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  • The Widow Penalty in Social Security Explained

    The Widow Penalty in Social Security Explained
    2026/06/05
    In this episode of Retirement Planning with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna dig into a little-known Social Security rule called the widow's penalty. They explain how a surviving spouse's combined benefit can be significantly reduced if they claim early, and why the timing of a survivor benefit claim matters more than most retirees realize. Using a concrete example of a 62-year-old widow, they walk through the numbers: how a $1,500 monthly benefit drops to $1,050 if claimed early, and how waiting until full retirement age preserves the full amount. They also discuss strategies like filing a restricted application for spousal benefits first, then switching to survivor benefits later. The episode covers the Government Pension Offset and how it can reduce survivor benefits for those with non-covered pensions. A must-listen for couples planning their claiming strategy or anyone who wants to avoid leaving thousands of dollars on the table. #SocialSecurity #WidowPenalty #SurvivorBenefits #RetirementPlanning #SpousalBenefits #ClaimingStrategy #GovernmentPensionOffset #WEP #GPO #FinancialPlanning #RetirementIncome #FullRetirementAge #RestrictedApplication #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Finance #PersonalFinance #Retirement Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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    10 分
  • The Three-Bucket Retirement Withdrawal Strategy Explained

    The Three-Bucket Retirement Withdrawal Strategy Explained
    2026/06/05
    Episode 32 of Retirement Planning with Fexingo breaks down the three-bucket withdrawal strategy—a systematic approach to sequencing your retirement income from taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free accounts. Lucas and Luna walk through a concrete example: a retiree with $600,000 in a 401k, $200,000 in a Roth IRA, and $100,000 in a taxable brokerage account, withdrawing $40,000 per year. They explain how withdrawing from the right bucket each year can reduce your lifetime tax bill by tens of thousands of dollars, mitigate sequence-of-returns risk, and keep your Medicare premiums lower. The episode also covers the 'cash wedge' technique and how to refill buckets during bull markets. No fluff—just a practical framework you can apply to your own retirement plan. #RetirementPlanning #ThreeBucketStrategy #WithdrawalStrategy #TaxEfficientWithdrawal #SequenceOfReturnsRisk #CashWedge #RothIRA #TraditionalIRA #TaxableAccount #MedicareSurcharge #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Finance #PersonalFinance #RetirementIncome #BucketStrategy #TaxPlanning #BucketsOfMoney Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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    8 分
  • The 401k Early Withdrawal Penalty Exception You Need to Know

    The 401k Early Withdrawal Penalty Exception You Need to Know
    2026/06/04
    Most people assume tapping your 401k before 59½ triggers a 10% penalty. But there's a little-known exception called the Rule of 55 that lets you access funds penalty-free if you leave your job in the year you turn 55. In this episode, Lucas and Luna break down who qualifies, how it works with multiple employers, and a real-world example of a 52-year-old who accidentally triggered it. They also cover the substantially equal periodic payments (SEPP) option as a fallback. If you're planning an early retirement or a mid-career job change, this episode is essential listening. #401k #EarlyWithdrawal #RuleOf55 #SEPP #RetirementPlanning #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #LucasAndLuna #EarlyRetirement #PenaltyException #RetirementSavings #IRA #TaxStrategy #JobChange #FinancialPlanning #WealthManagement #Podcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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    8 分
  • How Inflation Indexing Affects Your Retirement Savings

    How Inflation Indexing Affects Your Retirement Savings
    2026/06/04
    Episode 30 of Retirement Planning with Fexingo dives into inflation indexing and how it quietly shapes your 401k and IRA growth. Lucas and Luna break down the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment for contribution limits, the real impact of 3.2% annual inflation on a $500,000 nest egg over 20 years, and why ignoring indexing could leave you short by six figures. They also discuss how Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) and I Bonds work as hedges, and whether Roth accounts offer any inflation protection. A must-listen for anyone saving for retirement in today's rising-cost environment. #RetirementPlanning #Inflation #401k #IRA #CostOfLivingAdjustment #TIPS #IBonds #RothIRA #CompoundInterest #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #RetirementSavings #InflationHedge #ContributionLimits #RealReturn #PurchasingPower #FinancialPlanning Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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    10 分
  • Should You Convert Your 401k Into a Roth IRA Before Retirement

