Leibel on FIRE

In this episode of Leibel On Fire, Leibel Sternbach and Freddie Bell explore smart strategies for charitable giving in retirement. Learn how tools like Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), appreciated asset donations, and donor-advised funds can reduce your tax burden, satisfy Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), and help you make a lasting impact. Discover how to align your giving with your values, avoid common mistakes retirees make, and even create a living legacy that extends beyond your lifetime.

Social Security benefits are tied to cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), but the way those adjustments are calculated may not reflect the true expenses retirees face. In this episode, Leibel Sternbach breaks down the difference between CPI-W and CPI-E, how they impact your retirement income, and what you can do to protect your financial future. If you’re within five years of retirement—or already retired—this episode will help you understand the hidden risks of inflation and Social Security. Learn what strategies you can put in place now to safeguard your income and maintain your lifestyle in retirement.

Healthcare in retirement can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars—and Medicare won’t cover it all. In this episode of Leibel on Fire, Leibel Sternbach breaks down the real drivers of retirement healthcare expenses, why long-term care is the biggest financial risk, and how you can prepare before it’s too late. Discover practical strategies to protect your assets, plan for Medicare gaps, and create peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

If you’re 65 or older, you may be eligible for an additional $6,000 deduction that could lower your tax bill and stretch your retirement income further. But the media headlines are often misleading—this isn’t a simple “free money” giveaway. In this episode, retirement planning expert Leibel Sternbach explains who qualifies, how it really works, and the strategies you can use to maximize the benefit.

This week on Leibel on Fire, bestselling author and financial planner Leibel Sternbach breaks down two massive events that shook the markets: the surprise firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner and growing political tensions with the Federal Reserve. What does this all mean for your retirement plan? Should you trust the numbers the government is putting out? And what happens when politics interfere with data? Leibel explains how these seismic shifts could affect your financial future—and what you can do to protect yourself. Don't leave your retirement to chance. Get clarity and control with a free consultation: https://www.yields4u.com/pages/book

In this episode, retirement expert Leibel Sternbach explains why parking all your savings in cash or annuities can erode your purchasing power over time. Discover how his YFYA ETF and a simple three‑bucket strategy help you earn returns above inflation—without exposing your income to wild market swings. Plus, learn about two free tools on Yields4U.com that make building your personalized retirement plan a breeze: the 3‑2‑1 Retirement Plan guide and the 60‑Second Retirement Calculator.

Too many retirees “play it safe” by piling into cash or fixed annuities—only to watch inflation quietly erode their buying power. In this first installment of “The Biggest Retirement Mistakes”, Leibel Sternbach, CFP®, EA, and founder of Yields 4 U, explains: - Why cash loses value every year; even when your balance never drops - How inflation + market volatility create a “double whammy” for retirees - The problem with treating annuities as a one-stop solution - What a modern, low-risk income strategy should deliver - How Leibel’s YFYA ETF was designed to fill the “safety-with-growth” gap

Are you unknowingly paying hidden fees on your annuity? In this episode of Leibel On Fire, financial expert Leibel Sternbach breaks down the costly pitfalls hiding inside many annuity contracts—including mortality and expense charges, surrender penalties, and expensive riders—that can quietly eat away at your retirement savings.

You'll learn:

- What hidden fees to watch out for before buying an annuity

- The key questions to ask your insurance agent

- What happens to your annuity if you pass away

- How to evaluate whether an annuity is worth keeping

- Options for those already locked into a bad annuity

Before you make any moves with your retirement income, get informed. Knowledge is power, especially when dealing with complex financial products. ▶ Schedule a free consultation: https://www.yields4u.com/pages/book

Thinking about buying an annuity? You might want to listen to this first. In this episode of Leibel on Fire, Leibel Sternbach breaks down the hidden fees and contractual traps buried inside most annuity products—including mortality and expense charges, administrative costs, surrender penalties, and the fine print behind those tempting guarantees.

You’ll learn:

- The difference between fixed, variable, and indexed annuities

- What “mortality and expense” charges actually mean - How insurance companies ensure they make money—at your expense

- The truth about investment riders and living benefits

- What questions to ask before you buy an annuity

- What you can do if you already own one

Annuities aren’t inherently bad, but they’re not all created equal—and many retirees find out too late that they signed up for high fees, limited growth, and a lifetime of regret. Don’t be one of them. Schedule your free consultation with Leibel at: https://www.yields4u.com/pages/book

Will Social Security Be There When You Retire? Here's What You Need to Know Is Social Security running out of money? Will it be there when you need it most? In this episode of Leibel on Fire, Leibel Sternbach breaks down the real story behind Social Security’s shaky future — and what retirees (and future retirees) need to do now to protect their financial future. Leibel explains the hidden flaws in the system, the political decisions that drained its reserves, and how demographic shifts could leave you with less than expected. Most importantly, he shares actionable steps you can take today to create a retirement plan that’s resilient, even if benefits are reduced. Whether you’re approaching retirement or already there, this episode will arm you with the insights and tools you need to safeguard your financial security.