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Retirement Starts Today

Benjamin Brandt CFP®, RICP®
Retirement Starts Today
Latest episode

425 episodes

  • Retirement Starts Today

    The New 2% Mortgage

    11/02/2026 | 16 mins.
    What's the next financial flex? What will people be talking about 10 years from now?
    It's the $0 income year - and the flex sounds like this:
    "Can you believe I converted $100,000 to my Roth for a 7% effective tax rate?"
    Or, "I was able to sell $150,000 worth of stock and pay little to no capital gains tax."
    That's the new 2% mortgage for Gen X or Gen Jones. And just like the 2% mortgage, I think a lot of people won't realize how good it was until it's gone.
    Listen in on what a $0 income year looks like.
     
    Connect with Benjamin Brandt:
    Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: http://thisweekinretirement.com
    Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com
    Work with Benjamin: https://retirementstartstoday.com/start
    Get the book!
    Retirement Starts Today: Your Non-financial Guide to an Even Better Retirement
    Follow Retirement Starts Today in:
    Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or iHeart
  • Retirement Starts Today

    What If This Turns Out to Be a Terrible Time to Retire?

    10/26/2026 | 18 mins.
    4 tactics for retiring during a bear market is the main topic of today. Christine Benz at Morningstar wrote about a survey on retirement confidence - and gives us a list of ways to tackle the situation.
    We also have a listener who is using Benz's bucket strategy - and wonders when to refill the cash bucket?
    And in Retire To Something, we'll meet Jeff who works every Braves home game helping fans who need a wheelchair get from the gates to their seats, and catches plenty of baseball along the way.
     
    Connect with Benjamin Brandt:
    Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: http://thisweekinretirement.com
    Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com
    Work with Benjamin: https://retirementstartstoday.com/start
    Get the book!
    Retirement Starts Today: Your Non-financial Guide to an Even Better Retirement
    Follow Retirement Starts Today in:
    Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or iHeart
  • Retirement Starts Today

    Why You're Wasting Time Worrying About Safe Withdrawal Rates

    10/19/2026 | 16 mins.
    If you're simply asking the question about what correct withdrawal rate for your retirement is - you're likely not the type of person who is going to run out of money.
    That's the message shared by Jordan Grumet of The Purpose Code. He says "The simple act of asking, "Should I spend 3.2%, 4%, or 5%?" reveals something telling: You've done the work. You've built the nest egg. You understand the mechanics. You're in the game."
    More about his article and the data behind it is shared in today's episode.
    We also answer a listener question about how to spend at their calculated rate without worrying, and wrap it up with a great "Retire To Something" segment.
    Resource:
    Article by Jordan Grummet at The Purpose Code: Why You're Wasting Time Worrying About Safe Withdrawal Rates
     
     
    Connect with Benjamin Brandt:
    Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: http://thisweekinretirement.com
    Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com
    Work with Benjamin: https://retirementstartstoday.com/start
    Get the book!
    Retirement Starts Today: Your Non-financial Guide to an Even Better Retirement
    Follow Retirement Starts Today in:
    Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or iHeart
  • Retirement Starts Today

    Four Big IRA Mistakes That You Can't Undo

    10/12/2026 | 18 mins.
    Good news! A lot of IRA mistakes can be fixed - according to a Wall Street Journal article, which we cover in our headline segment.
    In our Listener Question segment, Tom is leaving his corporate job next year - when he turns 55 - and wants to use the Rule of 55 to take money out of his 401(k) without the 10% penalty.
    And we wrap it up with motivation in our "Retire To Something" segment.
     
    Resource:
    Article by Leonard Sloane at the Wall Street Journal: Four Big IRA Mistakes That You Can't Undo
     
    Connect with Benjamin Brandt:
    Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: http://thisweekinretirement.com
    Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com
    Work with Benjamin: https://retirementstartstoday.com/start
    Get the book!
    Retirement Starts Today: Your Non-financial Guide to an Even Better Retirement
    Follow Retirement Starts Today in:
    Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or iHeart
  • Retirement Starts Today

    Are Super Savers Failing in Retirement? with Andy Panko [Rebroadcast]

    10/05/2026 | 1h 2 mins.
    A special recording from Andy Panko for his Retirement Planning Education Podcast: We discuss how the financial industry is evolving, the common struggles of "super savers" in retirement, and the importance of aligning financial decisions with life goals, not just spreadsheets. 
    We talk about the role of Monte Carlo simulations, the importance of flexibility in financial plans, and the evolving role of advisors in a changing world.
    It's a conversation that encourages you to find joy and flexibility in your retirement journey.
    Resource:
    Andy's podcast: Retirement Planning Education
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About Retirement Starts Today
Do you want to spend more money & pay less taxes on your way to an even better retirement? Great news, you're in the right place! I'll also teach you the benefits of retiring TO something, while most retirees only solve half the equation by retiring FROM something. Tune in every Monday morning - hosted by Benjamin Brandt CFP®, RICP®. Join my "This Week in Retirement" newsletter for the best retirement content of the week, sourced by me: https://pages.thisweekinretirement.com/newsletter
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