Learn more about how you can prepare for retirement by downloading the complimentary Retire Your Way Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3Zqh7i3

Register for our next Journey to Retirement Online Workshop to learn more about building a comprehensive retirement plan. - https://bit.ly/4aeNR1B

Collecting Social Security benefits is an important part of every retirement income plan, but the process can be complicated and confusing. In this episode of Retiring Today with Loren Merkle, we examine seven Social Security headlines and determine whether they are fact or fiction.

These seven statements are vetted out in this episode.

1. Fact or Fiction: Social Security will run out of money before I retire.

2. Fact or Fiction: The surviving spouse, at full retirement age, generally gets 100% of the worker's basic benefit amount.

3. Fact or Fiction: An ex-spouse's benefit comes out of your own benefit.

4. Fact or Fiction: Social Security is all I need in retirement.

5. Fact or Fiction: I won't pay taxes on my Social Security benefit.

6. Fact or Fiction: Social Security is based on my top 35 wage-earning years.

7. Fact or Fiction: The annual COLA is guaranteed.

Loren Merkle, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, RETIREMENT INCOME CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL FIDUCIARY® https://merkleretirementplanning.com/staff-members/loren-merkle/

Chawn Honkomp, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, RETIREMENT INCOME CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL FIDUCIARY®, CPA® https://merkleretirementplanning.com/staff-members/chawn-honkomp/

Molly Nelson, Host of Retiring Today https://merkleretirementplanning.com/staff-members/molly-nelson/

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This video does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service by Merkle Retirement Planning LLC, Elite Retirement Planning LLC, MRP Insurance LLC, or any other third party regardless of whether such security, product or service is referenced in this episode. Furthermore, nothing in this episode is intended to provide tax, legal, or investment advice and nothing in this episode should be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any investment or security or to engage in any investment strategy or transaction. Merkle Retirement Planning, LLC does not represent that the securities, products, or services discussed in this episode are suitable for any particular investor. You are solely responsible for determining whether any investment, investment strategy, security or related transaction is appropriate for you based on your personal investment objectives, financial circumstances and risk tolerance. You should consult your business advisor, attorney, or tax and accounting advisor regarding your specific business, legal or tax situation.Medicare services provided through MRP Insurance, LLC. Any and all other services related to insurance are an outside business activity and are not offered through or supervised by Elite Retirement Planning, LLC. MRP Insurance, LLC, is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. This is an advertisement for insurance. By responding to the ad, you will be put in contact with a licensed insurance agent offering Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Supplement Plans, and Prescription Drug Plans. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent [5] organizations which offer [22] products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.

Learn more about how you can prepare for retirement by downloading the complimentary Retire Your Way Toolkit - https://bit.ly/49mxO2z 
Register for our next Journey to Retirement Online Workshop to learn more about building a comprehensive retirement plan. - https://bit.ly/4aeNR1B
Overwhelmed with all the options when it comes to Medicare in 2025? In this episode of Retiring Today, we break down the most critical Medicare updates that will help you make the best decisions for your retirement plan.
Key topics:
- A comprehensive breakdown of Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D
- IRMAA and its impact on your Medicare premiums
- Your Medicare options if you work past age 65
- The triple tax advantage of HSAs
- Complete explanation of the $2000 out-of-pocket maximums for Medicare Part D
Loren Merkle, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, RETIREMENT INCOME CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL FIDUCIARY®
https://merkleretirementplanning.com/staff-members/loren-merkle/
AnnaMarie Morrow, Director of Medicare
https://merkleretirementplanning.com/staff-members/annamarie-morrow/
Molly Nelson, Host of Retiring Today
https://merkleretirementplanning.com/staff-members/molly-nelson/
Chapter  
00:00 Introduction
00:29 The Inflation Reduction Act
01:06 Medicare Part A, B, C, D
02:33 Modified Adjusted Gross Income and IRMAA
05:23 Medicare Planning in Your 50's
06:22 Insulin Changes and Out-of-Pocket Maximums
08:34 What To Do If You're Working Past 65
10:30 The Triple Tax Benefit of HSAs
12:10 What To Do If You Have Dependants on Your Insurance
13:22 Out-of-Pocket Maximums Breakdown
15:03 Annual Enrollment Period
15:41 Medicare is not Set-It and Forget-It
17:09 Inflation Reduction Act Section 1557
18:00 Outro
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This video does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service by Merkle Retirement Planning LLC, Elite Retirement Planning LLC, MRP Insurance LLC, or any other third party regardless of whether such security, product or service is referenced in this episode. Furthermore, nothing in this episode is intended to provide tax, legal, or investment advice and nothing in this episode should be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any investment or security or to engage in any investment strategy or transaction. Merkle Retirement Planning, LLC does not represent that the securities, products, or services discussed in this episode are suitable for any particular investor. You are solely responsible for determining whether any investment, investment strategy, security or related transaction is appropriate for you based on your personal investment objectives, financial circumstances and risk tolerance. You should consult your business advisor, attorney, or tax and accounting advisor regarding your specific business, legal or tax situation.
Medicare services provided through MRP Insurance, LLC. Any and all other services related to insurance are an outside business activity and are not offered through or supervised by Elite Retirement Planning, LLC.  MRP Insurance, LLC, is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. This is an advertisement for insurance. By responding to the ad, you will be put in contact with a licensed insurance agent offering Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Supplement Plans, and Prescription Drug Plans. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent [5] organizations which offer [22] products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.

