It’s clear that when putting together a successful retirement plan, managing wealth is only one component. A successful plan includes discovering what you intend to spend your money on, how you will maintain your social network, and ideas for investing in personal relationships. After years of researching the key to real retirement happiness, Michael Finke, of the American College of Financial Services, discusses his important findings in this podcast from the Your Life Your Wealth archives. The result of this conversation reinforces the fact that real retirement happiness cannot be found exclusively through money or wealth.

Listening Time: 25 minutes

We continue our October theme of charitable giving by exploring the scientifically documented mental and physical benefits of helping others. CFN’s John Walker welcomes Stephen Post, PhD Professor, Founding Director of The Center for Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care and Bioethics at Stony Brook University. Dr. Post is the author of several books including “Why Good Things Happen to Good People: How to Live a Longer, Healthier, Happier Life by the Simple Act of Giving.”  He explains how you can enjoy the mental and physical benefits of helping others as much or more than helping yourself.

Listening Time: 26 minutes  

The Social Security Administration announced a 5.9% increase in benefits for 2022. For many Americans in retirement, Social Security is a key part of their retirement income. Steve Cordasco is joined by CFN’s Jim Tate, CPA, to discuss key strategies for maximizing your social security benefits. Be sure you understand these strategies for maximizing your Social Security benefits to help you make the most of this income stream that will last through your retired years.

Listening Time: 21 minutes

Uniform Transfers to Minors Act allows gift givers to transfer money, real estate or fine art to minors without the need for a guardian or trustee. UTMAs, a tax efficient gifting option, are an inexpensive way to give minors a financial leg-up, but there are limitations and cautionary notes you need to consider. CFN’s John Walker is joined by Kathy Mandelbaum, Associate Professor of Law at Temple University. They discuss this tax efficient gifting option and detail the pros and cons you need to know.

Listening Time: 27 minutes

Helping others by giving to charity has a positive impact on the recipient, and also offers the donor many benefits. We get personal satisfaction by helping those less fortunate, while at the same time we can benefit from the tax advantages of charitable giving. CFN’s John Walker and Tim Joseph, CPA, discuss a variety of strategies that can help your donations go further for the causes you support, and present a win-win by helping you benefit from the tax advantages of charitable giving.

Listening Time: 20 minutes