Saving into Roth instead of traditional accounts to bring down required minimum distributions in retirement, and whether retiring early is in the cards: that's today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast 579 with Joe Anderson, CFP®, and Big Al Clopine, CPA. Brian in New York and "Todd and Margo" in Utah each have over $3 million in their pre-tax accounts. What should their Roth conversion strategies look like, and can Todd retire this year? But first up, should "Captain Morgan" go Roth to avoid RMDs and can he retire in a couple of years? Should "Klo Jopine" contribute to Roth instead of traditional if his income will always remain the same? Finally, Kyle and Katie have high incomes and need a spitball on how they can avoid future RMDs. Ya think Roth conversions might be in their future? We'll find out.

Free Financial Resources in This Episode:

https://bit.ly/ymyw-579 (full show notes & episode transcript)

LIMITED TIME SPECIAL OFFER: THE DIY RETIREMENT GUIDE - download before the Special Offer changes on Friday, May 1, 2026!

https://purefinancial.com/ymyw/?utm_source=libsyn&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=whitepaper-diy-retirement-guide&utm_content=ymyw-pod-ep579-description-whitepaper#specialoffer

Financial Advisors Expose Internet's Worst Retirement Strategies! - YMYW TV:

https://purefinancial.com/ymyw/episodes/financial-advisors-expose-internets-worst-retirement-strategies/?utm_source=libsyn&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ymyw-tv&utm_content=ymyw-pod-ep579-description-tv-s11e11

Financial Blueprint (self-guided):

https://bit.ly/PureFinancialBlueprint

Financial Assessment (Meet with an experienced professional):

https://bit.ly/PureFreeAssessment

REQUEST your Retirement Spitball Analysis:

https://bit.ly/AskJoeAndAl

DOWNLOAD more free guides:

https://bit.ly/PureGuides

READ financial blogs:

https://bit.ly/PureFinBlog

WATCH educational videos:

https://bit.ly/PureEdVideos

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Leave your honest reviews and ratings in Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-money-your-wealth/id312900254

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast 00:58 - Should I Go Roth to Avoid RMDs and Retire at 51? (Captain Morgan, CA) 11:33 - Roth vs Traditional for Flat Income Earners? (Klo Jopine, TN) 22:53 - Big Roth Conversions to Tame a $3.5M 403(b)? (Brian, NY) 27:36 - Can I Retire in 2026 and Spend $200K/yr? (Todd 54 & Margo, UT) 34:53 - How High Income Earners Can Reduce Future RMDs (Kyle & Katie, Midwest) 44:37 - Outro: Next Week on the YMYW Podcast

"Chase and Ryder" are 56 and 55 with $5 million saved and huge pensions the day they retire. So why are they so nervous about pulling the trigger? That's today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 578 with Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA. "Andy and April" are 46 with $2.4 million saved and 10 years until they want to retire. Can they get there, and do they need a trust? "Burt and Sally" are in their late forties with solid pensions and a retirement dream, but is the math close enough to make it work? Finally, does "Dolly" have any options for squeezing more out of Social Security when she and her spouse have identical benefits? She's inheriting a brokerage account too, and wonders about the asset mix.

Free Financial Resources in This Episode:

https://bit.ly/ymyw-578 (full show notes & episode transcript)

Withdrawal Strategy Guide - free download:

https://purefinancial.com/white-papers/withdrawal-strategy-guide/?utm_source=libsyn&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=whitepaper-withdrawal-strategy-guide&utm_content=ymyw-pod-ep578-description-whitepaper

Retirement Spending: How Much is Too Much? - YMYW TV:

https://purefinancial.com/ymyw/episodes/retirement-spending-how-much-is-too-much/?utm_source=libsyn&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ymyw-tv&utm_content=ymyw-pod-ep578-description-tv-s12e02

Financial Blueprint (self-guided):

https://bit.ly/PureFinancialBlueprint

Financial Assessment (Meet with an experienced professional):

https://bit.ly/PureFreeAssessment

REQUEST your Retirement Spitball Analysis:

https://bit.ly/AskJoeAndAl

DOWNLOAD more free guides:

https://bit.ly/PureGuides

READ financial blogs:

https://bit.ly/PureFinBlog

WATCH educational videos:

https://bit.ly/PureEdVideos

SUBSCRIBE to the YMYW Newsletter:

https://bit.ly/YMYWNewsletter

Connect With Us:

