ThinkAdvisor Perspectives Podcast

Financial planning professionals are called on to address a lot of challenges for their clients, from setting up a sustainable retirement income stream to helping people prepare for the high cost of their children's college education.

Those services are all of significant importance, but in the experience of Andrew Crowell, vice chairman of wealth management at D.A. Davidson, it is during life's most difficult moments that advisors can provide the most value and peace of mind to their clients. Whether they are facing an unexpected death in the family or a fast-moving natural disaster, clients need both financial and emotional support, and they deeply appreciate advisors who can provide both.

On this episode of the Ask the Retirement Expert podcast, Crowell joins ThinkAdvisor Senior Reporter John Manganaro to discuss the role advisors can play in helping clients navigate challenges both foreseen and unexpected.

During the discussion, Crowell and Manganaro also cover:

• The importance of advanced estate planning.
• The economic outlook under a second Trump administration.
• The behavioral side of retirement planning and more.

To listen to additional podcasts within the Ask the Retirement Expert series, click here.

The passage early this year of the Social Security Fairness Act was a major development in the lives of many current and former government workers, one that could have a big effect on their benefit claiming strategies.

The law change is just one of many factors that add significant complexity to the Social Security claiming process, according to Joe Elsasser, a certified financial planner and the founder and president of Covisum. Getting the claiming decision right, while difficult, is among the most powerful ways financial planners can help ensure their clients successfully navigate retirement.

Another big consideration is the financial outlook of the vital retirement income insurance program. With the main trust fund used to pay retirement benefits set to become insolvent sometime in the early 2030s, advisors and their clients must stress-test their income plans and prepare for the possibility of benefit reductions or higher taxes in the future.

On this Season 3 kick-off episode of the Ask the Retirement Expert podcast series, Elsasser joins ThinkAdvisor Senior Reporter John Manganaro to discuss all things Social Security and retirement income planning. In addition to claiming strategies and Social Security funding, the pair also discuss the importance of tax-aware income planning, the psychological side of spending, the importance of finding purpose during "life after work," and more.

To listen to additional podcasts within the Ask the Retirement Expert series, click here.