Learn more about how you can prepare for retirement by downloading the complimentary Retire Your Way Toolkit - https://bit.ly/4eC5nPh

Register for our next Journey to Retirement Online Workshop to learn more about building a comprehensive retirement plan. - https://bit.ly/4aeNR1B

April 15th is an important tax date, but it may not be the most important when it comes to tax planning. In this episode of Retiring Today, we give you 5 strategies to think about when it comes to year-end tax planning. Learn why December 31st is so important when maximizing your tax benefits and retirement savings.

Loren Merkle, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, RETIREMENT INCOME CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL FIDUCIARY® https://merkleretirementplanning.com/staff-members/loren-merkle/

Haley Gutschenritter, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™https://merkleretirementplanning.com/staff-members/haley-gutschenritter/

Molly Nelson, Host of Retiring Today https://merkleretirementplanning.com/staff-members/molly-nelson/

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This video does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service by Merkle Retirement Planning LLC, Elite Retirement Planning LLC, MRP Insurance LLC, or any other third party regardless of whether such security, product or service is referenced in this episode. Furthermore, nothing in this episode is intended to provide tax, legal, or investment advice and nothing in this episode should be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any investment or security or to engage in any investment strategy or transaction. Merkle Retirement Planning, LLC does not represent that the securities, products, or services discussed in this episode are suitable for any particular investor. You are solely responsible for determining whether any investment, investment strategy, security or related transaction is appropriate for you based on your personal investment objectives, financial circumstances and risk tolerance. You should consult your business advisor, attorney, or tax and accounting advisor regarding your specific business, legal or tax situation.

Medicare services provided through MRP Insurance, LLC. Any and all other services related to insurance are an outside business activity and are not offered through or supervised by Elite Retirement Planning, LLC. MRP Insurance, LLC, is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. This is an advertisement for insurance. By responding to the ad, you will be put in contact with a licensed insurance agent offering Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Supplement Plans, and Prescription Drug Plans. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent [5] organizations which offer [22] products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.

In this episode of Retiring Today, host Molly Nelson and retirement planner Loren Merkle discuss the basics of Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). Learn about the evolution of IRAs since their creation in 1974, the tax advantages of making contributions, and the significance of rollover strategies from employer-sponsored plans, like a 401(k) or 403(b). They also discuss the impact of the sequence of returns risk for retirees, required minimum distributions (RMDs) and their tax implications, and the potential tax benefits of Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs).

Loren Merkle, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, RETIREMENT INCOME CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL FIDUCIARY® https://merkleretirementplanning.com/staff-members/loren-merkle/

Molly Nelson, Host of Retiring Today https://merkleretirementplanning.com/staff-members/molly-nelson/

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This video does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service by Merkle Retirement Planning LLC, Elite Retirement Planning LLC, MRP Insurance LLC, or any other third party regardless of whether such security, product or service is referenced in this episode. Furthermore, nothing in this episode is intended to provide tax, legal, or investment advice and nothing in this episode should be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any investment or security or to engage in any investment strategy or transaction. Merkle Retirement Planning, LLC does not represent that the securities, products, or services discussed in this episode are suitable for any particular investor. You are solely responsible for determining whether any investment, investment strategy, security or related transaction is appropriate for you based on your personal investment objectives, financial circumstances and risk tolerance. You should consult your business advisor, attorney, or tax and accounting advisor regarding your specific business, legal or tax situation.Medicare services provided through MRP Insurance, LLC. Any and all other services related to insurance are an outside business activity and are not offered through or supervised by Elite Retirement Planning, LLC. MRP Insurance, LLC, is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. This is an advertisement for insurance. By responding to the ad, you will be put in contact with a licensed insurance agent offering Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Supplement Plans, and Prescription Drug Plans. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent [5] organizations which offer [22] products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.

Learn more about how you can prepare for retirement by downloading the complimentary Retire Your Way Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3AByl3Q

Register for our next Journey to Retirement Online Workshop to learn about building a comprehensive retirement plan. - https://bit.ly/4aeNR1B 

In this episode of Retiring Today, we explore how inflation affects your retirement savings and discuss strategies to protect your nest egg. Learn essential retirement planning concepts to maintain your purchasing power throughout your retirement.

