Financial Advisor Logan DeGraeve presents the Retirement Plan Checklist webinar. In this webinar, Logan will review some of the questions in the checklist as well as things you need to be thinking about in the years leading up to retirement.
Financial Advisor Logan DeGraeve presents the Retirement Plan Checklist webinar. In this webinar, Logan will review some of the questions in the checklist as well as things you need to be thinking about in the years leading up to retirement.
How do you know if you're overspending or underspending? We reviewed some key findings from a 2023 BlackRock study, To Spend or Not to Spend?, that further explains why it's critical to create a spending plan for retirement.
Were you a big fan of the game show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, with the late Regis Philbin? Of course, everyone wants to be a millionaire, but unless you were a rare winner of the popular game show, becoming a millionaire isn’t as easy as answering 15 trivia questions. Let’s review some habits of self-made millionaires and how their expectations compare to aspiring millionaires.
Where do you think you stand when it comes to financial literacy? Join Dean Barber and Bud Kasper in taking FINRA's quiz to find out.
If you’ve spent the past 30-40 years working, think about how many hours you’ve spent at work if you’ve averaged a 40-hour work week. 40 hours a week multiplied by 52 (weeks in one year) multiplied by 40 equals 83,200 hours over 40 years. If you suddenly decided to retire tomorrow, what if you live for another 30-40 years? Once you’re no longer working, you could have tens of thousands of hours of free time. What are you going to do with them? Let’s talk about the importance of planning to transition into retirement.
It’s one thing to know what age you want to retire, but it’s another to know you can get to and through retirement without too much financial stress. How much do you need to live your desired lifestyle in retirement? That answer is different for everyone. Let’s review a few steps to help you make sure your portfolio for retirement can go the distance.
Is the question, "Have I saved enough to retire?" constantly on your mind? Here's how to go about figuring that out.
Dean Barber and Chris Rett, CFP®, AIF® review some skills that people value (and don't value, as much) from financial advisors.
As a financial advisor who recently took a step back from actively providing investment advice, Bruce Godke helped many people financially prepare for retirement and assisted them with managing their post-retirement lives. There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to getting you to your desired retirement date and then getting you through retirement. And throughout that process, he can confidently report that it’s not all about “the numbers.”
Inflation cooled considerably in 2023, but it remains well above the Fed's 2% target rate. Let's look at the latest inflationary trends.
What's the meaning of wealth management? It's important to realize that there's much more to wealth management than managing your money.
How could a living trust be utilized as a key part of your personal estate planning strategy? That’s something that’s important to think about as you’re figuring out how to manage your assets—both while you’re living and after you die. We’re going to review the components of a living trust to help determine if you need one as a part of your estate plan.
How do you plan to achieve a comfortable retirement? Let's review three common bad habits to avoid as you're planning for retirement.
Should I get out of debt before I retire? It's one of the more common questions we get when we meet with people getting closer to retirement. It’s important to understand that not all debt is the same. Let’s examine different types of debt to help determine whether you should get out of debt before you retire.
Is spring one of your favorite seasons? Here are five spring activities that retirees can enjoy with spring right around the corner.
When you leave your job and enter retirement, your tax situation can drastically change. We're often asked by clients, "How will my retirement income be taxed?" The short answer: it depends. Let's take a closer look at some of the typical income sources in retirement and learn more about how that income could be taxed.
Few people realize that planning for retirement contentment is as important as planning for economic health. That will be at the heart of our new Your Encore program.
So many things changed on the retirement planning front when the SECURE Act was signed into law in 2019.1 And so many things related to the SECURE Act have changed since then, including SECURE 2.0 being signed into law in 2022.2 Let’s review what the SECURE Act is and how it has impacted retirement planning.
When you ask the question, "What's your biggest fear in retirement?" Many people will say it's the fear of running out of money. Let's review five common risks in retirement and what you can do to mitigate those risks.
Target date funds have become a very popular investment vehicle that are structured to automatically adjust their asset allocation over time depending on an investor's target retirement date. LSA Portfolio Analytics President and CFO Brad Kasper helps us break down the pros and cons of target date funds, and key considerations about target date funds to keep in mind.
If you're gearing up for retirement, you may be wondering how your health care costs during retirement are going to look. Let's dive into it.
Dean Barber and Bud Kasper break down the differences between good fear and bad fear to help people live their one best financial life.
Most people have, at best, a rough idea of how much they spend each month. Money comes in from a paycheck, and money goes out for various expenses. When it comes to planning for your retirement, it's good practice to have a detailed understanding of how and where your money goes once it leaves your bank account. In retirement, some expenses won't look a lot different than they do while you are working.
Beating the market is something that many people have tried to do, but a rare few have succeeded. Many investors compare their investments to certain indices when attempting to beat the market. But are indices a good benchmark?
Some things can be downright frightening for those of you planning for retirement. Let's look at some of the money mistakes to avoid.
It's an election year! We examined the relationship between the 4-year presidential election cycle and the stock market.
This list of strategies will hopefully give you a great place to start if you're getting ready to retire or just curious about preparing for retirement. Our goal is to provide you with simple yet effective retirement strategies that do not only focus on investment tactics or savings percentages. Instead, we hope to give you a toolbox of strategies for retirement with which you can combine to build the retirement of your dreams.
Dean Barber and Bud Kasper review their top five financial planning considerations on America's Wealth Management Show.
Dean Barber and Bud Kasper discuss Required Minimum Distributions by sharing major RMD strategies for both before and after retirement.
Have you heard of the term "Peak 65?" It's a meaningful milestone, as more than 12,000 Americans are expected to turn 65 each day in 2024.
When it comes to building your retirement plan, a lot of people think your rate of return is the No. 1 thing to keep in mind. While it is important, your investments aren’t the main factor when it comes to your plan. Dean Barber and Bud Kasper will review five factors that are more important than your rate of return on this episode of America's Wealth Management Show.
Do you know when you want to retire? There’s more to it than you might think. Dean Barber and Bud Kasper explain why when you retire matters.
Dean Barber and Bud Kasper discuss offensive and defensive rebalancing strategies and when to consider them.
As we look forward to the new year, Dean Barber and Bud Kasper discuss the importance of reviewing your Retirement Plan Checklist.
The Retirement Planning Calendar is here to help you through 2024 as you venture to and through retirement. This calendar will be updated regularly to include new dates, links, and more.
Dean Barber and Bud Kasper discuss safe withdrawal rates and why they should be different for each person based on their financial plan.
There are few things that make Dean Barber and Bud Kasper happier than seeing the fruits of the forward-looking planning pay dividends for their clients. In this week's edition of America's Wealth Management Show, they offer five long-term strategies for a better retirement.
Dean Barber and Bud Kasper discuss stress testing your financial plan and why it's important to confidently get to and through retirement.
Retirement can be very exciting, but there can also be many misconceptions about retirement. Let's set the record straight on some of those.
Dean Barber and Logan DeGraeve share 7 wealth protection tactics that can be helpful with planning for how to get to and through retirement.
In the quest for financial clarity and confidence, there's no doubt that today's decisions and actions can create your future. Dean Barber and Logan DeGraeve discuss how those decisions and actions are critical when it comes to planning for uncertainty in retirement.
The IRS announced increases to 401(k) and IRA contribution limits for 2024 on November 1. Let’s review those increases, explain why they happened, and the importance of maximizing your contributions.
Most people understand the importance of saving for retirement and are always wondering how much they need to save. That is going to depend on several different factors, including your retirement goals, how you think and feel about money, and where you’ve been saving. We’re going to focus more on that last point. So many people get caught up in how much they need to save and don’t realize how critical it is to understand the importance of where they’re saving for retirement.
As you age, calculating the chances that you’ll need long-term care—and the associated costs—is incredibly important.
There are a variety of things that can cause financial stress. It's critical to have a financial plan that addresses your specific stressors.
Logan DeGraeve & Chris Rett explain what needs to be done to get an accurate answer to a very important question: When is it time to retire?
Logan DeGraeve, CFP®, AIF® and Chris Rett, CFP®, AIF® celebrate National Financial Planning Month by sharing seven financial planning opportunities you don’t want to miss.
Every day can feel like a Saturday in retirement, but you need to properly plan for it. Let's review some retirement planning essentials.
When it comes to money matters, experience counts. Martin James, CPA, our new Managing Director at Modern Wealth Management, brings 37 years of financial wisdom to the table.
Dean Barber and Bud Kasper, CFP® share their insight on inflation, disinflation and deflation with what they are, how they're different, and most importantly, how to plan for them.
Outliving your money is a very legitimate fear. We look at seven reasons people run out of money in retirement and how to avoid them. It all goes back to having a comprehensive, goals-based financial plan.
Retirees are going back to work at an alarming rate. Logan DeGraeve, CFP® and Chris Rett, CFP® review a 2022 Paychex survey to help us understand why people are unretiring, and more importantly, how to avoid doing so.
Have you been negatively impacted by the economic uncertainty we’ve experienced over the past couple of years? If so, how? It’s not a fun conversation to have, but it’s a necessary one. Not having a conversation about it at all can only increase the anxiety of economic uncertainty, which is why it’s so critical to plan for economic uncertainty. We’re going to discuss what millionaires do in times of economic uncertainty to illustrate the importance of planning for it.
