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Medicare Enrollment Assistance Special Episode: EDU #2442

With Medicare open enrollment season here, Jim and Chris welcome a special guest, Brad Grier, who volunteers with the Nebraska State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Brad talks with the guys...

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Qualified Accounts, Social Security, Medicare, HSAs, and Roth Conversions:...

Jim and Chris sit down to discuss listeners questions relating to Qualified Accounts, Social Security, Medicare, HSAs, and Roth Conversions. (6:45) The guys clarify the meaning of the word qualified...

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Qualified Annuities and IRA Deep Dive: EDU #2443

Jim and Chris first talk about the “Qualified Annuity Stretch” before starting a deep dive into the IRA portion of “The Retirement and IRA Show” with a discussion of 9 of Ed Slott’s “top 23 questions...

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Social Security WEP and GPO Special: Q&A #2443

With Jim attending an Ed Slott conference, Chris takes some time to answer a WEP and GPO question before offering listeners general information on Social Security changes for 2025 and a detailed...

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How Listeners are Implementing Our Planning Process: EDU #2444

On this week’s EDU Discussion edition Jim and Chris welcome back Jake Turner, a fellow planner from the JSA team, as they take some time to opine on how some listeners are implementing their own...

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Medicare, Roth Conversions, Spousal Benefits, 401(k) Contributions, and RMDs:...

Jim and Chris (and Jake too!) sit down to answer some listener questions about Medicare, Roth conversions, Social Security, and 401k catch up contributions… (10:00) George wonders how his wife’s ACA...

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Stretch IRA Rules and More: EDU #2445

Jim and Chris sit down to discuss a few things Jim brought back from his recent Ed Slott conference including a discussion of ALAR (10-year RMD rule) and stretch IRAs. The post Stretch IRA Rules and...

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Social Security, RMDs, QLACs, and Buffered ETFs: Q&A 2445

Jim and Chris sit down to discuss listeners questions relating to Social Security, RMDs, QLACs, and Buffered ETFs… (12:30) The guys are asked if dual citizenship will affect Social Security benefits....

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SECURE Act Updates: EDU #2446

Jim and Chris sit down for another EDU show discussing updates to the SECURE Act that Jim brought back from the recent Ed Slott conference. The post SECURE Act Updates: EDU #2446 appeared first on The...

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Social Security Benefits, Roth Conversions, and RMDs: QA #2446

Jim and Chris discuss listener questions relating to Social Security, Roth conversions, and RMDs. (11:00) George wonders if his wife is eligible for Social Security benefits while taking care of an...

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Roth Conversions and RMDs: EDU #2447

Jim and Chris sit down for a Discussion edition of the EDU series to talk through some listener questions on RMDs in relation to Roth Conversions (’tis the season!). The post Roth Conversions and RMDs:...

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Earnings Test, IRMAA, Survivor Benefits, 529 Plans, and SPIAs: Q&A #2447

Jim and Chris sit down to answer listener questions related to Social Security, 529 Plans, and SPIA payments… (6:30) A listener wonders if they will be subject to the Social Security earnings test....

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60-day Rollover Conversion Strategy: EDU #2448

Jim and Chris received an email from a listener asking about completing a Roth conversion using a 60-day rollover. In response, they decided to take a dive deep into the topic, exploring what they call...

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Social Security, Annuity RMDs, and Being a CFP: Q&A #2448

Jim and Chris discuss listener questions relating to Social Security, Annuity RMDs, and next steps after passing the CFP exam. (5:30) George asks if you’re required to claim Social Security as soon as...

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Common Estate Planning Mistakes: EDU #2449

Chris is joined by estate planning attorney Shelley Thompson while Jim is traveling. Chris and Shelley discuss common mistakes people make with their Wills. The post Common Estate Planning Mistakes:...

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Family Benefit Limit, Means Test, QCDs, Tax Strategies, and SPIA Income: Q&A...

Jim and Chris discuss listener questions relating to the Family Benefit Limit, Means Test, Qualified Charitable Donations, tax strategies for pension benefits, and spreadsheet tracking of SPIA income....

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Retirement Planning Philosophy and Process Dialog: EDU #2450

Jim and Chris once again welcome their colleague, Jake Turner, EA, and Candidate for CFP® certification, to the show. Together, they address listener questions and take a deeper dive into their...

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IRMAA, Spousal Benefits, IRA Withdrawals, QCDs, and Roth Contributions: Q&A...

Jim and Chris discuss listener questions relating to IRMAA, SS Spousal Benefits, IRA withdrawals, Qualified Charitable Donations, and Roth contributions. (6:45) A listener looks for assistance filling...

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Charitable Remainder Trusts: EDU #2451

 Jim and Chris welcome on another member of the JSA team – Paul Neiffer, CPA – to discuss Charitable Remainder Trusts. They dive into what they are and how you might use them. The post Charitable...

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IRMAA, 457b, QCDs, and Roth Conversions: Q&A #2451

Jim and Chris discuss listener questions relating to IRMAA, Social Security benefits, 457B plans, Qualified Charitable Distributions, and Roth conversions. (8:30) The guys address a listener question...

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Individualized Retirement Planning Strategies: EDU #2452

Jim and Chris continue discussing different approaches to retirement planning, focusing on a listener’s DIY strategy. They cover key topics like withdrawal strategies, risk management, and tax...

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Social Security Benefits, IRMAA, RMDs, Annuities, and Beneficiaries: Q&A #2452

Jim and Chris discuss listener and forum questions relating to Social Security benefits, IRMAA, RMDs, annuities, and beneficiaries. Chris kicked off the episode with a bold dare, promising listeners...

