Retire Sooner with Wes Moss

Ready to approach retirement with clarity and confidence? In this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase discuss how private equity, 401(k) plan developments, and evolving retirement planning trends are shaping today’s investing landscape—helping listeners stay informed and intentional about their long-term financial goals. • Explore how private equity is being considered for inclusion in 401(k) plans, what this potential change could mean for plan sponsors, participants, and the broader retirement system, and understand how it differs from related categories like private credit and private infrastructure—including key factors to consider when evaluating these alternative investments. • Hear Wes and Christa respond to listener questions about teaching financial values, communicating about family wealth, and encouraging healthy money discussions at home. • Discuss the Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement, and how reaching certain savings milestones—such as $1 million—can offer flexibility without guaranteeing financial independence or early retirement. • Consider the reasoning behind more conservative portfolio allocations being discussed in today’s market and how they may relate to broader investment risk and retirement planning themes. • Review how private equity funds may be structured within 401(k) plans, including their potential advantages, limitations, and regulatory considerations. • Compare Roth and traditional 401(k) options as Wes and Christa emphasize how employers can foster education and awareness—without directing individual investment decisions. • Learn how inherited IRAs and 401(k)s, along with community property laws, can affect Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) and estate planning outcomes. • Examine how covered call ETFs may function within a diversified portfolio, including the potential trade-offs between income generation and growth opportunities. This episode offers thoughtful discussions to help listeners stay educated about current financial topics without making predictions or recommendations. **Listen and subscribe to the **Retire Sooner Podcast for ongoing educational conversations that promote understanding, balance, and informed decision-making in your retirement planning journey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase on the Retire Sooner Podcast, where real-life financial questions meet clear, grounded discussions about retirement planning, investing, and financial wellbeing. This episode explores practical ways individuals can make informed decisions, manage uncertainty, and approach retirement with more clarity and confidence. • Review how the current bull market compares to past market cycles and what history may suggest about long-term investment behavior. • Reflect on the difference between being financially “set” and emotionally “settled” when preparing for retirement. • Evaluate potential considerations when choosing to pay down a mortgage or allocate extra cash toward long-term financial goals. • Understand how 401(k) providers record traditional and Roth contributions and maintain accurate tax reporting for participants. • Compare UGMA/UTMA custodial accounts and 529 plans as common education savings options, each with unique features and limitations. • Recognize that effective financial planning includes lifestyle, estate, tax, withdrawal, and healthcare considerations—not just investment management. • Discuss common causes of retirement-related anxiety and explore approaches that can help promote greater financial peace of mind. • Clarify how management fees appear in fund performance and why transparency matters when reviewing investment options. • Comprehend the pros and cons of financial planners who communicate clearly, align with your comfort level, and structure their services to support your individual needs. • Consider how consistent investing through dollar cost averaging has sometimes reduced emotional reactions to short-term market volatility. Listen and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast for thoughtful conversations about retirement planning, financial confidence, and long-term investing strategies that can help you navigate your own financial journey with purpose. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Curious how today’s costs, inflation trends, and shifting expectations are shaping the American Dream? Join Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase on the Retire Sooner Podcast as they provide context on financial headlines, explore common planning questions, and share research-informed insights for your retirement journey. • Explore the discussion around what it may take to reach the American Dream and whether a $5 million lifetime target is a realistic benchmark. • Review how inflation has historically influenced the stock market and why the concept of a “Goldilocks zone” may be relevant for long-term investors. • Compare how inflation can affect different categories of stocks, including dividend-paying and growth-oriented companies. • Discuss what pursuing a CFP designation or considering a late-stage career shift into financial planning might involve. • Consider how high-yield bond ETFs are typically viewed in the marketplace and why “junk bonds” continue to spark debate among investors. • Examine different ways couples