Shane Barber discusses how people can struggle with saving too much and not spending enough. Remember that life is short and you can't take your money with you when you pass on. Let's create a fluid, goals-based financial plan that allows you to spend more time doing the things you love with the people you love.
Do you have some retirement rules of thumb that you follow? Some of them might be helpful with getting you in the right mindset to save for retirement, but there are issues with every one of them. Why? Because your financial plan needs to be built based upon your unique situation.
You may have heard the term QCD (Qualified Charitable Distribution), but what is a QCD? If you’re 70½ or older, charitably inclined, and have money in tax-deferred accounts—such as traditional IRAs—QCDs might be right up your alley. A QCD is a distribution from an IRA that goes directly to a qualified charity. QCDs aren’t taxed and won’t show up on your tax return. Does that sound intriguing? Let’s learn a little bit more about what a QCD is.
Understanding Required Minimum Distributions rules isn't easy. We addressed the most frequently-asked-questions we receive about RMDs.
Are you ready for fall to be in full swing? Here are some fall adventures that our Modern Wealth team is excited about and five fun fall activities that you can do with your grandkids.
Wanting to know how much you should have in retirement savings by age is a simple question to ask, but there are several questions that need to be asked before that to help get your unique answer. We'll take you through some of those questions and provide a hypothetical scenario of what retirement savings by age journey can look like.
Are you taking a forward-looking approach with financial planning? Here are some financial planning strategies to consider in your 30s and 40s.
How does a Roth IRA grow? Dean Barber and Bud Kasper explain that while sharing how the Roth IRA can play a huge role in saving for retirement.
Are you ready for retirement? We’re going to discuss some key factors concerning retirement readiness to that you’ll be ready to retire.
Retirement can be one of the most exciting times of your life if you plan for it. That “if you plan for it” part is critical. It can be hard for some people to believe that there’s more that they need to do to get ready for retirement than save, save, save. The goal isn’t just to get to retirement; it’s to get through retirement. We’re going to review some key things to think about as you’re getting ready for retirement.
You probably have an idea of what a recession is, but have you ever heard of a richcession? Let's look at what it means, who it affects, and how it differs from a recession.
What is rightsizing and how does it differ from downsizing? Dean Barber and Bud Kasper discussed the ins and outs of rightsizing and why it's so important on America's Wealth Management Show.
Eventually, Uncle Sam will want his share and require funds to come out of your accounts. Let's look into how to reduce your RMDs.
Life insurance can be a key component in your financial plan, but it depends on your financial goals, lifestyle, and other circumstances. There are various reasons for why someone should purchase life insurance while they’re working, namely to provide for your loved ones if you pass away. But do you need life insurance in retirement? Well, it depends. We’re going to review a few reasons for why someone might want to carry life insurance into retirement.
Whether you've been married for one year or 40-plus years, talking to your spouse about money is a critical component of retirement planning.
August 14 is National Financial Awareness Day. To celebrate, we're sharing a few financial planning tips to improve your financial literacy.
Dean Barber and Bud Kasper discuss pension plans while breaking down the differences between defined benefit and defined contribution plans.
Will you pay taxes on your inheritance? That sounds like it should have a clear-cut yes or no answer, but it's contingent on a few factors.
One of the top concerns that our advisors hear from clients and prospective clients is running out of money in retirement. We all want to live long, healthy lives, but just how big of a concern should longevity risk be with retirement planning? Well, the best way to mitigate longevity risk in retirement is to plan for it. We’re going to explain how to go about doing that to help you have more confidence, freedom, and time in retirement.
Are you a self-employed individual or small business owner and need assistance with retirement planning? Here are some strategies to consider.
IRS Notice 2023-54 provides relief for 2023 missed RMDs for non-eligible designated beneficiaries who must follow the 10-year payout rule. And for those who took or who were given unnecessary IRA distributions in 2023, the notice extends a 60-day rollover deadline to roll them back into their accounts.
What do a flooded basement, trip to the emergency room, and helping one of your children who was laid off have in common? Well, obviously none of them are ideal situations, but there’s more to it than that. They’re all unexpected expenses that can significantly impact or even derail your retirement if you haven’t planned for them.
Are you waiting til 65 to retire since that's when you can get on Medicare? Well, what if you didn't have to? Let's look at retiring before 65 and the importance of having a financial plan when making that decision.
Do you want to retire at or before 62 because that's when you can start claiming Social Security? Here's what all you need to consider.
Does it seem like summer is flying by? Here are some ideas for fun summer activities to do with your grandchildren.
What is retirement cash flow and why is it so important? Dean Barber and Logan DeGraeve answer those questions on America's Wealth Management Show.
Dean Barber and Logan DeGraeve review a list of eight outdated retirement planning strategies and explain the flaws that they have.
The question “Can I retire early?” crosses a lot of people’s minds. You’re probably asking yourself that question quite a bit if you don’t like your job. But even if you do like your job, that question is worth thinking about as you start planning for retirement. You need a forward-looking financial plan to get a concrete answer to that question.
Financial wellbeing is a term frequently mentioned, but what does it really mean? Bud Kasper and Logan DeGreave dive into the concept of financial wellbeing and explore its various aspects on this episode of America’s Wealth Management Show. From measuring financial success to the importance of planning, we will provide insights and tips to help you achieve financial wellbeing in your life.
As we approach the midway point of 2023, it's an opportune time to look at the big things that have happened to shape the financial landscape.
Happy Fourth of July Eve everyone! We hope that you’re having a wonderful time celebrating with your friends and family. As long as you’re being safe, it’s hard to have too much fun celebrating the Fourth of July, but here’s something to think about—can you save too much for retirement?
From our financial planning tools to relationships we've built in the financial services industry, learn more about our retirement planning resources.
Retirement is a time for new beginnings and enjoying the lifestyle you've always dreamed of. But what exactly does that mean to you? Dean Barber and Bud Kasper discuss what goes into defining your retirement lifestyle on America’s Wealth Management Show to help you figure out what you want your retirement to look like.
How much do you need to feel wealthy? According to Charles Schwab’s 2023 Modern Wealth Survey, it’s $2.2 million. Does that seem like a high bar to you to be considered as wealthy? Dean Barber and Bud Kasper will share their insight on the study along with six things the wealthy do with their money on America’s Wealth Management Show.
The first year of retirement can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. Dean Barber and Bud Kasper review how to spend when you first retire so that you can have more confidence, freedom, and time during your first year of retirement and beyond.
Are you on the same page as your significant other about financial planning? Dean Barber and Bud Kasper discuss the must-knows of couples retirement planning on America's Wealth Management Show.
Are you someone or do you know someone who takes a DIY (do-it-yourself) approach to retirement planning? We understand that it can be easy to be passionate about managing your own finances. But are you truly prepared for retirement? That includes how to maximize Social Security benefits, understanding tax efficient withdrawal strategies, and so much more.
Dean Barber and Bud Kasper share some insight about CDs, bonds, and treasuries on America's Wealth Management Show.
Dean Barber and Bud Kasper review data from an Employee Benefit Research Institute survey to answer the question, "How Much Do People Spend in Retirement?"
Dean Barber and Bud Kasper make their own lists of reasons why the five years before retirement are so important before reviewing a portion of our Retirement Plan Checklist to help back up their reasoning.
Shane Barber assesses the U.S. dollar's grasp on being the world's reserve currency and its top challengers. Is its position in danger?
Dean Barber and Bud Kasper outline some key aspects of the financial planning process as they review five reasons to retire.
Debt can be a complicated topic—both financially and emotionally. Should you pay it all off prior to retirement or is there some debt that’s OK to take into retirement? Is there debt that you shouldn’t even think about retiring with? Dean Barber and Bud Kasper examine retiring with debt on America’s Wealth Management Show.
A few of the mothers on our Modern Wealth Management team share their Mother's Day reflections ahead of Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers, grandmothers, and motherly figures out there!
Dean Barber and Bud Kasper are going to define the four types of wealth to thoroughly answer the question, “What is wealth?” on America’s Wealth Management Show.
In true IRS fashion, there are five-year rules for Roth contributions AND Roth conversions. Let's review both Roth IRA five-year rules.
Dean Barber and Bud Kasper share some old and recent stories to help explain why time is your scarcest resource in retirement on America's Wealth Management Show.
Is a recession coming in 2023? Dean Barber breaks down some key data to help people make an educated guess when answering that question.
There's much more than meets the eye when deciding to contribute to Roth or traditional. Dean Barber and Bud Kasper review the Roth conversion rules on America's Wealth Management Show.
Meet Modern Wealth Management President and Co-Founder Jason Gordo as he shares his vision for Modern Wealth Management with Dean Barber and Bud Kasper on America's Wealth Management Show.
That’s right, we’re now Modern Wealth Management. Welcome to the next chapter of our story!
So, what is Modern Wealth Management? At Modern Wealth Management, our goal is to deliver financial advice. We are designed to anticipate the needs of Americans at every stage of life by providing a full suite of wealth management services. The Modern Wealth Management team is built with experts specializing in financial planning, investment management, tax planning and preparation, estate planning, risk management, and more.
Another tax filing season is in the books, which is probably a big relief for some of you and our CPAs. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to take an out-of-sight, out-of-mind approach with your tax documents and 2023 taxes. Why? Because 2023 tax planning season is underway. Dean Barber and Bud Kasper will share why now is the optimal time to take advantage of tax planning opportunities so that tax filling won’t be so stressful in the future.
