The Clark Howard Podcast 03.11.26 Retirees Returning to Work / Medical Privacy Warning
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Mar 11, 2026 The show explores the rising "unretirement" trend and why many older Americans go back to work out of financial need. It covers career momentum, age discrimination risks, and choosing jobs that preserve pay and benefits. The episode also alerts listeners to privacy risks from direct-to-consumer medical testing and offers a controversial workaround for protecting medical data.
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Quitting Creates A Career Firebreak
- Quitting work creates a 'firebreak' that often prevents returning to the same career trajectory or pay.
- Clark notes age discrimination and lost momentum mean many must accept lower-level jobs or re-enter at a big disadvantage.
Take A Bridge Job For Income And Benefits
- If you must keep working for income or benefits, consider taking a lower-level job that provides steady pay and health coverage until you can reach your target retirement date.
- Clark acknowledges it's not ideal but can bridge the Medicare gap and preserve finances.
Fidelity Zero Funds Are Tax Friendly In Taxable Accounts
- Staying in low-tax-generating index mutual funds like Fidelity Zero is fine in taxable accounts because broad index funds rarely create meaningful annual taxable distributions.
- Clark reassures listeners that Fidelity Zero index funds are tax-friendly despite being mutual funds.