The Best of Refining Retirement

Dana and Brad discuss recent tax code changes as well as designing your fiscal house.Takeaways:Depending on where you live in the U.S. life expectancy can vary up to 8 years.100 minus your age is a good rule of thumb for how much you should have at risk In the market. Download our FREE helpful resource, “The Value of an Objective Opinion”

Dana and Brad discuss being in the position of gaining a large sum of money.Takeaways:Between 70-80% of people squander away their inheritance within the first 6 months.When politics get volatile, markets tend to follow suit. The market tends to react poorly to political uncertainty.Download our FREE helpful resource, “Are You Paying Too Much in Taxes in Retirement?”

Dana and Brad are joined by Jordan Duncan and Rachel Smith of Boone Funeral Home to discuss end-of-life planning.Takeaways:Pre-planning helps take some of the emotion out of funeral planning, helping save money and take the burden off your loved ones.There are 125 different items that need to be addressed within the 48-72 hours around a funeral. Download our FREE helpful resource, “The Greatest Gift: Outline Your Wishes with an Estate Plan”

Dana and Brad discuss Medicare with Healthcare agent, Christie Adcock, of Senior Connection.Takeaways:A common misconception is that you have to sign up for Medicare when you turn 65. If you are still working, it’s not required.If you have questions about Medicare, give us a call and we can connect you with Christie to help address your needs.Download our FREE helpful resource, “The Value of an Objective Opinion”

Dana and Brad discuss the things that you can control during a volatile market and how to protect yourself against the things that you can’t.Takeaways:It’s a difficult discussion, but having your will updated ensures your assets are distributed according to your exact wishes.Inflation is a silent “stealth tax.” You won’t always see it, but your wallet will feel it. Download our FREE helpful resource, “The Greatest Gift: Outline Your Wishes with an Estate Plan”

Dana and Brad are joined by Brad’s retirement coaches, Christina Gilbert and Matt Purvis, to discuss the transition from working to retirement.Takeaways:Retirement is a big change psychologically, do you have someone in place to help you from slipping into a funk and becoming listless or depressed. Finding new ways to stay busy is paramount to a healthy retirement.The highest group of divorces at the moment is the 50+ range. Download our FREE helpful resource, “Designing Your Fiscal House to Weather the Elements”

Dana and Brad discuss tax implications of moving money from different accounts and how to be prepared to pay for Long-Term Care.Takeaways:There are a multitude of accounts with different tax liabilities. Without the proper knowledge before moving money there could be irreparable tax penalties.- 70% of adults aged 65 and older will need some form of long-term care.Download our FREE helpful resource, “Are You Paying too Much in Taxes in Retirement?”

Dana and Brad are joined by Melanie Stewart of 517 Fitness Gym to discuss staying healthy in retirement.Takeaways:Motivation comes and goes, block off time to work out and treat that time as an important meeting that you can’t miss. Having a trainer or accountability partner is also incredibly beneficial for those days you don’t want to go.If you aren’t sure where to begin, hiring a trainer can help you build a regimen to keep you from injuring yourself.Download our FREE helpful resource, “The Value of an Objective Opinion”

Dana and Brad discuss inflation and reaching towards your dreams in retirement.Takeaways:Build a bucket list in retirement. You don’t want to wait too long to do the things you’ve always dreamed of.Healthcare costs are on the rise, especially with inflation that we’ve seen in the last few years. Download our FREE helpful resource, “Will Your Money Last as Long as You Do?”

Dana and Brad discuss getting your affairs in order.Takeaways:If you have very many valuables, write out what you would like to happen to them in the event you pass away.Wealth is not his that has it, but his that enjoys it. You can’t take your money with you. Download our FREE helpful resource, “The Greatest Gift: Outline Your Wishes with an Estate Plan”

Dana and Brad discuss retirement fears as well as retirement help for women.Takeaways:According to Alliance Life, most Americans are more scared of going broke in retirement than they are of death.The overall poverty rate for women slightly exceeds the rate for men. Download our FREE helpful resource, “Will Your Money Last as Long as You Do?”

