Are you Second Guessing Retirement?

Is it just the rate of return?  Well, motivational speaker & author Tony Robbins tells CNBC that you might be missing the boat if you don't also consider the fees you're paying… PLAY AUDIO: Tony Robbins – Impact of Fees (CNBC) Is it really that much?  How can we find out what we're paying?, We've all heard the statistic: An estimated 10-thousand baby boomers retire, every single day.  But considering what's happened as a result of the pandemic, I'm guessing a lot of boomers may be second-guessing that.  What's your advice for listeners who want to retire, but are no longer sure they can?  

Question:  Do you think you pay too much in taxes … just the right amount … or too little?  That's a trick question because we all pay too much!  But IRA expert Ed Slott tells The Motley Fool that's our own fault… Bryan and Briley discuss the importance of tax planning – and how we get started with a plan.  

President Biden is proposing major tax increases – but he insists they'll be limited to corporations and rich people.  Who is likely to be hit hardest by these "limited" taxes and is there anything we can do about that? Hear how Bryan and Briley can help YOU put together a tax strategy to help you be more tax efficient in retirement!    

CNBC's Kate Fazzini says older Americans are still a prime target for scammers. Hear Bryan and Briley's advice on keeping your financial information secure from scammers, robo callers and more! 

Now that the $1.9 trillion stimulus plan is a done deal, there are rumblings that the Biden administration's next move will be a big tax increase.  Morningstar asked IRA expert Ed Slott if it's too soon for us to begin preparing for that possibility and he went on to say that – for some things – you can control your own tax rate.  How do we do that? 

I know some people who are planning their retirement around the idea that the tax rate on their retirement account is going to be a lot lower after they quit working.  Is that a reasonable assumption to make? Wouldn't it be nice if you could put your entire nest egg in the market and know that you'll earn a nice return on your money?  Unfortunately, we don't know that because the markets can be risky.  Hear how Bryan and Briley can help you prepare for whatever comes your way from Uncle Sam and how to protect yourself from market volatility!   

Steve talks about a survey by the Magnify Money website found that the ATM fee is the single most hated of all the fees we pay.  But, as annoying as ATM fees are, I think there are probably others that cost us more money.  So, does that mean we're worrying about the wrong fees?

It was a surprise announcement from Jeff Bezos … who says he's decided to retire as CEO of Amazon.  Does being wealthy make it easier for someone to walk away, without worrying about all the financial details?  Or do high-earners perhaps need even more planning than the typical worker? Then, how can you increase your retirement account balance without making a deposit?  By cutting back on the fee percentage you're paying.  Steve discusses what he usually finds when he does fee analysis for clients - it will shock you!  

When it comes to claiming Social Security, The Motley Fool says there are certain mistakes that couples tend to make. Bryan and Briley discuss some common mistakes and how you can avoid them!  What kind of stock market do you think we can expect this year?  Investment strategist Jeremy Grantham tells Bloomberg that stocks are in a "bubble" and he believes that bubble could be popped by President Biden's proposed stimulus package.  So, for those of us who are hoping to retire within the next few years, what does that mean for us? Could we see some big market volatility this year and how can we protect our assets? 

The New York Times says people who own the digital currency Bitcoin have either forgotten, or lost, the passwords to $140 billion worth of the crypto-currency!  A new year brings the threat of new problems – created by Congress. With potential BIG tax changes coming our way under the new Biden administration, is there any way to protect our retirement accounts from Congress?