Retirement Starts Today
Do you want to spend more money & pay less taxes on your way to an even better retirement? Great news, you're in the right place! I'll also teach you the benefits of retiring TO something, while most retirees only solve half the equation by retiring FROM something. Tune in every Monday morning - hosted by Benjamin Brandt CFP®, RICP®. Join my "This Week in Retirement" newsletter for the best retirement content of the week, sourced by me: https://pages.thisweekinretirement.com/newsletter
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Four Big IRA Mistakes That You Can’t Undo
10/12/2026
Four Big IRA Mistakes That You Can’t Undo
Good news! A lot of IRA mistakes can be fixed - according to a Wall Street Journal article, which we cover in our headline segment. In our Listener Question segment, Tom is leaving his corporate job next year - when he turns 55 - and wants to use the Rule of 55 to take money out of his 401(k) without the 10% penalty. And we wrap it up with motivation in our "Retire To Something" segment. Resource: Article by Leonard Sloane at the Wall Street Journal: Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: Work with Benjamin: Get the book! Follow Retirement Starts Today in:, , , , or
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Are Super Savers Failing in Retirement? with Andy Panko [Rebroadcast]
10/05/2026
Are Super Savers Failing in Retirement? with Andy Panko [Rebroadcast]
A special recording from Andy Panko for his Retirement Planning Education Podcast: We discuss how the financial industry is evolving, the common struggles of “super savers” in retirement, and the importance of aligning financial decisions with life goals, not just spreadsheets. We talk about the role of Monte Carlo simulations, the importance of flexibility in financial plans, and the evolving role of advisors in a changing world. It’s a conversation that encourages you to find joy and flexibility in your retirement journey. Resource: Andy's podcast:
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How to Get the Most from Your Employee Benefits [Rebroadcast]
09/28/2026
How to Get the Most from Your Employee Benefits [Rebroadcast]
Employee benefits are one of the most overlooked aspects of financial planning. We often check a few boxes during open enrollment and move on—but are we truly maximizing what’s available to us? This week, we sit down with Joe Saul-Sehy, host of Stacking Benjamins, to uncover the hidden value in workplace benefits. From disability insurance pitfalls to term vs. whole life insurance, Joe walks us through key strategies to ensure we’re not leaving money (or protection) on the table. Joe also introduces a powerful HR benefits guide, a resource designed to help us navigate workplace perks with confidence. Whether it's understanding own-occupation disability insurance, avoiding junk policies, or knowing when to self-insure, this conversation is packed with actionable advice. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re making the most of your benefits—or if you’re just blindly accepting what’s offered—this episode is for you. Resources & People Mentioned Benefits Guide: Website: Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: Work with Benjamin: Get the book! Follow Retirement Starts Today in:, , , , or
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Using IRAs To Reduce Estimated Tax Penalties
09/21/2026
Using IRAs To Reduce Estimated Tax Penalties
Did you receive a windfall late in the year and then get penalized for not paying estimated taxes on it earlier? It doesn't seem fair, but the IRS might levy a penalty for that. There is a way to fix it - and similarly for RMDs you might take out in December too. That's the main focus on today's Retirement Headline - and it fits in nicely with our Listener Question as well. Resources: Article by Jeff Levine on the Nerd's Eye View Blog: IRS form 2210: Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: Work with Benjamin: Get the book! Follow Retirement Starts Today in:, , , , or
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6 Cases When a Roth IRA Conversion Isn't a Smart Move
09/14/2026
6 Cases When a Roth IRA Conversion Isn't a Smart Move
A Barron's piece from Jonathan Shenkman shares 6 reasons to think twice before you convert a Roth IRA. I agree with some of them - but strongly disagree with others because they apply to Super Savers - listeners of this show - differently. We will go through all six with my additions for a Super Saver like you. Then we answer a listener question from a 62 year old who is about to retire and wants to bridge the gap until he begins pulling in Social Security at age 70. And you know we have a great Retire To Something segment to wrap up the show. Enjoy! Resource: Barron's article by Jonathan I. Shenkman: "" Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: Work with Benjamin: Get the book! Follow Retirement Starts Today in:, , , , or
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Why I Object to 'Hitting a Number' for Retirement
09/07/2026
Why I Object to 'Hitting a Number' for Retirement
