Retirement Income School - Safe Money Solutions to Retire Financially Relaxed

Like what you heard in this episode? 🗓️ Schedule a Retirement Income Q&A call with Dr. Amanda: calendly.com/rsf-dramanda/initial-consultation

🎥 The YouTube version of this video is here: www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool
✍🏼 The Blog Version of this video is here: www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/blog

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52. Mean Annuity Comments: What They Get Right and Wrong

Are annuities a scam, or can they serve a useful purpose in retirement? In this lesson of Retirement Income School™, I take common criticisms from viewer comments and look at the questions behind them. We’ll cover fees and tradeoffs, access to your money, how lifetime income riders work, inflation, and what backs an insurer’s guarantees. I’ll also compare MYGAs, fixed indexed annuities, and index funds so you can better understand where each might fit—and what to ask before making a decision.

Other Videos Referenced in This Lesson:  
Why the 4% Rule Falls Short  
Are Insurance Companies Safe for Retirement Income? 

Timestamps:
00:00 Why annuities draw strong opinions
02:49 What annuities really cost
07:15 Surrender charges and access to your money
08:10 Is annuity income just your own money?
10:15 Inflation and the 4% rule
12:40 Planning income for now, later, and ongoing needs
14:25 Who backs an annuity guarantee?
17:50 MYGAs, fixed indexed annuities, and index funds
19:34 Should you buy an annuity?
22:00 Questions to guide your decision

📅 Want to Find Out More?:
Schedule a Q&A Call with Dr. Amanda

💰 Join Us in the Retirement Income School™:
www.RetirementIncome.School

📽️ Watch Retirement Income School™ Content on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool

💰 Watch The Guaranteed Income Blueprint™:
www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/guaranteed-income-blueprint

📬 Contact Dr. Amanda:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: @RetirementIncomeSchool

About Dr. Amanda

Amanda Barrientez | PhD, RICP®, RSSA®, NPN #19460436
IBC Practitioner®, Ed Slott's IRA Advisor Group Member®
Court of the Table Member MDRT® 

Dr. Amanda is the founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™ and creator of the Retirement Income School™. After losing her father and helping her mom navigate retirement, she felt called to help others avoid the stress and confusion of planning alone.

She specializes in safe money strategies using dividend-paying whole life insurance, fixed index annuities, long-term care coverage, and Social Security claiming strategy. Her mission? To help you protect your wealth and enjoy a secure, stress-free retirement with confidence.

⚠️ DISCLAIMER

The information in this podcast is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Retirement Income School™ and Dr. Amanda Barrientez do not provide individual investment recommendations. Always consult with a licensed advisor or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed.

Like what you heard in this episode? 🗓️ Schedule a Retirement Income Q&A call with Dr. Amanda: calendly.com/rsf-dramanda/initial-consultation

🎥 The YouTube version of this video is here: www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool
✍🏼 The Blog Version of this video is here: www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/blog

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51. What Happens When You Work With Me? My 4-Step Process

What does a retirement income planner actually do—and what should you expect when working with one?

In this lesson of Retirement Income School, Dr. Amanda takes you behind the scenes of her retirement income planning process. You’ll see how she evaluates a client’s complete financial picture, identifies income gaps and risks, compares potential strategies, and helps clients make informed decisions.

Dr. Amanda also explains the tools she uses—including Asset Map, Annuity Genius, and Roth conversion modeling software—and discusses implementation, ongoing support, annual reviews, and how she is compensated.

If you’ve spent decades building your savings but aren’t sure how to turn those assets into reliable retirement income, this episode will help you understand what a retirement income planning relationship can look like.

