When we talk about having a strategy for Social Security, it’s because the SSA isn’t going to point you toward the option that will pay you the most. It’s on every individual to understand the benefit options available and find the path that will help you get the most out of your retirement income. One of those options is the spousal benefit so let’s talk about what it is and who is eligible.

Here’s what you can expect to learn in this episode:

• How spousal benefits work and how much you receive.
• What happens to the benefits when a spouse passes away?
• Options for paying for emergency medical expenses.
• What specialties should you expect from an advisor?

Check out our other free financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

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

Anytime a sentence begins with, “Well I heard,” it gets our attention because you never know what someone is about to ask us. People are bombarded by suggestions and recommendations every day so it’s no surprise that people always bring new ideas or beliefs to a meeting. We’re going to share some of these things people commonly hear and help explain why they don’t always apply to you.

Here are some of the things we discuss in this episode:

1:06 – You need to have at least a million dollars to retire

3:27 – You should start Social Security as early as you can

4:48 – The market is going to tank because [insert reason here]

6:16 – I should try to keep the house in divorce because it will comfort me emotionally

7:33 – Soon the dollar won’t be the world’s reserve currency anymore

Check out our other free financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

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

Housing will always be one of the biggest pieces of the financial plan, but we’re getting a lot of questions from retirees about what to do with their home now that they’ve retired. There are four main options that most people choose from so let’s explore those today and discuss the pros and cons of each decision.

Here are some of the things we discuss in this episode:

• 0:55 – What you need to weigh when staying in your current home
• 3:04 – Should you downsize?
• 6:31 – Pros and cons of retirement communities
• 8:23 – Does it make sense to become a renter?

Check out our other free financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

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

One of the most popular shows of the last few years has been Ted Lasso with Jason Sudeikis playing that heartwarming coaching role, and most people have watched some or all of the comedy series. Today we’re going to pull out some of our favorite Ted Lasso quotes and put a financial spin on them. Don’t worry, no spoilers!

Here are some of the things we discuss in this episode:

1:27 – Ted Lasso quotes and financial planning

10:19 – A Woman’s Word with Heather Atkins: Long-term care

15:28 – Retirement assumptions you can’t always make

Check out our other free financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

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

To celebrate another Father’s Day weekend, we decided to work in some dad jokes into the podcast. Who doesn’t love those, right? So join us for a few laughs (we hope) and more importantly, some financial wisdom.

Here are some of the things we discuss in this episode:

1:01 – Joke #1: Where does 007 invest his money?

2:29 – Joke #2: What did the duck say after going shopping?

7:14 – Joke #3: Why did the woman go outdoors with her purse open?

9:10 – Joke #4: Why are Irish bankers so successful?

12:12 – On the case with Heath: Pensions

16:27 – How high on the list is long-term care on retirement issues?

20:13 – Mailbag question about taking care of parents financially

Check out our other free financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

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

Part of being a good financial advisor is helping people navigate what can be awkward and uncomfortable situations in life related to their money. After working with hundreds of clients over the years, we’ve encountered quite a few of these situations. So how do we approach these moments? Let’s talk about what that looks like and what kind of conversations we’ve had for certain scenarios.

Here are some of the things we discuss in this episode:

• 0:51 – When a client wants to remove a child as a beneficiary.
• 2:47 – Working with a couple that is going through divorce.
• 5:50 – Dealing with someone who is very emotional during a meeting
• 7:41 – Client makes a very embarrassing financial decision.
• 12:45 –  Mythbusting with Matt: Shifting from stocks to bonds removes volatility
• 17:36 – Mailbag question on organizing finances after becoming a widow
• 19:23 – Mailbag question on 529 plans vs loans

Check out our other free financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

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

So much about life is having the right perspective and the same can be said about the scenarios that feel like a true crisis. Through proper retirement planning, many of the events that feel like a negative in your life could actually provide you with an opportunity instead. Today we’re going to look at a few examples of this and tell you where to find the silver lining.

Here are some of the things we discuss in this episode:

3:23 – The crisis of becoming an empty nester

4:26 – How a market crash could become an opportunity

6:06 – Turning a layoff into a positive

9:58 – CEO’s Corner: Financial conversations with our employees

21:28 – Mailbag question on working until you’re 70 

Check out our other free financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

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

For many people, the 401(k) is an easy account to manage. The money comes out of your paycheck before you get the chance to spend it so it’s like you never had it in the first place. That makes it a great tool for retirement savings but because it’s so painless, people often ignore it more than they should. 

But your 401(k) deserves attention and there are certain considerations you need to make before deciding if and how much you’re contributing to this retirement account.  

Here are some of the things we discuss in this episode:

1:07 – How much do you need liquid assets?

2:25 – Know what your employer contributions are

4:48 – Make sure you know the future tax implications

5:43 – Don’t forget about ‘orphaned money’

7:48 – Is it fake, Jake? US economy too good to be true?

13:41 – A Woman’s Word: Mistakes women make 

20:12 – Mailbag question on the next stock market crash

Check out our other free financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

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

Today we’re going to talk through some hot topics, picking through recent communication with clients over the last several months. There are some recurring themes that a lot of people are asking about right now so let’s take some time to address them all right here on the show.

Here are some of the things we discuss in this episode:

0:53 – Should we be making investment changes in this current economic environment?

3:08 – With long term care insurance premiums going up, should we cancel the policy?

4:37 – How much of your inheritance should you set aside for taxes?

7:00 – On the case with Heath: Estate planning  

13:05 – Mailbag question on selling your home to rent in retirement

14:37 – Mailbag question on Rule of 100

15:57 – Mailbag question on financial issues for a second marriage

17:00 – Myth busting with Matt: Social Security will run out of money

Check out our other free financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

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

In honor of the NFL Draft just wrapping up, we thought we’d do a little drafting of our own on the podcast. So we’ve asked Eric Hogarth, CFP® to put on his General Manager shoes and lead our retirement planning team into a financial draft. Find out which products make the grade and which get left behind.

Here are some of the things we discuss in this episode:

1:11 – The Roth IRA is a first round pick

1:58 – Gold and precious metals are a pass.

3:18 – Life Insurance Retirement Plan or LIRP

4:41 – The variable annuity  

6:37 – Indexed annuity gets a good grade

8:04 – Rental properties are a second round pick

12:23 – CEO’s Corner: How does Joel consume news?

21:32 – Mailbag question on how much of your annual salary you need saved.

Check out our other free financial resources here: https://johnsonbrunetti.com/financial-resources/

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