The Retirement Power Hour

2026 Contribution Limits

How much can you contribute to your 401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, HSA, or SIMPLE IRA in 2026? In this episode of the Retirement Power Hour, Joe Allaria, CFP®, breaks down the latest retirement contribution limits, catch-up rules, income phase-outs, tax deduction changes, and key updates from recent legislation so you can make smarter decisions about saving for retirement.   If you’re wondering whether you’re contributing enough or where your money should be going this episode will help you understand the numbers and stay on track toward your retirement goals.  Submit Your Questions To submit a listener question, visit our website,  https://www.retirementpowerhourpodcas..., and enter the details of your question. Leave a Review Visit https://www.retirementpowerhourpodcas... to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Resources *  IRA/Roth IRA contribution limits [https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/ira-contribution-limits] * Tax Brackets [https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/federal/2026-tax-brackets/] * Standard Deductions [https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-releases-tax-inflation-adjustments-for-tax-year-2026-including-amendments-from-the-one-big-beautiful-bill ] * Simple IRA [https://irahelp.com/simple-plans-and-qualified-charitable-distributions-todays-slott-report-mailbag/] Disclaimer: All material discussed on this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as individual tax, legal, or investment advice. Investing involves risk of loss, and investors should be prepared to bear potential losses. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Joe Allaria is an Investment Adviser Representative of CarsonAllaria Wealth Management, Ltd., a Registered Investment Advisory firm. The information discussed on this podcast may be derived from third parties that are believed to be reliable, but CarsonAllaria Wealth Management does not control or guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of such information and disclaims all liability for damages resulting from such sources. Any references to third parties are provided as a convenience and do not constitute an endorsement. Learn more about CarsonAllaria Wealth Management at https://carsonallaria.com/  Invest Wiser & Retire Better!

2026 Stock Market Predictions

The new year always brings a wave of stock market forecasts… but how accurate are they really? In this episode of the Retirement Power Hour, Joe Allaria, CFP®, and Jay Waters break down the biggest 2026 market predictions from major financial institutions and review how accurate their predictions were in 2025. The results may surprise you. This annual episode isn’t about telling you where the market is going… it’s about showing why building your financial plan around predictions is risky and why a personalized investment strategy matters more than headlines. Submit Your Questions To submit a listener question, visit our website, The Retirement Power Hour [https://www.retirementpowerhourpodcast.com/contact/], and enter the details of your question. Leave a Review Visit The Retirement Power Hour [https://www.retirementpowerhourpodcast.com/] to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.  2026 Predictions Resources 1. 2025 Stock Market Predictions [https://youtu.be/S39zw8sMUqI]  2. Will 2026 Be a High-Wire Act for Markets? [https://www.morganstanley.com/insights/articles/2026-market-optimism-and-risks]  3. Will Mortgage Rates Go Down in 2026? [https://www.morganstanley.com/insights/articles/mortgage-rates-forecast-2025-2026-will-mortgage-rates-go-down ] 4.  J.P. Morgan: The Inflation Outlook [https://am.jpmorgan.com/us/en/asset-management/adv/insights/market-insights/market-updates/notes-on-the-week-ahead/the-inflation-outlook/] 5. The Global Economy Is Forecast to Post 'Sturdy' Growth of 2.8% in 2026 [https://www.goldmansachs.com/insights/articles/the-global-economy-forecast-to-post-sturdy-growth-in-2026] 6. 5 Predictions for the Stock Market in 2026- And Which Stocks Will Soar the Most If They're Righ [https://www.fool.com/investing/2026/01/04/5-predictions-for-the-stock-market-in-2026-and-whi/]t    7. Top 5 Market Predictions for 2026  [https://www.investing.com/analysis/top-5-market-predictions-for-2026-200672896 ]  8.  The 2026 Bear Market Nobody Sees Coming (Except This Wall Street Veteran) [https://investorplace.com/hypergrowthinvesting/2025/12/the-2026-bear-market-nobody-sees-coming-except-this-wall-street-veteran/] 9.  Why US Stocks Will Outperform International in 2026, Says Fidelity's Chisholm [https://www.morningstar.com/markets/why-us-stocks-will-outperform-international-2026-says-fidelitys-chisholm]   Disclaimer: All material discussed on this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as individual tax, legal, or investment advice. Investing involves risk of loss, and investors should be prepared to bear potential losses. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Joe Allaria is an Investment Adviser Representative of CarsonAllaria Wealth Management, Ltd., a Registered Investment Advisory firm. The information discussed on this podcast may be derived from third parties that are believed to be reliable, but CarsonAllaria Wealth Management does not control or guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of such information and disclaims all liability for damages resulting from such sources. Any references to third parties are provided as a convenience and do not constitute an endorsement. Learn more about CarsonAllaria Wealth Management at https://carsonallaria.com/

