Jim and Chris answer listener questions on Social Security records, GPO, QCD timing, annuity costs, and excess IRA contributions. (10:30) Georgette asks about fixing gaps in her Social Security record. (19:30) The guys discuss how a listener’s spousal Social Security benefits work after the repeal of GPO. (28:30) George seeks clarification on the timing of […] The post Social Security records, GPO, QCD Timing, Annuity Costs, and Excess IRA Contributions: Q&A #2511 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show ..read more

Chris’s Summary: Jim’s back from his conference and Jake joined the show again this week as we tackled the latest Ed Slott quiz. Unlike last time, Jim didn’t give us the book to reference—so Jake and I were going in cold. Jim also decided to test ChatGPT by giving it the entire quiz and the […] The post IRA Rules Quiz: EDU #2511 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show ..read more

Jim and Chris are joined by Paul Neiffer, CPA to answer listener questions on qualified dividends, gifting strategies, Roth conversions, and trust taxation. (09:00) George wonders if frequent rebalancing in his taxable brokerage account is causing more of his dividends to be classified as unqualified. (21:30) A listener asks for guidance on which accounts to […] The post Qualified Dividends, Gifting Strategies, Roth Conversions, and Trust Taxation: Q&A #2510 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show ..read more

Chris’s Summary: Jim is at yet another industry conference, so Jake is stepping in to join me this week. We pick up where Jim and I left off last time, discussing misleading financial articles. This time, we take a critical look at an article from Moneywise that claims to lay out the “standard” order for […] The post Setting the Record Straight on Clickbait vs Reality: EDU #2510 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show ..read more

Jim and Chris sit down to discuss listener questions relating to Social Security, 529 plans, Fun Vision, and Annuities. (Intro – 12:00) Chris provides a Social Security PSA. (19:00) A listener wonders whether her husbands Social Security benefits have been getting a COLA since his passing or if they’ve been frozen. (26:00) A listener wonders […] The post Social Security, 529 Plans, Fun Vision, and Annuities: Q&A #2509 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show ..read more

Chris’s Concise Summary: Jim and Chris examine a recent Suze Orman article on inherited IRA rules, identifying key errors that could mislead readers. They clarify the nuances of the 10-year rule, explain how the required beginning date determines whether annual RMDs are necessary and why Roth IRAs don’t have required minimum distributions. The guys also […] The post False Facts and Real Consequences: EDU #2509 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show ..read more

While Jim is attending a conference, Chris is joined by Jake to discuss listener questions relating to Social Security benefits, RMD taxes, IRMAA, and taxability considerations for claiming Social Security. (5:00) Georgette asks whether her survivor benefit will be reduced since her husband passed away at age 71. (13:30) The guys address whether claiming early […] The post Social Security Benefits, RMD Taxes, IRMAA, and Social Security Taxation: Q&A #2508 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show ..read more

Chris flies solo for this long promised, very special, EDU episode where he describes our retirement planning philosophy and approach in just 30 minutes. The post Our Retirement Planning Philosophy and Approach, Condensed Version: EDU #2508 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show ..read more

Jim and Chris discuss listener questions relating to Social Security benefits, IRMAA, IRA distributions, Roth contributions, catch-up contributions, and inherited IRA RMDs. (6:30) George asks how inflation adjustments apply when a reduced Social Security benefit converts to a spousal benefit. (13:45) The guys address whether the end of non-qualified deferred compensation qualifies as a life-changing […] The post Social Security, IRMAA, IRA Distributions, Roth Contributions, Catch-up Contributions, and Inherited IRA RMDs: Q&A #2507 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show ..read more

In this EDU episode Jim and Chris review and discuss an article sent in by a listener after their critique of the safe withdrawal rate approach to retirement. Some of the points made in the article should sound familiar to listeners… Nobel laureates William F. Sharpe and Robert C. Merton argue that traditional retirement withdrawal […] The post A Smart Approach to Retirement: EDU #2507 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show ..read more