Dana and Brad discuss current market volatility and past performance in historically volatile markets.Takeaways:Missing out on the best performing days can significantly cut into your returns. Time in the market beats timing the market.The dollar value recently hit the lowest it has been in three years. Download our FREE helpful resource, “What to Do in a Down Market”

Dana and Brad discuss maximizing your Social Security within your retirement plan.Takeaways:Taking Social Security at the wrong time could cost you thousands of dollars in the long run.If you haven’t tested your retirement plan with customized software, it’s difficult to know if you are making the correct decisions.Download our FREE helpful resource, “The Social Security Decisions”

Dana and Brad discuss safety tips when gardening with Judy Halstead of the Southwestern Indiana Master Gardener Association (SWIMGA).Takeaways:You should always have your cell phone with you while gardening in case anything goes wrong. It is even more beneficial to have someone with you if possible. It’s easy to twist an ankle in the uneven dirt.230,000 people go to the emergency room every year due to injuries related to various lawn and garden tools. You can learn more about SWIMGA by following this link: https://www.swimga.org/Download our FREE helpful resource, “Your Retirement Income Planning Checklist”

Dana and Brad discuss how you can build a plan to work towards a successful retirement.Takeaways:The Affordable Care Act can help with subsidizing healthcare if you are thinking about retiring early.It’s never too early to start planning for retirement. Reach out for help if you have questions.Download our FREE helpful resource, “Will Your Money Last as Long as You Do”

Dana and Brad discuss legacy planning and different taxes that can impact your plan.Takeaways:It’s important to update your will and accounts often to make sure they still align with your wishes.If you and your spouse are not sure what you both want for retirement, it can be beneficial to speak with an advisor to help you come to an agreement.Download our FREE helpful resource, “The Greatest Gift: Outline Your Wishes with an Estate Plan”Securities and advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals of Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC and a registered investment advisor. Vineyard Financial and MAS are not affiliated entities.

Dana and Brad discuss financial secrets as well as poor financial habits you may have.Takeaways:A study found 2/5 people kept a financial secret from their significant other.Don’t try to do everything all at once by yourself. Retirement planning can be overwhelming and it can alleviate that pain to reach out to someone. Download our FREE helpful resource, “The Value of an Objective Opinion”

Dana and Brad are joined by one of Brad’s clients, Linda Sanders, to discuss the retirement planning process.Takeaways:Women tend to live longer than men, and the potential loss of a spouse needs to be calculated into your retirement plan.If you have questions about building a retirement plan you can reach us at 812-474-6200.Download our FREE helpful resource, “The Retirement Income Checklist

Dana and Brad discuss the ins and outs of Social Security and the different ways you can withdrawalTakeaways:Social Security accounts for a third of the average household income for those that are retirement age and making a mistake could cost you thousands of dollars.Family medical history can be an overlooked part of building a retirement plan. Trends can help you make better decisions. Download our FREE helpful resource, “The Social Security Decisions”

Dana and Brad are joined by the Purdue Extension’s Urban Agriculture Educator, Amanda Bradshaw Burks to discuss farming, gardening, and nature preservation.Takeaways:Research shows that when you have access to “green spaces” can improve your mental health and alleviate pain.If you have any agricultural or gardening questions you can email Amanda at: [email protected],Download our FREE helpful resource, “Designing Your Fiscal House to Weather the Elements”

 Dana and Brad discuss retirement bucket lists, as well as inflation and the impact of rising costs.Takeaways:Text the word “book” to 812-473-7700 for a free copy of “Solving the Retirement Mystery.”You have go-go years, slow-go years, and no-go years. It’s important to know how much you can comfortably spend on everything you want to do before it is too late.With prices rising, the latest Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment is 2.5%. Download our FREE helpful resource, “The Social Security Decisions”

Dana and Brad discuss healthcare expenses in retirement as well as preparation for losing a spouse.Takeaways:The average nationwide cost for a room in a nursing home is almost $10,000/month. Check all of your accounts when building an estate plan. Old accounts could have the wrong beneficiaries listed.Download our FREE helpful resource, “The Greatest Gift: Outline Your Wishes with an Estate Plan”

Dana and Brad discuss long-term care planning and the importance of being ready before it’s too late.Takeaways:Assisted living can be a major expense in retirement. You should plan for the worst, and hope for the best.It’s important to have a plan in place so you are better protected during times of hardship.Download our FREE helpful resource, “Will Your Money Last as Long as You Do?”Securities and advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals of Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC and a registered investment advisor. Vineyard Financial and MAS are not affiliated entities.

