Some people who have amassed great wealth and live modestly, while others let their lifestyle reflect their significant wealth. A financial “Catch 22” for living in retirement is often finding the right lifestyle balance to suit both your ability to enjoy what you’ve saved and maintain careful spending so you don’t run out of money. CFN’s John Walker and Ryan Flurer discuss ways to address the financial and psychological challenges of spending during your retired years and what role good planning plays in the process.
Listening Time: 21 minutes
Additional Mercer-Cordasco Disclosure Information
Mercer Advisors Disclosure
Cordasco Financial Network is a tradename. All services provided by Cordasco Financial Network investment professionals are provided in their individual capacities as investment adviser representatives of Mercer Global Advisors Inc. (“Mercer Advisors”), an SEC-registered investment adviser principally located in Denver, Colorado, with various branch offices throughout the United States doing business under different tradenames, including Cordasco Financial Network.
Stock and bond markets, interest rates, and inflation take center stage as Steve Cordasco talks with Don Calcagni, MBA, MST, CFP®, AIF®, Chief Investment Officer with our new partners at Mercer Advisors. They help you better understand how current volatile market conditions impact your portfolio design.
Listening Time: 34 minutes
Additional Mercer-Cordasco Disclosure Information
Mercer Advisors Disclosure
Cordasco Financial Network is a tradename. All services provided by Cordasco Financial Network investment professionals are provided in their individual capacities as investment adviser representatives of Mercer Global Advisors Inc. (“Mercer Advisors”), an SEC-registered investment adviser principally located in Denver, Colorado, with various branch offices throughout the United States doing business under different tradenames, including Cordasco Financial Network.
There are distinct differences between the money management needs of men and women. Women also have particular retirement planning needs. Pay disparity, career pauses for child or elder care, and the fact that women, most-often, live longer than men create unique challenges. The convergence of these facts help us better understand why women often have quite different planning requirements when compared to their male counterparts. CFN’s John Walker welcomes Kara Duckworth, CFP®, CDFA®, Managing Director of Client Experience at CFN’s new partner, Mercer Advisors. They discuss financial and retirement planning specifically designed to address the needs of women.
Listening Time: 24 minutes
Additional Mercer-Cordasco Disclosure Information
Mercer Advisors Disclosure
Cordasco Financial Network is a tradename. All services provided by Cordasco Financial Network investment professionals are provided in their individual capacities as investment adviser representatives of Mercer Global Advisors Inc. (“Mercer Advisors”), an SEC-registered investment adviser principally located in Denver, Colorado, with various branch offices throughout the United States doing business under different tradenames, including Cordasco Financial Network.
Purchasing a home without a mortgage is increasingly common in today’s hot real estate market. Investors owning cryptocurrency is not unusual. The IRS, of course, has taken notice and is increasing scrutiny of these and other financial activities to make certain you pay your fair share of taxes. Ian Comisky, partner in the law firm of Fox Rothschild, author and law professor at the University of Pennsylvania joins today’s podcast. Ian joins Steve Cordasco each year at this time to discuss new tax law, forthcoming federal regulations and IRS enforcement.
Listening Time: 20 minutes
Additional Mercer-Cordasco Disclosure Information
Mercer Advisors Disclosure
Cordasco Financial Network is a tradename. All services provided by Cordasco Financial Network investment professionals are provided in their individual capacities as investment adviser representatives of Mercer Global Advisors Inc. (“Mercer Advisors”), an SEC-registered investment adviser principally located in Denver, Colorado, with various branch offices throughout the United States doing business under different tradenames, including Cordasco Financial Network.
Encouraging news for retirement savers may be coming, thanks to SECURE Act 2.0 legislation. The acronym stands for Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement. This is a follow-up to the original SECURE Act that passed with bipartisan support in Congress a couple of years back. Today, Steve Cordasco details many provisions of the bill aimed at making saving for retirement easier and more beneficial to an even larger pool of participants.
