Are you paying too much for Medicare? You might be, especially if you’re overlooking the IRMAA surcharge. This little-known fee can quietly eat into your retirement savings if you’re not careful. In this episode, certified retirement counselor Mark Struthers breaks down the top 10 strategies to help reduce or avoid this hidden tax on Medicare …
Ep. 37: Top 10 Ways to Avoid IRMAA and Save on Medicare in Retirement Read More »
Is retirement more like a sprint or a marathon? Turns out, it’s definitely a marathon, and the lessons from long-distance running might be exactly what your retirement plan needs. Certified retirement counselor Mark Struthers shares personal stories from his half-marathon in Duluth and relates them to practical retirement planning strategies. Listen in to learn how …
Ep. 36: Run Your Retirement Like a Marathon: Lessons in Discipline and Strategy Read More »
Is the bucket strategy right for your retirement? The idea sounds simple: set aside a few “buckets” to manage your money in retirement. But is it really that easy or effective? Certified retirement counselor Mark Struthers takes a deep dive into the 2+ bucket strategy, a retirement income approach designed to balance predictability and growth. …
Ep. 35: The 2+ Bucket Strategy Explained for Secure Retirement Read More »
Does cryptocurrency belong in your retirement account? Some say it’s the future of money. Others call it a digital tulip bubble. With all the hype, headlines, and heated opinions, it’s hard to know what’s signal and what’s noise. Certified retirement counselor Mark Struthers breaks down the real risks and potential rewards of crypto in retirement. …
Ep. 34: Should You Put Crypto in Your Retirement Account? Read More »
What can a 29-year-old sailor with a cat teach us about retirement? More than you’d expect. When Instagram adventurer Oliver Widger, known as “Sailing with Phoenix,” quit his job, cashed out his 401(k), and set sail for Hawaii with nothing but grit and his cat, it raised eyebrows—but it also sparked some interesting ideas. Listen …
Ep. 33: Sailing with Phoenix: Lessons on Non-Traditional Retirement Paths Read More »
What if one purchase was enough to throw off your entire retirement plan? It starts small: a new couch, a dream vacation, upgraded luggage… Before you know it, your spending snowballs, and your careful financial planning starts to unravel. It’s called the Diderot effect, and it can lead even the most disciplined retirees into retirement …
Ep. 32: The Diderot Effect and How Lifestyle Creep Begins in Retirement Read More »
What are barrier notes? And should they have a place in your retirement portfolio? While barrier notes promise higher returns and some downside protection, certified retirement counselor Mark Struthers explains why these complex investments might be more trouble than they’re worth. Listen in as he breaks down how these products really work, what alternatives could …
Ep. 31: Are Barrier Notes Right for Your Retirement? Read More »
Are TDFs (Target Date Funds) right for you? While they’re marketed as convenient, “set it and forget it” solutions, certified retirement counselor Mark Struthers explains why these popular investment tools may not work for everyone—especially retirees. Many retirees (notably baby boomers) equate the “target date” with a pension-like guarantee, only to be blindsided by volatility …
Ep. 30: Are Target Date Funds Ruining Retirement? Read More »
Could a simple mistake cost you thousands in Social Security benefits? The short answer is yes. Claiming too early, misjudging work penalties, or overlooking survivorship benefits can take a serious toll on your retirement income. So how do you avoid this? Tune in as certified retirement counselor Mark Struthers breaks down the top three Social Security mistakes …
Ep. 29: The Top 3 Social Security Mistakes Couples Must Avoid Read More »
Will your Roth IRA survive the SECURE Act? As the rules around wealth transfer keep shifting, certified retirement counselor Mark Struthers breaks down what the SECURE Act means for your Roth IRA and, more importantly, for your heirs. Listen in as we explore why Roth IRAs are still a powerful tool, how new beneficiary rules could impact your estate plan, …
Ep. 28: The Roth IRA and SECURE Act: What Your Heirs Need to Know Read More »