    Should You Convert Your 401k Into a Roth IRA Before Retirement
    2026/06/03
    In this episode, Lucas and Luna break down the Roth IRA conversion strategy for pre-retirees with large traditional 401k balances. They explain the tax implications, the ideal timing to minimize tax brackets, and how this move can reduce future Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). Using a concrete example of a 58-year-old with $800,000 in a 401k, they walk through the math of converting $50,000 per year at a 22% marginal rate vs. waiting until age 72 when RMDs could push them into higher brackets. The hosts also discuss the Medicare IRMAA surcharge trap and state tax considerations, and offer a practical rule of thumb: convert up to the top of your current bracket if you expect higher income in retirement. This episode covers a specific strategy often overlooked by those nearing retirement, providing actionable insights for listeners considering proactive Roth conversions. #RothIRA #401k #RetirementPlanning #RothConversion #TaxStrategy #RMDs #RequiredMinimumDistributions #TaxBracket #IRMAA #Medicare #PreRetirement #FinancialPlanning #Fidelity #Vanguard #WealthManagement #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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    7 分
  • The Social Security Earnings Test Trap for Early Claimers

    The Social Security Earnings Test Trap for Early Claimers
    2026/06/02
    Episode 26 of Retirement Planning with Fexingo. Lucas and Luna dissect the Social Security earnings test — the rule that reduces benefits if you claim before full retirement age and still work. They walk through a concrete example: a 63-year-old earning $60,000 who claims early, triggering a $1-for-$2 benefit reduction on earnings above the annual limit. They explain how benefits are recalculated later, why many retirees fear the test unnecessarily, and the specific income thresholds for 2026. The episode includes a listener donation segment. No prior episode covered this specific rule's mechanics and behavioral impact. #SocialSecurity #EarningsTest #EarlyRetirement #FullRetirementAge #BenefitReduction #RetirementPlanning #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #RetirementIncome #ClaimingStrategy #SocialSecurityAdministration #WorkAndBenefits #TaxPlanning #RetirementTips #FinancialLiteracy #SocialSecurityBenefits #Retirees Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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    12 分
  • The Roth Conversion Ladder Strategy Explained for Early Retirees

    The Roth Conversion Ladder Strategy Explained for Early Retirees
    2026/06/01
    In this episode of Retirement Planning with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna break down the Roth conversion ladder — a strategy that lets early retirees access their 401k funds before age 59 1/2 without paying the 10 percent early-withdrawal penalty. They walk through a concrete example: someone retiring at age 45 with a $500,000 traditional 401k balance, converting $40,000 per year to a Roth IRA, and using the five-year waiting period to create a tax-free income pipeline. The hosts discuss the tax implications, the risk of higher future tax brackets, and how to avoid the 'conversion tax trap' where a large conversion pushes you into a higher bracket. They also touch on Medicare premium surcharges (IRMAA) and the importance of having some taxable savings to cover living expenses during the five-year gap. If you are planning to retire early or considering a financial independence (FIRE) path, this episode provides a step-by-step guide to the Roth ladder and its pitfalls. No fluff, just the numbers. #RothConversionLadder #EarlyRetirement #FIRE #401k #RothIRA #TaxStrategy #RetirementPlanning #PenaltyFreeWithdrawal #FiveYearRule #IRMAA #TaxBracketArbitrage #FinancialIndependence #RetireEarly #InvestmentStrategy #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #RetirementTips Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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    14 分
  • How Required Minimum Distributions Can Clobber Your Heirs

    How Required Minimum Distributions Can Clobber Your Heirs
    2026/06/01
    Episode 24 of Retirement Planning with Fexingo dives into the often-overlooked tax bomb that inherited retirement accounts can trigger for your beneficiaries. Lucas and Luna break down the SECURE Act’s 10-year rule, the difference between designated and non-designated beneficiaries, and why a charity can be a smarter beneficiary than a child in high tax brackets. They walk through a concrete example of a $500,000 inherited IRA and how it can push an adult child into the 37% bracket. Plus, they discuss stretch IRAs for spouses and how the SECURE 2.0 Act tweaked the rules for surviving spouses. This episode is essential listening for anyone who wants to ensure their heirs keep more of what they inherit, not hand it to the IRS. #RetirementPlanning #InheritedIRA #RequiredMinimumDistributions #SECUREAct #IRAInheritance #TaxPlanning #EstatePlanning #BeneficiaryDesignation #StretchIRA #RMDs #Finance #PersonalFinance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Retirement #Heirs #TaxBomb #WealthTransfer Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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    8 分