Ever heard of the 4% rule?  The idea was with a 50/50 mix of stocks and bonds, you could pull 4% out to live on and not run out of money over a 30-year retirement.  You can still find that rule on the internet today.  But does it take into account today’s huge inflation rate, or should we just throw out the concept altogether? Steve weighs in on the 4% rule and then shares some popular questions from listeners just like you!    Call Steve Today for a Complimentary Consultation! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. News & World Report says there are “financial advisors” … and then there are “retirement financial advisors.”  Hear Steve explain the difference as well as which category he falls into. With over three decades in the financial world, Steve is ready to help YOU cross that retirement finish line!   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it a good idea to set a solid retirement age?  Or should you be more flexible as your nest egg grows? Then, what does Steve tell his clients when it comes to setting their own “end” date?  What are the factors he walks them through? hear Steve explain what a first time meeting with him is like, what to bring and what to expect! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it time to take drastic steps to protect your retirement savings as the market continues dramatic volatility?  It’s in response to how the Fed is dealing with rising inflation.  Chair Jerome Powell is hinting interest rate hikes could begin as soon as March. But here’s the question – should we “wait out” all this turbulence, or make portfolio changes to help safeguard our retirement future?  Steve weighs in on the current market volatility, the importance of a tax plan in retirement!      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The sixth richest man in the world ($104 billion net worth) enjoys a simple, frugal life.  Buffett still lives in the same starter home he bought in 1958.  He begins the day with a McDonald’s breakfast and even clips coupons.  And Buffett doesn’t splurge on expensive hobbies.  In fact, he told CBS Sunday Morning that he plays bridge about 8 hours a week! How important is it for retirees to stay frugal as they spend their nest egg?  When you log into your financial accounts, what’s the number that needs to be on the bottom of the page before you’d feel completely comfortable about retiring?  Three-fourths of Americans responding to a MagnifyMoney survey say one-million dollars would do the trick.  On the other hand, a fourth of baby boomers surveyed say there’s no amount of money that would make them comfortable!  What are your thoughts on what it takes for someone to feel confident about being able to retire?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Financial Educators Council did their annual study asking people how many used a financial advisor.  Of those 55 and up, the number is now at 41%.  That seems to be a modest improvement.  Hear why Steve thinks more people are seeking help from a financial professional!  Researchers say they’ve zeroed in on the perfect time to fall asleep.  They found it’s between 10 and 11 p.m.  Outside of that hour, your circadian rhythm gets disrupted enough that your risk of cardiovascular disease goes up.  If that’s the “sweet spot” for sleep, what is the right amount when it comes to contributing to your 401(k) or retirement plan?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Congress needs to raise the debt-ceiling from time-to-time so the government can pay its bills.  We keep hearing about the downside of not raising the limit:  like interest rates going up and the market getting spooked.  Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen even tells CNBC it could also delay Social Security payments. So we’ve heard this song before, and we’re likely to hear it again.  Is this something clients need to pay attention to?  Hear how Steve is guiding his clients and how he can help you. Then, how often do you check your smartphone?  A survey by the tech care company Asurion found Americans look at theirs 96 times a day.  That’s about once every 10 minutes while you’re awake!  That number is up 20% from a similar poll two years ago.  Jittery investors tend to check their financial standing a lot. Think about it, how often do you check on your income plan?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hear Steve talk about the "Income For Life" tool that he uses to help his clients, and how he can help you. Then, President Biden is pushing trillions of dollars in new spending … and his supporters in Congress are considering several different tax hikes to pay for it all.  One of them is a so-called “death tax” … that’s a tax that your family has to pay whenever they inherit something from you.  But former U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, a Democrat, tells CNBC that would be a big mistake. Hear Steve share his thoughts on where this is going and how he can help you protect your  assets from Uncle Sam.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While a lot of talk surrounds the fear of inflation pushing us into another recession, an expert says we may already be in one.  Dartmouth College professor David Blanchflower points to two major indices of consumer confidence that have dropped more or just as much as they did ahead of the 2008 crash.  He believes that the U.S. will firmly be in a recession at the end of this year.  That’s scary.  What steps should be taken to safeguard the savings for those who are nearing or have just entered retirement? Then, has the pandemic changed your retirement date? Asset Manager Penny Pennington spoke to Yahoo Finance and said for many, it has. Have many of your clients moved their retirement dates up?  What goes into that kind of planning? Hear Steve explain!   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Believe it or not we’re already in the fourth quarter of the year!  And Morningstar’s Christine Benz says that means it’s time to take stock of your investments…what are some other things we might want to look at as we approach the end of another year? Do you have any retirement accounts that you’re not aware of?  Don’t laugh, there’s a lot of them out there.  CNBC says that’s why there’s legislation pending in Congress that would create an online “lost and found” database for 401(k) and pension plans.  Is it a good idea for the government to get involved in this? Hear how Steve helps clients track down any plans they’ve lost track of or didn’t even know existed!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the most basic retirement planning questions people have is  “How am I doing?”  We want to know if we’re on track for a comfortable retirement, or if we might need to change something.  To help, Fidelity came up with some so-called “benchmarks” for how much money we should have set aside, by certain ages.  Are these kinds of things generally helpful, or is there a better way of determining how we’re doing?   There’s a term that occasionally pops up in the financial media “lifetime income.”  Market Watch cited a survey in which one-in-three people believed they could get lifetime income from a mutual fund.  And one-in-five thought it comes from a target date fund.  Let’s try to clear this up: First, is there really such a thing as lifetime income, or is that just some kind of marketing term?  And if there is, how does it work? Hear Steve explain! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liz Weston, a personal finance writer for Nerd Wallet, says you can gain … or lose … as much as $100,000, just by the way you claim Social Security!  And she says you never want to make your claim based on something a Social Security employee tells you.  But if we can’t rely on someone who works there to give us good advice, who can we turn to? It’s November and Investopedia says you don’t want to wait ‘til the last minute to do your year-end tax planning.  So, what do we need to do and how do we get started? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fidelity says the average IRA balance is up 21% from a year ago, while the average 401(k) balance is up 24%!  And the total number of million-dollar retirement accounts has nearly doubled over the same period!  Obviously, we have the markets to thank for that.  But before we celebrate too much, remember what those same markets did to our retirement accounts back in 2008! We know that we have zero control over the markets – but does that necessarily mean we don’t have any control over what happens to our retirement savings?  And is there anything we can do to maybe lock in some of these gains we’ve enjoyed over these last 12 months? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I know we’re supposed to put 3-to-6 months worth of living expenses in an emergency fund, but where do we keep that money?  Wouldn’t it earn more in a Roth IRA than in a regular savings account?  Is that a good idea, or would you advise against it? This may surprise you:  A new report from the Credit Suisse investment bank estimates that nearly 1 of every 10 American adults is now … a millionaire!  That’s great news but I’m sure a lot of those new millionaires are wondering, “Now what?”  How do we make sure we’re still a millionaire (or better) by the time we hit retirement? Hear Steve discuss how he can help you create income in retirement and never run out of money!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Football is finally back and there’s an old saying, “Offense wins games, but defense wins championships.”  Best-selling financial author Patrick Kelly says the same can be true for your retirement strategy…but how do we keep from “giving up points” when it comes to our nest egg? Then, both the Dow and the S&P 500 recently closed at new record highs.  So, what does that mean for your investing strategy?  Is it dangerous for us to get too comfortable with the idea that our investments are just going to keep going up?     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Blackrock CEO Larry Fink tells CNBC that record-low interest rates are a major problem for those of us trying to save for retirement and we are headed for a silent crisis - is he right?  Are these low rates going to force some of us change our retirement plans?, Inflation has been a hot topic in recent months, but Market Watch says – if you’re planning for retirement – inflation should always be a hot topic.  How do we make sure we can maintain a consistent standard of living through all the years of a 20- or 30-year retirement? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve talks about income for life keep pace with inflation. Have you taken the time to draw up an actual estate plan or are you just going to leave your family to hope for the best?  According to the latest Gallup poll, a majority (54%) of Americans don’t even have a will!  Why does it matter so much? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Debt has grown to a cool $16 million since the beginning of the pandemic! Experts say the bill is coming due soon and guess who gets to pay it? US! YES - ME AND YOU! That means higher taxes! Steve, what does this mean for us as we get close to retirement or are already retired?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Senior Citizens League says if you’d retired in the year 2000 with a total income of $100,000, you’d now need $156,000 to be able to afford the same standard of living.  That’s thanks to inflation, which – by the way – has been rising much faster than usual lately.  We’d like to think that we’ll be able to replace our current income in retirement, but it appears we’re losing ground.  What’s the answer? Hear Steve explain! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With inflation back, the Fed may have to at least consider changing some of its policies.  And Moody’s Analytics economist Mark Zandi tells CNBC that’s going to make your portfolio vulnerable to a 10-to-20 percent correction! He goes on to say that it could take up to a year to return to break-even.  First, do you agree with what he’s predicting?  And second, is that a problem? Then, Kiplinger warns that those of us approaching retirement are facing a “perfect storm”:  Low interest rates and high inflation … the combination of which will force us to take on more market risk than we’re comfortable taking.  How do we navigate that perfect storm?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hear Steve's interview on Good Morning Texas with Michael Wiiest....  While it seems like a simple question, think about it – how do you know WHEN you’re ready to retire? When a lot of us think about retirement – we think about FREEDOM! But it also means that the paycheck we have counted on for decades is no longer there right?   Most importantly, how can Steve help you secure income for life you can't outlive?   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Biden wants to change the way assets are taxed when they’re passed on to our children or other heirs.  He says the changes would affect only the ultra-rich, but critics argue that middle-class Americans would be hit hard as well.  South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem tells Fox Business that her family had first-hand experience with the kind of tax Biden is pushing and the impact was HUGE.  If Biden does push through these tax changes, what can small business owners do to keep from losing everything they have?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inflation is up … but the Fed says it’s not worried.  Should we be concerned?  Portfolio manager Nancy Davis tells CNBC that we absolutely should be! So, what threat do we need to be most concerned about now? If you know someone who’s already retired, ask them to tell you their biggest financial regret.  The people at Nationwide Financial did that and the number-one response was … people wish they’d done more to prepare for their retirement taxes!  So, for those of us who are nearing retirement, what could we do now to avoid that regret?    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hear Steve's interview on Good Morning Texas with Michael Wiiest....  Steve talks about the steps you need to make sure you are successful retirement without being overconfident about it ! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now that President Biden is trying to raise the inheritance tax, CNBC says some people are considering life insurance as an estate planning tool.  Is that really an option?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The CDC says America’s birth rate dropped last year by 4% – our biggest decrease in half-a-century.  Professor Kasey Buckles, an economist at Notre Dame, tells CNBC that’s bad news for retirees - why? Hear why Steve is so passionate about helping people with retirement and how he can replace that paycheck in retirement! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A report by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) found that roughly 10% of baby boomers in the highest income group will run short of money!  And the percentage is even greater for those in the more modest income groups.  So, we clearly have a problem here.  How do we keep that from happening? Steve talks about the difference between income and money. You may have see that Census Bureau story about Texas and Florida being the fastest-growing states, population-wise.  Coincidentally, both of those are considered to be low-tax states.  Jimmy Patronis, who is CFO of the state of Florida, tells Fox Business that’s a big attraction for people who are tired of paying high taxes… but what if I’m happy right here?  Do I really have to move, just to lower my tax bills in retirement?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have some breaking news, courtesy of the financial geniuses at Market Watch:  They’re reporting that … quote, “Most people have no clue what they pay for their 401(k).”  Hmmm, let’s see … where have we heard that before?  Oh yeah, we heard it from you … right here on this show!  You’ve been telling us for a long time that a lot of retirement savers are having their returns eaten up by fees … and they don’t even realize it!  So, please tell us again, what can we do about that?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Retirement is something we look forward to – if we’re prepared.  But the Census Bureau says the pandemic is forcing some 3 million older Americans to retire earlier than they’d planned. Steve discusses how if you're in this situation, how he can help you - its never to late for financial planning. Then, Steve talks about how President Biden said that no one making under $400,000 will have taxes increase but that is a lie according to Steve! How can you prepare NOW? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this weeks show, you may have heard Steve interviewing Bill Murray - how cool is that ? Steve had the opportunity to meet and chat with Bill Murray and his brothers (Brian Doyle, Joel, Andy and Johnny) during their 20th "Murray Bros. Caddyshack Charity Golf Tournament" in St. Augustine, FL!  This is a small part of the interview that didn't air - enjoy! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to the different expenses you’re going to have in retirement, most of them are fairly predictable.  But there’s one that could range from a little … to a lot:  Healthcare.  You might get lucky … or you might suffer a major illness that wipes out the savings you thought would last you 20 or 30 years.  So, how can we plan for healthcare, when we really have no way of knowing how much it’s going to cost us? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you worry about running our of money in retirement? How much money would you need to have in your retirement account to feel comfortable? Steve shares his bucket approach and how he can help you retire STRESS FREE and never run out of money! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot of investors have been celebrating the new record highs on Wall Street.  But CNBC’s Jim Cramer is not one of them.  Cramer says the rallies are not supported by the fundamentals, a condition he describes as being a “frothy” market…what about those of us who have retirement savings in the market – do we also need to “take something off the table”?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve talks about if it's okay to invest “a small amount of money” in Bitcoin, or is it just too risky for those of us who are trying to grow our nest egg?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's TAX TIME!  Steve discusses what you need to know about the stimulus payment's impact to your taxes!    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Biden has repeatedly told us that – unless we earn more than $400,000 a year – he won’t be raising our taxes.  But we know that he’s considering an increase in the capital gains tax. So, if this happens, how do we approach our holdings in stocks? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve seen a lot in the news lately about GameStop.  Supposedly, individual traders banded together on social media to somehow manipulate that company’s stock price.  The claim is that these traders are getting rich – and they’re doing it at the expense of hedge fund managers.  Is this a way to make some easy money – or is it a case of “If it seems too good to be true…?” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What questions should you ask while looking for the perfect advisor for you?  Then, a study by Capital One finds that the average age at which someone inherits money is 51, meaning the money comes just about the time the heir is trying to boost his-or-her nest egg.  So, let’s pose a hypothetical:  Suppose I’m in my 50s … I inherit maybe 50-or-100 thousand dollars … and I want to use that money to improve my retirement prospects - is this possible?   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy New Year! Hear Steve explain what possible financial and tax changes could be coming our way in this new year and how he can help you protect and GROW your income. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BlackRock has started to offer something in certain 401(k)s that’s rather new.  The Wall Street Journal reports that five employers have signed up with the investment giant to offer annuities in their plans.  In theory, that would allow workers to receive retirement payments for the rest of their lives.  Could this savings approach turn into a trend?  How do you know if the annuity they’re offering is right for you? The retail chain known for selling nearly everything for a buck-or-less, is warning that rising costs will force it to sell more products for $1.25 or $1.50!  That may not sound like much but – if you think about it – that’s a 25-to-50% price hike!  You’re known for designing retirement strategies – are there any that might help us maintain the value of our nest egg, over time? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is now the time to take everything out of the market? Whats the best approach during this market volatility with an uncertain future? Three months ago, one of the most common questions among baby boomers was “Can I afford to retire?” Now that the market has dropped, I’m guessing it’s even more common. Should the answer to that question be any different today than it was then?  In these times of social distancing, you can still meet with Steve via a virtual meeting - CLICK HERE !See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Looking back at our childhood, many of us would agree that our parents had a harder life than we’ve had.  But the Money Talks News website argues that our parents had an easier retirement than we’ll probably have.  Why do you suppose that is?  Visit Steve today! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fox Business cites a survey showing that a majority of Americans believe the outcome of the election is going to hurt them, financially.  And surprisingly, people from both major political parties feel that way!  Regardless of how you feel about the election results, there’s a good chance your tax rates will be going up in 2021.  But IRA expert Ed Slott tells Yahoo Finance it’s up to you to decide by how much.  Hear how Steve says you can manage how much you give to  Uncle Sam!              See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new healthcare estimates are in:  Fidelity says a 65-year-old couple retiring this year can expect to spend about $295,000 in healthcare costs, over the rest of their lives!  That’s $10,000 more than last year.  And considering that we’ll still have all our other retirement expenses to pay, how in the world do we prepare for that? Fidelity’s annual Health Care Cost Estimate says a 65-year-old couple retiring this year should expect to spend about $295,000 on health care costs alone in retirement.  (A single woman retiring at 65 in 2020 can expect to pay around $155,000 for health care during her retirement while a man at the same age may pay $140,000.) That includes Medicare Part A, Part B and Part D premiums and deductibles, but it does not include over-the-counter medications, vitamin supplements and glasses.  Long-term care insurance is also not included, which on its own could be an additional thousands of dollars a month. If you're interested in meeting with Steve for a Complimentary Portfolio Review, call Steve today! This is a great opportunity to see where you stand today, what can you do to reach your retirement goals, avoid making financial mistakes that can set you back, and more!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How much money do you waste a month? Did you know the average baby boomers spends $680+ a month on nonessentials? That’s a $1 here, $5 here and only $10 next time, well it adds up!  Did you ever think that you were wasting money or leaving money on the table? Do you REALLY need that new iPhone? Or Starbucks every day? What if you could take that extra cash and put it towards something more rewarding – your retirement! When you meet with Steve, he can show you where you’re leaving money on the table, where you’re “throwing money down the drain,” and help you redefine your budget to make room for your retirement plan.  Steve can make sure you never run out of income, but you have to make sure you never run out of money!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve discusses why its so important to be proactive with your financial plan and if your married, why both spouses need to be on the same page. Then some analyst say we are headed into a bull market while other say we're going into a recession - how do we know who to believe and how can we protect our money? Plus, what you need to know about your first meeting with Steve!  Call to schedule a FREE Portfolio Review with Steve over the phone, ZOOM or in person! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reuters is reporting a rush on estate planning appointments, because of fears about how the rules might change if Joe Biden wins the election.  Are there steps  we could take now that would benefit us in the event that the rules do change? Steve talks about taking control of your money!  Schedule a Complimentary Consultation with Steve TODAY! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How many different income streams or buckets of money do you think you need? Hear how Steve says planning for retirement is like a symphony!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.