Ready For Retirement

No Taxes on Social Security? Here’s What Trump’s Plan Means for You

04 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For nearly 50 years after Social Security's inception in 1935, benefits were not subject to federal income taxes. That changed in 1983 when Congr...

Root Talks: Introducing the New Root Retirement Community

30 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join the new Root Collective HERE!Retirement isn’t just about having enough money—it’s about making the most of it. That’s why we’re launchi...

5 Advanced Social Security Strategies to Maximize Your Retirement Income

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

To maximize your Social Security benefits in retirement, it’s essential to understand five key limits and thresholds:✅ Earnings Limit: If you star...

Root Talks: How Do We Approach Team Building?

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Root Financial is redefining what it means to serve clients by putting team culture front and center. In this episode, James and Ari dive into the fir...

Major Social Security Bill Passed: $190B in New Benefits to be Paid After Eliminating WEP & GPO

21 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Social Security Fairness Act, signed into law on January 5 by former President Joe Biden, repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Gov...

Root Talks: What's the Difference Between Root Financial and Other Advisory Firms?

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this behind-the-scenes episode, James and Ari explore what sets Root apart in the financial advising industry. Moving beyond traditional roles like...

How Should You Invest $10M+? Most Underutilized Strategy Revealed

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Direct indexing, an advanced investment strategy, allows investors to own individual stocks within an index instead of a mutual fund or ETF, offering ...

Root Talks: Behind the Scenes at Root Financial: How We Approach Team Building

09 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

James and Ari provide a behind-the-scenes look at Root Financial, shifting from typical financial strategies to how their team operates. They discuss ...

3 Simple Steps to Retire in 2025

07 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Many individuals are hesitant to retire, even when financially prepared, due to uncertainty and a lack of clear planning. This episode provides a prac...

Here's How to Avoid a Retirement Filled with Anxiety or Regret

02 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Root Talks, James and Ari dive into the reality that retirement planning can be tricky, with the fear of running out of money and t...

How to Travel the Country and Start Living Before Actually Being Fully Retired

31 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

LJ and Kelly share their inspiring journey of embracing a retirement lifestyle before fully retiring. Motivated by Kelly’s experiences as a physical...

How Many Investment Firms Should I Split my Money Between?

26 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

James and Ari discuss diversification and the nuances of managing investments. A client plans to split his funds across multiple institutions, like Sc...

5 Biggest Retirement Fears and How to Overcome Them

24 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Retirement is an exciting milestone, but it often comes with common fears. With proper planning, these concerns can be addressed to ensure a fulfillin...

What If Social Security is Cut? Here's What it Means for Your Retirement

19 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Many middle-aged adults nearing retirement face anxiety over uncontrollable factors like Social Security cuts, lower investment returns, and increasin...

Why You Should Avoid Simplistic Monte Carlo Results and Create a Real Financial Plan Instead

17 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are you mistaking a Monte Carlo analysis for real financial planning? I'll explain why this common tool, often used by financial advisors, is not...

Here's What Your Retirement Strategy Should Look Like with an $8M Portfolio

12 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Here’s the thing: retirement isn’t just about hitting a magic number—it’s about understanding what you actually want out of your life once wor...

Top 5 Most Avoidable Retirement Mistakes

10 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

James breaks down five common retirement mistakes and how to avoid them for a secure and fulfilling future:Spending Wrong: Overspending risks running ...

Root Financial's Backstory: How and Why the Company Was Founded

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In their new podcast, Root Talks, James and Ari open up about the story behind Root—their financial advisory firm—and how it grew from humble begi...

Unconventional Retirement Strategy: How to Save Less AND Retire with More

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris was burned out. Despite enjoying aspects of his work, the relentless grind of long hours and aggressive saving left him exhausted and longing fo...

STOP! Why You Shouldn't Do a Roth Conversion

28 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Roth conversions are almost a buzzword today, with many people jumping into them like they’re a guaranteed fix for tax worries—much like rushing i...

