Claiming Social Security as soon as you become eligible at age 62 is a common choice for Americans. While understandable, this decision can have significant, and often underappreciated, long-term consequences. For many, the urge to claim early may stem from financial necessity, lack of other income sources, or simply a desire to “get what you’ve paid for.” However, claiming early can reduce your benefit by as much as 30% compared to waiting until your full retirement age (typically around 67).

If you are in the fortunate position of having other income sources, such as a pension, 401(k), brokerage accounts, or IRAs, delaying Social Security becomes a viable strategy. This moves the decision away from immediate need and toward maximizing lifetime income, building multigenerational wealth, and supporting charitable or legacy goals.

• [00:00] Most Americans claim Social Security at 62 due to a lack of other income, but those with additional resources or financial advice might delay claiming for long-term wealth planning.
• [04:16] Consider life expectancy in financial planning, especially for married couples.
• [08:56] Evaluate claiming benefits at different ages to optimize long-term financial outcomes, considering life expectancy and age gaps between spouses.
• [11:38] Social Security benefits, combined with other income, affect your tax bracket.
• [16:00] It’s important to integrate Social Security decisions into your broader retirement plan, considering income sources, tax liabilities, legacy goals, and timing.
• [17:18] Retirement tax decisions are complex, involve varying tax rates, and impact Social Security timing strategies.

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Chad and Mike break down the major moves in US and international markets from the past quarter, revealing why diversification works unexpectedly. They chat through the impact of recent tariff news, what those headlines might mean for the economy and your portfolio, and share evidence-based strategies for taking action (or not!) when markets get rocky.

• [0:00] Major moves in US and international markets from the past quarter
• [4:22] The benefits of diversified portfolios 
• [9:15] Trade deficit and tariffs explained
• [9:54] Tariffs impact product prices, and consumer costs increase 
• [13:03] Historic tariff surge of 22% shocks the stock market
• [16:27] Top Tech Chart Insights
• [20:39] Interest rates are expected to decline, making equities better for long-term growth

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Market volatility is never comfortable, but with the right mindset and a thoughtful plan, you can face downturns not as a victim, but as an opportunist. On this episode of the Financial Symmetry Show, we’re sharing our advice on managing your finances amid turbulent markets and giving you a helpful checklist to guide your decision-making when headlines make your stomach flip.

• [0:00] We discuss the importance of planning, reviewing its steps, and controlling expectations during unforeseen events.

• [4:29] Evaluate income, expenses, job security, income sources, and potential risks in financial planning.

• [7:14] Consider delaying major purchases or expenses if income is uncertain. Assess whether postponing could increase costs or cause issues.

• [12:53] Prepare for significant financial events that may impact your portfolio, like downsizing a home or receiving a large sum.

• [14:17] Evaluate your portfolio by considering your stock choices.

• [17:32] Avoid panic selling stocks, which often leads to long-term financial regret.

• [22:50] Take informed action for peace of mind; mindset and planning are key.

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Tax planning might not top everyone's list of leisure activities, but in the middle of tax season there’s a hidden opportunity. What if, instead of seeing it as a mere logistic hurdle, we embraced it as a moment to refine our financial strategy? 

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What if your retirement lasts much longer than you anticipated? Increasing life expectancies have reshaped our understanding of retirement and financial planning in recent years, and we’ll likely become more concerned about effectively managing financial resources throughout a potentially very long life in the future. 

In this episode, we’re sharing some insights gleaned from a recent industry conference focused on the impacts of longevity on retirement planning. There's a growing need to rethink how long you'll need your savings to last and how you approach your investment strategies to accommodate potentially decades more of life. 

We’re discussing the intriguing idea of a 150-year lifespan and the emergence of cutting-edge longevity research and how this thought-provoking information challenges our traditional views on aging and needs us to rethink traditional financial planning strategies. 

Whether it's reimagining retirement careers or evaluating the future of medical advancements, we have to align our wealth span with a potentially extended health span. Join us as we unravel the financial implications of living longer and healthier lives.

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We're spotlighting women's wealth in honor of International Women's Day and Women's History Month. Join us as we dig into some of the stats surrounding women's financial empowerment. From the rising number of women controlling wealth as they outlive their spouses to tackling stereotypes that hinder women's earning potential, this episode addresses the systemic barriers that impact women's financial journeys. 

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Four categories are recognized under current regulations to qualify as an Eligible Designated Beneficiary (EDB). These include the surviving spouse, minor children of the decedent, a disabled or chronically ill individual as assessed at the time of the decedent's passing, and other individuals who are no more than ten years younger than the deceased account owner. If you fall into one of these categories, you'll be afforded more time and flexibility than Non-Eligible Designated Beneficiaries. This is due to recent regulatory changes, underscored by The Secure Act, altering the landscape of inherited IRAs.

• [00:00] The complexities and benefits of being an eligible designated beneficiary (EDB) for inheriting an IRA.
• [03:34] Eligible designated beneficiaries have two key advantages: more time and flexibility in inheritance.
• [08:21] Withdrawing from an IRA before age 59 incurs a 10% penalty and income tax; RMDs depend on age, starting at 73 for most people.
• [10:10] The stretch IRA avoids a 10% penalty by basing RMDs on life expectancy. 
• [15:46] Timing distributions strategically can reduce tax liability. Wait until retirement to avoid high tax brackets. 
• [18:01] Evaluate options carefully when inheriting an IRA, considering tax implications and future changes.

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Investing can often feel like riding a rollercoaster of exciting highs and daunting lows. This week, we’re digging into the intricacies of the financial planning process, focusing particularly on the importance of understanding market trends and the role diversification plays in safeguarding your wealth.

• (03:08) Investing with diversification mitigates risk; US stocks average 10% annual returns over the long term but vary yearly.
• (08:39) US and China stock market gains were largely driven by speculative buying, with US stocks being pricier than international and small stocks.
• (12:07) Tech stocks are currently overvalued, reminiscent of past market bubbles
• (15:57) Bonds have a stable 5% return, but cash rates are volatile and are expected to drop to 3.9% this year.
• (17:37) Despite acknowledging the unpredictability of the future, experts from BlackRock, JPMorgan, Schwab, and Vanguard forecast international markets to outperform US markets over the next decade.
• (20:01) Diversification guards against risk and helps investors achieve their goals

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Retirement, often portrayed as a glorious era of freedom and relaxation, has its own set of challenges beyond the financial arena. This week, we’re exploring the psychology behind retirement and discussing the four phases retirees go through. 

1. Vacation/Honeymoon Phase: The initial euphoria of not having to set an alarm.
2. Loss Phase: Often associated with disenchantment as the honeymoon phase wears off.
3. Trial and Error Phase: Trying out various activities to find what gives life meaning.
4. Reinvent and Rewire Phase: Adding a new sense of purpose and joy from activities outside oneself.

The excitement of retirement can last about a year. The dreamy honeymoon phase is great, but when reality sets in, it can be tough. The transition takes time and usually involves emotional highs and lows as retirees grapple with their newfound freedom while trying to preserve their sense of identity, purpose, and routine. 

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As the holiday season approaches, many of us find ourselves thinking about gifts. While gifts can come in many forms, monetary gifts often cause the most confusion. In this episode of Financial Symmetry, hosts Chad Smith and Grayson Blaszak discuss the intricacies of financial gifting. 

Financial gifting generally involves transferring assets, such as cash or securities, from one individual to another without expecting anything in return. This process can have several benefits, including seeing your loved ones enjoy the fruits of your generosity during your lifetime.

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