In this episode of Retirement Planning with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore how downside protection strategies can help retirees weather market downturns without sacrificing long-term growth. They focus on the role of equity-indexed annuities and structured notes, using the example of an investor who avoided a 20% loss in late 2025 by allocating 15% of their portfolio to a buffer product. The hosts explain how buffer ETFs and registered index-linked annuities (RILAs) work, what a 10% buffer means in practice, and why this approach is gaining traction among retirees aged 60 to 75. They also discuss the trade-offs: caps on upside versus floor on losses, and the importance of not over-allocating to insurance-based products. No prior episode has covered this specific angle—the mechanics of downside protection via structured products, with a concrete 2025 market event as the anchor. The episode is designed for listeners who want to protect their nest egg while staying invested in equities.

#DownsideProtection #RetirementPortfolio #EquityIndexedAnnuity #StructuredNotes #BufferETF #RILA #RetirementIncome #MarketDownturn #PortfolioProtection #2025Market #RetirementPlanning #FexingoRetirement #Finance #Investing #WealthManagement #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #RetireeTips

Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore sequence of returns risk—the danger that a market downturn early in retirement can permanently reduce your portfolio's longevity, even if average returns over time are positive. They break down how the order of returns matters more than the average, using a concrete example of two retirees with identical portfolios but different start dates. The hosts discuss practical strategies to mitigate this risk, including having a cash buffer, dynamic withdrawal strategies, and bucketing approaches. They also touch on the current market environment in mid-2026, where valuations are high and volatility has returned. Listeners will learn why a bad start can ruin an otherwise well-funded retirement and what steps to take now to protect themselves. The episode closes with a forward-looking reflection on personal resilience.

#SequenceOfReturnsRisk #RetirementPlanning #MarketRisk #WithdrawalStrategy #CashBuffer #BucketStrategy #DynamicSpending #FinancialPlanning #RetirementIncome #PortfolioLongevity #MarketDownturn #LucasAndLuna #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Finance #PersonalFinance #Investing #Retirement

Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 111 of Retirement Planning with Fexingo dives into the often-overlooked 5-year rule on Roth IRA conversions. Lucas and Luna explain why a converted Roth IRA has two separate 5-year clocks — one for the conversion itself and one for earnings — and how misreading the rule can trigger surprise taxes. Using a concrete example of a retiree converting $100,000 in 2026, they walk through the timing rules, the order-of-withdrawal exceptions, and a practical strategy to avoid penalties while accessing funds early. Perfect for anyone managing a Roth conversion ladder or considering a backdoor Roth.

#RothIRA #RothConversion #5YearRule #RetirementPlanning #TaxStrategy #IRA #BackdoorRoth #RothConversionLadder #WithdrawalRules #SEPP #TaxFreeIncome #Finance #Investing #Retirement #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #LucasAndLuna #Fexingo

Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of Retirement Planning with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore why a Roth IRA remains one of the most powerful tools for tax-free retirement income in 2026. They break down the income limits, contribution rules, and conversion strategies — including how high earners can still get money into a Roth via the backdoor method. The hosts use a concrete example: a 50-year-old couple earning $240,000 who contribute $7,000 each per year for 15 years, growing at 7% to over $350,000 in tax-free withdrawals. They also compare Roth vs. traditional IRA for retirees in different tax brackets, and explain how the SECURE Act's changes to inherited IRAs make Roth accounts even more attractive for legacy planning. If you have a 401k from an old job, they discuss the pros and cons of rolling it into a Roth IRA now versus later. Tune in for actionable strategies to maximize your retirement savings in today's tax environment.

#RothIRA #TaxFreeGrowth #RetirementPlanning #BackdoorRoth #IRA #RothConversion #TaxStrategy #LegacyPlanning #SECUREAct #InheritedIRA #RetirementIncome #401kRollover #Finance #PersonalFinance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #RetirementPodcast #Fexingo

Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Lucas and Luna break down the rules for inheriting an IRA in 2026, covering the ten-year payout rule, the spousal versus non-spousal distinction, and the SECURE Act changes that caught many beneficiaries off guard. They walk through a concrete example of a daughter inheriting her father's traditional IRA and the tax implications of taking distributions too quickly or too slowly. The episode also explains why naming a trust as beneficiary can backfire and how to coordinate inherited IRA withdrawals with other retirement income. Listeners will learn one actionable strategy: how to use a separate inherited IRA to stretch distributions and minimize the tax hit.

