The Retirement Oasis Podcast

There are good tax planning strategies and then there are great tax planning strategies. Today, we will discuss what I think is a great tax planning strategy – in the right situation and if properly implemented. In this episode, Steve and Mel discuss the following: What is a Health Savings Account?What are the potential tax benefits (spoiler alert: it’s not small)?The pros and cons of an HSA?How to avoid mistakes in the implementation of an HSA. Resources:  Visit our Blog at Oasis WealthFor a list of qualified medical expenses, see IRS Publication 502.For a couple of Health Savings Account administrators, see Lively Website or HSA Bank Website. (We do not endorse them so please do your own due diligence.)   Want to speak to a fiduciary financial planner? Schedule an Introductory Call with Oasis Wealth

Travel in retirement can be immensely rewarding. While you do not have to see the world to find fulfillment in retirement, traveling beyond your home into different communities and cultures can provide you with rich experiences to learn, expand relationships, renew, and reach new horizons.  In this episode, Steve and Mel discuss the following: The costs and budgeting for travel in retirement.Extended travel in retirement.Cost-saving tips for retirement travel.Why you don’t want to fail to plan travel.And more! Resources:  Visit our Blog at Oasis Wealth: Episode 14 BlogUpgrade Points.Google Flights.The Balance Senior Travel Article, The Points Guy, and AARP.Earth Vagabonds, Senior Vagabond Travel    Want to speak to a fiduciary financial planner? Schedule an Introductory Call with Oasis Wealth

In this episode, Steve and Mel discuss the following: The difference between vacation and true travel.The benefits of travel in retirement.Why your travel companions may be different in retirement.Why what we do in our travels may be different in retirement.And more! Resources:  For Visit our Blog line, ADD LINK TO OUR CORRESPONDING WEBSITE BLOG. USE THIS ADDRESS: https://www.oasiswealthplannig.com/ADD ADDITIONAL URL OF SPECIFIC PAGE Visit our Blog at Oasis Wealth: Episode 13 BlogMedium Article on Why Travel is More Important in RetirementSelect list of travel groups: Road Scholar, Smithsonian Journeys, Elder Treks. For more, see a list compiled by Travel and Leisure.Interesting retreat locations: Sedona (AZ), Lake Junaluska (NC), Sante Fe (NM), Want to speak to a fiduciary financial planner? Schedule an Introductory Call with Oasis Wealth

In this episode, Steve and Mel discuss the following: The pros and cons of paying down your mortgage in retirement.Using debt to help with tax minimization strategies.The potential role of a Home Equity Line in retirement.Why scenario analysis with financial modeling is critical to help you make important decisions.And more! Visit our Blog at Oasis Wealth: Episode 12 Want to speak to a fiduciary financial planner? Schedule an Introductory Call with Oasis Wealth

Choosing the right claiming age for your Social Security retirement benefits can result in tens of thousands of dollars in savings or more. It’s not a one-size fits all answer so you better know the relevant factors and considerations. In this episode, Steve and Mel discuss the following: Review the fundamentals of Social Security retirement benefits.The basic tradeoffs of claiming SS benefits earlier versus later.The key factors that play a role in the optimal claiming age decision.The types of analysis for the optimal claiming age.Why the analysis for married couples is more complex than for single individuals.Where to get help in analyzing your optimal claiming age strategy.And more!   Resources:  For Visit our Blog line, ADD LINK TO OUR CORRESPONDING WEBSITE BLOG. USE THIS ADDRESS: https://www.oasiswealthplannig.com/what-is-the-optimal-social-security-claiming-strategy   Visit our Blog at Oasis Wealth: Episode 11 SSA's Life Expectancy CalculatorLiving to 100 CalculatorAlleva, Brian. Discount Rate Specification and the Social Security Claiming Decision. 2016.Alicia H. Munnell and Anqi Chen, Are Social Security’s Actuarial Adjustments Still Correct? 2019. Want to speak to a fiduciary financial planner? Schedule an Introductory Call with Oasis Wealth

