Welcome everyone! Welcome to the 504th episode of the Financial Advisor Success Podcast! My guest on today’s podcast is Sheri Fitts. Sheri is the founder of Sheri Fitts and Co., a marketing, event, and consulting business that works alongside financial advisors and firms. What’s unique about Sheri, though, is how she helps financial advisors develop […]
Michael Kitces
Key Points Many people simply need those benefit checks as soon as possible. Most of us would do best delaying until age 70 to maximize our benefits. Think through your choice carefully before making a decision. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Most of us have Social Security benefits to look […]
Key Points Social Security probably won’t be enough to support you by itself. There are ways to increase your future benefits. Social Security’s coffers are shrinking, threatening future benefits. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › As we enter our 50s and start dreaming harder about retirement, we’re also probably thinking at […]
Key Points At 70, there’s no sense in delaying Social Security. If you haven’t claimed benefits yet, you may want to do so immediately. You can continue working without having to worry about having benefits withheld. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › By the time many people reach age 70, they’ve […]
Key Points You may be eligible for Social Security as the spouse (or ex-spouse) of a qualified recipient. It’s important to know when spousal benefits become available to you. While you get a choice in when to claim, it’s crucial to file strategically. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › A lot […]
By Rick Kahler, originally published at Financial Awakenings. How volatile your portfolio feels depends mostly on how often you look at it. Daily prices jump around. Weekly prices jump less. Monthly prices are smoother than weekly, and annual prices are smoother than monthly. Checking more frequently does not change your investment. It does change your […]
Rick Kahler
Key Points The average 401(k) match, claimed consistently, could be worth up to $1.38 million by retirement in ideal conditions. Your actual rate of return will depend on how consistently you save, how long your match is invested for, and what kind of return you earn. Claiming a partial 401(k) match, if you can afford […]
Key Points The Social Security 2027 COLA estimate recently fell from 3.8% to 3.6%. Seniors may get a smaller boost than expected next year, though there’s time for this to change. We will learn the official 2027 COLA on Oct. 14, 2026. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Social Security beneficiaries […]
When selling a business, it’s only natural to want to negotiate for the highest price you can. In the context of the advisory business, this has led to a growing focus on the “going rate” valuation multiples of revenue or earnings (EBITDA), with advisors asking what they can do to maximize the overall sale price […]
Michael Kitces
Key Points Claiming the maximum Social Security benefit requires you to pay the maximum payroll taxes for 35 years, then wait to apply till you’re 70. This isn’t realistic for most people. Understanding how Social Security benefits are calculated can help you boost your checks. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › […]
Key Points A lower cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) means a smaller increase in benefits. COLAs are based on July, August, and September inflation rates. Designed to help seniors keep pace with inflation, COLAs sometimes miss the mark. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Projections are a funny thing. What seems like a […]
Key Points Age 62 is when Social Security retirement benefits first become available. Filing at 62 could lead to reduced payments for life. If you don’t have a lot of supplemental income, claiming at 62 could hurt you. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › There’s a reason many seniors get excited […]
Key Points For best results, start investing as early as you can. You might just invest in low-fee index funds; you don’t have to become a stock-market genius. One person really did build up a Roth IRA worth $264 million! The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Let’s address my provocative headline […]
Key Points The 2027 COLA will be announced on Oct. 14. The Senior Citizens League estimates a 3.6% COLA for 2027. Rising energy prices amid the conflict in the Middle East have caused a jump in year-over-year inflation. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Social Security is one of the U.S.’s […]
Key Points Among the states taxing Social Security benefits, most tax with a light touch. The federal government does tax some people’s benefits. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › Just about all of us have Social Security benefits to look forward to each month — or we may already be receiving […]
Key Points Decisions you make early in retirement can affect your financial security for life. It’s important that you make smart decisions about when to claim Social Security. You should also take steps to try to preserve your nest egg. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › For older Americans, there’s good […]
Key Points In August, Social Security’s 2027 COLA forecast got downgraded. Current estimates still call for an upcoming COLA that’s higher than 2026’s raise. The shift in the numbers stems from cooling inflation, which is actually a positive thing. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › For seniors on Social Security, the […]
Key Points Delaying Social Security until 70 results in boosted checks. You may not want to wait that long if you have health issues. Filing sooner could make sense if you can’t wait on the money. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › There’s a reason some retirees are tempted to claim […]