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Developing Confidence With Retirement Spending: EDU #2501

Jim and Chris, once again joined by Jake, a fellow planner at Jim Saulnier & Associates, discuss a recent Wall Street Journal article about why retirees often hesitate to spend in retirement. The...

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Spousal Benefits, IRMAA, Step-Up Basis, Family Maximums, Beneficiaries, and...

Jim and Chris discuss listener questions relating to Social Security spousal benefits, IRMAA planning, step-up in basis rules, family maximums, IRA beneficiaries, and factoring inheritances into...

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Retirement Planning Dialogue: EDU #2502

In this EDU dialogue show, Jim and Chris are joined by Jake to explore listener questions about Social Security, income annuities, strategies for deploying dollars in retirement, and other Retirement...

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Social Security, Inherited Roth IRAs, Inherited IRA RMDs, and Roth...

Jim and Chris sit down to discuss Social Security, inherited Roth IRAs, an inherited IRA RMD case, and reporting Roth withdrawals. (12:45) The guys answer a question about earning enough Social...

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“Super-Catchup” Retirement Plan Contributions: EDU #2503

Chris and Jake discuss the new “Super-Catchup” retirement plan contributions, explaining who qualifies and how they work. The post “Super-Catchup” Retirement Plan Contributions: EDU #2503 appeared...

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Contributions, Social Security, 415 Limits, and Beneficiaries: Q&A #2503

Jim, Chris, and Jake sit down to discuss listener questions relating to contributions, Social Security, 415 limits, and beneficiaries. PSA: Chris and Jake review several questions from this weeks EDU...

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Charitable Remainder Trusts Part 2: EDU #2504

Jim, Chris, and guest Paul Neiffer, CPA, continue their discussion on Charitable Remainder Trusts. They also answer listener questions related to CRTs, CRATs and CRUTs. The post Charitable Remainder...

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Medicare Enrollment, Social Security, and Estate Taxes: Q&A #2504

Jim and Chris discuss listener questions relating to Medicare enrollment, Social Security benefits, and estate taxes. (6:00) George asks about Medicare’s special enrollment period and the impact of...

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Safe Withdrawal Rate: EDU #2505

Jim, Chris, and Jake share their thoughts on a recent Morningstar study that lowers the industry-standard safe withdrawal rate to 3.7%. They review a MarketWatch article discussing the study,...

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Social Security, QLACs, and ETFs: Q&A #2505

Jim and Chris discuss listener questions relating to Social Security, QLACs, TIPS ETFs, and buffered ETFs. (9:00) A listener who worked in Australia in the late 1980s asks how the U.S.-Australia...

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A Discussion on Simplified Retirement Planning: EDU #2506

While Jim is at a conference, Jake joins Chris to discuss a listener’s simplified retirement planning approach. They examine their straightforward strategy, focusing on key points like living within...

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Survivor Benefits, Social Security Disability, and Donor Advised Funds: Q&A...

Jim and Chris discuss listener questions relating to Survivor Benefits, Social Security Disability Insurance, and Donor Advised Funds. Before diving into listener questions, Jim shares insights from...

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A Smart Approach to Retirement: EDU #2507

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...

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Social Security, IRMAA, IRA Distributions, Roth Contributions, Catch-up...

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...

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Our Retirement Planning Philosophy and Approach, Condensed Version: EDU #2508

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...

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Social Security Benefits, RMD Taxes, IRMAA, and Social Security Taxation: Q&A...

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...

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False Facts and Real Consequences: EDU #2509

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,...

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Social Security, 529 Plans, Fun Vision, and Annuities: Q&A #2509

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...

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Setting the Record Straight on Clickbait vs Reality: EDU #2510

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...

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Qualified Dividends, Gifting Strategies, Roth Conversions, and Trust...

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...

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IRA Rules Quiz: EDU #2511

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...

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Social Security records, GPO, QCD Timing, Annuity Costs, and Excess IRA...

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....

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Things That Make You Go Hmm – RMD Rules, IRA Mistakes, and Tax Court...

Chris’s Summary:This week’s EDU show is a throwback to an old favorite—things that make you go “hmm.” Jim brought back a list of oddities from the latest Ed Slott training, covering everything from RMD...

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Social Security Benefits, Roth Conversions, and Annuities: Q&A #2512

Jim and Chris discuss listener questions relating to Social Security strategies, spousal benefits, Roth conversions, and annuities. (8:15) George asks whether a widow who was widowed before age 60 has...

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Roth 5-Year Rules and the Tax Planning Window: EDU #2513

Chris’s SummaryJim and I continue our review of interesting and sometimes confusing retirement planning facts, mostly drawn from Jim’s recent Ed Slott conference. We focus on the two Roth five-year...

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Identity Theft, Spousal Benefits, RMD Taxes, IRA Withdrawals, and 401(k)...

Jim and Chris discuss listener questions relating to spousal Social Security benefits, RMD tax withholding, IRA withdrawals, and 401(k) contribution limits. Jim also shares a PSA about a recent attempt...

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Weathering Market Downturns: EDU #2514

Chris’s Description Jim and I talk about how market downturns—like the one we’re seeing now—can cause people to second-guess their plans, even when they’re well prepared. We walk through how our Secure...

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Social Security, Roth Conversion Tax Strategy, and Identity Theft PSA: Q&A #2514

This week’s is a bit of a non-traditional Q&A episode where Jim and Chris address two listener questions on Social Security but then move into Public Service Announcement mode. For the first PSA...

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