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Pure’s Financial Advisor, Kyle Farmer, CFP®, dives into 4 key Social Security changes to be aware of in 2026. Transcript Millions of Americans are leaving Social Security money on the table. Are you one of them? Today we’re going through 4 key Social Security changes you should be aware of in 2026. 2026 COLA – 2.8% The first change is to this year’s Social Security cost of living adjustment, also known as COLA. […]
Pure’s Associate Advisor, Joey Bailey, CFP®, CPA, simplifies Social Security claiming options for those nearing retirement and wondering when to start collecting benefits. Transcript If you’re in your 50s or early 60s, Social Security is probably starting to feel a lot more real. Maybe you’ve already gotten a statement in the mail, or you’ve caught yourself doing some rough math in your head. And chances are, one question keeps coming up: When should I actually start collecting? […]
Updated for 2026: Whether you are retiring in a few months or a few years, Social Security is one of the most important decisions of your retirement. This Social Security Handbook walks you through what you will need to know for 2026 and beyond. This guide will explain… History of Social Security Recent Changes How […]
Joe and Big Al focus on Social Security claiming strategies as part of the retirement spitballs, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 574. Bijou Plutus and her husband in Massachusetts are 62 and 64 with about a million dollars. Can she retire at 65, and should he claim Social Security early? Dr. Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde in the Twin Cities have about the same at 51 and 49, plus big pensions and high spending. Can they afford to retire early, and when should they claim Social Security? Diggler and Roller Girl in Tennessee are 57 and 58 with about $600K, and Diggler estimates his Social Security break-even is at age 77. Can he collect Social Security early and simply work recreationally?
“Carl and Jane” have eight million bucks and their advisor is suggesting a 130/30 long-short investing strategy. Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA, spitball on whether this is a smart tax move or unnecessary complexity — and whether they would do it themselves. Plus, Tyrone and Tova think they may never even need their retirement accounts, so do they really need to bother with Roth conversions if the kids are going to inherit the money anyway, or could skipping the conversions mean losing half their retirement income to taxes? Mark in San Diego is juggling Roth conversions and Social Security timing without blowing up his tax bill, or the income-related monthly adjustment amount for Medicare, or net investment income tax. And “Boat Drinks” has a big non-qualified deferred compensation plan. How can he structure payouts before it turns into a tax nightmare – and before he potentially gets laid off?
Age 62 is considered the “sweet spot” for retirement, but will it set you free or actually set you back? Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA share the formula for creating lifetime income, bridging the healthcare gap before Medicare, and keeping more of your savings from the IRS — along with tips to […]
Updated for 2026 Want to learn the little-known secrets to help you prepare for retirement? This Retirement Readiness Guide includes 7 important and simple plays to help you get retirement ready despite the uncertainties that we may face. Planning for your retirement is something that takes time, so start today for a bright future tomorrow. […]
Hana’s mom is 92. Mom’s husband is 74, and after years of trying to help a family member, nearly a million dollars is gone. How do they stop the bleeding before it’s too late, and how much can they spend each year from what’s left? That’s today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 564 with Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA. Plus, “Peter and Gwen” from Virginia have a pension, Roths, and a shrinking IRA. With the new tax law, IRMAA, and Social Security decisions all colliding, should they keep converting to Roth, and when should they actually collect Social Security? Also, does it make sense for “Mr. and Mrs. Scarecrow” to claim Social Security early and invest it? Finally, “Rosie and Astro” from Pennsylvania ask if they can retire in just three years with $1.3 million, and whether it’s time to hire an advisor to help them get there.
If you think the biggest threat to your retirement is a market crash or picking the wrong investment, think again. Small, everyday financial pitfalls can quietly drain your wealth, add years to your working life, and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars without you even realizing it. In this episode, Joe Anderson, CFP®, and Big […]
What actually mattered most to the YMYW audience in 2025? It turns out to be tax-free gains on investments, retirement timing, and claiming Social Security. In this Best of 2025 episode, Joe and Big Al break down the smartest tax moves, the biggest Roth mistakes to avoid, and how real people solve real retirement problems – with the help of some special guests. Find out when Roth conversions help or hurt, how to lower lifetime taxes for you and your heirs, what it really takes to retire confidently, even without a massive portfolio, and more. Watch or listen and steal the financial strategies that made YMYW’s most popular episodes of the year.
You may think you’ve got Social Security all figured out, but several common myths and mistakes quietly drain retirees out of tens of thousands of dollars. Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA show you how to claim smarter, keep more, and avoid a miserable retirement. Download the Social Security Handbook: Important Points: 00:00 […]
Pure’s Senior Financial Advisor, Kyle Stacey, CFP®, AIF®, explores the complexities of Social Security and how your decisions can impact your long-term financial future. Discover key strategies to help you make the most of your benefits. Outline 00:00 Introduction 4:52 Important Changes to Social Security in 2025 6:47 Rules of Social Security Benefits 9:52 Expected […]
Scammers are getting more sophisticated, and Social Security fraud often puts older adults at risk. Pure’s Financial Advisor, John Burkhardt, CFP® shares the top five scams to watch for and how to protect yourself. Transcript We’ve all heard the expression, hook line and sinker and all too often it sounds like we’re the catch! Seems […]
Are you curious about how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act may affect the taxes on your Social Security benefits? Pure Senior Financial Advisor, Amy Cattelino, CFP®, AIF®, breaks down the recent changes and explains what they could mean for you. Transcript There’s a lot of information out recently about Social Security and the recent […]
Pure’s Senior Financial Advisor, Allison Alley, CFP®, MSBA, AIF® helps you define your unique retirement vision. Outline 00:00 Intro 00:37 Retirement Expectation vs Reality 1:46 Gap Between Work and Retirement 3:48 Find Purpose in Retirement 7:50 Stay socially engaged 10:27 Sharing what you know 15:46 Q&A I may not be watching TV a lot, but […]