might think about retirement savings benchmarks—whether by age-based charts or total household goals. • Illustrate the role of compound growth in both saving and investing when working toward retirement readiness. • Highlight factors to weigh when assessing whether to maintain or drop life insurance as retirement approaches, including debt, dependents, and overall assets. • Outline new Secure 2.0 provisions that allow certain 529 plan funds to be redirected to Roth IRAs for children. • Showcase how automation and behavioral systems can encourage consistent savings habits across different income levels and career stages. Every financial situation is unique, but gaining context can help make more informed choices. Listen now and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast for ongoing conversations that keep you engaged with today’s retirement and financial planning landscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explore practical retirement planning strategies and gain clarity on key financial decisions in this engaging episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast. Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase discuss common questions and considerations for savers and soon-to-be retirees, providing perspectives on investment options and long-term planning frameworks. • Discover how a focused 30-minute financial conversation between spouses about income, assets, and liabilities can reduce uncertainty and help families feel more organized and informed in their money matters. • Understand why nearly half of Americans do not have a written financial plan and what this may indicate for retirement preparedness. • Clarify retirement account protections within TSPs, along with rules for required minimum distributions (RMDs) and available investment options after age 73. • Examine UTMA and UGMA accounts for minors, including potential tax implications, gifting considerations, and impact on financial aid eligibility. • Consider when a financial planner may be appropriate, approaches to managing planning-related FOMO, and the features of advisory services offered by various firms. • Explore the 0.01% Rule of thumb and how it may guide thinking about saving versus spending without implying specific outcomes. • Review historically effective withdrawal rates, including whether a paid-off home could influence planning assumptions and evolving perspectives on the 4% rule of thumb. • Assess strategies such as “buy, borrow, die”, including potential tax considerations, leverage, and portfolio risk factors. • Compare keeping assets in a TSP for Roth conversions versus transferring them to another custodian, considering fees and investment options. Gain perspective and knowledge to help support thoughtful retirement planning decisions—listen now to the Retire Sooner Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gain a clear perspective on retirement planning in this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, hosted by Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase, where listener questions meet the latest financial planning insights. Discover practical considerations that can help inform decisions about your long-term financial strategy. • Examine how the Federal Reserve’s interest rate cut may influence mortgages, loans, and stock market activity. • Understand why homeowners may appear “locked in” to current mortgage rates and explore potential shifts in housing trends. • Explore how the Fed balances inflation with employment data and what this could mean for your financial outlook. • Review historical stock market outcomes following Fed rate cuts near all-time highs. • Consider strategies for small business growth, including business checking accounts and high-yield options. • Compare dividend reinvestment with manual reallocation to assess approaches for your retirement phase. • Navigate backdoor Roth IRA contributions, conversions, gains, and tax-efficient dollar-cost averaging. • Address common retirement questions and explore planning steps that may provide financial clarity. • Benchmark savings against national averages and examine actionable retirement milestones. • Utilize spousal IRAs to maintain contributions while transitioning toward retirement. • Understand 72(t) IRA withdrawals and evaluate flexibility for early retirement considerations. • Assess ultra-high-yield ETFs and review the potential risks of concentrated portfolios. Listen and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast to stay informed and explore considerations that can support your financial planning and retirement goals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gain clarity on investing and retirement planning with this engaging episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, hosted by Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase. Whether you’re navigating strong markets or uncertainty, this conversation provides frameworks and explanations to help support your retirement planning. • Unpack five pillars of investing that may guide decision-making across both strong and volatile markets. • Clarify how capital gains tax rates work, including how some investors may stay in the 0% long-term bracket under current tax law. • Address listener questions on diversification, from S&P 500 funds to total market and international fund considerations. • Examine how