Q1: Did you know there are 21 ways to avoid the 10% penalty for taking retirement money out before age 59 ½?
A1: Yes, the IRS provides numerous exceptions to the early withdrawal penalty, with several designed for specific life events like buying a home, paying for college, or retiring early.

Q2: What is the "Rule of 55," and how can it help you retire early?
A2: If you leave your job in the year you turn 55 or older, you can access funds from that specific employer's 401(k) plan immediately without the 10% penalty—a powerful tool for early retirement.

Q3: Can you really use IRA funds to buy a house or pay for college without a penalty?
A3: Yes. You can withdraw up to $10,000 penalty-free from an IRA for a "first-time" home purchase (as the IRS generously defines it) and use IRA funds for qualified higher education expenses.

5 Key Takeaways:

1. The Rule of 55 is a critical planning tool for early retirees, but it only works with your most recent employer's 401(k)—do NOT roll it into an IRA.
2. Substantially Equal Periodic Payments (SEPP) allow penalty-free access at any age but lock you into a mandated, calculated withdrawal schedule for 5+ years with strict IRS rules.
3. IRA Exceptions for Major Expenses: You can use IRA funds penalty-free for a first-time home purchase (up to $10k) and for qualified higher education expenses.
4. Medical Expense Hardship: You can withdraw penalty-free for unreimbursed medical costs, but only the amount that exceeds 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).
5. Proceed with Extreme Caution: These are complex IRS provisions with permanent tax consequences. Always consult a qualified tax professional before making any early withdrawal.

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The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor's particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status, or investment horizon. You should consult your attorney or tax advisor.

Continuum Wealth Advisors, LLC (“Continuum”) is a registered investment advisor. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Continuum and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure.

Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor's particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon. You should consult your attorney or tax advisor. 

What should investors focus on in 2026? Analysis of 40 major outlooks highlights AI profitability as the year's central question. Key strategies include global diversification beyond expensive U.S. stocks and a renewed look at bonds. Major risks to watch are US-China tensions, credit conditions, and persistent uneven economic growth. The bottom line: focus on what you can control—your savings, spending, and a flexible financial plan.

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The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor's particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status, or investment horizon. You should consult your attorney or tax advisor.

Continuum Wealth Advisors, LLC (“Continuum”) is a registered investment advisor. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Continuum and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure.

This is for educational purposes only.

 Key Takeaways:

1. "A-Shares" mutual funds charge upfront commissions (often ~5%) and higher ongoing fees. Ask your advisor if a cheaper share class of the same fund is available to you.
2. Annuities inside IRAs can be a red flag; you're paying for tax deferral within an already tax-deferred account. Always ask, "What specific benefit does this annuity provide me here?"
3. Be wary of advisors placing you in their firm's proprietary funds. These can often underperform benchmarks while charging high fees due to institutional conflicts of interest.
4. The essential question for any investment is: "What am I paying, and what am I receiving in return?" If the value isn't clear, seek a second opinion.
5. These are "yellow flags," not automatic failures. They signal it's time to ask pointed questions and ensure your portfolio is working as hard as possible for you.

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The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor's particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status, or investment horizon. You should consult your attorney or tax advisor.

Continuum Wealth Advisors, LLC (“Continuum”) is a registered investment advisor. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Continuum and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure.

🔍 Financial Advisors; The Truth About Fees, Fiduciaries & Holistic Planning 

In this revealing episode of Retirement Done Right, hosts Pat Kalish is joined by Andrew Heuss to pull back the curtain on the financial advisory industry. We expose what "fiduciary" really means, break down hidden fees, and reveal what TRUE holistic financial planning looks like.