Timestamps:

00:00 What Does a Retirement Income Planner Do?
00:49 Why Dr. Amanda Works With Retirees
02:36 Retirement Planning Is More Than Investing
03:02 Accumulation vs. Retirement Distribution
04:38 Common Retirement Income Concerns
06:43 The Four-Step Planning Process
07:22 Step 1: Retirement Income Q&A Call
09:05 Step 2: Discover and Analyze
09:25 Building Your Financial Asset Map
11:21 Step 3: Modeling Solutions and Recommendations
12:04 Comparing Annuity Income Strategies
13:42 Modeling Roth Conversions and IRMAA
14:21 Step 4: Review and Make Decisions
15:13 Implementation and Ongoing Support
16:13 How Dr. Amanda Is Compensated
16:58 Client Experiences and Reviews
18:39 Planning Process Recap
19:06 How to Book a Q&A Call

📅 Want to Find Out More?:
Schedule a Q&A Call with Dr. Amanda

💰 Join Us in the Retirement Income School™:
www.RetirementIncome.School

📽️ Watch Retirement Income School™ Content on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool

💰 Watch The Guaranteed Income Blueprint™:
www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/guaranteed-income-blueprint

📬 Contact Dr. Amanda:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: @RetirementIncomeSchool

About Dr. Amanda

Amanda Barrientez | PhD, RICP®, RSSA®, NPN #19460436
IBC Practitioner®, Ed Slott's IRA Advisor Group Member®
Court of the Table Member MDRT® 

Dr. Amanda is the founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™ and creator of the Retirement Income School™. After losing her father and helping her mom navigate retirement, she felt called to help others avoid the stress and confusion of planning alone.

She specializes in safe money strategies using dividend-paying whole life insurance, fixed index annuities, long-term care coverage, and Social Security claiming strategy. Her mission? To help you protect your wealth and enjoy a secure, stress-free retirement with confidence.

⚠️ DISCLAIMER

The information in this podcast is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Retirement Income School™ and Dr. Amanda Barrientez do not provide individual investment recommendations. Always consult with a licensed advisor or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed.

Like what you heard in this episode? 🗓️ Schedule a Retirement Income Q&A call with Dr. Amanda: calendly.com/rsf-dramanda/initial-consultation

🎥 The YouTube version of this video is here: www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool
✍🏼 The Blog Version of this video is here: www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/blog

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50. The Roth Conversion Clock Is Ticking: Why 2026–2028 Matters

Roth conversions are often described as a way to pay taxes today instead of tomorrow—but their value may extend well beyond tax rates alone.

In this episode, Dr. Amanda explains why 2026 through 2028 may provide an important Roth-planning window, explores six ways required minimum distributions can affect retirement, and walks through a hypothetical $1 million Roth-conversion case study. You’ll also learn how a Roth-friendly fixed indexed annuity may be incorporated into a broader strategy for tax diversification, future flexibility, and legacy planning.

Timestamps:

00:00 Why Roth conversions are receiving attention
01:01 Why 2026–2028 may be a planning opportunity
03:13 The broader purpose of Roth conversions
05:16 Six potential chain reactions of RMDs
09:06 The $1 million Roth-conversion case study
12:20 Building the Roth-conversion blueprint
16:44 Reviewing the five-year conversion strategy
18:35 What the strategy is designed to accomplish
20:10 Key Roth-planning takeaways
20:44 How to explore your own Roth blueprint

📅 Want to Find Out More?:
Schedule a Q&A Call with Dr. Amanda

💰 Join Us in the Retirement Income School™:
www.RetirementIncome.School

📽️ Watch Retirement Income School™ Content on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool

💰 Watch The Guaranteed Income Blueprint™:
www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/guaranteed-income-blueprint

📬 Contact Dr. Amanda:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: @RetirementIncomeSchool

About Dr. Amanda

Amanda Barrientez | PhD, RICP®, RSSA®, NPN #19460436
IBC Practitioner®, Ed Slott's IRA Advisor Group Member®
Court of the Table Member MDRT® 

Dr. Amanda is the founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™ and creator of the Retirement Income School™. After losing her father and helping her mom navigate retirement, she felt called to help others avoid the stress and confusion of planning alone.

She specializes in safe money strategies using dividend-paying whole life insurance, fixed index annuities, long-term care coverage, and Social Security claiming strategy. Her mission? To help you protect your wealth and enjoy a secure, stress-free retirement with confidence.