required minimum distributions (RMDs) may fit into retirement withdrawals alongside concepts such as the 4% rule. • Break down cost basis options with Vanguard and explain how tax-loss and tax-gain harvesting may impact your returns. • Highlight the new, increased senior tax deduction window (2025–2028) and what it could mean for retirees. • Consider strategies for investing short- and intermediate-term savings for kids and teens by aligning time horizon with risk. • Evaluate why choosing a reputable investment custodian may matter and what questions can be asked about where assets are held. Stay informed and proactive—listen now and seek to expand your understanding of investing and tax planning. Subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast for weekly conversations designed to keep you engaged with today’s financial landscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Curious how to manage your 401(k), Social Security, and retirement withdrawals in today’s market? On this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase break down practical strategies for navigating retirement planning, taxes, and investment decisions so you can make informed choices for your financial future. • Examine why a strong stock market may not reflect the real economy and what seems to be influencing current market movements. • Break down company stock in 401(k)s and explore how net unrealized appreciation (NUA) can affect tax planning. • Explore listener examples of balancing Social Security benefits and retirement account withdrawals to create a thoughtful income plan. • Review early retirement rules, including 457 plans, 72(t) distributions, and the rule of 55, and how they often impact access to funds. • Analyze estate planning mistakes, even among high-profile cases, to understand potential pitfalls and planning considerations. • Compare brokerage accounts, investment research tools, and target-date funds to evaluate what may fit your individual situation. • Evaluate the trade-offs between mortgage payoff strategies and staying invested when interest rates fluctuate. • Clarify how Roth 401(k) and IRA withdrawal rules differ before age 59 ½ and what that could mean for accessing retirement funds. Gain actionable insights and considerations to help make informed retirement planning decisions. Listen now and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast to stay updated on the key factors shaping today’s financial planning and retirement strategies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ready to explore new perspectives on retirement planning? In this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase examine money, markets, and financial strategies, highlighting ways thoughtful planning may help support financial confidence. ·       Review how stock dividends have historically compared with bond interest over the long term. ·       Explain total return as the combination of growth and income, and discuss how it relates to inflationand purchasing power. ·       Compare the historical performance of stocks and bonds and outline the effects of compounding over decades. ·       Consider the role of bonds in a portfolio, particularly for those seeking stability and diversification. ·       Address listener questions on money supply, cash reserves, risk tolerance, and the potential influence of guaranteed income sources on retirement timelines. ·       Explore options for self-employed retirement savings, including the flexibility of solo 401(k) plans. ·       Reflect on the psychological value of having a financial plan during periods of market uncertainty. ·       Highlight trends in U.S. manufacturing productivity, including the impact of AI, robotics, and Midwest innovation. ·       Discuss approaches to balancing an emergency fund with retirement contributions, and review considerations around Roth accounts. ·       Examine practical examples of retirement-related decisions, such as early home purchases, Roth IRA conversions, and considerations for taxes, Social Security, and pensions. Gain insights into the discussions shaping retirement planning and investing today. Listen and subscribeto the Retire Sooner Podcast to explore more perspectives that can help guide your financial journey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover how money choices today can influence your financial confidence and retirement happiness in this engaging episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast with Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase. Gain perspective on retirement planning strategies, Social Security rules, tax considerations, and investing trends that could shape your financial journey. • Examine how large IRA withdrawals—such as those used for home renovations—can affect Medicare premiums, and consider strategies to help manage taxable income. • Break down the concept of tokenization in investing as Robinhood and the SEC highlight this trend, and think about the possibilities for fractional ownership in the future of investing. • Weigh the trade-offs between applying rental income toward your mortgage principal versus investing it for long-term retirement flexibility. • Clarify how Social Security survivor benefits may extend to grandchildren, what dependency rules apply, and why guardianship status alone may not be enough. • Review why withdrawal planning and tax