How To Make Your Brokerage Account Work Like A Roth IRA, #310
In this episode Ryan Morrissey explains how a taxable brokerage account can be structured to mimic the tax advantages of a Roth IRA, allowing investors to achieve 0% capital‑gains tax on long‑term gains. He contrasts the Roth’s contribution limits, withdrawal rules, and inability to harvest tax losses with the flexibility of a brokerage account, emphasizing the use of low‑dividend growth stocks or low‑turnover ETFs and staying within the 0% capital‑gains income thresholds. Morrissey also outlines the income limits for single and married filers in 2026, the impact of other taxable income, and the role of state taxes, while noting additional benefits like borrowing against the account and more favorable inheritance rules.
5 Reasons To Not Invest Your Retirement Savings In Variable Annuities, #309
In this episode, host Ryan Morrissey explains what variable annuities are and outlines five key reasons to avoid them for retirement savings. He highlights the high, often hidden fees—including mortality, expense, sub‑account, and rider charges—that can total 3‑4% annually, eroding...
Avoid These 4 Scams To Protect Your Retirement Savings, #308
In episode 308 of Retire with Ryan, host Ryan Morrissey outlines four common scams targeting retirees' retirement savings: account takeover via fraudulent security code texts, deceptive debt‑collector texts, bogus unpaid‑toll notices, and fake invoice emails that can deliver malware or...
What Is The Required Minimum Distribution On A $1,000,000 Retirement Account, #307
In episode 307, Ryan Morrissey explains how required minimum distributions (RMDs) work, using a listener’s $1 million IRA as a case study. He details the calculation method—dividing the prior‑year balance by the IRS life‑expectancy factor (26.5 for a 73‑year‑old, yielding about...
Are You Receiving Your Full Spousal Social Security Benefit? #306
In this episode Ryan Morrissey explains how spousal Social Security benefits work, including eligibility rules, reduction factors for early filing, and the fact that spousal benefits cap at 50% of the higher‑earning spouse’s primary insurance amount. He highlights a real‑world...
Should Your Retirement Portfolio Be Investing Only In Dividend-Paying Stocks? #305
In this episode Ryan Morrissey examines whether retirees should rely solely on dividend‑paying stocks for income. He explains how high‑yield stocks and dividend‑focused ETFs can provide cash flow but often concentrate exposure in a few sectors and may underperform broad...
Tax Benefits Of In-Plan Conversions Of After-Tax 401(K) Contributions, #304
In this episode Ryan Morrissey explains in‑plan Roth conversions, where pre‑tax 401(k) dollars are moved into a Roth 401(k) within the same retirement plan. He outlines the pros and cons, such as tax‑free growth versus the tax hit on gains...
The Unforeseen Costs of Aging In Place, #303
In episode 303 of Retire with Ryan, host Ryan Morrissey breaks down the hidden financial pitfalls of aging in place, highlighting five key cost areas: home modifications, ongoing maintenance and repairs, upkeep services, healthcare-related expenses, and in‑home care. He shares...
How To Avoid The Pain of Estimated Tax Payments in Retirement #301
In episode 301 of Retire with Ryan, host Ryan Morrissey explains why underpayment penalties for estimated taxes are soaring—$1.3 billion in 2024, triple the 2021 amount—and how retirees can avoid them. He outlines the IRS’s safe‑harbor rules (paying 90% of the...
Is The Social Security Lump Sum A Good Deal? #300
In this episode Ryan Morrissey breaks down the Social Security lump‑sum option that some retirees can claim when they delay benefits past full retirement age. Using a client example, he shows that a $14,100 lump sum equates to about an...
How To Manage The Impact From the IRAN War On Your Retirement Portfolio, #299
In episode 299, Ryan Morrissey examines how the Iran war’s surge in oil prices—up roughly 33% since late February—has driven a 6% dip in the S&P 500 and sparked market volatility. He explains why such shocks are often temporary, drawing parallels...
Should You Add a Transfer on Death Beneficiary to Your Assets? #298
In this episode Ryan Morrissey explains how Transfer on Death (TOD) and Payable on Death (POD) beneficiary designations let you bypass probate for bank, brokerage, and other investment accounts. He outlines which assets already have built‑in beneficiary options, the pros...
7 Tax Mistakes to Avoid When Filing Your 2025 Taxes, Ep#296
In this episode Ryan Morrissey outlines seven common tax filing mistakes, from missing the April deadline and failing to report all income to overlooking new 2025 tax breaks and itemization opportunities. He stresses the importance of accurate personal details, double‑checking...
What We Still Don't Know About Trump Accounts, Ep#295
In this episode Ryan Morrissey explains the newly introduced "Trump accounts" (530A accounts) designed to help children build wealth, detailing eligibility, contribution limits, and the $1,000 government seed fund for births between 2025‑2028. He walks through the still‑unclear aspects such...
Is It Wise to Gift My Children Money While I'm Alive? Ep#294
In this episode Ryan Morrissey explores the pros and cons of gifting money or assets to adult children while the parents are still alive. He emphasizes assessing one’s own financial health, long‑term care needs, and the purpose of the gift—whether...