⚠️ DISCLAIMER

The information in this podcast is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Retirement Income School™ and Dr. Amanda Barrientez do not provide individual investment recommendations. Always consult with a licensed advisor or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed.

Like what you heard in this episode? 🗓️ Schedule a Retirement Income Q&A call with Dr. Amanda: calendly.com/rsf-dramanda/initial-consultation

🎥 The YouTube version of this video is here: www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool
✍🏼 The Blog Version of this video is here: www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/blog

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49. The Old Annuity Is Gone. Here's What Retirees Buy Now. 

Annuities have changed significantly over the years, yet many opinions about them are still based on older products and outdated contract designs. 

In this lesson, Dr. Amanda explains the evolution of annuities and compares variable annuities, multi-year guaranteed annuities (MYGAs), and fixed indexed annuities (FIAs). You’ll learn how their fees, growth methods, protections, liquidity features, and income options differ—and why the right question is not whether annuities are good or bad, but what specific role an annuity needs to serve in your retirement plan.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Why not all annuities are the same
01:29 – The misconception that all annuities have high fees
02:16 – How annuities have evolved over time
03:24 – How modern MYGAs work
05:41 – Fixed indexed annuities and market-linked growth
07:01 – Variable annuities, fees, and market exposure
10:56 – Comparing variable annuities, MYGAs, and FIAs
12:33 – Understanding fees by annuity type
13:37 – How lifetime-income riders work
14:35 – Old annuitization versus modern flexibility
16:29 – The roles annuities can serve in retirement
18:35 – Choosing an annuity based on the job it needs to do
18:51 – How to explore your annuity options
19:32 – Closing and educational disclaimer

📅 Want to Find Out More?:
Schedule a Q&A Call with Dr. Amanda

💰 Join Us in the Retirement Income School™:
www.RetirementIncome.School

📽️ Watch Retirement Income School™ Content on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool

💰 Watch The Guaranteed Income Blueprint™:
www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/guaranteed-income-blueprint

📬 Contact Dr. Amanda:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: @RetirementIncomeSchool

About Dr. Amanda

Amanda Barrientez | PhD, RICP®, RSSA®, NPN #19460436
IBC Practitioner®, Ed Slott's IRA Advisor Group Member®
Court of the Table Member MDRT® 

Dr. Amanda is the founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™ and creator of the Retirement Income School™. After losing her father and helping her mom navigate retirement, she felt called to help others avoid the stress and confusion of planning alone.

She specializes in safe money strategies using dividend-paying whole life insurance, fixed index annuities, long-term care coverage, and Social Security claiming strategy. Her mission? To help you protect your wealth and enjoy a secure, stress-free retirement with confidence.

⚠️ DISCLAIMER

The information in this podcast is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Retirement Income School™ and Dr. Amanda Barrientez do not provide individual investment recommendations. Always consult with a licensed advisor or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed.

Like what you heard in this episode? 🗓️ Schedule a Retirement Income Q&A call with Dr. Amanda: calendly.com/rsf-dramanda/initial-consultation

🎥 The YouTube version of this video is here: www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool
✍🏼 The Blog Version of this video is here: www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/blog

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48. Medicare IRMAA 2026: Should You Stop Your Roth Conversion?

Could Roth conversions raise your Medicare premiums—and should that stop you from converting? In this lesson of Retirement Income School, Dr. Amanda explains how the income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) affects Medicare Part B and Part D premiums, why exceeding an income threshold by even one cent can trigger higher costs, and how Medicare’s two-year lookback works. You’ll also see a Roth conversion demonstration using an IRMAA tier-cap strategy. Through a hypothetical case study, Dr. Amanda compares conversion timelines, explains the potential cost of waiting, and shows why strategically managing IRMAA may be more effective than abandoning Roth conversions altogether.

Timestamps:
00:00 Should IRMAA stop your Roth conversions?
01:09 What is IRMAA?
01:51 Understanding the 2026 IRMAA tiers
03:47 The IRMAA cliff explained
04:46 Three IRMAA rules that matter
06:08 How an IRMAA tier-cap strategy works
07:05 Roth conversion software demonstration
10:07 Sam and Sally’s five-year conversion plan
14:11 Comparing a no-surcharge strategy
16:06 Why every Roth conversion plan is different
16:54 The potential cost of waiting to convert
18:07 Key takeaway: Convert with the IRMAA cliff in mind
18:22 Building a personalized Roth conversion strategy

📅 Want to Find Out More?:
Schedule a Q&A Call with Dr. Amanda

💰 Join Us in the Retirement Income School™:
www.RetirementIncome.School

📽️ Watch Retirement Income School™ Content on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool

💰 Watch The Guaranteed Income Blueprint™:
www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/guaranteed-income-blueprint

📬 Contact Dr. Amanda:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: @RetirementIncomeSchool

About Dr. Amanda

Amanda Barrientez | PhD, RICP®, RSSA®, NPN #19460436
IBC Practitioner®, Ed Slott's IRA Advisor Group Member®
Court of the Table Member MDRT® 

Dr. Amanda is the founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™ and creator of the Retirement Income School™. After losing her father and helping her mom navigate retirement, she felt called to help others avoid the stress and confusion of planning alone.

She specializes in safe money strategies using dividend-paying whole life insurance, fixed index annuities, long-term care coverage, and Social Security claiming strategy. Her mission? To help you protect your wealth and enjoy a secure, stress-free retirement with confidence.

⚠️ DISCLAIMER

The information in this podcast is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Retirement Income School™ and Dr. Amanda Barrientez do not provide individual investment recommendations. Always consult with a licensed advisor or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed.

Like what you heard in this episode? 🗓️ Schedule a Retirement Income Q&A call with Dr. Amanda: calendly.com/rsf-dramanda/initial-consultation

🎥 The YouTube version of this video is here: www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool
✍🏼 The Blog Version of this video is here: www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/blog

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Can an FIA (Fixed Indexed Annuity) Protect You from Market Losses?

Can a fixed indexed annuity provide market-linked growth without exposing your principal to market losses? In this episode of Retirement Income School, Dr. Amanda explains how FIA downside protection works and the trade-offs that come with it. You’ll learn about 0% floors, caps, participation rates, rate locks, fees, surrender periods, and renewal rate integrity. Dr. Amanda also walks through FIA software examples to illustrate available crediting strategies, hypothetical contract values, liquidity provisions, and the role an FIA may play as the protected portion of a retirement portfolio.

Timestamps:

00:00 Can an FIA protect you from market losses?
01:15 Why market downturns matter in retirement
02:28 Sequence-of-returns risk
04:36 How predictable income may support retirement
05:11 How a fixed indexed annuity works
05:40 FIA software walkthrough
07:16 Fixed accounts and index allocation options
12:30 Roth-friendly FIA considerations
15:00 Guaranteed and hypothetical contract values
17:23 Three potential downsides of FIAs
20:31 Who may be a good fit for an FIA
21:00 Final considerations and next steps

📅 Want to Find Out More?:
Schedule a Q&A Call with Dr. Amanda

💰 Join Us in the Retirement Income School™:
www.RetirementIncome.School

📽️ Watch Retirement Income School™ Content on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool

💰 Watch The Guaranteed Income Blueprint™:
www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/guaranteed-income-blueprint

📬 Contact Dr. Amanda:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: @RetirementIncomeSchool

About Dr. Amanda

Amanda Barrientez | PhD, RICP®, RSSA®, NPN #19460436
IBC Practitioner®, Ed Slott's IRA Advisor Group Member®
Court of the Table Member MDRT® 

Dr. Amanda is the founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™ and creator of the Retirement Income School™. After losing her father and helping her mom navigate retirement, she felt called to help others avoid the stress and confusion of planning alone.

She specializes in safe money strategies using dividend-paying whole life insurance, fixed index annuities, long-term care coverage, and Social Security claiming strategy. Her mission? To help you protect your wealth and enjoy a secure, stress-free retirement with confidence.

