Dan Wendol Podcasts

The year 2022 has been quite volatile in the financial markets. Has this changed our attitude about retirement? In this show we explore a recent survey about what savers and employers are feeling when it comes to retirement. You might be surprised what people want as part of their retirement plans.By Dan Wendol

How can you retire when the financial markets are in turmoil? Should you retire during such a volatile time? In this show we discuss three key considerations or tips for people looking to retire when the financial markets are more volatile than usual.By Dan Wendol

In the year 2033 there may be a 24% shortfall in Social Security payments. How can we fix this potential situation? Either we increase taxes, reduce benefits, or combination of both. In this show we get into very specific proposals for how to get Social Security back on track.By Dan Wendol

If you had money to invest right now, where should you consider putting it? With current turmoil and uncertainty, it seems like a difficult question to answer. In this show we discuss the many options on where to invest your money. The top suggestion in the end may really surprise you...By Dan Wendol

When you retire, which account should you pull from and when? Conventional wisdom suggest first withdrawing from taxable accounts, followed by IRAs, and then lastly from Roth accounts. Is this conventional wisdom correct? Is there a strategic way to withdraw your retirement income in order to maximize income and minimize taxes? Are there other cons…

When your IRA stock portfolio is down in value, does it make sense to covert a portion to a Roth? Since the value is lower, you can convert a higher portion to a Roth for the same tax liability. However, this may not be the best approach to deciding on a Roth conversion. In this show we discuss converting to a Roth in a Bear market.…

The Federal Reserve is raising rates at a fast pace to fight inflation. This has created a lot of volatility in the stock/bond markets. These Fed rate changes ultimately lead to interest rate increases for mortgages and other debts. Yet, these increases might actually be a good thing, particularly for retirees.…

In his book, "The Four Phases of Retirement" Dr. Riley Moynes outlines four distinct phases people go through after retiring. In this show, we discuss these four phases and the financial aspects of each phase. Are some phases more expensive than others?By Dan Wendol

Inflation is high. There is no doubt that people are concerned about rising inflation and prices. In fact, according to a recent BMO survey, many are delaying retirement because of inflation! In this show we discuss if people should delay retirement because of inflation.By Dan Wendol

Rising interest rates impact many things such as mortgages rates, bond prices, and the overall economy. What impact do rising rates have on annuities? Do annuities pay more as interest rates go up? Should I buy an annuity in a rising interest rate environment? What is a fixed annuity or a MYGA (Multi-Year Guarantee Annuity)? We answer all of these …

People like to know where they stand, particularly when it comes to their bank accounts. Do I have enough to retire? How much money should I have saved by age 55 or 60? This info is definitely interesting to know, but does it provide any value? In this show we talk about what the average retirement savings are at various ages and discuss why this i…

Inflation impacts everyone and seemingly every financial plan. Does your retirement plan factor inflation? In this show we talk about how inflation has a major impact on those in retirement. We also discuss specific strategies and tips for dealing with inflation when you are retired.By Dan Wendol

How much income is needed to be happy? In the past, a major study indicated that $75,000 was the magic number. After that, additional income doesn't move the happiness needle all that much. However, a more recent study suggests otherwise. In this show we talk about this idea of how much income is enough income.…

We all know the financial cost of Long Term Care is high. Not only are communities and facilities expensive, but so is insurance, or even home health assistance. The costs go well beyond the numbers and have an emotional and physical strain on the caregiver as well. In this show, we talk about these issues with Linda Burhans, a caregiver expert. Sh…

Who wants to be debt free? As people get closer to retirement, the main (and usually only) debt is the home mortgage. Should you pay off your mortgage as you entre retirement? Maybe so maybe not. In this show we discuss the reasons for and against paying off your mortgage.By Dan Wendol

What are the top four reasons people stress about retirement? Better yet, what are the solutions to remove this stress? Many people are unnecessarily stressed about retirement. Listen in to learn how to relieve the anxiety that you may be facing.By Dan Wendol

