Retirement Planning with Fexingo: 401k, IRA, and Saving for Your Future

In this episode of Retirement Planning with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna dissect one of the most overlooked traps for retirees who keep working before reaching full retirement age: the Social Security earnings test. Using a concrete example of a 63-year-old retiree earning $60,000 from a part-time consulting gig, they show exactly how the test reduces benefits by $1 for every $2 earned above the annual limit of $22,320 in 2026. Lucas explains the mechanics, the one-time do-over rule (form SSA-521), and how benefits are recalculated later to give you credit for withheld amounts. Luna pushes back on whether the test is really a 'tax' or just a delay, and they walk through strategies like reducing earned income, deferring Social Security, or restructuring work income to avoid the penalty entirely. No fluff, just the math and the move.

#SocialSecurity #EarningsTest #RetirementPlanning #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Finance #PersonalFinance #Retiree #FullRetirementAge #BenefitReduction #DoOverRule #SSA521 #DelayedRetirementCredits #ConsultingIncome #RetirementStrategy #WealthManagement #TaxPlanning #IncomeTest

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When should retirees claim Social Security? The conventional wisdom says wait until 70 for maximum benefits, but the breakeven age often falls in the late 70s or early 80s. For a 62-year-old with average health and a $2,000 monthly benefit at full retirement age, claiming at 62 yields $1,500 per month, while waiting until 70 yields $2,640. The breakeven point is around age 80. But this episode digs deeper: it's not just about the numbers. We explore how longevity expectations, spousal benefits, and the opportunity cost of spending down savings affect the decision. Using the case of a hypothetical retiree named Carol, we calculate the real breakeven when factoring in investment returns and taxes. The key insight: for many retirees, claiming early and investing the money can shift the breakeven to age 85 or later, making early claiming more attractive than assumed.

#SocialSecurity #BreakevenAge #RetirementPlanning #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #ClaimingStrategy #Retiree #Longevity #SpousalBenefits #OpportunityCost #InvestmentReturns #Taxes #FullRetirementAge #EarlyClaiming #DelayedRetirementCredits #RetirementIncome #FinancialLiteracy

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Retirees often think of health savings accounts as just a way to pay for medical expenses, but they can be a powerful long-term investment tool. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how HSA funds can be invested in stocks, bonds, and ETFs, growing tax-free for decades. They walk through the triple tax advantage, the catch-up contribution for those 55 and older, and how to use an HSA like a supercharged IRA after age 65. With a concrete example of a retiree who invested $7,000 annually for 20 years, they show how the account can balloon to over $350,000. They also cover the common mistake of leaving HSA funds in cash and the strategy of paying current medical expenses out-of-pocket to let investments compound. A must-listen for any retiree looking to maximize tax-advantaged savings.

#HealthSavingsAccount #HSA #RetirementPlanning #Investing #TaxAdvantage #TripleTaxAdvantage #CatchUpContribution #CompoundInterest #RetireeStrategy #FidelityHSA #ETFInvesting #TaxFreeGrowth #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Finance #Retirement #WealthManagement #PersonalFinance

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Conventional retirement planning wisdom says to keep your emergency fund in a savings account, not a Roth IRA. But in 2026, with high-yield savings rates hovering around 4.5% and Roth IRA contribution limits at $7,500 for those 50 and older, the math is worth a second look. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore a specific strategy: using a Roth IRA as a dual-purpose account that can serve as both a retirement nest egg and a source of penalty-free withdrawals for emergencies. They walk through the rules—Roth IRA contributions can be withdrawn anytime tax-free and penalty-free, regardless of age—and compare the numbers: a taxable savings account earning 4.5% versus a Roth IRA invested in a money market fund earning roughly the same yield but with tax-free growth on the portion that stays invested. They also discuss the risks, including market volatility if you invest the Roth IRA in stocks, and the opportunity cost of using Roth space for cash instead of stocks. The episode includes a case study of a 60-year-old retiree deciding between $50,000 in a savings account versus a Roth IRA.

#RothIRA #EmergencyFund #RetirementPlanning #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #RetireeStrategy #TaxFreeWithdrawals #ContributionLimits #MoneyMarketFund #HighYieldSavings #OpportunityCost #MarketVolatility #CashReserves #DualPurposeAccount #RetirementIncome #PenaltyFree #FinancialPlanning

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Lucas and Luna dive into the Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) strategy for retirees in 2026. They explain how retirees aged 70½ or older can transfer up to $105,000 directly from their IRA to charity, satisfying Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) tax-free. The episode covers the inflation-adjusted limit for 2026, the interaction with the SECURE Act 2.0, and a practical example showing how a $50,000 QCD saves $12,000 in taxes compared to a cash donation. They also discuss the one-time QCD for charitable gift annuities and the trap of forgetting to exclude QCDs from AGI. Perfect for retirees looking to give efficiently while managing their tax bill.

