PhD Economist Michael Finke on Retirement Income

Most retirees focus exclusively on their investment accounts—the 401(k)s, IRAs, and brokerage accounts they've accumulated over decades. But as Brad explains, these "piles of money" can be lost, stolen, depleted in market downturns, or divided in divorce.

Unraveling the complexities of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) and Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) reveals a powerful tax-saving opportunity that many retirees completely miss. Starting with a client's confusion about Medicare eligibility versus RMD requirements, this episode dives deep into the strategic use of charitable giving from IRAs to minimize taxation while supporting causes you care about.

What if your entire retirement plan could collapse as easily as a line of dominoes? In this eye-opening episode, I share a painful personal story from Silver Dollar City that perfectly illustrates how one unexpected event can trigger a devastating financial chain reaction.