This is the Biggest Way People Waste Money in Retirement

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Meet Sarah—a retiree with a multi-million-dollar portfolio, no mortgage, and all her income needs covered by Social Security. Yet, she hesitates to ...

The Downside of Working "Just One More Year"

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are you delaying retirement, working for "just one more year" to feel ready? In this episode, Ari and James dive into goalpost planning—th...

How Soon Before Retirement Should You Adjust Your Portfolio?

19 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode of Ready for Retirement episode James covers when to adjust your portfolio as retirement nears—a crucial step for balancing gro...

Here's How To Discuss Money Effectively With Your Parents

14 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Meet Ari Taublieb 👋 If you didn’t already know, Ari and I work together at Root Financial, and we thought it was finally time to launch a podcast...

7 Things You Need to Know About Roth IRAs to Maximize Tax-Free Income

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Roth IRAs offer great tax-free income benefits, but to make the most of them in retirement, here are seven things you need to know:Contribution Limits...

3 Steps to Prepare for an Out-of-State Retirement

05 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you thought about what moving to a new state might mean for your retirement budget and lifestyle? In this Ready for Retirement episode, the focus...

5 Things People Regret About Early Retirement

29 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Many dream of retiring early, but you would be surprised to learn that many people who retire early regret doing so. James reveals five things that le...

This Is the Single Most Important Thing You Can Do to Prepare for Retirement

22 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

James sits down with someone who’s financially set to retire—mortgage paid off, kids through college, and investments in place—but he’s still ...

The Complete Guide to Maximizing Your Social Security Benefit

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For many, Social Security makes up a large portion of their retirement income, so it’s important to know how to maximize your Social Security benefi...

Restricted Stock Units: The Basics of RSUs and How to Use Them

08 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

ames responds to a question from Chris regarding restricted stock units (RSUs) and how to avoid costly mistakes when managing them. He explores whethe...

Should We Always Pull From our Brokerage Account First in Retirement? (Hint: No)

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick and Mary will soon both be retired. They are curious about what their withdrawal strategy should be as they balance various retirement account...

How to Overcome Fears of Spending in Retirement

24 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ben has been a saver his entire life, which helped position him for an early retirement at the age of 53. Yet, he faces a big challenge. Having mainta...

Retire Happy: Build a Personalized Retirement Plan that You Can't Wait to Live Out

17 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Monique aspired to retire early, and while she had faithfully saved throughout her working years, she wasn’t sure if she had enough to retire. After...

Unexpected Retirement: Finding Happiness and New Adventures

10 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Elaine didn’t decide to retire at age 57, but changes in her company meant an early retirement for her. Being caught off guard, she didn’t feel em...

Facing Health Challenges in Retirement and Learning to Reconnect with Your Spouse

03 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

After his father lost healthcare coverage in retirement and had to pay for a major health event with savings, Derek was highly motivated to ensure suf...

How to Thrive in Retirement by Embracing the Unknown

27 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris has been retired for a little over a year while his wife has continued to work. Now that Chris has “tried on” retirement and found the fit g...

The Benefits of a Retirement Community and How to Find Your Purpose in Retirement

20 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Meet Joe Sullivan, who found the first few years of retirement very difficult. Community is important to Joe, but he wasn't getting sufficient, r...

Introducing the New Ready For Retirement

13 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ready for Retirement is on a mission to be the most valuable source of retirement information in the world. In that light, we’re making some changes...

Am I Too Old for Roth Conversions? 3 Things to Consider

06 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Gary is a 73-year-old with $8 million in savings. Despite having substantial assets, he’s concerned about missed opportunities for Roth conversions ...

3 Key Factors to Consider Before Paying Your Mortgage Off in Retirement

30 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Connor plans to retire soon and wonders if he should pay off his mortgage of $300,000 or invest those funds, especially since he has a low interest ra...

Pre-Retirement Tax Planning: Things to Know to Save Big in Retirement

23 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Retirement tax planning should begin well before retirement. Listener Jodie, with over $2 million in assets in various types of accounts, is concerned...

Social Security Demystified: Calculating Taxation, Provisional Income, and the Tax Torpedo

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Listener Michael asks about how Social Security is taxed, the rationale behind the 50% and 85% tax thresholds, and the implications of these taxes on ...

The Roth Conversion Sweet Spot: Maximize Retirement Savings (And Avoid Costly Mistakes)

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Listener Nael opens up a discussion about Roth conversions. There are benefits to doing Roth conversions, but can you do too many? Are there any downs...

How to Estimate Your Tax Bill in Retirement (And How to Pay it)

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

David has a question about taxes in retirement: When you’re retired and no longer getting a regular paycheck from which your employer withheld tax p...

Retirement Income Strategies: IRA vs. Brokerage Withdrawals (The Tax-Smart Choice for Retirees)

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Mark asks a common question – What should I do regarding my withdrawal strategy? Should I first pull from my brokerage account or my IRA? There is ...

The Four Phases of Retirement with Dr. Riley Moynes

18 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Riley Moynes, author and creator of a popular TED Talk joins James to discuss his own retirement which led him to become the author of The 4 Phase...

Planning for Large Costs in Retirement | Beyond the 4% Rule

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Listener Sherry asks a good question: How do large, one-off expenses (like a new roof, new car, etc.) fit in the 4% Rule? James explains the concept ...

Early Retirement Health Insurance Strategies | Roth Conversions vs. ACA Subsidies

04 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Healthcare subsidies are like a tax break and should always be optimized, right? That seems like an easy question that should have a straightforward a...

Health Insurance Options for Early Retirement

28 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We meet many people who are in a position to retire early. But when they think about healthcare in retirement and not being eligible for Medicare unti...

Everything You Need to Know About Medicare: Q&A with a Medicare Expert

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Drew Shockley of MOVE Health Partners joins James to address questions about Medicare. He overviews the Medicare system, explains Parts A, B, C, and D...

How to Prepare for Retirement Within 5 Years: 401k, Savings & Investment Changes

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Graham and his wife are in their early 50s and plan to retire in 5 years. He wonders if they should continue maxing out their 401ks, how their investm...

How to Know When You Should Stop Saving for Retirement (and What to Do Next)

07 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Drew, a burnt-out, financially responsible 40-something father of two, hopes he can scale back from his stressful job and still be okay when it’s ti...

3 Simple Steps to Determine If You Can Retire

30 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How do you know if you can retire? It seems straightforward, but the answer is far from simple. Beyond portfolio balances and age thresholds, there ar...

Tax Planning for Widowed Retirees: How to Optimize Your Tax Strategy

23 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jennifer, 54, plans to retire soon. Her husband, 70, is retired, on Social Security, and dealing with some severe health issues. Jennifer worries abou...

Lump Sum vs. Annuitization: Tax Implications for Your Non-Qualified Annuity

16 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Joe is planning for retirement and wants to minimize his tax burden, especially on the interest earned from his three annuities. James explains that n...

At What Age Should I Work with a Financial Advisor?

09 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Deciding to work with a financial advisor is about more than how much you've stashed away. It's also about determining whether an advisor&ap...

Sell, Rent, or Borrow? Best Ways to Use Home Equity in Retirement

02 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Listener Ray is wondering what to do with his home as he embarks on a nomadic, van-life journey in retirement. Should he sell it to finance his travel...

Pay ZERO Capital Gains Tax vs Roth Conversions in Retirement: How to Determine Which is Best

26 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Listener Drew asks about a tax strategy for juggling capital gains and Roth conversions. While it can be a complicated question – especially when la...

Tax-Smart Strategies for Wealth Transfer: Secure Your Family's Future

19 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

James responds to listener Jerry’s question about the optimal time to distribute inheritance or charitable gifts: before or after passing away. Jam...

