This week Roger explores the idea of "digging where your feet are" and how focusing on what you can do today can reduce anxiety about the future and regret about the past. In the Retirement Toolkit, he explains the basics of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), including when they begin, which accounts they affect, how they're calculated, and strategies for managing them through retirement. Listener questions cover Roth conversions, 401(k) rollovers, donor-advised funds versus direct charitable giving, and healthcare costs before Medicare. Roger closes the episode with a Fourth of July story about unexpected kindness from strangers in rural Texas.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN

• (00:00) Roger introduces the idea of "dig where your feet are" and explains why focusing on today's actions leads to better retirement planning than living in the future or the past.

RETIREMENT TOOLKIT

• (04:06) Roger breaks down Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), explaining what they are, when they begin, which retirement accounts are affected, how they're calculated, and strategies for minimizing their long-term tax impact.

LISTENER QUESTIONS

• (17:10) Michael asks whether Roth conversions are worthwhile with only a short window between retirement and the start of Required Minimum Distributions.
• (23:10) Lynn asks how to minimize market risk when rolling a 401(k) into an IRA and worries about being out of the market during the transfer.
• (28:19) Sandy shares concerns about donor-advised funds and encourages earlier conversations around charitable giving. Roger discusses both the advantages and criticisms of donor-advised funds.
• (32:52) John shares concerns about healthcare costs before Medicare. Roger discusses replacing vague fears with concrete planning and evaluating the trade-offs of retiring early.

SMART SPRINT

• (38:01) Roger's challenge this week: estimate your future Required Minimum Distribution using an online calculator to better understand how RMDs may affect your retirement income and taxes.

CLOSING THOUGHTS 

• (38:54) Roger shares a Fourth of July story about his daughter receiving help from several strangers after experiencing car trouble in rural West Texas, reflecting on kindness, generosity, and the spirit of America.

REFERENCES

• Submit a Question for Roger
• Sign up for The Noodle
• Charles Schwab Required Minimum Distribution Calculator

Note: The opinions expressed are for informational purposes only and should not replace personalized advice from licensed professionals.