awareness—including the value of professional guidance—remain key components of effective financial planning for retirement. • Learn how capital gains tax brackets work and why timing investment sales can play a role in overall tax outcomes, especially for families with changing incomes. • Assess the role of REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) within a diversified investment approach and what to weigh when considering them as part of your retirement income plan. • Explore the growing use of artificial intelligence in financial planning, from investment research to estate modeling, while keeping in mind its potential benefits and current limits. Stay informed, stay engaged, and stay confident in your path forward. Listen and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast for thoughtful conversations that support a fulfilling retirement journey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get ready to rethink retirement with Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase as they examine the realities of investing, financial security, and planning for a fulfilling future. This episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast delivers actionable insights, practical frameworks, and real-world examples to inform your retirement planning decisions. Hear a retirement story illustrating how asset allocation strategies can change over longer time horizons. Explore how retirees might evaluate investment choices when guaranteed income streams exceed spending needs. Question the traditional “own your age in bonds” rule and consider how personal comfort with market risk can shape retirement planning. Understand the Federal Reserve’s influence on interest rates and what rate changes may mean for savings, housing, and the broader economy. Examine the inverted yield curve and consider historical patterns regarding economic slowdowns. Identify market sectors, including consumer staples and utilities, that may show relative stability during market fluctuations. Clarify misconceptions about global stock market capitalization and assess how international diversification may fit into a retirement plan. Review the 6% test as a framework for comparing pension lump sum options and monthly payments. Consider wealth-building benchmarks and habits for younger savers that support gradual accumulation over time. Explore irrevocable trusts and other legal strategies that may help manage and protect certain assets. Listen as Wes and Christa address listener questions covering retirement planning considerations across different life stages. Empower yourself with knowledge and thoughtful considerations for your financial future. Listen and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast for weekly discussions on investing, retirement planning, and financial security 🎧 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tired of sifting through retirement noise and myths? On this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase unpack practical strategies and honest conversations to help you navigate your retirement journey with confidence—wherever you may stand today. • Question what "Is the 60/40 Dead?" means for balanced investing and consider how classic stock/bond allocations might still fit modern portfolios. • Analyze the evolution of balanced portfolios and prioritize flexibility and personalization to match your unique goals. • Evaluate the benefits of working with a fiduciary advisor versus managing a low-cost index fund portfolio on your own. • Clarify the mechanics of Roth conversions, including tax management, employer plan rules, and common pitfalls like the pro rata rule. • Assess the advantages and drawbacks of using self-directed brokerage windows within your 401(k) and identify key considerations. • Uncover the realities behind the Great Wealth Transfer and plan for receiving and leaving inheritances thoughtfully with estate planning insights. • Emphasize the importance of communicating family values and wishes about money to help facilitate smoother inheritance discussions. • Compare the tax efficiency of target-date ETFs versus mutual funds when shaping your taxable investment approach. • Decode fully paid lending programs from brokerages such as Fidelity and weigh the implications of loaning your stock holdings. • Consider appropriate asset allocations for elder care responsibilities when acting as a power of attorney, factoring in rising costs and longevity. Empower your retirement future with practical, actionable knowledge from this episode. Listen and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast to stay informed on real-world financial strategies that may help support your goals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kickstart your journey to a happier, earlier retirement with this high-energy episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, where Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase tackle real listener questions and spotlight flexible strategies that could help you build a more confident retirement plan. Whether you're in your 40s, 50s, or beyond, get motivated to consider meaningful actions—starting now. • Jump-start your savings approach in your 40s and 50s, even if you're just beginning to focus on retirement. • Unlock the “50+ Retirement Catch-Up Toolbox” with tools like Roth conversions, HSAs, and enhanced