Tag: Retirement Planning

FEATURE
The Current Financial State with Jennifer Fox, V.P of Federal Affairs at Finseca

The Current Financial State with Jennifer Fox, V.P of Federal Affairs at Finseca

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With the federal deficit nearing $2 trillion, understanding how these numbers impact your financial future has never been more critical.

Join Evan Wohl as he chats with Jennifer Fox, Vice President of Federal Affairs at Finseca, about the current financial state of the U.S. economy and its political implications. Facing heightened interest rates, substantial federal deficits, and upcoming tax reforms, they explore how these challenges can shape the financial landscape. You will gain insights into the current state of Social Security, Medicare, and strategies to manage long-term care costs, along with understanding the key economic discussions that will influence the 2025 presidential race.

Evan and Jennifer discuss:

  • Jennifer’s background and day to day operations at Finseca.
  • The impact of interest rates on the federal deficit and budget.
  • Possible financial issues facing the country over the coming decades. 
  • The importance of planning for long-term care and baby boomer preparedness.
  • The tax law sunsetting in 2026 and its possible impact on the upcoming election.
  • And more

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Connect with Jennifer Fox:

About Jennifer Fox:

Jennifer Fox is the Vice President of Federal Affairs at Finseca. She leads their lobbying initiatives, advocating for policies that support the financial security profession and educating policymakers and their staff on the importance of comprehensive financial planning, encompassing life insurance, retirement planning, and investments, to serve clients effectively. 

Jen led Finseca’s political advocacy initiatives, which included the Ambassador Program, fly-ins, and political fundraising, including Finseca’s PAC. She is committed to assisting members in becoming politically involved and empowering them to share their stories. 

Jen has spent time at the White House and Capitol Hill, which has helped shape her knowledge of small business, technology, labor, and tax issues. She also serves as the President of The Advocacy Association.

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FEATURE
REPLAY: Planning For Retirement: Social Security and Medicare with Elaine Floyd

REPLAY: Planning For Retirement: Social Security and Medicare with Elaine Floyd

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In today’s episode of WealthStyle, Iván Watanabe and Evan Wohl interview Elaine Floyd, Director of Retirement Life Planning at HorsesMouth about the intricacies of our nation’s support systems; Social Security and Medicare.

Listen as Elaine shares her expert knowledge by debunking some common misconceptions and detailing the benefits these programs provide using real-life examples and historical facts. 

Whether you’re approaching retirement, caring for a loved one, or simply curious about recent changes and restrictions regarding Social Security and Medicare, this episode is a must-listen!

Gain insight as Elaine discusses:

  • The importance of accessing your retirement income plan for the duration of your lifetime
  • Common mistakes people make when claiming Social Security, and the varying spousal benefits
  • The differences between Medicare Part A and Part B
  • How to navigate your options regarding your Health Savings Account (HSA) and Medicare
  • And more

Resources:

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Connect with Elaine Floyd:

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Guaranteed Income for a Happy Retirement with Tom Hegna

Guaranteed Income for a Happy Retirement with Tom Hegna

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What’s the secret to a happy retirement?

If you want to enjoy your retirement to the fullest, you must have a sense of purpose and guaranteed income for the rest of your life. That way, you have something to look forward to every day, without the fear of running out of money!

In this episode of WealthStyle, Iván Watanabe and Evan Wohl sit down with Tom Hegna, a retirement expert, best-selling author, public TV host, and international speaker! 

Together, they explore:

  • Seven simple steps for a financially secure retirement
  • What drives happiness and longevity in retirement (based on research)
  • How you can achieve guaranteed lifetime income and a blissful retirement
  • Benefits of annuities and the different types available in the market
  • How to make your life purposeful and socially engaging during retirement
  • And more

Resources:


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Connect with Tom Hegna:

About Tom Hegna:

Tom Hegna is an economist, author, and retirement expert. As a former First Vice President at New York Life, retired Lieutenant Colonel, and economist, Tom has delivered over 5,000 seminars on his signature “Paychecks and Playchecks” retirement approach, helping baby boomers and seniors retire the “optimal” way.

