Healthcare costs are one of the biggest financial challenges for retirees and pre-retirees. Many people work until they’re 65 just to transition into retirement with Medicare. And with healthcare costs so expensive, it’s easy to understand why. But what if your financial plan had those costs built into it so you could retire early?

To explore this complex topic, we’re thrilled to have Scott Hokanson, Founder and President of Brabo Benefits, back on the podcast. We’ve worked with Scott for over 20 years and are grateful to share his expertise, insights, and strategies for helping retirees manage healthcare costs before and after age 65.

In our conversation, we discuss the benefits of Medicare Advantage and Supplement Plans, how to navigate the tough decisions surrounding bridging employer plans and Medicare plans, and why healthcare planning is such a critical component of a comprehensive financial plan.

In this podcast interview, you’ll learn:

• The shocking truth about Medicare costs and how to avoid surprises.
• Strategies for bridging your healthcare coverage before turning 65.
• Scott’s advice on purchasing dental and vision coverage with your insurance.
• Why Roth conversions can impact Medicare premiums—and when they make sense.
• The differences and benefits of Medicare Advantage vs. Supplement plans.

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In recent years, there has been plenty of talk about the burden of paying for a college education, and student loan forgiveness has been a hot topic. If it’s in the news, then weighing on the minds of our clients.

That’s why we’re so grateful to have Mark Kenney, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER and CERTIFIED TAX SPECIALIST here at SHP Financial. With college tuition soaring, preparing for your children’s or grandchildren’s education is more important than ever.

In our conversation, you’ll learn some shocking truths about how much student loan debt is being carried in the US, which assets are included in FAFSA’s (Federal Application for Student Aid) calculations, and which aren’t, and 529 accounts are a great way to save for college education. 

In this podcast interview, you’ll learn:

• Why most of the $1.75 trillion in student loan debt is being carried by people over 60 years of age.
• How to differentiate between the assets that are included and excluded in FAFSA applications.
• Some of the myths about 529 accounts and why they’re an important part of a college education plan.
• The eligibility requirements, interest rates and repayment terms of Parent PLUS loans.
• Mark’s advice on how to decide between helping to pay for college education vs leaving a legacy with your investments.

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Now that the 2024 Election is in the books, we know that a new and yet familiar President-elect will take control of the Whitehouse in 2025. So, what does that mean for your investments and finances? 

To help answer that question, Matthew Peck highlights some of the economic factors that SHP Financial will be keeping a close eye on that will impact the markets. While inflation and taxes have been hot topics for some time now, many people are undoubtedly concerned about what the next administration will do to address these issues.

In this episode, Matthew breaks down the state of the U.S. economy, how tariffs impact the cost of consumer goods, and how new corporate tax cuts could negatively impact inflation.

In this podcast interview, you’ll learn:

• The state of our economy in terms of GDP, inflation, and jobs in late 2024–and how this will influence policy in the years to come. 
• How Trump’s proposed tariffs could dramatically drive up prices for American consumers. 
• Possible loopholes to be created by new tax codes. 
• How difficult it is to cut taxes while still addressing inflation and the national debt.
• How mass deportations, if they happen, will massively reshape America’s labor industry.

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If you’ve been following the podcast, you’ve likely heard us talk about Roth conversions many times. At SHP, we use Roth conversions as a tool on a daily basis.

But it occurred to us, a lot of our listeners might not fully understand what it means or might not be aware of the pros and cons to completing a Roth conversion. So we decided to dedicate a full episode on this very topic today.

In this episode, Matthew Peck is once again joined by Nick Nelson, VP of Advisory Solutions at SHP Financial. Together, they'll cover all the basics and the ins and outs of why Roth conversions are such an important tool that we use in our financial planning process.

Matt and Nick dive deep into the mechanics of a Roth conversion, who benefits the most from them, and when the best time for a retiree or pre-retiree should consider a Roth conversion to minimize taxes in retirement. 

In this podcast interview, you’ll learn:

• What money gets converted when moving into a Roth IRA.
• Key factors to consider before doing a Roth conversion.
• How a Roth conversion potentially creates additional flexibility down the road. 
• The best time to consider a Roth conversion.
• When the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) will expire and what that means for investors.

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To get access to the full show notes, including audio, transcripts, and links to all the resources mentioned, visit SHPfinancial.com/podcast

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You’ve had a successful career, you’ve invested well, and you have everything you need to live comfortably in retirement. Sounds perfect, right? While that would be a dream scenario for some, others often want to do more by giving back and paying it forward. Such is the case with today’s returning guest.

Matt Flynn owned Glynn Electric for over 30 years, serving Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire residents. But today, he’s the VP of Project Trinitē, a non-profit organization on a mission to connect remote communities with global employment opportunities through the deployment of cost-effective globally connected work centers.

In today’s episode, Matthew Peck is also joined by SHP Financial’s Laura Russo to talk about the great things Matt Glynn and Project Trinitē are doing abroad and what compels and motivates him to give back to help those in need. He also shares some excellent advice for anyone who is interested in charitable work and what he looks for in a charity before making donations.