Knowing when to claim Social Security is a critical decision for retirement. Before you make that decision, it is important to understand the fundamentals of how Social Security retirement benefits are calculated and the nuances around the basic rules.  It’s also important to understand how it fits into your overall retirement plan. In this episode, Steve and Mel discuss the following: How you can become eligible for Social Security retirement benefits.How your retirement benefit is calculated.How much can you expect from Social Security?What is the risk that the Social Security system will be bankrupt by the time you retire?What are the pros and cons of claiming earlier versus later?What are the nuanced rules for spouses, surviving spouses, and divorcees?And more! Resources:  Visit our Blog at Oasis Wealth: Episode 10 BlogObtain Social Security Online statement at https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/statement.html.Establish an online account at the Social Security Administration. https://www.ssa.gov/onlineservices/.SSA’s online calculators -https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/calculators/.   Want to speak to a fiduciary financial planner? Schedule an Introductory Call with Oasis Wealth

Did you know that you may actually want to work “in retirement”. There is a growing trend of people working in semi-retirement, and the evidence shows there are many benefits of working in retirement. Whether it is paid work or volunteer work, your retirement is likely significantly more fulfilling if you were engaged in these kind of endeavors. In this episode, Steve and Mel discuss the following: How “freedom to work” is different from working a regular day job.How your unique DNA can lead you to the right role in retirement.The variety of flexible work arrangements for the retiree, and why you should plan for this in advance of retirement.What the research says about volunteering in retirement. Spoiler alert: it can be life-changing.And more! Resources:  Visit our Blog that corresponds to this episode at Oasis Wealth: Episode 9 Blog Lydia Brontë. (1993). The Longevity Factor: The New Reality of Long Careers And How It Can Lead To Richer Lives.Freedman, M. (2007). Encore: Finding Work That Matters in the Second Half of Life. Ryan, R. (2018). Retirement Reinvention. Penguin Books.Anthony, Mitch. (2008). The New Retirementality. Fourth Edition. Want to speak to a fiduciary financial planner? Schedule an Introductory Call with Oasis Wealth

In this episode, Steve and Mel discuss the following: How we can make our health spans as long as our lifespans.Why most retirees in the U.S. are not getting enough exercise and what you can do about it.What is more important to our health than exercise, a good diet, and taking our medicine? It will surprise you.Tips on finding lifelong learning opportunities in retirement.Different methods of growing spiritually.And more!   Resources:  Visit our Blog at Oasis Wealth: Episode 8 BlogMayo Clinic on healthy aging.Johnson, R. P. (1999). Creating a Successful Retirement Finding Peace and Purpose. Ligouri Publications.Johns Hopkins’ study on the health benefits from forgiveness.Zelinksi, E. (2015). How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free. This Press.   Connect With Steve Martin or Mel Bond steve.martin@oasiswealthplanning.com(615) 881-3954mel.bond@oasiswealthplanning.com(615) 397-4504oasiswealthplanning.com Want to speak to a fiduciary financial planner? Schedule an Introductory Call with Oasis Wealth

Having relationships in retirement may be the most important aspect of well-being in retirement. Find out why you need to be proactive in retirement and discover ways to design your ideal life around your connections. In this episode, Steve and Mel discuss the following: Why longevity does not favor the lone retiree.Why family is so important and ways to overcome geographical distances in maintaining relationships.Why family is not the only types of relationships we need to foster in retirement.How to proactively consider your relationships in designing your ideal life.And more! Resources:  To read the content of the podcast and more, visit our Blog at Oasis Wealth: Episode 7 ConnectionsNelson, J. E., & Bolles, R. N. (2010). What Color is Your Parachute? For Retirement.Shuflin, J. (2018). Mates: Don't Retire Without Them. In R. C. Association, The Rretirement Challenge: A Non-Financial Guide From Top Retirement Experts (pp. 137-153). Retirement Coaches Association.Bellah, M. (2019). The Best is Yet to Be. Best Years Press.Spector, A., & Keith, L. (2018). Your Retirement Quest. Cincinnati Book Publishers Connect With Steve Martin or Mel Bond steve.martin@oasiswealthplanning.com(615) 881-3954mel.bond@oasiswealthplanning.com(615) 397-4504oasiswealthplanning.com Want to speak to a fiduciary financial planner? Schedule an Introductory Call with Oasis Wealth

A life of complete leisure in retirement can lead to depression and shorter life expectancy. However, leisure and play – if balanced with other well-being fundamentals in retirement, can serve a critical domain to find fulfillment in retirement. Learn how your inner child can guide you to happiness and how to plan well ahead of retirement to find the most of hobbies and travel.  In this episode, Steve and Mel discuss the following: Why Leisure should not be the sole focus of retirement.Why understanding your DNA makeup could lead you to your ideal retirement.Why workaholics should be concerned about retirement.How travel is different for retirees and why it matters.Why hobbies, especially on the creative side, can generate so many benefits for you in retirement.And more! Resources:  “Visit our Blog at Oasis Wealth: Episode 6 – Designing Your Ideal Retirement: Leisure”Christopher Cross, “Sailing” on Youtube.Ernie Zelinksi’s book: How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free.Mitch Anthony’s book: The New Retirementality.Richard Johnson’s book: Creating a Successful Retirement Finding Peace and Purpose. Connect With Steve Martin or Mel Bond steve.martin@oasiswealthplanning.com(615) 881-3954mel.bond@oasiswealthplanning.com(615) 397-4504oasiswealthplanning.com Want to speak to a fiduciary financial planner? Schedule an Introductory Call with Oasis Wealth

There are a few ways to create wealth before retirement – make more money, earn more on your investments, reduce your expenditures. But, there’s one approach that is more exciting than those – implementing tax minimization strategies. We explore that today! In this episode, Steve and Mel discuss the following: The overall benefits of tax minimization strategies.Critical first steps before implementing key strategies.Key considerations for employer retirement plans.Traditional IRA v. Roth IRA.Why Health Savings Accounts are misunderstood and underutilized.Capital gains planning in today’s environment.And more! Resources:  Visit our Blog at Oasis Wealth: Episode 5   Connect With Steve Martin or Mel Bond steve.martin@oasiswealthplanning.com(615) 881-3954mel.bond@oasiswealthplanning.com(615) 397-4504oasiswealthplanning.com   Want to speak to a fiduciary financial planner? Schedule an Introductory Call with Oasis Wealth

You don’t want to get the retirement funding question wrong because you only want to retire once.  Figuring out what size your portfolio needs to be at Day One of retirement requires the right level of detail and analysis, but a simple calculation can provide a high-level review of whether you are on track. In this episode, Steve and Mel discuss the following: What the three main input variables are for calculating “how much is enough” at Day One of retirement.Why a simple living expense number in the retirement calculation may lead to inaccurate results.What are the variables in determining the rate of return for this critical retirement calculation?How to factor in income taxes in the retirement calculation.Where sensitivity analysis can play a role in determining the recommended size of your retirement portfolio. Resources:  Visit our Blog at Oasis Wealth: Episode 4 Blog - Oasis InsightsLongevity calculators: Social Security Longevity , Living to 100 Calculator.Sample online retirement calculator: Kiplinger's Retirement Calculator. Note that Oasis Wealth does not endorse this calculator. The use of any online calculator should not be used as personal advice and should only be used as an initial high level review of your situation. Connect With Steve Martin or Mel Bond steve.martin@oasiswealthplanning.com(615) 881-3954mel.bond@oasiswealthplanning.com(615) 397-4504oasiswealthplanning.com   Want to speak to a fiduciary financial planner? Schedule an Introductory Call with Oasis Wealth

Finding the ideal retirement is best viewed from a well-being framework which includes three domains of well-being: financial or physical, health, and inner well-being or fulfillment. We provide various tips or words of encouragement in finding fulfillment in retirement, including the idea that it is never too late – or too early – to begin thinking about the ideal retirement. Experimentation, being open and adaptable to new opportunities, and crafting a retirement built around your uniqueness are critical for finding true happiness. Adopting the right mindset is also critical to gaining a successful retirement. This includes putting the past behind us, having a growth mindset, and not viewing your age as a chronological age are among some of the key mindsets to practice. In this episode, Steve and Mel discuss the following:   What is the ideal time to begin thinking about retirement?Why one’s mindset is more important than the size of one’s portfolio in finding true fulfillment in retirement.Ideas on how to visualize your unique retirement and observations on overcoming fears about retirement.What we can do about setbacks in retirement.What is a growth mindset, and how it can serve us well in retirement?   Resources:  Visit our corresponding blog: Oasis Wealth Insights Blog.Mitch Anthony’s New Retirementality.Ernie Zelinkski’s How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free. The Retirement Challenge: A non-Financial Guide From Top Retirement Experts.   Connect With Steve Martin or Mel Bond steve.martin@oasiswealthplanning.com(615) 881-3954mel.bond@oasiswealthplanning.com(615) 397-4504oasiswealthplanning.com   Want to speak to a fiduciary financial planner? Schedule an Introductory Call with Oasis Wealth

Retirement today can be a fascinating period in your life. Unlike generations ago, the ability to design an ideal retirement that strives for fulfillment is possible in light of the better longevity, better health, and greater prosperity. In light of the increased complexity in finances and taxes in today’s environment, the increased responsibility to be accountable for your own finances, and the opportunity to find fulfillment in retirement, a lot is on the line in planning for your unique retirement. Finding the ideal retirement is best viewed from a well-being framework which includes three domains of well-being: financial or physical, health, and inner well-being or fulfillment. The financial and health domains are foundational to be able to move on to – or optimize – your inner well-being in retirement. Understanding the various categories of fulfillment in retirement – and appreciating the benefits that they can provide – are critical for designing and living out your ideal retirement. In this episode, Steve and Mel discuss the following:   Why retirement is different today than it was generations ago, and why it matters.Why retirement can be an amazing era in your life and why “encore” is such an appropriate term to describe this period.Why the financial well-being and health well-being are foundational for creating the opportunity to live a fulfilled life in retirement.An introduction to the four categories of activities that comprise a fulfilling retirement, including leisure, connections or relationships, renewal, and work.Why the elements of lasting happiness – pleasure, engagement, and meaning – are critical to finding fulfillment in retirement. Resources:  Visit our corresponding blog: Oasis Wealth Insights Blog.Mitch Anthony’s New Retirementality.John Nelson’s What Color is Your Parachute? In Retirement.Mark Freedman’s encore: finding work that matters in the second half of life. Connect With Steve Martin or Mel Bond steve.martin@oasiswealthplanning.com(615) 881-3954mel.bond@oasiswealthplanning.com(615) 397-4504oasiswealthplanning.com   Want to speak to a fiduciary financial planner? Schedule an Introductory Call with Oasis Wealth

The Retirement Oasis is a podcast that helps you enjoy, plan, and visualize a retirement lifestyle defined by you. The hosts of this retirement podcast, Mel Bond and Steve Martin, are CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM practitioners and their goal is to help offer wisdom and encouragement to help you enjoy the best life possible leading up to and through retirement. The content of this podcast will focus on a variety of financial and lifestyle issues that will be relevant as you plan for retirement, whether you are 15 years from retirement or are already retired. The financial issues that Mel and Steve will cover include general financial planning, income tax planning, investments, estate planning, withdrawal and spending strategies in retirement, pension and social security timing, and a host of other issues. The lifestyle segments will focus on helping you find well-being in retirement, including overall fulfillment (“inner well-being”), the financial and physical well-being (e.g., issues related to the home and where you live), and health well-being.  In this episode, Steve and Mel discuss the following:   The goal, format and content of the podcast.Learn about Steve’s roots (Indiana, Texas) and his multi-disciplined background. Learn Steve’s favorite sports teams, and why he loves traveling in the Southeast.Learn why Mel says both “Roll Tide” and “Anchor Down” and why he is thrilled to call Nashville home. Learn what brought Mel to Nashville and why he loves working throughout the Southeast.What inspired both Mel and Steve to pursue financial planning and advisory services. Resources:  Visit our corresponding blog: oasiswealthplanning.com/insights.Learn more about the hosts: oasiswealthplanning.com/team. Connect With Steve Martin or Mel Bond steve.martin@oasiswealthplanning.com(615) 881-3954mel.bond@oasiswealthplanning.com(615) 397-4504oasiswealthplanning.com   Want to speak to a fiduciary financial planner? Schedule an Introductory Call with Oasis Wealth