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Social Security has been in the headlines, and for good reason. Estimates show the Social Security Trust Fund may be depleted by 2032–2034 if no changes are made, raising alarm bells for retirees and pre-retirees alike. In this episode, Jake and Nick explain what’s at risk, what parts of the system will keep running, and what Congress can do to keep the system going.

They also discuss the real factors that should drive your decision on when to claim Social Security. Plus, they share how raising the full retirement age and increasing FICA taxes could reshape the program’s future. The system likely isn’t going away, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore the warning signs. Wondering what to do next? This episode will help you build a smarter plan when it comes to Social Security and feel more confident about your financial future.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

📉 What “running out” of money really means

🧾 The 75/25 split: where your benefit comes from

📆 Why 2032–2034 is a pivotal timeline

📊 Options Congress has to shore up the system

👫 How your spouse or legacy should affect your timing

Our website: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/

Phone: 800-208-7233

Contact our team: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/contact-us/

Get your customized Money Map: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/your-money-map/#form

Join us for our next financial workshop: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-workshops/

Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3CcAzai

Medicare may feel overwhelming, but this fast-paced episode breaks down what you really need to know in just 10 minutes. In this episode, Nick and Jake walk you through the basics: when you're eligible, how enrollment works, and what each part (A, B, C, D) actually covers. They also explain the difference between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare with supplements, how your income can impact premiums, and why certain medical expenses like long-term care and alternative treatments might not be covered. Get tips on how Medicare fits into your broader retirement plan and the importance of working with an independent Medicare agent.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

📅 When and how to enroll in Medicare

🏥 What Parts A, B, C, and D actually cover

💰 How your income can affect your Medicare premiums

⚖️ Medicare Advantage vs. Supplements: pros and cons

📞 Why working with an independent agent matters

Our website: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/

Phone: 800-208-7233

Contact our team: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/contact-us/

Get your customized Money Map: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/your-money-map/#form

Join us for our next financial workshop: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-workshops/

Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3CcAzai

No one likes thinking about death but ignoring what happens to your money after you’re gone can leave your loved ones with stress, confusion, and financial trouble. In this episode, Nick and Jake unpack the essential documents and decisions that determine where your assets end up, from wills and probate to powers of attorney and trusts. They explain how poor planning can lead to legal headaches, tax burdens, and family conflict, and why it’s critical to have conversations now, not later. If you want to make sure your wishes carried out clearly and your family protected, this is a must-listen.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

📝 The must-have document everyone needs

⚖️ Why having a will doesn’t necessarily avoid probate

🔑 What authority is granted under a POA

📦 When a trust makes sense, and when it doesn’t

💸 The silent tax trap your kids might inherit

Our website: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/

Phone: 800-208-7233

Contact our team: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/contact-us/

Get your customized Money Map: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/your-money-map/#form

Join us for our next financial workshop: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-workshops/

Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3CcAzai

When it comes to retirement planning, two deceptively simple questions can reveal everything: Am I going to be okay? What rate of return do I actually need? In this episode, Nick and Jake unpack what those questions really mean and why getting clear answers can make or break your retirement.

From defining what “okay” looks like (hint: it’s not just a dollar amount) to calculating how hard your money needs to work without taking unnecessary risk, they illustrate how a solid retirement plan is more like tubing behind a boat than picking the hottest stock. You don’t want to go so slow that inflation sinks you, or so fast that you wipe out. Join us to get more clarity, balance, and confidence in the next phase of life.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

🎯 Define what you want from retirement

📊 Understand the actual return you need

⚖️ Finding your risk balance

🧩 Your plan should fit your life, not someone else’s number

💸 It’s not just about returns, it’s about purpose

Our website: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/

Phone: 800-208-7233

Contact our team: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/contact-us/

Get your customized Money Map: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/your-money-map/#form

Join us for our next financial workshop: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-workshops/

Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3CcAzai

You’ve climbed the mountain and now it’s time to come down. In retirement, the question shifts from “Where should I invest?” to “Which account do I take money from first?” It’s not just about risk, but timing, taxes, and long-term flexibility. In this episode, Nick and Jake walk through the three major account types, pre-tax, Roth, and after-tax, and explain how withdrawing from the wrong one at the wrong time could cost you thousands.

They discuss sequence of returns risk, why market losses in early retirement are so dangerous, and how to avoid "catching a falling knife" by planning withdrawals with both market and tax efficiency in mind. If you want your money to last, and your tax bill to potentially shrink, this conversation offers a simple framework for smarter decisions in the withdrawal phase.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

💰 Pre-tax, Roth, and after-tax: what’s the difference?

📉 The danger of selling during a downturn

🧾 Why tax timing is just as important as returns

📊 Use each account for what it’s best for

🔒 Building safety nets before the market turns

Our website: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/

Phone: 800-208-7233

Contact our team: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/contact-us/

Get your customized Money Map: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/your-money-map/#form

Join us for our next financial workshop: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-workshops/

Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3CcAzai

The headlines are loud, the markets are messy, and your gut might be telling you to do something — anything — right now. But what should you actually do when your portfolio takes a hit?

