The Retirement and IRA Show

Jim and Chris discuss listener emails on Social Security timing for HSA contributions, investing in a SPIA vs buffered ETFs, and using SEPP 72(t) income to manage ACA credits.(7:00) A listener describes delaying a Social Security filing to avoid Medicare Part A backdating that would have reduced prior-year HSA contributions, while still receiving full retroactive benefits.(28:00) Georgette asks what to do with money originally set aside for a condo purchase, weighing ETFs against buying a single premium immediate annuity (SPIA), given an existing fixed indexed annuity (FIA), and pension income that cover living expenses.(55:45) The guys address whether a SPIA purchased inside a rollover IRA can be used to satisfy SEPP 72(t) rules while keeping income low enough to preserve max ACA credits. The post Social Security, SPIAs, SEPP 72(t): Q&A #2605 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

A deep look at assigning dollars jobs in retirement and why timing shapes portfolio structure. They unpack cash versus cash-like roles and when buffered tools suit near-term needs. Listeners hear how outcome periods and mark-to-market swings can mislead without context. Practical examples show how fees, caps, and disclosures affect cash-like options in distribution-focused planning.

Jim and Chris discuss listener emails on Social Security survivor benefits and the earnings test, share a listener PSA on Social Security timing and IRMAA, then cover ERISA protections for retirement rollovers and a PSA from Greg on lifetime unlimited long-term care policies.(9:45) Georgette asks whether she must still take her husband’s required minimum distributions if he passes during his RMD year and how Social Security survivor benefits work, including whether she should claim a widow’s benefit or wait to take her own.(50:45) A listener asks how the Social Security earnings test applies when someone retires before full retirement age and applies midyear, and how to avoid missing a month of income due to the timing of benefit payments.(55:00) The guys share a PSA about applying for Social Security and receiving benefits within days, which caused an unexpected IRMAA impact.(1:00:35) Jim and Chris discuss whether rolling Roth and pre-tax 401(k) assets into IRAs results in losing ERISA protections, or if separate rollover IRAs are needed to preserve those protections.(1:15:15) Greg, from our office, shares a PSA clarifying that some lifetime unlimited long-term care policies still exist. The post Social Security, ERISA, LTC: Q&A #2604 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

Jacob Vonloh, an investment manager at Jim Saulnier and Associates, joins the discussion to redefine retirement investing. He emphasizes how transitioning from accumulation to distribution requires a shift in mindset. Jacob explains buffered ETFs and their varied characteristics, detailing how they can mimic cash-like behavior with principal protection. He introduces the SEAL reserve framework for managing aging and long-term care expenses, suggesting a tiered approach to savings that adapts as needs change. This conversation is a wealth of insights for retirees.

Listeners dive into the intricacies of Social Security with questions on survivor benefits and divorce rules. A fascinating PSA reveals how online filings can trigger spousal benefit notifications. Discussions also cover HSA contribution limits, specifically for spouses under ACA plans, while exploring the merits of annuities versus Treasury bonds. The hosts clarify the benefits of whole retirement planning and the trade-offs in income potential between annuities and government securities, leaving listeners armed with valuable financial insights.

Dive into the nuances of Roth IRA mistakes, exploring the critical differences between direct and indirect rollovers. Learn why the one-per-365-day limit is essential and discover the potential pitfalls of 401(k) withholding rules. Tune in for insights on the importance of accurate beneficiary designation forms to avoid probate issues. The discussion also covers inherited Roth withdrawals under the SECURE Act, and strategies for leaving Roth accounts to heirs, ensuring tax-free growth.

Listeners dive into the complexities of IRMAA surcharges and discover if they can retroactively file SSA-44 for refunds. There's a fascinating discussion on inherited IRAs, specifically how a surviving spouse can access funds without penalty. The conversation shifts to long-term care insurance, highlighting the common issue of lifetime benefit caps. Finally, the hosts clarify how long-term capital gains impact eligibility for ACA tax credits, shedding light on important tax nuances.

Explore common Roth IRA mistakes that could trip you up. Learn why earned income is crucial for contributions and how certain types of income don’t qualify. Discover the implications of MAGI limits and how late bonuses can complicate your contributions. Understand the risks of excess contributions across multiple accounts and the penalties involved. Delve into the two-prong test for tax-free earnings withdrawals, including the five-year rule and various exceptions. Unlock the secrets behind correcting mistakes before the October 15 deadline to avoid unnecessary fees!

Jim and Chris discuss listener emails on Social Security claiming strategies, deemed military wages, and survivor benefits timing, a PSA from Jim and Chris on their New Year’s resolution, and QLAC use for inherited IRAs. (11:00) A listener asks whether a spouse who will be collecting spousal benefits should ever delay claiming past full retirement age and also asks for retirement drawdown calculator recommendations. (24:30) George asks how veterans can verify that deemed military wages were credited correctly to their Social Security earnings record. (36:00) The guys address whether a surviving spouse can keep both Social Security checks after a spouse dies after being given conflicting answers from the Social Security Administration. (45:00) Jim and Chris share a PSA on their New Year’s resolution relating to estate planning. (1:02:45) A listener asks whether an inherited IRA can be used to purchase a QLAC with payments starting at age 84. The post Social Security, Deemed Military Wages, Estate Planning, QLACs: Q&A #2601 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

Chris’s SummaryJim and I review new MYGA variations and examine how insurers and product developers are marketing hybrid annuity designs using MYGA language. We walk through four examples from an April 2025 article—“Lockdown,” “Minimum Accumulation Guarantee,” “Extra Extra,” and the “End-of-Term Equity Kicker”—and explain why these products, despite being labeled as MYGAs, rely on index-linked features and do not behave like traditional MYGAs. Jim’s “Pithy” SummaryChris and I spend this episode talking through an article from earlier this year that highlights where the annuity industry seems to be headed. While not all good or all bad it centers on something I don’t think needed fixing in the first place. A MYGA is simple. It’s predictable. It’s easy for people to understand. It looks a lot like a CD (minus the FDIC protection, of course) issued by an insurance company, with a guaranteed rate for a defined period of time. That simplicity is exactly why we use MYGAs in our retirement plans for principal protection to cover near-term spending, including the delay period Minimum Dignity Floor and early Go-Go spending. What the article describes are four designs that are being positioned under the MYGA label, even though they introduce index-linked elements that change how the product behaves. The names alone tell you this is marketing at work. “Lockdown,” “Minimum Accumulation Guarantee,” “Extra Extra,” and the “End-of-Term Equity Kicker” are all attempts to add features that sound appealing while keeping the comfort of the MYGA name. In reality, these designs are borrowing from the fixed indexed annuity world and layering those ideas onto something that was not originally intended to work that way. But I’m not at all surprised that the insurance industry couldn’t leave well enough alone and took something simple and practical and complicated it with these new MYGA variations. The post New MYGA Variations: EDU #2553 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.