Christine Benz got a text from a friend the other day. A mutual friend from college was retiring because he'd "hit his number in the stock market". Most people would read that and think, good for him. Benz says all her alarm bells went off. Not out of envy. In her experience, "I hit my number" is usually a sign that the plan behind it isn't much of a plan. Today we discuss two different ways Christine says people gets this wrong. We also tackle a listener question asking if $1,000,000 is enough and wrap things up with a Retire To Something story. Resource:Article by Christine Benz in Morningstar: "" Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: Work with Benjamin: Get the book! Follow Retirement Starts Today in:, , , , or
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The 'Open Sandwich' Generation
08/31/2026
The 'Open Sandwich' Generation
The term "Sandwich Generation" has been around since the 80s. You're the one in the middle - with aging parents on one side and dependent kids on the other. Dan Haylett shared an article he calls The "Open Sandwich" Generation, which is after your parents pass away. We will discuss Dan's article on what happens when the slices come off. In our Listener Question segment, I'm asked "How do you do estate planning when you don't have anybody to name?" And we wrap it up with a story that hits true to the meaning of "Retiring To Something". Resource: Article by Dan Haylett:
Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: Work with Benjamin: Get the book! Follow Retirement Starts Today in:, , , , or
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Your $135,000 Retirement Risk
08/24/2026
Your $135,000 Retirement Risk
The 2025 Milliman Long-Term Care Index put a number on long-term care: $135,000, the lump-sum amount an average 65-year-old would need to set aside today to cover the expected lifetime cost of long-term care. But there are some details you need to know that make up that number. About half of those who need paid long-term care only do so for less than a year (averaging $30,000 in total cost). The other half need care for more than 5 years at an average of $665,000. $135,000 is just the average. We will also take a question with multiple millions wanting to know if he should buy long-term care insurance or self-fund? Resource: Article by Christopher Giese, Annie Gunnlaugsson, Evan Pollock, and Kevin Brown: Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: Work with Benjamin: Get the book! Follow Retirement Starts Today in:, , , , or
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38% of Retirees Underspend
08/17/2026
38% of Retirees Underspend
A Corebridge Financial's decumulation study found 70% of American retirees say it's "very important" that their nest egg doesn't shrink in retirement. Another result found 38% say they've spent less than they wanted to- but not because the money isn't there. They spent less specifically to keep the balance from going down. We go over more results from the study and what they mean in today's episode. In our Listener Question segment, a married person has two pensions. While he's alive, the guaranteed income covers everything. If he dies first, his wife loses half of it. So how do you account for that WITHOUT drastically underspending your portfolio? Finally, we wrap up the show with our Retire To Something segment. Resources: Article by Vawn Himmelsbach in Moneywise: Read And Feed program: Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: Work with Benjamin: Get the book! Follow Retirement Starts Today in:, , , , or
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"New" Rules around 401K Catch-Up Contributions
08/10/2026
"New" Rules around 401K Catch-Up Contributions
A rule changed on January first that takes the tax deduction away from catch-up contributions for a lot of people who are still working. We'll run through all the 2026 numbers and talk about whether it's still worth doing. In our Listener Question segment, a fellow in Connecticut is worried that the low-income window he's been counting on for Roth conversions may never show up, because his wife is a high earner four years younger than he is. He's come up with a clever workaround. And to close out the show we hear from a retired HR Manager. After building a successful career, he found a meaningful way to give back through Reading Partners, serving as a remote reading tutor for students who need extra support. Resources: Article by Amy Arnott in MorningStar: Reading Partners: Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: Work with Benjamin: Get the book! Follow Retirement Starts Today in:, , , , or
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The Four Risks to Retirement Security
08/03/2026
The Four Risks to Retirement Security
Chris Heye makes the case in a Journal of Financial Planning article that the two retirement risks we obsess over might not be the two most likely to derail us. There are four risks in play, and the two nobody models are the ones quietly doing the most damage: Longevity Risk Market Risk Health Risk Decision Risk I go into depth on those last two. In our Listener Question, a 69-year-old retired engineer and do-it-yourselfer asks about setting up my plan for his wife who's just not into dollars and cents. And in our Retire To Something segment: Debbie shares her "One Year Sabbatical" — and how she gives herself permission to figure out her purpose along the way. Resource: Article by Chris Heye, Ph.D. in the Journal of Financial Planning: Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: Work with Benjamin: Get the book! Follow Retirement Starts Today in:, , , , or
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How Much Should You Worry About Inflation?