Subscribe on YouTube and join the conversation in the comments:

https://bit.ly/YMYW-YT

Subscribe or follow YMYW in your favorite podcast app:

https://lnk.to/ymyw

Leave your honest reviews and ratings in Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-money-your-wealth/id312900254

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast

00:58 - $5.5M, Big Pensions: Safe to Retire at 57? (Chase & Ryder, San Diego)

10:39 - We're 46. Can We Retire in 10 Years? Do We Need a Trust? (Andy & April, CA)

21:28 - Can We Retire in 2027 With a Pension + $655K? (Burt & Sally, Nonesuch, KY)

34:19 - How to Max Social Security with No Spousal Benefit? (Dolly, TN)

41:41 - Outro: Next Week on the YMYW Podcast

Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitball on whether a popular early retirement strategy could actually blow up your financial plan, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 577. Red and Kitty from Wisconsin are burned out at 40 and wonder if retiring at 45 using the 72(t) tax election to take substantially equal periodic payments, or SEPP, is a smart bridge strategy. Jiminy Billy Bob in North Carolina is also considering a 72(t). How should he structure his withdrawal order, and does he need to shift into bonds before downshifting his career? Plus, Steve and Sharon in Minnesota have 8 million bucks. Steve is getting laid off at age 56. What should they do with their 401(k), stock options, incentives, and benefits before and after the layoff?

Free Financial Resources in This Episode:

https://bit.ly/ymyw-577 (full show notes & episode transcript)

Recession Protection Guide - free download

Retirement Readiness Guide - free download

6 Ways Americans Accidentally Sabotage Their Retirement - YMYW TV

Financial Blueprint (self-guided):

https://bit.ly/PureFinancialBlueprint

Financial Assessment (Meet with an experienced professional):

https://bit.ly/PureFreeAssessment

REQUEST your Retirement Spitball Analysis:

https://bit.ly/AskJoeAndAl

DOWNLOAD more free guides:

https://bit.ly/PureGuides

READ financial blogs:

https://bit.ly/PureFinBlog

WATCH educational videos:

https://bit.ly/PureEdVideos

SUBSCRIBE to the YMYW Newsletter:

https://bit.ly/YMYWNewsletter

Connect With Us:

Subscribe on YouTube and join the conversation in the comments:

https://bit.ly/YMYW-YT

Subscribe or follow YMYW in your favorite podcast app:

https://lnk.to/ymyw

Leave your honest reviews and ratings in Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-money-your-wealth/id312900254

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro: This week on the YMYW Podcast

01:06 - Why Retiring at 45 Using 72(t) SEPP Withdrawals is Risky (Red & Kitty, WI)

13:28 - Early Retirement Strategy: Withdrawal Order, Bonds, and 72(t) (Jiminy Billy Bob, NC)

22:49 - Laid Off at 56 With $7.9M: How to Handle Your Exit Strategy (Steve & Sharon, St. Paul, MN)

43:51 - Outro: Next Week on the YMYW Podcast

Are Roth conversions worth it? We'll find out, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 576. TJ in PA is gonna have huge capital gains. Joe and Big Al spitball on whether it's worth it for him to convert. Rebels Without a Gauze in New England are over 70. Is it too late for them to convert? How much should Biking Barnsey convert from his tax-deferred accounts to Roth each year, and are there any single ladies in the YMYW audience that would like to help him spend his retirement money? Finally, the fellas spitball on whether Zisi and his wife are being too aggressive with their conversion strategy.

Free Financial Resources in This Episode:

https://bit.ly/ymyw-576 (full show notes & episode transcript)

Complete Roth Papers Package - free download:

https://purefinancial.com/white-papers/the-complete-roth-papers-package/?utm_source=libsyn&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=whitepaper-the-complete-roth-papers-package&utm_content=ymyw-pod-ep576-description-whitepaper

Financial Assessment (Meet with an experienced professional):

https://bit.ly/PureFreeAssessment

Financial Blueprint (self-guided):

https://bit.ly/PureFinancialBlueprint

REQUEST your Retirement Spitball Analysis:

https://bit.ly/AskJoeAndAl

DOWNLOAD more free guides:

https://bit.ly/PureGuides

READ financial blogs:

https://bit.ly/PureFinBlog

WATCH educational videos:

https://bit.ly/PureEdVideos

SUBSCRIBE to the YMYW Newsletter:

https://bit.ly/YMYWNewsletter

Connect With Us:

Subscribe on YouTube and join the conversation in the comments:

https://bit.ly/YMYW-YT

Subscribe or follow YMYW in your favorite podcast app:

https://lnk.to/ymyw

Leave your honest reviews and ratings in Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-money-your-wealth/id312900254