contribution limits. • Discover what’s ahead with new “super catch-up” contribution rules and upcoming IRS changes that may impact your planning. • Maximize your Social Security outlook by understanding how the timing of withdrawals could influence your benefits. • Hear how annuities and home equity were discussed as potential components in long-term financial planning. • Tune in to real-world stories from listeners managing late-in-life parenting, mortgages, and the pursuit of financial independence. • Reconsider the risks and rewards of penny stocks with a balanced conversation about their place in a retirement portfolio. • Weigh the role of pensions in your overall asset allocation for a more personalized investment approach. • Rethink your withdrawal game plan with a closer look at the 4% rule—its origins and relevance today. • Confront concerns around global exposure by reviewing how emerging markets and China-related investments might affect your portfolio. • Strengthen your retirement mindset with income-focused planning designed to help support a more stable financial future. Get energized with actionable ideas and relatable stories that help make retirement planning feel more approachable. 🎧 Listen and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast to join a community focused on financial clarity and living a purpose-filled retirement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Think you might be richer than you realize? In this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase examine realistic benchmarks and practical frameworks for retirement planning. • Define what the “rich ratio” means and consider how it may reframe your retirement outlook. • Compare your savings habits to U.S. medians to understand the broader landscape. • Acknowledge that building wealth typically occurs over long periods and that consistency can be meaningful. • Discuss research on how happiness and financial confidence often plateau beyond certain savings levels. • Evaluate the roles of traditional and Roth IRAs, 457(b)s, pensions, and brokerage accounts to support flexibility. • Identify scenarios where a standalone brokerage account may be unnecessary for certain savers. • Consider a target date fund allocation approach that may better align with your stated risk tolerance. • Weigh convenience, costs, and tax features of index mutual funds versus ETFs, including changes following a major fund industry patent expiration. • Clarify how the Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) rule for company stock in 401(k)s works and where tax treatment can differ. • Review key factors when choosing between a state pension plan and a self directed plan for teachers and public employees. • Position specialized pension income, including Railroad Retirement, as part of a base income layer within an overall plan, subject to program rules. • Incorporate year round tax planning as a component of a well documented retirement strategy, noting that individual circumstances vary. Listen and SUBSCRIBE to the Retire Sooner Podcast for weekly educational conversations that can inform more confident financial decision making. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Think you know the rules of thumb for retirement and investing? Think again. On this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase examine common money myths and respond to listener questions that may reshape how you approach your financial future. What you'll explore in this episode: • Begin investing at any income level by seeing how access to markets has evolved. • Focus on long-term participation instead of trying to perfectly time the market. • Revisit the role of cash in your strategy and reflect on whether “cash is king” still holds. • Understand why not all bonds carry the same level of risk, despite common assumptions. • Consider how long-term investing differs from gambling based on historical probabilities. • Explore modern tools and AI platforms that can support your portfolio analysis. • Avoid the comparison trap by staying grounded in your personal financial goals. • Compare the potential uses of whole life insurance versus long-term investing in special needs planning. • Remember that market declines only become losses when assets are sold. • Recognize the limitations of using past performance to estimate future outcomes. • Examine whether real estate consistently appreciates by looking at real-life exceptions and patterns. • Shift your perspective from outperforming the market to maintaining a long-term plan. • Emphasize the importance of hobbies and social connections alongside financial readiness in retirement. • Track your accounts and consider when changes to a managed portfolio may be appropriate. • Reassess how supplemental funds—like vacation accounts—fit into your broader plan and tax picture. • Simplify charitable giving by analyzing options such as donor-advised funds and intentional planning. 