In this podcast interview, you’ll learn:

• Matt’s advice on where to start when choosing a charitable organization to give to.
• How his work experience has been an asset in getting projects off the ground in several countries.
• How Project Trinitē helps by empowering the people they serve to support themselves.
• That’s it’s okay to say no and protect your time once you get involved in charitable work.

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To get access to the full show notes, including audio, transcripts, and links to all the resources mentioned, visit SHPfinancial.com/podcast

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Join SHP Co-founder Matthew C. Peck, CFP® CIMA® and Lead Advisor Laura Russo as they take a moment to reflect on Q4 and prepare for 2025!

In just a few weeks, Americans will vote to decide who will become the next President. With all the commercials and political coverage dominating our screens, it’s easy to get caught up in the media circus during the election season. It’s also difficult to determine how much elections should weigh on your mind, as well as your investing strategies and retirement plans.

In today’s episode, SHP Financial’s Matthew Peck and David Hathaway discuss how our elections impact the economy and your investing mindset. We’ve been hearing about market volatility, inflation, and a potential recession for some time now, but is it all doom and gloom?

In this conversation, we dive into why we let elections influence our investing decisions, the roles that our elected officials have in shaping our economy, and what to pay attention to and what to ignore in the weeks ahead before the next President is elected.

In this podcast interview, you’ll learn:

• How much impact presidents (and presidential elections) have on our economy–and why it’s actually less than you think.
• Why Congressional and local elections are equally or maybe even more important than who is elected as President. 
• The downside of letting elections influence your investing mindset and overall outlook on the economy.

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To get access to the full show notes, including audio, transcripts, and links to all the resources mentioned, visit SHPfinancial.com/podcast

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This new age of AI is undoubtedly one of the most significant advancements in technology that we’ve seen since the dot-com boom in the 1990s. Whether we like it or not, it’s already here and growing in popularity. In today’s episode, we’ll examine the impact that Nvidia is having on the AI revolution and things to consider when adding tech stocks to your portfolio.

Joining Matthew Peck for this conversation is SHP Financial’s Raphael Hanna. Together, they share valuable insights to help you better understand why Nvidia is at the forefront of the latest boom in technology.

You'll learn how Nvidia pivoted from gaming and graphics to become the leading supplier of AI hardware and software, the importance of portfolio diversification and the risk of overexposure when purchasing a tech stock like Nvidia, and what makes the boom in artificial intelligence technology different from the dot-com bubble.

In this podcast interview, you’ll learn:

• How Nvidia’s market capitalization has grown from $350B to 3 trillion dollars in the past 18 months.
• How Microsoft is directly responsible for 19% of Nvidia’s annual revenue.
• The amount of exposure (and risk) that investors holding growth or index funds already have in Nvidia.
• Why Nvidia’s revenue is declining in China, but growing exponentially in the U.S.
• What makes the boom in AI different from the dot-com bubble and likelihood of the AI bubble bursting.
• Reasons for tempering expectations for the long-term with companies that report huge short-term gains.

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Losing your spouse, especially suddenly or in retirement, is a devastating yet common aspect of life. It’s a painful and emotional life event, which makes it very difficult for married couples to plan for, especially from a taxation standpoint.

That’s why we created our Retirement Road Map, designed for all five areas of your financial well-being. From income, investments, taxes, healthcare, and legacy planning–we’re here to support our clients so they’re prepared when facing life-changing circumstances. 

Today, Keith Ellis, Jr is joined by two advisors from SHP, Joe Anderson and Anthony Finocchiaro, to talk about what happens when a spouse passes away and what we do with our clients to ensure that the surviving spouse is taken care of. 

We discuss the immediate impacts of death on your finances, how to plan for the unexpected to protect yourself in emotionally trying times, and how to organize your estate at any time in your life to preserve your legacy.

In this podcast interview, you’ll learn:

• Why losing a spouse rarely cuts the living expenses in half. 
• What you can do to take financial uncertainty out of this worst case scenario. 
• How the best financial advisors minimize the overwhelm that people face when losing a spouse and life partner.
• The two goals of any good financial plan. 
• The tax conversations you should be having with your advisor now to protect yourself in retirement. 

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If you’ve made smart financial decisions, secured your nest egg for retirement, and accumulated enough wealth to leave behind, you’ll undoubtedly have questions about minimizing estate taxes. 

It’s one thing to pay your fair share of taxes, but nobody wants to send more money to Uncle Sam than they have to. And that’s where having expert advice can help save thousands of dollars and leave more to your loved ones than the government.

Here to share some strategies to create a tax-efficient legacy plan is Attorney Matthew Karr of the Heritage Law Center. We’ve been working with him for nearly 10 years, and we’re thrilled to have him on the podcast today. 

In this conversation, we dig into the key elements an estate and legacy plan, strategies to minimize estate taxes, and what to look out for in the wake of the latest changes to the tax code. 

In this podcast interview, you’ll learn:

• How estate taxes are structured and how they work. 
• Helpful tips for naming a trustee to settle your estate. 
• How gift taxes and gift exemptions work to safely pass on money tax-free.
• Why every financial and tax situation requires a unique approach.

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To get access to the full show notes, including audio, transcripts, and links to all the resources mentioned, visit SHPfinancial.com/podcast

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