#RetirementPlanning #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #QCD #QualifiedCharitableDistribution #IRA #RMD #RequiredMinimumDistribution #CharitableGiving #TaxStrategy #SECUREAct2 #RetireeTax #DonorAdvisedFund #CharitableGiftAnnuity #AGI #TaxSavings #2026Tax

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Most people think employer 401k matches always go into pre-tax accounts. But in 2026, a little-known IRS rule lets companies deposit the match into your Roth 401k instead — if the plan allows it. Lucas and Luna break down how this works, why it's a game-changer for tax-free growth, and what to ask your HR department this open enrollment. They also cover the catch: unlike your own Roth contributions, the employer match is still taxed when withdrawn. With a concrete example of a 45-year-old engineer saving $200,000 extra in tax-free retirement income, this episode gives you the specific question to ask your plan administrator.

#Roth401k #EmployerMatch #RetirementTaxStrategy #TaxFreeGrowth #IRSLoophole #401kPlanning #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Finance #PersonalFinance #RetirementPlanning #WealthManagement #OpenEnrollment #TaxPlanning #EmployeeBenefits #RothIRA #MegaBackdoorRoth #SECUREAct

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Most people think tax-loss harvesting is only for accumulators, but retirees can use it too—especially in 2026 with the updated capital gains brackets. Lucas walks Luna through how a retiree with a $1.2 million brokerage portfolio harvested $18,000 in losses this spring, offsetting both gains and up to $3,000 in ordinary income. They discuss the wash-sale rule trap, the difference between taxable and retirement accounts, and why the strategy works best with a disciplined rebalancing plan. A concrete guide to keeping more of your portfolio returns in retirement.

#TaxLossHarvesting #RetireeStrategy #CapitalGains #2026TaxPlanning #PortfolioManagement #WashSaleRule #RetirementFinance #FinancialPlanning #TaxSavings #BrokerageAccount #PersonalFinance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #RetirementPodcast #WealthManagement #TaxEfficientInvesting #LucasAndLuna #Fexingo

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Episode 58 of Retirement Planning with Fexingo: Lucas and Luna uncover a little-known pitfall in the Saver's Credit for 2026. Many low-to-moderate-income retirees who continue contributing to a 401k or IRA inadvertently disqualify themselves from the credit due to the adjusted gross income phaseout. Lucas walks through the specific numbers for a single filer earning $36,000: how a $1,000 contribution can trigger a $200 credit loss. Luna shares a real example from a listener who lost $600 in credits. They also discuss the SECURE 2.0 changes to the credit in 2026, including the new permanent 'credit for qualified retirement savings contributions' that replaces the old form. Plus: a subtle angle on Roth contributions as a workaround. No fluff, one actionable insight per episode.

#SaversCredit #RetirementPlanning #TaxCredit2026 #LowIncomeRetirement #401kContributions #IRAContributions #SECURE2Point0 #AGIPhaseout #RetirementTax #FilingStatus #RothContributions #TaxStrategy #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #RetirementPodcast #2026Tax #RetireeSavers

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In Episode 57 of Retirement Planning with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna tackle a little-known pitfall that can cost retirees thousands: the Social Security earnings test. Using a concrete example of a 63-year-old retiree earning $35,000 from a part-time consulting gig, Lucas explains how the test temporarily withholds benefits if you claim early and earn above the annual limit — and why many retirees mistakenly think they've lost that money forever. The hosts break down the 2026 thresholds ($23,400 for those under full retirement age), the formula for withholding ($1 for every $2 over the limit), and the critical twist: after full retirement age, the Social Security Administration recalculates your benefit to give you credit for those withheld months, effectively returning the money over time. Luna pushes back on whether the test is fair and asks about strategies to avoid the cut — like delaying claiming or keeping earnings under the limit. The episode closes with a forward-looking question about how higher inflation adjustments might push more retirees over the threshold in coming years. A must-hear for anyone considering working in early retirement or advising clients nearing Social Security claiming.

#SocialSecurity #EarningsTest #RetirementPlanning #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Finance #Retirement #LucasAndLuna #WorkInRetirement #2026 #FullRetirementAge #BenefitWithholding #ClaimingStrategy #ConsultingIncome #PersonalFinance #RetireeTips #SocialSecurityAdministration #WealthManagement

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Episode 56 of Retirement Planning with Fexingo explores tax-gain harvesting, a strategy where retirees sell appreciated assets in low-income years to reset their cost basis tax-free. Lucas and Luna break down how this works with a concrete example: a retiree with a $50,000 long-term capital gain who owes zero tax thanks to the 0% bracket. They discuss the 2026 adjusted income thresholds, the interaction with Social Security taxation, and the potential to step up basis for heirs. A lesser-known technique that can save thousands over a retirement horizon.

#TaxGainHarvesting #RetirementPlanning #Finance #CapitalGains #TaxStrategy #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #WealthManagement #RetireeTips #TaxBracketArbitrage #CostBasis #LongTermCapitalGains #SocialSecurityTaxation #IncomePlanning #PortfolioManagement #FinancialLiteracy #RetirementIncome #TaxOptimization

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