In this episode, Lucas and Luna dive into one of retirement planning's most practical—and least talked about—tasks: building a withdrawal budget that survives real life. They walk through a concrete example: a 66-year-old retiree with $1.1 million in a traditional IRA, $250,000 in a Roth, and Social Security benefits starting at 67. The focus is on the 'spending floor' approach—how to cover essential expenses with guaranteed income sources, then layer in flexible withdrawals for the fun stuff. Lucas shares a simple framework for projecting annual after-tax withdrawals, using current IRS tables and historical market return assumptions, while Luna brings in a cautionary tale about sequence-of-returns risk from the 2000-2002 bear market. The conversation also touches on the impact of recent inflation on discretionary spending, and how a modest inflation buffer can keep a budget realistic. By the end, listeners will have a clear, step-by-step method for turning their portfolio into a monthly paycheck—without the anxiety of guesswork. This episode provides a fresh, actionable angle on retirement income planning that prior episodes—focused on taxes, RMDs, and account mechanics—have not covered.

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Lucas and Luna dig into the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, or IRMAA, the surcharge that can quietly raise Medicare Part B and Part D premiums for retirees with higher incomes. Using a real couple's situation as a case study, they explain how IRMAA brackets work, why a one-time Roth conversion or a big capital gain can trigger it, and how to plan around it with strategies like managing taxable income, timing conversions, and appealing when your income drops. If you're approaching retirement or already drawing from IRMAA-sensitive accounts, this episode gives you a practical roadmap to keep your premiums in check.

#RetirementPlanning #Medicare #IRMAA #MedicareSurcharge #RothConversion #TaxPlanning #RetirementIncome #HealthcareCosts #FinancialPlanning #WealthManagement #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #PersonalFinance #RetirementTaxes #SocialSecurity #MedicarePartB #MedicarePartD #IncomePlanning

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For decades, the 4 percent rule was the default answer to how much you can safely withdraw from your retirement portfolio. But with bond yields back to levels not seen in fifteen years, financial planners are asking whether the old math still holds. In this episode, Lucas and Luna dig into the origins of the rule, how today's return assumptions change the numbers, and why the real risk in retirement might not be running out of money—but running out of story. They walk through a concrete example: a 65-year-old with a million-dollar portfolio facing a coin-flip between a 4 percent and a 4.5 percent withdrawal rate. Along the way, they touch on dynamic spending, guardrails, and why the last decade of low rates broke our mental models. If you're nearing retirement or already drawing down, this episode will help you think about your withdrawal rate with fresh eyes—and a dose of realism.

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In this episode of Retirement Planning with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore a question that catches many retirees off guard: what tax bracket will you actually be in during retirement? Most people assume they'll be in a lower bracket, but the reality is often different—especially when you factor in Social Security taxation, Required Minimum Distributions, and other income sources. Lucas walks through a simple framework to estimate your retirement tax bracket, using a realistic example of a couple with $1.2 million in a traditional 401k and a modest pension. He explains how to project your taxable income, account for Social Security's taxability thresholds, and adjust for future tax law changes. The hosts also discuss why this matters for Roth conversion decisions and withdrawal sequencing. If you're approaching retirement, this episode gives you a practical way to plan your tax strategy with confidence.

#RetirementTaxBracket #TaxPlanning #RothConversion #SocialSecurityTaxation #RequiredMinimumDistributions #RetirementIncome #401kWithdrawals #TaxStrategy #RetirementPlanning #PersonalFinance #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #WealthPlanning #RetirementSavings #TaxEstimate #FinancialPlanning #RetirementPodcast

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In this episode of Retirement Planning with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna tackle a question many married couples face: what happens to retirement savings when one spouse stays home or works part-time? They explore the spousal IRA, a powerful but often overlooked tool that allows a working spouse to contribute to an IRA in the non-working spouse's name. The discussion covers the 2026 contribution limits, the income requirements to qualify, and the key difference between traditional and Roth spousal IRAs. Lucas explains how the spousal IRA can help a stay-at-home parent build their own retirement savings, maintain financial independence, and potentially qualify for the saver's credit. Luna shares a relatable example of a couple in their 30s with a young child, showing how even modest annual contributions can compound into substantial growth over twenty years. The episode also touches on how spousal IRAs fit into a broader retirement strategy, including coordinating with 401k contributions and avoiding common pitfalls like excess contributions. Tune in for a practical, numbers-driven guide to securing retirement for both partners.

