Early retirement has unique financial planning challenges, particularly regarding health insurance and tax strategies. For people who retire before age 65, the challenge of finding affordable and adequate health insurance adds another layer of complexity to their financial plans.  Outline of This Episode <ul> <li>[04:32] Considering Roth conversion for potential tax benefits</li> <li>[09:07] Rules around qualifying for ACA in 2025</li> <li>[12:36] Early retirement may offer a low-tax window for Roth conversions, potentially reducing the lifetime tax burden</li> <li>[15:49] Consider long-term planning, not just immediate tax impacts, for decisions like Roth conversions</li> <li>[18:44] Roth conversions are typically completed at year's end to account for unexpected income changes affecting ACA MAGI estimates.</li> </ul>

<description>&lt;p&gt;Early retirement has unique financial planning challenges, particularly regarding health insurance and tax strategies. For people who retire before age 65, the challenge of finding affordable and adequate health insurance adds another layer of complexity to their financial plans. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;Outline of This Episode&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;[04:32] Considering Roth conversion for potential tax benefits&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;[09:07] Rules around qualifying for ACA in 2025&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;[12:36] Early retirement may offer a low-tax window for Roth conversions, potentially reducing the lifetime tax burden&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;[15:49] Consider long-term planning, not just immediate tax impacts, for decisions like Roth conversions&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;[18:44] Roth conversions are typically completed at year's end to account for unexpected income changes affecting ACA MAGI estimates.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;</description>

Early retirement has unique financial planning challenges, particularly regarding health insurance and tax strategies. For people who retire before age 65, the challenge of finding affordable and adequate health insurance adds another layer of...

The Early Retiree’s Guide to Health Insurance with Grayson Blazek, Ep #229

An inherited IRA is essentially an IRA received by a beneficiary after the original owner passes away. Whether it's a spouse, child, or another loved one, the key characteristic of an inherited IRA is that it transitions ownership upon death.  As Grayson Blaszek explains, the funds are transferred intact, but the way you handle and withdraw these funds comes with specific rules and timelines. Grayson and Matthew dig into the new rules in this episode.  *********** 📬 Download your Free <a href= "https://www.financialsymmetry.com/pre-retirement-checklist/">Retire On Purpose Guide here</a>.  📰 See the <a href= "https://www.financialsymmetry.com/navigating-the-updated-inherited-ira-rules-ep-228/">full show notes here</a> 🌐 <a href= "https://retirementpodcastnetwork.ck.page/rpn-weekly">Sign up here to receive Retirement Weekly</a> to get one email every week on all things retirement *********** Outline of This Episode <ul> <li>[4:50] Differences between eligible and non-eligible designated beneficiaries</li> <li>[6:16] Why it’s important to list IRA beneficiaries to avoid tax inefficiency</li> <li>[8:19] The year that you inherit an IRA impacts that distribution requirement</li> <li>[10:18] Discussing inheritance can lead to meaningful conversations that make financial planning easier</li> <li>[14:17] You need to continue taking the required minimum distribution (RMD) if the decedent began them already</li> <li>[16:00] How to handle a 10-year account withdrawal strategy</li> <li>[22:07] Key takeaways about your withdrawal options with the new rules as a non-eligible designated beneficiary </li> </ul>

<description>&lt;p&gt;An inherited IRA is essentially an IRA received by a beneficiary after the original owner passes away. Whether it's a spouse, child, or another loved one, the key characteristic of an inherited IRA is that it transitions ownership upon death. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;As Grayson Blaszek explains, the funds are transferred intact, but the way you handle and withdraw these funds comes with specific rules and timelines. Grayson and Matthew dig into the new rules in this episode. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;***********&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;📬 Download your Free &lt;a href= "https://www.financialsymmetry.com/pre-retirement-checklist/"&gt;Retire On Purpose Guide here&lt;/a&gt;. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;📰 See the &lt;a href= "https://www.financialsymmetry.com/navigating-the-updated-inherited-ira-rules-ep-228/"&gt;full show notes here&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;🌐 &lt;a href= "https://retirementpodcastnetwork.ck.page/rpn-weekly"&gt;Sign up here to receive Retirement Weekly&lt;/a&gt; to get one email every week on all things retirement&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;***********&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;Outline of This Episode&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;[4:50] Differences between eligible and non-eligible designated beneficiaries&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;[6:16] Why it’s important to list IRA beneficiaries to avoid tax inefficiency&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;[8:19] The year that you inherit an IRA impacts that distribution requirement&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;[10:18] Discussing inheritance can lead to meaningful conversations that make financial planning easier&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;[14:17] You need to continue taking the required minimum distribution (RMD) if the decedent began them already&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;[16:00] How to handle a 10-year account withdrawal strategy&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;[22:07] Key takeaways about your withdrawal options with the new rules as a non-eligible designated beneficiary &lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt;</description>

An inherited IRA is essentially an IRA received by a beneficiary after the original owner passes away. Whether it's a spouse, child, or another loved one, the key characteristic of an inherited IRA is that it transitions ownership upon death.  As...

Navigating the Updated Inherited IRA Rules with Grayson Blaszek and Matthew Schulman, Ep #228

Investing can feel like a battle between two polar opposites within us, the rational and the emotional, just like the classic story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. This week, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are our model investors, and we’re talking you through the spooky story of the risks, emotions, and rational strategies involved in long-term investing.  **** 📬 Download your Free <a href= "https://www.financialsymmetry.com/pre-retirement-checklist/">Retire On Purpose Guide here</a>.  📰 See the <a href= "https://www.financialsymmetry.com/adapting-the-financial-playbook-for-different-life-eras-ep-226/">full show notes here</a> 🌐 <a href= "https://retirementpodcastnetwork.ck.page/rpn-weekly">Sign up here to receive Retirement Weekly</a> to get one email every week on all things retirement **** Outline of This Episode <ul> <li>[03:06] Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde's wildly different investment strategies </li> <li>[06:00]Strategies that help mitigate emotional reactions during elections and global crises </li> <li>[07:38] Balancing short-term market volatility with a long-term investment perspective</li> <li>[10:37] How to stay aligned with long-term goals in the face of market downturns</li> <li>[13:28] Diversification to manage risk in an investment portfolio</li> <li>[14:17] Psychological factors that cause investors to feel more confident during market upswings</li> <li>[15:35] Automating your investment and savings strategy to prevent emotional decision-making</li> </ul>

<description>&lt;p&gt;Investing can feel like a battle between two polar opposites within us, the rational and the emotional, just like the classic story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;This week, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are our model investors, and we’re talking you through the spooky story of the risks, emotions, and rational strategies involved in long-term investing. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;****&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;📬 Download your Free &lt;a href= "https://www.financialsymmetry.com/pre-retirement-checklist/"&gt;Retire On Purpose Guide here&lt;/a&gt;. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;📰 See the &lt;a href= "https://www.financialsymmetry.com/adapting-the-financial-playbook-for-different-life-eras-ep-226/"&gt;full show notes here&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;🌐 &lt;a href= "https://retirementpodcastnetwork.ck.page/rpn-weekly"&gt;Sign up here to receive Retirement Weekly&lt;/a&gt; to get one email every week on all things retirement&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;****&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Outline of This Episode&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;[03:06] Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde's wildly different investment strategies &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;[06:00]Strategies that help mitigate emotional reactions during elections and global crises &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;[07:38] Balancing short-term market volatility with a long-term investment perspective&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;[10:37] How to stay aligned with long-term goals in the face of market downturns&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;[13:28] Diversification to manage risk in an investment portfolio&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;[14:17] Psychological factors that cause investors to feel more confident during market upswings&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;[15:35] Automating your investment and savings strategy to prevent emotional decision-making&lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;h2&gt; &lt;/h2&gt;</description>

Investing can feel like a battle between two polar opposites within us, the rational and the emotional, just like the classic story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. This week, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are our model investors, and we’re talking you through...

Are You Living This Retirement Horror Story? Ep #227

Reaching your financial goals builds confidence and peace of mind, which are essential for making informed decisions that benefit your entire family. In this episode, we’re following a fictional pop culture couple from newlywed to pre-retirement, to demonstrate how their thought process around an emergency fund could evolve with their changing circumstances. Join us as we lay out a case study of planning that helps them balance their accessible wealth with a healthy emergency fund. **** 📬 Download your Free <a href= "https://www.financialsymmetry.com/pre-retirement-checklist/">Retire On Purpose Guide here</a>.  📰 See the <a href= "https://www.financialsymmetry.com/adapting-the-financial-playbook-for-different-life-eras-ep-226/">full show notes here</a> 🌐 <a href= "https://retirementpodcastnetwork.ck.page/rpn-weekly">Sign up here to receive Retirement Weekly</a> to get one email every week on all things retirement

<description>&lt;p&gt;Reaching your financial goals builds confidence and peace of mind, which are essential for making informed decisions that benefit your entire family.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;In this episode, we’re following a fictional pop culture couple from newlywed to pre-retirement, to demonstrate how their thought process around an emergency fund could evolve with their changing circumstances.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Join us as we lay out a case study of planning that helps them balance their accessible wealth with a healthy emergency fund.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;****&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;📬 Download your Free &lt;a href= "https://www.financialsymmetry.com/pre-retirement-checklist/"&gt;Retire On Purpose Guide here&lt;/a&gt;. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;📰 See the &lt;a href= "https://www.financialsymmetry.com/adapting-the-financial-playbook-for-different-life-eras-ep-226/"&gt;full show notes here&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;🌐 &lt;a href= "https://retirementpodcastnetwork.ck.page/rpn-weekly"&gt;Sign up here to receive Retirement Weekly&lt;/a&gt; to get one email every week on all things retirement&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</description>

Reaching your financial goals builds confidence and peace of mind, which are essential for making informed decisions that benefit your entire family. In this episode, we’re following a fictional pop culture couple from newlywed to pre-retirement, to...