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast 00:55 - We Have Over $7M. Capital Gains are Huge. Are Roth Conversions Worth It? (TJ in PA) 12:37 - Too Late for Roth Conversions at Age 70+? (Rebels Without a Gauze, CT) 23:19 - Am I Spending Too Much or Not Enough in Retirement? How Much Should I Convert? (Biking Barnsey, Arkansas) 33:37 - We have $18M. Are We Doing Too Many Roth Conversions Before Age 75? (Zisi) 41:14 - Outro: Next Week on the YMYW Podcast 42:16 - The Derails: Big Al's New Jacket

Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitball on how to build your own retirement AND support your kids financially, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 575. "Lloyd and Diane" in Montgomery County are 50 with $8.4 million. Can they retire early and still be generous with their kids? E and T in Missouri are 34 and 31 with $255K, and hopefully some big inheritances in the future. Can they fund the kids' college, and help them buy their first homes, AND retire early? Kent in Kansas City is 73 with 12 million bucks and $2 million in life insurance. Do Joe and Big Al back up his plan to buy an annuity, gift money to his kids now, and still spend freely in retirement, Die With Zero style? Finally, should John in the San Francisco Bay Area sell the family home and move to Nevada, or hold the house for his autistic daughters to inherit later?

Free Financial Resources in This Episode:

https://bit.ly/ymyw-575 (full show notes & episode transcript)

Estate Plan Organizer - free download:

https://purefinancial.com/white-papers/estate-plan-organizer/?utm_source=LibsynDestinations&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=YMYW-575

Retirement Readiness Guide - free download:

https://purefinancial.com/white-papers/retirement-readiness-guide/?utm_source=LibsynDestinations&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=YMYW-575

Four Hard Truths About Retirement You Need to Face - YMYW TV:

https://purefinancial.com/ymyw/episodes/4-hard-retirement-truths-about-retirement-you-need-to-face/?utm_source=LibsynDestinations&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=YMYW-575

Financial Blueprint (self-guided):

https://bit.ly/PureFinancialBlueprint

Financial Assessment (Meet with an experienced professional):

https://bit.ly/PureFreeAssessment

REQUEST your Retirement Spitball Analysis:

https://bit.ly/AskJoeAndAl

DOWNLOAD more free guides:

https://bit.ly/PureGuides

READ financial blogs:

https://bit.ly/PureFinBlog

WATCH educational videos:

https://bit.ly/PureEdVideos

SUBSCRIBE to the YMYW Newsletter:

https://bit.ly/YMYWNewsletter

Connect With Us:

Subscribe on YouTube and join the conversation in the comments:

https://bit.ly/YMYW-YT

Subscribe or follow YMYW in your favorite podcast app:

https://lnk.to/ymyw

Leave your honest reviews and ratings in Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-money-your-wealth/id312900254

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast

01:10 - 50 with $8.4M. Can We Retire Early and Still Give to Our Kids? (Lloyd Dobler and Diane, Montgomery County, MD)

11:41 - Die With Zero: Spend My $12M or Buy an Annuity? (Kent, 73 & 70, Kansas City)

25:08 - Can We Afford Kids' College AND Houses AND Our Own Early Retirement? (E & T, 34 & 31, Missouri)

34:17 - Should We Move to Save Money or Keep the House for Our Autistic Kids? (John, 68 & 66, San Francisco Bay Area)

42:29 - Outro: Next Week on the YMYW Podcast

Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA focus on Social Security claiming strategies as part of the retirement spitballs, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 574. Bijou Plutus and her husband in Massachusetts are 62 and 64 with about a million dollars. Can she retire at 65, and should he claim Social Security early? Dr. Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde in the Twin Cities have about the same at 51 and 49, plus big pensions and high spending. Can they afford to retire early, and when should they claim Social Security? Diggler and Roller Girl in Tennessee are 57 and 58 with about $600K, and Diggler estimates his Social Security break-even is at age 77. Can he collect Social Security early and simply work recreationally?

