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Should you take a lump sum or pension payout? Use the 6% Test to help you decide. With markets hitting record highs, is it the right time to invest or wait? History suggests some clues that retirement planning does not favor hesitation. Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase provide crucial context by answering listener questions about 401(k) target date funds, beta vs. volatility, selling a business for retirement, mega backdoor Roth IRAs, and inherited IRAs. Then, Jeff Lloyd helps unravel the most compelling economic data of the year. From inflation’s sneaky rise to why manufacturing expectations are surging, decode what’s really happening in the economy. With inflation creeping past 3%, is there cause for concern? And finally, is Washington’s birthday not actually called Presidents’ Day? Jeff has the surprising answer.
Examine financial resilience, retirement strategies, and the changing workforce landscape. Step into the discussion about how early retirement from federal jobs may reshape financial planning. What are the psychological barriers to investing at market highs, and how can future retirees navigate lump sum pension rollovers into IRAs? Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase explore all of this, plus the power of dividends, alternative income investments, and the importance of staying invested in bull markets. Next, tackle the behavioral finance conundrum—should you invest when the market is at an all-time high? Does the data suggest investing at record highs actually outperforms random market timing? Break down historical trends, unpack how bull markets typically last five years on average, and investigate why bonds remain a smart bet despite attractive cash yields. Wes Moss and Connor Miller delve into these crucial topics, plus quirky Super Bowl stock stats and a message about why Kansas City Chiefs fans have more to cheer about than just Taylor Swift in the stands.
Major Social Security policy changes, such as the elimination of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), may have significant implications for roughly 3 million Americans. Teachers, nurses, firefighters, police officers, and other public-sector workers who previously saw their Social Security benefits slashed may now receive the full benefits they’ve earned. This shift is reshaping retirement planning for many Americans. Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase analyze data and answer listener questions to examine the practical value of working with a trusted advisor. They remind listeners about diversifying portfolios into broad market indices to help minimize risk and explain how a money market is typically a higher-yield alternative to a standard low-interest savings account. There is power in planning for retirement at any age, even in your 50s, because consistent saving and wise investing can lead to more financial flexibility than many might think. In the second hour, Jeff Lloyd joins Wes to discuss GDP growth, the resilience of consumer spending despite inflation, and the ongoing challenges in sectors like housing and manufacturing. With a focus on the Fed's influence, productivity growth, and the gig economy, they explore how these elements shape the economic landscape and compare the current AI revolution to the space race.
In the first hour of today’s episode of Money Matters, Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase begin by diving into the current state of inflation. They discuss what a tightrope walk it can be to encourage economic growth without too many inflation risks and how the Federal Reserve tries to use rate hikes to find a balance. They explore what the housing market’s ongoing supply issues and the tariff situation with China might mean for consumer prices. Finally, they outline how geopolitical tensions could affect the broader financial landscape. Jeff Lloyd joins Wes in the next hour to examine different investment strategies. They run through the criteria that make an asset truly investable and which categories check those boxes more often than others. They wrap up by questioning the investment potential of cryptocurrencies and reinforce the idea that an asset must meet certain standards to be considered "investable."
Wes is joined by Christa DiBiase, COO of Clark Howard, Inc., to answer questions from across the country, offering insights on managing high investment fees, planning for retirement without Social Security, and balancing risk in portfolios. Then, Wes dives into the top ten trends that will define 2025 for investors, starting with resilience in the markets and economy, the dominance of the consumer, and a surge in productivity fueled by emerging technologies like AI. Producer and co-host Jeff Lloyd analyzes what these trends mean for investors, covering everything from the bull market's potential, dividend contributions, and tariff impacts to Washington's influence on market stability.
Wes is joined by Christa DiBiase, COO of Clark Howard, Inc., to answer questions from across the country, offering insights on managing high investment fees, planning for retirement without Social Security, and balancing risk in portfolios. Then, Wes dives into the top ten trends that will define 2025 for investors, starting with resilience in the markets and economy, the dominance of the consumer, and a surge in productivity fueled by emerging technologies like AI. Producer and co-host Jeff Lloyd analyzes what these trends mean for investors, covering everything from the bull market's potential, dividend contributions, and tariff impacts to Washington's influence on market stability.
Money Matters co-host and producer Jeff Lloyd joins Wes in the studio. Wes instills the top 10 happy retiree lessons he’s learned from his guests while hosting the Retire Sooner podcast.
Whether you’re 25 or nearing retirement age, you’ll learn something new about how to maximize social security and plan for the future in today’s show. Wes introduces you to Mary Beth Franklin, one of the country’s leading specialists on social security and Medicare and a popular guest on Wes’s Retire Sooner podcast. In this conversation, Mary Beth answers questions such as, why do you think Social Security has become so confusing and difficult for so many people to make sense of as they get ready to retire? What are some actionable steps to take right now to prepare for or maximize their social security? And what you need to know when it comes to spouses and social security.
What do the happiest retirees on the block (HROBs) know that the unhappiest retirees on the block (UROBs) don’t? It took the better part of a decade to conduct the surveys, analysis and research necessary to find the answers to this crucial question, and Wes compiled all of it into his latest book: “What the Happiest Retirees Know.”
Co-host and Producer Jeff Lloyd joins Wes in the studio on today’s episode of Money Matters. Wes starts by celebrating his alma mater (University of North Carolina) hiring Bill Belichick, and that leads them into a discussion about the rising salaries of college coaches and the explosive growth of NIL money for athletes. Next, they examine the latest market trends, including a new all-time high for the NASDAQ. They dig into the latest inflation update, including its specific effects, and look for ways to hedge the gap between wage growth and rising costs. Will the Fed continue to lower interest rates? Finally, they answer a listener's question about Social Security and retirement planning.
Disclosure: This is provided as a resource for informational purposes and is not to be viewed as investment advice or recommendations. This information is being presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance, or financial circumstances of any specific investor and might not be suitable for all investors. The mention of any company is provided to you for informational purposes and as an example only and is not to be considered investment advice or recommendation or an endorsement of any particular company.
Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. There is no guarantee offered that investment return, yield, or performance will be achieved. The information provided is strictly an opinion and for informational purposes only and it is not known whether the strategies will be successful. There are many aspects and criteria that must be examined and considered before investing.
This information is not intended to, and should not, form a primary basis for any investment decision that you may make. Always consult your own legal, tax, or investment advisor before making any investment/tax/estate/financial planning considerations or decisions. Investment decisions should not be made solely based on information contained herein.
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