The Evolution of your Emergency Fund, Ep #226

Retirement, a phase many of us anticipate for a long time, comes with its own set of financial intricacies. Specifically, how do you effectively withdraw funds from your savings to ensure a comfortable, sustainable, and tax-efficient lifestyle?  A well-crafted retirement blueprint is essential. This plan should outline your long-term goals and the steps needed to achieve them. More importantly, your financial plan should be flexible enough to accommodate life's unexpected expenses, such as healthcare costs or home repairs. Revisiting and updating your blueprint annually—or when significant life changes occur—can help ensure you stay on track. In this episode, we’re sharing the essential steps to develop a retirement withdrawal plan that caters to your needs. We dig into which accounts to draw from, how to minimize taxes, and how to manage unexpected expenses. You'll also learn about advanced strategies like Roth conversions, tax-loss harvesting, and the benefits of Qualified Charitable Distributions and Donor-Advised Funds. *********** 📬 Download your Free <a href= "https://www.financialsymmetry.com/pre-retirement-checklist/">Retire On Purpose Guide here</a>.  📰 See the <a href= "https://www.financialsymmetry.com/how-to-avoid-common-pitfalls-in-your-retirement-withdrawal-strategy-ep-225/">full show notes here</a> 🌐 <a href= "https://retirementpodcastnetwork.ck.page/rpn-weekly">Sign up here to receive Retirement Weekly</a> to get one email every week on all things retirement *********** Outline of This Episode <ul> <li>[5:06] Your options for retirement tax strategies</li> <li>[8:32] Utilize early years to make strategic financial moves</li> <li>[11:30] Plan your retirement for peace of mind</li> <li>[17:12] Lower RMDs with Roth conversions and reduce the tax impact</li> <li>[19:42] Consider tax loss harvesting, capital gains, heirs' basis</li> <li>[21:30] Use a QCD to reduce taxable income</li> <li>[26:12] Exploring blind spots in retirement withdrawal strategies </li> </ul>

<description>&lt;p&gt;Retirement, a phase many of us anticipate for a long time, comes with its own set of financial intricacies. Specifically, how do you effectively withdraw funds from your savings to ensure a comfortable, sustainable, and tax-efficient lifestyle? &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;A well-crafted retirement blueprint is &lt;em&gt;essential&lt;/em&gt;. This plan should outline your long-term goals and the steps needed to achieve them. More importantly, your financial plan should be flexible enough to accommodate life's unexpected expenses, such as healthcare costs or home repairs. Revisiting and updating your blueprint annually—or when significant life changes occur—can help ensure you stay on track.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;In this episode, we’re sharing the essential steps to develop a retirement withdrawal plan that caters to your needs. We dig into which accounts to draw from, how to minimize taxes, and how to manage unexpected expenses. You'll also learn about advanced strategies like Roth conversions, tax-loss harvesting, and the benefits of Qualified Charitable Distributions and Donor-Advised Funds.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;***********&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;📬 Download your Free &lt;a href= "https://www.financialsymmetry.com/pre-retirement-checklist/"&gt;Retire On Purpose Guide here&lt;/a&gt;. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;📰 See the &lt;a href= "https://www.financialsymmetry.com/how-to-avoid-common-pitfalls-in-your-retirement-withdrawal-strategy-ep-225/"&gt;full show notes here&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;🌐 &lt;a href= "https://retirementpodcastnetwork.ck.page/rpn-weekly"&gt;Sign up here to receive Retirement Weekly&lt;/a&gt; to get one email every week on all things retirement&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;***********&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;Outline of This Episode&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt;[5:06] Your options for retirement tax strategies&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;[8:32] Utilize early years to make strategic financial moves&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;[11:30] Plan your retirement for peace of mind&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;[17:12] Lower RMDs with Roth conversions and reduce the tax impact&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;[19:42] Consider tax loss harvesting, capital gains, heirs' basis&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;[21:30] Use a QCD to reduce taxable income&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt;[26:12] Exploring blind spots in retirement withdrawal strategies &lt;/li&gt; &lt;/ul&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</description>

Retirement, a phase many of us anticipate for a long time, comes with its own set of financial intricacies. Specifically, how do you effectively withdraw funds from your savings to ensure a comfortable, sustainable, and tax-efficient lifestyle? ...

How to Avoid Common Pitfalls in Your Retirement Withdrawal Strategy, Ep #225

When considering retirement, do you wonder what financial opportunities you may be missing? Busy lives take over and years pass without taking advantage. In this retirement podcast, Chad Smith and Mike Eklund unveil financial opportunities, to help you balance enjoying today so you are ready to retire later. By day, they are fiduciary fee-only financial advisors who answer questions about tax savings, investment decisions, and how to save more. If you’ve been putting off your financial to-do list or are just not sure what you’ve been missing, subscribe to the show and learn more at www.financialsymmetry.com. Financial Symmetry is a Raleigh Financial Advisor, proudly serving clients in the Triangle of North Carolina for over 20 years.

Financial Symmetry: Balancing Today with Retirement

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