07/27/2026
How Much Should You Worry About Inflation?
Inflation again? Christine Benz over at Morningstar has three questions that tell you exactly how exposed you are - and how much retirees worry about inflation. Then, a listener question from someone one year into retirement who says their pension check feels like it just shrank ten percent - and what they might do to remedy that. And in our Retire To Something segment, Linda from Ontario, Canada, wanted a job at a cheese shop that wasn't hiring — and she applied anyway. Resources: Morningstar article by Christine Benz: Christine Benz book: Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: Work with Benjamin: Get the book! Follow Retirement Starts Today in:, , , , or
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Revisiting the 4% Rule, with Bill Bengen
07/20/2026
Revisiting the 4% Rule, with Bill Bengen
If you've been anywhere close to a retirement podcast over the last 10-20 years, you've heard of the 4% rule. And like many people, you might have questions about it. We're going to hear about it directly from the horse's mouth as we talk to Bill Bengen, who first articulated the 4% withdrawal rate as a rule of thumb for withdrawal rates from retirement accounts. The 4% rule is not a rigid rule but a guideline. Its application requires careful consideration of individual factors, including health, life expectancy, and specific financial circumstances. Bengen encourages retirees to tailor their withdrawal strategies based on their unique situations. Our discussion also explored required minimum distributions (RMDs), which may necessitate higher withdrawals in later years of retirement. However, Bengen suggests that for most people, RMDs would not exceed the calculated withdrawal rates until a very advanced age, making the two compatible. Core Points: The 4% rule, initially a worst-case scenario calculation, suggests a 4% annual withdrawal from retirement savings. This has since been refined Research indicates a more generous 4.7% withdrawal rate is now possible due to portfolio diversification and lower investment costs Higher withdrawal rates might be feasible (5-5.5%), depending on market valuations and inflation Early retirement withdrawal timing significantly impacts long-term success Consider individual circumstances, market conditions, and inflation when adjusting withdrawal strategies Resource: Bill Bengen’s book, "A Richer Retirement: Supercharging the 4% Rule to Spend More and Enjoy More" Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: Work with Benjamin: Get the book! Follow Retirement Starts Today in:, , , , or
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Retirement Is a Sprint, Not a Marathon
07/13/2026
Retirement Is a Sprint, Not a Marathon
Fritz Gilbert says the adage that "Retirement is a marathon, not a sprint" is backwards. He cites an average age where health starts to decline is 64, so sprinting in those first few years when the average retiree is 61-63 makes sense. We will dig into that idea, then follow it up with a listener who can't get her husband to think about anything but saving money. Resource: Article by Fritz Gilbert: Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: Work with Benjamin: Get the book! Follow Retirement Starts Today in:, , , , or
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Is Your Cautious Retirement Spending Doing More Harm Than Good?
07/06/2026
Is Your Cautious Retirement Spending Doing More Harm Than Good?
The fear of running out of money in retirement turns out to be mostly backwards. For super-savers, the data says the opposite usually happens. A piece from Danielle Labotka at Morningstar makes the case that for a lot of retirees: Being too cautious with your spending is actually the bigger risk. In our listener question segment: Anonymous wants to give money to her kids with warm hands, not cold. How much you can safely give today without putting your own retirement at risk? And then we'll wrap up with our Retire To Something segment: Dabbling in a little of everything. Resources: Article by Danielle Labotka at Morningstar: Book by Bill Perkins: Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: Work with Benjamin: Get the book! Follow Retirement Starts Today in:, , , , or
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The IRS Penalty Retirees Never See Coming (And How to Beat It)
06/29/2026
The IRS Penalty Retirees Never See Coming (And How to Beat It)
Every year, thousands of retirees pay an extra penalty to the IRS — and almost none of them see it coming. What catches them off guard isn’t a penalty for owing too much. You can do everything right — claim Social Security at the right age, run picture-perfect Roth conversions, manage your withdrawals down to the dollar — and still get a letter from the IRS charging you extra. I reworked a framework from an article by Sheryl Rowling at Morningstar into four clean, completely legal ways to avoid getting tax penalties. After that, we’ve got a listener question: A retiree writes in and says, “I don’t want to think about money. My plan is tested, I have enough — so what’s a simple checklist I can use to stay on track?” And to close the show, our Retire To Something segment where Clif traded his to-do list for a garden plot — and found community, leadership, and a whole lot of homegrown vegetables in the process. Resource: Article by Sheryl Rowling at Morningstar: Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: Work with Benjamin: Get the book! Follow Retirement Starts Today in:, , , , or
