Shows / Retiring Today
Retiring Today
Ever wondered about the future of Social Security? Need help creating a plan for Long-Term Care? What happens if you retire during a Recession? Retiring in today’s world can be complex and complicated. Each week, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Loren Merkle and co-host Molly Nelson will tackle trending financial topics and apply them to your retirement. You’ll takeaway the important, need-to-know information about preparing for retirement and what happens after you get there. Retiring Today will…
Episodes
- Retiring Today
251. How to Potentially Save $136,000 on Your Retirement Tax Bill
Most retirees overpay in taxes, not because they've done anything wrong, but because nobody has ever built a long-term tax plan around their retirement. In…
- Retiring Today
250. 5 Reasons People Put Off Retirement Planning and What the Delay Could Cost
Only 23% of people near retirement age have a written retirement plan. In this episode of Retiring Today, Molly, Loren, and Chawn explore the five real reasons…
- Retiring Today
249. A New Way to Think About Paying for Long-Term Care
Long-term care is one of the most overlooked and potentially costly parts of retirement planning. In this episode of Retiring Today, we walk through what…
- Retiring Today
248. The 5 Retirement Conversations Every Couple Should Have
Most couples spend more time planning a vacation than they do planning their retirement together, and that gap has real financial consequences. In this episode…
- Retiring Today
247. Retirement Planner vs. Investment Advisor: Why the Difference Matters
Not all financial advisors are retirement planners, and that distinction could be worth thousands of dollars to you. In this episode of Retiring Today, Molly…
- Retiring Today
246. Will Your Money Last as Long as You Do?
You've worked hard, saved diligently, and done everything right. But there's a question that keeps so many pre-retirees up at night: Will my money actually…
- Retiring Today
246. 6 Money Moves for Market Swings
Market swings are inevitable, but your retirement plan doesn't have to be a victim to them. In this episode, we break down six proactive and reactive…
- Retiring Today
245. You’ve Inherited an IRA — Now What?
Inheriting an IRA can feel overwhelming—emotionally and financially. With new rules requiring many beneficiaries to withdraw funds within 10 years, the…
- Retiring Today
244. 8 Retirement Mistakes That Could Leave You Broke (And How to Avoid Them)
Retirement comes with opportunities, but it also brings financial risks that can catch people off guard. Learn eight common reasons retirees can run short on…
- Retiring Today
243: You Have a Million-Dollar IRA. Is a Roth Conversion Worth It?
If you have a large IRA balance and retirement is getting closer, your tax bill may be bigger than you expect. This episode breaks down why taxes catch so many…
- Retiring Today
242. You Have More Control Over Your Retirement Tax Bill Than You Think
You saved diligently for decades. But the tax bill waiting inside your IRA may be larger than you think, and it can grow every year.Ready to take your next…
- Retiring Today
241. The Key Financial Decisions That Come With Each Decade of Retirement.
Retirement isn’t a single event, it’s a journey that can span 20, 30 or even 40 years. The financial decisions you face at age 50 may look very different from…
- Retiring Today
240. Annuities Explained: Pros, Cons, and How to Know If One Belongs in Your Retirement Plan
What role can annuities play in retirement planning, and how do you know if they may be worth considering? In this episode, we break down the pros, cons and…
- Retiring Today
239. The Retirement Blueprint: How to Plan for Inflation, Taxes, and 30 Years of Income at the Same Time
What does it take to build a retirement plan designed to support you for 20, 30 or even 40 years? In this episode, Loren Merkle, Molly Nelson and Haley…
- Retiring Today
238. You Have an Estate Plan. Here’s Why It May Not Work the Way You Think
Even if you already have an estate plan in place, there’s a good chance it may not work the way you think. In this episode, Loren Merkle, Molly Nelson, and…
- Retiring Today
237. The Three-Legged Retirement Stool Is Gone: How to Create a Personal Pension With Income Buckets, Tax Diversification, and Social Security Timing
Most retirees no longer have a pension, and that changes everything about how you build retirement income. If you've ever felt like retirement planning is…
- Retiring Today
236. The Great Wealth Transfer Is Happening: How to Start the Family Inheritance Conversation and The Tax Trap Retirees Need to Know About
A massive $124 trillion is expected to pass from one generation to the next over the next 20 years, but most families aren’t talking about it. In this episode…
- Retiring Today
235. The Biggest Mistakes People Make When Claiming Social Security
Social Security is the elephant in the room when it comes to retirement planning. Everyone knows the decision is there, but between your neighbor who claimed…
- Retiring Today
234. 7 Steps to Retire Before 65. Even If You Think You Can't Afford To
If 65 has been your retirement target, ask yourself why. For most people it comes down to one thing, health care before Medicare kicks in. The good news is…
- Retiring Today
233. What If the Market Crashes in Your First Year of Retirement?
Imagine retiring with $750,000 and watching it drop by 30% in year one. A market drop like that can have a real impact on your retirement income.In this…
- Retiring Today
232 Laid Off After 55? What to Do About Health Care, Taxes, and Your 401(k)
Last year, 1.1 million people were laid off, numbers not seen since 2020. And 40% of people retire earlier than they planned. If a layoff or buyout is on your…
- Retiring Today
231. Three Retirement Planning Strategies for Large IRAs ($2 Million Example)
You saved. You planned. You built a $2 million IRA, but every dollar in that account has never been taxed before. The question was never if you'd pay taxes on…
- Retiring Today
230. Retirement Taxes Explained: Pre-Tax Accounts, Roth Strategies, RMDs, and Social Security
If retirement taxes feel confusing, you’re not alone. Pre-tax accounts, Roth accounts, required minimum distributions (RMDs), Social Security taxes—there are a…
- Retiring Today
229. The Hidden Crisis: Loneliness in Retirement, Loss of Purpose, and How to Reconnect
When you think about retirement, what do you see yourself doing? A lot of people don't have an answer to that question, and that's where loneliness can start…
- Retiring Today
228. Do Roth Conversions Still Make Sense in 2026?
A Roth conversion means paying taxes now instead of later, but is it the right move for your retirement? We'll explain exactly how Roth conversions work, walk…
- Retiring Today
227. The 6 Components of a Retirement Plan (And Why It's Not Just Your 401(k))
Most people think of their 401(k) as their retirement plan. Your 401(k) tells you your balance, but it doesn't answer the questions that actually matter: "When…
- Retiring Today
226. We Stress Test a $1 Million Retirement Plan
A common saying is you need a million dollars for retirement, but what does that actually mean for you? In today's episode, you'll meet Tom and Sandy. They…
- Retiring Today
225. How Long Does $1 Million Last in Retirement?
If you have $1 million saved for retirement, how long will it last? We put this question to the test with four different spending scenarios, and the results…
- Retiring Today
224. How New Tax Laws Actually Affect Your Retirement Plan
In July of 2025, Washington passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and it's changing retirement tax planning in ways most people haven't heard about yet. If…
- Retiring Today
223. The Retirement Ready Checklist: 9 Moves to Make Before You Retire
If retirement is starting to feel real, there are important decisions that need to be addressed before that final paycheck.In this episode, we walk through our…
- Retiring Today
222. The One Big Beautiful Bill Explained for Retirees
The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) is one of the most significant tax updates in recent years—and for retirees, it’s not just about what changed, but how it…
- Retiring Today
221. How The One Big Beautiful Bill Affects Retirement Taxes | Explaining the New $6,000 Senior Deduction
New tax legislation can unlock opportunities—or create surprises—if you don’t understand the fine print. In this episode, we walk through the One Big Beautiful…
- Retiring Today
220. Retirement Milestones By Decade | Decisions to Make In Your 50s, 60s, and 70s
Every stage of life brings new financial milestones, and retirement is no different. From your 50s through your 70s, there are decisions you will make that can…
- Retiring Today
219. What You Need to Know Before Enrolling in Medicare (Fact or Fiction)
Is it true you have to enroll in Medicare at 65 even if you're still working? Will Medicare cover all of your health care needs? What actually happens if you…
- Retiring Today
218. How to Start Planning for Retirement (Halloween Pt. 2)
In this Indiana Jones–inspired episode, we return to the Cave of Question to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing those 55 and older: How do I start…
- Retiring Today
217. How to Know If You're Retirement-Ready at Age 55 | Halloween Part 1
Enter the "Cave of Questions" in this Halloween-themed episode of Retiring Today, where we take you on an Indiana Jones-inspired adventure to uncover what…
- Retiring Today
216. What You Should Know About Inheriting Money
Inheriting assets can carry emotional weight and financial complexity. In this episode of Retiring Today, we explain the five most common types of inherited…
- Retiring Today
215. The Top 10 Retirement Wake-Up Calls
Planning for retirement means more than saving money—it means preparing for the realities that can shape your future. Today, we count down the top 10…
- Retiring Today
214. 4 Types of Investors—and the Mistakes They Make in Retirement
Many investors fall into recognizable patterns—behaviors that can create challenges during retirement. Whether it’s reacting too quickly to market swings…
- Retiring Today
213. Debunking 8 Retirement Myths About Investments
When it comes to investing for retirement, not all the advice you hear is accurate or helpful. Today, we’re putting eight common retirement investment beliefs…
- Retiring Today
212. 7 Questions Your Financial Advisor Should Be Asking—But Probably Isn’t
Retirement planning isn’t just about your investments — it’s about your lifestyle, your goals, and how you want to live every single day after you stop…
- Retiring Today
211. How Do I Stack Up? A Look at National Averages and What a 25-Year Retirement Could Cost.
Many Americans approaching retirement ask, “How do I stack up?” In this episode, Loren Merkle and Chawn Honkomp explore how average retirement savings vary by…
- Retiring Today
210. Why Staying Invested Matters
Market swings can feel unsettling, especially as retirement approaches. In this episode of Retiring Today, Loren Merkle and Clint Huntrods join Molly Nelson to…
- Retiring Today
209. Long Term Care Costs, Options, and Planning
Long-term care is one of the most overlooked—but essential—parts of retirement planning. This episode breaks down what long-term care actually includes, how…
- Retiring Today
208. Debunking Common Retirement Tax Myths
Taxes don’t stop when your paycheck does, and what you think you know about taxes in retirement could cost you. In this episode of Retiring Today, we break…
- Retiring Today
207. Avoid These 5 Traps When Estate Planning in Retirement
Legacy planning is more than just deciding who gets what—it's about making things easier for your loved ones and making sure your wishes are honored. This…
- Retiring Today
206. Avoid These 4 Lifestyle Traps as You Plan for Retirement
You’ve saved, you’ve budgeted, and you’ve run the numbers—but have you really thought about how you’ll live in retirement? In this episode, we highlight common…
- Retiring Today
205. The Basics of Legacy Planning with Estate Planning Attorney Charlie Bottenburg
When was the last time you thought about your estate plan—or whether you even have one? In this episode, Loren Merkle and Molly Nelson sit down with estate…
- Retiring Today
204. 5 Retirement Income Traps in Retirement
Retirement can bring freedom, but only if your income plan is built for your needs. In this episode of Retiring Today, we walk through five common income traps…
- Retiring Today
203. How Market Volatility Can Create Opportunities
Market volatility is inevitable—but it doesn’t have to be a setback. In this episode, retirement planners Loren Merkle and Clint Huntrods join host Molly…
- Retiring Today
202. Three Health Care Traps In Retirement
Health care is one of the most misunderstood—and potentially costly—parts of retirement. In this episode of Retiring Today, we analyze three common health care…
- Retiring Today
201. 4 Retirement Tax Traps (And How to Avoid Them)
A common misconception is that retirement always brings a lower tax bill, but without proactive planning, taxes can quietly become one of your biggest…
- Retiring Today
200. Three Retirement Investment Traps (And How To Avoid Them)
Are you focused too much on your investments as you approach retirement? In this episode of Retiring Today, we dive into three critical investment traps that…
- Retiring Today
198. Three Ways to Lower Taxes in Retirement
What if the way you withdraw your money in retirement matters just as much as how you saved it? The truth is, not all retirement income is taxed the same—and…
- Retiring Today
197. The Retirement Planning Checklist
Are you 10 years or less from retirement and wondering where to begin with retirement planning? We walk through your essential retirement checklist to help you…
- Retiring Today
196. What To Do With Your 401(k) When You Retire
Your 401(k) is a significant part of your retirement savings—but what should you do with it once you retire? In this video, we’ll break down your options…
- Retiring Today
195. What You Need to Know About RMDs in 2025
Most retirees don’t realize it, but RMDs aren’t just mandatory—they can be a tax time bomb waiting to happen. Without planning, they could push you into a…
- Retiring Today
194. Why You Should Plan For a Longer Retirement
Will your retirement savings last as long as you do? Many retirees worry about running out of money, especially as life expectancies increase. Retirement…
- Retiring Today
193. Retire Earlier Than Expected
Learn more about how you can prepare for retirement by downloading the complimentary Retire Your Way Toolkit - https://bit.ly/4h5HnWq Register for our next…
- Retiring Today
192. The Roth IRA 5-Year Rule
Learn more about how you can prepare for retirement by downloading the complimentary Retire Your Way Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3Pq2l6C Register for our next…