Caring for a spouse or loved one can have a lasting effect on you and your retirement plans. Will you need to retire early? Do you know how to navigate your needs, as well as the needs of those you're caring for? In this episode, Loren Merkle and Molly Nelson talk with Caregiving specialist Kathy Koenig about the role caregiving can play in your retirement and things you can do to make the best of your situation.

If you're interested in talking with Kathy Koenig or learning more about her background, check out her website at CaregiverConnection.net

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If you have questions about your retirement journey, schedule a Complimentary 15 Minute Retirement Check-Up Call with one of our retirement planners at MerkleRetire.com

Defer, defer, defer - that's the age-old tax mantra. But could it actually be a tax trap? We explore why the money you’ve worked so hard to save in your 401(k) could be subject to a big tax bill and what you can do now to take control of your taxes.

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If you have questions about your retirement journey, schedule a Complimentary 15 Minute Retirement Check-Up Call with one of our retirement planners at MerkleRetire.com

A little planning now can go a long way when life takes unexpected turns. In this episode of Retiring Today, we discuss some of the items on our Spousal Succession Plan Checklist and the value they bring to the legacy you want to leave. Going through this checklist now can help put you at ease, knowing that if something happens to one spouse, the surviving spouse has a plan.

Download our checklist here: http://successionchecklist.com/

There are lot of options when it comes to Medicare and healthcare coverage in retirement. In this episode of Retiring Today, AnnaMarie Morrow joins Molly, Loren, and Richelle to cover some great tips for those electing for the first time and those who are several years in. Understanding all your options can save you money and help you choose the best plan for your circumstances.

You've likely heard the rule that states: "You’ll need 70 to 80 percent of the income you made in your final years of employment in order to live a comfortable retirement." Sounds easy enough, right? But is it true? Today we talk about why this retirement Rule of Thumb may or may not work for your personal retirement goals.

Everybody likes a bargain. Today we discuss why Roth conversions are on sale and how to implement this powerful strategy into your retirement plan.

So far, 2022 has been a roller coaster. Inflation, rising interest rates, and Russia invading Ukraine have sparked volatility in the stock market. Throughout history, the stock market has gone through several ups and downs, including bear markets, bull markets, and crashes. We’ll talk about past crashes, the possibility of a crash, and what you can do now to protect your portfolio.

Women face a unique set of challenges in retirement. It can be tough to navigate Social Security benefits, tax questions, and health care plans in today's world – plus what if you're widowed, divorced, or single? In this episode, we dive into these concerns and more that women face in retirement.

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If you're a woman about to retire or in retirement and interested to learn more, attend our upcoming in-person Women in Retirement workshop. RSVP at MerklePlan.com. 

As you watch the stock market swing, inflation soar, and interest rates rise, you may be wondering, can I still retire or stay retired? In this episode, we talk about ways to take advantage of the bear markets and how you can develop a plan for your retirement now. 

Interest rates are on the rise while inflation recently hit a 40-year high - this while talk of a bear market makes headlines. During this kind of storm, you may be wondering, should I invest in bonds? In this episode, we talk about the different types of bonds and ways they can be incorporated into your portfolio.