The Retirement and IRA Show
What do you get when you combine two knowledgeable CFP® PROFESSIONALS (one also a well-informed COLLEGE FINANCE INSTRUCTOR)? If you mix in relevant financial information and a healthy dose of humor you get the Retirement and IRA Radio Show! JIM SAULNIER, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional with Jim Saulnier and Associates who specializes in retirement planning for clients across the country, CHRIS STEIN, a Finance Instructor at Colorado State University who is also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional, offer real-world knowledge on a diverse range of topics including Social Security planning, investing for your retirement, the fundamentals of 401(k) and IRA accounts. Jim and Chris make learning about your retirement both educational and entertaining!
Episodes
Jim and Chris discuss listener questions on Social Security timing strategies, Roth conversions in an RMD year, annuity return calculations, account sourcing for SPIA purchases, and Rule of 55 withdrawal rules.(12:30) A listener asks whether his brother should delay claiming Social Security to age 70 for better longevity protection despite a narrow breakeven.(35:15) George asks […]
Chris’s SummaryJim and I review a recent article featuring Robert Merton’s views on retirement income versus savings, using it as a springboard to unpack income planning fundamentals and annuity projections. While we agree with many of Merton’s framing points—especially the focus on secure income—we also note several key areas where academic theory diverges from real-world […]
The post Retirement Income Versus Savings: EDU #2532 ap...
Jim and Chris discuss Jim’s relocation experience to Ohio, a listener PSA on Medicare, questions about Social Security payment timing and divorce eligibility, Roth 401k withdrawals under the rule of 55, and close with an annuity comparison answer so long it practically qualifies as a mini EDU. (17:00) A listener PSA reminds others that Medicare […]
The post Ohio, Medicare, Social Security, Roth 401k, and Annuities: Q&A #2531 appear...
Chris’s SummaryJim and I are joined by Matt Kaufman, Senior Vice President and Head of ETFs at Calamos Investments, to discuss buffered ETFs vs stocks and cash, focusing on AQR’s recent critiques. We examine the flaws in AQR’s methodology, the broader history of buffered products, and why these tools can offer certainty in retirement planning. […]
The post Buffered ETFs vs Stocks and Cash: EDU #2531 appeared first on The Retirement...
Chris is joined by Jake and Jacob to answer listener questions on Social Security, followed by a PSA about unexpected Social Security payment timing, then additional questions on transition planning, asset positioning across account types, weighing Roth conversions against the senior deduction, and planning around IRMAA.(6:15) George asks what percentage of taxes he should have […]
Chris’s SummaryJim and I explain living benefits on annuities, covering how guaranteed income riders work and why they can appeal to those hesitant to annuitize. We describe what we call noun annuities (pre-annuitization) and verb annuities (post-annuitization), then unpack how living benefit riders like guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits provide income without giving up access to […]
Chris and Jake address listener questions on Social Security, single premium immediate annuity (SPIA) taxation, IRMAA impacts from NQDC payments, and Roth conversions. (9:45) George asks whether the restricted application strategy for Social Security spousal benefits is still possible, and if so, whether birth year requirements apply, along with what changed after the 2015 law […]
Jim and Chris answer listener questions on Social Security filing and its effect on HSA eligibility, Social Security means testing, the timing of annuity purchases in IRAs, the Roth and Roth TSP 5-year rule.(7:30) Georgette asks whether the six-month Medicare Part A lookback is triggered by her husband’s Social Security application date or benefit eligibility […]
The post Social Security, Annuities, Roth and Roth TSP 5-Year Rule: Q...
Chris’s SummaryI am joined by Jake and Paul to discuss OBBBA tax changes and retiree impacts from the Inflation Reduction Act. We cover changes to brackets, deductions, personal exemptions, and estate limits. Paul explains how new SALT caps, Social Security deductions, and ACA credit rollbacks affect planning opportunities for retirees, especially those near income phaseouts […]
The post OBBBA Tax Changes Explained: EDU #2528 appea...