In this episode, Jake and Nick offer advice for navigating a down market without making costly mistakes. They explain why emotional reactions often lead to regret, and how fear-based decisions, like pulling out of the market, can do more harm than good. That’s the value of having a financial plan that aligns your risk level with your timeline and needs. The markets may be shaky, but your plan doesn’t have to be.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

😬 Why emotions sabotage long-term wealth

🪣 How a “bucket strategy” softens downturn impact

❌ The myth of timing the market

🎯 Why good planning outperforms good guessing

Our website: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/

Phone: 800-208-7233

Contact our team: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/contact-us/

Get your customized Money Map: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/your-money-map/#form

Join us for our next financial workshop: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-workshops/

Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3CcAzai

Social Security may be one of your most reliable retirement income sources, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood when it comes to taxes. Many retirees are surprised to learn that yes, Social Security can be taxable, depending on your overall income. In this episode, we break down how the rules aren’t always as straightforward as they seem.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

💵 When Social Security becomes taxable

📊 What MAGI thresholds really mean

🌎 State rules that may surprise you

⏳ How timing affects your benefit

📈 Why tax planning starts before you file

Our website: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/

Phone: 800-208-7233

Contact our team: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/contact-us/

Get your customized Money Map: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/your-money-map/#form

Join us for our next financial workshop: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-workshops/

Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3CcAzai

Retirement isn’t just the end of your working years, it’s the beginning of what could be the most financially demanding third of your life. With people living longer than ever, planning for a 30-year retirement is no longer just smart, it’s essential. In this episode, Jake and Nick address how the old model of relying solely on Social Security and pensions doesn’t hold up anymore, especially when inflation, healthcare costs, and market volatility enter the picture.

They also discuss how to build a retirement plan that adapts to every stage, from the energetic “go-go” years to the slower seasons that come with higher medical expenses and fewer travel plans. Find out how Johnson Brunetti helps you identify the real income gap, assess your risk exposure, and create a spending strategy that balances lifestyle with longevity. You’ll learn why “sitting in cash” may feel safe but could actually hurt you, and how to position your savings for both sustainability and flexibility.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

📅 Why your retirement might last 30+ years

📉 The danger of being “safely” in cash

🩺 Planning for future healthcare surprises

📊 Aligning your investments with real-life use

Our website: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/

Phone: 800-208-7233

Contact our team: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/contact-us/

Get your customized Money Map: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/your-money-map/#form

Join us for our next financial workshop: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-workshops/

Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3CcAzai

Most people go into retirement assuming their taxes will drop, but what if that assumption sets you up for a nasty surprise? In this episode, Jake and Nick unpack the “tax trap” that catches countless retirees off guard. It’s a hidden pitfall that turns decades of diligent saving into unexpected tax bills when you finally tap into your nest egg.

They will reveal how common retirement strategies, like deferring taxes through 401(k)s and IRAs, might backfire if not planned for properly. They also break down why general financial advice may not serve you well once you're within 10 years of retirement, and what to consider instead. You’ll hear practical discussion about Social Security taxation, Roth conversions, and how legacy goals shape tax strategy. This episode doesn’t just teach you how to avoid mistakes, it urges you to ask better questions about how and when to pay Uncle Sam.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

💥 The myth of lower taxes in retirement

📉 Social Security surprise tax bills

🧾 Timing your “tax check” for maximum savings

🏛️ Roth conversions and smarter legacy planning

Our website: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/

Phone: 800-208-7233

Contact our team: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/contact-us/

Get your customized Money Map: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/your-money-map/#form

Join us for our next financial workshop: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-workshops/

Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3CcAzai

What does it look like when your retirement plan truly starts to come together? At Johnson Brunetti, this process gets underway in the third meeting with our team, which is when people have enough information to determine if we’re the right fit for them to help implement these changes and guide them through this formative back third of life.

This Retirement Building Meeting is a critical step where your financial strategy moves from concept to implementation, and it comes after our discovery meeting and the Money Map Retirement Review. After getting to know your goals and reviewing your current financial picture, this is the meeting where clients begin making real changes. Jake and Nick explain how they structure income plans, align investment buckets for growth and safety, and help clients confidently transition into the retirement phase of life.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

🧱 What happens in meeting #3

💰 How retirement income strategies are customized for each client

⚖️ Aligning your “buckets” for growth, income, and safety

📉 Minimizing taxes and avoiding early mistakes

🧠 The power of clarity, trust, and a plan you can actually follow

0:00 – Today’s question

2:28 – What happens in this meeting

5:18 – Finding the right tools for you

Our website: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/

Phone: 800-208-7233

Contact our team: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/contact-us/

Get your customized Money Map: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/your-money-map/#form

Join us for our next financial workshop: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-workshops/

Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

Check us out on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3CcAzai