Retirement 360

Alan and Troy take a look at when it may be time to change your advisor to one focused on retirement planning, especially when it comes to income and distribution rather than just growth.

Alan and Troy revisit one of the most popular government programs for retirement, Social Security. It's more complicated than it appears on the surface, and the guys take you through the most basic aspects of the program and how you can use it to obtain the most benefits for your situation.

Alan and Ashley Rose Schneider discuss the recent market volatility to open the program, and how having a plan can help mitigate the damage caused by sudden downturns such as what happened this past Monday. Later they revisit the topic of planning for the worst but hoping for the best in retirement.

People are building up larger 401K and IRA amounts recently, as much as a million dollars or more, and the tax implications on amounts such as these can end up being a high number. Alan and Troy discuss how planning for such large retirement accounts can be beneficial, especially when it comes to tax planning and keeping more money in your pocket, not the government's.

Alan and Troy look at the upcoming presidential election and react to comments by Jeff Bush of the Washington Insider about taxes and potential tax planning opportunities people can and should take advantage of now before things can change. They also revisit the five aspects of a solid retirement plan.

Independence Day is coming up for the United States, and Alan and Troy look at the best ways you can provide independence for your retirement plan and the lifestyle you wish to enjoy. They also re-visit the subject of retirement for small business owners and what they can do to make sure their own post-working plans can be successful while transitioning their business to a future generation.

Today Troy and Ashley Schneider take a look at the three stages of retirement commonly referred to as the go-go, slow-go and no-go stages, each lasting roughly ten years, and each with its own particular financial needs. Troy and Ashley look at how your money may need to be allocated in each stage as part of an ongoing financial plan.

You test drive cars - why not "test drive" your retirement? Alan and Troy discuss the idea of trying out the lifestyle you have thought about before you actually retire, especially in regards to relocating, getting an RV, or other different routines. Later they discuss the idea of making marginal gains in your retirement investments, and how even small increases can add up big over time.

Alan and Troy cover one of the most polarizing financial instruments available, the annuity. They look at the various kinds, how they work and how they may fit into a retirement plan to provide guaranteed income for either a set period of time, or a lifetime.

Alan and Troy take a look ahead at upcoming potential tax increases, and how retirees can use tax planning to legally lower the amount of taxes you need to pay if that happens. Later they revisit the three stages of retirement, where retirees will do less activity as their retirement goes along and how their nest egg needs to work in each stage.

Today Alan introduces a new sub-advisor, Ashley Rose Schneider, to the show, and she and Alan discuss why it is important to plan for worst case scenarios so family members will know what their plan encompasses in case something catastrophic does occur.

Alan and Troy start the show by looking at the fast increasing U.S. national debt and how tax rates are virtually certain to go up to help try to pay it off. Later they revisit creating a solid legacy plan as part of the Retirement 360 Game Plan.

The show starts with an introduction to Troy Bolton and his background as a financial planner, then Alan joins him to discuss estate and legacy planning and the kinds of things someone needs to know when adding this to their retirement plan.

Alan and Troy talk about longevity and how it is important to include the possibility of a long lifespan in a retirement plan. They also take a look back at the importance of making your money work for you in all aspects of retirement.

Today Alan and Troy look at what constitutes a solid legacy plan that will make sure your wishes are carried out after you're gone.

A recent survey showed that many people age 55 and older either failed or just barely passed a Social Security quiz. Alan and Troy discuss some of the questions on the quiz and present the right information to help people get the most from these benefits. Later they revisit retirement strategies for small business owners.

When you plan a vacation, you need to get everything in order like passports, tickets and much more. The same thing goes for retirement planning, and today Alan and Troy discuss the things you need to have ready when you want to enjoy retirement life.

Troy's book about the Retirement 360 Game Plan is now one year old, and today Alan and Troy continue their special offer to give a copy away along with the Retirement Took Kit that will help you get started on the process of putting a full Retirement 360 Game Plan together with the help of Mercurio Wealth Advisors.

Medicare is going up again in 2024, and Alan and Troy discuss how to control how you take your income before they affect your taxes, which could relate to Medicare premiums. They also revisit the subject of making marginal retirement gains on a consistent basis to mitigate market volatility.

You have a nice nest egg of retirement savings - but how do you turn that into income, which is what you need first and foremost when you actually retire? Today Alan and Troy take a look of strategies and steps you can take to make sure you have income every month so you can live the lifestyle you want in your post-working years.