Many say that Florida is a really low tax state. Some even say Florida has NO taxes. Is any of this true? In this show, we review the 2022 Tax Burden by State report put out by WalletHub. We discuss where Florida falls on the list and how state income tax isn't the only tax people face.By Dan Wendol

Whether they realize it or not, most people own bonds in their retirement portfolio. This is a traditional investment strategy that may be due for a change. Do you own bonds, and if so, why? Are bonds an appropriate asset to hold in a retirement portfolio? Listen in as we discuss whether or not bonds are something people should own in today's marke…

What is one piece of financial advise you'd give your younger self if you could? Florida has just joined a handful of other states that now require Financial Literacy in high school in order to get a diploma. In this show we discuss the new requirements and if they are where they need to be to help these youngsters retire years from now.…

Does stock market volatility matter when you are retired? If you are pulling income from those investments, you bet it does! In this show we talk about how generating income from retirement assets can be subjected to Dollar Cost Ravaging, also known as Sequence Risk. If you are worried about running out of money in retirement, be sure to listen to …

The rule of thumb is that retirees spend 80% of their pre-retirement income in retirement. This rule of thumb is wrong. There are many factors that go into how much people spend during retirement and spending doesn't stay constant. In this show we talk about how and when retirees spend.By Dan Wendol

What can we learn from Aesop's Fable, "The Miller, His Son, & the Ass"? In this show we tell the story and how it relates to financial plans. Sometimes when you try to please everyone, you please no one.By Dan Wendol

Many people have expectations to continue working until 65 or later. In reality, that doesn't happen as much as planned. The median age of retirement is 62, despite other intentions. Why are people retiring earlier than expect? Should you plan for an early retirement, even if you intend to work later?…

The costs of Long Term Care are once again going up? Can we blame Covid or just general trends? In this show we talk numbers and discuss the costs of home healthcare, assisted living, and nursing home facilities. We reference the "2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey" and give our take on this financial issue.…

Each year in April, income taxes are due. Some people wait until the last minute, others file as soon as possible. In this show we discuss the reasons why it makes sense to file your taxes early. If you are a procrastinator when it comes to taxes, this show might actually change your behavior.By Dan Wendol

Social Security income is taxable. It wasn't designed that way, but in 1983 and again in 1993, Congress starting taxing more and more of your Social Security checks. In this show we talk about how it is taxed and how to minimize that tax. We also address the idea that this can be considered double taxation.…

What are Series I savings bonds? Is it true they are paying over 7% in early 2022? How do they work and should I consider them for myself? In this show we discuss these savings bonds, how they adjust for inflation, and how they play into retirement savings.By Dan Wendol

Am I eligible for Social Security benefits based on an ex-spouse if I am currently remarried? The answer is "maybe." In this show we talk about how you can get a Survivor Benefit if an ex-spouse dies or a Spousal Benefit based on an ex-spouse, even if you are currently remarried.By Dan Wendol

At what age are you planning to retire? What is holding you back from retirement? In this podcast we discuss these questions while referencing a recent survey on the topic. Spoiler alert - age 60 is still a highly desirable retirement age.By Dan Wendol

What are six financial moves you should consider making at the beginning of the year? In this show, Dan, Chris, & Tony talk about their top suggested financial moves to work on now. From retirement contributions, insurance reviews, and taxes, listen in to learn how to improve your financial life.By Dan Wendol

What financial trends will dominate 2022? In this show we talk about the top five financial trends we expect will occur in 2022. Will from inflation to housing to cryptocurrency, we give you our best guess.By Dan Wendol

At the end of 2020, we made some predictions on financial trends for 2021. Were we right or wrong? In this show we hold Dan Wendol accountable for his predictions for the year. And be sure to listen to the end of the show as Tony joins in the holiday spirit to share his opinion on the top 5 new album releases for 2021…

Would you have been better off investing money in Legos or stocks, bonds, or gold from 1987 to 2015? The answer might surprise you. Tune in as we discuss a recent study on how investing in toys actually led to better returns over time.By Dan Wendol

