Money Moves With MFG

Your Medicare premiums could be based on income you earned two years ago—not what you're earning today. And for retirees, that difference could mean hundreds or even thousands of dollars in unexpected Medicare costs.

In this episode of Money Moves with MFG, we break down how Medicare premiums are calculated, why some retirees face higher costs even after their income drops, and what you may be able to do about it.

We'll cover:

• How Medicare's two-year income lookback works
• Why crossing an income threshold by just $1 can trigger significantly higher premiums
• What IRMAA is and how it affects your Medicare costs
• How Form SSA-44 may help reduce your premiums after retirement or another qualifying life event
• Whether you're approaching retirement or already enrolled in Medicare, understanding these rules could help you avoid costly surprises.

👉 Schedule your free smart retirement planning call here and let’s build a strategy tailored to your goals

📅 Check out our upcoming events — including weekly Wealth Wednesday webinars and in-person seminars

Retirement is full of decisions, but some moments carry more weight than others—and you may only get one chance to navigate them well.

In this episode, we explore several pivotal financial moments that can shape your retirement and your family’s future. What happens if retirement arrives earlier than expected? How do you prepare for an aging parent who may suddenly need care? What should you do when an inheritance arrives before you’re ready? And is your estate plan actually prepared to work the way you intended?

We’ll also discuss why flexibility matters when building retirement income, how taxes and market timing can affect your plan, the importance of slowing down before making decisions around an inheritance, and why beneficiary designations and estate documents shouldn’t be something you simply “set and forget.”

The common thread? The decision may happen once, but the preparation often starts years earlier.

Whether retirement is right around the corner or still several years away, this episode will help you think ahead for the moments you can't always predict—but can prepare for.

👉 Schedule your free smart retirement planning call here and let’s build a strategy tailored to your goals

📅 Check out our upcoming events — including weekly Wealth Wednesday webinars and in-person seminars

We’ve all been there—checking our accounts too often, panicking when the market drops, or chasing the “next big thing.” In this episode, we break down the psychology behind these emotional habits and reveals how understanding your behavioral biases can help you make smarter, calmer investment decisions.

👉 Schedule your free smart retirement planning call here and let’s build a strategy tailored to your goals

📅 Check out our upcoming events — including weekly Wealth Wednesday webinars and in-person seminars

Inheriting an IRA isn’t just about receiving money — it’s about following the rules that come with it. In this episode, we break down how inherited IRA rules actually work, including the 10-year rule, spousal vs. non-spousal treatment, and the different categories of beneficiaries the IRS recognizes. You’ll learn how to avoid costly mistakes, understand when required minimum distributions (RMDs) apply, and how taxes and penalties can eat away at your inheritance if handled incorrectly. Whether you’ve already inherited an IRA or expect to in the future, this episode will help you protect more of what your loved one worked so hard to build.

👉 Schedule your free smart retirement planning call here and let’s build a strategy tailored to your goals

📅 Check out our upcoming events — including weekly Wealth Wednesday webinars and in-person seminars

Passing down wealth should be a gift — not a burden. Unfortunately, many families unknowingly make critical inheritance mistakes that can lead to unnecessary taxes, family conflict, and even lost assets. In this episode, we break down the 7 most costly inheritance mistakes people make and, more importantly, how to avoid them. Whether you’re planning your own legacy or preparing to receive an inheritance, this conversation will give you the clarity and confidence to protect your family and your wealth.

👉 Schedule your free smart retirement planning call here and let’s build a strategy tailored to your goals

📅 Check out our upcoming events — including weekly Wealth Wednesday webinars and in-person seminars

In this episode of Money Moves with MFG, we make the “how much life insurance?” question easy. We break down the three most common methods to calculate your coverage—Income Replacement (multiples of income), DIME (Debt, Income, Mortgage, Education), and Human Life Value—and walk through quick examples. 

You’ll learn when each method shines (and falls short), how to avoid common mistakes (like double-counting employer coverage), and how to right-size term vs. permanent for your goals.

👉 Schedule your free smart retirement planning call here and let’s build a strategy tailored to your goals

📅 Check out our upcoming events — including weekly Wealth Wednesday webinars and in-person seminars

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) just reshaped the tax landscape for 2025 — and whether you’re retired, nearing retirement, or a high-income earner, the changes could have a big impact on your wallet.

In this episode of Money Moves with MFG, we break down:

• Higher standard deductions — and who qualifies for bonus amounts
• SALT cap increases and how they could save you thousands
• Tax-free tips and why service workers should pay attention
• Bracket adjustments that might affect your withdrawal and income strategies
• Smart moves to minimize taxes and keep more of what you’ve earned

Don’t wait until tax season to find out what’s changed — the time to plan is now.

👉 Schedule your free smart retirement planning call here and let’s build a strategy tailored to your goals

📅 Check out our upcoming events — including weekly Wealth Wednesday webinars and in-person seminars

Thinking about doing a Roth conversion but not sure if it’s worth it?

In this episode, we break down one of the most common — and most misunderstood — questions we get from clients: When do Roth conversions actually pay off? We’ll walk you through how to calculate the breakeven point, the impact of tax brackets now vs. later, and how to avoid paying unnecessary taxes in retirement.

You’ll learn:

• What affects the breakeven point on a Roth conversion
• How age, income, and timing all play a role
• Common mistakes people make when converting on their own 
• When you should consider Roth conversions

Whether you’re planning ahead, or already retired and looking to reduce RMDs and taxes, this episode is for you.

Questions or topic suggestions? Email us at [email protected]

👉 Schedule your free smart retirement planning call here and let’s build a strategy tailored to your goals

📅 Check out our upcoming events — including weekly Wealth Wednesday webinars and in-person seminars

In this episode of Money Moves with MFG, we break down one of the most important—and often overlooked—parts of retirement planning: your withdrawal strategy. Should you start with your Traditional IRA? Tap into your Roth? Or draw from your brokerage account first?

We’ll walk through how to think about sequencing withdrawals for maximum tax efficiency and long-term financial success. Whether you're already retired or just starting to plan ahead, understanding the impact of each account type on your tax bill and income plan is critical.

You’ll learn:

• How Roth, Traditional IRA, and Brokerage accounts are taxed
• Pros and cons of different withdrawal sequences
• Common mistakes to avoid when pulling money out

🎯 Ready to make your money last longer and work harder for you in retirement?

👉 Schedule your free smart retirement planning call here and let’s build a strategy tailored to your goals

📅 Check out our upcoming events — including weekly Wealth Wednesday webinars and in-person seminars

In this episode of Money Moves with MFG, we're diving into the most common — and costly — mistakes people make with their 401(k)s. From not contributing at all, to missing out on free employer match money, to cashing out early or leaving funds sitting in cash, these errors can quietly derail your retirement goals.

We walk through real-life examples, shares eye-opening case studies, and offers simple tips to help you avoid these pitfalls. Whether you're just getting started or nearing retirement, this quick episode is packed with actionable insights to keep your 401(k) working smarter, not harder.

Tune in to learn how small decisions today can make a massive difference down the road.

👉 Schedule your free smart retirement planning call here and let’s build a strategy tailored to your goals

📅 Check out our upcoming events — including weekly Wealth Wednesday webinars and in-person seminars