"Is inflation slowing" is a question that a lot of people have been curious about, but there are a couple other things about inflation that we want to address first. One, what do we mean by inflation slowing. That means that the rate of increase for inflation has started slowing, not that prices are going to immediately start coming down. Two, do you have a financial plan that properly applies inflation to your spending? Dean Barber and Bud Kasper will take a deeper dive into all those questions on America's Wealth Management Show
Shane Barber looks at the evolution of the Phillips Curve and how it became flat. How can we accurately assess inflationary pressures?
Did the headline of this article catch your eye? Don’t get us wrong. We take retirement planning very seriously. The point of this headline and article is to explain that you don’t need wait until a certain age to retire. Many people think that they need to wait to retire until 65 when they become eligible for Medicare or when they reach full retirement age for Social Security.
With the proper planning, you may be able to retire earlier than you might think. But you won’t know that without having a financial plan. Dean Barber and Logan DeGraeve will expand on that to highlight why retirement age is just a number on America’s Wealth Management Show.
There are many factors when considering when and from which accounts to make withdrawals from in retirement, such as sequence of return risk, Required Minimum Distributions, and tax implications. Navigating the dynamics of retirement planning is what Dean Barber, Logan DeGraeve, and the rest of our team do every day. Dean and Logan will elaborate on that and explain why having a retirement withdrawal strategy when you’re in or approaching retirement is critical on America’s Wealth Management Show.
We try to share as much education with you as possible on things you should do to prepare for and do in retirement so that you can live your one best financial life. But there are things that you need to avoid doing in retirement as well. Dean Barber and Bud Kasper review a few things that retirees should stop doing on the latest episode of America’s Wealth Management Show.
In case you missed it, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell announced another 0.25% Fed funds rate hike on March 22. The Fed funds rate is now in the 4.75-5% range. So, where will interest rates go from here and what does that mean for you and your retirement plans? Dean Barber and Bud Kasper will discuss the effect of rising interest rates on the economy and much more on America’s Wealth Management Show.
There are new rules about Required Minimum Distributions and the RMD age after the SECURE Act 2.0 went into effect on January 1, 2023. RMDs can be very tricky, but it’s critical to understand how to plan for them. What are your RMDs going to look like in retirement? Will they influence your taxes or your probability of success? Dean Barber and Logan DeGraeve discuss how to go about doing that and more on America’s Wealth Management Show.
Shane Barber looks back at the lost decade of the 1970s to see if we can glean some clues for what the 2020s could hold in store for us, and how we can navigate through what may indeed be difficult years ahead.
According to Fidelity, retirees lost an average of 23% in their 401(k) savings in 2022. What should you do with your 401(k) in retirement? Bud Kasper and Logan DeGraeve discuss how to manage assets like your 401(k), both in retirement and as you're preparing for retirement.
Shane Barber shares the latest on bank failures in the U.S. and why it's time to do some research rather than panic.
Tax Day is near, but tax compliance isn't our focus when it comes to taxes. It's tax planning. What is tax planning, you ask? Let us explain.
Do you want to retire in the next 10 years? Bud Kasper and Logan DeGraeve explain why you need a financial plan to see if you can do so successfully.
There's no doubt that saving for retirement is crucial. But there's a lot more to it. Let's review why retirement planning is important.
You are probably aware that the government can tax you when you earn income from work, make money on investments, take withdrawals from accounts, and even tax the income you receive when you claim Social Security benefits. Were you aware that the government can also tax your estate (and your beneficiaries) on the assets you own when you die?
Are you ready for the big game? Of course, the Kansas City Chiefs are gearing up to play the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII on Sunday in Phoenix, Ariz. The anticipation has definitely been building among Chiefs fans in the Kansas City area. But that’s not the only big game that is on our minds at Modern Wealth Management. We always thinking about preparing for your retirement because retirement is arguably the biggest game of your life.
While all major indices were up in January, the U.S. treasuries yield curve is inverted more than it was at any point of 2022 and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is continuing interest rate increases in 2023. We'll cover all that and more in our January Monthly Economic Update.
Are retirement benefits taxable? The quick answer is, probably, but not always. It depends on your unique situation. While you can control your taxes in retirement better than at any other point of your life, that doesn’t mean that it’s not complex. Because it is very complex. We’re going to look at several retirement benefits and assess if and how they’re taxable.
What is financial planning? We’ll look at the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards’ definition of financial planning and the four main components of financial planning—risk management, taxes, estate planning, and investment management—to help answer that question.
The hardest part of any long process tends to be getting started. Retirement planning is no exception. Let's look at how to start the retirement planning process.
Recession signals remain strong as we begin 2023. We discuss how to go about saving and protecting your retirement income during a recession.
Did you know that January is Financial Wellness Month? Financial wellness can't be achieved overnight, but with some sound planning, you can achieve it. Here are some financial wellness tips to get you on your way.
We're excited to put 2022 in the rearview mirror. As we round out the first week of 2023, here are five financial updates to keep tabs on.
The SECURE Act 2.0 was signed into law last week. Learn about the new retirement rules passed by Congress and how they could impact you.
Happy New Year, everybody! We’re going to take a step back and reflect a little bit because we need to learn from history. In this case, we’re calling 2022 history! 2022, was a year with insane inflation, bumbling bonds, a fumbling fed, and some simmering signals. So, sayonara 2022, get in the rearview mirror! While we learned a lot more than just these four items in 2022, we wanted to focus in on these specifically, as they were the biggest impacts in 2022. Here are four of the things we learned in 2022.
There’s plenty of holiday cheer to go around, but recession fears also remain high as we head into 2023. Let's look at where things stand following a 0.5% increase of the Fed funds rate in December.
We looked back at our some of our articles, podcasts, webinars, and radio shows from the past year to do a financial year in review for 2022.
In our last Modern Wealth Management Educational Series event of 2022, Dean Barber and Bud Kasper look back on the past year and provide an economic outlook for 2023. While they don’t have a crystal ball to predict exactly what the economic outlook will be for 2023, they want you to be prepared for some of the things that could happen.
Saving for retirement can feel like a daunting task. It doesn’t need to be, though. Bud Kasper and Logan DeGraeve offer eight tips on saving for retirement that can begin giving you clarity and confidence on your path to and through retirement.
Dean Barber and Bud Kasper discuss five of the biggest retirement mistakes to avoid on America’s Wealth Management Show.
Dean Barber, Will Doty, Logan DeGraeve, & Drew Jones share their main takeaways from the Ed Slott Elite IRA Advisor Group℠ conference in Las Vegas.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Dean Barber and Bud Kasper have so many things that they’re thankful for. As they celebrate Thanksgiving, they want to talk about the giving part of Thanksgiving. Dean and Bud will highlight four ways that retirees can give back on this holiday edition of America's Wealth Management Show.
Shane Barber breaks down the latest developments in the housing market and makes some housing market predictions heading into 2023.
The rules of inherited IRAs are extremely difficult to understand due to the SECURE Act, yet they must be understood. Dean Barber and Bud Kasper review the inherited IRA rules and explain how they can affect different beneficiaries.
The IRS has issued a notice that waives the 50% penalty on missed RMDs from 2021 and 2022 on IRAs that fall within the 10-year payout rule.
Planning for a fulfilling retirement isn’t something that can be done in a blink of an eye. It takes time and a lot of preparation to overcome a lot of retirement challenges that many people don’t even think about. Bud Kasper and Logan DeGraeve review those retirement challenges and encourage you to start building your financial plan sooner rather than later.
Will Doty reviews how to read your balance sheet and income statement, and how it all comes back to your comprehensive financial plan.
Logan DeGraeve breaks down the three tax allocation buckets and how proper tax diversification can make a big difference in your retirement.
Drew Jones shares his perspective on retirement analysis while going through a sample couple's plan with our financial planning tool.
Did you know that October is National Financial Planning Month? It honestly came close to slipping our minds because we believe every month should be National Financial Planning Month. Dean Barber, Bud Kasper, and Matt Kasper celebrated National Financial Planning Month by discussing the importance of having a comprehensive financial plan on America's Wealth Management Show.
There is so much economic uncertainty, from interest rates to inflation to what's going on geopolitically. All of those are significant examples of market risk. Dean Barber talks about those examples of market risk and much more in September’s Monthly Economic Update.
When it comes to advanced tax planning, unfortunately many people either just don’t do it or they wait until the last minute only to find out that there aren’t any options to take advantage of at the point of filing their tax return.
FOMC Chairman Jerome Powell announced a third straight interest rate hike of 75 basis points Wednesday in effort to slow rampant inflation. As we look ahead to see where interest rates could go from here, our very own Bud Kasper was interviewed by KMBC 9 News to discuss what it all means.
What if we told you that the Inflation Reduction Act has no impact on inflation? Shane Barber details why that could likely be the case.
What are Monte Carlo simulations and how do they relate to your retirement? We answered those questions and more in our latest blog post.
All the financial uncertainty that we’re dealing with seems to be coming at us from every angle. While this financial uncertainty is uncomfortable, it’s not uncommon. From the Dot-Com Bubble to the Financial Crisis, we’ve been through cycles similar to this. Dean Barber and Bud Kasper look back at some of those cycles and review eight ways to combat financial uncertainty.