🎧 Listen today and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast for thoughtful insights to help guide your retirement journey._ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Take the next step in your retirement planning. Tune in to the latest episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast with Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase, where you'll hear thoughtful, real-world insights designed to help you make informed financial decisions and pursue a more confident, purposeful retirement. • Explore ways to optimize Social Security benefits, including timing strategies, spousal considerations, and personalized withdrawal approaches. • Understand common sources of retirement anxiety, even among high-net-worth individuals, and consider approaches for managing emotional and financial uncertainty. • Learn how trusts can support estate planning goals, from avoiding probate to managing real estate assets within your long-term financial plan. • Consider retirement account strategies such as the Rule of 55, Roth conversion timing, and prioritizing tax-efficient cash flow. Review your investment mix by comparing target date funds and balanced funds, and evaluate which may better align with your risk tolerance and retirement timeline. • Weigh different withdrawal strategies by comparing the timing of distributions from retirement accounts versus claiming Social Security. • Examine how 529 plans and Roth IRAs may fit into your education and retirement planning—especially if you’re part of a high-income household navigating recent tax law changes. Compare the structure and features of S&P 500 mutual funds and ETFs to help determine which may be more appropriate for your investment preferences. 🎙️ Subscribe** and listen to the Retire Sooner Podcast today** for thoughtful conversations that can support your journey toward long-term financial well-being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Retire Sooner podcast, Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase respond to listener questions and explore practical approaches to navigating retirement, investing, and financial planning. • Discover a common Roth IRA misstep that can lead to unexpected taxes in retirement and learn how to approach it with more clarity. • Explore the process of rolling over a Roth 401(k) into a Roth IRA and how the five-year rule of thumb might impact your withdrawal timeline. • Hear real-world scenarios that highlight different outcomes based on how long your Roth accounts have been in place. • Understand how to approach IRA rebalancing, including what to consider when dealing with concentrated stock positions and market changes. • Compare Social Security and police pension benefits while examining updates to the Social Security Fairness Act and what it could mean for spousal coverage. • Consider the use of retirement income projection tools and how applying more conservative assumptions may help you plan with greater confidence. • Reflect on a “retirement love letter” that reveals three powerful themes behind a fulfilling retirement: financial flexibility, lifestyle design, and intentional planning. • Follow the story of a couple who built a $6 million net worth, established six income streams, and prioritized meaningful pursuits and family in retirement. • Explore why consistent movement and a sense of adventure are strongly connected to retirement satisfaction—and how shared community living can sometimes support both. • Examine how changing family dynamics may shift your highest spending years later in life and why it matters for long-term planning. • Get a clearer understanding of buffered index-linked notes, including their structure, potential costs, and how they differ from ETFs and other options. • Learn how to calculate the present value of a pension using basic inputs such as years of service and average salary. • Hear answers to more listener questions, including how stay-at-home spouses may qualify for Social Security and what pensions might mean for younger professionals. Listen now to explore thoughtful planning strategies, real retirement stories, and insights that can help you design a future with more purpose and peace of mind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase explore the role of dry powder assets in retirement planning and revisit “FOMO Freddie”—a cautionary character representing the risks of chasing investment trends without a long-term strategy. 🚀 They discuss why trend-chasing can be detrimental and how aligning with a consistent investment approach may help support long-term outcomes. You’ll hear comparisons of various investment styles—index, value, growth, momentum, and minimum volatility—and the potential drawbacks of “style timing” versus maintaining a steady allocation. The episode also covers listener questions around portfolio transitions, including strategies for minimizing market disruption when moving IRAs or 401(k)s. Additional topics include: • Understanding TreasuryDirect accounts like I Bonds and EE Bonds • Key risks of Market Linked Notes, including credit and liquidity concerns • The “three-year dry powder” rule of thumb as a retirement buffer • Age-based asset allocation considerations, including I Bonds as a potential emergency fund component for younger investors • Considerations around high-yield municipal bond funds, especially for tax-conscious, high-net-worth retirees • Factors to weigh when deciding whether to work with a financial advisor, including costs and allocation structure Looking for help to strengthen your financial plan? Tune in for thoughtful insights to help you navigate market decisions with clarity and caution. For additional resources, visit yourwealth.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dreaming about retiring early, but worried you’ll never have enough? On this episode of Retire Sooner with Wes Moss, Wes and Christa DiBiase break down powerful strategies and mindset shifts that could help folks retire sooner and happier, including: • Tap Your IRA Early—Penalty-Free: Learn how Rule 72(t) and SEPPs can sometimes unlock your IRA before many expect and how that might help customize an early retirement plan. • Rule of 55 vs. Rule 72(t): Compare two powerful early withdrawal strategies and discover which one could work for your retirement timeline. • Smart Rollover and Roth Moves: Wes tackles listener questions on IRAs, dry powder strategy, and recovering from past investing mistakes. • S&P 500 or Total Market Index? Find out which fund could fit your growth goals—and why broad diversification is often a winning strategy. • The Real Source of Retirement Happiness: New research reveals it’s not just money—core pursuits like travel, hobbies, and connection can fuel lasting joy. • Annuities & Life Insurance—Worth It? Explore the pros, cons, and ideal timing for annuities and whole life policies in your retirement plan. Let years of retirement planning, actionable anecdotes, relatable listener questions, and eye-opening research fine-tune your investment and happiness game plan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explore powerful, often-overlooked retirement tactics—like the Rule of 55 and the 62/70 Social Security strategy—and hear listener questions answered by Wes and Christa to help you build an effective, income-focused financial future. 🎯 • Are corporate earnings the #1 financial metric for long-term investors to track when making better investment decisions? • Learn how to evaluate earnings per share (EPS) and earnings growth when investing in individual stocks or index funds. • Should retail investors join earnings calls—or is it better to focus on broader S&P 500 earnings trends? • Understand how proxy voting works and whether your shareholder vote might impact company decisions. • Get insight on the “62/70” Social Security strategy—why one spouse claiming early while the other waits may optimize retirement income and possibly protect surviving spouses. • Explore the Rule of 55, which lets you withdraw from your 401(k) without penalties starting at age 55, years earlier than the standard 59½ rule. Learn the critical conditions and employer plan requirements that determine Rule of 55 eligibility. • Discover how a “reverse rollover,” for those who choose it, could unlock penalty-free access to retirement savings by shifting IRA funds into a qualifying 401(k). • Understand the pros and cons of rules-based ETFs and factor investing versus traditional low-cost index funds. • Hear Wes’s take on expense ratios, investment screening methods, and how to align your portfolio with your beliefs, without overpaying on fees. • Dive into the mechanics of backdoor Roth IRAs and how those who choose to roll over traditional IRAs might be able to simplify the Roth conversion strategy. • Learn how to optimize Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) when changing jobs or insurance plans. Start creating your path toward financial freedom and retirement happiness with these topics and more on this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking for retirement guidance and insights on navigating gold investments, market volatility, and the impact of AI on jobs? In this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase address essential topics and answer listener questions on financial planning, investment returns, and preparing for the future of work. • Gold as an Investment: Discuss the pros and cons of investing in gold, including historical performance and volatility. What’s an effective percentage to hold in a portfolio? • Gold’s Performance Over Time: Gold has shown a respectable average annual return in recent decades; however, can it also be highly volatile? • Gold in Times of Crisis: How does gold perform during a recession? • Physical Gold vs. Gold ETFs: Both are options, but which offers greater ease of access and lower logistical risk? • 401(k) Rollover Strategy: For retirees who choose to rollover 401k assets to an IRA, can dollar-cost averaging reduce emotional stress? • Seeking Steady 7% Returns: Investors looking for steady 7% returns may be compelled to take on significant risk, such as high-yield junk bonds or illiquid private real estate. Does this make balanced portfolios more strategic long-term options? • AI’s Impact on White Collar Jobs: Is there credence to the claims that AI could eliminate many entry-level white-collar positions in the next five years? Are there ways to assess job vulnerability and anticipate how new opportunities and industries will emerge in response to technological change? • Investing in an AI-Transformed World: Rather than chasing individual AI stocks, can broad, diversified index investing capture overall market growth and the success of future industry leaders? • Weighing Rental Properties vs. Selling: When considering whether to keep or sell a paid-off home, consider balancing the potential for appreciation and rental income against the additional management work and risk. • Equal Weight vs. Cap Weight Indexes: Is there potential for ETF bubbles due to mega-cap stock concentration? Can equal-weighted ETFs mitigate some risk? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices