Retirement Matters With Michael Stewart

"Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.” – Eleanor Roosevelt… Ever wish you could foresee financial missteps before they happen? On today’s episode, explore some real-life stories of regret and arm yourself with the essential dos and don'ts to ensure your money works for you, not against you.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

The retirement planning world is filled with plenty of advice and suggestions, but there are critical questions lurking in the shadows – the unasked, the overlooked. These are the questions that can help define the comfort and security of your retirement future. On this episode, we unearth and tackle these hidden, but essential questions about retirement.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Are you over 55 and pondering retirement? Dive into the world of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) with us. In this episode, we demystify the reasons behind mandatory withdrawals from your retirement savings. Discover strategies to potentially avoid them and understand the risks of not preparing in advance. And for those fortunate to not rely on RMDs for income, we'll explore impactful ways to utilize those funds.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092  

Losing a spouse is an unimaginably tough life event, but the financial implications can add another layer of stress to the grieving process. In this episode, we delve deep into the most common financial issues faced by widows and widowers, from dealing with income gaps to navigating tax changes as a single filer. We explore actionable strategies to address these problems, such as the importance of life insurance and the ins and outs of spousal pension continuation. This is the episode for you if you’re concerned with ensuring the financial well-being of your remaining family members and safeguarding your financial future and legacy in the face of loss.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092  

In today's episode, we'll explore the sensitive and significant process of transitioning from one financial advisor to another. We'll cover how to recognize when your current advisor may no longer be serving your financial needs effectively, the right questions to ask, and crucial factors to consider when searching for a new financial partner.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092  

Get ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into the gritty side of personal finance. In this episode, we reveal how everyday household tasks can serve as reminders of the principles that lead to financial success. From taking out the trash in your investment portfolio to cleaning out the fridge of outdated financial strategies, we'll explore how to declutter your financial life.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

In this episode, we’ll explore many of the expenses in your life that might drastically change (one way or another) in retirement. We’ll break those expenses down further to see which ones are the top priorities and analyze some of the other factors that impact your cash flow in retirement.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Picture this: You're at your retirement party, finally ready to enjoy your golden years, but worries caused by some bad money habits have robbed you of fully enjoying the sweetness of the day. It happens to more people than you think, which is unfortunate because with just a little bit of modification, you can rid some of the worst money habits from your life and set yourself up for retirement success. Tune in to this episode and develop healthy financial habits that pave the way for a secure future!   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths about Social Security out there. In this episode, we'll debunk these common myths and answer the Social Security questions you've been curious about. This is part 2 of our Social Security conversation, where we will break down the remaining 5 Social Security myths.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Have you ever wondered if the Social Security system will run out of money before you retire? Or if claiming benefits as soon as you're eligible is the best decision for your financial future? In this episode, we'll be debunking common myths about Social Security and answering the questions you've been curious about.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

We will continue our discussion from last episode on if an advisor should tailor a plan to fit your personality and exploring the different aspects of this subject.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Are you tired of one-size-fits-all financial advice that doesn't quite fit your unique needs and goals? In this episode, we'll tackle the question of whether an advisor should tailor a plan to fit your personality. We'll discuss the pros and cons of different approaches and explore how understanding your financial personality can help you make more informed decisions.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Retirement can come with a lot of tax questions and concerns. From understanding the tax implications of withdrawing from your retirement accounts to minimizing taxes on investment income, it can be overwhelming. On today’s episode, we’ll break down the top ten tax questions retirees are asking in 2023. Before you file your 2022 taxes and plan ahead for the rest of the year, make sure to listen to this episode as we’ll discuss some important tax questions that retirees should ask themselves to ensure they're making the most of their retirement savings and minimizing their tax burden.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

We took an informal poll of listeners to find out what their biggest financial fears are. On this episode, we’ll explore the most common fears and talk about how they should be addressed in a retirement plan.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

It’s been said that if you don’t have an income plan, you don’t really have a retirement plan. We’ll tackle that mentality on this episode to see if it’s true and further explore why so many retirees and pre-retirees don’t understand the importance of an income plan, nor how to properly construct one. This is a foundational topic for anyone preparing for retirement, so make sure you hear this one.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

With the new year here, we thought it would be a good idea to cover our top 10 checklist for New Year planning. Break out the notepad, you won't want to miss out on any of these tips.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Market volatility became the norm in 2022. Are we in for more of the same in 2023? We’ll talk about the market outlook for the next 12 months, plus share tips on how you can best prepare for potential future volatility.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

As we celebrate Thanksgiving and the holiday season, have you found yourself expressing thanks for those who provide financial leadership in your life? If not, perhaps it’s time to explore why and whether you’re getting enough value from your relationship with your financial advisor or other advice-givers. On this episode, we’ll explore some of the top reasons you should be thanking your financial advisor.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Sometimes you need to find a new financial advisor. Other times, you might think you need a new advisor, but really, you’re just guilty of thinking that the grass is greener on the other side. Let’s discuss some common scenarios and whether they’re legitimate reasons for leaving your advisor.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

In this episode, we will discuss some of the more common questions about taxes during retirement planning.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092