by Lance Roberts
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| Markets remain volatile, but the bigger story is how investors navigate the transition from accumulation to retirement with confidence. Richard Rosso & Jonathan McCarty tackle the real questions that matter most: how IRMAA works and how to plan around it, what fiduciary fees actually deliver, and how to think strategically about Roth conversions in the context of taxes, Social Security, and long-term income planning. We also dig into practical retirement decisions—balancing debt versus continued contributions, managing multiple retirement accounts, handling IRA inheritance rules, and planning healthcare coverage before and after Medicare eligibility. For those entering decumulation, we break down how to determine a sustainable withdrawal strategy, avoid underspending, and use tools like home equity strategically. Along the way, we address Social Security concerns, tax-efficient investing, preferred stocks, IPO access, and how to build financial literacy across generations. Whether you're nearing retirement or already there, this episode provides a comprehensive framework for making smarter, more tax-aware, and more confident financial decisions. 0:00 - INTRO 1:27 - Market Commentary - Volatility 2:21 - How can I estimate IRMMA brackets into the future? (What is IRMMA?) 6:00 - Being new to RIA and SimpleVisor I am curious to learn more about the fees. ("Fiducirary") 7:45 - How does one maximize Roth conversion? (Ed Slott) 11:35 - Can you elaborate on strategies for converting traditional IRAs to Roths with respect to impact on future IRMA, Social Security, and Tax Brackets? 15:34 - I am 63, married, soon to retire, with accounts at 2 company 401ks, and I'm trying to lower my pre-tax income and I currently contribute 13% to a 403b. However, all it has is target date funds. Is there a way to contribute a portion of that to a pre-tax self managed account (a Rollover IRA I have in Fidelity)? 18:57 - IRA Inheritance 20:05 - I'm 59, have close to $1M saved, and my wife has her TRS pension. We have some annoying debt. Given for the most part, compounding is the main driver compared to my contributions, should I cut way back on contributions and funnel more towards debt? 21:38 - Can you cover the requirement, to avoid penalties, and options for someone who will be 65 later this year and plans to keep working until at least 68, so will have health insurance through work until then. (When to sign up?) 24:39 - Health coverage through retired wife's former employer. 25:50 - I'm hearing that Social Security Benefits will be cut in 2034, anywhere from 22-25%. If I retire in 2033 will I be protected from the cut? Or does every person taking social security take a cut, regardless of when you started? 29:36 - I am beginning the decumulation phase but am terrified to take out too much. How do I know how much to safely pull out? Can you give some strategies to think about this. Rich often talks about his "underspender" clients. What has helped them? 32:41 - Use of Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (reverse mortgage) for paying taxes from Roth conversions. 34:50 - Commentary on Ray Daleo & inflation; "The Fourth Turning;" Tom Lee, Jeremy Grantham (the RIA Eagle) 38:42 - Investing in Space-X & Anthropic IPO WHEEL OF NAMES - Len Jackson 40:20 - Does the preferred stock face value ($25.00) eventually drop more than the dividend is worth? 45:20 - How can we find out what our lifetime contribution to SS and Medicare is? 46:25 - What should I do if I mistakenly made a contribution to my Roth IRA brokerage account in excess of 2025 limit? 47:42 - Should we buy the stock that has an upcoming stock split such as Vanguard, which has 5 ETFs that were planned to have a stock split? (Accounting gimmick) 50:15 - What is the best investment now? Cash equivalent treasuries? Are intermediate bonds safe? Also what is the best investments for tax efficiency in a large taxable portfolio--is it etf's core/dividend, bond--especially in a state that has progressive state taxes? 53:20 - Are there any frameworks for parents/grandparents to teach kids to be financially competent? (Save/Share/Spend box) Hosted by RIA Advisors Director of Financial Planning, Richard Rosso, CFP, w Senior Financial Advisor, Jonathan McCarty, CFP, Produced by Brent Clanton -------------------- Visit our Site: www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #RetirementPlanning #RothConversion #IRMAA #FinancialPlanning #InvestingStrategies |
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The Fed is governed by its dual Congressional mandates of price stability and maximum employment. At times, however, the Fed throws these mandates out the window to protect the financial system. With liquidity and credit stress in the private credit market rising, we must consider whether the Fed might once again ignore its mandates to …
3-17-26 Fixing Your Broken Emergency Fund
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Hosted by RIA Advisors Chief Investment Strategist, Lance Roberts, CIO, w Senior Investment Advisor, Jonathan Penn, CFP
Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer
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🔎 At a Glance 💬 Ask a Question Have a question about the markets, your portfolio, or a topic you’d like us to cover in a future newsletter? 📩 Email: [email protected]🐦 Follow & DM on X: @LanceRoberts📰 Subscribe on Substack: @LanceRoberts We read every message and may feature your question in next week’s issue! 🏛️ …
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