In this episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning, we discuss ways to access retirement funds before the usual age of 59½ without paying the standard 10% early withdrawal penalty. Many people assume they’re completely locked out of their retirement accounts until that age, but there are several exceptions worth knowing. One key option is the “age 55 rule,” which allows individuals to take money from a 401(k) or 403(b) plan without penalty if you leave our job at age 55 or ol

How do I save for retirement when I'm Self Employed? What are the options for retirement plans? Join us this week as we discuss small business retirement plans. We will explain the different options available and how to make the best choice based on your business's and personal needs. Option 1) SEP (Simplified Employee Pension): A simple, employer-funded IRA plan where employees can't contribute, but the employer makes contributions based on a percentage of employees' wages

Join us today for tips to maximize your spending in retirement when you saved more than you can possibly spend. I'm retired and I somehow have more money than I know what to do with. What do I do and how do I spend more? This is question we get from clients who have saved their whole life and now find themselves in retirement with more money than they can possibly spend. This week on Friends Talk Financial Planning, we discuss strategies for spending more effectively in r

Five signs you are not spending enough money in retirement. Typically we get the question - am I spending too much? However, it is just as important to consider the alternative - am I spending enough? This week on Friends Talk Financial Planning, we discuss the issue of underspending in retirement. While many people worry about running out of money in retirement, some retirees actually have the opposite problem: they aren’t spending enough. As clients enter their 70s or 80s

Retirement planning for inflation - Don't worry about inflation, be happy in retirement! Many people worry about how inflation will affect their retirement expenses. It may not affect retirement as much as you might think. This week on Friends Talk Financial Planning, John and Bridget discuss the challenges and concerns surrounding inflation in retirement planning. They offer practical insights on how to manage inflation so you don't need to worry in retirement. They will di

In this episode of "Friends Talk Financial Planning," hosts John and Bridget dive into an important aspect of retirement planning: understanding and estimating future spending. They discuss how current spending habits can serve as a reliable baseline for retirement expenses, challenging the conventional advice to look at retirement spending as a percentage of pre-retirement income. John and Bridget explore the concept of the "retirement smile," which describes how spending o

Catch up on retirement savings - it's not too late to start saving today! Do you struggle with saving money? Take responsibility for your finances by starting to save for retirement today! We understand this can be a daunting task, but let go of perceptions, let go of fear, and begin where you are! In this episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning, Bridget and John address concerns for those who are 50 and haven’t saved for retirement. They begin by acknowledging the fear a

I just turned 50. I have $100,000 saved. Do I have enough saved to retire? In this episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning, hosts John and Bridget address a viewer's concerns about feeling behind in retirement savings. They discuss whether it's too late to start saving for retirement at age 50, highlighting that having $100,000 saved is a significant accomplishment. The hosts encourage adopting a positive mindset, emphasizing the importance of celebrating financial mile

In this episode of Friends Talk Financial Planning, Bridget Sullivan Mermel and John Scherer discuss a recent survey by Northwestern Mutual that claims Americans think they need $1.46 million to retire. Bridget and John argue that people might be thinking about this all wrong. Instead of focusing on a specific savings number, the key question should be: How much do you want to spend in retirement? Tune in as they break down the survey results, discuss the anxiety around retir

The number one financial skill for retirement means what you need to have mastered before you give up your job. It's not about investments. It's not about when to take social security. It doesn't have to do with IRA distributions. All of these can be important. But on today's episode we'll talk about the one thing you must know and be able to do before giving up your job. And you can practice this before you retire! What is it? Financial planners can't tell you what you s