Retirement Starts Today

By: Benjamin Brandt CFP® RICP®
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  • Summary

  • Do you want to spend more money in retirement, while paying less taxes? Great news, you're in the right place! I'll also teach you the benefits of retiring TO something, while most retirees only solve half the equation by retiring FROM something. Tune in every Monday morning - hosted by Benjamin Brandt CFP, RICP. Join my "Every Day is Saturday" weekly newsletter for show notes, free book giveaways and other great retirement content: www.retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter
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Economics Personal Finance Politics & Government
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Episodes
  • Veterans Day Special: Reflecting on Service and Lessons Learned, Ep # 374

    Veterans Day Special: Reflecting on Service and Lessons Learned, Ep # 374
    Nov 11 2024

    In this episode, we step away from our usual financial discussions to share personal stories from our military service. Why? To give listeners a glimpse of who we are beyond our roles as financial advisors—so we opened up about how our time in the service shaped our lives.

    Bret shares his experience working in logistics and on the flight line in the Air Force, while I discuss my years as a combat engineer in the Army National Guard. We both reflect on how those experiences influenced our paths and continue to impact our work today.

    Bret talks about his five years of active duty and four years in the reserves, highlighting memorable assignments from Korea, Guam, and Germany, and sharing humorous tales about managing logistics and hazardous materials.

    I share stories of my time in Iraq, from conducting mine detection patrols to the lessons learned during long days in a tent. Our service stories illustrate how those years instilled lessons that we now apply to our roles as financial planners.

    We close the episode with some actual advice on how to give financial gifts to loved ones in a tax-smart way. This special Veterans Day episode honors the holiday by sharing how our military experiences have shaped us and reminding listeners of the lasting impact service can have.

    Outline of This Episode
    • [0:32] Why are we pausing our financial talk to share our military stories?
    • [1:36] What was Bret’s role in the Air Force, and how did it shape his journey?
    • [3:40] Which memorable places did Bret serve, and what did he learn?
    • [7:00] How did my role as a combat engineer lead to unexpected experiences?
    • [8:50] What connections can we draw between military service and advising?
    • [14:17] How can you give cash or assets to loved ones in a tax-efficient way?
    • [19:10] Final thoughts on recognizing veterans and what their service means
    Resources & People Mentioned
    • The Retirement Podcast Network
    Connect with Benjamin Brandt
    • Become a Client: www.retirementstartstoday.com/start
    • Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/
    • Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap
    • Join the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter
    • Dive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University

    Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

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    20 mins
  • Investing in Health: The Steps to a Longer, Better Retirement, Ep #373

    Investing in Health: The Steps to a Longer, Better Retirement, Ep #373
    Nov 4 2024
    Investing in health can lead to a more vibrant, enjoyable retirement. In this episode, I share the personal health investments I've made, like sleep tracking and working with a health coach, each designed to enhance well-being and longevity. Prioritizing health alongside wealth allows us to fully embrace retirement. I detail four key health tools, each with its own costs and benefits. From the Whoop Strap for monitoring sleep quality to MyFitnessPal for tracking nutrition, these tools help create a healthier lifestyle. My biggest investment was a full-body MRI, providing peace of mind and preventive insights—sometimes, the best financial choice is a health choice. To finish, Brett and I answer a listener's question on Roth conversions, covering the best timing to optimize tax efficiency and avoid penalties. This episode offers practical advice for a health-focused, financially savvy retirement. Outline of This Episode [0:27] Nine-Year Milestone and Book Announcement[2:30] The Importance of Investing in Health[4:17] Wearable Tech: The Whoop Strap[6:10] Health Coaching and Nutrition Tracking[8:08] Long-Term Investment in a Full-Body MRI[13:06] Listener Question: Optimal Timing for Roth Conversions Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast NetworkWhoop Strap – Wearable device for tracking recovery and sleep qualityMyFitnessPal Premium – Nutrition and macro tracking appPrenuvo – Provider of full-body MRI scansPeter Diamandis and Fountain Life – Inspiration for full-body MRI screenings Connect with Benjamin Brandt Become a Client: www.retirementstartstoday.com/startGet the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasapJoin the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletterDive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify
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    22 mins
  • Don’t be Rattled by RMDs, Ep #372

    Don’t be Rattled by RMDs, Ep #372
    Oct 28 2024
    Are you feeling rattled by Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)? We’re here to help. Today we get deep into managing RMDs as we explore an article by Pam Krueger from Kiplinger’s. I outline the complexities of RMDs, share strategies to minimize tax impacts, and talk about how to craft a "perfect RMD" strategy. Plus, I’ll dig into why so many retirement podcasters, myself included, have no plans to retire themselves. We kick things off by understanding the basics of RMDs, including when and how retirees must start withdrawing funds from tax-deferred accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s. I share exactly how the timing of RMDs, starting at age 73 (or potentially later under new laws), can have huge tax implications. I also detail strategies to minimize taxes through Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) and preemptive withdrawals. And of course, co-host Bret Mulvaney and I respond to a listener's intriguing question: why don’t retirement podcasters retire? Outline of This Episode [00:22] Tax Month and RMDs Overview[02:10] Age Changes and Future Implications[08:00] Strategies for a “Perfect RMD”[16:10] Why Retirement Podcasters Don’t Retire[21:30] Life Fulfillment through Financial Planning Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast NetworkKiplinger’s article by Pam Kruger: “Rattled by RMDs? Look No Further.”Retirement Starts Today Tax Tool: retirementstartstoday.com/taxSecure 2.0 Act details Connect with Pam Krueger https://www.kiplinger.com/author/pam-krueger Connect with Benjamin Brandt Become a Client: www.retirementstartstoday.com/startGet the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasapJoin the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletterDive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify
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    23 mins

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