What is the highest monthly Social Security benefit one may receive? In this show we answer that question as well as how your benefit is calculated. Will you receive the highest possible Social Security benefit?By Dan Wendol

There are new Social Security statements available! The redesigned statements show information in a new format. What used to be four pages has been condensed into two pages that are easier to comprehend. In this show we review these changes and talk about Social Security in general.By Dan Wendol

Can a realtor, a business advisor, or a financial advisor NOT act in your best interest? Unfortunately, the answer is sometimes yes. In this show we explore a recent real estate deal gone sour. A man sold his property for $4 million and then less than 24 hours later it was resold for $7 million. What can we learn from this and how do you know if yo…

Are taxes going up because of inflation!? While many parts of the tax code are adjusted to account for inflation, some parts are not. That means higher taxes, in a way, as people experience "tax bracket creep." In this show we discuss several taxes that actually increase as inflation increases including Social Security, home sales, and state and lo…

The cost of Medicare is going up over 14% in 2022. Social Security checks are going up, but by only 5.9%. Why are healthcare costs going up so much? How do retirees deal with these increases? We discuss the details and strategies in this show.By Dan Wendol

There are many stories of people turning into millionaires seemingly overnight through investments in cryptocurrencies. In this show we discuss a story of one man turning $8,000 into $1 million! Is it something you can do?By Dan Wendol

What's it like getting your financial advice and retirement planning guidance from a "Big Bank" or Wirehouse"? In this show we talk with a former in-house bank financial adviser who recently joined Dolphin Financial Group. We ask him questions about what differences to expect about the advice given by a financial representative of a big bank as opp…

When the stock market crashes, many people "panic sell." They will let emotions take over and "freak out." Is this a bad thing? In this show we discuss who is more likely to panic sell and why it might not be such a bad thing after all.By Dan Wendol

The 2022 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) was declared to be 5.9%. It is the biggest annual increase since 1982! In this show we discuss how this is determined, why it happened, and why many people won't actually see the full 5.9% increase in their Social Security checks.By Dan Wendol

How do you leave money with strings attached? Many families have a particular "Black Sheep" or difficult member that doesn't quite fit the mold or has an issue. Common issues might be alcohol or substance abuse, disliked spouses, or lack of money management skills. In this show we talk with an estate planning attorney on how to handle these types o…

Heads you win $200, Tails you lose $100. Do you take that bet? Some people are so risk averse, they may not take that bet. Does this behavior get worse in retirement? Are people in retirement less likely to make a bet, even with a highly favorable expected outcome?By Dan Wendol

Isn't retirement something everyone strives for? It's our "golden years" of relaxation and carefree living, right? This isn't always the case. In this show we discuss five major reasons why retirement isn't all it's cracked up to be. Listen in to hear about the top drawbacks of retiring and learn how to avoid this negativity when you decide to join…

If given a lump sum to invest over ten years, which strategy would lead to higher returns: Investing the entire lump sum at once or investing the lump sum evenly over the first year. Investing over time is also known as Dollar Cost Averaging and it's very popular. However, is it the better option when there is a long-term time horizon? We'll answer…

Where do people get their retirement income from? Are people relying on Social Security, an IRA, or maybe a pension? In this show we discuss the sources of retirement income by generation along with ideas on where that income should come from. If you are thinking about retirement and aren't sure where the money will come from, listen in!…

According to the recent August 2021 update from Social Security, the combined Trust Fund is expected to be depleted by 2034. This is one year earlier than estimated last year. This means that in 2034, only 78% of benefits will be payable to Social Security beneficiaries. What does this mean, why is it happening, and what should you do about it?…

How much does Medicare cost? Isn't it free? If I have to pay for Part A or B, who do I make the check out to? What is an IRMAA? How do I pay for Medicare?In this show we talk about the cost to the Medicare beneficiary. We discuss the price for each part of Medicare and the ways to pay for it. If you are new to Medicare and are wondering how the pri…

In this show we talk about when people are claiming Social Security Benefits and why they do so. The math suggests delaying, yet people don't. Be sure to listen in to make sure you aren't messing up this important lifetime decision.By Dan Wendol