Free Financial Resources in This Episode:

https://bit.ly/ymyw-574 (full show notes & episode transcript)

Social Security Handbook - free download:

https://purefinancial.com/white-papers/social-security-handbook/?utm_source=LibsynDestinations&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=YMYW-574

Tax-Free Retirement Guide - free download:

https://purefinancial.com/white-papers/tax-free-retirement-guide/?utm_source=LibsynDestinations&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=YMYW-574

How To Retire Tax-Free With A Smart Income Plan - YMYW TV:

https://purefinancial.com/ymyw/episodes/how-to-retire-tax-free-smart-income-plan/?utm_source=LibsynDestinations&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=YMYW-574

Financial Blueprint (self-guided):

https://bit.ly/PureFinancialBlueprint

Financial Assessment (Meet with an experienced professional):

https://bit.ly/PureFreeAssessment

REQUEST your Retirement Spitball Analysis:

https://bit.ly/AskJoeAndAl

DOWNLOAD more free guides:

https://bit.ly/PureGuides

READ financial blogs:

https://bit.ly/PureFinBlog

WATCH educational videos:

https://bit.ly/PureEdVideos

SUBSCRIBE to the YMYW Newsletter:

https://bit.ly/YMYWNewsletter

Connect With Us:

Subscribe on YouTube and join the conversation in the comments:

https://bit.ly/YMYW-YT

Subscribe or follow YMYW in your favorite podcast app:

https://lnk.to/ymyw

Leave your honest reviews and ratings in Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-money-your-wealth/id312900254

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro: This week on the YMYW Podcast

01:07 - 62 and 64 with About $1M. Can I Retire at 65? Should Hubby Claim Social Security Early? (Bijou Plutus, MA)

11:52 - Can We Retire in Our 50s With Pensions and High Spending? (Dr. Jekyll & Mrs. Hyde, Twin Cities, MN)

29:53 - Social Security Break-Even at 77. Claim Early and Work Recreationally? (Diggler & Rollergirl, 57 & 58, Tennessee)

42:52 - Outro: Next Week on the YMYY Podcast

Juan and Mary in Brooklyn are 49 and 48 with $2.2 million saved. Can Juan afford to retire early, or just walk away if he gets fired? And if they get divorced, yikes - but does the math still work? That's today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 573. But first, "Reuben Sailing Shoes" is 68, single, retired, and has $1.6 million saved, but he's never had a budget in his life. How much can he actually spend? "Leslie and Ben" are federal retirees in their seventies with great pensions and a mix of pre-tax and Roth savings, and "Mork and Mindy" in Delaware are retired with an annuity, a pension, Social Security, and $1.3 million in an IRA. Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitball on how Roth conversions and RMD timing can help both couples minimize taxes and make the most of what they've got.

Free Financial Resources in This Episode:

https://bit.ly/ymyw-573 (full show notes & episode transcript)

Complete Roth Papers Package - free download:

https://purefinancial.com/white-papers/the-complete-roth-papers-package/?utm_source=LibsynDestinations&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=YMYW-573

Retirement Course: Can You Hit a Hole in One? With PGA Pro Chris Riley - YMYW TV:

https://purefinancial.com/ymyw/episodes/retirement-course-hole-in-one-pga-pro-chris-riley/?utm_source=LibsynDestinations&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=YMYW-573

Financial Blueprint (self-guided):

https://bit.ly/PureFinancialBlueprint

Financial Assessment (Meet with an experienced professional):

https://bit.ly/PureFreeAssessment

REQUEST your Retirement Spitball Analysis:

https://bit.ly/AskJoeAndAl

DOWNLOAD more free guides:

https://bit.ly/PureGuides

READ financial blogs:

https://bit.ly/PureFinBlog

WATCH educational videos:

https://bit.ly/PureEdVideos

SUBSCRIBE to the YMYW Newsletter:

https://bit.ly/YMYWNewsletter

Connect With Us:

Subscribe on YouTube and join the conversation in the comments:

https://bit.ly/YMYW-YT

Subscribe or follow YMYW in your favorite podcast app:

https://lnk.to/ymyw

Leave your honest reviews and ratings in Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-money-your-wealth/id312900254

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro: This week on the YMYW Podcast

01:04 - How Much Can a Single 68-Year-Old Retiree With $1.6M(?) Spend Without Running Out of Money? (Reuben Sailing Shoes, Wyoming)

08:38 - 72 and 76 With $1.4M. Should We Keep Doing Roth Conversions After RMDs Start? (Leslie and Ben, Ohio)

17:12 - 71 and 73 With $1.73M. How to Balance Roth Conversions, RMDs, Widow Taxes, and Inheritance Goals? (Mork and Mindy, Delaware)

28:28 - 49 and 48 with $2.2M. If I Get Fired, Quit, or Get Divorced Tomorrow, Will We Be Fine? (Juan & Mary, Brooklyn, NY)

39:20 - Outro: Next Week on YMYW Podcast