1. Unlock Your Financial Future - Begin by consolidating all your year-end IRA statements and harness the power of an online RMD calculator to determine your 2025 minimum distributions. This crucial step ensures you’re setting aside the right amount for a secure future.
2. Refresh Your Records - Keep your IRA beneficiaries up-to-date to safeguard your legacy.
3. Optimize Your Portfolio - Align your investment allocations with your 2025 goals by reviewing your retirement portfolio.
4. Explore Secure Investments - Consider securing a 4% CD, available online, to bolster your financial safety net.
5. Seek Expert Insight - Gain a fresh perspective on your financial strategies by consulting a trusted professional.
6. Enhance Your Security - Use a password manager to protect your personal information and investments.
7. Guard Against SIM Fraud - Contact your phone provider (AT&T, Verizon, etc.) to establish a password-protected process, shielding your SIM from fraudsters.
8. Prepare for Tax Season - With potential tax changes on the horizon, start organizing now to navigate the upcoming tax season smoothly.
9. Reimagine Retirement - As retirement landscapes evolve, envision your future with flexibility, considering the trend of working into later years.

It’s that time of year again! The Friends Talk Money team dives into charitable giving. There are many benefits to contributing to your favorite charity. The conversation is about the tax and personal benefits of giving. But  how do you choose the right charities, align donations with your values, and maximize tax savings? Terry, Rich, and Pam share tips on vetting charities and questions to ask your financial advisor. Tune in and join the conversation!

Ready to unlock the secrets to a fulfilling retirement? It’s the most talked-about retirement book in decades! Join the Friends Talk Money team as they chat with retirement expert and best-selling author, Christine Benz! Christine shares some insights on what truly makes retirees happy, how to navigate healthcare choices and the impact of social security on your budget. Plus, you’ll hear what Christine says about getting a second pair of eyes from a qualified financial advisor can provide you peace of mind throughout your retirement. Learn more in this week’s episode and be sure to check out Christine’s new book, How to Retire: 20 Lessons for a Happy, Successful, and Wealthy Retirement.

Medicare open enrollment starts now, and this year things could get a little tricky. Good news!  We have three of the country’s top Medicare experts co-hosts, Richard & Terry right here, and we’re joined by Medicare special guest, Philip Moeller, author of Get What’s Your’s for Medicare. Phil walks us through some of the most confusing new changes and offers some helpful tips to avoid costly mistakes. Don’t wait to make changes! Have you reviewed your plan options yet?

A growing number of people 55+ are searching for a deeper meaning and purpose in your life, and heading back to college to find it. And many prestigious colleges and universities are offering specialized programs designed just for those new ‘senior students’. These midlife and later-life reinvention courses are flourishing nationwide, with exciting new opportunities launching soon at Yale, the University of Southern California, and Boston College. Tune in to this week’s episode as the Friends Talk Money team delves into this transformative journey, exploring what’s included, all costs involved, and how these programs can help you achieve a fulfilling and enriching new life in retirement.

Your home is more than just a roof over your head; it’s a treasure trove of memories and emotions. As you consider your estate planning, it’s essential to think about how to pass this cherished asset on to your heirs. The Friends Talk Money team dives into the heart of estate planning and explores all your options for your most emotional asset—your home. Whether you want to keep it in the family, sell it, or create a trust, we’re here to guide you through those tough decisions.

As more retirees seek to reenter the workforce, it is crucial to know how to position yourself for success in today's competitive job market. In this episode, the Friends Talk Money team shares valuable insights on updating your resume effectively. With years of experience in your industry, focus on maintaining a concise and impactful resume. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable metrics and incorporate relevant keywords to make your resume stand out to potential employers. Listen to learn more!

On the latest episode of Friends Talk Money, the crew sits down with IRA and Tax Guru Ed Slott to dive deep into all things retirement savings.

Expert Brian Gordon explains how a recent law created a clever new way to pay for premiums in case you ever need long-term care.

Taking care of loved one’s with special needs can be incredibly overwhelming, especially if you’re going at it alone. That’s why it’s so important to know where to turn for help. Mary Anne Ehlert, founder of Protected Tomorrows, recently joined the Friends Talk Money team to share her personal experience as a caregiver to her own sister with special needs. Mary Anne shed light on the complexities and amount of work required to financially care for someone who cannot earn an income of their own.  She also described what motivated her to start Protected Tomorrows and help families to access the vital resources and professional support they need.