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Consumer Sentiment is Terrible
06/22/2026
Consumer Sentiment is Terrible
Americans don't feel great about the economy. Consumer Sentiment just hit the lowest reading in roughly 75 years. Ben Carlson over at A Wealth of Common Sense dug into why that might be, and what it means for those of us trying to enjoy a retirement when it always feels like the second shoe is about to drop. In our Listener Question segment, we hear from someone who is sitting on 50x their annual spending - and they can't get their spouse to spend it. Wrapping up the episode we hear from Karen in our "Retire To Something" segment. She's thru-hiking thousands of miles and loving it. Resource: Article by Ben Carlson of A Wealth of Common Sense: Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: Work with Benjamin: Get the book! Follow Retirement Starts Today in:, , , , or
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The IRA Decision That Affects Your Kids
06/15/2026
The IRA Decision That Affects Your Kids
There's a decision your surviving spouse is going to make about your IRA, after you're already gone, that can either cut short or stretch out how long your kids get to keep that money growing — and most people don't even realize the choice is being made. We're going to zero in on one option in particular, one that sounds a little crazy on its face: turning down an inheritance on purpose. In our Listener Question segment: A listener wrote in about a family farm, a couple of brothers he'd rather not be in business with, and whether saying "no thank you" to his own share is the way to keep the peace in the family. And then to close things out, we'll head over to our Retire To Something segment where Shawn figured out how to check just about every box that matters. Resource: Article by Denise Appleby at Morningstar: Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: Work with Benjamin: Get the book! Follow Retirement Starts Today in:, , , , or
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The Richest Person in the Graveyard
06/08/2026
The Richest Person in the Graveyard
You've heard it said a hundred times: Spend the money, make the memories, don't die with regret. However, for certain kinds of retirees, dying as the richest person in the graveyard isn't a tragedy at all. The comfort of simply having the money can be worth more than anything you'd ever buy with it. Today, we begin with an article, The Many Utilities of Retirement, which talks about RPIG (the Richest Person In the Graveyard) versus FORO (the Fear of Running Out of money). It's an interesting look at the juxtaposition. After that, a question - listener that calls himself the millionaire next door — he'll never spend what he's saved, it's all headed to the kids and grandkids, and yet he still mows his own lawn and changes his own oil. He wants to loosen up and spend a little more… but he also kind of loves the life he's already got. So what do you tell a guy like that? I'll give you my take. And we wrap up the show with our Retire To Something segment. Resource: Article by William Bernstein and Edward McQuarrie: Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: Work with Benjamin: Get the book! Follow Retirement Starts Today in:, , , , or
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The Best Strategies for Boosting Starting Withdrawal Rates in Retirement
06/01/2026
The Best Strategies for Boosting Starting Withdrawal Rates in Retirement
If you want to spend more at the beginning of retirement, which withdrawal strategies actually let you do that? This week's Retirement Headline from Amy C. Arnott called "The Best Strategies for Boosting Starting Withdrawal Rates in Retirement" answers that question. For our Listener Question: A listener wrote in wondering whether sequence-of-returns risk really fades away after the first decade of retirement, and if so — whether that means it's safe to bump withdrawals up to 5.5% or more later in the game. And we wrap it up with another Retire To Something segment. Resource: Article by Amy C. Arnott
at Morningstar: Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: Work with Benjamin: Get the book! Follow Retirement Starts Today in:, , , , or
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How Super-Savers Spend Their Acorns in Retirement, with Dana Anspach
05/25/2026
How Super-Savers Spend Their Acorns in Retirement, with Dana Anspach