⚠️ DISCLAIMER

The information in this podcast is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Retirement Income School™ and Dr. Amanda Barrientez do not provide individual investment recommendations. Always consult with a licensed advisor or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed.

Like what you heard in this episode? 🗓️ Schedule a Retirement Income Q&A call with Dr. Amanda: calendly.com/rsf-dramanda/initial-consultation

🎥 The YouTube version of this video is here: www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool
✍🏼 The Blog Version of this video is here: www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/blog

Social Security is one of the most important sources of retirement income, yet it's also one of the most misunderstood. In this special Retirement Income School™ interview, I sit down with Martha Shedden, co-founder and president of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts (NARSSA), to discuss how Social Security really works and why your claiming decisions can have a lasting impact on your retirement income. 

We cover the history and purpose of Social Security, claiming strategies, spousal and survivor benefits, taxation of benefits, and the biggest misconceptions retirees face today. Most importantly, we address the question that's on everyone's mind: What does the future of Social Security really look like, and should retirees be worried?

Whether you're approaching retirement or already collecting benefits, this conversation will help you make more informed Social Security decisions.

SHOWNOTE LINK: https://actuary.org/socialsecurity/ 

00:00 – Introduction
01:10 – Meet Martha Shedden & NARSSA
02:05 – The History of Social Security
04:10 – Why Social Security Is Your Retirement Income Floor
06:15 – Full Retirement Age & How Benefits Are Calculated
09:30 – Spousal Benefits Explained
15:45 – Survivor Benefits & Divorced Spouse Rules
20:10 – Real-Life Claiming Strategy Example
22:50 – How Social Security Benefits Are Taxed
25:35 – How I Use RSSA Software With Clients
26:20 – The Future of Social Security
27:20 – Will Social Security Run Out of Money?
29:15 – Potential Changes Congress Could Make
33:20 – Should You Claim Early Because You're Worried?
34:00 – Martha's Final Advice for Retirees
34:45 – Closing & Retirement Income School™

📅 Want to Find Out More?:
Schedule a Q&A Call with Dr. Amanda

💰 Join Us in the Retirement Income School™:
www.RetirementIncome.School

📽️ Watch Retirement Income School™ Content on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool

💰 Watch The Guaranteed Income Blueprint™:
www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/guaranteed-income-blueprint

📬 Contact Dr. Amanda:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: @RetirementIncomeSchool

About Dr. Amanda

Amanda Barrientez | PhD, RICP®, RSSA®, NPN #19460436
IBC Practitioner®, Ed Slott's IRA Advisor Group Member®
Court of the Table Member MDRT® 

Dr. Amanda is the founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™ and creator of the Retirement Income School™. After losing her father and helping her mom navigate retirement, she felt called to help others avoid the stress and confusion of planning alone.

She specializes in safe money strategies using dividend-paying whole life insurance, fixed index annuities, long-term care coverage, and Social Security claiming strategy. Her mission? To help you protect your wealth and enjoy a secure, stress-free retirement with confidence.

⚠️ DISCLAIMER

The information in this podcast is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Retirement Income School™ and Dr. Amanda Barrientez do not provide individual investment recommendations. Always consult with a licensed advisor or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed.

Like what you heard in this episode? 🗓️ Schedule a Retirement Income Q&A call with Dr. Amanda: calendly.com/rsf-dramanda/initial-consultation

🎥 The YouTube version of this video is here: www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool
✍🏼 The Blog Version of this video is here: www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/blog

The 4% rule has been the cornerstone of retirement income planning for decades—but is it still the best strategy for today's retirees? 

In this lesson, I'm joined by retirement income expert and bestselling author Dr. Wade Pfau, one of the world's leading researchers on safe withdrawal strategies and the safety-first approach to retirement planning. Together, we discuss the history of the 4% rule, why it may leave retirees feeling financially stressed, and how guaranteed lifetime income can create greater confidence throughout retirement.

We also explore sequence of returns risk, risk pooling, spending shocks, the surprising research linking guaranteed income to greater retirement happiness, and why building an income floor may be one of the most important decisions you make before retiring.

If you're looking for a smarter way to turn your savings into reliable retirement income, this conversation is one you won't want to miss.

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome to the Retirement Income School
01:18 Meet Dr. Wade Pfau
02:20 The History Behind the 4% Rule
05:45 Why the 4% Rule Falls Short Today
09:40 Understanding Safety-First Retirement Planning
14:30 Building a Guaranteed Income Floor
18:15 How Risk Pooling Makes Annuities Different
24:10 Planning for Spending Shocks in Retirement
28:45 The Research on Happiness and Guaranteed Income
33:20 Why So Many People Hesitate to Use Annuities
37:45 A Simple Retirement Income Action Plan
40:30 Final Thoughts

🔗Dr. Wade Pfau Links:
Retire with Style Podcast: https://retirewithstyle.com/
Retirement Researcher: https://retirementresearcher.com/
Retirement Planning Guidebook: https://amzn.to/4vBVU3r
Safety First Retirement Planning: https://amzn.to/4vBVU3r

📅 Want to Find Out More?:
Schedule a Q&A Call with Dr. Amanda

💰 Join Us in the Retirement Income School™:
www.RetirementIncome.School

📽️ Watch Retirement Income School™ Content on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool

💰 Watch The Guaranteed Income Blueprint™:
www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/guaranteed-income-blueprint

📬 Contact Dr. Amanda:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: @RetirementIncomeSchool

About Dr. Amanda

Amanda Barrientez | PhD, RICP®, RSSA®, NPN #19460436
IBC Practitioner®, Ed Slott's IRA Advisor Group Member®
Court of the Table Member MDRT® 

Dr. Amanda is the founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™ and creator of the Retirement Income School™. After losing her father and helping her mom navigate retirement, she felt called to help others avoid the stress and confusion of planning alone.

She specializes in safe money strategies using dividend-paying whole life insurance, fixed index annuities, long-term care coverage, and Social Security claiming strategy. Her mission? To help you protect your wealth and enjoy a secure, stress-free retirement with confidence.

⚠️ DISCLAIMER

The information in this podcast is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Retirement Income School™ and Dr. Amanda Barrientez do not provide individual investment recommendations. Always consult with a licensed advisor or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed.

Like what you heard in this episode? 🗓️ Schedule a Retirement Income Q&A call with Dr. Amanda: calendly.com/rsf-dramanda/initial-consultation

🎥 The YouTube version of this video is here: www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool
✍🏼 The Blog Version of this video is here: www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/blog

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44. Will Your Annuity Cover Your RMD at 73?

If you own an annuity inside an IRA, one of the biggest questions you'll face in retirement is whether it will satisfy your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). The answer depends on the type of annuity you own. 

In this episode, Dr. Amanda explains how RMDs work beginning at age 73 (or 75 for some retirees), how they're calculated, and how different annuities—including MYGAs, Fixed Indexed Annuities (FIAs), and FIAs with income riders—handle RMDs. You'll also learn key RMD rules, aggregation strategies, and common mistakes to avoid so you can simplify your retirement income plan with confidence.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Will Your Annuity Cover Your RMD?
01:00 – What Is an RMD? Age 73 & 75 Rules Explained
02:20 – Which Retirement Accounts Require RMDs?
03:00 – IRA, 401(k), 403(b), and Roth IRA RMD Rules
06:00 – How to Calculate Your RMD Each Year
07:00 – Understanding the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table
09:00 – First-Year RMD Rules & Roth Conversion Timing
10:00 – How MYGAs Handle RMDs
11:45 – How Fixed Indexed Annuities (FIAs) Handle RMDs
12:30 – $450,000 FIA RMD Example at Age 75
14:00 – Three Ways to Take RMDs from an FIA
15:00 – How Income Riders Can Automatically Cover Your RMD
16:00 – QLACs: Delaying RMDs Until Later in Retirement
17:00 – Comparing MYGAs, FIAs & Income Riders for RMDs
18:00 – Final Takeaways & Next Steps

📅 Want to Find Out More?:
Schedule a Q&A Call with Dr. Amanda

💰 Join Us in the Retirement Income School™:
www.RetirementIncome.School

📽️ Watch Retirement Income School™ Content on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool

💰 Watch The Guaranteed Income Blueprint™:
www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/guaranteed-income-blueprint

📬 Contact Dr. Amanda:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: @RetirementIncomeSchool

About Dr. Amanda

Amanda Barrientez | PhD, RICP®, RSSA®, NPN #19460436
IBC Practitioner®, Ed Slott's IRA Advisor Group Member®
Court of the Table Member MDRT® 

Dr. Amanda is the founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™ and creator of the Retirement Income School™. After losing her father and helping her mom navigate retirement, she felt called to help others avoid the stress and confusion of planning alone.

She specializes in safe money strategies using dividend-paying whole life insurance, fixed index annuities, long-term care coverage, and Social Security claiming strategy. Her mission? To help you protect your wealth and enjoy a secure, stress-free retirement with confidence.

⚠️ DISCLAIMER

The information in this podcast is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Retirement Income School™ and Dr. Amanda Barrientez do not provide individual investment recommendations. Always consult with a licensed advisor or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed.

Like what you heard in this episode? 🗓️ Schedule a Retirement Income Q&A call with Dr. Amanda: calendly.com/rsf-dramanda/initial-consultation

🎥 The YouTube version of this video is here: www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool
✍🏼 The Blog Version of this video is here: www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/blog

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43. The 4th Bucket Strategy: Turn Home Equity into Retirement Income (with Don Graves)

Most retirees spend decades building wealth in their 401(k)s, IRAs, investment accounts—and their homes. But when it comes time to create retirement income, many people overlook one of the largest assets they own: their home equity.

In this episode of Retirement Income School, Dr. Amanda sits down with retirement housing wealth educator Don Graves to discuss The 4th Bucket Strategy and how today's FHA-insured reverse mortgage—known as a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM)—can be used as a proactive retirement planning tool instead of a last-resort financial product.

You'll learn how the 4th Bucket can provide liquidity during market downturns, help reduce sequence of returns risk, support Roth conversion strategies, prepare for long-term care expenses, and create greater flexibility for retirement spending—all while dispelling many of the myths surrounding reverse mortgages.

If you've never considered housing wealth as part of your retirement income plan, this conversation may change the way you think about one of your most valuable retirement assets.

Don Graves Education Links:
www.housingwealthmasterclass.com
www.HousingWealthCalculator.com 
www.HousingWealthInstitute.com/blog
www.YouTube.com/askdongraves
www.Housingwealthinstitute.com/contact-us

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:20 Meet Don Graves

02:18 What Is a HECM (Modern Reverse Mortgage)?

06:10 Understanding IJAM

09:40 Why Home Equity Is the "4th Bucket"

15:05 Using Housing Wealth as a Market Hedge

19:40 Long-Term Care Planning with Home Equity

23:15 Common Reverse Mortgage Myths

28:30 Wade Pfau's Research on Sequence Risk

31:05 Using a Reverse Mortgage for Roth Conversions

34:05 Why Every Retiree Should Know Their Housing Wealth Options

36:10 Using the 4th Bucket Alongside Annuities

38:20 Final Thoughts

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About Dr. Amanda

Amanda Barrientez | PhD, RICP®, RSSA®, NPN #19460436
IBC Practitioner®, Ed Slott's IRA Advisor Group Member®
Court of the Table Member MDRT® 

Dr. Amanda is the founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™ and creator of the Retirement Income School™. After losing her father and helping her mom navigate retirement, she felt called to help others avoid the stress and confusion of planning alone.

She specializes in safe money strategies using dividend-paying whole life insurance, fixed index annuities, long-term care coverage, and Social Security claiming strategy. Her mission? To help you protect your wealth and enjoy a secure, stress-free retirement with confidence.

⚠️ DISCLAIMER

The information in this podcast is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Retirement Income School™ and Dr. Amanda Barrientez do not provide individual investment recommendations. Always consult with a licensed advisor or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed.