EP 80: Inflation & Retirement

EP 80: Inflation & Retirement

Welcome back to Roadmap to Retirement. This episode we are joined by friend of the show, Nick Savas for a fast-moving conversation drawn from common client questions. We discussed how to choose inflation assumptions in financial plans—typically using long-term historical averages around 3% and stress-testing higher rates—while noting that each person’s “personal inflation rate” can differ from headline CPI and that healthcare costs often rise faster (around 5–6%). We talked about Social Security COLA and how it can lag inflation, reducing retirees’ buying power, especially for those relying mainly on Social Security. We then shifted to pension elections, highlighting the risk of choosing a single-life option that leaves a surviving spouse with no income, and explored potential band-aids like term life insurance to cover the early years of retirement. Finally, we covered a client scenario about moving to Ohio for family and how state residency can affect pension taxation. Come back next week for a new episode!

EP79: Affording College Debt

Welcome back to the Roadmap to Retirement podcast! During this episode, I explain how parents can decide if college is the right path by making the economics real: estimate a child’s starting salary, subtract savings and taxes, then build a post-graduation budget including student loan payments, rent, and car costs. I use nursing as an example and show how big loans can strain cash flow, influencing school choices like scholarships, state school, or two years of community college. I also urge applying for scholarships, working in college, and understanding loan responsibility. Come back soon for a new episode with a returning guest!

EP78: Avoiding Credit Card Traps

Welcome back to Roadmap to Retirement, this episode I will be answering recent client questions: * What to do if you’re spending more in retirement (first verify if it’s sustainable, then budget, cut expenses, or add part-time income) * How to help an elderly mom after a pension ends (consider selling the home or a reverse mortgage) * Ways to tackle credit card debt (lower-rate loans, possibly a 401(k) loan and fixing the underlying income/expense or emergency-fund issue) * Planning a “retirement” that’s really a second full-time career (adjust investments, taxes, and health insurance) * When to involve adult children (beneficiary meeting sooner is better) * How much cash to keep (about 3–6 months’ expenses, start small if needed). Come back soon for another episode!

EP77: Geopolitics & Retirement Plans

On the Roadmap to Retirement Podcast, I talked with Jason Grover from Grover Financial Services about how geopolitical conflicts like the current Iran situation can spark fear and tempt investors to make drastic moves. Our core message was that “this time isn’t different”: if your goals haven’t changed and you still own great companies, the plan shouldn’t change just because of headlines you can’t control. For clients still accumulating, market drops can mean buying more shares while prices are down; for retirees taking income, we discussed setting aside a two-to-five-year “war chest” so lifestyle doesn’t have to change during volatility. We also covered how anxiety often peaks around retirement, why experience through past downturns matters, and how advisors add value through behavioral management, including using systematic, pre-committed strategies when emotions run high. Come back soon for another episode!

EP 76: What Are “Trump Accounts”?

In this Roadmap to Retirement episode, I break down what “Trump accounts” are and when they may make sense for parents and grandparents. The account lets you contribute up to $5,000 per year and works like a non-deductible, after-tax IRA: your contributions come back tax-free, but any growth is taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn. The big draw is the federal $1,000 seed deposit for children born between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2028, so if you’re eligible, I recommend taking the free money, investing it in a U.S. equity fund/low-cost ETF, and letting it grow. Beyond that, I generally see 529 plans as better for most people due to tax-free education withdrawals and possible state tax deductions, though a Roth conversion strategy could benefit affluent families aiming for long-term wealth. Sign-ups may happen via trumpaccount.gov or through tax filing, starting July 4. Come back soon for a new episode with a returning guest!