Roth vs Traditional 401(k): Pros, Cons, and How to Choose

In this episode of the Retirement Power Hour, Joe Allaria, CFP®, breaks down the key differences between Roth and Traditional retirement accounts so you can make smarter, more tax-efficient decisions with your savings.   We’ll cover:  🔹 The real tax advantages of each account  🔹 Who should choose Roth vs who should choose Traditional  🔹 How your income level and future tax bracket affect your decision  🔹 Why some people benefit from using BOTH  🔹 What the Backdoor Roth IRA is and when it makes sense  This is Episode 2 in our 401(k) Series. If you missed Episode 1 "How Much Should You Contribute to Your 401(k)?" [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Usu_k3tCAw4&t], and Episode 2, "How Should I Invest My 401(k)? [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1xqM3Ld8T8&t]" be sure to check them out first! Submit Your Questions To submit a listener question, visit our website,  https://www.retirementpowerhourpodcas..., and enter the details of your question. Leave a Review Visit https://www.retirementpowerhourpodcas... to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.  Disclaimer: All material discussed on this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as individual tax, legal, or investment advice. Investing involves risk of loss, and investors should be prepared to bear potential losses. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Joe Allaria is an Investment Adviser Representative of CarsonAllaria Wealth Management, Ltd., a Registered Investment Advisory firm. The information discussed on this podcast may be derived from third parties that are believed to be reliable, but CarsonAllaria Wealth Management does not control or guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of such information and disclaims all liability for damages resulting from such sources. Any references to third parties are provided as a convenience and do not constitute an endorsement. Learn more about CarsonAllaria Wealth Management at https://carsonallaria.com/  Invest Wiser & Retire Better!

How Should I Invest my 401(k)?

According to a 2023 SurveyMonkey study, 46% of 401(k) investors don’t know what they’re actually invested in. If that’s you — don’t worry, you’re not alone. In this episode of The Retirement Power Hour, Joe Allaria, CFP®, breaks down the most common 401(k) investment options and helps you answer one of the most important retirement questions: "How should I invest my 401(k)?" We’ll cover: ✔️ Target date funds: pros, cons, and how to adjust ✔️ DIY investing: building your mix of large cap, small cap, international, and bond funds ✔️ The truth about high-yield (“junk”) bond funds ✔️ Passive vs. active management inside your 401(k) ✔️ What managed account services really offer ✔️ Hidden fees to watch out for ✔️ When to consider a self-directed brokerage account ✔️ Whether an in-service rollover to an IRA makes sense for you This is Episode 2 in our 401(k) Series. If you missed Episode 1 "How Much Should You Contribute to Your 401(k)?" [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Usu_k3tCAw4&t], be sure to check it out first! Resources Mentioned in the Show: The Evolution of Qualified Default Investment Alternatives [https://www.fiducientadvisors.com/research/the-evolution-of-qualified-default-investment-alternatives-key-developments-and-trends-in-2024] Go Global for Diversification that Travels Well [https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/insights/go-global-for-diversification-that-travels-well] Submit Your Questions To submit a listener question, visit our website,  https://www.retirementpowerhourpodcas..., and enter the details of your question. Leave a Review Visit https://www.retirementpowerhourpodcas... to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.  Disclaimer: All material discussed on this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as individual tax, legal, or investment advice. Investing involves risk of loss, and investors should be prepared to bear potential losses. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Joe Allaria is an Investment Adviser Representative of CarsonAllaria Wealth Management, Ltd., a Registered Investment Advisory firm. The information discussed on this podcast may be derived from third parties that are believed to be reliable, but CarsonAllaria Wealth Management does not control or guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of such information and disclaims all liability for damages resulting from such sources. Any references to third parties are provided as a convenience and do not constitute an endorsement. Learn more about CarsonAllaria Wealth Management at https://carsonallaria.com/  Invest Wiser & Retire Better!

How Much Should I Contribute To My 401(k)?

According to the 2025 Intuit Prosperity Index, 68% of Americans aren’t confident they’ll ever be able to retire. One big reason? Most people don’t know how much they should contribute to their 401(k). In this episode of The Retirement Power Hour, Joe Allaria, CFP®, breaks down exactly how much you should be contributing to your 401(k)—based on your age, income, and personal situation. You’ll learn: -Why getting your employer match is non-negotiable -The “rules of thumb” for 401(k) contribution percentages at different ages -How to know if you’re on track with your retirement savings -Simple strategies to increase your contributions (even if you feel behind) Resources Mentioned in this Episode: 1. Nearly Half of American Households Have No Retirement Savings [https://usafacts.org/data-projects/retirement-savings ]2. How Much Do I Need To Save To Retire? [https://www.investopedia.com/retirement/how-much-you-should-have-saved-age/ ] 3. Are You On Track? [https://www.fidelity.com/products/retirement/widget/xfactor/retire_xfactor.html ]4. Retirement Insecurity 2024: Americans' View of Retirement [https://www.nirsonline.org/reports/retirementinsecurity2024/ ] Submit Your Questions To submit a listener question, visit our website [https://www.retirementpowerhourpodcast.com/], and enter the details of your question. Leave a Review Visit our website [https://www.retirementpowerhourpodcast.com/] to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Disclaimer: All material discussed on this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as individual tax, legal, or investment advice. Investing involves risk of loss, and investors should be prepared to bear potential losses. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Joe Allaria is an Investment Adviser Representative of CarsonAllaria Wealth Management, Ltd., a Registered Investment Advisory firm. The information discussed on this podcast may be derived from third parties that are believed to be reliable, but CarsonAllaria Wealth Management does not control or guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of such information and disclaims all liability for damages resulting from such sources. Any references to third parties are provided as a convenience and do not constitute an endorsement. Learn more about CarsonAllaria Wealth Management at https://carsonallaria.com/ Invest Wiser & Retire Better!