Market conditions tumbled at the end of August after a summer rally. Dean Barber takes an in-depth look in August's Monthly Economic Update.
Our financial planning tool goes beyond the scope of retirement calculators in many ways. Here are nine items that retirement calculators miss.
Going to the doctor for a checkup usually isn’t the most fun thing to do, but it’s necessary so that you’re up-to-date on your health situation. The same can be said about meeting with a financial planner to find out where you’re at with planning for retirement. Bud Kasper and Logan DeGraeve discuss the five types of financial plans and how a comprehensive approach to financial planning is critical to getting to and through retirement.
On August 15, the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Index announced builder confidence in the market of new single-family home builds fell to 49 in August. The last time the confidence score fell below 50 was in May 2020. Anything below that threshold of 50 is considered negative.
“Tighter monetary policy from the Federal Reserve and persistently elevated construction costs have brought on a housing recession,” NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz said.
The current tax rates of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will be sunsetting in 2026, meaning tax rates will be going back up to the rates from 2017. Here are a few things to keep in mind for how to put yourself in the best possible tax situation now, 2026, and beyond.
After reviewing how the Dot-Com Bubble's history remains relevant earlier this year, Shane Barber looks at how the Great Recession's history also remains relevant.
Modern Wealth Management is excited about our new strategic partnership with Retirement Tax Services. RTS’s Steven Jarvis, CPA joins Dean Barber and Bud Kasper on America's Wealth Management Show to discuss that partnership and the importance of CPAs and financial advisors collaborating in the best interests of the client.
Have you been asking yourself, "How much do I need to retire?" a lot lately? A financial plan is critical to getting an honest answer to that.
We now have a negative GDP for two consecutive quarters, which is the definition of a recession. Dean Barber reviews that and more in July's Monthly Economic Update.
If you read our blog post from earlier this month titled, 8 Ways to Prepare for a Recession, you might remember that Roth conversions were No. 1 on the list. While Roth conversions aren’t for everyone, there are quite a few reasons why they could be right for you.
A huge factor of financial planning is controlling what you can control. It’s pivotal to understand that as you’re determining if you have enough money to get to and through retirement. The fear of outliving your money is a retirement risk that’s big concern for a lot of people. However, with a financial plan, it’s a controllable retirement risk. In this episode of America's Wealth Management Show, Dean Barber and Bud Kasper discuss four retirement risks that you can plan for but are out of your control.
Along with 30 checklist items to gauge your retirement readiness, our Retirement Plan Checklist include an age-based timeline to help you be aware of certain things while planning for retirement. Dean Barber and Logan DeGraeve cover some of the key aspects of that retirement timeline on this week's edition of America's Wealth Management Show.
It’s been nearly a month since we officially entered a bear market. If you’ve been keeping an eye on the markets in recent months, that wasn’t much of a surprise. Now, the question is if (or more realistically when) we’ll go into a recession. While we can’t give a straight answer to that, we’ve compiled a list of eight things to do when markets decline that can hopefully be helpful to you during these uncertain economic times.
Are we in a recession? Dean Barber raises that question and reviews the latest on interest rates and bonds in June's Monthly Economic Update.
Happy Fourth of July to all the pre-retirees and retirees out there! Along with celebrating America’s independence this weekend, Dean Barber and Bud Kasper hope you take a moment to assess where you stand in the journey to achieving financial freedom. Dean and Bud discuss what financial freedom is and how you know you’ve achieved it in this Fourth of July weekend edition of America's Wealth Management Show.
Shane Barber explores several methods of measuring how overvalued the markets became, how overvalued they remain, and how far they might fall if we are actually in the middle of a mean reversion event.
The Fed raised interest rates by the most in nearly three decades, a 0.75% rate hike, and is set to do it again in July. Dean Barber and Bud Kasper examine how rising interest rates can impact your retirement.
As we look forward to celebrating Father's Day, our content manager, Chris Duderstadt, remembers his late father and shares the importance of incorporating family time into your fluid financial plan.
Shane Barber reflects on mortgage applications hitting a 22-year low and where the housing market could go from here.
With all the issues we’re facing domestically and globally that are impacting the economy, it’s pivotal to find financial clarity during these uncertain times. Bud Kasper and Logan DeGraeve talk about the importance of having a financial plan to navigate that uncertainty and help people reach their goals in retirement.
So, you’re curious how our financial planning tool works? That’s great! Below, we’ll go through the steps of creating your account and inputting the necessary information to get you started. The tool then analyzes your plan and shows your plan’s probability of success.
Being charter members of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisory Group℠ has helped connect Dean Barber and Bud Kasper with other advisors all over the country. In the coming weeks, you will hear much more from Dean and Bud on their main takeaways from Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisory Group℠ latest workshop, which was hosted in Kansas City. For this article, we caught up with a few other members of Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisory Group℠ to share what they've learned over the years about wide range of topics related to IRAs.
Are you looking for ways to stay active this summer in Kansas City and also beat the heat? Here are five volunteer opportunities in the KC area.
Dean Barber assesses the possibility of upcoming bear market rallies and reviews the bear market rallies of the Dot-Com Bubble and Great Recession.
Clarity, confidence, and control within your financial plan is of the utmost importance right now amid these turbulent times in the markets so you can accomplishment your goals in retirement. Dean Barber and Bud Kasper review a recent history of bear markets and how you can stress test your financial plan through periods like the Dot-Com Bubble and Great Recession.
The relationship between bond prices and interest rates has been a hot topic of discussion, but how does it apply to bond mutual funds? We examine that and how duration is such a big factor in answering that question.
Inflation is an i-word that anyone and everyone is tired of hearing. Then, there’s interest rates that are rising that are also making people feel uncomfortable. But there is another i-word that Modern Wealth Management clients have been coming to us with questions about that we want to address. We’re talking about I-Bonds.
Dean Barber and Bud Kasper joined hundreds of other financial advisors and CPAs at Kansas City's Crown Center two weeks ago for Ed Slott's Elite IRA Advisor GroupSM workshop, where they spent a lot of time reviewing the impact of SECURE Act 2.0. Dean and Bud share some of the biggest takeaways of the SECURE Act's proposed regulations and how they could impact you.
Following a 50 basis point hike of the Fed funds rate last week, Dean Barber and Bud Kasper discuss the Federal Reserve's challenge of combating high inflation rates and the necessary factors to achieve a soft landing.
FOMC Chairman Jerome Powell announced on a 50 basis point increase of the Fed funds rate on Wednesday in hopes of slowing down rampant inflation. The half-point hike was the biggest hike from the FOMC since May 2000.
It’s a consensus among our Modern Wealth Management team that the relationships that we’ve built with retirees and pre-retirees are core to our firm’s existence. In March, we started to highlight those relationships and how they’re centered around providing financial education. We hope you enjoyed our first retiree feature with Mike and Carol Heiting. Now, we’re excited to share how Rodney and Lindra Woodard are living their one best financial life.
Dean Barber and Bud Kasper take a deep dive into the relationship between interest rates and bond prices and provide some education on bond alternatives.
April showers tend to bring spring May flowers, but in the financial world, the forecast is filled with more market volatility. Dean Barber looks at the latest developments with interest rates, the bond and stock markets, and 30-year mortgage rates.
One thing that Dean Barber and Bud Kasper are certain of is that there is a lot of domestic and geopolitical uncertainty to go around. Dean and Bud sort through some of that uncertainty to give their thoughts on today’s global economic outlook.
For the first time since late 2019, the two-year treasury is yielding higher than the 10-year treasury. This is called an inverted yield curve. Since the late '70s Every single time we've seen an inverted yield curve, It has led to a recession. Join Dean Barber and Bud Kasper as they discuss what is going on in the bond market and what the inverted yield curve means to you.
Dean Barber discusses the inverted yield curve, the likelihood of a recession, market volatility, and what to do moving forward.
Tax filing has been top of mind lately with the April 18 deadline fast approaching. While the tax compliance window is closing for this year, it’s important to remember that the tax planning window is always open. Bud Kasper and Logan DeGraeve discuss the true meaning of tax planning and how to best mitigate taxes over your lifetime.
Amid all that has been going on in the financial world this year, don't overlook the IRS's latest proposed regulations on the SECURE Act.
It's been just over a week since Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell announced a 0.25% hike of the Fed funds rate, and that six more increases have been penciled in for the remainder of 2022. The Federal Reserve's goal with these moves is to slow down inflation, but what can we expect the impact to be from rising interest rates? Bud Kasper and Logan DeGraeve discuss the importance of making necessary adjustments to your portfolio in a rising interest rate environment.
LSA Portfolios President Brad Kasper reminds us of the Federal Reserve's Monetary Policies as the Fed begins to raise interest rates.
The relationships that we have with retirees and pre-retirees are very special to all of us at Modern Wealth Management. Along with providing financial education and advice to retirees, we’ve decided to start sharing some of their personal stories about how financial planning has helped them live their one best financial lives. Please enjoy our first retiree feature with Mike and Carol Heiting.
Shane Barber looks back at the bursting of the Dot-Com Bubble in March 2000 and compares and contrasts it with our current market conditions.
Healthcare costs and inflation are uncomfortable to talk about, yet they are important and oftentimes related subjects. Here are a few solutions of how to mitigate inflation on healthcare costs.