Listening Time: 26 minutes
Mercer Advisors Disclosure
Cordasco Financial Network is a tradename. All services provided by Cordasco Financial Network investment professionals are provided in their individual capacities as investment adviser representatives of Mercer Global Advisors Inc. (“Mercer Advisors”), an SEC-registered investment adviser principally located in Denver, Colorado, with various branch offices throughout the United States doing business under different tradenames, including Cordasco Financial Network. Securities offered through Andrew Garrett Inc, member FINRA/SIPC. Andrew Garrett is not affiliated with Cordasco Financial or Mercer Global Advisors.
Additional Mercer-Cordasco Disclosure Information
Over the last 2 years we’ve experienced a boom in the housing market with prices and demand at an all-time high, and interest rates and inventory at historic lows. Now, mortgage rates are beginning rise. CFN’s John Walker is joined by Dr. Jessica Lautz, Vice President of Demographics and Behavioral Insights for the National Association of Realtors. They discuss the current state of the housing market and how home values may be impacted, if interest rates continue to rise.
Listening Time: 26 minutes
Mercer Advisors Disclosure
Cordasco Financial Network is a tradename. All services provided by Cordasco Financial Network investment professionals are provided in their individual capacities as investment adviser representatives of Mercer Global Advisors Inc. (“Mercer Advisors”), an SEC-registered investment adviser principally located in Denver, Colorado, with various branch offices throughout the United States doing business under different tradenames, including Cordasco Financial Network.
Additional Mercer-Cordasco Disclosure Information
The Fed has started to increase interest rates, and it may be a good time for you to gain a better understanding of the role bonds play in your investment or retirement portfolio. Cordasco Financial Network’s John Walker is joined by Dennis Jablonoski of our Investment Team and Financial Planner Ryan Flurer. They discuss the appropriate use of bonds and bond funds in your portfolio, and offer clarity on the recently increased attention being given to bond alternatives.
Listening Time: 23 minutes
Mercer Advisors Disclosure
Cordasco Financial Network is a tradename. All services provided by Cordasco Financial Network investment professionals are provided in their individual capacities as investment adviser representatives of Mercer Global Advisors Inc. (“Mercer Advisors”), an SEC-registered investment adviser principally located in Denver, Colorado, with various branch offices throughout the United States doing business under different tradenames, including Cordasco Financial Network.
Additional Mercer-Cordasco Disclosure Information
Recent market volatility resulting from the pandemic, inflation and now the Russian invasion of Ukraine has become a wake-up call for many. For several years, the stock market seemed to be going nowhere but up. Investor’s confidence in a rising stock market had caused some to more heavily invest in equities. Now may be a good time to take a careful look at your investment mix. Cordasco Financial Network’s John Walker is joined by Tim Joseph CFP® and CPA to discuss the need to ensure that the investment risk you’re taking across all of your accounts, including your 401k, is aligned with your risk tolerance.
Listening Time: 22 minutes
Mercer Advisors Disclosure
Cordasco Financial Network is a tradename. All services provided by Cordasco Financial Network investment professionals are provided in their individual capacities as investment adviser representatives of Mercer Global Advisors Inc. (“Mercer Advisors”), an SEC-registered investment adviser principally located in Denver, Colorado, with various branch offices throughout the United States doing business under different tradenames, including Cordasco Financial Network.
Additional Mercer-Cordasco Disclosure Information
At Cordasco Financial Network we are frequently asked about the use of trusts in estate planning. There are many scenarios where a trust is the most appropriate method for passing your wealth to your heirs. Setting up a trust can be a cost effective option, and is available to everyone regardless of the size of their estate. Trusts avoid probate, offer tax advantages and allow you to keep control of your assets. For details on the many benefits using trusts in estate planning, we’re joined by one of CFN’s new partners at Mercer Advisors. John Walker welcomes Attorney Jeremiah Barlow, Executive Vice President and Head of Family Wealth Services at Mercer Advisors.
Listening Time: 19 minutes
Mercer Advisors Disclosure
Cordasco Financial Network is a tradename. All services provided by Cordasco Financial Network investment professionals are provided in their individual capacities as investment adviser representatives of Mercer Global Advisors Inc. (“Mercer Advisors”), an SEC-registered investment adviser principally located in Denver, Colorado, with various branch offices throughout the United States doing business under different tradenames, including Cordasco Financial Network.
