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

Episode 34 of Retirement Planning with Fexingo dives into Qualified Longevity Annuity Contracts — QLACs — and how they can reduce your Required Minimum Distributions by deferring a portion of your tax-deferred savings to age 85. Lucas and Luna explain the mechanics, the updated 2026 limits, and the trade-offs, including liquidity risk and inflation concerns. They walk through a concrete example of a 72-year-old retiree with a $1.2 million IRA who defers $200,000 into a QLAC, cutting their first RMD by nearly $7,300. The episode also covers why QLACs aren't for everyone and how they fit into a broader tax-bucket strategy. Perfect for pre-retirees worried about RMD tax bombs and sequence-of-returns risk.

#QLAC #QualifiedLongevityAnnuityContract #RequiredMinimumDistributions #RMD #RetirementPlanning #TaxDeferral #Annuity #LifetimeIncome #IRS #Section401a9 #IRA #TaxBomb #SequenceOfReturnsRisk #LongevityRisk #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Finance #Retirement

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In this episode of Retirement Planning with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna dig into a little-known Social Security rule called the widow's penalty. They explain how a surviving spouse's combined benefit can be significantly reduced if they claim early, and why the timing of a survivor benefit claim matters more than most retirees realize. Using a concrete example of a 62-year-old widow, they walk through the numbers: how a $1,500 monthly benefit drops to $1,050 if claimed early, and how waiting until full retirement age preserves the full amount. They also discuss strategies like filing a restricted application for spousal benefits first, then switching to survivor benefits later. The episode covers the Government Pension Offset and how it can reduce survivor benefits for those with non-covered pensions. A must-listen for couples planning their claiming strategy or anyone who wants to avoid leaving thousands of dollars on the table.

#SocialSecurity #WidowPenalty #SurvivorBenefits #RetirementPlanning #SpousalBenefits #ClaimingStrategy #GovernmentPensionOffset #WEP #GPO #FinancialPlanning #RetirementIncome #FullRetirementAge #RestrictedApplication #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Finance #PersonalFinance #Retirement

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Episode 32 of Retirement Planning with Fexingo breaks down the three-bucket withdrawal strategy—a systematic approach to sequencing your retirement income from taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free accounts. Lucas and Luna walk through a concrete example: a retiree with $600,000 in a 401k, $200,000 in a Roth IRA, and $100,000 in a taxable brokerage account, withdrawing $40,000 per year. They explain how withdrawing from the right bucket each year can reduce your lifetime tax bill by tens of thousands of dollars, mitigate sequence-of-returns risk, and keep your Medicare premiums lower. The episode also covers the 'cash wedge' technique and how to refill buckets during bull markets. No fluff—just a practical framework you can apply to your own retirement plan.

#RetirementPlanning #ThreeBucketStrategy #WithdrawalStrategy #TaxEfficientWithdrawal #SequenceOfReturnsRisk #CashWedge #RothIRA #TraditionalIRA #TaxableAccount #MedicareSurcharge #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Finance #PersonalFinance #RetirementIncome #BucketStrategy #TaxPlanning #BucketsOfMoney

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Most people assume tapping your 401k before 59½ triggers a 10% penalty. But there's a little-known exception called the Rule of 55 that lets you access funds penalty-free if you leave your job in the year you turn 55. In this episode, Lucas and Luna break down who qualifies, how it works with multiple employers, and a real-world example of a 52-year-old who accidentally triggered it. They also cover the substantially equal periodic payments (SEPP) option as a fallback. If you're planning an early retirement or a mid-career job change, this episode is essential listening.

#401k #EarlyWithdrawal #RuleOf55 #SEPP #RetirementPlanning #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #LucasAndLuna #EarlyRetirement #PenaltyException #RetirementSavings #IRA #TaxStrategy #JobChange #FinancialPlanning #WealthManagement #Podcast

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Episode 30 of Retirement Planning with Fexingo dives into inflation indexing and how it quietly shapes your 401k and IRA growth. Lucas and Luna break down the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment for contribution limits, the real impact of 3.2% annual inflation on a $500,000 nest egg over 20 years, and why ignoring indexing could leave you short by six figures. They also discuss how Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) and I Bonds work as hedges, and whether Roth accounts offer any inflation protection. A must-listen for anyone saving for retirement in today's rising-cost environment.

