, re-evaluating your taxable investment accounts for tax efficiency can be advantageous. Mutual funds often distribute capital gains annually, potentially increasing your tax bill even if you haven't sold your shares. Consider exchanging mutual funds for exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which typically offer greater tax efficiency by limiting capital gains distributions to shareholders until shares are sold.
While market downturns can be daunting, they provide excellent opportunities for investors to reshuffle their portfolios strategically. You can navigate market volatility and improve your financial health by buying the dip, rebalancing, automating investments, selling underperformers, harvesting tax losses, and transitioning to tax-efficient investments.
Resources Mentioned
-
Subscribe to the Retire with Ryan YouTube Channel
Connect With Morrissey Wealth Management
www.MorrisseyWealthManagement.com/contact