Are low-cost mutual funds or ETFs better investments in a tax-advantaged account? Also, more strategizing from that SECURE Act 2.0 529 plan provision, the pros and cons of selling a rental house now or holding it until you pass, and an easy-breezy self-employed retirement account that’s better than a SEP IRA. Plus, will municipal bond income bump you into a higher tax bracket? Can you avoid capital gains tax by investing less aggressively over time?  Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro00:46 - Mutual Funds vs. ETFs in a Tax-Advantaged Account? (Midwestfabs, St Paul, MN)08:06 - SECURE Act 2.0 529 Plan Strategy (Chris, Atlanta)14:51 - Will Municipal Bond Income Bump Me Into a Higher Tax Bracket? (Bobby, Philadelphia)26:31 - Can I Avoid Capital Gains By Investing Less Aggressively Over Time? (Joe, Aston, PA)33:12 - Pros and Cons of Selling a Rental House Right Now (Joe, Chula Vista)34:48 - An Easy Breezy Self-Employed Retirement Account Better than the SEP IRA? (Steve, Las Vegas)39:58 - The Derails Access this week's free financial resources in the podcast show notes at https://bit.ly/ymyw-420 The SECURE 2.0 Circus: brand new YMYW TV and companion guideBlog post: Self-Employed Tax Filing & Small Business Retirement PlansThe Ultimate Guide to IRAsEpisode TranscriptAsk Joe & Big Al On Air(plus, cute dog photo alert! We’ve got Midwestfabs’ dog, “Jake-from-State-Farm”!)

In order to retire comfortably at age 60, what should you be doing with your finances when you’re in your 20s? A framework for getting started planning for retirement on today's episode of YMYW. Plus, if you’re a small business with a SIMPLE IRA plan, is it stupid to save for retirement in a brokerage account rather than a traditional IRA? If you inherited money and promised to donate to charity, should you do Roth conversions? What’s the most efficient way to pay financial advisor fees, and what’s a good strategy for making pre-tax and post-tax retirement contributions?  Timestamps: 00:51 - A Framework for Getting Started in Planning for Retirement (Anonymous)05:36 - I’m 24. What Should I Do to Retire Comfortably at 60? Michael, 24 (Binghamton, NY)12:14 - I’m 32. Opened a SIMPLE IRA. Is It Stupid to Fund Brokerage Instead of Traditional IRA? (Ron Burgundy)17:42 - I Inherited $450K, Promised to Donate to Charity. Should I Do Roth Conversions? (Allison, Northern Virginia)23:02 - What’s the Most Efficient Way to Pay Advisor Fees? (Nick, OH)26:06 - Strategy for Pre-Tax and Post-Tax Retirement Contributions? (Dave)29:56 - The Derails Access this week's free financial resources in the podcast show notes at https://bizlink.to/ymyw-419  Cracking the Code - Succeeding Financially at Every Age: YMYW TV & Companion GuideSpitballing Retirement Planning in Your 30's (and even in your 20's!) - YMYW podcast 391Top 10 Most Popular Your Money Your Wealth Podcast Episodes - Spotify playlistSchedule a free financial assessment with Pure Financial AdvisorsEpisode TranscriptAsk Joe & Big Al On Air(plus a photo of YMYW listener Nick's cute dogs!)

If you’ve got some retirement savings but can’t contribute any more, will you ever be able to retire? Joe and Big Al have three simple strategies to help you get there. Plus, how long does it take to get off of Medicare’s income-related monthly adjustment amount, or IRMAA, after your income decreases at retirement, and how do you take unknown future IRMAA income limits into account when setting up your financial plan? Can you “re-do” Social Security and stop taking benefits after claiming Social Security early? Do spousal benefits change after one spouse files for Social Security? And finally, the fellas address a few corrections they’ve received recently regarding Medicare and safe harbor 401(k) plans. What exactly is “top-heavy” anyway? Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro01:02 - Will I Ever Be Able to Retire? I Have Some Savings But Can’t Contribute More (Patty, NY)06:38 - Retired, Income Dropped, Enrolled in Medicare. How Long to Get Off IRMAA? (Randy, Hb, Ca)08:05 - How to Plan for Unknown Future Medicare IRMAA Income Limits?10:53 - “Re-Doing” Social Security: Can You Stop Taking Benefits After Claiming Early? (Lauris, Volcano, Hawaii)12:39 - Will Spousal Social Security Benefit Amounts Change When One Spouse Files? (Philip, Los Angeles)15:09 - SECURE 2.0: When Must You Pay Taxes on Company Match Retirement Contributions? (Jim, Dallas, TX)19:47 - CORRECTION: ACP Test for Safe Harbor 401(k) Plans, After-Tax Contributions (Debra, St Louis)25:08 - CORRECTION - Medicare Test: Creditable Drug Coverage (Steve, Las Vegas)28:56 - DUKE’s Medicare Enrollment Experience (DUKE (John Wayne), Knoxville, TN)32:54 - The Derails Access this week's free financial resources in the podcast show notes at https://bizlink.to/ymyw-418:  Retirement Readiness GuideNAPA-net: 401(k) After-Tax Contributions Are ‘Testy’Turbocharge Your Wealth! YMYW TV & Companion GuideEpisode TranscriptAsk Joe & Big Al On Air(Plus, YMYW Producer Andi Last video interview on the Audience Growth Podcast)

How should your financial strategy change when your income increases dramatically? We’re talking like $450K one year to a million and a quarter the next? (If you guessed Roth conversions might be in the answer you’d be correct!) Joe and Big Al also spitball strategies for when your income is too high to make Roth contributions, and can you use capital gains to contribute to Roth? Can “Alligator Joe” afford to retire early, or does he need to keep gutting it out at his current job wrestling alligators? Should Catherine contribute to her 401(k) or buy company stock before she quits her day job to start a business? The fellas also spitball retirement planning involving structured settlements, inherited assets, and ACA credits, and they discuss transferring annuities to a CD vs. deferring the interest into another annuity.  Timestamps: 00:58 -  Income Increased Dramatically. Should Our Retirement Tax Strategies Change? (Cookie Baron, Texas)08:59 - Can I Use Capital Gains to Make Roth Contributions? (Aaron)12:12 - Early Retirement Spitball: Should I Keep Gutting it Out at My Current Job? ("Alligator Joe Frazier", The Sunshine State FL)18:11 - Contribute to 401(k) or Buy Company Stock Before Quitting to Start a Business? (Catherine, TX)20:32 - Retirement Spitball: Income is Too High for Roth Contributions (Kelly, Owensboro, KY)25:10 - Retirement Spitball: Structured Settlement, ACA Credits, & Inherited Assets (Kara from PA)29:42 - Should We Transfer Annuities to CD, or Defer Interest Into Another Annuity? (Norma, Chula Vista)34:00 - The Derails Access this week's free financial resources in the podcast show notes at https://bizlink.to/ymyw-417: The Complete Roth Papers Package10 Ways the SECURE Act 2.0 Changes Your Taxes and Retirement Planning (webinar)Episode TranscriptAsk Joe & Big Al On Air

Joe and Big Al spitball on set-and-forget brokerage investments for 30-something investors, real estate as a substitute for bonds in a diversified portfolio, and options for taking a state pension with or without sick time pay. The fellas also discuss how to bridge the retirement gap until collecting Social Security, strategies for claiming spousal Social Security benefits, and whether you need to sign up for Medicare if you’d rather keep the healthcare you already have. Timestamps: 00:49 - Set-It-and-Forget-It Brokerage Investments for a 30-Something Investor? (Chris, Scottsdale)07:56 - Is Real Estate a Substitute for Bonds in a Diversified Investment Portfolio? (Don, VA)12:42 - State Pension Options: $21K at Age 55 Plus $13K Sick Time, or $30K at Age 62? (Rich, NY/NC - voice message)19:35 - Which Funds Should We Use to Bridge the Gap Until Collecting Social Security? (Jeff, San Diego)25:29 - When Will I Receive Spousal Social Security Benefits? (Sharon)28:37 - Spitballing a Spousal Social Security Claiming Strategy (G, Philly)33:50 - Do We Have to Register for Medicare If We Aren’t Going to Use it? (Jim Santa Cruz)39:03 - The Derails Access this week's free financial resources in the podcast show notes at https://bizlink.to/ymyw-416:  10 Ways the SECURE Act 2.0 Changes Your Taxes and Retirement PlanningPortfolio Tracker: How to Manage Your Assets at Any AgeSocial Security HandbookMedicare Checkup GuideEpisode TranscriptAsk Joe & Big Al On Air

With the new SECURE Act 2.0 rules regarding retirement savings contributions, should your company match go into the traditional or Roth 401(k)? Joe and Big Al also discuss whether you can or should do Roth conversions when your company fails non-discrimination testing for highly compensated employees (HCEs), the mega backdoor Roth vs. the employee stock purchase plan, and they spitball a tax arbitrage strategy. Plus, a retirement spitball for a 37-year-old couple wanting to retire in their 60s, and another couple wanting to FIRE (financial independence/ retire early) - but are they screwing up and creating a huge future tax bill? Show notes, free financial resources, transcript, Ask Joe & Big Al On Air: https://bizlink.to/ymyw-415

Modified adjusted income for Medicare and IRMAA and the pro-rata and aggregation rules for Roth conversions explained... clearly? Will a combat zone TSP transfer be subject to those rules? Plus, joint tenants with rights of survivorship vs. transfer on death for a brokerage account, reducing taxes on the sale of a timeshare, how much to spend on home improvements, and using a reverse mortgage instead of long-term care insurance. And wait ’til you hear Joe and Big Al's thoughts on the best way to pay the least amount of tax when you cash out your retirement savings to buy gold and silver. Show notes, many new free financial resources, transcript, Ask Joe & Big Al On Air: https://bizlink.to/ymyw-414

How should young savers invest pensions and estimate their retirement income needs? Is going into your employee stock purchase plan a good portfolio diversification strategy? What do Joe and Big Al think of multi-year guaranteed annuities (MYGA), and dividend-paying stocks vs. ETFs? Plus, a $10.6M retirement spitball analysis, making extra mortgage payments vs. saving to a brokerage account, and contributing to Roth 401(k) vs. traditional 401(k). Also, will a 403(b) held by an insurance company be subject to separation costs or surrender fees when rolled to an IRA? And the specifics on when to file tax form 5500. Show notes, Why Asset Location Matters Guide and other free financial resources, transcript, Ask Joe & Big Al On Air: https://bizlink.to/ymyw-413

Joe and Big Al are back with a SECURE Act 2.0 recap and a proposed backdoor 529 plan strategy from the new law. Plus, is there a scenario where it makes sense to not max retirement accounts, to avoid being retirement rich and cash poor? Also, the fellas’ thoughts on a break-even point for Social Security, required minimum distributions (RMD) from inherited IRAs, and of course, Roth IRA strategies: as in, the 5-year rules for Roth withdrawals, preserving Roth money and avoiding early withdrawal penalties, and Roth conversions to offset brokerage account losses. Show notes, transcript, free financial resources - including the free guide to the SECURE 2.0 Act - and to Ask Joe & Big Al On Air for your Retirement Spitball Analysis: https://bizlink.to/ymyw-412

IRA withdrawal strategies when you retire in a down market, Roth contributions vs. Roth conversions, converting now or waiting to convert to Roth in retirement, and why you'd want to lose today's tax savings and contribute to Roth in the first place, today on the best of the YMYW podcast 2022. Plus, how to know if your financial plan is on track and the funniest Derails of the year. Visit the podcast show notes for more financial resources - including the free guide to the SECURE Act 2.0 - episode transcript, and Ask Joe & Big Al On Air for a retirement plan spitball analysis of your own: https://bizlink.to/ymyw-411

Welcome to Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast, with CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional Joe Anderson and Certified Public Accountant Alan "Big Al" Clopine. Your Money, Your Wealth® is retirement planning, investing, and tax reduction made fun! Follow YMYW on your favorite podcast app and share this trailer. Visit YourMoneyYourWealth.com and click Ask Joe and Big Al On Air to get a Retirement Spitball Analysis of your own. And hey, thanks for listening, because the show wouldn't be a show without you.  Your Money, Your Wealth® is presented by Pure Financial Advisors, a registered investment advisor. This show does not intend to provide personalized investment advice through this broadcast and does not represent that the securities or services discussed are suitable for any investor. Investors are advised not to rely on any information contained in the broadcast in the process of making a full and informed investment decision.

Is it better to choose low-cost index funds or to diversify investments, even if it means paying higher fees? What causes mutual fund price fluctuation? Are mid-cap funds necessary in a balanced portfolio? Joe and Big Al also talk about real estate funds vs. real estate investment trusts (REITs), and TIAA annuities vs. bonds in a retirement portfolio. Finally, we revisit some investing strategy questions that are still relevant in today’s volatile markets on moving to cash in tough times, analyzing your asset allocation, and rebalancing your retirement portfolio. Show notes, free financial resources, transcript, Ask Joe & Big Al On Air: https://bizlink.to/ymyw-410