🔹 Key Takeaways:
✅ Industry Evolution: From 1970s stockbrokers to modern holistic planners - how the advisor role has transformed
✅ Fee Transparency: The shocking truth about commissions, AUM fees, and hidden product costs that drain your returns
✅ Fiduciary Reality: Why everyone claims to be a fiduciary and how to spot the real deal
✅ Holistic Planning Defined: It's NOT just investments - discover the 8 key areas of true comprehensive planning
✅ Red Flags: 3 warning signs your advisor isn't working in your best interest
✅ Questions to Ask: The exact questions to vet any financial advisor before hiring them

🚨 3 RED FLAGS Your Financial Advisor Isn't Working For You:

1️⃣ They avoid talking about their fees & how they get paid
2️⃣ They push you to implement plans you don't fully understand
3️⃣ They try to sell you products in the first meeting

#RetirementPlanning #MillionDollarRetirement #SocialSecurity #RetirementIncome #FinancialPlanning #RetirementGoals #WealthManagement #RetirementSavings #401k #RothIRA #RetirementTips #FinancialFreedom
#financialplanning #financialeducation #financialadvisors
Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor's particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon. You should consult your attorney or tax advisor. 

Continuum Wealth Advisors, LLC (“Continuum”) is a registered investment advisor. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Continuum and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure.

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The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor's particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status, or investment horizon. You should consult your attorney or tax advisor.

Continuum Wealth Advisors, LLC (“Continuum”) is a registered investment advisor. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Continuum and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure.

How much do you really need to retire? The classic $1 million benchmark is a starting point, but is it your finish line? In this episode of Retirement Done Right, hosts David Rath and Pat Kalish, moderated by Andrew Heuss, tear apart the one-size-fits-all retirement number to reveal the hidden factors that truly determine if your nest egg is sufficient.

We dive deep into the questions you need to be asking, including:

• The Lifestyle Test: Why your retirement spending habits matter more than any magic number.
• The Tax Reality Check: The dramatic difference between having $1 million in a Roth IRA versus a Traditional IRA.
• Social Security Strategy: When it actually makes sense to claim early versus delaying benefits until 70.
• The Psychology of Spending: How to mentally prepare for the shift from saving your money to spending it down.
• Location, Location, Location: Why $1 million can feel like a fortune in Iowa but fall short in California.
• The Healthcare Wildcard: Planning for the one expense that can derail even the best-laid retirement plans.

Featuring expert insight from Pat Kalish: *"$1 million isn't a destination—it's a starting point for conversation. The real question is: what lifestyle do you want, and does your plan support it through 30+ years of retirement?"*

Tune in to move beyond the generic advice and get the real, nuanced answers you need to build a confident retirement.

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a qualified financial professional before making any retirement decisions

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Disclosure

The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor's particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status, or investment horizon. You should consult your attorney or tax advisor.

Continuum Wealth Advisors, LLC (“Continuum”) is a registered investment advisor. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Continuum and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure.

In this episode of Retirement Done Right, hosts David Rath & Pat Kalish are joined by Sarah Dorsey, CPA, to uncover five powerful, lesser-known tax strategies that can save you thousands and help you keep more of your hard-earned money.

🔹 Key Strategies Covered:
✅ Box Spreads: How to generate cash-like yield taxed at capital gains rates (not ordinary income).
✅ Section 351 Exchanges: Diversify a highly concentrated stock position WITHOUT triggering a massive tax bill.
✅ Mega Backdoor Roth: Supercharge your retirement savings with up to $66,000+ in annual Roth contributions (yes, you read that right).
✅ Charitable Giving Advanced Tactics: How to use Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs), Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs), and Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) to maximize deductions.
✅ Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs): Defer and potentially eliminate capital gains taxes by investing in distressed areas.

📢 Who Should Listen?
• Investors with highly appreciated stocks or concentrated positions
• High earners looking to maximize retirement savings beyond standard limits
• Charitably inclined individuals wanting to optimize their tax impact
• Anyone interested in sophisticated wealth preservation strategies

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Disclosure

The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor's particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status, or investment horizon. You should consult your attorney or tax advisor.

Continuum Wealth Advisors, LLC (“Continuum”) is a registered investment advisor. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Continuum and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure.

🔒CYBERSECURITY FOR RETIREES: Protect Your Life Savings from Digital Threats 

In this critical episode of Retirement Done Right, hosts David Rath & Pat Kalish sit down with Mark Hurley, CEO of Digital Privacy and Protection and former FBI cyber expert, to expose the shocking vulnerabilities retirees face online—and the exact steps you can take to secure your digital life.

🔹 Key Takeaways:
✅ Password Myth Busted: Why your 8-digit password can be hacked in 1 second and the new 25-digit standard you MUST use.
✅ Password Managers Demystified: How to use tools like Keeper to create, store, and auto-fill complex passwords painlessly.
✅ The $400,000 Public Wi-Fi Mistake: Why you must NEVER check your bank account without a VPN (and which one we recommend).
✅ Hidden Settings: The 60+ privacy/security settings on your iPhone, Windows PC, and Facebook you need to turn ON now.
✅ Beyond Money: How unprotected social media acco

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Disclosure

The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor's particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status, or investment horizon. You should consult your attorney or tax advisor.

Continuum Wealth Advisors, LLC (“Continuum”) is a registered investment advisor. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Continuum and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure.

🏠 Navigating a Home Transition? Here's How to Make It Stress-Free 🏠

In this episode of Retirement Done Right, host Pat Kalish sits down with Erin Larkin-Maguire, founder of Good LineHomes, to unpack the emotional, logistical, and financial complexities of downsizing or relocating in retirement.

🔹 Key Takeaways:
✅ Custom Solutions – How to tailor a home transition to your unique needs (stay in your home, sell, or time a move perfectly)
✅ Case Studies – Real stories of retirees who unlocked equity, reduced stress, and found their next chapter
✅ Proactive Planning – Why starting early avoids last-minute chaos (even if you're years away from moving)
✅ The "Quarterback" Approach – How Goodline Homes partners with financial planners, movers, and contractors to streamline the process
✅ Emotional Support – Why empathy matters just as much as logistics

📢 Who Should Watch?
• Retirees considering downsizing or relocating
• Adult children helping parents transition homes
• Financial advisors seeking housing solutions for clients
• Anyone overwhelmed by the idea of selling/moving

📞 Need Help?
🌐 Good Line Homes: https://www.goodlineshomes.com
🌐 Contwealth.com

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Disclosure

The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor's particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status, or investment horizon. You should consult your attorney or tax advisor.

Continuum Wealth Advisors, LLC (“Continuum”) is a registered investment advisor. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Continuum and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure.

In this episode of Retirement Done Right, hosts David Rath & Pat Kalish reveal why Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are the most underrated tool in personal finance—triple tax benefits, healthcare funding, and even retirement income boosts most people never discover.

🔹 Key Takeaways:
✅ The HSA "Triple Crown" – Tax deductions going in, tax-free growth, and tax-free withdrawals for medical expenses
✅ Pro Strategies – How to use your HSA as a "Stealth IRA" (pay out-of-pocket now, reimburse yourself later)
✅ Surprising Eligible Expenses – Prescription sunglasses, fertility treatments, Medicare premiums, and more
✅ Retirement Healthcare Gap – Why HSAs are critical for covering $320K+ in future medical costs
✅ Action Plan – How to max contributions, invest wisely, and digitally track receipts for future tax-free withdrawals

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The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor's particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status, or investment horizon. You should consult your attorney or tax advisor.

Continuum Wealth Advisors, LLC (“Continuum”) is a registered investment advisor. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Continuum and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure.

In this episode of Retirement Done Right, David Rath and Pat Kalish sit down with Cole Craven, co-founder of Move Health, to break down the complexities of healthcare planning for retirees—from Medicare vs. marketplace options to tax-saving strategies for early retirees.

🔹 Key Topics Covered:
✅ Pre-65 Healthcare Options – Cobra, marketplace plans, short-term insurance & more
✅ Medicare Explained – Parts A, B, C (Advantage), D, and Medigap supplements
✅ Tax Strategies – How income impacts subsidies & premium tax credits
✅ Estate & Retirement Planning – Avoiding costly Medicare penalties & optimizing coverage
✅ Real Client Success Stories – How proactive planning unlocked early retirement

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Disclosure

The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor's particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status, or investment horizon. You should consult your attorney or tax advisor.

Continuum Wealth Advisors, LLC (“Continuum”) is a registered investment advisor. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Continuum and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure.