Retirement Starts Today Podcast By Benjamin Brandt CFP® RICP® cover art

Retirement Starts Today

Retirement Starts Today

By: Benjamin Brandt CFP® RICP®
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Do you want to spend more money in retirement, while paying less taxes? Great news, you're in the right place! I'll also teach you the benefits of retiring TO something, while most retirees only solve half the equation by retiring FROM something. Tune in every Monday morning - hosted by Benjamin Brandt CFP, RICP. Join my "Every Day is Saturday" weekly newsletter for show notes, free book giveaways and other great retirement content: www.retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter© Retire-Ready Resources Economics Personal Finance
Episodes
  • Estimated Taxes Are a Pain. Let's make it Easier
    Mar 30 2026

    What if you paid all your taxes - and still got hit with a penalty from the IRS?

    Our retirement headline this week comes from Laura Saunders in the Wall Street Journal. Estimated tax penalties are skyrocketing, and retirees and investors are some of the most likely to get caught in the trap.

    We will cover that, then hop into our Listen Question: "What happens when you lose faith in fixed income as the foundation for your retirement plan?"

    Then stick around to hear what our happiest retired listeners are up to in our newest listener-sourced segment "Retire to Something"

    Resource:
    Article by Laura Saunders in the Wall Street Journal: Estimated Taxes Are a Pain. Here's How to Avoid Costly Penalties.

    Connect with Benjamin Brandt:

    • Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: http://thisweekinretirement.com
    • Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com
    • Work with Benjamin: https://retirementstartstoday.com/start

    Get the book!
    Retirement Starts Today: Your Non-financial Guide to an Even Better Retirement

    Follow Retirement Starts Today in:
    Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or iHeart

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    20 mins
  • The Hidden Cost Of Investment Income
    Mar 23 2026

    Some desirable investment income - like interest and dividends - might actually hurt high-net-worth investors' bottom line. This comes from an article by Larry Swedroe in Financial Advisor Magazine.

    He outlines four hidden costs that can quietly erode over 1% of after-tax returns each year:

    • Cash Drag
    • Tax Deferral
    • Step-up and Charitable Giving Advantage
    • Financial Planning Flexibility

    For our Listener Question: "Are brokerage account gains taxed before the money is withdrawn?" If you've ever wondered how your taxable investment account stacks up next to your IRA or Roth, this one's for you. We dig into the 'magic middle' of retirement savings and clear up how and when Uncle Sam wants his share.

    And to wrap up the show, Dave in New York shares his work of raising dogs to help the blind. 🦮

    Resource:
    Article by Larry Sweroe in Financial Advisor Magazine: The Hidden Cost Of Investment Income

    Connect with Benjamin Brandt:

    • Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: http://thisweekinretirement.com
    • Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com
    • Work with Benjamin: https://retirementstartstoday.com/start

    Get the book!
    Retirement Starts Today: Your Non-financial Guide to an Even Better Retirement

    Follow Retirement Starts Today in:
    Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or iHeart

    Show more Show less
    16 mins
  • The Medicare Charge That's Taking a Bigger Bite Out of Social Security Checks
    Mar 16 2026

    You might have received a Social Security cost-of-living increase this year — but did your net check actually go up?

    A recent Wall Street Journal article highlights how rising Medicare premiums and IRMAA surcharges are offsetting those increases for millions of retirees - and "takes a bigger bite out of Social Security checks".

    Then, a listener writes in "How to convince my husband's parents to spend their money. We don't need it." Tune in to hear that one!

    And we wrap it up with our "Retire to Something" segment from Dave in Massachusetts.

    Resource:

    Wall Street Journal article by Laura Sanders: The Medicare Charge That's Taking a Bigger Bite Out of Social Security Checks

    Connect with Benjamin Brandt:

    • Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: http://thisweekinretirement.com
    • Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com
    • Work with Benjamin: https://retirementstartstoday.com/start

    Get the book!
    Retirement Starts Today: Your Non-financial Guide to an Even Better Retirement

    Follow Retirement Starts Today in:
    Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or iHeart

    Show more Show less
    22 mins
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