Alan and Troy start the show by looking at what they see coming for 2024, then they look at planning for the worst case scenarios in retirement if things go off the rails from your original plan.

Today Troy takes a look at things which are changing that you need to know about for the coming year, including new IRS rules, Social Security adjustments and more. Then Alan joins him to revisit how retirement in real life may differ from what someone might imagine it to be beforehand.

Alan and Troy revisit the top financial news stories of 2023, then look back at legacy planning and how important it could be in your financial plan to make sure what you leave behind goes to who you want it to go to in the most tax efficient way possible.

With a new year about to start, it's a good time to take stock of your financial plan and get out of bad habits which could derail the timing of your potential retirement. Alan and Troy go over some of these, including not having a budget, not paying attention to fees, and several others.

Finances and money have an emotional side that people often have issues with, especially when it comes to retirement planning. Alan and Troy take a look at how behavior can affect how people look at their situation heading into retirement and how a financial professional can help them plan to stay on track and not make emotional decisions that could end up costing them in the long run.

Today Troy looks at some of the top financial news stories of this past year, then he and Alan revisit Social Security and the facts around this program that still constitutes a good portion of most people's retirement income plans.

Today Alan and Troy take another look at a year end checklist of things to get done financially before 2023 turns into 2024. Then they look at the three stages of retirement. commonly referred to as the go-go years, the slow-go years and the no-go years, and how your money needs to be available for certain things in each stage.

Alan discusses a trick banks use by not raising your account's interest rates when they go up. But if you ask them about it, they could get better rates for your account. Later he and Troy visit the challenges women have when putting plans together for their own retirement without a partner.

Sometimes what you imagine retirement will be like isn't what it turns out to be. Alan and Troy take a look at what happens when the reality of retirement clashes with the thought of what you want it to be, and how planning can help with issues that crop up that could change the way you could live your post-working years.

November is long term care awareness month, and people have a tendency not to plan for it because they may not know all their options. Alan and Troy discuss the issue and how it could be more affordable than you think with various programs designed to cover at least some of the costs.

Everyone should have life insurance at some point - but not everyone needs it for retirement purposes. Today Alan and Troy discuss the idea of having life insurance as an instrument to use in a specific way for retirement and legacy planning.

After looking at recent financial news, Alan and Troy take a look back at the facts about Social Security and the ways in which in can be taken to help optimize your benefits that maybe you didn't know you had coming.

Today Alan and Troy go over a list of things to be aware of getting done before 2023 ends, then take a look at legacy planning and how best to respect the wishes of those who have passed to be sure what they leave behind is passed on to those who are supposed to receive it.

Retirement account balances are up, according to recent data. But that means you have more to lose in the event of market volatility. Today Alan and Troy talk about how to plan for that scenario so that you keep more of what you have saved and earned throughout your working career.

Alan and Troy discuss the items necessary for a solid retirement plan and how much it's like planning for a special trip. They also address the local situation involving various businesses potentially buying out employee pensions and how to make the right decision for your particular situation.

September is life insurance month, and it could play an important role in your retirement plan. Alan and Troy discuss how it may fit into a plan in the fight situation, as well as upcoming seminars they will be putting on. Later in the show they revisit the idea of making marginal gains in your retirement investments, and how that is better than taking big losses.

Today Alan and Troy take a look at the unique challenges women face when putting together retirement plans, whether it is as part of a couple or for themselves as a single person.

Alan and Troy break down Social Security and its importance to anyone's retirement income plan, and also address letting a financial professional help determine when the best time to take it would be for your situation. And be listening for a special offer from Mercurio Wealth Advisors for folks to call and get started with a Retirement 360 Scorecard.

If you own a small business, retirement planning could get even more complicated than if you were just an employee. Today Alan and Troy go over options you have with your business and how you can plan for life after owning it.

Aside from the emotional aspect of a spouse passing away, the financial and legacy aspects still need to be addressed. Today Troy, whose own father died when he was three, addresses what needs to happen if a spouse passes away early, and how proper planning can help make this transition go as smoothly as it can under the circumstances.

Alan and Troy look at some current financial news and also provide updates on upcoming seminars. Later they look back at four important questions people should ask themselves before pulling the trigger on retirement.