Tom specializes in creating simple and powerful retirement solutions. He has the unique ability to pump up a crowd, make people laugh, and solve complex financial problems using easy-to-understand words, ideas, and stories. He’s been featured in Business, Forbes, Money Rates, and many other leading publications. He is available to speak with businesses, government organizations, professional associations, financial professionals, and their clients across the globe.

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FEATURE
When Is the Right Time to Buy a House?

When Is the Right Time to Buy a House?

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Buying a home may seem like the right thing to do, but is it?

There are many factors to consider before you purchase a home, and the most obvious is, can you afford the mortgage payments? Then on top of that, there are annual property taxes and monthly utilities like gas and electricity. And don’t forget about the less obvious expenses like furniture and decor, and unexpected repairs or upgrades.

The reality is, it requires a lot of financial planning before you put an offer on a house.

In this episode of WealthStyle, Iván Watanabe and Evan Wohl explore the different reasons why their clients want to buy houses, how the costs associated with owning a home factor into financial and retirement planning, and how much the housing market has changed post-pandemic.

Iván and Evan discuss:

  • The financial costs of owning a house after the initial purchase
  • How your financial plans will shift when planning to buy a house
  • The role of mortgage and interest rates and how they are constantly changing
  • The emotional effects of buying a home 
  • And more

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FEATURE
How the Secure Act Has Changed Retirement Planning with Joshua Caron

How the Secure Act Has Changed Retirement Planning with Joshua Caron

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The Secure Act was one of the most significant systemic rewrites of retirement planning in recent history. These changes created opportunities for all ages, from young adults just out of college to individuals just starting retirement.

In this episode, Evan Wohl speaks with Joshua Caron, Vice President of Federal Affairs at Finseca, on the Secure Act, how it changed retirement planning, and the individual aspects of the Secure Act 1.0 and 2.0.

Josh discusses:

  • Why the shift away from pensions was so important in retirement planning 
  • How student debt conflicted with retirement planning for those fresh out of college 
  • The change to overfunding 529 accounts and how Secure Act 2.0 changed the tax penalties for the account
  • Why 401(k)s are no longer enough for retirement income and the impact of longevity on retirement planning
  • And more

Connect with Evan Wohl:

Connect with Josh Caron:

About Josh Caron:

Joshua Caron is the Vice President of Federal Affairs for Finseca. Originally from Massachusetts, he attended Arizona State University for both his undergraduate and graduate degrees. His primary role is to advocate for policies that allow for more Americans to live financially secure lives with a focus on the advanced markets. 

 Prior to joining Finseca, he worked for several political campaigns, including those former President Barack Obama and former Congressman Harry Mitchell (D-AZ). He lives with his wife, daughter, and chocolate lab in St. Anthony Park, St. Paul MN.

About Evan Wohl:

Evan’s clients trust him with the responsibility to guide them through the complexities of personal finance. He provides clarity and insight on how to measure and improve your cash flow as well as whether or not you are on track to accomplish your various financial goals. The firm takes a macroeconomic approach to planning and coordinates all of your financial decisions through the use of a comprehensive economic model.

Evan’s wife, Laurie, and he have three children, Quinn, Parker and Bodie. He currently sits on the board of The Hope Gala. The Hope Gala was created to support fundraising efforts on behalf of The Four Diamonds Fund and The Penn State Dance Marathon (THON™). The Hope Gala contributes to the mission of conquering childhood cancer. All proceeds benefit pediatric cancer patients at the Penn State Children’s Hospital and their families in need of financial aid, medical assistance, and emotional support.

 

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FEATURE
Decreasing Investment Loss During Retirement with Dr. Wade Pfau

Decreasing Investment Loss During Retirement with Dr. Wade Pfau

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Retirement income relies solely on the investments and savings created while you still have a paycheck. Leveraging the right tools can decrease the amount loss from market volatility, while keeping you afloat.