Bud Kasper explains the Federal Reserve's shift from quantitative easing to quantitative tightening ahead of the Fed's March 16 meeting.
March means it’s time for March Madness, but there’s a different March Madness that Dean Barber and Bud Kasper are talking about that has nothing to do with college basketball. Dean and Bud break down the economic impact we’re seeing from the Russia/Ukraine conflict, the likelihood of rising interest rates, and other contributors to this March Market Madness.
Everyone has their opinions about the Federal Reserve’s plan of action with interest rates and the developing situation between Russia and Ukraine. Regardless of your opinions, Dean Barber and Logan DeGraeve explain why it’s critical to keep your emotions in check and make sound financial decisions during these times of economic uncertainty.
Between the Federal Reserve’s decision on rising interest rates and the situation with Russia and Ukraine, there are a lot of unknowns right now. Dean Barber and Bud Kasper discuss the importance of controlling what you can control by managing market risk to alleviate the angst of the unknowns.
When people younger than 65 are pondering if they have the means to retire early, there's usually one obstacle that's bigger than the rest. That's health insurance coverage. It's no doubt a valid concern. So, we want to review some health insurance options for retirees under 65 to help give you some clarity with your chances of retiring early.
It feels like it’s only a matter of time before the Fed says to, “Take a hike?” Interest rate hikes are likely on the horizon. Bud Kasper and Logan DeGraeve look at what the impact could be from any of the Fed’s rate hikes and how big they could be.
Following the snowstorm that just hit the Kansas City area, it’s hard not to get excited about the possibility of some nice spring weather being right around the corner. Here are five fun activities for retirees to do in Kansas City this spring.
Shane Barber discusses what all is going on with interest rates and how impending rate hikes could impact the markets.
In recent months, we’ve all felt inflation’s impact at restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, and so many other places. There’s no question that inflation has made its presence known, especially among retirees. It’s important to us that you to continue to live your one best financial life despite these inflationary issues, so we’ve compiled a list of ways to fight inflation.
We all have our own special goals that we’d like to achieve in retirement, but some of them are much easier to accomplish than others. Dean Barber and Bud Kasper discuss the importance of setting retirement savings goals sooner rather than later to attain clarity, confidence, and control in your retirement.
Market volatility is making its presence known as we begin 2022. Dean Barber and Bud Kasper break down whether we can expect it to be short-term or if we need to buckle up for the long haul.
From prices at the grocery store to the cost of filling up your gas tank, we have all seen the impacts of inflation in recent months. Dean Barber and Bud Kasper give their thoughts on the current inflationary pressures and what US inflation could look like going forward.
You’ve probably heard Dean Barber and Bud Kasper mention the Guided Retirement System several times on America’s Wealth Management. Here is their step-by-step breakdown of the Guided Retirement System to ensure people understand what it is all about.
No one retirement plan is exactly the same, nor should it be. While your friends and family might have retirement plans that work well for them, that doesn’t mean they'll work for you.
At Modern Wealth Management, we understand the importance of building the best retirement plan for YOU. Here are seven ways in which you can build your best retirement plan.
After coming off a strong year of market returns in 2021, let's look at five retirement planning tasks that can help make for an even better year in 2022.
Do you enjoy spreading holiday cheer by reaping the benefits of charitable giving? Here are a few things to keep in mind on Giving Tuesday.
The Social Security Administration announced that the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment will increase 5.9% in 2022, which is the biggest annual uptick in 40 years.
Shane Barber redefines risk management to help mitigate the occurrences of people missing out on their money in retirement.
Are you or your children looking for a head start in the Game of Life? Matt Kasper can help by offering five ways to avoid college debt.
What could retirement look like with $1 million? We're going to show you four different couples. One couple, which we referred to as the average couple, with a 60/40 portfolio, claiming Social Security at 62, would be able to spend $3.5 million over a lifetime.
Would you rather have $750,000 or $1 million? On its face, this question seems like a no-brainer. One million dollars is a larger number than $750,000, so that has to be the correct answer – right?
If recent events are any indication, and I believe they are, we may already be seeing the end of this inflationary trend and the beginning of a return to more normal prices. I'm going to focus a lot on lumber in this article. However, I am also discussing the big three agricultural commodities we farm in the Midwest: corn, wheat, and soybeans.
There is no shortage of people and companies out there trying to convince you that buying actual real estate in your IRA is a good idea. A quick google search of the term real estate IRA brings up about 63,800,000 results in just under a half a second. Really.
People frequently ask us whether they should contribute to a Roth 401(k) or a traditional 401(k). The answer to this question depends on your personal situation. There are several factors you should consider.
There are few things more exciting than learning about your child's engagement. Sometimes, that news can come as a big surprise, like in this clip from Father of the Bride. Hopefully, that surprise eventually comes as a delight to you and your family. That delight can quickly turn into stress once it is time to discuss your child's wedding. Paying for your child's wedding costs will come later in your career when retirement saving is critical. That's why it's crucial to have a solid plan, so you can avoid derailing your retirement.
In December 2019, Congress passed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement (SECURE) Act. One of the most significant changes is the elimination of the stretch provision for most beneficiaries of inherited retirement plans like IRAs and 401(k)s. What does this change mean for you? What opportunities does it present?
In 2019, there was a lot of buzz about the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement or the SECURE Act. Early on, this bill had bipartisan support, unusual in today's political climate. The SECURE Act passed both chambers of Congress, and on December 20, 2019, was signed into law by President Trump. This single piece of legislation will have significant impacts on retirees and their beneficiaries. So, let's dive deeper and discuss how the SECURE Act changes retirement planning.
Well, here we are approaching the close of another decade. As many often do near the end of a milestone, we’re doing a countdown. However, this countdown isn’t looking back over the past decade, but rather forward toward the decade on the horizon. New decades often mean new goals, and for many, it’s likely the ultimate goal during our working years, retirement.
Now that the Senate and the House of Representatives have both passed versions of the new tax reform law, one of the things that got the ax was Roth IRA recharacterizations after December 31, 2017.
Note: After weeks of discussion, disagreements, and postponements, the House announced their plan for tax reform yesterday, November 2, 2017.
Reaching retirement brings many benefits, one of which is having more time to relax and explore.
Episode 107 | Jeremiah Johnson, AIF® | Modern Wealth Management Managing Director
A lot of people think that wealth planning is just about the management of money. That is part of wealth planning, but it’s far from being the only part. Modern Wealth Management Managing Director Jeremiah Johnson, AIF® is going to elaborate on that with Dean Barber on The Guided Retirement Show. Having a good understanding of what wealth planning is all about is pivotal to securing your financial future.
Episode 106 | Chris Rett, CFP®, AIF® and Logan DeGraeve, CFP®, AIF® | Modern Wealth Management Advisors
How much do you think you need each month to spend in retirement? There are many factors that will go into determining that number. On this episode of The Guided Retirement Show, Logan DeGraeve, CFP®, AIF® and Chris Rett, CFP®, AIF® are going to walk you through a case study that looks into how much money you would need to spend $10,000 net a month in retirement.
Episode 105 | Drew Jones, CFP®, AIF® | Modern Wealth Management Executive Advisor
Drew Jones, CFP®, AIF® has a passion in working with small business owners, helping them get their business to be as valuable as it can possibly be before facilitating an exit strategy. As Drew makes his third appearance on The Guided Retirement Show, he and Dean Barber will discuss what small business owners need to do when it comes to retirement planning.
Episode 104 | Marty James, CPA, PFS | Modern Wealth Management Managing Director
Making his third appearance on The Guided Retirement Show, Marty James, CPA, PFS joins Dean Barber to discuss how to qualify for Affordable Care Act subsidies. Qualifying for the Affordable Care Act subsidies can greatly reduce the cost of health insurance prior to becoming eligible for Medicare. Who doesn’t want that?! Marty and Dean are both excited to touch on this topic, so let’s see what they have to share.
Episode 102 | Stephen Tuckwood, CFA | Modern Wealth Management Director of Investments
Our Director of Investments, Stephen Tuckwood, CFA, has quickly become one of the most frequently featured guests on The Guided Retirement Show. For the Season 10 premiere, Tuck and Dean Barber will discuss the critical topic of constructing the right portfolio via strategic investing as you transition into and go through retirement. They’ll discuss the nuances of proper portfolio construction and the changing dynamics of investment rules during the retirement phase.
Episode 101 | Chris Rett | Lead Advisor
Chris Rett and Dean Barber discuss Retirement Planning 101 by reviewing BRITE: bookkeeping, risk management, investing, taxes, and estate planning.
Episode 100 | Bruce Godke | Executive Advisor
We have a very special guest for a very special episode of The Guided Retirement Show. We’re thrilled to have soon-to-be retired Modern Wealth Executive Advisor Bruce Godke join Dean Barber for our 100th episode! Bruce joined Dean in the financial industry 18 years ago and is getting ready to embark upon an amazing journey. And as part of this amazing journey, Bruce is launching a nonfinancial life planning program, Your Encore, at Modern Wealth. Today, Bruce and Dean are going to talk about some important aspects nonfinancial life planning to help people prepare for retirement.
Episode 96 | Logan DeGraeve, CFP® and Corey Hulstein, CPA | Modern Wealth Management Executive Advisor and Modern Wealth Management Director of Tax
Logan DeGraeve, CFP® and Corey Hulstein, CPA describe the working relationship between a CFP® Professional and CPA.