Today's show takes a look at a recent settlement of the estate of singer Aretha Franklin, who didn't leave a formal will but a jury decided from two handwritten notes which one would act as her final wishes, pitting one of her three sons against the other two. Alan and Troy discuss why legacy planning is important, as well as getting over any trepidations about letting other family members know about your retirement financial plan.

Retiring often means getting rid of a lot of things in order to perhaps move to a smaller living space, or just to declutter because you didn't have time when you were working. Today Alan and Troy talk about downsizing and organizing all the financial statements and accounts you may have and put them together into one written financial plan that can guide you through retirement so your money can work for you however you need it to.

The go-go years, the slow-go years and the no-go years are the common nicknames for the three stages of retirement, each lasting roughly a decade. Alan and Troy look at each of these stages, how people generally hope to live in each and how their money needs to work properly for them in each as well.

The long time host of the popular TV game show Wheel of Fortune, Pat Sajak, recently announced he is retiring. This provides a starting point for a discussion by Alan and Troy about how to plan for a retirement which could last as long as your working career. Later in the show the guys revisit how to put together a five star retirement plan to cover all aspects of post-working life.

Protected income is money coming in outside of Social Security that is guaranteed, and more families are turning to these types of strategies according to a recent study. Alan and Troy discuss the types of financial vehicles that can produce protected income and how they may fit into any individual retirement plan.

Complacency is something many Americans practice, especially when it comes to finances. That is just one of several habits to break according to Alan and Troy, along with so-called lifestyle creep as well as not planning for future taxes. These and other things must be taken into account for anyone's retirement to be successful from a financial standpoint.

It isn't pleasant, but planning for a worst case scenario, such as a major health event or the death of a spouse, is necessary. Alan and Troy talk about how proper planning can cover some of the catastrophic costs associated with things like long term care or other major health care costs.

Alan and Troy go over the debt limit being argued in Congress an d how it could play into short term retirement planning. Later they revisit how to best make your money work for you during your post-career years.

Sometimes just small tweaks can improve a lot of things, including a retirement plan. Today Alan and Troy talk about how making marginal gains in any one area can improve your plan and how an advisor can help make that happen. They also talk plans for summer travel for the coming season.

Alan and Troy discuss issues such as letting lifestyle creep sink in, along with procrastinating and putting off getting a retirement plan put together and others that could put a major crimp into potential retirement desires. They also look back at the upcoming rush of Generation X members coming into retirement and how planning now will help their plans be that much more effective.

Alan and Troy talk about things you need to determine as you begin the planning process, including what an individual or couple want to accomplish in retirement, and then work toward applying the financial goals to help make it happen. Later in the show they look back at risks in retirement planning.

Today Troy and Alan look at recent headlines, including the recent shootings in downtown Louisville. Later they revisit the topic of a retirement checklist and things you need to do to make sure your retirement plan takes care of all your needs.

You may have heard of a five star restaurant, or five star resort. But what is a five star retirement plan? Today Alan goes over the five main pieces that make up a great retirement plan, covering income, taxes, health care and legacy planning and more.

Your retirement savings has to cover a lot of things - rising health care costs, inflation in general, taxes, emergencies, the works. It can be a challenge to make sure it's all taken care of. Today Alan and Troy discuss what you can do in your plan to see that these areas are properly planned for.

After some words on the recent Silicon Valley Bank failure, Alan and Troy take a look at the upcoming groups of retirees - baby boomers in the present day and Gen Xers in the near future - and discuss what each needs to do to be as prepared for retirement as they can be.

Every retiree would like to be able to do this - keep as much income in their own pocket as possible. But it's not that easy with inflation, taxes and other considerations. Today Alan looks at ways in which a solid retirement plan can help you keep more of your own money by being efficient with your expenses.

Today Alan goes over four areas that are not entirely known when someone is getting ready for retirement, such as how long one might live, or the cost of health care - and definitely future market performance. And throw taxes in there and - well, there is a lot to plan for any and all scenarios. Alan goes over how the Retirement 360 Game Plan takes these into consideration when putting a plan together so that it will work no matter what the future holds.

It's not necessarily how much money you have, but how it is implemented in your plan that determines much of its success. Alan and Troy take a look at how money management can help create income and provide for other needs in one's retirement years.

Alan and Troy take a look at three specific areas to watch closely when planning for retirement - income, health care-long term care planning, and taxes. They'll also discuss current headlines and health care trivia.