Imagine a lifetime spent diligently saving your acorns, only to face a mental roadblock when it’s time to enjoy them. Dana Anspach, CFP®, RMA®, and author of “Living Off Your Acorns,” shares how this common challenge impacts retirees and introduces the critical “pre-go” phase. This episode offers a fresh perspective on retirement planning, emphasizing conscious consumption of retirement funds. Key Takeaways: Identify and plan for the crucial “pre-go” phase of retirement, which involves significant financial and identity shifts Overcome the “super saver” mentality to give yourself permission to enjoy retirement spending and experiences Understand that retirement is not a single phase but multiple stages, each with unique challenges and opportunities Recognize the emotional and psychological hurdles of transitioning from saving to spending retirement funds Explore how to find purpose and joy beyond work through hobbies, travel, and charitable giving Resources Mentioned: Dana's new book: "" “” by Dana Anspach “” by Bill Perkins " by Michael Stein by Dan Hewlett Connect With Dana Anspach: Website: YouTube: Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: Work with Benjamin: Get Benjamin's book! Follow Retirement Starts Today in:, , , , or
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How 2 Couples Cut Housing Costs To Speed Up Their Path To Early Retirement
05/18/2026
How 2 Couples Cut Housing Costs To Speed Up Their Path To Early Retirement
What happens when you reach financial independence by paying off a low interest rate mortgage early? Or being renter instead of buying a home and growing equity? I'll explain why hitting that milestone earns you the right to ignore some of the most stubborn rules in personal finance. For our Listener Question: A listener wants to know how to think about real estate as part of a retirement portfolio — should they own a rental property for income? And we will wrap it up with another listener-sourced segment called "Retire to Something". Resource: Article from Business Insider: "" Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: Work with Benjamin: Get the book! Follow Retirement Starts Today in:, , , , or
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The "24-Hour Rule" That Keeps Retirees From Blowing Their Savings
05/11/2026
The "24-Hour Rule" That Keeps Retirees From Blowing Their Savings
According to Capital One Shopping - 89% of shoppers have made some kind of impulse buy. More than half have spent more than $100 on a whim, and the average shopper made impulse buys adding up to $282 a month. A classic rule is to wait 24 hours to help curb impulse buys, but on today's show, I'm going to flip that rule on its head and explain why my listeners might actually need the opposite advice. After that, I'll answer a listener question about switching from saving for decades to a spending mindset? You'll learn about my "half for me, half for you" framework. And to wrap up the show, I'll share what our happiest retired listeners are up to in our newest listener-sourced segment "Retire to Something". Resource: Article by Marc Buerti at Money.com: Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: Work with Benjamin: Get the book! Follow Retirement Starts Today in:, , , , or
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Sorry, Your Kids Don't Want Your Stuff
05/04/2026
Sorry, Your Kids Don't Want Your Stuff
Imagine having 10 overstuffed boxes of grandma's collections in your living room. That's the story that leads our show from a couple in Florida who received these items as hand-me-downs from a boomer parent trying to clear them out. The article features estate specialist Julie Hall, who says Millennials don't want painted china or antique furniture — they want Pottery Barn and IKEA. When Hall asked her own daughter what she'd want from her house, the answer was, "Just the jewelry". Hall's takeaway? That response gave her permission to let go. We discuss this growing issue in our headline segment before answering a listener's question: "Do you have any advice on giving money to adult children while still living? Giving them some of their inheritance while they are younger and need money more than later in their life when my husband and I pass away." Then we wrap it up with a retired pastor who spends his time diving into a reef tank full of sharks at the Toledo Zoo in our "Retire To Something" segment. Resource: Article by Richard Eisenberg: Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: Work with Benjamin: Get the book! Follow Retirement Starts Today in:, , , , or
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The Retirement Risk Zone
04/27/2026
The Retirement Risk Zone
There is roughly a ten-year window centered around your retirement date, five to ten years before, and five to ten years after called "The Retirement Risk Zone". This is when you're most vulnerable to sequence-of-returns impacting the longevity of your withdrawal strategy. We cover this idea brought up by Wade Pfau in an episode of "The Long View", a show hosted by Christine Benz, Amy C. Arnott, and Ben Johnson - specifically: The Retirement Risk Zone The Rising Equity Glide Path The Social Security Delay Bridge After that, I answer a listener question: Frank is planning to delay Social Security and wants to know — does it make sense to take bigger withdrawals from the portfolio in your 60s and then scale back in your 70s once Social Security kicks in? Short answer: yes — but how you do it matters a lot. We'll walk through it. Finally, in our "Retire to Something" segment: After 50 years in the workforce, a former Senior of VP in Manufacturing inspires us with ideas he is doing in his retirement. Resources: Episode of The Long View from Morningstar, featuring Wade Pfau: The Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: Work with Benjamin: Get the book! Follow Retirement Starts Today in:, , , , or