Loren Merkle, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, RETIREMENT INCOME CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL FIDUCIARY® https://merkleretirementplanning.com/staff-members/loren-merkle/

Clint Huntrods, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL FIDUCIARY®, PhD, Retirement Planner https://merkleretirementplanning.com/staff-members/clint-huntrods/

Molly Nelson, Host of Retiring Today https://merkleretirementplanning.com/staff-members/molly-nelson/

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This video does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service by Merkle Retirement Planning LLC, Elite Retirement Planning LLC, MRP Insurance LLC, or any other third party regardless of whether such security, product or service is referenced in this episode. Furthermore, nothing in this episode is intended to provide tax, legal, or investment advice and nothing in this episode should be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any investment or security or to engage in any investment strategy or transaction. Merkle Retirement Planning, LLC does not represent that the securities, products, or services discussed in this episode are suitable for any particular investor. You are solely responsible for determining whether any investment, investment strategy, security or related transaction is appropriate for you based on your personal investment objectives, financial circumstances and risk tolerance. You should consult your business advisor, attorney, or tax and accounting advisor regarding your specific business, legal or tax situation. 

Medicare services provided through MRP Insurance, LLC. Any and all other services related to insurance are an outside business activity and are not offered through or supervised by Elite Retirement Planning, LLC.  MRP Insurance, LLC, is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. This is an advertisement for insurance. By responding to the ad, you will be put in contact with a licensed insurance agent offering Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Supplement Plans, and Prescription Drug Plans. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent [5] organizations which offer [22] products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.

Learn more about how you can prepare for retirement by downloading the complimentary Retire Your Way Toolkit - https://bit.ly/4eaBLrW

Register for our next Journey to Retirement Online Workshop to learn more about building a comprehensive retirement plan. - https://bit.ly/4aeNR1B

In this week's episode of Retiring Today, host Molly Nelson and retirement planners Loren Merkle and Clint Huntrods, discuss the six essential pillars of a comprehensive retirement plan. They dive into the "RetireSecure Roadmap," a visual representation of the retirement plans we help families and individuals build.

Loren Merkle, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, RETIREMENT INCOME CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL FIDUCIARY® https://merkleretirementplanning.com/staff-members/loren-merkle/

Clint Huntrods, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL FIDUCIARY®, PhD, Retirement Planner https://merkleretirementplanning.com/staff-members/clint-huntrods/

Molly Nelson, Host of Retiring Today https://merkleretirementplanning.com/staff-members/molly-nelson/

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This video does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security or any other product or service by Merkle Retirement Planning LLC, Elite Retirement Planning LLC, MRP Insurance LLC, or any other third party regardless of whether such security, product or service is referenced in this episode. Furthermore, nothing in this episode is intended to provide tax, legal, or investment advice and nothing in this episode should be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any investment or security or to engage in any investment strategy or transaction. Merkle Retirement Planning, LLC does not represent that the securities, products, or services discussed in this episode are suitable for any particular investor. You are solely responsible for determining whether any investment, investment strategy, security or related transaction is appropriate for you based on your personal investment objectives, financial circumstances and risk tolerance. You should consult your business advisor, attorney, or tax and accounting advisor regarding your specific business, legal or tax situation.

Medicare services provided through MRP Insurance, LLC. Any and all other services related to insurance are an outside business activity and are not offered through or supervised by Elite Retirement Planning, LLC. MRP Insurance, LLC, is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. This is an advertisement for insurance. By responding to the ad, you will be put in contact with a licensed insurance agent offering Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Supplement Plans, and Prescription Drug Plans. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent [5] organizations which offer [22] products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.

Learn more about how you can prepare for retirement by downloading the complimentary Retire Your Way Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3Uq21rg

Molly Nelson, Host of Retiring Today https://merkleretirementplanning.com/staff-members/molly-nelson/

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In this episode of Retiring Today, Dorothy (Molly Nelson) is looking to retire and needs some help from her friends, the Lion (Loren Merkle) and the Tin Man (Chawn Honkomp). Join Dorothy as she discovers the six essential pillars along the yellow brick road - lifestyle, income, taxes, investments, health care, and legacy - to create her retirement plan. After a long journey, Dorothy eventually reaches the emerald city with confidence in her plan and ready to retire.

Learn more about how you can prepare for retirement by downloading the complimentary Retire Your Way Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3YwoIfR

Learn more about how you can prepare for retirement by downloading the complimentary Retire Your Way Toolkit - https://bit.ly/4gXJY5o

In this episode of Retiring Today, host Molly Nelson and retirement planners Clint Huntrods and Loren Merkle dive into essential tips, strategies, and action steps for those aged 64 and dreaming of retirement. The team discusses the common mindset and concerns of individuals nearing retirement and emphasizes the importance of long-term planning through an insightful example of a hypothetical retiree named Jill. The episode explores key decisions around Social Security, pension options, and expense planning to help viewers think about decisions they might need to make when constructing their comprehensive retirement plan.

Learn more about how you can prepare for retirement by downloading the complimentary Retire Your Way Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3zRa1uq

Loren Merkle, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, RETIREMENT INCOME CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL FIDUCIARY®

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