#RetirementPlanning #Inflation #401k #IRA #CostOfLivingAdjustment #TIPS #IBonds #RothIRA #CompoundInterest #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #RetirementSavings #InflationHedge #ContributionLimits #RealReturn #PurchasingPower #FinancialPlanning

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In this episode, Lucas and Luna break down the Roth IRA conversion strategy for pre-retirees with large traditional 401k balances. They explain the tax implications, the ideal timing to minimize tax brackets, and how this move can reduce future Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). Using a concrete example of a 58-year-old with $800,000 in a 401k, they walk through the math of converting $50,000 per year at a 22% marginal rate vs. waiting until age 72 when RMDs could push them into higher brackets. The hosts also discuss the Medicare IRMAA surcharge trap and state tax considerations, and offer a practical rule of thumb: convert up to the top of your current bracket if you expect higher income in retirement. This episode covers a specific strategy often overlooked by those nearing retirement, providing actionable insights for listeners considering proactive Roth conversions.

#RothIRA #401k #RetirementPlanning #RothConversion #TaxStrategy #RMDs #RequiredMinimumDistributions #TaxBracket #IRMAA #Medicare #PreRetirement #FinancialPlanning #Fidelity #Vanguard #WealthManagement #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast

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Episode 28 of Retirement Planning with Fexingo uncovers a hidden tax rule that could cost you thousands: employer matching contributions to a Roth 401k are always pre-tax, meaning you'll owe taxes on that 'free money' in retirement. Lucas and Luna break down the IRS rule, walk through a concrete example with a 35-year-old earning $120,000, and explain why this creates a tax liability at withdrawal that most savers never see coming. They also discuss a simple strategy: max out the Roth 401k up to the match, then redirect additional savings to a Roth IRA. No fluff, just the numbers you need to avoid a nasty surprise in your 70s. Plus, a brief word on listener support—if today's tip was worth a coffee to you, that's the link.

#Roth401k #EmployerMatch #TaxTrap #RetirementPlanning #401k #RothIRA #TaxLiability #IRS #MatchingContribution #PreTax #AfterTax #WithdrawalTax #Fiduciary #RetirementTaxes #SavingsStrategy #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast

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Episode 27 of Retirement Planning with Fexingo explores the Health Savings Account as a powerful but overlooked retirement savings vehicle. Lucas and Luna walk through the triple tax advantage — deductible contributions, tax-free growth, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses — and explain why an HSA can outperform a 401k for certain savers. They discuss the 2026 contribution limits, the high-deductible health plan requirement, and the strategy of paying current expenses out of pocket to let the account grow. The episode also covers the penalty-free withdrawal rules after age 65 and how to coordinate HSA withdrawals with Medicare premiums. A concrete example shows how a couple in their 30s could accumulate over $500,000 in HSA assets by retirement, even if they never use it for current medical bills. The hosts close with a donation appeal tied to the show's mission of making financial planning accessible and ad-free.

#HealthSavingsAccount #HSA #RetirementPlanning #TripleTaxAdvantage #HighDeductibleHealthPlan #TaxFreeGrowth #Medicare #FSA #RetirementSavings #TaxStrategy #MedicalExpenses #CatchUpContributions #CompoundGrowth #InvestmentOptions #Finance #Podcast #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast

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Episode 26 of Retirement Planning with Fexingo. Lucas and Luna dissect the Social Security earnings test — the rule that reduces benefits if you claim before full retirement age and still work. They walk through a concrete example: a 63-year-old earning $60,000 who claims early, triggering a $1-for-$2 benefit reduction on earnings above the annual limit. They explain how benefits are recalculated later, why many retirees fear the test unnecessarily, and the specific income thresholds for 2026. The episode includes a listener donation segment. No prior episode covered this specific rule's mechanics and behavioral impact.

#SocialSecurity #EarningsTest #EarlyRetirement #FullRetirementAge #BenefitReduction #RetirementPlanning #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #RetirementIncome #ClaimingStrategy #SocialSecurityAdministration #WorkAndBenefits #TaxPlanning #RetirementTips #FinancialLiteracy #SocialSecurityBenefits #Retirees

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In this episode of Retirement Planning with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna break down the Roth conversion ladder — a strategy that lets early retirees access their 401k funds before age 59 1/2 without paying the 10 percent early-withdrawal penalty. They walk through a concrete example: someone retiring at age 45 with a $500,000 traditional 401k balance, converting $40,000 per year to a Roth IRA, and using the five-year waiting period to create a tax-free income pipeline. The hosts discuss the tax implications, the risk of higher future tax brackets, and how to avoid the 'conversion tax trap' where a large conversion pushes you into a higher bracket. They also touch on Medicare premium surcharges (IRMAA) and the importance of having some taxable savings to cover living expenses during the five-year gap. If you are planning to retire early or considering a financial independence (FIRE) path, this episode provides a step-by-step guide to the Roth ladder and its pitfalls. No fluff, just the numbers.

#RothConversionLadder #EarlyRetirement #FIRE #401k #RothIRA #TaxStrategy #RetirementPlanning #PenaltyFreeWithdrawal #FiveYearRule #IRMAA #TaxBracketArbitrage #FinancialIndependence #RetireEarly #InvestmentStrategy #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #RetirementTips

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