In this episode of the Money Matters Podcast, we sit down with Dalene Higgins, founder of Elevate Finances and host of the Wealthy After 40 podcast, to explore her journey to financial independence and early retirement at age 50. 

Dalene shares actionable insights on budgeting, debt management, and overcoming financial hurdles, especially for Gen Xers and women over 40. Discover how Dalene's unique strategies and coaching can help you achieve financial freedom and stability. Tune in to learn practical tips for preparing for retirement, creating successful money routines, and managing finances post-divorce. Don't miss out on Dalene's advice to elevate your financial future!

How much can you spend in retirement? Naturally, this is an essential question for those approaching this important life transition. Essentially, if you wish to retire one day, you are increasingly responsible for figuring out how to save during your working years and convert your savings into sustainable income for an ever-lengthening number of retirement years. The nature of risk also changes in retirement, as the lifestyle of retirees become more vulnerable to the impacts of market volatility, unknown longevity, and spending shocks. Retirees have one opportunity to build a successful plan. It is not an easy task, but it is manageable.

On today’s show we talked with Author Dr. Wade Pfau about his new book How to Spend Money Wisely in Retirement. 

Dr. Wade D. Pfau, CFA^®, is a Professor of Retirement Income in the PhD in Financial and Retirement Planning program at The American College of Financial Services. He is also a contributor to the The College’s Retirement Income Certified Professional^® (RICP^®) designation program curriculum.

Dr. Pfau is a co-editor of the Journal of Personal Finance. He has spoken at the national conferences of organizations for financial professionals such as the CFA Institute, FPA, NAPFA, AICPA-PFP, and AFS. He also publishes frequently in a wide variety of academic and practitioner research journals. He hosts the Retirement Researcher blog, and is a monthly columnist for Advisor Perspectives, a RetireMentor for MarketWatch, a contributor to Forbes, and an Expert Panelist for The Wall Street Journal. His research has been discussed in outlets that include print editions of The Economist, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Money Magazine.

To learn more about Wade visit:

www.retirementresearcher.com

To learn more about Houston Money Week visit:

www.Houstonmoneyweek.org

http://www.cheatsheet.com/personal-finance/how-schools-can-improve-their-personal-finance-education.html/

Financial Advisor Magazine Articles:

http://www.fa-mag.com/news/advisors-stay-the-course-amid-monday-s-market-drop-22864.html?section=3 

http://www.fa-mag.com/news/on-it-s-80th-anniversaryadvisors-consider-social-security-s-impactfuture-22784.html?section=3

You can listen live by going to www.kpft.org and clicking on the HD3 tab.
You can also listen to this episode and others by podcast at:

http://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/moneymatters

or

www.moneymatterspodcast.com

#KPFTHOUSTON

#HoustonMoneyWK

#WadePfau

For years the Military Retirement has stayed the same with no changes. In 2018, we will see a massive change to retirement benefits for service members in the armed forces. 

On today’s show we talked with retired brigadier general and current COO of the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association (AAFMAA), Michael Meese. Mike discussed important finance tips for military members, spouses and their families. We discussed budgeting, insurance, retirement benefits, mortgages, deployments and relocations. Additionally, we had a deep dive into the upcoming major changes to the military retirement system including why its changing and what service members need to know to prepare themselves. 

Mike joined AAFMAA as Chief Operating Officer in 2013. He retired from the United States Army as a Brigadier General having concluded his 32 year career as the Professor and Head of the Department of Social Sciences at the U.S. Military Academy. 

At West Point, he taught economics and national security courses and was the Director of the Economics program. He has written numerous articles and two books: the Armed Forces Guide to Personal Financial Planning and American National Security. He has served in a variety of strategic political-military positions including deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Bosnia for a total of 31 months and was the Executive Director of the Secretary of the Army’s Transition Team in 2005 and the co-director of the Department of Defense Panel on Commercialization. He is a graduate of the National War College, U.S. Military Academy, and earned his Ph.D., MPA and an M.A. from Princeton University. 

