The Importance of Secure Income for Retirement: EDU #2550
December 10, 2025
Chris’s SummaryJim and I discuss secure income as we review a Yahoo Finance article for middle-class retirees. We use it to highlight longevity considerations and the differences between guaranteed income approaches and traditional safe withdrawal rate or Monte Carlo methods. We also cover where spending-segmented planning and hybrid long-term-care annuities might fit in. Jim’s “Pithy”...
Listen NowSocial Security, IRMAA, Medicare, Roth Contribution Rules, Roth Conversions: Q&A #2549
December 6, 2025
Jim and Chris discuss listener questions on Social Security family maximum and suspending benefits, a listener PSA on IRMAA premiums, a listener PSA on Medicare premiums, a listener PSA on Social Security claiming strategies, Roth contribution rules, and Roth conversion disadvantages.(4:30) George asks how the combined family maximum benefit works when two retirement records are combined to...
Listen NowThe QLAC 1098-Q: EDU #2549
December 3, 2025
Chris’s SummaryJim and I review the QLAC 1098-Q and walk through how this form reports premiums, fair market value, and contract status. We compare it to Form 5498, outline how the fair market value and excess annuity payments can be used under Secure Act 2 Section 205 with other IRAs, explore the age-85 and surviving-spouse reporting rules, and touch on listener PSAs about using QLACs as part...
Listen NowIRMAA Brackets and QLACs: Q&A #2548
November 29, 2025
Jim and Chris discuss listener questions on IRMAA brackets and several QLAC topics including RMD interaction, suitability, payout values, and purchase timing. (19:30) A listener wonders if their lower 2024 income will automatically reduce their 2026 IRMAA even though it doesn’t qualify for an SS-44, or if they must contact the SSA.(25:15) George asks whether going above certain income thresholds...
Listen NowQLAC Use Cases and Planning: EDU #2548
November 26, 2025
Chris’s SummaryJim and I discuss QLAC use cases in the context of retirement income planning and how the Treasury Department designed these annuities to function. We walk through when someone might consider using one, how the absence of cash value affects planning decisions, differences among providers on turning income on early, the impact of mortality credits on later-life payouts, and how...
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