What scares Americans more than death? For nearly two out of three people, it's the possibility of running out of money in retirement. Costs continue to rise, paychecks eventually stop, and the money you've accumulated may need to support you for decades. In this episode, Nicholas J. Colantuono, CFP® and Eric Hogarth, CFP® explain why retirement confidence doesn't come from an account balance alone and share strategies to help you avoid spending retirement constantly worrying that the next expense could knock your plan off course.

Here's what we discuss in this episode:

😟 Retirement Fear: Many fear outliving their savings

📈 Rising Costs: Inflation can steadily weaken purchasing power

⏳ Generational Shift: Today's retirees face different financial pressures

🧾 Tax Planning: Withdrawal choices affect what retirees keep

📬 Mailbag Questions: Social Security and RMD timing matter

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Phone: 800-208-7233

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

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

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Health Savings Accounts can be one of the most tax-advantaged tools available for retirement, but they can also create an unexpected tax burden when passed to the next generation. In this episode, Nick and Eric break down how health-focused accounts fit into retirement income, legacy planning, and smart tax strategy in plain English. Don't miss these simple shifts that can turn a hidden tax trap into a long-term advantage.

Here's what we discuss in this episode:

💳 HSA Benefits: Contributions and withdrawals offer tax advantages

⚠️ Inheritance Risk: Non-spouse beneficiaries may face taxable distributions

📋 Spending Strategy: Use HSA funds for eligible expenses

🏥 Healthcare Planning: Compare coverage before Medicare begins

📍 Retirement Location: Consider the community beyond taxes alone

📘 Get Your Free Guide: Simplify future retirement tax decisions

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/

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Can you collect Social Security at 62 and continue working? The answer is yes, but whether you should is a much bigger question. Nick and Eric explain how working while collecting benefits can impact your retirement income, when earnings limits come into play, and why claiming Social Security is only one piece of a much larger retirement strategy. Learn how income planning, tax planning, and understanding your long-term financial picture can help you make a more confident claiming decision.

Here's what we discuss in this episode:

💵 What Happens When You Turn 62: Can you work while you collect?

📈 Lifetime Income: Think beyond today's paycheck

💰 Tax Planning: Coordinating benefits and withdrawals

🧩 Retirement Strategy: One decision may impact everything

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 really happens to your money after you're gone? For many families, the answer is probate, a legal process that can be time-consuming, emotional, public, and complicated. Nick and Eric break down the difference between a will and a trust, and how to handle more complex situations like multiple properties or special needs planning. Ultimately, estate planning isn't just about money, it's about giving your family clarity and reducing stress during an already difficult time.

Here's what we discuss in this episode:

⚖️ Probate Basics: Why it matters for families

📜 Attorney-Drafted Will: Avoid DIY estate mistakes

🏛️ Trust Planning: More control and privacy

🧩 Complex Situations: When advanced planning helps

💬 Greatest Gift: Have hard conversations now

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

At some point, managing your finances becomes less about picking investments and more about making important life decisions with confidence. Today, Nick and Eric discuss how to recognize when you're approaching a financial crossroads and why having a clear plan can help you move forward with greater certainty. Whether retirement is years away or right around the corner, knowing when to seek guidance can make all the difference.

Here's what we discuss in this episode:

🕒 Right Timing: Knowing when to seek advice

🗂️ Coordination Matters: Bringing everything together

💰 Money Concerns: Addressing retirement uncertainty

🔄 Life Changes: Major events require planning

🏖️ Retirement Success: More than account balances

🤝 Trusted Partnership: Guidance through transitions

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/

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Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are one of the most misunderstood—and potentially costly—parts of retirement planning. Nick and Eric break down exactly what RMDs are and why they can have a significant impact on your taxes, Social Security benefits, Medicare premiums, and overall retirement strategy. They also discuss common mistakes retirees make and how strategies like Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) can help reduce taxes while supporting causes you care about.

Here's what we discuss in this episode:

💸 Forced Withdrawals: Why the IRS requires RMDs

📊 Calculation Rules: How your RMD amount is determined

⚠️ Tax Impact: The hidden consequences of larger distributions

🧰 Account Flexibility: Why retirement "buckets" matter

🎁 QCD Strategy: Giving to charity tax-efficiently

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

Many retirees assume they've missed their chance to take advantage of Roth conversions, but the reality is that age 65 may be one of the best times to start the conversation. Today, Nick and Eric explain how Roth conversions work and how strategic conversions may help reduce overall tax exposure. Roth conversions may not be beneficial for everyone, but every retiree deserves to explore whether this powerful strategy fits into their retirement plan.

Here's what we discuss in this episode:

💡 No Age Limit: Why 65 may be the perfect time

🎯 Tax Timing: When do you want to pay taxes?

📉 Future Savings: Reducing RMDs and IRMAA surprises

🧱 Legacy Planning: Creating tax-free wealth for heirs

🧮 Strategic Conversions: Why slow and steady often wins

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/

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There's no shortage of retirement advice out there, but not all of it is accurate. In fact, some of the most common beliefs about retirement can quietly derail your plan if you take them at face value. In this episode, Nick reveals five of the biggest retirement myths and explains what actually matters when it comes to planning for your future.

Here's what we discuss in this episode:

🎯 Magic Number: No one-size-fits-all target

💸 Taxes Reality: Often higher than expected

📊 Expense Truth: Costs don't always drop

📉 Social Security Gap: Won't cover everything

🏥 Healthcare Costs: Medicare isn't enough

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

In this episode, Nick and Eric break down what it really means to plan for retirement as a single. They discuss the unique challenges that come with being single, from financial decision-making to long-term care and income planning. The conversation highlights why being proactive is critical when there's no partner to share responsibilities. It's a thoughtful look at how to build confidence and clarity heading into a solo retirement.

Here's what we discuss in this episode:

👤 Solo Planning: Retirement decisions require more intention without a partner

🧾 Social Security Strategy: Timing and options look different for single filers

🏥 Long-Term Care Risk: Having a plan in place is critical when you're on your own

📉 Tax Planning Counts: Roth conversions can create long-term flexibility

📘 Start With A Plan: Clarity comes from putting the right structure in place

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

College costs aren't getting cheaper, which has more families asking whether a 529 plan is the right way to save for education. Nick and Eric break down how these accounts work, why they've become more flexible in recent years, and what parents and grandparents should think about before opening one. Before you decide how to save for education, it's important to understand how these decisions have an impact beyond just college tuition.

Here's what we discuss in this episode:

🎓 529 Basics: Understanding education savings plans

📍 State Benefits: Tax advantages vary by state

💰 Funding Strategies: Different ways to contribute

🔄 Rule Changes: More flexibility than before

📚 Long-Term Planning: Start thinking beyond education and tuition

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