In the fast-paced world we live in today, financial planning has never been more critical. It plays a significant role in helping us manage our resources, meet our financial goals, and secure our future. This importance becomes even more apparent when it comes to women, given their longer life expectancy and unique financial challenges.

That’s why we talk specifically about financial planning for women and why it’s something we focus on. To help us understand this better, we asked Heather Atkins, CFP® to join us for this episode because she is keen to these issues that women face.

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

• Financial planning and empowerment for widows and how you can get ahead of decisions to avoid added stress in times of grief.
• Situations we’ve seen where widows needed help navigating a precarious financial situation.
• Why longevity is a primary driver of the challenges women will face financially.
• What all needs to be included in a proper financial plan to make sure needs are taking care of if someone passes.

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

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

Do you think there is a universal age to start Social Security? Have you ever wondered how your health history, longevity, and family history play into your decision on when to turn on your benefits? Let’s delve into this critical question in retirement and help you understand how we help our clients determine what age they should claim Social Security.

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

• How we address this topic when the question comes up.
• Longevity is the key factor but can you rely on your family health history to project that?
• How this discussion fits into the overall planning process for retirement.
• Hear an example where it made sense to turn on Social Security at age 62 and another where 70 was the best age.
• When does it make sense to delay Social Security even after you’ve retired?
• The opportunity for a Roth conversion in your mid to late 60s. 

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

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

We’re in the middle of one of the largest wealth transfers in our country’s history as Baby Boomers pass on their estate to loved ones, and some of that money is coming in the form of an IRA. Rules regarding inherited IRAs have changed in the past few years so let’s take a few minutes to tell you what you need to do if you receive one.

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

• Certain people are able to take over the account as their own without any rules.
• For most people, you are going to have 10 years to withdraw all the money in the inherited IRA.
• Why tax planning becomes so important for those receiving the inheritance.
• How have the rules changed on inherited IRAs in the past few years?

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

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

Many people will use retirement accounts like the 401(k) to save money, but we often get asked about the amount they should be contributing each month. Should it depend on what your company matches or should you just put as much as you can afford in regardless? Let’s dig deeper into this question and tell you what we like to consider when answering this question. 

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

• The different questions we typically ask someone to determine how best to use a 401k.
• Are there instances where you shouldn’t put money in a 401k even if there’s a company match?
• When would you only want to contribute enough to get the company match but no more?

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

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

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/