Dana and Brad are joined by Vineyard Financial Vice President, Jakub Hall, to discuss the average retirement age and what can affect your plan.Takeaways:The median retirement age in the U.S. is 62 with sixty percent of people retiring before they had planned.- Postponing Social Security allows it to compound yearly resulting in a higher monthly benefit.- Download our FREE helpful resource, “Will Your Money Last as Long as You Do?”  Securities and advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals of Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC and a registered investment advisor. Vineyard Financial and MAS are not affiliated entities.

Dana and Brad are joined by insurance professional, Josh Paulson of Paulson Insurance, to discuss different coverage types and how to stay protected.Takeaways:Inflation has impacted many insurance companies. You should be checking your policies to make sure no changes have been made.Certain collectibles may not be covered by your insurance and may require a separate appraisal and additional coverage.Download our FREE helpful resource, “Inflation and Your Retirement”  Securities and advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals of Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC and a registered investment advisor. Vineyard Financial and MAS are not affiliated entities.

Dana and Brad discuss insurance expenses in retirement as well as ways a retirement planner can help you.Takeaways: If you want to retire early, building a retirement plan can potentially help you save on insurance costs until you can get on Medicare.A retirement planner can help you optimize your Social Security, Taxes, and so much more. Download our FREE helpful resource, “The Value of an Objective Opinion”  Securities and advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals of Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC and a registered investment advisor. Vineyard Financial and MAS are not affiliated entities.

Dana and Brad discuss how to protect yourself from investment institution mistakes as well as preparing your children financially.Takeaways:Financial institutions can make mistakes; it’s important to keep track of your financial accounts to hold them accountable.Only 22% of parents are confident they can teach their children the basics of investing. Download our FREE helpful resource, “The Greatest Gift: Outline Your Wishes With an Estate Plan”  Securities and advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals of Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC and a registered investment advisor. Vineyard Financial and MAS are not affiliated entities.

Dana and Brad discuss maintaining your standard of living in retirementTakeaways:It’s important to update your retirement plan yearly to account for changes in your life.Download our FREE helpful resource, “Will Your Money Last as Long as You Do in Retirement?” Securities and advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals of Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC and a registered investment advisor. Vineyard Financial and MAS are not affiliated entities.

Dana and Brad discuss how the election can affect retirement plans.Takeaways:Historically elections have less of an effect on the market than the economy. The market has done good, and bad, under both political parties.Download our FREE helpful resource, “The Value of an Objective Opinion”  Securities and advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals of Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC and a registered investment advisor. Vineyard Financial and MAS are not affiliated entities.

Dana and Brad welcome guest Randy Kemp, a long-time radio show listener, to discuss his thoughts on retirement.Takeaways:The number one cost in your lifetime will be retirement. Don’t be afraid to spend when retired. You saved that money to live, not just survive.Download our FREE helpful resource, “Your Retirement Income Planning Checklist”  There is no compensation exchanged between Randy Kemp and Vineyard Financial. Randy Kemp, Vineyard Financial, and MAS are not affiliated entities. Securities and advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals of Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC and a registered investment advisor. Vineyard Financial and MAS are not affiliated entities.

Dana and Brad discuss the current real estate market as well as the importance of tax diversification.Takeaways:A house is only worth what someone in the market is willing to pay for it.When the 2017 Tax Cut Act sunsets at the end of 2025 taxes will revert to their previous rates.With the prospect of taxes raising in the future, tax diversification is even more important to your retirement plan.Download our FREE helpful resource, “Are You Paying Too Much in Taxes in Retirement?”  Our firm does not offer tax or legal advice. Contact your tax or legal advisor regarding your situation. Securities and advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals of Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC and a registered investment advisor. Vineyard Financial and MAS are not affiliated entities.

Dana and Brad discuss how longer life expectancy affects retirement plans.Takeaways:If you are 65 and married there’s about an 80% chance one of you will live to your nineties.You must earn at least 40 credits to be eligible for Social Security. Download our FREE helpful resource, “Will Your Money Last as Long as You Do?”  Securities and advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals of Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC and a registered investment advisor. Vineyard Financial and MAS are not affiliated entities.

Dana and Brad discuss the intricacies of estate planning as well as the cost of moving to a retirement community.Takeaways:Without a will, half of your assets go to your surviving spouse, while the other half is divided among your children.62% of millennials don’t have a will in place.The average cost of homeowner’s insurance in Florida is 37% higher than the national average.Download our FREE helpful resource, “The Greatest Gift: Outline Your Wishes with an Estate Plan”.Our firm does not offer tax or legal advice. Contact your tax or legal advisor regarding your situation. Securities and advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals of Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC and a registered investment advisor. Vineyard Financial and MAS are not affiliated entities.

Dana and Brad discuss the alternative investment vehicle, real estate, as well as unexpected expenses in retirement.Takeaways: - In 2022, 10% of U.S. individuals over the age of 65 earned some form of income from a rental property.-You never know how exposed your assets are until the market crashes.- Download our FREE helpful resource, “Inflation & Your Retirement” Our firm is not licensed to buy or sell real estate properties.

Dana and Brad discuss the beginning steps of building a retirement plan Takeaways: - We have renamed our first meeting to “Living Your Dream” meeting because that is the goal of building a retirement plan with Vineyard Financial. - If you are ready to take the first steps toward building a retirement plan, feel free to call us at 812-474-6200. - Download our FREE helpful resource, “Your Retirement Income Planning Checklist”

Dana and Brad discuss living expenses in different U.S. states as well as different retirement age milestones. Takeaways: - On average, West Virginia is the cheapest state to live. - You can defer Social Security to age 70, but anything after that no longer provides an added benefit. - Download our FREE helpful resource, “Will Your Money Last as Long as You Do?” Our firm is not endorsed by or affiliated with any government agency

Dana and Brad discuss the shift from doing what you HAVE to do, to doing what you WANT to do. Takeaways: - It can be helpful to write down your dreams so you can start working towards making them a reality. - Taking Social Security at the wrong time can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars in your lifetime - Download our FREE helpful resource, “The Social Security Decisions” Our firm is not endorsed by or affiliated with any government agency

Dana and Brad discuss the importance of a mid-year check-up for your retirement plan as well retirement planning tips. Takeaways: - Brad recently finished writing his first book, if you are interested in receiving a complimentary copy you can call our office at 812-474-6200. - Not only is it important to have an estate plan, but you need to update it whenever there are any substantial changes to your current situation. - Download our FREE helpful resource, “The Greatest Gift: Outline Your Wishes with an Estate Plan” Our firm does not offer tax or legal advice. Consult your tax or legal advisor regarding your situation.

Dana and Brad discuss the importance of having an estate plan. Takeaways: - Social Security is projected to only pay $0.78 to the $1.00 by 2035. - A trust can allow a third-party to help take the emotion out of money decisions between family members. - Download our FREE helpful resource, “The Greatest Gift: Outline Your Wishes with an Estate Plan” Our firm does not offer tax or legal advice. Consult your tax or legal advisor regarding your situation.

Dana and Brad are joined by Cole Craven of Move Health Partners to discuss Medicare. Takeaways: - If you are under 65 and don’t get health insurance through a job, there are ways to get subsidies from the government to help pay for coverage. - Move Health Partners helps you navigate the confusing landscape of signing up for Medicare. - Download our FREE helpful resource, “The Value of an Objective Opinion” Cole Craven of Move Health Partners is not affiliated with Vineyard Financial or MAS. There is no compensation exchanged between Brad Ford and Cole Craven.

Dana and Brad discuss Social Security as well as building a sustainable retirement plan. Takeaways: - The optimal time to take Social Security is different for every individual. - If you are worried about when you can retire, it would be beneficial to reach out to a retirement planner to help ease your worries. - Download our FREE helpful resource, “The Value of an Objective Opinion” Our firm does not offer tax or legal advice. Consult your tax or legal advisor regarding your situation. Our firm is not endorsed by or affiliated with any government agency.

Dana and Brad discuss medical insurance as well as alternative retirement living. Takeaways: - It’s better to have Long-Term Care insurance and not need it than to need it and not happen. You never know what could happen. - On average, over 90,000 hours are spent accumulating funds for retirement. - Download our FREE helpful resource, “The Value of an Objective Opinion” Our firm does not offer tax or legal advice. Consult your tax or legal advisor regarding your situation. Our firm is not endorsed by or affiliated with any government agency.

Dana and Brad discuss ways to reduce your taxes. Takeaways: - If you are over 70.5 you can donate from your IRA to a charity and not pay taxes because it will satisfy your RMD requirement. - Many companies have started offering a Roth option for their employee plans. This may be worth looking into depending on your situation. - Download our FREE helpful resource, “Are You Paying Too Much in Taxes in Retirement” Our firm does not offer tax or legal advice. Consult your tax or legal advisor regarding your situation. Our firm is not endorsed by or affiliated with any government agency.

Dana and Brad discuss student loan debt as well as vacation planning. Takeaways: - When paying off debts, invest any excess that you can so you are still growing your assets. - A 529 Account can be used as a college fund while also being a tax write off. - Download our FREE helpful resource, “The Value of an Objective Opinion” Our firm does not offer tax or legal advice. Consult your tax or legal advisor regarding your situation. Our firm is not endorsed by or affiliated with any government agency.

Dana and Brad discuss home insurance as well as answer listener questions. Takeaways: - It’s important to read over your entire insurance policy on your home to ensure you have the correct amount of coverage for all you own. - If you are widowed you have the opportunity to take Social Security earlier than 62. - Download our FREE helpful resource, “The Social Security Decisions” Our firm does not offer tax or legal advice. Consult your tax or legal advisor regarding your situation. Our firm is not endorsed by or affiliated with any government agency.

Dana and Brad discuss the current state of retirement savings. Takeaways: - A study by Goldman-Sachs found that due to competing spending employee retirement savings are down on average 37%. - 21% of people reported that they had to delay their retirement by 4 or more years. - Download our FREE helpful resource, “Inflation & Your Retirement” Our firm does not offer tax or legal advice. Consult your tax or legal advisor regarding your situation. Our firm is not endorsed by or affiliated with any government agency.

Dana and Brad discuss the expenses of moving as well as potential tax implications. Takeaways: - Moving is a fresh start and it’s important to have a plan for what you will do with the proceeds from selling your house to make sure they are protected. - Many people hide things, whether that be documents or money. It’s important to let at least one person you trust know where that stuff is in case of emergency. - Download our FREE helpful resource, “Are You Paying Too Much in Taxes in Retirement?” Our firm does not offer tax or legal advice. Consult your tax or legal advisor regarding your situation. Our firm is not endorsed by or affiliated with any government agency.

Dana and Brad discuss cleaning up your financials and making sure you know where everything is. They also answer listener questions. Takeaways: - If you have a junk drawer at home full of old retirement documents it may be a good idea to scan them to save digitally in one place. - If you plan to move when retiring it may be worth it to rent for a few months to make sure the new area meets all of your needs. - Download our FREE helpful resource, “Designing Your Fiscal House” Our firm does not offer tax or legal advice. Consult your tax or legal advisor regarding your situation. Our firm is not endorsed by or affiliated with any government agency.

Dana and Brad welcome CPA, Michele Bennett, to discuss the benefits of tax planning for individuals as well as business owners. Takeaways: - Tax planning can help minimize taxes by looking ahead and calculating when may be the best time to make big decisions. - Meeting with a tax planner quarterly could save you thousands if you are self-employed or are an independent contractor - Download our FREE helpful resource, “The Value of an Objective Opinion” Vineyard Financial, Michele Bennett, CPA, and MAS are not affiliated entities. There is no compensation exchanged between Vineyard Financial and Michele Bennett, CPA. Our firm does not offer tax or legal advice. Consult your tax or legal advisor regarding your situation. Our firm is not endorsed by or affiliated with any government agency.

Dana and Brad discuss the national debt and how it may affect you. Takeaways: - If you are worried about taxes going up in the future now is the time to develop your tax plan. - Spending tends to go up in retirement since you have so much more time on your hands. - Download our FREE helpful resource, “Inflation and Your Retirement” Our firm does not offer tax or legal advice. Consult your tax or legal advisor regarding your situation. Our firm is not endorsed by or affiliated with any government agency.