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 family maximum and suspending benefits, a listener PSA on IRMAA premiums, a listener PSA on Medicare premiums, a listener PSA on Social Security claiming strategies, Roth contribution rules, and Roth conversion disadvantages.
(4:30) George asks how the combined family maximum benefit works when two retirement records are combined to inc...
Chris’s Summary
Jim and I review the QLAC 1098-Q and walk through how this form reports premiums, fair market value, and contract status. We compare it to Form 5498, outline how the fair market value and excess annuity payments can be used under Secure Act 2 Section 205 with other IRAs, explore the age-85 and surviving-spouse reporting rules, and touch on listener...
Jim and Chris discuss listener questions on IRMAA brackets and several QLAC topics including RMD interaction, suitability, payout values, and purchase timing.
(19:30) A listener wonders if their lower 2024 income will automatically reduce their 2026 IRMAA even though it doesn’t qualify for an SS-44, or if they must contact the SSA.
(25:15) George asks whethe...
Chris’s Summary
Jim and I discuss QLAC use cases in the context of retirement income planning and how the Treasury Department designed these annuities to function. We walk through when someone might consider using one, how the absence of cash value affects planning decisions, differences among providers on turning income...
Jim and Chris discuss listener questions on Social Security spousal benefits, IRMAA’s classification, concerns about buffer-style funds, the growing push toward private investments, and moving from mutual funds to ETFs.
(22:30) A listener presents a hypothetical asking whether the repeal of WEP/GPO could allow Georgette to receive a spousal benefit based on her ex-husband’s Federal Employee record.
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If you would prefer to miss Jim’s update on his broken-down truck and recent travels you can skip ahead to (12:45).
Chris’s Summary
Jim and I walk through QLAC rules and explain how qualified longevity annuity contracts fit into our Secure Retirement Income Process Read more
Jim and Chris discuss listener questions on Social Security claiming timing with a listener PSA on application details, Social Security earnings rules at FRA, estate planning organization systems, and restrictions for annuity payments.
(15:30) Georgette shares a PSA about the Social Security application process and asks whether applying for benefits to start the month she turns 70 ensures she receives all delayed credits.
(30:00) A...
Chris’s Summary
With Jim away this week, I review the 2026 Social Security changes from the recently released SSA Fact Sheet covering the 2.8% COLA, the new taxable maximum, quarters-of-coverage earnings, and earnings test limits. I also walk through projected Medicare Part B premiums and the deductible, explain the hold harml...
With Jim is away at a conference, Chris is joined by Jake to discuss listener questions on Social Security survivor benefits, and Roth conversion strategies.
(6:30) A listener asks how a widow can maximize her Social Security benefit when her late husband had not yet claimed his.
(14:15) George seeks guidance on figuring out if he and his wife need to do Roth conversions, and, if so, how much.
(40:00) The guys address a listener co...
Chris’s Summary
Jim and I explore retirement preparedness through a listener’s experience navigating a sudden medical diagnosis, relocation for care, and the challenges of bringing an uninvolved spouse up to speed. His reflections on estate planning, account access, and survivorship highlight how fragile assumptions can b...
Jim and Chris discuss listener questions on Social Security COLA timing, spousal claiming strategy, IRMAA tax treatment, Roth IRA rollovers from 529 plans, and a listener PSA on deferred annuity RMD rules.
(8:00) Georgette asks whether her initial Social Security benefit—approved in September for a December start—will reflect the January COLA increase.
(15:30) A listener with similar PIAs and a...
If you would like to skip Jim and Chris discussing Jim’s travel plans and the guys’ frustration with low-cost airline pricing, you can skip ahead to (10:30).
Chris’s Summary
Jim and I continue our discussion on Social Security claiming strategies, revisiting the debate between Pr...
Jim and Chris discuss listener questions on how Medicare enrollment affects HSA contributions, Social Security survivor benefits and IRMAA adjustments, financial advisor fee disclosures, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) as a tool in retirement planning.
(10:00) A listener asks whether enrolling in Medicare in December with coverage starting in January limits HSA contributions due to the six-mon...
Chris’s Summary
Jim and I examine a recent Social Security claiming strategies debate prompted by articles from Derek Tharp and Laurence Kotlikoff. The episode highlights how opposing valuation frameworks—economic modeling versus purpose-driven income planning—can lead to drastically different conclusions. We explain why assigning Social Security a cle...
Jim and Chris discuss listener questions on spousal Roth IRA eligibility, backdoor Roth contributions using a solo 401k, Social Security timing, post-tax contributions to an IRA and 401k , and an HSA strategy coordinating withdrawals with Roth conversions.
(9:30) George asks whether he can contribute to a spousal Roth IRA after his retirement if his wife continues working and their income meets ...
To skip over Jim and Chris chatting about the government shutdown delaying Social Security and Medicare announcements, and Jim’s upcoming travel plans—including concerns about flight delays and his upcoming elk hunt in Utah you can skip ahead to (8:15).
Chris’s Summary
Jim and Chris discuss a listener PSA on estimating early retirement benefits, followed by questions on Social Security benefit calculations and reductions, HSA held annuities, and IRA annuity pro rata rule application.
(14:45) George shares a PSA explaining how to input future earnings on the SSA site to better estimate early retirement benefits.
(25:15) A li...
Chris’s Summary:
Jim and I are joined by Rear Admiral Brian Luther to discuss veterans benefits and military retirement planning. We explore how Navy Mutual supports service members, examine the survivor benefit plan, and talk about the role of annuities in managing longevity risk. Rear Admiral Luther also shares insights on T...
Jim and Chris discuss listener questions on Social Security spousal benefits, a listener PSA on IRMAA repayment silence, IRMAA reduction eligibility and planning considerations, and a PSA on how 60-day rollover Roth conversions affect year-end RMD calculations.
(7:45) A listener points out a possible error from a recent episode and looks for clarification whet...
Chris’s Summary
Jim and I return for an EDU dialogue episode focused on a listener’s delay period strategy. His plan includes laddered CDs, equity ETFs, delayed Social Security, and Roth conversions. We use his plan to discuss bracket drift, spending liquidity, and how rising markets can complicate a fixed glidepath. We also cover the tax planning window, ...
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