Retirement Income Versus Savings: EDU #2532
August 6, 2025
Chris’s SummaryJim and I review a recent article featuring Robert Merton’s views on retirement income versus savings, using it as a springboard to unpack income planning fundamentals and annuity projections. While we agree with many of Merton’s framing points—especially the focus on secure income—we also note several key areas where academic theory diverges from real-world retirement dynamics....
Listen NowOhio, Medicare, Social Security, Roth 401k, and Annuities: Q&A #2531
August 2, 2025
Jim and Chris discuss Jim’s relocation experience to Ohio, a listener PSA on Medicare, questions about Social Security payment timing and divorce eligibility, Roth 401k withdrawals under the rule of 55, and close with an annuity comparison answer so long it practically qualifies as a mini EDU. (17:00) A listener PSA reminds others that Medicare Part A only covers hospital costs and that Parts B,...
Listen NowBuffered ETFs vs Stocks and Cash: EDU #2531
July 30, 2025
Chris’s SummaryJim and I are joined by Matt Kaufman, Senior Vice President and Head of ETFs at Calamos Investments, to discuss buffered ETFs vs stocks and cash, focusing on AQR’s recent critiques. We examine the flaws in AQR’s methodology, the broader history of buffered products, and why these tools can offer certainty in retirement planning. Matt explains how buffered ETFs differ from...
Listen NowSocial Security, Transition Planning, Positioning, Roth Conversions, IRMAA: Q&A #2530
July 26, 2025
Chris is joined by Jake and Jacob to answer listener questions on Social Security, followed by a PSA about unexpected Social Security payment timing, then additional questions on transition planning, asset positioning across account types, weighing Roth conversions against the senior deduction, and planning around IRMAA.(6:15) George asks what percentage of taxes he should have withheld from his...
Listen NowLiving Benefits on Annuities: EDU #2530
July 23, 2025
Chris’s SummaryJim and I explain living benefits on annuities, covering how guaranteed income riders work and why they can appeal to those hesitant to annuitize. We describe what we call noun annuities (pre-annuitization) and verb annuities (post-annuitization), then unpack how living benefit riders like guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits provide income without giving up access to principal....
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