Big Picture Retirement®

Chess involved both strategy and psychology - much like investing! Doug Goldstein, author of RICH AS A KING: How the Wisdom of Chess Can Make You a Grandmaster of Investing, joins Devin in a discussion about the way chess strategies can be applied to your personal finances.

For the show notes, go to http://www.bigpictureretirement.net/040

Most of us have a whole world of digital stuff out there, and some of it is important. You need a plan for how your survivors will access these accounts, whether you are disabled or dead.

As our world becomes more and more digital, it becomes more important that your survivors, heirs and executors can access certain online accounts. This may include bank accounts, email, electronic document storage, insurance policies, and many other types of accounts.

Find more information and resources in our show notes at http://www.bigpictureretirement.net/039

If you've put together a little bit of money, or you have a regular stream of income, it's reasonable to be concerned about protecting those assets from lawsuits or other types of liability.

Today, John explains some of the simple steps you can take to put some protections about the money that you have.

First, consider what type of liability you might face. Second, consider what assets might be at risk. Third, check out your insurance coverage. Fourth, separate your business assets from your personal property, and figure out the right tool for each object.

Highlights include:

• What assets or income are protected How your insurance coverage factors into the decision
• Different strategies for business vs. personal assets
• How a revocable trust doesn't provide protection
• How Delaware changed the rules
• Bonus: John explains the history of trusts - using Devin in his story

For more information, visit http://bigpictureretirement.net/038

Devin and John talk about assigning people to act for you, and picking good stocks for your investments.

First, Brenda has a question about naming a successor trustee for a trust she has set up. In many kinds of legal and estate planning documents, you need to designate someone to act on your behalf. John explains the four options for naming those folks.

Next, Chris asks how to pick better stocks and stop losing money in the stock market. Devin shares that despite his skills and the resources available to him, he hasn't had a lot of success with individual stocks. He's had better luck diversifying, such as in an index fund. Then, John explains his philosophy with a great story about glove box money vs. casino money.

For more information, visit http://www.bigpictureretirement.net

Dr. Brandon Renfro, a PhD in behavioral economics, talks about bonds: When they're right for you and when they should be reconsidered.

Brandon does a great job of explaining different types of bonds, why they are considered a good investment, and how our current low interest rate situation changes the value of bonds as part of your portfolio.

For more information, visit http://bigpictureretirement.net

Social Security is an important source of income for older Americans, but it can also provide many benefits beyond retirement income. Life is full of risks, and Social Security helps provide some income for those who have faced these situations.

Think about these statistics:

• In 2014, 3.3 million kids received Social Security benefits
• 34% of all benefits are paid to the spouse or child of the covered worker
• Average age folks begin to receive disability benefits is 54
• Over 24% of today's 20-year-olds will become disabled before the age of 67

As you can see, understanding Social Security benefits is an crucial part of your overall financial planning. Today, Devin and John talk about the non-retirement benefits provided by the Social Security program, and why they are important to you. There are two main categories of benefits: Benefits for the worker, and benefit for the worker's family. Benefits for the worker include retirement income, disability income, and Medicare health care coverage for the disabled. Benefits for the worker's family include benefits for the worker's spouse and family if the worker dies or becomes disabled. Highlights include:

• What is a family maximum benefit?
• When and how you can receive survivor or disability benefits
• How various financial plans can impact eligibility for benefits
• How you might want to use this knowledge as part of your financial plan

For more information, visit http://bigpictureretirement.net

There are few things worse than getting involved in a financial scam.

Unfortunately, there are always some people who will abuse their professional status, and use their knowledge to rip people off.

How can you avoid being scammed?

• Find someone who uses an independent custodian with a solid reputation. To whom are you writing the checks?
• Check out the firm on the Securities and Exchange Commission website.
• Research the individual via the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Broker Check and the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) search function.
• Question anyone who gives you a guaranteed return, unless it is quite low.

• Check your state bar's disciplinary action history.
• Get your agreement in writing, including the fees that will be charge for the service recommended.
• If you pay any money upfront, how is it accounted for?
• Are they working inside their field of expertise?

Do you have a question for a future Listener Questions episode? Submit it to [email protected]

Listener Questions: Rob asks about sending the distributions from an Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA) to a charity. John discusses a couple of different scenarios and explains the possible tax benefits. He also includes ideas for some more advanced strategies for charitable giving so you can support your favorite charities even after death.

Then, Rosa wants to know about continuing to get Social Security survivor benefits from a former spouse, even if she remarries. This is a common situation, but you really need to look at the financial considerations before moving ahead. Devin explains the exact rules, and how these rules could impact the timing of your remarriage.

For more information, visit http://bigpictureretirement.com

Women often have different financial needs than men, and even more when there has been a change in their marital situation.

This week, Devin and John talk with Russ Thorton of Wealthcare for Women. Russ works with financial planning for women, with a particular emphasis on women in transition. Whether through death or divorce, newly single women may need special advice and expertise to move forward financially.

Highlights include:

Where you should start figuring out your money: where are you financially? This includes investments, expenses, insurance coverage, estate plans, taxes, and everything else.

How it helps to have help from someone who is not emotionally involved in the situation.

When hearing about your friend's situation can do more harm than good.

Why you need to trust your gut.

How to find the right financial advisor for you.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Enter the Echo giveaway at www.bigpictureretirement.net/echo

Russ Thorton's Wealthcare for Women website and on Twitter at @RussThorton

Devin and John's free ebook: www.bigpictureretirement.net/steps

Every month, Devin and John have an entire episode dedicated to answering listener questions. If you have a question, submit it to [email protected].

Don't forget to subscribe to the show, and leave a rating and a review!

Many current retirees have a background of military service. Benefits from military service can become a big part of the retirement planning picture, but it can be hard to know what benefits are available and how you can use them. In this week's episode, Devin and John talk about military-related benefits and how to get information about them.

You can break down most military benefits into one of three categories: retirement benefits, service-connected disability benefits, and non-service connected disability benefits.

Retirement benefits are earned through career of military service, generally more than 20 years. Retirement benefits include lifetime income and Tricare health coverage.

Service-connected disability benefits are available for those who are disabled as the result of their military service. In addition to the benefits available from the Department of Veterans Affairs, there may be benefits available from your state or local government. One important thing to note: many times, the disability that was acquired while you were in the military may not show itself for many years.

Non-service-connected disability benefits are available to veterans who require care for a disability that has no relationship to your military service. Usually called "aid and attendance benefit," or improved pension. It is there for people who need help with their care, and provides monthly income.

If you have served our country through military service, understanding your benefits is an important part of your overall financial plan. Please share this information with your military friends and family! Resources mentioned in this episode:

John's firm's website: http://RossandShoalmire.com

Devin and John's free ebook: http://bigpictureretirement.net/steps

Once a month, Devin and John answer listener questions. You can submit your questions to [email protected]