How To Manage The Impact From the IRAN War On Your Retirement Portfolio, #299
Release Date: 03/31/2026
How Collecting Social Security Early Can Impact Your Affordable Care Act Subsidy #302
Retire With Ryan
For many Americans approaching retirement, financial planning means more than just maximizing savings and deciding when to claim Social Security. If you’re not yet eligible for Medicare and rely on health coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), your Social Security claiming decision at age 62 could have a dramatic effect on your insurance costs. On the show this week, I explore the nuances of how your income, and especially the timing of your Social Security benefits, can impact your eligibility for ACA premium tax credits—and what you can do to avoid costly surprises. You will...
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How To Avoid The Pain of Estimated Tax Payments in Retirement #301
Retire With Ryan
As April 15 approaches, marking the end of the 2025 tax filing season, many filers are facing an unpleasant surprise: tax penalties are rising, especially for those who miss timely payments or underestimate their quarterly taxes. In this episode, I’m taking you through the reasons behind the recent surge in tax penalties and highlighting how retirees, the self-employed, and investors are increasingly affected. I'll also break down the key rules, safe harbor provisions, and practical steps you can take to avoid underpayment penalties. You will want to hear this episode if you are...
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Is The Social Security Lump Sum A Good Deal? #300
Retire With Ryan
On this milestone 300th episode of the Retire with Ryan podcast, I dig into whether the Social Security lump sum payment option is right for you. After a client reached out with questions about whether accepting a lump sum is a good deal, I want to break down how the option works, who it’s available to, and the key factors to consider when making this important decision. If you’re approaching retirement, this episode offers practical guidance on weighing the lump sum versus higher monthly benefits, health considerations, and the impact on survivor benefits and taxes. You will...
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How To Manage The Impact From the IRAN War On Your Retirement Portfolio, #299
Retire With Ryan
The Iran War, which began on February 28, 2026, is impacting global markets and I’m pretty sure it’s having an effect on your portfolio too. Over the past month, the S&P 500 has dropped about 6%, largely due to surging oil prices. With crude oil climbing as high as $100 a barrel and lingering uncertainty around the conflict's resolution, volatility is weighing heavily on retirement investments. We'll explore the implications for investors, discuss historical parallels with previous market shocks, and offer practical tips to navigate the fallout—whether you're looking to...
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Retire With Ryan
On the show this week, I’m talking all about the topic of probate and how adding a Transfer on Death (TOD) or Payable on Death (POD) beneficiary designation to certain assets can help you avoid your estate being tied up in the probate process. You’ll learn which types of accounts allow for TOD or POD beneficiaries, why these designations might be preferable to joint tenancy, and the pros and cons of setting them up. I break down step-ups in cost basis, the impact on estate taxes, and touch on differences across states—plus considerations to make sure your estate plan actually fits your...
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Tax Extension Mistakes to Avoid This Filing Season, #297
Retire With Ryan
In the last episode, I discussed seven mistakes to avoid when filing your 2025 taxes. So in this episode, I'm going to discuss the tax-filing mistakes people can make when filing an extension. Here are the four most common extension errors that could cost you money, including misconceptions about payment deadlines, underestimating taxes, and the importance of understanding state-specific extension rules. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [00:00] Mistakes that people can make if they're filing an extension [01:41] Importance of filing for an extension by...
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Retire With Ryan
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What We Still Don’t Know About Trump Accounts, Ep#295
Retire With Ryan
If you watched President Trump’s recent State of the Union address, you probably heard about the new Trump accounts, also known as 530A accounts. In this episode, I break down how these tax-advantaged investment accounts are designed to work, who qualifies, and—just as importantly, what we still don’t know. There’s been a lot of excitement, especially around the $1,000 seed money for eligible children. But before you rush to open one, there are several unanswered questions that deserve your attention. What Are Trump Accounts—and Who Qualifies? Trump accounts were introduced...
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Is It Wise to Gift My Children Money While I’m Alive? Ep#294
Retire With Ryan
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Retire With Ryan
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info_outlineThe Iran War, which began on February 28, 2026, is impacting global markets and I’m pretty sure it’s having an effect on your portfolio too. Over the past month, the S&P 500 has dropped about 6%, largely due to surging oil prices. With crude oil climbing as high as $100 a barrel and lingering uncertainty around the conflict's resolution, volatility is weighing heavily on retirement investments.
We'll explore the implications for investors, discuss historical parallels with previous market shocks, and offer practical tips to navigate the fallout—whether you're looking to rebalance, automate your contributions, or take advantage of tax-loss selling. Stay tuned as I break down actionable strategies to manage your portfolio through these turbulent times, and hear why it's important to avoid overreacting despite the dramatic headlines.
You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
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[00:00] Impact of the Iran war on the global market
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[02:55] Market movements since the Iran war began
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[05:20] Strategies for dealing with portfolio volatility
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[06:29] Why buy into the market right now
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[07.39] Rebalance your portfolio to prepare for retirement
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[08:50] Continue to automate your investments
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[10:14] Evaluate your underperforming investments
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[11:12] How to create a tax loss that works for you
Oil Prices and Stock Market Declines
Since the war began, the S&P 500 index has fallen approximately 6%, a drop largely attributed to a sharp increase in crude oil prices. Oil prices spiked from $67.29 per barrel on the eve of the conflict to as high as $100, currently stabilizing around $90 at the time of recording. This represents a 33% climb post-conflict climb and as much as a 50% jump compared to prices in recent months.
This sudden rise is far from the norm, and it’s a clear demonstration of how tensions in resource-rich regions can send shockwaves throughout global markets. Higher oil prices raise production costs across industries, cut into profits, and reduce consumer spending power—all factors that undermine future earnings and push stock valuations lower.
Volatility Is Nothing New
While the current drop may feel alarming, it’s important to remember that market declines happen regularly and often recover just as quickly. President Trump’s tariff proposals from the last year, pushed the S&P 500 down 18% before tensions eased and the market rebounded to close the year up 18%. This historical context reassures investors that dramatic events can have both short-lived and long-term effects, but resilience and recovery are common themes in market history.
Strategies for Navigating Volatility
I recommend several strategies for managing portfolio volatility, starting with the importance of viewing downturns as buying opportunities—using cash to "buy the dip" can be rewarding when markets recover, especially in sectors hit hard by recent declines, including technology. It’s also important to regularly rebalance your asset allocation to maintain your preferred stock-bond mix, which helps manage risk and ensures you’re not overexposed or underinvested as markets shift.
The value of automated investment contributions takes advantage of dollar-cost averaging, so don’t halt contributions during downturns, stay consistent for long-term growth. Periodically reviewing and potentially trimming persistently underperforming investments and considering tax-loss harvesting in taxable accounts are also key tactics—this can improve portfolio efficiency, allow for strategic tax deductions, and keep your investment plan on track without straying afoul of wash-sale rules.
Looking Forward and Recovery Potential
Market volatility is inevitable, especially in uncertain times, but history and sound investing principles remind us to avoid knee-jerk reactions. Take advantage of the situation by rebalancing, automating investments, evaluating underperformers, and using tax-loss harvesting to ensure your portfolio remains resilient. Downturns often lay the groundwork for future gains, and patient, disciplined investing pays off over time.
Resources Mentioned
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