Jim and Chris answer listener questions on Social Security family maximum rules, spousal and disabled child benefits, defined benefit pension concerns, and 401k managed payout funds.(7:45) A listener is trying to understand how the Family Maximum Benefit might reduce the amounts paid to his spouse and disabled adult child once he claims his own retirement […]
The post Social Security, Pension Buyouts, and Managed Payout Funds: Q&A ...
Chris’s Summary:Jim and I examine broker vs advisor sold RILAs using real cap rate comparisons from 2024 to highlight how identical contracts can offer different outcomes. We explain how six-year outcome periods work, what locking in gains actually does, and when fees can reduce returns more than commissions. This episode is less about product bias […]
The post Broker vs Advisor Sold RILAs: EDU #2527 appeared first on The Retiremen...
Jim and Chris shares listener PSAs on IRMAA and Delayed Retirement Credits, and answer questions on Social Security Spousal Benefits, annuity use cases, and fixed indexed annuity payout concerns. (13:00) A listener shares a PSA about a positive Medicare and IRMAA reduction experience at a Central Florida SSA office. (19:00) Georgette follows up with a […]
The post PSAs, Spousal Benefits, Annuity Use Cases, and FIAs: Q&A #2526 appea...
Chris’s Summary:Jim and I explore registered index-linked annuities and compare RILAs vs buffered ETFs across liquidity, taxation, and cap rate dynamics. We walk through how the insurance and investment structures differ, where principal protection varies, and how commission-based and advisory products compare from a fiduciary standpoint. I also explain the tax treatment of qualified versus […]
The post RILAs vs Buffered ETFs: EDU ...
Jim and Chris begin with three PSAs on Social Security experiences, then answer questions on fixed indexed annuities with market value adjustments, SPIA payout options for the Minimum Dignity Floor™, and the tax aggregation rule for MYGAs.(11:30) In this PSA Georgette clarifies that her husband, born February 1, received January benefits at full age 70, […]
The post Social Security PSAs, FIAs, SPIAs, and MYGAs: Q&A #2525 appeared f...
Chris’s Summary:Jim and I continue our focus for Annuity Awareness Month by explaining how fixed indexed annuities work and the regulatory nuances that distinguish them from other fixed products. We walk through their structure, common misconceptions, when they can be appropriate, and how to compare them to MYGAs and buffered ETFs. We also highlight the […]
The post Fixed Indexed Annuities: EDU #2525 appeared first on The Retiremen...
Jim and Chris address questions on Social Security survivor benefits, unreimbursed HSA expenses, SPIA funding from multiple accounts, and Fixed Indexed Annuity details. (7:45) Georgette asks whether drawing her own reduced Social Security benefit at 62 will affect her ability to switch to her deceased husband’s full survivor benefit at age 67. (23:15) A listener […]
The post Social Security, HSA Rules, SPIA Funding, and FIA Details...
Chris’s Summary:Jim and I discuss annuity types and features during Annuity Awareness Month, focusing on immediate vs. deferred annuities and fixed vs. variable structures. We cover how each type works, what they offer, and where caution is warranted. Jim’s “Pithy” Summary:Chris and I continue our Annuity Awareness Month series by diving into the foundational aspects […]
The post Understanding Annuity Types and Features: EDU #2524 ...
Jim and Chris answer questions on defined maturity bond ETFs, Social Security account linking and spousal offsets, 401k annuities vs IRA Annuities, and annuitization definitions.(14:30) Jacob joins the guys to explain how estimated net acquisition yield works for defined maturity bond ETFs, including how to interpret it and evaluate risk when holding through maturity.(38:30) A […]
Chris’s Summary:Jim and I kick off our annual Annuity Awareness Month series by explaining how using annuities in retirement planning can help manage longevity risk and provide guaranteed income. We cover when they’re worth considering, what they actually solve for, and how they might fit into a plan—if at all. We also explain why many […]
The post Annuities in Retirement Planning: EDU #2523 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA...
Jim and Chris answer listener questions on Social Security filing, a PSA on SSA’s online application process, the Roth 5-Year Rule, HSA strategy, and bond principal risk. (8:00) A listener asks whether Social Security’s claim that delayed retirement credits aren’t applied until the end of the following year is accurate, and whether anyone receives them […]
The post Social Security Filing, Roth 5-Year Rule, HSA Strategy, and Bond Pr...
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