Financial Decoder

Estate planning can help you maintain more control over important financial and personal decisions, both during your lifetime and after your death. Host Mark Riepe speaks with Austin Jarvis, director of estate, trust, and high-net-worth tax planning research at the Schwab Center for Financial Research, about what goes into an effective estate plan and the key considerations for getting started. They discuss how wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, and other elements can work together to reflect your wishes and protect the people you care about. They also explain why estate planning isn't a one-time task and how changes in your life may signal that it's time to revisit your plan. After you listen:·      Check out the article "Estate Planning: Don’t Let the State Decide" for guidance on putting a plan in place.·      Dig deeper into the essentials with "What Is Estate Planning?" and learn more about the pieces that make up an estate plan.Financial Decoder is an original podcast from Charles Schwab.If you enjoy the show, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts.Reach out to Mark on X @MarkRiepe with your thoughts on the show.Follow Financial Decoder on Spotify to comment on episodes.Important DisclosureThis material is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned are not suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decisions.For illustrative purposes only. Individual situations will vary and are no guarantee of future performance or success. Not intended to be reflective of results you can expect to achieve and are not intended to be, nor should they be construed as, a recommendation to buy, sell, or continue to hold any investment.All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic or political conditions.Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.The Schwab Center for Financial Research is a division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.1126-W4TE Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Financial Decoder host Mark Riepe is joined by Kasey McCurdy, chief portfolio strategist for Schwab Wealth Advisory™, to examine what risk really means in your financial life. They discuss why risk extends beyond market volatility and how an investor's goals and circumstances can shape the risks that matter most. Kasey explains the distinction between risk tolerance and risk capacity, along with why a seemingly safer strategy may introduce different concerns. He also offers a framework for evaluating financial headlines and determining whether your portfolio still supports your long-term plan.After you listen:·      Learn more about managing investment risk in "Ways to Help Reduce Risk in Your Portfolio."·      Explore Schwab's approach to investing and risk mitigation in "7 Investing Principles."Financial Decoder is an original podcast from Charles Schwab.If you enjoy the show, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts.Reach out to Mark on X @MarkRiepe with your thoughts on the show.Follow Financial Decoder on Spotify to comment on episodes.Important DisclosuresThis material is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned are not suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decisions.For illustrative purposes only. Individual situations will vary and are no guarantee of future performance or success. Not intended to be reflective of results you can expect to achieve and are not intended to be, nor should they be construed as, a recommendation to buy, sell, or continue to hold any investment.All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic or political conditions.Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.Diversification and asset allocation strategies do not ensure a profit and do not protect against losses in declining markets.Rebalancing may cause investors to incur transaction costs and, when a non-retirement account is rebalanced, taxable events may be created that may affect your tax liability.Schwab Wealth Advisory™ ("SWA") is a non‐discretionary investment advisory program sponsored by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab"). Schwab Wealth Advisory, Inc. ("SWAI") is a Registered Investment Adviser and provides portfolio management for the SWA program. Schwab and SWAI are affiliates and are subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation.Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.​Past performance is no guarantee of future results.The Schwab Center for Financial Research is a division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.The policy analysis provided by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., does not constitute and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party.1026-PX6M Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Company stock can be a powerful wealth-building tool, but it can also create unexpected risks. Mark sits down with Sarah Buchardt to break down the most common forms of equity compensation and the key decisions employees face. Along the way, they explore diversification, taxes, and how to determine whether company stock still belongs in an investor's portfolio.After you listen:·      Visit Schwab's Equity Award Center for resources on the different forms of equity compensation, including sections like "Build Your Understanding of Equity" and "Discover What Equity Can Do for You."Financial Decoder is an original podcast from Charles Schwab.If you enjoy the show, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts.Reach out to Mark on X @MarkRiepe with your thoughts on the show.Follow Financial Decoder on Spotify to comment on episodes.Important DisclosuresThis material is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned are not suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decisions.For illustrative purposes only. Individual situations will vary and are no guarantee of future performance or success. Not intended to be reflective of results you can expect to achieve and are not intended to be, nor should they be construed as, a recommendation to buy, sell, or continue to hold any investment.All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic or political conditions.Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.Diversification and asset allocation strategies do not ensure a profit and do not protect against losses in declining markets.Vesting means ownership of your account or your entitlement to benefits. You are always 100% vested in any contributions that you make to your retirement plan, even if you leave your employer. However, depending on what type of retirement plan you have and the choices your employer has made about the benefits under the plan, vesting of employer contributions may be immediate or may take up to seven years. Your plan's disclosure documents will contain the specific vesting schedule.Equity Compensation is a very complicated topic, and planning raises complex tax, legal, estate planning, and investment management issues. An ECC is intended to help you understand the value of your company stock and options, provide wealth management education, and when appropriate will include investment advice relating to your equity compensation. All stock prices and tax calculations are hypothetical and are used for demonstration purposes only.This information is not a specific recommendation, individualized tax, legal, or investment advice. Tax laws are subject to change, either prospectively or retroactively. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, individuals should contact their own professional tax and investment advisors or other professionals (CPA, Financial Planner, Investment Manager, Estate Attorney) to help answer questions about specific situations or needs prior to taking any action based upon this information.All corporate names and market data shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security.​Past performance is no guarantee of future results.The Schwab Center for Financial Research is a division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.The policy analysis provided by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., does not constitute and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party.1026-JFP1 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Economic myths persist because they simplify a complex world, but acting on them can lead investors astray. Mark Riepe is joined by Schwab's Jennifer Babchuk to examine common misconceptions about markets, the economy, inflation, interest rates, and economic data, and explain the nuances investors often overlook. Along the way, they explore how cognitive biases shape economic narratives and offer practical ways to evaluate information more thoughtfully in an uncertain world. After you listen:·      Read Jennifer Babchuk's article "America's New Debt Reality" for a deeper look at rising government debt and what it could mean for the economy and investors.·      Visit schwab.com/learn for insights on markets, personal finance, and economic trends that can help you separate financial myths from reality.Financial Decoder is an original podcast from Charles Schwab.If you enjoy the show, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts.Reach out to Mark on X @MarkRiepe with your thoughts on the show.Follow Financial Decoder on Spotify to comment on episodes.Important DisclosuresThis material is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned are not suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decisions.All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic or political conditions.Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.​Past performance is no guarantee of future results.The Schwab Center for Financial Research is a division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.The policy analysis provided by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., does not constitute and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party.(0926-CJHB) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Financial stress can affect anyone, regardless of income. In this episode, Mark talks with Cindy Scott about the emotional side of money and explores practical strategies for reducing financial anxiety through planning, perspective, and better decision-making. They discuss how financial habits are formed, why stress can lead to costly mistakes, and how building financial resilience can help you stay focused on your long-term goals. After you listen: Read Cindy Scott's article "5 Steps to Help Lower Your Financial Stress" for practical strategies to help you manage financial anxiety and build confidence. Explore the Schwab Money Talk series for insights on financial planning, investing, retirement, and other everyday money topics. Financial Decoder is an original podcast from Charles Schwab.  If you enjoy the show, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts. Reach out to Mark on X @MarkRiepe with your thoughts on the show. Follow Financial Decoder on Spotify to comment on episodes. Important Disclosures This material is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned are not suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decisions. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic or political conditions. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. ​Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Schwab Wealth Advisory™ ("SWA") is a non‐discretionary investment advisory program sponsored by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab"). Schwab Wealth Advisory, Inc. ("SWAI") is a Registered Investment Adviser and provides portfolio management for the SWA program. Schwab and SWAI are affiliates and are subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation. The Schwab Center for Financial Research is a division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. 0826-WTP3 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.