Ep 64: Investment Lessons To Learn From 2020
What a year 2020 was. Pandemic. Contested elections. Civil unrest. Rollercoaster investment markets.
As Churchill wrote, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Listen to Kevin discuss investment lessons you can learn from 2020 to be a smarter investor and keep your retirement on track for years to come. Continue reading
Dividends Slashed In The Time of COVID
Many investors view dividend payouts as a reliable source of income. However, many have been surprised to see lower-than-expected dividend payouts following the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Yet, historical data show that changes in dividend policy are common, especially … Continue reading
Ep 63: 3 Ways To Tax-Optimize Your Charitable Giving
Hear Kevin discuss three ways to tax-optimize your charitable giving. Whether through in-kind transfers of appreciated stock, using a donor-advised fund, or via Qualified Charitable Distributions, each can help you gain a bigger tax break and meet your charitable goals in the Retire Smarter way. Continue reading
Ways To Leverage Your Charitable Giving
A majority of Americans donate to charities, and many donate cash. However, using cash is the least tax-efficient method to make a gift. Here are three ways to enhance your giving. Donate Stock If you have a brokerage account and … Continue reading
Ep 62: Pension Lump Sums: 2021 May Be The Best Year Ever
Pension lump sums will be much higher in 2021 than 2020. Listen to Kevin discuss timing considerations on how to optimize your pension benefits by understanding the key variables that determine your lump sum.
Company pension plans specifically discussed include Akron Children’s Hospital, Bridgestone, FirstEnergy, Goodyear, Mercy Health, and Rockwell Automation. Continue reading
Lump-Sum Pensions Much Higher In 2021
Many baby-boomers have earned pensions over their working careers and are confronted with the complex decision of how best to optimize it. Some plans offer the choice of a lump sum that can be rolled over pre-tax to an IRA instead of a lifetime monthly payment. Next year, 2021, will likely be an optimal year to elect the lump sum for many. Continue reading
Ep 61: Welcoming Ron Wyatt, CFP® as a New Partner
We’re excited to make a big announcement on this episode of Retire Smarter. Kevin is joined by True Wealth Design’s newest partner, Ron Wyatt, who brings more than 25 years of financial planning experience to the firm. A lot of existing listeners will be hearing from Ron for the first time, so we’ll spend some time getting to know his background and professional journey. And new listeners will also get to learn more about Kevin’s experiences. Continue reading
Ep 60: Why The Cheapest Investment Option May Not Be The Best
The purchase price of your car is one factor to consider. But the Total Cost of Ownership — adding in costs for insurance, fuel, maintenance and repairs, as well as the residual value upon sale — is a better way to evaluate financial aspects of a car purchase.
Same too goes for selecting investments. Many solely use the expense ratio to determine what fund to buy. But while the expense ratio is important, it does not tell the whole story. In fact, it may tell only a small part. Continue reading
How to Get A $16,168 Tax Credit On Obamacare Even If You Are Affluent
Many early retirees find they must utilize Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare) policies to bridge the gap from employer-provided health insurance to Medicare at age 65. ACA policies are expensive but even affluent families may be able to obtain significant tax credits to offset premiums. Continue reading
Ep 59: Retiree Health Insurance Part 2: Pre-Medicare
Listen to learn about your health insurance options from the time you retire to before you can begin Medicare at age 65. Should you take COBRA? What types of plans are available for Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare) plans, and how much do they cost? How do ACA tax credits work, and how valuable are they? Continue reading
