Mike and Al covers claiming basics - full retirement age, early vs. delayed credits, and how lifetime earnings history determines your benefit. They explain spousal, divorced-spouse, and survivor benefits, and how working while claiming can trigger the earnings test before full retirement age. Taxes and coordination matter: up to 85% of benefits can be taxable depending on provisional income, and timing should be integrated with IRA withdrawals and pensions. The key takeaway: treat Social Security as part of an overall retirement income plan rather than a standalone decision.

Mike and Al covers claiming basics - full retirement age, early vs. delayed credits, and how lifetime earnings history determines your benefit. They explain spousal, divorced-spouse, and survivor benefits, and how working while claiming can trigger the earnings test before full retirement age. Taxes and coordination matter: up to 85% of benefits can be taxable depending on provisional income, and timing should be integrated with IRA withdrawals and pensions. The key takeaway: treat Social Security as part of an overall retirement income plan rather than a standalone decision.

Money Matters

Money Matters with Al & Mike

05/30/26 Social Security Part 1

Mike and Al walk through how to handle drawdowns and choppy periods without abandoning a long-term plan, emphasizing risk tolerance, time horizon, and a written investment policy. They highlight tactics like disciplined rebalancing, dollar-cost averaging, and maintaining a cash/short-term bond buffer to avoid selling equities at lows. Tax-loss harvesting and tightening fees are presented as “control what you can control” levers when returns are scarce. The core message: stick to process over predictions, so temporary volatility doesn’t derail lifetime goals.

Mike and Al walk through how to handle drawdowns and choppy periods without abandoning a long-term plan, emphasizing risk tolerance, time horizon, and a written investment policy. They highlight tactics like disciplined rebalancing, dollar-cost averaging, and maintaining a cash/short-term bond buffer to avoid selling equities at lows. Tax-loss harvesting and tightening fees are presented as &ldquo;control what you can control&rdquo; levers when returns are scarce. The core message: stick to process over predictions, so temporary volatility doesn&rsquo;t derail lifetime goals.

08-01-26 When Markets Do Not Cooperate

Mike and Al lays out a checklist for evaluating your advisor - fiduciary duty vs. suitability, fee transparency, and potential conflicts like commissions or proprietary products. They stress planning-first advice, consistent communication (reviews, clear action items), and evidence-based investing rather than performance-chasing. Credentials (e.g., CFP®), a documented investment policy, and a retirement-income plan that accounts for taxes and inflation are highlighted as green flags. Red flags include opaque fees, one-size-fits-all portfolios, and advisors who can’t explain risk in plain English.

Mike and Al lays out a checklist for evaluating your advisor - fiduciary duty vs. suitability, fee transparency, and potential conflicts like commissions or proprietary products. They stress planning-first advice, consistent communication (reviews, clear action items), and evidence-based investing rather than performance-chasing. Credentials (e.g., CFP&reg;), a documented investment policy, and a retirement-income plan that accounts for taxes and inflation are highlighted as green flags. Red flags include opaque fees, one-size-fits-all portfolios, and advisors who can&rsquo;t explain risk in plain English.

07/25/26 Are You Working With The Right Advisor?

Mike and Al explains why investors should focus on inflation-adjusted (real) returns rather than headline (nominal) gains, since inflation, taxes, and fees can quietly erode performance. They compare how cash/CDs, bonds, and equities stack up after inflation over time and what that means for retirement income planning. The episode outlines practical tactics like diversified allocation, being fee-aware, and considering inflation-hedging tools to protect purchasing power. The takeaway: judge your portfolio and advisor by real progress toward goals, not just market rallies.

Mike and Al explains why investors should focus on inflation-adjusted (real) returns rather than headline (nominal) gains, since inflation, taxes, and fees can quietly erode performance. They compare how cash/CDs, bonds, and equities stack up after inflation over time and what that means for retirement income planning. The episode outlines practical tactics like diversified allocation, being fee-aware, and considering inflation-hedging tools to protect purchasing power. The takeaway: judge your portfolio and advisor by real progress toward goals, not just market rallies.

05/30/26 Social Security Part 1

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