#SpousalIRA #RetirementPlanning #MarriedCouples #IRA #StayAtHomeParent #RetirementSavings #2026 #LucasAndLuna #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Finance #Retirement #Investing #TaxPlanning #SaversCredit #CompoundGrowth #EstatePlanning #PersonalFinance

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When you inherit a 401k or IRA, the IRS has specific rules about how quickly you must withdraw the money — and getting it wrong can trigger a massive penalty. In this episode, Lucas and Luna break down the SECURE Act's 10-year rule, explain who's exempt, and walk through a real-world example of a daughter who inherited her father's IRA and faced a 50 percent penalty from the IRS. They discuss why many beneficiaries are caught off guard, the difference between 'eligible designated beneficiaries' and everyone else, and practical strategies to avoid the trap — including partial withdrawals, Roth conversions, and when to consult a tax pro. If you're likely to inherit a retirement account — or you're naming beneficiaries on your own — this episode will save you from a costly mistake. Tune in for a clear, plain-English guide to one of the sneakiest tax rules in retirement planning.

#InheritedIRA #Inherited401k #SECUREAct #10YearRule #RequiredMinimumDistributions #BeneficiaryTaxes #RetirementPlanning #EstatePlanning #TaxPenalty #IRARules #RetirementAccounts #WealthTransfer #PersonalFinance #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #RetirementPodcast #TaxStrategy

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In this episode of Retirement Planning with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore the concept of a retirement spending floor — a guaranteed income layer that covers essential expenses. They use the example of a hypothetical retiree with $1.2 million in savings, showing how combining Social Security, a single-premium immediate annuity, and a bond ladder can create a floor that covers $48,000 of annual spending. They walk through the math, the trade-offs, and how this strategy differs from the classic 4 percent rule. Along the way, they discuss the importance of separating fixed costs from discretionary spending, the role of inflation-adjusted annuities, and why a floor can help you stay invested when the market drops. This is a practical, numbers-driven conversation for anyone nearing retirement who wants more certainty without giving up growth potential.

#RetirementPlanning #SpendingFloor #GuaranteedIncome #Annuity #SocialSecurity #BondLadder #RetirementIncome #FinancialPlanning #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #RetirementWithdrawal #IncomePlanning #LiabilityMatching #EssentialExpenses #LongevityRisk #InflationAdjusted #FexingoRetirement

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What happens if you take money out of your 401k or IRA before 59 and a half? Most people know the 10 percent penalty exists, but few understand the exceptions and strategies that can help you avoid it legally. In this episode, Lucas and Luna break down the specific rules, from the Rule of 55 for 401ks to SEPP (substantially equal periodic payments) to 72(t) distributions, and how they apply in 2026. They walk through a realistic example of a 52-year-old who wants to retire early, and explain the IRS's calculation methods, the once-per-lifetime reset rule, and the risks of getting SEPP wrong. They also cover the lesser-known exceptions like medical expenses, disability, and first-time homebuyer withdrawals, and why understanding these rules can save you thousands. If you're thinking about accessing retirement funds early, this episode gives you the clear, practical roadmap you need to avoid penalties and make a smart decision.

#EarlyWithdrawalPenalty #401k #IRA #RuleOf55 #SEPP #72t #RetirementPlanning #TaxPlanning #IRS #FinancialPlanning #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Podcast #2026Retirement #AvoidPenalty #PensionPlanning #WealthManagement

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Lucas and Luna dive into the often-overlooked strategy of consolidating old 401(k)s into a single rollover IRA. They walk through the mechanics of direct versus indirect rollovers, the 60-day rule, and the one-rollover-per-year limit that trips up many investors. Using a concrete example of a listener with three old accounts, they show how a rollover can simplify your retirement savings, reduce fees, and give you more investment choices — all while avoiding surprise taxes and penalties. They also discuss when it might be smarter to leave money in an old 401(k), such as for creditor protection or if you plan to retire early, and how the Rule of 55 fits in. If you've ever switched jobs and left a trail of retirement accounts behind, this episode offers a clear roadmap to tidy it up without triggering a tax bill. Plus, Lucas shares a personal story about his own rollover mishap and what he learned from it.

#RolloverIRA #401kRollover #RetirementPlanning #IRA #401k #TaxFreeRollover #JobChange #RetirementAccounts #FinancialPlanning #Investing #WealthManagement #PersonalFinance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Finance #Retirement #MoneyTips #Podcast

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Borrowing from your 401k is one of the most common retirement mistakes, but it's not always a bad idea. In this episode, Lucas and Luna break down the mechanics of 401k loans: how the repayment works, what happens if you leave your job, and the double-tax trap that catches many borrowers. They walk through a specific example of a 45-year-old borrowing $30,000 for a home renovation, comparing the true cost versus a home equity loan. They also discuss the new SECURE 2.0 rules that allow employers to treat unpaid balances as deemed distributions, and why the 60-day rollover window is your best friend if you can pay it back. By the end, you'll know how to decide if a 401k loan is worth it for you, and what to do if you're already in one. This is a practical, numbers-driven conversation for anyone who's ever considered tapping their retirement savings early.

#401kLoan #RetirementPlanning #RetirementLoans #BorrowingFrom401k #SECURE2 #DeemedDistribution #RolloverWindow #HomeEquityLoan #RetirementSavings #FinancialPlanning #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Finance #PersonalFinance #WealthManagement #RetirementIncome #LoanRepayment #TaxTips

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