Episode 95 | Jason Gordo | Modern Wealth Management President
Modern Wealth Management President Jason Gordo joins Dean Barber to explain why it's crucial to have a team professionals working for you to meet your financial planning needs and goals for retirement.
Episode 94 | Bud Kasper and Corey Hulstein | Modern Wealth Management Managing Director and Director of Tax
Modern Wealth Management Managing Directors Dean Barber and Bud Kasper and Director of Tax Corey Hulstein, CPA review many key considerations when choosing between Roth vs. traditional.
Episode 93 | Brad Kasper | LSA Portfolio Analytics President and Founder
LSA Portfolio Analytics President and Founder Brad Kasper makes his seventh appearance on The Guided Retirement Show, as he joins Dean Barber to discuss some of the latest news with the economy, markets, interest rates, and the Fed’s monetary policy tools.
Episode 91 | Ken Osiwala | Managing Director
For our Season 9 premiere of The Guided Retirement Show, Ken Osiwala joins Dean Barber to define true wealth. To truly understand what wealth means to you, you first need to define what's important to you. Ken and Dean will explain why there's so much more to defining true wealth than how much money you have.
Episode 90 | Chris Rett | Lead Advisor
For our Season 8 finale of The Guided Retirement Show, Chris Rett and Dean Barber address eight questions that retirees are asking. These questions that retirees are asking have been frequently asked by our clients and prospective clients. If you’re retired or are planning for retirement, you need to know the answers to these questions as well.
Episode 89 | Logan DeGraeve | Executive Advisor
Logan DeGraeve joins Dean Barber on The Guided Retirement Show to review the components of a complete financial plan. These discuss several critical things to think about before and during retirement.
Episode 88 | Dean Barber | Managing Director
Dean Barber shares how his late grandfather and our loyal Modern Wealth Management clients give him several reasons to celebrate Older Americans Month.
Episode 86 | Drew Jones | CFP® Professional
Drew Jones joins Dean Barber on The Guided Retirement Show to review several things to consider before retiring.
Episode 84 | Will Doty | CFP® Professional
Will Doty and Dean Barber discuss their favorite part of the tax code: Roth IRAs—specifically, Roth conversions before and after retirement.
Episode 83 | Ed Slott, CPA | America's IRA Expert
Dean Barber and America's IRA Expert Ed Slott, CPA take a deep dive into understanding the SECURE Act 2.0 and outline what has and hasn't changed within the original SECURE Act.
Episode 80 | Corey Hulstein | Modern Wealth Management Director of Tax
Our Director of Tax, Corey Hulstein, joins Dean Barber on The Guided Retirement Show to discuss tax planning during tax preparation season.
Episode 79 | Taylor Garner | Owner | Garner Insurance Agency, LLC
Garner Insurance Agency, LLC Owner Taylor Garner joins Dean Barber again on The Guided Retirement Show to discuss Medicare changes in 2023.
Episode 78 | Chris Rett | CFP® Professional at Modern Wealth Management
Dean Barber and Chris Rett review 20 questions that you should be asking your financial advisor on the Season 7 finale of The Guided Retirement Show.
Episode 76 | Tim Kay | Branch Manager at Guild Mortgage
Tim Kay and Dean Barber discuss some key mortgage tips to think about when financial planning for people of different ages.
Episode 75 | Chad Webb | US Marine Corps First Sergeant Retired
Modern Wealth Management Chief of Staff Chad Webb shares his perspective on financial planning for veterans after serving 21 years in the Marines.
Episode 74 | Will Doty | CFP® Professional
Will Doty and Dean Barber explain RMDs, tax planning opportunities surrounding RMDs, how RMDs factor in when leaving money behind for the next generation, and so much more.
Episode 73 | Steven Jarvis, CPA | CEO & Head CPA at Retirement Tax Services
Retirement Tax Services Founder Steven Jarvis joins Dean Barber on The Guided Retirement Show to discuss taxes in retirement and why the collaboration between a CFP® Professional and CPA is a critical part of the financial planning process.
Episode 72 | Michael Faciana | Executive Director
There are a lot of things that are misunderstood about private equity markets. And somewhat understandably so. The landscape of private equity markets has changed considerably over the past few years to the point where individual investors can now participate. Michael Faciana joins Dean Barber on The Guided Retirement Show to help explain the many nuances of private equity.
Episode 71 | Logan DeGraeve, CFP® | Financial Advisor at Modern Wealth Management
Whether it's the markets, interest rates, inflation, political and geopolitical environments, or the complicated and ever-changing tax code, uncertainty seems to be everywhere we look in 2022. While uncertainty can be overwhelming, there are many ways to mitigate it. The first step is to overcoming uncertainty is to start a comprehensive, forward-looking financial plan. Logan DeGraeve and Dean Barber highlight how the different components of a financial plan can help you overcome uncertainty on the latest episode of The Guided Retirement Show.
Episode 70 | Marty James | President & Managing Member at Martin James Investment & Tax Management
Many people believe that tax planning strategies are only for the ultra-wealthy. Marty James helps Dean Barber explain why that's simply not true on the latest episode of The Guided Retirement Show.
Episode 69 | Brad Kasper | President & CFO at LSA Portfolio Analytics
In today's episode, Brad and I will go in depth on these headwinds that the Fed and markets are facing and how it impacts you. The bottom line is that having a financial plan is crucial right now.
Episode 68 | Chris Rett, CFP® | Financial Advisor at Modern Wealth Management
In this episode, Chris and I dig into a wide array of topics, including how to accurately estimate your income and taxes in retirement, how to determine which retirement vehicle is best suited to your needs, and a ton of other issues facing people in their pre-retirement and early retirement years.
Episode 65 | Drew Jones | CFP®, AIF® and Financial Advisor at Modern Wealth Management
In today’s episode, Drew walks me and I discuss what is normally a person's biggest asset in retirement, their 401(k).
Episode 61 - Will Doty | CFP®, AIF® | Partner & Financial Advisor at Modern Wealth Management
Today’s episode is all about how to create a financial first aid kit. You’ll hear from CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Will Doty about the documents and resources you need to have ready if you’re dealt with a worst-case scenario event.
Episode 59 - Logan DeGraeve | CFP®, AIF® | Financial Advisor at Modern Wealth Management
Joining me to help answer this question is Logan DeGraeve, CFP® at Modern Wealth Management. We discuss the differences between good debt and bad debt, the discipline that is needed when using debt and leverage, and the right (and wrong) times in life to carry debt at every stage of life.
Episode 57 - Bud Kasper | CFP®, AIF® | President of Modern Wealth Management Lee's Summit
To make sense of how sequence of returns risk plays out over the course of retirement, I’m talking to Bud Kasper. In this conversation, we discuss his writing on this topic, what the sequence of returns risk is, and how it can affect not just your ability to retire, but your ability to get through retirement.
Episode 53 | Taylor Garner - Agency Manager & Insurance Consultant - American Republic Insurance Services
In today’s conversation, we explore how the insurance industry has been transformed over the last decade, how to find plans that meet your unique needs, and what to do to make your insurance coverage a balanced part of a comprehensive financial plan.
Episode 51 | Kent Rockwell | Founder & Patrick Eyberg | Director of Partner Development atf Universal Registered Agents
In this episode, we discuss what exactly a registered agent is, why they’re so relevant to business owners, when you might need one, and how to find a great one to help keep your wheels turning.
Episode 50 | Dean Barber & Chris Rett, CFP®
Here at the Guided Retirement Show™, we receive questions from YouTube viewers and podcast listeners from all over the world. We have a variety of specific questions, and we’re excited to answer as many of them as we can.
Episode 48 | Alan Molk - Physicial & Author of Saving Lives. Saving Dignity: A Unique End-of-Life Perspective From Two Emergency Physicians
In today’s conversation, Dr. Molk and I talk about the unintended consequences of the incredible medical innovations developed over the last several decades. We discuss the growing need for palliative care (and what makes it different from hospice care), and why planning for healthcare emergencies of all kinds is a vital part of any retirement plan.
Episode 47 - Darren Newell | Insurance Agent at Midwest Professional Insurance & Jason Newcomer | Dir. of Centralized Financial Planning at Modern Wealth Management
Joining me to talk about this are Jason Newcomer and Darren Newell. Jason is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and the Director of Centralized Finance Planning at Modern Wealth Management, and Darren is an insurance agent at Midwest Professional Insurance. In today’s conversation, we talk about how to view risk management across different age ranges, how financial advisors and insurance agents often fail to help their clients mitigate risk, and how to take a holistic look at your risk exposure and best protect yourself right now.
Episode 44 - David Lereah, PhD. | Economist & Author of The Power of Positive Aging
We can have all the money in the world, but if we don’t have our physical and mental health, that money means nothing. Few people understand this better than Dr. David Lereah, PhD. He’s the founder of United We Age, an organization working to inspire a movement where all generations of people are more aware and supportive of people aging. He's also the author of the recently released book The Power of Positive Aging.
Episode 42 | Jason Newcomer - CFP®, AIF®, EA | Financial Planner at Modern Wealth Management
Joining me today is Jason Newcomer, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and advisor here at Modern Wealth Management. In this episode, we’ll share a list of great books geared towards young adults to learn more about the importance of retirement planning early on, we outline the fundamentals that they should be thinking about now, and we’ll share valuable information about the platform we’ve built at Barber Financial to help them get a head start on their retirement planning.
Episode 40 | Dr. Charlie Cartwright - CEO of People Success Labs & Keynote Speaker
In this conversation, Dr. Charlie and I talk about the scientific method he uses to help people grow, the importance of community and meaningful relationships in everything we do, and the lessons he learned from 30 years working for major companies, including FedEx and UPS.
Episode 39 | Bud Kasper, CFP®, AIF® - President of Modern Wealth Management Lee's Summit Office
What exactly is index investing? Why do specific companies make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500, and the NASDAQ? Should we be investing in index funds, or is there a better way? Here to help me answer all of these questions is the co-host of America’s Wealth Management Show, Bud Kasper. He has 38 years of experience in financial services, and we’ve done hundreds of radio shows and videos together.
Episode 38 | Christopher Rigsby, CAP® - Relationship Manager at Greater Kansas City Community Foundation & Greater Horizons
Joining me to talk about what happened and what to do about it is Chris Rigsby. Chris is from the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, where he’s helping people find new ways to continue their charitable giving with strategies such as donor-advised funds, and take advantage of the updated tax code.
Episode 37 | Mark Collins Sr. CEO at 2FiveSports LLC., Former NLF Player & 2x Super Bowl Champ
Today, Mark joins the podcast to tell the story of the many roles he’s taken on since leaving the NFL, building a legacy, and giving back by creating opportunities for other kids just like him.
Episode 36 | Jeff Alholm CEO and Co Founder at Digital Aerolus
Today, Jeff and I are talking about the technological revolution we’re living through right now, some of the incredible innovation he’s witnessed over the course of his career, and the devices that are already transforming life as we know it.
Episode 33 - Jan Fichman | Founder & Owner of 7th Heaven and Adam Fichman | Founder & President of Lifted Logic
Today, Jan and Adam join the podcast to share the story of their family history in owning a small business. You’ll hear about the companies they built alone, lessons passed across generations, and how Adam’s small business has served Jan’s in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Episode 31 - Ed Slott | America's IRA Expert, Ed Slott & Company, LLC
In this episode, you’ll learn how to navigate the rapidly changing tax landscape we’re all living in. You’ll discover why it’s all but impossible to memorize the tax code and be 100% right in every situation - but how you can get the advice you need to make strategic decisions and plan for the best possible outcome.
Episode 29 - Dr. Laura Lile | M.D., R.PH. at Lile Wellness Partners
Though we normally focus on the financial aspect of retirement, this week’s episode is all about healthcare - and specifically how to live healthy at every stage of life. You’ll learn how to work with your body to address the declines we go through as we age, how to take preventative steps now to avoid worse outcomes later, and why it’s never too late to start taking steps to change your health.
Episode 28 - Gary Pratt | Senior Director of Development at Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas
Here to help navigate the world of charitable giving is Gary Pratt, the Senior Director of Development for Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. In 2019, Catholic Charities served about half a million people in need through over 20 programs across 21 counties, helping empower them to get jobs, learn new skills, receive food and housing, and even hospice care.
Episode 27 - Joe Duran | Managing Director of Goldman Sachs, Head of Goldman Sachs Personal Wealth Management
Today, Joe joins the podcast to share stories from his own life, as well as his experience in financial services, about why it’s so important to live life in alignment with your priorities. If you’re trying to shape a financial plan - and a retirement - that gives you purpose and satisfaction, as opposed to merely helping you survive, this episode is a must-listen.
Episode 25 - Joel Goldberg | Kansas City Royals Broadcaster, Keynote Speaker, Host of Rounding the Bases with Joel Goldberg
Joel is the host of Rounding the Bases, a podcast where he interviews entrepreneurs and leaders in sports and business. He’s also the announcer for the Kansas City Royals and an experienced TV sportscaster. In our conversation, Joel doesn’t just share stories from his astounding career, but digs deep into the lessons he’s learned from the extraordinary people he’s met along the way.
Episode 23 - Dr. Randy Anderson | President Griffin Capital Asset Management Company, LLC
Joining me today is Dr. Randy Anderson. He holds a Ph.D. in economics and has focused his career on real estate investing. Together, we discuss the nuances and challenges of the real estate industry, the opportunities investors have to purchase high-quality real estate right now, and how to avoid complicating your taxes as you do it.
Episode 22 - Tom Allen | Medicare Expert, CMS, Insurance Consultant
Today, Tom and I dive deep into the differences between Medicare supplement coverage options, how to avoid potentially devastating expenses when dealing with prescription drug costs, and how to find a plan that will cover any conditions you may have and keep you healthy for decades to come.
Episode 21 - Tony Lewis | Former CEO of ConAgra & Chair at Vistage International
Today, Tony joins the podcast to discuss the business leadership lessons that cross over into retirement and family planning, how to avoid missing out on major opportunities (financial and otherwise), and the power of communicating your intentions.
Episode 20 - Joe Lieberman | Author & Entrepreneur
Today, Joe joins the podcast to share the hard lessons he learned about life, business and self-awareness. How the mindset of blaming others and not recognizing your own impact affects you in retirement, and why no one should attempt to prepare for retirement alone – especially if they think they’re the smartest person in the room
Episode 18 - JoAnn Huber | Modern Wealth Management & BFG Tax Service
Today, JoAnn and I are digging deep into Roth conversions: why you might want to do it when they make sense and the surprising reasons you may not want to do a Roth conversion. You’ll learn how to stop missing opportunities, take advantage of the unique benefits of the Roth while potentially avoiding hidden costs, and discover how some retirees have saved hundreds of thousands of dollars by doing a Roth conversion the right way.
Episode 17 - David Mitchell | AllianceBernstein
There’s nothing easy about building a portfolio designed to get you through retirement, and this is especially true in the event of an economic downturn. Emotional investing and aggressive reactions to bad news can make matters even worse, and these factors all have the power to turn your retirement from the greatest vacation of your life into something less fulfilling.
Episode 16 - Wayne Robinson | Financial Planner Modern Wealth Management
Today, Wayne joins the podcast to talk about the many different ways retirees can fall victim to cyberattacks, why the criminals responsible for them are all but impossible to catch, and the simple steps you can take right now to reduce your risk factors by as much as 85%.
Episode 14 - Mark Comfort | Owner of Cruise Holidays KC
Retirement is all about checking things off the bucket list. It’s a time to turn hard work into incredible experiences, truly connect with loved ones, and create memories that will last a lifetime - and for many retirees, that means plans to travel in retirement.
Episode 13 - Bud Kasper | CFP® & Managing Director at Modern Wealth Management & Jason Newcomer | CFP® & Financial Planner
We're going to go into some more of the differences between ETFs and mutual funds, some advantages of ones over the other in certain circumstances, all designed to get you to understand what it takes in order for you to build the right portfolio for your own personal situation. Enjoy the conversation.
Episode 12 - Bud Kasper | CFP® & President Modern Wealth Management Lee's Summit & Jason Newcomer | CFP® & Financial Planner
Many investors have had questions lately about the difference between mutual funds and ETFs: why choose one over the other? Are they the same? What differentiates these two products, why are there so many offerings that appear to be so similar, and which is the best choice for my portfolio, especially as I approach retirement?
Episode 11 - Brad Kasper | President & CFO LSA Portfolio Analytics
There’s a lot that you need to understand before you set out building your portfolio for retirement. In the first part of my conversation with Brad Kasper, we had a big-picture discussion of what makes a portfolio successful, the dangers of emotional investing, and why math and data will always beat attempting to time the markets.
Episode 10 - Brad Kasper | President & CFO LSA Portfolio Analytics
When it comes to retiring, nothing matters more than building a portfolio that allows you to achieve your goals, and no one knows this better than Brad Kasper. He believes in using math to create solid strategies to meet goals, and as simple as that may sound, it’s less common in the financial services industry than it should be.
Episode 9 - Jason Salinardi | Attorney, J.D., LL.M Taxation & Garrett Griffin | Attorney, J.D., LL.M Taxation
Today, we continue our discussion by diving a little bit deeper. We focus predominantly on how DIY planning often leads to massive complications for survivors, how events like divorce can lead to serious estate issues after one family member dies, and why you need to work with a counselor or advisor who truly understands the nuances of estate...
Episode 8 - Jason Salinardi | Attorney, J.D., LL.M Taxation & Garrett Griffin | Attorney, J.D., LL.M Taxation
One thing is certain: at some point in time, all of us won't be alive on this Earth. This means that we all need proper estate plans. Many people, however, fail to set their estate plans up correctly...
Episode 7 - Tom Allen | Medicare & Supplemental Insurance Expert
In our previous episode, certified Medicare specialist Tom Allen and I discussed what Medicare actually is and what it’s designed to do. If you haven’t listened to Part 1, I strongly recommend you do so now. There are so many nuances to health insurance, and it’s very easy to get caught in financially devastating traps if you aren’t careful.
Episode 6 - Tom Allen | Medicare & Supplemental Insurance Expert
For many retiring seniors, Medicare is super confusing. There are lots of misconceptions about how it works, how supplements work, and what you should be doing in your retirement years to ensure that you’re covered. Tom Allen is a Medicare and supplemental insurance expert. Every year, he stays on top of the latest and greatest in this extraordinary...
Episode 5 - Brie Williams | VP State Street Global Advisors
You don’t have to read stories about people like Alan Stanford and Bernie Madoff or The Wolf of Wall Street to learn about scams and abuses in the financial services industry. In fact, fraud and abuse often hits much closer to home, and the growing senior population all over the world gets more likely to be taken advantage of with every passing year.
Episode 4 - Brie Williams | VP State Street Global Advisors
When many people build their financial plans, they only envision an ideal retirement where nothing goes wrong. They assume they’re going to live long, happy, healthy lives, that nothing’s ever going to get in their way, and that the future is going to go exactly to plan.
Episode 3 - Brie Williams | VP State Street Global Advisors
Why do we do what we do? What motivates us? These are big questions - and they apply just as much to financial services as they do everything else in our lives. Brie Williams, the Vice President of State Street Global Advisors, has dedicated her career to helping financial advisory firms facilitate efficiency and growth
Episode 2 - JoAnn Huber, CPA, CFP®
In the last episode, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and CPA JoAnn Huber and I kicked off the podcast with a discussion about the differences between the IRA and the Roth IRA.However, we barely scratched the surface, and if you’re feeling confused after listening to Part 1 of our conversation, that’s okay.
Episode 1 - JoAnn Huber, CPA, CFP®
For many people, the 401(k) is their largest asset. However, there are several different types of 401(k) plans, each of which follows a different series of rules and regulations. Choosing the wrong type of 401(k) can have significant consequences in retirement - and can drastically affect your quality of life for years to come.
We went through three Roth conversion case studies to help you make well-informed decisions when considering Roth conversions.
This checklist was created to give you a timeline of items that should be done prior to and during retirement.
Not sure what to do with your 401(k) when you retire or are nearing retirement? Once you retire, a plan for withdrawing those funds that provides a constant source of income that isn’t eaten up by taxes and other costly traps must be constructed
Managing Directors Dean Barber and Marty James, CPA discuss some key things to keep in mind while doing year-end tax planning for 2023.
Commemorative Air Force Heart of America Wing Leader Steve Zimmerman shares how his financial plan has given him the confidence to further pursue his passion for flying and much more on the Modern Wealth Management Educational Series with Wayne Robinson, CRPC®, AIF®.
From saving early to understanding where you're saving to, Logan DeGraeve reviews some quick tips on how to build wealth in your 20s on the Modern Wealth Management Educational Series
Chris Rett shares five regrets that people have at the end of retirement and how to plan accordingly so that you don't have those regrets.
Matt Kasper reviews Roth conversion decisions for 2023 in a case study on the Modern Wealth Management Educational Series.
We always talk about the importance of saving early for retirement, but how do you know when it's time to stop saving for retirement? Drew Jones gets down to the bottom of how to answer that on the Modern Wealth Management Educational Series.
Chris Rett discusses what to do with your 401(k) after retirement—leave it in your previous employer plan or roll it over to an IRA?
Preparation is key when it comes to retirement as well. That’s why Logan is going to discuss retirement preparation and the five things that you’ll wish you knew before retiring on the Modern Wealth Management Educational Series.
Chris Rett, CFP® discusses compound interest, the difference between compounding interest and simple interest, the value of compounding interest for retirement, the Rule of 72, and how to use compound interest for your retirement on the Modern Wealth Management Educational Series.
Have you thought about your retirement goals? So many people get caught up in trying to save as much as possible and haven’t thought about what they want their retirement to look like. Your retirement goals are obviously part of what will make your plan unique. But there are several things that many people will experience in retirement that we want to prepare you for. Modern Wealth Management Managing Directors Dean Barber and Ken Osiwala are going to review four things that you can expect in your first year in retirement to help you in your retirement planning process.
Matt Kasper and Logan DeGraeve tackle the crucial topic of rising long-term care costs on the Modern Wealth Management Educational Series.
Logan DeGraeve shares several key items to review as you step into retirement and why it's important to review them well before retirement.
We’re constantly thinking about how to keep people updated about things that can impact their retirement. It’s important to us that you’re making informed financial decisions so that you can live your one best financial life. So, we’ve decided that we’re going to start sharing quarterly market updates from Dean Barber and Bud Kasper. Let’s get right into it with our Q1 2023 quarterly market update.
There have been some major changes regarding Required Minimum Distributions thanks to SECURE 2.0. Dean Barber and Will Doty, CFP® will look at Considering RMDs Before and After Retirement in our latest Modern Wealth Management Educational Series webinar.
For our second Modern Wealth Management Educational Series event of the year, Logan DeGraeve shares some financial planning tips for 2023.
Tom Allen, Insurance Consultant & Medicare Expert, breaks down the many letters of Medicare in this webinar. The intention of the ABCs of Medicare is to help people understand what Medicare Parts A & B cover, and more importantly, what they don't cover and what you need to do about it. You'll learn how the Medicare Open Enrollment Period actually works, how to find out what prescription drugs are covered under certain plans, what Parts C & D cover, and more.
Tax Diversification may not sound like a very exciting topic, but if done correctly over your lifetime, you can pay substantially less in taxes. Our Director of Tax, Corey Hulstein, joins Dean Barber on the Barber Educational Series to explain what tax diversification is and why it’s so important to achieve a successful retirement.
A lot of us at Modern Wealth Management are excited about football season finally being underway. Football and sports can be used as parallels to teach many life lessons. One of those parallels that football can be used for is with retirement planning. As football season kicks off, Logan DeGraeve joins Dean Barber to discuss creating a retirement game plan.
Uncertainty has been the theme of 2022. We’ve experienced some jaw-dropping market volatility and inflation, and after back-to-back quarters of negative GDP growth, we’re technically in a recession. All this uncertainty has only enhanced our firm’s commitment to help people continuing living their one best financial life. In this Modern Wealth Management Educational Series event, Drew Jones joins Dean Barber to discuss what it’s like to retire during a recession.
Will Doty joins Dean Barber to talk about Social Security claiming strategies and why maximizing your Social Security benefit is a critical part of your overall financial plan.
Setting up a spending plan for retirement is one of the most critical components of a financial plan. Will Doty joins Dean Barber to help explain a few reasons why that’s the case on the Modern Wealth Management Educational Series.
Bud Kasper joins Dean Barber for the Barber Educational Series to discuss the journey toward reaching financial independence and what financial independence could mean for you.
Logan DeGraeve and Dean Barber discuss how the Guided Retirement System gets people to and through retirement.
While it's February and has been cold, it’s time to talk about spring cleaning your finances. As you begin to gather all the necessary information to file your tax return, Dean Barber and Drew Jones are excited to give a few extra tips about things to look for to keep your finances in order.
After reviewing 401(k) planning for 2022 in January, we’re slightly shifting gears here for this Modern Wealth Management Educational Series event to discuss IRA planning for 2022. While a 401(k) is often people’s largest asset, IRAs are oftentimes their second largest asset. Chris Rett recently joined Dean Barber to break down IRA planning for people at various stages of their lives.
If your 401(k) isn’t already your largest asset, there’s a good chance that it could be very soon. It’s time to do some 401(k) planning for 2022, and Drew Jones and Dean Barber are here to help. They cover everything from a new employee choosing between a Roth and traditional 401(k) to decisions to make for people who are in their mid-working years, those approaching retirement, and retirees.
With the popularity of cryptocurrency on the rise, Dean Barber sits down with Wayne Robinson to answer a question that has been on many peoples’ minds. Is Bitcoin digital gold?
As 2021 comes to a close, Dean Barber and Bud Kasper highlight a few things to consider when preparing financially for 2022.
Are you budgeting for a special gift this holiday season? Dean Barber and Drew Jones provide some tips on financial planning for the holidays.
As the spookiness builds with Halloween on the horizon, Wayne Robinson & Dean Barber give their thoughts on some financial horror stories.
In this webinar, Dr. Alan Molk tells the story of why he wrote his book, Saving Lives, Saving Dignity. He presents his background as an emergency room physician of 40 years, and why he believes having advanced health care directives is imperative for you and your family.
Dean Barber and Jason Newcomer look at the recent history of 60/40 portfolios and withdrawal rates by measuring inflation, bonds, and equities. They analyze every rolling 20-year period since 1972 to see how annually increasing withdrawal rates—while accounting for inflation—accommodated for a constant standard of living.
In this webinar, Dean and Logan discuss making a big purchase in retirement. Retirement is supposed to be that time of your life where you're doing all the things you want to do. Sometimes we see people foregoing things that they can do because they don't have the clarity they need.
In this webinar, Dean Barber and Will Doty, CFP®, AIF®, discuss how many people's number one desire in retirement is to spend time with their loved ones. So, why not plan a large family vacation into your retirement plan? Join Dean and Will as they break down how they were able to do just that for their clients.
In this webinar, Will Doty, CFP®, discusses reviews 10 Financial Planning Steps that are a basic overview of financial planning. These action items will benefit those early on in their career, approaching retirement, and anyone in between. Join us to ensure your taking the right steps in your financial journey.
Wayne Robinson, Financial Planner at Modern Wealth Management, discusses the complex world of cybersecurity. He'll cover some ways that you can eliminate up to 85% of your cybersecurity risks. The purpose of this webinar is to show you steps to reduce your cyber security risks and prevent yourself from being low-hanging fruit for nefarious online predators.