Retirement Ready

Mailbag: Should I Withdraw from an Old Annuity?

When is a good time to withdraw from an annuity and what should you know ahead of time? Eric answers this and two other questions from the mailbag in this week’s podcast.
 
Read more and get additional financial resources here: http://petersonfg.com/mailbag-should-i-withdraw-from-an-old-annuity/ 
 
What we discuss on this show: 
0:50 - Mailbag: Should I withdraw from an old annuity?
4:02 - Mailbag: Should I pay off a student loan that has no interest or payments due?   
6:04 - Mailbag: What will be taxable after being furloughed and on unemployment?

Heard It Through The Grapevine?

From million-dollar retirement benchmarks to presidential election fears or predictions, have you heard these through the grapevine? Eric shares what he thinks about these three financial rumors.
 
Read more and get additional financial resources here: http://petersonfg.com/heard-it-through-the-grapevine/ 
 
What we discuss on this show: 
1:47 - Well I heard…you have to have at least $1 million to retire.
2:34 - What happened when one client aimed for $1 million?
4:08 - Well I heard…you should start Social Security as early as you can.
6:26 - Well I heard…the market will tank if Trump loses.

Is This Retirement Fact or Fiction?

Ever hear something and think, could that be true? Some of these financial concepts are fact and some are fiction--do you know which is which?
 
Read more and get additional financial resources here: http://petersonfg.com/is-this-retirement-fact-or-fiction/ 
 
What we discuss on this episode:
1:04 - Fact or Fiction: Social Security is taxable. 
3:18 - Fact or Fiction: Your taxes will likely be lower in retirement.
5:24 - Fact or Fiction: Term life insurance is better than whole life insurance.
7:37 - Fact or Fiction: Medicare will cover most of your medical needs in retirement.
9:30 - Fact or Fiction: As we get older, we should shift from stocks to bonds.

Are You Flirting with Financial Disaster?

You might feel great about where you stand financially but there’s a chance you could be flirting with disaster. We’ll tell you about three key areas where people make mistakes in their planning that can end up causing major financial problems in retirement.
 
Read more and get additional financial resources here: http://petersonfg.com/are-you-flirting-with-financial-disaster/ 
 
On today's show: 
0:58 - Out of date legal documents
2:43 - An article showing the importance of updating documents. 
4:06 - If you’re not thinking about long-term tax planning
7:21 - No plan for long-term care expenses.

How To Pack Your Financial Suitcase

When you go on a trip, a lot of times it helps to refer to a packing list to make sure you have everything. When putting together a financial plan, do you have everything in order? Let’s talk about what you need to put into your financial suitcase.
 
Read more and get additional financial resources here: http://petersonfg.com/how-to-pack-your-financial-suitcase/ 
 
On today's show: 
0:46 - Where can Americans travel right now?
3:22 - How can we be sure we’ve packed efficiently? 
5:02 - How do you deal with “lost luggage” in the financial world?
7:56 - How do you protect your assets?   

What Is Your Retirement Mindset?

When it comes to retirement, where are you at? If you’re getting closer to retirement, it may help to understand your current mindset in order to know how best to proceed.
 
Read more and get additional resources here: http://petersonfg.com/what-is-your-retirement-mindset/ 
 
On today's show: 
0:54 - How would you describe your mindset?
1:28 - Do you feel like retiring now but not sure if you’re ready?
3:22 - Do you wonder how much you need to save before retirement?
5:10 - Are you waiting until you hit $1 million before retirement?
7:15 - Do you think retirement sounds boring?

Financial Crisis or Financial Opportunity?

From market crashes to empty nests, we discuss different situations that may be first viewed as a crisis. But is it really an opportunity in disguise? We will explore both sides today on the podcast.
 
Read more and get additional financial resources here: http://petersonfg.com/are-you-facing-financial-crisis-or-financial-opportunity/ 
 
On today's show: 
1:22 - Is empty nest syndrome a crisis or opportunity?
4:55 - Is there an upside to market downturns?
6:56 - How should you view long-term care insurance rate hikes?
9:11 - What is the opportunity in getting laid off?

Making The Right Decisions With Your 401(k)

Are you wondering what to do with your 401(k)? How can you make sure this investment is set-up well to suit your needs? Let’s answer some of the most common questions regarding this popular retirement account.
 
Read more and get additional financial resources here: http://petersonfg.com/making-the-right-decisions-with-your-401k/ 
 
On today's show: 
1:04 - Is free advice worth taking?
3:10 - Is it a good or bad idea to take a loan out on a 401(k)?
4:45 - When should you do a 401(k) rollover?
7:00 - Should you use target date funds?
9:15 - Which is better: Roth or Traditional 401(k)?

Which TV Character Describes Your Financial Personality?

What kind of classic TV personality do you most relate with when it comes to handling your finances? Are you more like Gilligan or Barney Fife? Find out on today’s podcast!
 
Read more and get additional financial resources: http://petersonfg.com/which-tv-character-describes-your-financial-personality/ 
 
Today's show schedule: 
1:08 - Jed Clampett from the Beverly Hillbillies got rich quick.
3:55 - Fred Mertz from I Love Lucy was always looking for the cheapest solution.
6:11 - Barney Fife felt big dreams were attainable.
8:06 - Gilligan has terrible luck on Gilligan’s Island.

Financial Pet Peeves

What little (or not little) things get under your skin when it comes to financial planning? Are they the same pet peeves as Eric’s? Find out on today’s podcast!
 
Read more and get additional financial resources here: http://petersonfg.com/financial-pet-peeves/ 
 
Today's show schedule: 
1:11 - Pet peeve: Hidden fees.
3:11 - Pet peeve: Advisors who work more as a salesman.
5:16 - Pet peeve: One-size-fits-all.
6:48 - Pet peeve: Jargon without explanation.
7:55 - Pet peeve: Massive financial plans.