The current retirement environment is not the same as it was for your parents or grandparents. Today Alan and Troy talk about the changes and newer strategies today's retirees need to put a solid plan together. Troy also goes over upcoming seminar dates in the Louisville area.

Alan and Troy are back to discuss various risks that your retirement plan could be subjected to, including rising taxes, longevity or not being adequately prepared. They also look at some upcoming dates for seminars and their short courses at the University of Louisville's Shelby Campus.

When can I retire? Have I saved enough? Will my money last? Will my loved ones be okay if something happens to me? These are four important questions future retirees ask, and today Alan and Troy address them and how the Retirement 360 Game Plan can help determine the answers for each individual or couple looking at post-working life.

Today Alan and Troy talk about the process they have created to develop a retirement plan that addresses all five main areas - income, growth, health care, protection and estate and legacy planning.

Today Troy takes a look at options you have regarding IRA and 401K accounts, as well as requirements depending on the type of account you may have.

Alan and Troy first go over a checklist you can use to make your final moves with financial issues for 2022, then they tackle the challenges of making your money work and last throughout your retirement years, especially as it concerns longevity and health care.

This show takes another look at the local pension issues that potential retirees need to make timely decisions on. Plus segments on getting to know the backgrounds of both Alan Mercurio and Troy Bolton.

You need the right tools for various things around the house - and you also need the right financial tools for a solid retirement plan. Today Alan and Troy talk about what some of those tools are, including instruments to provide income like Social Security and more. They also discuss their Retirement 360 Game Plan, which puts all the elements together for your specific retirement needs.

Pension plans in the Louisville area may see reduced payout rates come the start of December, and you may have options now that could benefit you. Alan and Troy discuss how the current rate changes affect these plans and what you can do to maximize your benefits. They also look at five important retirement general questions.

In the introductory segment, Alan fills us in on his background in financial services and some of the history of Mercurio Wealth Advisors. Later he and Troy revisit some topics everyone needs to have on their retirement planning checklist.

For years the 60-40 rule was applied to stock portfolios for income, with a mix of 50% stocks and 40% bonds. But in this environment with stocks in bear market territory and bonds falling as interest rates rise, neither one is providing the performance necessary for retirement income. Today Alan and Troy look at how this happened, and make suggestions on how to work around these factors to create an income strategy that fits your budget and your lifestyle.

Planning for taxes, income and health care/long term care are the three hot button topics when it comes to retirement planning. Today Alan and Troy discuss these areas and strategies you can use when putting a retirement plan together to make sure these important areas are covered.

When retirement time comes, it may also be time to get rid of things you have held onto for years that may not serve a purpose, or are no longer needed. Today Alan and Troy discuss this process and how to organize financial records that need to be kept to be sure they are available. It also comes in handy when making a retirement financial plan and also a legacy plan for the things you not only want to keep, but to pass on to the next generation.

Today Mark Elliott takes over as host of the program, and he and Alan take a look at what money can mean in an emotional sense. The show is based on the book The Psychology of Money by noted financial author Morgan Housel.

What does it mean to be financially healthy? Today Alan and Troy go over some things you need to take into consideration during a financial check-up to make sure you are actually ready to retire in terms of your money being able to sustain you through those non-working years.

That's exactly what Alan does in this episode - talks about ways in which tax planning strategies could possibly lower your tax bill in the future, as well as keeping on top of your taxes all year round instead of just at the beginning of the year before filing your return.

For people who own a small business, retirement is a trickier proposition, especially when they are putting extra money back into the business instead of into retirement savings. Today Alan and Troy discuss options available for small business owners, whether it be a savings plan developed specifically for small business or a succession plan to determine what happens to the business when the owner is ready to retire.

Inflation is one of the biggest topics of the year in the financial world, and it is affecting people's retirement plans. Alan and Troy have tips on how inflation can be accounted for in a retirement plan as well as how to save more to be sure funds are there to help cover higher future costs.

There is no way to truly prepare for something as the death of a spouse. But you can take steps to make sure the surviving partner will know where financial information is available. Alan and Troy discuss what those are whether you do or do not have a financial advisor.

First, Troy looks at the summer travel season and how people's plans may have changed due to the economy and inflation right now. Then Alan looks back at how retirement planning is different now than it was even 30 or 40 years ago, and the different savings vehicles and options available to help the money you've saved provide you with what you need for retirement.

Alan and Troy begin by discussing financial headlines for the week, then take a look at three big topics for anyone's retirement planning list - income, taxes and health and long term care.

First, Troy takes a look at financial headlines. Then Alan discusses the tools, or strategies, that can be used in creating a personalized, written retirement plan for the specific needs of any individual or couple.

Troy talks financial headlines as well as gives a final update on the July 14th mid-year outlook event hosted by Mercurio Wealth Advisors. Then Alan discusses the different financial instruments, or tools, that can be used to create your Retirement 360 Game Plan

Today Alan address the coming "Peak 65" when more people will turn age 65 than at any point in U.S. history and what it can mean for those who are planning for retirement. Troy and Alan also address other headlines as well as their State of the Economy seminar on July 14 with two outstanding guest speakers.

In the opening segment Troy looks at some headlines as well as promoting some major events Mercurio Wealth Advisors will host in the coming weeks. Then Alan revisits the subject of retiring in today's changing environment with few pensions and longer lifespans, and how a written income plan can help make your retirement dollars last so they can provide for your retirement lifestyle as long as they need to.

There are a lot of things to know about Social Security - taking it at a random time just because you want to could actually cost you thousands of dollars over your retirement lifetime. Today Alan talks about how you can make the right decisions and get the most of your benefits.

The baby boomer generation is in the midst of its retirement years now, but Gen Xers are not far behind. Today Alan takes a look at what folks in their 40s and 50s - as well as boomers in their 60's - should be doing to get their financial plans ready for their retirement years.

Troy begins the program by talking about his background in financial services and how he became involved with Mercurio Wealth Advisors. Then Alan discusses how retiring in today's financial environment is so much different from just a few years ago, especially in regards to how the reduction in pensions and the rise of 401Ks and other self funded investment instruments have changed how people need to save for retirement to assure the lifestyle they want to have after their working years are over.

The IRS tax code consists of over 70,000 pages - and it changes regularly. And they leave it up to you to make sure the return you send them annually is correct. Today Alan talks taxes and how important it is to not only get things right this year, but also how tax planning for the future can potentially save you hundreds of dollars or more that you can keep instead of sending it to Uncle Sam.

Today Alan looks at some of his favorite things about Kentucky Derby Week, which just concluded at Churchill Downs. Later in the show he revisits the subject of stock market volatility, and what to keep in mind about staying the course with your investments during the economic bumps in the road.

After some weekly headlines Alan looks at how you can give your financial situation a so-called spring cleaning. It's a good time of year to take a look at your situation and statements, and have a discussion with a financial professional about the best way to use them in a solid retirement plan, or to go over your current plan and update anything which needs it, depending on your situation.

Retirement is like a vacation destination - and the same kind of planning is required to make sure the trip goes smoothly. Today Alan discusses the process and steps needed to be sure you have everything you need for that retirement destination you imagine.

After Troy looks at current financial headlines, Alan takes a look at the various challenges women face in retirement, especially given that they are likely to outlive their spouse or partner and still have income needs after they are gone. He outlines some of the strategies and planning that can apply to a woman's unique situation so money will continue to be there for her after her partner has passed.

After Troy looks at financial headlines, we look back at Alan discussing how a solid retirement plan is constructed so your money can provide for not only income, but helps you through inflation, paying taxes, health care and legacy planning.

Troy takes a look at financial headlines, then Alan takes a look at what it takes to comfortably retire in today's inflationary environment, as well as looking at working in retirement - yay or nay.

After Troy Bolton looks at recent financial news, Alan takes a look at estate and legacy planning, and making sure that the kids and estate executors know what the plan is supposed to be so that things will be taken care of as desired.

People get spooked by stock market volatility, but a good retirement plan takes these roller coaster rides into account. Alan takes a look at what planning can do to protect assets that provide income while mitigating the risk concerning the money that is still invested for long term growth.

If you are a small business owner, you may not have considered a retirement plan, or a way to transition the business going forward when it comes time to stop working. Today Alan discusses the many ways that a small business owner can set themselves up for retirement even if they don't have much in the way of actual savings for it.

What is it like to come into a financial planning office? Today Alan takes you through that experience with Mercurio Wealth Advisors, from the moment you first make contact through the process of putting a Game Plan together all the way through implementing that plan once it is agreed upon.