Can you trust the opinion of just one advisor when planning for your entire financial future? Joe and Big Al spitball their second opinions for some retirement plan and Roth conversion strategies, they illustrate one way some financial advisors may be acting in their own best interests, and they explain how to determine if you’re on track for a successful retirement. Plus, can you take penalty-free withdrawals from a Roth TSP to Roth IRA rollover in order to bridge the gap until age 59½? Will paying for a home remodel with Roth conversion funds avoid tax? And, should you use Roth conversion money for these purposes? Show notes, free financial resources, transcript, Ask Joe & Big Al On Air: https://bizlink.to/ymyw-409

Asset location strategies, liquidity, and building up tax-free Roth IRA money when retiring early, how growth is taxed in taxable accounts, the pros and cons of rolling an employer retirement plan into a traditional IRA, how stock futures are determined and why stock price matters, and buying 8-week treasuries. And, if you’re planning to make a killing on eBay or at your next garage sale, the fellas get into the weeds on how to maximize your tax savings. Show notes, free financial resources, transcript, Ask Joe & Big Al On Air: https://bizlink.to/ymyw-408

We’re hearing more about fixed-indexed annuities with these volatile financial markets. Is it time to reconsider? Plus, clarification on required minimum distributions (RMDs) being waived for non-spouse IRA beneficiaries in 2021 and 2022, taxation on trusts, and suggestions for a 40-year-old considering an early mini-retirement. Also, can a 62-year-old immediately withdraw Roth conversion money? Finally, a strategy to claim Social Security early while working and invest the difference in a Roth IRA, and Joe and Big Al attempt to explain family Social Security benefits without phoning it in. Show notes, free financial resources, transcript, Ask Joe & Big Al On Air: https://bizlink.to/ymyw-407

What will you actually need to spend in retirement? Joe and Big Al explain how to really think about and calculate your retirement expenses. Plus, if you want to reduce your tax-deferred account balances, does it make more sense to do Roth conversions or reinvest? What about doing Roth conversions to a higher tax bracket than the one you’ll be in during retirement? Also, the fellas explain the alternative minimum tax, how Social Security spousal benefits work, and when in the year you turn 72 you must take required minimum distributions from your retirement accounts. And finally, what should someone with no credit history who hasn’t paid taxes do with a sudden $100,000 windfall? Show notes, free financial resources, transcript, Ask Joe & Big Al On Air: https://bizlink.to/ymyw-406

Joe and Big Al discuss LIRPs, or life insurance retirement plans, they spitball whether to take full pension survivor benefits or buy a life insurance policy, and whether to sell losing stocks for even bigger losers to take advantage of the 0% capital gains tax bracket. Plus, zero coupon municipal bonds and the de minimis rule, and target date funds as part of Paul Merriman’s Two Funds for Life strategy. Finally, how do dividends figure into the 4% rule for retirement withdrawals, and should that 4% come from stocks or bonds? Show notes, free financial resources, transcript, Ask Joe & Big Al On Air: https://bizlink.to/ymyw-405

Joe and Big Al clarify once and for all those 5-year clocks for withdrawing money from your Roth accounts. How do the 5-year Roth IRA rules impact the taxation of dividend income? Do the 5-year rules for Roth withdrawals impact thrift savings plan (TSP) to Roth conversions as well? Plus, why contribute to a Roth in the first place and lose today’s tax savings? Joe and Big Al rise to that challenge and they discuss Roth conversions and required minimum distributions from an inherited IRA. Show notes, free financial resources, transcript, Ask Joe & Big Al On Air: https://bizlink.to/ymyw-404

Following the Fed’s fourth consecutive interest rate hike last week, should you be changing your investing strategy to time this inflationary market, moving from bonds to 3-year annuity CDs? Plus, Joe and Big Al spitball on asset location and Roth conversions for the in-laws, and a net unrealized appreciation (NUA) strategy for company stock in a 401(k). They also discuss whether extra home mortgage payments are part of an investment portfolio, and what real estate expenses are tax deductible. Show notes, free financial resources, transcript, Ask Joe & Big Al On Air: https://bizlink.to/ymyw-403

Are you behind on your retirement savings? What do you need to do to catch up? If you retire in just a few years, will your money last until age 90? Based on the 5-year Roth withdrawal rules, do you need to open a new Roth IRA for each Roth conversion? Plus, Joe and Big Al spitball a health insurance, capital gains, and real estate strategy to save more money and have more wealth in retirement. Finally, they revisit the SECURE Act rules for withdrawing money from an inherited IRA, and Social Security income limits. Show notes, free financial resources, transcript, Ask Joe & Big Al On Air: https://bizlink.to/ymyw-402