Mercer Advisors is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice to clients. All estate planning document preparation and other legal advice are provided through Advanced Services Law Group, Inc.
CFN’s Retirement Plan Specialist Dennis Jablonoski, CRPS® talks with Tim Joseph CFP® and CPA. Tim explains how various forms of retirement income are taxed and the planning necessary to meet those obligations.
Listening Time: 19 minutes
The Federal Reserve recently announced it will take action to reduce inflation. The Fed has indicated it will end its asset buying program and also plans on making three interest rate hikes in 2022. Cordasco Financial Network’s John Walker is joined by Larry Shaw and Dennis Jablonoski of the CFN Investment Committee to discuss the potential impact the Fed’s latest announcement may have on your investment planning in the coming year.
Listening Time: 22 minutes
It’s Cordasco Financial Network’s 10th anniversary. Steve Cordasco is joined by Jim Tate for this Special Edition podcast. They share exciting news about new opportunities and discuss the growth and future of the firm.
Listening Time: 15 minutes
A sizable Social Security cost of living adjustment takes effect in 2022. For most recipients however, that increase will be offset, and in some cases exceeded by, an increase in Medicare premiums. CFN’s John Walker and Tim Joseph, CFP, CPA, detail the reasons for the current steep increase in Medicare costs. They also discuss what you can do to reduce your annual taxable income to help ensure that you are paying the smallest possible amount in Medicare premiums.
Listening Time: 19 minutes
The holiday season is officially here. It’s a time when many of us gather with family to celebrate. Talking about money over turkey may be less stressful than getting into politics or social issues. Whether it’s about gratitude or charitable giving, safe money discussions are a natural way to avoid indigestion. CFN’s Dennis Jablonoski and Jim Tate, CPA, talk about safe money discussions you can have around your holiday table, conversations you won’t regret!
Listening Time: 20 minutes
Questions about cryptocurrency are among the most common we receive. We’re frequently asked to explain what it is, how it works, how to buy it, how to use it, and should I own cryptocurrency in my retirement or investment portfolio? Today, CFN’s John Walker and Evan Salter shed some light on the risky, complicated world of cryptocurrency, to help you determine whether or not you should own cryptocurrency.
Listening Time: 20 minutes
Inflation is a growing concern. American’s are experiencing price increases at a rate not seen in over 30 years. Steve discusses the reasons for current inflationary conditions and its impact on wage earners and retirees. He details action steps to help ease the pain of rising prices and effective tools used at CFN to more accurately project inflation’s future impact on your Life & Wealth.
Listening Time: 23 minutes
For many retirees, spending money on life’s pleasures is often a source of guilt. The guilt may be motivated by a fear of running out of money, or even a perception they are cheating their heirs out of an inheritance. As we head into the holiday season, guilt-free spending is our theme for November. Steve shares retirement planning strategies to help you better enjoy your retirement with guilt-free spending.
Listening Time: 20 minutes
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
Economic conditions in China and investing in emerging markets are among the issues discussed as Steve is joined by internationally known investor and commentator Jim Rogers. Also well known for his media appearances, Jim Rogers was the co-founder of the Quantum Fund, Soros Fund Management and the Rogers International Commodities Index. He’s a close observer of economic conditions in China, and joins Steve from his home in Singapore.
Listening Time: 16 minutes
Steve discusses inflation, the markets, demographics and the new tax proposals. We also hear insightful comments from Cathie Wood, founder and CEO of the investment management firm Ark Invest, made at this week’s global leadership SALT Conference in New York. Additionally, Steve offers his perspective on the views expressed by Cathie Wood, inflation, the markets, demographics and the new tax proposals that are among the most significant issues currently on the minds of investors and retirees.
Listening Time: 25 minutes
It’s been 20 years since America was attacked in a way none of us could have ever imagined. September 11, 2001, the day four hijacked passenger planes crashed into the towers of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and an open field in Shanksville, PA, was a day that changed our world. Memories of 9/11 can never be forgotten. We all remember where we were and how we felt the moment we heard the news. In this special edition podcast, Steve Cordasco, and several members of the CFN team, share their personal memories of 9/11.
Listening Time: 35 minutes