If your pension impacted your ability to collect Social Security benefits, 2025 is a very good year for you and your spouse. The Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset are no more, and you’re now eligible for your full Social Security benefits AND your pension! Today on a quick Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 536, while Joe hangs in the North Star State, Big Al Clopine explains what the Social Security Fairness Act means for Cherilyn and her husband, and "Nuke La Loosh" and his wife, with the help of our special guest co-host, Susan Brandeis, CFP®.

Free financial resources & episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-536

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Timestamps:

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

00:47 - Can I Qualify for Half of My Wife's Social Security Now That WEP and GPO Are Gone? (Nuke La Loosh, Northern CA - voice)

08:16 - Is My Husband Eligible for Spousal Social Security Benefits Now that WEP and GPO Are Gone? (Cherilyn, El Cajon, CA)

12:58 - Comment: Your TV Show and Guide on Social Security Are Out of Date (Helen, San Diego)

14:11 - Comment: Even If the TV Show Doesn't Pertain to You Directly, You Can Inform Someone Else (Catherine)

14:39 - Social Security Handbook (newly updated!) - download for free

15:00 - YMYW ranked among the "14 Best Retirement Podcasts and

Ryan in Texas is in the 32% tax bracket. Where should he save for retirement so he’ll be in a lower bracket? Should Weronika in Texas pay the taxes now to convert to Roth for lifetime tax-free growth in the future, even though she’s in the 37% tax bracket? And Jerry in Phoenix wonders if there is a point where Joe would come to the conclusion that Roth conversions no longer make sense? Stay tuned for the 7 reasons to consider NOT converting to Roth, today on Your Money, Your Wealth podcast number 535 with Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA. First up, a word of Roth conversion thanks from Al in Florida.

Free financial resources & episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-535

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Insult to a Nose <

Ralph and Alice in Monument, Colorado have $4.6 million dollars saved at ages 63 and 58. Should they do Roth conversions? How do they avoid IRMAA? Mary Jo in Escondido, California wonders if she should use her 403(b) money to pay off her mortgage. And Lucas plans to spend from his brokerage, then his 401(k), then his Social Security and pension when he retires in 20 years. What do Joe and Big Al think of his strategy? Find out today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast 534.

Free financial resources & episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-534

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Timestamps:

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

00:55 - We're 63 and 58 With $4.6M Saved. Should We Do Roth Conversions? Can We Avoid IRMAA? (Ralph & Alice, Monument, CO - voice)

11:51 - Watch Is There a Formula for Retirement? on YMYW TV, Download The Retirement Readiness Guide for free

12:59 - Should I Use My 403(b) Pay Off My Mortgage? (Mary Jo, Escondido)

16:48 - Brokerage to 401(k) to Social Security and Pension: Good Income Strategy for Retirement in 20 Years? (Lucas)

Before she retires next month at age 52, Rowan in Georgia wonders how to maximize growth in her IRA, which will be funded with 72(t) early retirement withdrawals. What do Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA  think of her substantially equal periodic payment plan? And how should she allocate it? Michael in Virginia isn’t interested in any international investments and is instead invested in stocks like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, and Berkshire. What adjustments would the fellas make to his portfolio for long term growth? That’s today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast 533. Plus, our friend Will, who is not a gas siphoner, wants Joe and Big Al’s opinion on "backdoor Rothing" his solo 401(k) instead of having an emergency fund, and on what he should do with his annuity. Also, the fellas explain ESOP and NUA - that is, employee stock ownership plans and net unrealized appreciation - for Tess and Finn in Texas.

Free financial resources & episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-533

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The origins of Will the Gas Siphoner (audio only)

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Imagine being told you only have 12 months to live. What would you do with your time? Today on Your Money, Your Wealth podcast number 532, Big Al Clopine, CPA and Executive Producer Andi Last are thrilled to welcome Jonathan Clements back for his fourth appearance. For thirty years, Jonathan has been known for his personal finance writing: in his column “Getting Going,” which appeared in the Wall Street Journal over 1,000 times starting in 1994, on his website HumbleDollar.com, and in his many acclaimed books. About a year ago, Jonathan Clements was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer and was told he had about a year to live. Today we’re celebrating the fact that he is still here with us, and we’re inspired by his decision to use his precious time to launch The Jonathan Clements Getting Going on Savings Initiative. Watch or listen to find out how you can get a free Kindle copy of Jonathan’s new book, and how you can help Jonathan pay it forward for the next generation.

Free financial resources & episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-532

The first 100 people to email us will receive a free Kindle copy of The Best of Jonathan Clements: Classic Columns on Money and Life

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Timestamps: 

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

02:53 - Jonathan Clements' Getting Going on Savings Initiative

05:23 - $1,000 Roth IRA Contributions and Personal Finance Education for Young Adults

07:55 - Expo

Tariffs killed Carl’s investment portfolio and left him wondering if he should claim Social Security early. Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitball for him today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 531. Kelly and Steve in Pennsylvania ask for a three-fer spitball - when to claim their Social Security, whether they should contribute to Roth or convert to Roth for that lifetime tax-free growth on their investments, and if they’re on track for Kelly to retire in three years.

Free financial resources & episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-531

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Timestamps:

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

01:21 - Tariffs Killed My Portfolio. Should I Claim Social Security Early? (Carl)

10:14 - Watch The Retirement Course: Can You Hit a Hole in One? on YMYW TV, Calculate your free Financial Blueprint

11:13 - When Should We Claim Social Security? Roth Contributions or Conversions? Are We On Track for Retirement? (Kelly & Steve)

25:00 - Download the Key Financial Data Guide, YMYW Podcast Outro

What should you do when the asset allocation of your retirement portfolio drifts? Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitball on rebalancing for DJ in St. Louis, today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 530. Plus, Coach Dobber in Minnesota is curious about municipal bonds in a brokerage account, and Daniel in Stevensville, Michigan needs details on emergency funds. Also, can Tim the Enchanter do a Roth conversion and avoid the nasty big pointy teeth of capital gains tax? And, Duke in upstate New York told his wife they need 6 million dollars in retirement, and she said he was silly. What say Joe and Al? We’ll find out.

Free financial resources & episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-530

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: This Week on the YMYW Podcast
00:47 - Rebalancing Asset Allocation of US Stocks, International Stocks, and Bonds (DJ in St Louis)
07:21 - Can I Do a Roth Conversion and Have No Cap Gains Tax? (Tim the Enchanter, FL)
15:44 - Watch Financial Planning at Every Age on YMYW TV, Download the Retirement Readiness Guide for free
16:41 - Municipal Bonds in a Brokerage Account: Good Idea? (Coach Dobber, MN)
22:48 - Told My Wife We Need $6M to Retire in 20 Years. She Say's I'm Silly. (Duke, upstate NY)
27:09 - Calculate your Free Financial Blueprint, Schedule your Free Financial Assessment
28:54 - What Is an Emergency Fund and How Much Should I Have in It? (Daniel, Stevensville, MI)
36:00 - YMYW Podcast Outro

John in Boston is in the 32% tax bracket. Should he do Roth conversions? Flight Deck Dad and Irish Girl in Pensacola have a lot of tax-free pension income. Should they do Roth conversions? Bert and Ernie in New Jersey wonder if they should convert to Roth or take advantage of zero percent capital gains tax rates. Joe Anderson, CFP® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitball for all of them today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast number 529. Plus, Michael and his wife in Bellevue are 34, in the 24% tax bracket and wonder if they should contribute to tax-free or tax-deferred accounts, and if they should slow down on retirement savings and start a bridging account for the years between when they want to punch the clock in their early to mid-50s, and when they can access their retirement savings. Then, for something completely different, Frenchie from Maine writes back in: What are the disadvantages to paying off her mortgage ASAP, and what’s the tax efficiency of a money market compared to bond funds?

Free financial resources & episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-529

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Timestamps:

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

01:00 - We’re in the 32% Tax Bracket. Should We Do Roth Conversions? (John, Boston, MA)

06:19 - We Have Large Tax-Free Pension Income. Should We Do Roth Conversions? (Flight Deck Dad & Irish Girl, Pensacola, FL)

You’ve been jamming money into your retirement accounts for years now. When is it okay to slow down? Joe Anderson, CFP®® and Big Al Clopine, CPA spitball for Ron and Veronica in Indiana today on Your Money, Your Wealth® podcast 528. Plus, how can Scott in Illinois bridge the gap from age 55 to retirement income at 57? How should Big Juan in Texas pay for college? Should he convert his TSP to Roth? Can he retire at 55 And finally, Frank and Jane Drebin in Wisconsin are 46 and 47 and wondering if their plan for retirement in 5 years is just a pipe dream.

Free financial resources & episode transcript: https://bit.ly/ymyw-528

DOWNLOAD The Retirement Readiness Guide for free

WATCH What Happens to Your 401(k) & IRA at Retirement? On YMYW TV

CALCULATE your free Financial Blueprint

ASK Joe & Big Al for your Retirement Spitball Analysis

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Timestamps:

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

01:13 - Can I Take My Foot Off the Gas on Saving for Retirement? (Ron and Veronica, IN)

09:48 - Watch What Happens to Your 401(k) & IRA at Retirement? On YMYW TV and Download The Retirement Readiness Guide

10:43 - How to Bridge the Gap from Age 55 to Retirement Income at 57? (Scott, IL)

20:04 - How to Fund College? TSP to Roth Conversions? Retirement at 55? (Big Juan, TX)

24:45 - Calculate Your Free Financial Blueprint

25:45 - We're 46 and 47, Is Our