Roth Conversion Strategies to Protect Your Spouse's Future Tax Burden

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A listener says, “Eventually, one spouse will pass before the other, which will often catapult the survivor into a significantly higher tax bracket....

Should I Fund my Retirement Needs by Purchasing an Annuity?

05 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jason and his wife face a crucial decision: whether to purchase an annuity or pursue traditional investments as they prepare for a full-time, slow-tra...

How Should I Invest Bucket #1 of my Retirement Portfolio (3 Bucket Strategy)

27 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The "Three Bucket Strategy" is a popular retirement income planning method. The first bucket covers immediate expenses in retirement. Listen...

At What Point Should I Take the Tax Hit on Unrealized Gains?

20 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Benjamin, nearing retirement at 65, faces a familiar dilemma with his taxable account housing expensive mutual funds. Despite their underperformance, ...

Maximize Your Early Retirement: Should You Save to 401k or Brokerage Accounts?

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Typical retirement strategies assume a retirement age of over 60. With an earlier retirement goal, a careful look is required to determine what strate...

Safe Withdrawal Rate Myths: Debunking 3 Common 4% Rule Mistakes

06 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The 4% rule helps us understand how much we can safely take out of our portfolio each year without running out of money in retirement.Yet, as simple a...

Secrets to a Happy Retirement: What the Research Shows

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Retirement is not just about financial readiness; it's also about finding purpose, passion, and personal growth. James and guest Cynthia Meyer d...

What's the Right Roth Conversion Amount to Avoid a Tax Nightmare in the Future?

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sammy, a 51-year-old retiree, is seeking advice on how much she should convert from her traditional IRA to a Roth IRA each year to avoid jumping tax b...

How to Maximize Social Security Spousal Benefits

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

James addresses a common concern for a couple approaching retirement through a listener’s question. Listener Rob plans to collect Social Security ea...

Bond Ladders in 2024: How to Build a Bond Portfolio for Your Retirement

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As one listener prepares for an early retirement, James discusses the situation, covering how to build a bond ladder based on non-retirement funds.Jam...

3 Ways to Protect Against Sequence of Return Risk in Retirement

02 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

James explores the concept of sequence of return risk in retirement planning. Most people are unaware of how risky this is, as it doesn’t become an ...

Should We Sell Stocks to Make a Large Purchase?

26 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Should you sell long-term stocks for a real estate investment?I walk through one listener’s question and explain what you need to consider before ma...

Am I Crazy For Paying My Financial Advisor $25k/year?

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When you’re doing well financially, paying advisor fees might seem unnecessary. So do you need an advisor if you’re already in a good place?Having...

When Should You Collect Social Security if Your Spouse is Much Older?

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

James addresses a listener's question regarding Social Security strategies in retirement. Sasha, aged 59, seeks advice on when to start collectin...

Roth IRA Tax-Free Withdrawals: 5-Year Rule Explained

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

James explores the nuanced aspects of Roth IRAs, shedding light on intricacies that can confound even experienced investors. Through a listener quest...

Retire Happy: How to Navigate Your Retirement Transition with Joe Kuhn

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When we think of retirement, it often evokes dreams of leisure, relaxation, and the freedom to pursue one's passions. Yet, the decision to retire...

Tax-Loss Harvesting Strategies to Maximize Your Benefit and Avoid Costly Mistakes

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

 Tax loss harvesting is a strategy that investors use to reduce their tax bill. However, there are many misconceptions about tax loss harvesting, in...

How to Teach Your Adult Children to Plan for Retirement

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

James walks through a framework of how you ensure that your legacy goals include more than just leaving a chunk of money to your kids when you're...

Is Your Portfolio Big Enough to Benefit From Roth Conversions?

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What are the benefits of Roth conversions in retirement planning? James addresses questions about when Roth conversions become worthwhile.This episode...

Does It Ever Make Sense to Purchase an Annuity?