To learn more about Michael visit:

www.AAFMAA.com

Here is a short piece on the upcoming changes for the military retirement system I did for American Business Television:

http://www.americanbusinesstv.com/2017/07/03/christopher-hensley-on-the-national-defense-authorization-act/ 

To learn more about Houston Money Week visit:

www.Houstonmoneyweek.org

http://www.cheatsheet.com/personal-finance/how-schools-can-improve-their-personal-finance-education.html/

Financial Advisor Magazine Articles:

http://www.fa-mag.com/news/advisors-stay-the-course-amid-monday-s-market-drop-22864.html?section=3 

http://www.fa-mag.com/news/on-it-s-80th-anniversaryadvisors-consider-social-security-s-impactfuture-22784.html?section=3

You can listen live by going to www.kpft.org and clicking on the HD3 tab.
You can also listen to this episode and others by podcast at:

http://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/moneymatters

or

www.moneymatterspodcast.com

#KPFTHOUSTON

#HoustonMoneyWK

#AAFMAA

Today's retirement looks nothing like your parents' experience. Our longer life expectancy and increasing intellectual capital have transformed our notion of the golden years. Often we're just not ready for a life without work. We fear outliving our money and our meaning. We want to stay productive (whatever that means to us personally) well into the future and for baby boomers and the following generations, that future is closer than we think. No matter your definition of financial confidence, with the right tools and approach, you can create the retirement of your dreams: your memorable encore. The Encore Curve examines two crucial questions: Now what am I going to do? and will I have enough money?

Andy Raub has helped countless individuals plan for their retirement and manage their investments. As an early Baby Boomer, he understands the fears most retirees now face, which prompted him to write a book to help them reset their life goals and reorganize their money so they can live with renewed purpose. 

To learn more about Andy Raub visit:

http://www.ameripriseadvisors.com/andy.raub/

Personal Finance Cheat Sheet Article:

http://www.cheatsheet.com/personal-finance/how-schools-can-improve-their-personal-finance-education.html/

Financial Advisor Magazine Articles:

http://www.fa-mag.com/news/advisors-stay-the-course-amid-monday-s-market-drop-22864.html?section=3 

http://www.fa-mag.com/news/on-it-s-80th-anniversaryadvisors-consider-social-security-s-impactfuture-22784.html?section=3

You can listen live by going to www.kpft.org and clicking on the HD3 tab.
You can also listen to this episode and others by podcast at:

http://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/moneymatters

or

www.moneymatterspodcast.com

#KPFTHOUSTON
#EncoreCurve

We spoke with New York Times bestselling author Philip Moeller on his newest book Get Whats Yours for Medicare. We also discussed the current election and what a Trump or Clinton presidency means to the Social Security and Medicare system.

A coauthor of the New York Times bestselling guide to Social Security Get What’s Yours authors an essential companion to explain Medicare, the nation’s other major benefit for older Americans. Learn how to maximize your health coverage and save money.

Social Security provides the bulk of most retirees’ income and Medicare guarantees them affordable health insurance. But few people know what Medicare covers and what it doesn’t, what it costs, and when to sign up. Nor do they understand which parts of Medicare are provided by the government and how these work with private insurance plans—Medicare Advantage, drug insurance, and Medicare supplement insurance.

Do you understand Medicare’s parts A, B, C, D? Which Part D drug plan is right and how do you decide? Which is better, Medigap or Medicare Advantage? What do you do if Medicare denies payment for a procedure that your doctor says you need? How do you navigate the appeals process for denied claims? If you’re still working or have a retiree health plan, how do those benefits work with Medicare? Do you know about the annual enrollment period for Medicare, or about lifetime penalties for late enrollment, or any number of other key Medicare rules?

Health costs are the biggest unknown expense for older Americans, who are turning sixty-five at the rate of 10,000 a day. Understanding and navigating Medicare is the best way to save health care dollars and use them wisely. In Get What’s Yours for Medicare, retirement expert Philip Moeller explains how to understand all these important choices and make the right decisions for your health and wealth now—and for the future.

One of the key challenges of managing your finances during retirement is determining how much you can spend without depleting your nest egg. What do you do if you retire and the market goes south shortly after?