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Stop Sweating the Small Stuff When You Spend Your Retirement Money
04/20/2026
Stop Sweating the Small Stuff When You Spend Your Retirement Money
Why is it so hard to spend the money you spent a lifetime saving? This is a question from Janet Bodnar in a Kiplinger article. She admits that one of her guilty pleasures in retirement is treating herself to a casual lunch while she's out running errands. Why does she feel so guilty? Christine Benz from Morningstar is quoted in the article, which we discuss at length in this episode. Then a listener asks a question I think a lot of you are wondering: "How am I supposed to figure out what I want to do in retirement when I can barely find time to do laundry while I'm still working?" Great question! And in our "Retire To Something" segment, Lois from the Southeast turned a lifelong love of animals into a retirement packed with purpose — volunteering at a zoo, working part-time at an aquarium, and spending half the year with manatees! Resource: Article by Janet Bodnar in Kiplinger:
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Five Beneficiary Designations for Clients to Review Now
04/13/2026
Five Beneficiary Designations for Clients to Review Now
Your beneficiary designations are probably outdated. Not because you made bad decisions, but because you made them once and never looked again. We're going to walk through five areas where these forms commonly go wrong, and what you can do about it. For our Listener Questions segment: "What's the best way to position any assets I have for when my wife and I pass — to most easily and efficiently pass on to our kids?" And this week's "Retire to Something" listener talks about her definition of retirement, which might be the simplest and best one yet. Resource: Article by Daniel P. Michaelse on WealthManagement.com: "
" Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: Work with Benjamin: Get the book! Follow Retirement Starts Today in:, , , , or
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Will Surging Oil Prices Crash the Market?
04/06/2026
Will Surging Oil Prices Crash the Market?
How do higher oil prices impact stock market returns? Ben Carlson at A Wealth of Common Sense challenges the assumption most people have, but with some genuinely surprising and con historical data. For those who retired right around 2022, our Listener Questions segment might interest you. A listener is comparing bonds to guaranteed products like MYGAs and annuities with income riders. They're seeing five and a half to six percent guaranteed payouts and wondering: are these actually better than bonds for generating retirement income? Then we wrap it up with our Retire “To” Something Segment: A listener who is only 2-5 years away from retiring wrote in with their very simple philosophy: "Never run away from a job. Instead, seek out the next better opportunity." Resource: Article by Ben Carlson: Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: Work with Benjamin: Get the book! Follow Retirement Starts Today in:, , , , or
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Estimated Taxes Are a Pain. Let's make it Easier
03/30/2026
Estimated Taxes Are a Pain. Let's make it Easier
What if you paid all your taxes - and still got hit with a penalty from the IRS? Our retirement headline this week comes from Laura Saunders in the Wall Street Journal. Estimated tax penalties are skyrocketing, and retirees and investors are some of the most likely to get caught in the trap. We will cover that, then hop into our Listen Question: "What happens when you lose faith in fixed income as the foundation for your retirement plan?" Then stick around to hear what our happiest retired listeners are up to in our newest listener-sourced segment “Retire to Something” Resource: Article by Laura Saunders in the Wall Street Journal: Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: Work with Benjamin: Get the book! Follow Retirement Starts Today in:, , , , or
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The Hidden Cost Of Investment Income
03/23/2026
The Hidden Cost Of Investment Income
Some desirable investment income - like interest and dividends - might actually hurt high-net-worth investors’ bottom line. This comes from an article by Larry Swedroe in Financial Advisor Magazine. He outlines four hidden costs that can quietly erode over 1% of after-tax returns each year: Cash Drag Tax Deferral Step-up and Charitable Giving Advantage Financial Planning Flexibility For our Listener Question: "Are brokerage account gains taxed before the money is withdrawn?" If you've ever wondered how your taxable investment account stacks up next to your IRA or Roth, this one's for you. We dig into the 'magic middle' of retirement savings and clear up how and when Uncle Sam wants his share. And to wrap up the show, Dave in New York shares his work of raising dogs to help the blind. 🦮 Resource: Article by Larry Sweroe in Financial Advisor Magazine: Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: Work with Benjamin: Get the book! Follow Retirement Starts Today in:, , , , or
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