In this episode, Iván Watanabe and Evan Wohl are joined by Dr. Wade Pfau, Ph.D, CFA, RICP, founder of Retirement Researcher, and professor at The American College of Financial Services, to discuss some of the research behind retirement planning, and how to increase security around your retirement funds.

Iván, Evan and Wade discuss:

  • The difference between the accumulation phase and the retirement phase of life
  • How sequence of returns increases the impact of market volatility on retirement investments
  • Alternative buffer assets to create security when other assets can’t provide enough income during retirement
  • Why tax planning is essential to decrease the amount paid rather than avoid taxes all together
  • And more

Resources:

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Connect with Wade Pfau:

About Dr. Wade Pfau:

Dr. Wade D. Pfau, Ph.D., is a Professor of Retirement Income in the Ph.D. in Financial and Retirement Planning program, Co-Director of the American College Center for Retirement Income, and RICP® program director at The American College of Financial Services.

Dr. Pfau is a co-editor of the Journal of Personal Finance. He has spoken at national conferences of organizations for financial professionals, such as the CFA Institute, FPA, NAPFA, AICPA-PFP, and AFS. He also publishes frequently in a wide variety of academic and practitioner research journals.

 

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FEATURE
Optimizing Your Charitable Contributions Without The Stress with Jen Mayo

Optimizing Your Charitable Contributions Without The Stress with Jen Mayo

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If you want to donate to a charitable organization, it’s important to know your options.

In this episode, Iván Watanabe is joined by Jen Mayo, the director of gift planning and advisor relations at Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF). Jen explains how with a donor-advised fund, you can give more to your charity of choice while revealing how to donate before, during, and after retirement through effective tax planning.

Jen discusses:

  • How Essex County contributes to charitable giving 
  • Ways the foundation promotes equity within the community
  • Why community foundations are essential for financial donations 
  • How donor-advised funds increase the value of donations while reducing stress over decision making
  • Where charitable giving fits within retirement planning and IRA minimum distribution 
  • And more!

Connect with Jen Mayo

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About Our Guest:

As Essex County Community Foundation’s assistant director of gift planning and advisor relations, Jennifer Mayo focuses on building strong relationships with area professional advisors, who play a key role in expanding support for the region’s nonprofit organizations and collaborative efforts to tackle systemic social challenges. She also provides charitable gift planning and support to Essex County donors as they make decisions about their philanthropic giving and consider a donor-advised fund with ECCF.



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FEATURE
The New 1980s Inflation with Rob Pruett

The New 1980s Inflation with Rob Pruett

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After maintaining steady inflation of just under 2% for over a decade, America is now seeing the highest inflation rates since the late 1980s.

In this episode, Iván Watanabe and Rob Pruett explore the rising interest rates and inflation faced by consumers and businesses. They dive into the state of the economy while revealing ways clients can make the most out of the market volatility.

Iván and Rob discuss:

  • The role inflation plays with consumers and businesses
  • What the future looks like in terms of inflation and interest rates
  • Reasons pre-retirees and retirees should invest in their 401(k) plans
  • How interest rates impact client debt
  • And more!

Connect with Rob Pruett:

Connect with Iván Watanabe:

About Our Guest:

Robert P. Pruett has been a wealth advisor with Opus Private Client, LLC for 14 years performing planning for high-net-worth individuals, families, and business owners. Rob uses leading-edge advanced personal planning techniques to protect and maximize each client’s wealth, retirement, and estate plans. Rob also consults with 50-to-800-person firms to deliver high-value corporate benefit programs, with a special focus on delivering healthcare savings of 10-15% or more through Opus’ proprietary reimbursement program offering.

His specialties include asset management, institutional investing, tax planning, life insurance, disability, annuities, and long-term care insurance, corporate benefits programs, executive benefit programs, retirement, and estate planning, and legacy and charitable planning.

 

Historical podcasts are for informational purposes only and may not be our current opinions. Data and rates used were indicative of market conditions as of the date of the recording. Opinions, estimates, forecasts, and statements of financial market trends were based on those market conditions and are subject to change without notice.

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