Friday we were joined by Jeffrey Christakos, CPA/PFS, CFP, CLU, AIF. We discussed rightsizing your life for retirement and what to do in the event of a market downturn when you retire.

To learn more about Jeff visit:

Ah, retirement—you’ve anticipated this life stage for years, but now that it’s finally here, you’re not quite sure what to do with it.

Presenting 99 fresh ideas to keep you active and engaged, I’m Retired…Now What? is more than just a list of things to do. Written by a financial advisor who has worked with retirees for more than sixteen years, this guide helps you see your continued value and recognize the importance of living this new phase well.

Retirement income literacy is of essential importance to the financial security of retired Americans. With limited or no ability to earn additional money through work, this group must know how much they need to accumulate by the time they retire and know how to manage their money during retirement.

Further, retirement income literacy will become more important  as the number of people entering 
retirement with defined benefit plan guaranteed lifetime income decreases, life expectancy at age 65 
increases, and Social Security income decreases due to increases in the age of entitlement for full 
benefits.  In addition, the increases in Medicare premium taken out of Social Security retirement 
benefits each year will likely be higher than the cost of living adjustments to Social Security.

We were joined today by Associate Professor of Taxation, Associate Director of the New York Life Center for Retirement Incomeand Larry R. Pike Chair in Insurance & Investments for the American College, Jamie Hopkins.  

To find out more about the American College visit the website at:

www.theamericancollege.edu

Also mentioned on the show today:

Forbes Article about new MYRA by Jamie Hopkins

You can listen live by going to www.kpft.org and clicking on the HD3 tab. You can also listen to this episode and others by podcast at:

http://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/moneymatters

or

www.moneymatterspodcast.com

 #kpft #theamerican college #forbes

By 2015, 77 million Americans will be 50 to 69 years old! As the first generation to be so long-lived, we face the challenge of taking personal responsibility for the quality of our extended lives. Well be log-term pioneers, making the second part of our lives as rich and rewarding as the first, if not more so. But aging isn't the point. The point is lifelong development- our ability to live skillfully each day with the opportunities, choices, and changes that will happen inside and outside of our plans; it's knowing what we'll have to be great at beyond fifty to lead vigorous, creative lives in our eighties and nineties.

We were joined today by author George H. Schofield, PH.D.  We discussed life after 50 and the revolution in planning and retirement.

To find out more about George visit his website at:

www.georgeschofield.com

For the book click here:

After 50 It's Up to Us - Developing the Skills and Agility We'll Need

You can listen live by going to www.kpft.org and clicking on the HD3 tab. You can also listen to this episode and others by podcast at:

http://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/moneymatters

or

www.moneymatterspodcast.com

The U.S. Department of Labor Statistics in 2010 reported that approximately two million people work for the United States federal government, not including those employees by the postal service or military. The United States government is by far our country's largest employer and provides extensive employee benefits.

Our guest today was Author and CFP Brian Kuhn. We discussed the ins and outs of the Federal Employee Benefits.

Brian Kuhn is a family wealth advisor with Planning Solutions Group, LLC. With 13 years in the financial planning field, he works with families and individuals, with a specific focus on government employees, in the area of retirement planning, wealth preservation, and insurance protection.

To learn more about Brian you can visit his website at:

www.psgclarity.com

Or his book at:

Total Compensation: A Practical Guide to Federal Employee Benefits

You can listen live by going to www.kpft.org and clicking on the HD3 tab. You can also listen to this episode and others by podcast at:

http://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/moneymatters

or

www.moneymatterspodcast.com

Are you and your partner on the same page when it comes to retirement planning? Or…are you like millions of couples avoiding these critical conversations?

• If, When and How to Retire: Twice The Husband, Half the Income
• Let’s Talk About Money: Finances Without Fighting
• Changing Roles and Identity: I Don’t Do Windows!
• Time Together, Time Apart: I Love You and I Need My Space
• Health and Wellness: Will Medicare Pay for the Spa?

Enhance your communication skills, make decisions together and develop your shared vision for the second half of life.

You can find learn more about Roberta by visiting :

http://www.pathmaking.com/

or order a copy of the book here:

The Couple's Retirement Puzzle

You can listen live by going to www.kpft.org and clicking on the HD3 tab. You can also listen to this episode and others by podcast at:

http://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/moneymatters

or

www.moneymatterspodcast.com

On this weeks show we answered the question how does one make good financial decisions in a world dominated by risk and uncertainty. We discussed the book The Power of Choice which is dedicated to the idea that each of us has a choice to better our lives, empower ourselves and reach our goals. 

We were joined by author Jeff Kanaly.

Jeff is Vice Chairman of Kanaly Trust and serves on the organization’s board of directors. He has been with the company for over 35 years and concentrates on corporate strategic planning. An important focus for Jeff is ensuring that the high quality of service Kanaly Trust was founded on continues to be the central focus of the organization. He specializes in serving multi-generational families due to his depth of experience in high level, intricate estate and financial planning practices.

A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Jeff holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^TM practitioner and a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA). He is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA), the Houston Chapter of the FPA, the Houston Estate and Financial Forum (HEFF), and the Association of Trust Organizations (ATO).

Jeff has served on many public and professional committees. He is a past national board member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) and previously served on its Tax Sub-committee. He was involved in the merger of the Institute of Certified Financial Planners (ICFP) and the International Association of Financial Planners (IAFP) that formed the FPA. He was responsible for the coordination of the FPA’s Pro-bono Program, has served on the ICFP board and on its Practice Management Committee. He is past president of the Association of Independent Trust Companies (AITCO now ATO), and previously served on its board of directors as treasurer. He is also a past chairman and president of the Houston Society ICFP.  Jeff also serves on the Investment Committee at Kanaly Trust. 

Jeff has served on the board of directors of the American Heart Association in Northwest Harris County and on the board of Applause Theatre.  He is actively involved with the National MS Society, South Central Chapter as Chair of the Houston Leadership Council and was instrumental in launching the MS Entrepreneurs Program which helps those affected by MS at a grass-roots level.  In addition, Jeff was recently selected as the Investment Committee liaison for the South Central Region of the MS Society.

Jeff’s comments have appeared in such publications as Robb Report Worth, the Houston Business Journal and Financial Planning.

To find out more click below the:

The Power Of Choice

Choice of A Lifetime

Kanaly Trust

You can listen live by going to www.kpft.org and clicking on the HD3 tab. You can also listen to this episode and others by podcast at:


http://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/moneymatters

Whether you’ve been training for years for your retirement or you are a newbie, moving toward your goals, taking the right actions and following a plan will help you to cross the finish line feeling great and it will inspire those around you to do the same!

·        How preparing for retirement is like preparing for a marathon – and the 6 training fundamentals that apply to both goals

·        Why some people are great with money and others struggle

·        My 5-step system for reducing stress around your finances

On this episode we are joined by author and speaker Ellen Rogin.

A CPA, Certified Financial Planner™ and Abundance Activist^® - Ellen is a nationally known expert on living a life of success and prosperity.

A financial advisor chock full of “left-brain” credentials (MBA, CPA, Certified Financial Planner™), she also walks on the “right” side, balancing values, big picture ideas, and meditation with all her professional training.  Ellen is as comfortable talking about the power of compound interest as she is the power of belief. Ellen shares this fresh approach in her book “Great with Money: 6 Steps to Lifetime Success and Prosperity.”

Ellen is a frequent speaker to the financial profession, sharing her experiences and expertise at building successful client relationships and growing a successful practice.  She is a regular contributor to Horsesmouth^®, a support service for financial advisors and is a host of Horsesmouth Advisor Radio.

For more than 20 years, Ellen has been a financial advisor in Northfield, Illinois, and serves on the Board of Directors for Metropolitan Capital Bank in Chicago.

She co-authored the books:

Great with Money: 6 Steps to Lifetime Success & Prosperity

and

Breakthrough!

Inspirational Strategies for an Audaciously Authentic Life

You can listen live by going to www.kpft.org and clicking on the HD3 tab. You can also listen to this episode and others by podcast at:


http://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/moneymatters