Retire With Style

The conversation explores key tax topics, including below-the-line deductions, charitable contributions, mortgage insurance deductions, gambling taxes, and the taxation of Social Security benefits. It also discusses potential changes to Affordable Care Act subsidies and highlights the importance of proactive tax planning to navigate these complexities.

Takeaways

• The state and local tax deduction has seen s...

In this episode of Retire with Style, hosts Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau are joined by CPA Brett Leyton to discuss the new tax provisions introduced in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The conversation covers essential topics such as federal income tax brackets, standard deductions, and various new below-the-line deductions that can benefit taxpayers, especially seniors. The episode delves into the complexities of tax planning, emphas...

Welcome to a milestone episode of Retire With Style! In this celebratory 200th installment, Wade and Alex take a break from the usual deep dives into retirement planning to reflect on their journey so far, from a hesitant start to a full-blown podcast and lifestyle brand. They revisit some of the most popular episodes, listener feedback (the good, the bad, and the hilarious), and the evolving purpose behind the podcast. They also s...

In part two of their conversation, financial advisors Alex Murguia and Dan Haylett explore the challenges of financial advising, focusing on client objections, the importance of listening, and integrating emotional well-being into financial planning. They discuss strategies for engaging clients, the role of structure in retirement, and the risks that come with a lack of it. Dan also shares insights from his book, The Retirement You...

In part one of their conversation with Dan Haylett, Wade Pfau and Alex Murguia explore the human side of retirement planning. They emphasize that financial planning is only part of the equation and discuss the emotional and psychological challenges retirees face. Dan introduces the five pillars of a thriving retirement: purpose, identity, relationships, structure, and well-being. The discussion highlights how finding new sources of...

In this conversation, Wade Pfau, Alex Murguia and Bill Bengen discuss various aspects of retirement planning, focusing on risk management, asset allocation, and the implications of market conditions on withdrawal rates. Bengen shares insights on adjusting the traditional 4% rule based on current market valuations and inflation, emphasizing the importance of a diversified portfolio and the role of annuities. The discussion also cove...

In this live Q&A session, Wade Pfau, Alex Murguia, and Bill Bengen discuss the intricacies of safe withdrawal rates in retirement, focusing on the relevance of the 4% rule, the impact of inflation, and the importance of investment strategies. They explore various topics including the significance of account types, the risks associated with stock picking, and the necessity of adjusting withdrawal rates based on market conditions...

In this episode of Retire with Style, Wade Pfau and Alex Murguia talk with William Bengen, pioneer of the 4% rule in retirement planning. They explore the rule’s evolution, how inflation and market valuations shape sustainable withdrawals, and Bengen’s current recommendations. The discussion highlights the role of asset allocation, the importance of withdrawal strategies, and why ongoing monitoring is essential for a secure retirem...

In this conversation, Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau explore strategies for retirement planning, including hedging against inflation, using break-even analysis in Social Security decisions, and evaluating annuities for retirement income. They also cover the implications of Roth conversions and the reverse equity glide path strategy for managing investments. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding how different financi...

In this conversation, Wade Pfau and Alex Murguia discuss retirement planning topics including market downturns, buffer assets, demographic trends, and emerging products like tontines and buffered ETFs. They highlight how historical market performance shapes future expectations and emphasize the role of strategic asset allocation in retirement income planning.

Takeaways

• Market downturns can last longer than five years, impactin...

In this episode of Retire with Style, Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau dive into key retirement planning topics, including sequence risk, the 4% rule, withdrawal strategies, and bond yields. They highlight the importance of a comprehensive financial plan that accounts for asset allocation, tax considerations- such as those related to TIPS and annuities- and the role of dynamic, risk-based guardrails. The discussion underscores how retire...

In this episode of Retire with Style, Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau explore how buffer assets can help manage sequence risk in retirement. They discuss different types of buffer assets—including cash, home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), multi-year guaranteed annuities (MYGAs), and whole life insurance—and examine the trade-offs involved with each. Wade also shares insights on the evolving role of reverse mortgages in retirement plan...

In this episode of Retire with Style, hosts Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau explore how to manage sequence of returns risk in retirement. They break down four key strategies: spending conservatively, staying flexible with spending, reducing investment volatility, and using buffer assets. The discussion also touches on how sequence risk can arise more than once—especially for early retirees—and how having a pension can affect your overal...

In this episode of Retire with Style, Wade Pfau and Alex Murguia tackle listener questions on a range of financial topics, including gold’s volatility, alternative investments, and how to measure retirement success. They discuss the realities of investment returns, the impact of recent U.S. bond downgrades, and the importance of understanding risk, using historical data, and maintaining a solid investment strategy in retirement.

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In this episode of Retire with Style, Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau explore Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) and their role in retirement planning. They cover the history of TIPS, their tax implications, and how they help protect against inflation. The conversation also addresses the drawbacks of TIPS, current market conditions, and the importance of clear communication- especially for couples where one partner is less e...

In this episode of Retire with Style, Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau explore key retirement planning strategies, including how couples can optimize Social Security benefits, what to do with surplus funds from bond ladders, and the potential benefits of purchasing single premium immediate annuities (SPIAs) from Roth IRAs. They highlight the importance of maintaining flexibility and tailoring strategies to each retiree’s unique circumsta...

In this episode of Retire with Style, Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau answer listener questions on retirement planning for high earners. They explore tax strategies like Roth conversions and qualified charitable distributions, and discuss how tools like life insurance and annuities can help hedge longevity risk and support a stable retirement income.

Takeaways

• The importance of community engagement in retiremen...

In this live Q&A session, Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau answer questions on key aspects of retirement income planning, including withdrawal strategies, the 4% rule, tax considerations, and the role of financial advisors. They discuss how age and financial circumstances can influence withdrawal rates and highlight the importance of using guardrails to manage risk. The conversation also touches on Medicare, ACA subsidies, gifting st...