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Ready For Retirement

Ready For Retirement

James Conole, CFP®

Ready For Retirement is the podcast dedicated to helping you learn the tips and strategies that will help you achieve your retirement goals. When it comes to retirement planning, it can quickly become overwhelming and easy to not take action. I designed this podcast because I want you to have the knowledge and confidence to create your secure retirement. My ultimate goal for all of my clients (and listeners) is to create peace of mind and that starts with having a strategy. I want you to spend more time thinking about what matters most to you in retirement. I post weekly episodes to keep you up-to-date on all the best tips and strategies to create a retirement that excites you. Everything from investing tips, tax planning, withdrawal strategies, insurance planning, Social Security, and that's just the start! Let's help you maximize your return on life. We use your money and the strategies I share in this podcast to do just that!

215 - How to Prepare for Retirement Within 5 Years: 401k, Savings & Investment Changes
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  • 215 - How to Prepare for Retirement Within 5 Years: 401k, Savings & Investment Changes

    Graham and his wife are in their early 50s and plan to retire in 5 years. He wonders if they should continue maxing out their 401ks, how their investments should change, and what they should do with savings accounts to best prepare for their retirement goals. 

    James addresses these questions, Graham’s biggest risk as he nears retirement, and potential tax strategies for him to employ.


    Questions answered:
    Which is a better tax strategy – tax gain harvesting or Roth conversions?
    Do I need to have a dedicated emergency fund in cash? 


    Timestamps:
    0:00 - Graham’s question
    3:16 - The move from single position
    5:43 - Identify biggest risk
    8:00 - Tax gain harvesting and Roth conversions
    12:14 - Tax strategy
    15:14 - Two variables to consider
    20:44 - Max out 401k plans?
    22:07 - A question of tax
    24:52 - Tax plan in action
    26:44 - Concern about emergency savings

    Create Your Custom Strategy ⬇️


    Get Started Here.

    Tue, 14 May 2024
  • 214 - How to Know When You Should Stop Saving for Retirement (and What to Do Next)

    Drew, a burnt-out, financially responsible 40-something father of two, hopes he can scale back from his stressful job and still be okay when it’s time to retire. James offers a practical and philosophical take as he tackles Drew’s question. He demonstrates how to determine when Drew and his wife will be in a good position to fully retire. He also challenges listeners to assess their spending and saving habits and to strike a balance between planning for an unknown future while still finding fulfillment, freedom, and purpose today. 

    Questions answered:
    How can I determine if I can stop saving for retirement?

    What introspective questions should I ask now to help me live well pre- and post-retirement?

    Timestamps:
    0:00 - Drew’s question
    2:07 - Two mindsets
    6:08 - Assess current and future needs
    7:33 - Projection exercise
    11:28 - Working backwards
    14:50 - Working 10 more years
    18:21 - Back to the initial question
    19:47 - Considering growth rate
    21:38 - A philosophical question
    23:52 - 3 Levers
    26:07 - Check spending/saving habits



    Create Your Custom Strategy ⬇️


    Get Started Here.

    Tue, 07 May 2024
  • 213 - 3 Simple Steps to Determine If You Can Retire

    How do you know if you can retire? It seems straightforward, but the answer is far from simple. Beyond portfolio balances and age thresholds, there are other things to consider. James explains his three-step test to determine your retirement readiness.

    By pulling together principles from the 4% Rule, straight-line projection, and a Monte Carlo analysis, you can assess whether your portfolio can sustain your desired lifestyle over decades amid various market conditions. However, these tests alone don’t paint the complete picture. James emphasizes the importance of considering other assets like potential inheritances or property downsizing to more fully and confidently evaluate when you can retire.

    Questions Answered:
    How can I determine if I’m financially ready to retire?
    Is the 4% Rule sufficient for determining retirement readiness?

    Timestamps:
    0:00 - Consider withdrawal rate
    2:14 - 4% Rule
    5:12 - Not a perfect strategy
    7:39 - Straight line projection 
    9:09 - Downside of SL projection 
    11:07 - Monte Carlo test
    13:07 - Understand severity of failure
    16:20 - Defining success, 
    18:25 - Looking ahead

    Create Your Custom Strategy ⬇️


    Get Started Here.

    Tue, 30 Apr 2024
  • 212 - Tax Planning for Widowed Retirees: How to Optimize Your Tax Strategy

    Jennifer, 54, plans to retire soon. Her husband, 70, is retired, on Social Security, and dealing with some severe health issues. Jennifer worries about possibly becoming single in retirement, which could result in a higher tax bracket for her. 

    Jennifer is considering whether to convert her traditional accounts to Roth to lower future taxes or to change her contributions to Roth 403b, even if it means paying more taxes now. James walks us through several factors for her to consider and demonstrates why her future tax situation is likely not as dire as she thinks.


    Questions Answered:
    How should Jennifer maximize her retirement savings in light of her current financial situation and future tax implications?

    What factors must Jennifer consider when deciding whether to convert her traditional retirement accounts to Roth or change her contributions to Roth 403b?

    Timestamps:
    0:00 - Jennifer’s question
    4:46 - Retire early for tax benefits?
    6:05 - Roth conversion strategy
    8:43 - Consider future expenses 
    12:38 - Assess SS strategies
    13:56 - Consider living situation
    15:54 - The conversion question
    17:54 - Main takeaways

    Create Your Custom Strategy ⬇️


    Get Started Here.

    Tue, 23 Apr 2024
  • 211 - Lump Sum vs. Annuitization: Tax Implications for Your Non-Qualified Annuity

    Joe is planning for retirement and wants to minimize his tax burden, especially on the interest earned from his three annuities. James explains that non-qualified annuities are purchased with post-tax money and offer tax deferral on growth until withdrawal. When taking out funds, the principal is tax-free, but earnings are taxed at ordinary income rates. 

    He explores strategies for tax-efficient withdrawals. He also touches on annuities, options like a 1035 exchange to transfer an annuity into a different product for improved performance, the tax implications for heirs, and early withdrawal penalties before age 59 and a half.

    Questions Answered:
    How are non-qualified annuities taxed upon distribution, including both lump sum and annuity options?

    What strategies can be implemented to keep the tax burden as low as possible when withdrawing from non-qualified annuities?

    Timestamps:
    0:00 - Joe’s question
    1:52 - Non-qualified annuity overview
    5:11 - Potential tax strategies
    10:02 - Annuitization option
    12:31 - Annuity regret
    13:22 - 1035 Exchange
    14:33 - Things to know

    Create Your Custom Strategy ⬇️


    Get Started Here.

    Tue, 16 Apr 2024
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