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered if purchasing an annuity makes sense for you?There are two conflicting opinions from financial advisors: some advocate for annu...

Pretax vs Roth- Which is Better for You If You're in the 24% Tax Bracket?

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you're in a high tax bracket now and expect to remain in a high tax bracket after retirement, should you prioritize pre-tax retirement account...

Here's How a Pension Should Change Your Investment Strategy

17 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

James debunks common misconceptions about retirement portfolio allocation and explains how to factor in your pension, social security, and other fixed...

Your Retirement Roadmap: A 5-Step Plan to Retirement Readiness

10 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this  episode, James emphasizes the importance of having a well-thought-out financial plan for retirement, rather than relying solely on the size ...

How to Break Up with Your Financial Advisor

03 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode James explores signs that may indicate it's time to move on from a current financial advisor and discusses the professional and r...

Spend Guilt-Free: How to Shift from a Savings to Spending Mindset in Retirement

26 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of the most ironic things about retirement spending is that the people who have saved the most money are often the same ones that have the most di...

Donor Advised Funds - The Secret Weapon for Tax-Efficient Charitable Giving

19 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The majority of people who participate in some level of charitable giving in retirement aren't getting a tax deduction for any of it. While exter...

The Tax-Smart Way to Consolidate Your Retirement Accounts

12 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

By the time you get to retirement, it is not uncommon to have many different accounts at multiple different institutions. You may be wondering, "...

The Retirement Portfolio Shift- How to Make the Transition Smoothly

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s common knowledge to have a different portfolio allocation before retirement than you actually have in retirement. But how and when do we actual...

Are Adjustable Rate Mortgages Right for You in a High Interest Rate Environment?

29 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Are short-term savings using an adjustable rate mortgage worth the risk of rate hikes? In this podcast, we cover how adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) ...

How Rising Interest Rates Should Impact Your Pension Decision (Lump Sum vs Annuity)

22 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How can rising interest rates impact your pension value?In this week's episode, we analyze a real-life scenario from our listener, Mark, who is w...

What's the Best Way to Fund a Remodel During Retirement?

15 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you’re retired, you can’t wait around for the next bonus or stock to vest when you have a large expense. When you’re on a fixed income it’s...

Here's the Right Way to Determine How Much Individual Stock to Hold

08 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How much of your portfolio is safe to hold in one individual stock? While 5% or 10% is typically recommended, rules of thumb like these are often irr...

Ask Yourself This Question to Transform Your Retirement

01 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What do you think is the key to a successful retirement?By asking yourself the right questions and being intentional about using money to enrich life,...

What Age Should I Collect Social Security If I Don’t Need It?

25 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For many people, Social Security will be their primary income source in retirement, but some individuals have sufficient assets or income from other s...

Is It Possible to Have Too Much in Roth IRAs?

18 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

DescriptionThere are a lot of good reasons to put your money into a Roth account. But does it make sense to have all your money in Roth accounts?The t...

Do We Have Enough for Retirement? [Plus Bonus Worksheet]

11 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How much it will cost to meet your needs is one of the hardest parts to understand about retirement. Relying on conventional wisdom will only get you ...

Here's When It Makes Sense to Rent In Retirement

04 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Many people believe that when you're retired, you need to own your own home, ideally without a mortgage. But there are instances where renting ca...

Everything You Need to Know About RMDs (Required Minimum Distributions)

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Required Minimum Distributions work differently depending on the type of account. How can you most effectively plan for them? Today we're talkin...

[Case Study] How to Prepare for Early Retirement

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For people who are planning to retire early, planning for retirement can be especially daunting. There are many different points to consider, but the...

Here’s How You Can Tell If a Roth Conversion Is Right For You

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of the best things you can do for your portfolio is to implement the right tax strategy. Each situation is unique and requires a personalized appr...

How to Manage Cash Reserves in Retirement

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Managing your cash reserves in retirement can get complicated quickly between living expenses, multiple income streams, taxes owed, etc. James explai...