#InheritedIRA #SECUREAct #IRAInheritance #BeneficiaryRules #StretchIRA #TenYearRule #SpousalIRA #NonSpousalBeneficiary #RetirementPlanning #TaxPlanning #EstatePlanning #RequiredMinimumDistributions #TrustAsBeneficiary #Finance #PersonalFinance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Retirement

Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of Retirement Planning with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore how the age at which you claim Social Security dramatically impacts your lifetime benefits. Using a concrete example — a 62-year-old named Barbara deciding between claiming at 62, 66, or 70 — they break down how the 8 percent annual delayed retirement credit works, how breakeven ages shift with longevity, and why the decision is more nuanced than just 'claim early or wait.' They also touch on how spousal benefits and survivor benefits factor in, and why 2026's strong job market might give some retirees the confidence to delay. No jargon, just real numbers and a framework you can apply to your own planning.

#SocialSecurity #ClaimingAge #RetirementIncome #DelayedRetirementCredit #FullRetirementAge #BreakevenAnalysis #SpousalBenefits #SurvivorBenefits #BarbaraCaseStudy #LifetimeBenefits #RetirementPlanning #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #ListenersSupported #BuyMeACoffee #NoAds #SmartRetirement

Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Lucas and Luna explain how high earners can use the mega backdoor Roth IRA strategy to contribute up to $76,500 in 2026 to a Roth account — beyond the standard IRA and 401k limits. They walk through a real example of a 45-year-old engineer who built a $1.5 million tax-free nest egg using this technique over 15 years. The hosts clarify the three-step process: after-tax contributions, in-plan Roth conversion, and avoiding the pro-rata rule. They also highlight pitfalls like employer plan restrictions and the 'testing' period that trips up many savers. This episode gives concrete, actionable steps for anyone with a high income and a 401k that allows after-tax contributions — a strategy most people don't know exists but can dramatically change retirement outcomes.

#MegaBackdoorRoth #RothIRA #401k #AfterTaxContributions #HighIncomeSavers #RetirementPlanning #TaxFreeGrowth #InPlanConversion #ProRataRule #WealthBuilding #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Retirement #SavingsStrategy #LucasAndLuna #EmployeeBenefits #TaxStrategy

Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of Retirement Planning with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit, also known as the Saver's Credit—a tax credit that can give low-to-moderate income savers up to 50% of their retirement contributions back at tax time. They break down income limits for 2026, credit tiers (50%, 20%, and 10%), and how the credit stacks with traditional IRA deductions. They use concrete examples: a single filer earning $22,000 who contributes $2,000 gets a $1,000 non-refundable credit; a married couple earning $43,000 gets a $2,000 credit on a $4,000 contribution. They also explain why the credit is non-refundable, what that means for filers with no tax liability, and how the phase-out ranges work. Listeners will learn how to claim Form 8880 and whether Roth or traditional contributions qualify. The episode includes a subtle, topic-tied mention of listener support at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo.

#SaversCredit #RetirementSavingsContributionsCredit #Form8880 #TaxCredit #RetirementPlanning #401k #IRA #LowIncomeSavers #2026TaxYear #IRS #NonRefundableCredit #AGI #PhaseOut #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Finance #PersonalFinance #Retirement

Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of Retirement Planning with Fexingo, hosts Lucas and Luna examine the famous 4% withdrawal rule in the context of mid-2026 market conditions — elevated bond yields, persistent inflation around 3.5%, and equity valuations near historical averages. They walk through a concrete example: a retiree with a $1.2 million portfolio aiming for $48,000 in annual income. Lucas explains why the rule may need adjustment today, citing research from the Trinity Study authors and recent updates from Morningstar. Luna pushes back on the idea that a fixed percentage works for everyone, pointing to sequence-of-returns risk and variable spending strategies. The episode offers practical guardrails for retirees and near-retirees, including dynamic withdrawal methods and the role of annuities as a floor. A subtle donation segment ties the value of independent retirement research to listener support.

#4PercentRule #RetirementWithdrawal #TrinityStudy #SequenceOfReturnsRisk #Morningstar #SafeWithdrawalRate #DynamicSpending #Annuities #RetirementIncome #Inflation2026 #BondYields #PortfolioManagement #Finance #RetirementPlanning #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #LucasAndLuna #Fexingo

Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode, Lucas and Luna break down the Backdoor Roth IRA strategy for high-income earners in 2026. They explain the IRS income limits for direct Roth IRA contributions — $161,000 for single filers and $240,000 for married couples filing jointly — and how the backdoor method lets you legally convert a nondeductible traditional IRA to a Roth IRA regardless of income. They walk through the step-by-step process, highlight the pro-rata rule trap if you have existing pretax IRA assets, and compare pros and cons versus a Roth 401(k). If you earn too much to contribute to a Roth IRA directly, this episode gives you the playbook to get tax-free growth anyway.

#BackdoorRothIRA #RothIRA #IRA #RetirementPlanning #HighIncome #TaxStrategy #ProRataRule #RothConversion #Roth401k #IRS #RetirementSavings #TaxFreeGrowth #Finance #PersonalFinance #Fexingo #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Podcast

Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo