Candid Conversations with Ryan Cravitz is a show specifically about retirement planning for people over 50. If you're wanting to invest better, maximize your income, reduce taxes, and learn how to successfully retire then this is the perfect show for you. Ryan has operated an independent financial planning firm since 2011 and is in his second decade of helping people grow and protect their wealth. Join him each episode for conversations about income, retirement, insurance, 401(k)s, IRAs, inv ...
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
5 Things People Get Wrong About Social Security When Planning for Retirement
21:16
21:16
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:16
Social Security is a really important part of an overall retirement plan but there are five things people get wrong when planning for retirement. The things we’ll talk about in this video are misunderstandings we often hear from clients and other people. In fact, advisors don’t always get these things right. If you’re approaching retirement or alre…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
3 Reasons To Retire Now (Or As Soon As Possible)
23:00
23:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
23:00
Today we’re going to give you three compelling reasons why you should consider retiring now or as soon as possible. If you are unsure about your retirement readiness, this episode will help you evaluate your financial security, address potential burnout and health considerations, and ensure you have a purposeful plan for your retirement days. If an…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
5 Things You Need to Know About Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) When Planning for Retirement
20:00
20:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:00
In this video, Ryan outlines five crucial things you need to know about RMDs, including when you need to take them, how to calculate them, and strategies to reduce them for tax efficiency. These five things will help give you a better understanding of RMDs and the role they play in building an income plan, which will also help you be more efficient…
…
continue reading
One of the biggest questions that we get about Social Security is when should I take my benefits? A lot of people want to claim them as soon as they can for multiple reasons, but would you be better off delaying your benefits up to age 70? Join us as we explore five compelling reasons why you might want to consider postponing your Social Security c…
…
continue reading
As you approach retirement, one of the most pressing questions is how much you can withdraw from your savings without running out of money. The 4% rule, a popular guideline in retirement planning, suggests that you can withdraw 4% of your retirement portfolio in the first year and adjust that amount for inflation each subsequent year. This rule, de…
…
continue reading
The crucial conversation when it comes to retirement is all about how much you need to have saved. The traditional $1 million benchmark doesn’t have as much staying power as it used to. In fact, a recent study found that Americans believe they need at least $1.5 million to retire comfortably. We’ve found that most people believe they’ll need a lot …
…
continue reading
We hear a lot of half-truths in the financial world, not necessarily because people try to make misleading statements, but because sometimes a simple statement just doesn’t quite tell the whole story. On this episode, we’ll discuss a few examples that seem straightforward but have nuances that can significantly impact your retirement strategy. Here…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Retiree Health Insurance: The Basics You Must Know
16:50
16:50
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:50
While you dream about the leisurely days ahead of you in retirement, it’s also important to think about some of the less glamorous items, including insurance. In this new season of life, your old policies may no longer suit your needs or may come to an end. So, what types of coverage should you be considering for your golden years? What do you need…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Don’t Make These Income Planning Mistakes
20:05
20:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:05
Are you planning for your retirement with the confidence that you're making all the right moves? With so many moving pieces in retirement, it takes detailed planning to cover all your bases, but it begins with building an income plan. In today's episode, we'll unveil the crucial income planning mistakes that could jeopardize your retirement and sho…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Practical Strategies for Protecting Retirees Against Scams & Fraud
17:54
17:54
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
17:54
As much as any other threat, recognizing and avoiding scams has become a necessary skill for today’s retirees to develop. In today’s episode, we’ll share a story of how a scam destroyed a woman’s entire retirement savings. Then, we’ll explore some crucial steps you can take to safeguard your financial well-being against the growing tide of scams an…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Financial Questions That We’ve Been Asked Recently
20:39
20:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:39
We work through all types of scenarios with clients each day and find tools that will help them reach their financial goals. To help you get a better idea of how we work through these different scenarios, we are going to run through a list of questions that we’ve been asked recently. Each of these topics cover common financial scenarios that you ha…
…
continue reading
Whether you're nearing retirement, already retired, or just planning ahead, it's crucial to stay informed about Social Security and any changes that happen each year. Today we’re going to share some key things that you need to know and bring you up to speed on some updates that need to be aware of. Ryan will also tell you how this might impact you …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Important Retirement Updates & Changes for 2024
23:27
23:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
23:27
It’s not always easy to keep up with rule changes and updates when they happen each year, but we like to stay on top of anything that might impact your retirement planning. In today’s episode, we will bring you up to date on what’s new for 2024. From tax brackets to Social Security to 529 plans, we’ll cover some key planning items that everyone wil…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Let’s Answer Some Common Financial Questions
20:37
20:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:37
As we close in on the end of the year, we want to finish up by answering questions that people have asked us recently. We’ll cover key financial planning topics like retirement withdrawal rates, investing in CDs, advisor fees, Social Security and more. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: Is it okay to take a short-term loan to get funds…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The Universal Truths of Retirement (PART 2)
23:03
23:03
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
23:03
Today we’re going to finish up our two-part conversation that will juxtapose the individuality of retirement plans with the foundational principles that remain constant regardless of who you are. These 10 total truths need to be accounted for when you build a plan for retirement, and we’ll talk about how and why they could have an impact on your fi…
…
continue reading
Retirement is a unique journey for each of us. The thought that there's a one-size-fits-all solution is a myth, but what if we told you there are certain universal truths that can guide every retiree? We’ll explore the realities that all of us will face in this episode so join us as we juxtapose the individuality of retirement plans with the founda…
…
continue reading
We came across an article recently that would get anyone’s attention when they’re trying to save for retirement. The headline said this person lost $400k in a Roth 401(k) and warned others about the risk as well. While this headline could very easily be characterized as clickbait, we wanted to explore it a little further and see how much truth was …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Spotting Problematic Personalities of Rogue Advisors
17:49
17:49
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
17:49
Finding a trustworthy and competent financial advisor is essential for securing your financial future. After all, they play a vital role in helping you make informed decisions about your money, investments, and long-term financial goals. We’ll find out in today’s episode as we explore how to identify “The Ghost”, “The Jargon Juggler”, “The Chameleo…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Counterintuitive Advice: Why You Should NOT Invest In A 401(k)
15:20
15:20
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
15:20
Don’t get us wrong. In many cases, your 401(k) can be your best investment vehicle, offering numerous benefits and tax advantages and many times a 100% return on some of your contributions (also known as an employer match). However, it's important to recognize that it might not always be the optimal choice for everyone. Join us in this thought-prov…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
9 Big Mistakes People Make When Approaching Retirement
17:56
17:56
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
17:56
In this episode, we've distilled it down to what we believe are nine big mistakes to watch out for. Avoiding these crucial missteps can have a significant impact on the success of your retirement plan. So, join us as we delve into these key issues and learn how to navigate them effectively when it's your turn to plan for retirement. Here are some o…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Ep 15: Retirement Savings Basics: What’s The Purpose Of All My Accounts?
16:14
16:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:14
Not all retirement accounts are created equal. It's crucial to understand the purpose and advantages of each type of account to make the best choice for your future. In this episode, we'll delve into the different types of retirement accounts, including 401(k)s, IRAs, Roths, and several other examples. Here are some of the topics we’ll discuss in t…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Ep 14: Retirement Expenses For Which You Forgot To Plan
18:10
18:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
18:10
Are you preparing for retirement but feeling confident that you have covered all the expenses? Well, think again… It turns out that many retirees overlook some crucial expenses that can leave them financially vulnerable. Here are some of the topics we’ll discuss in this show: Would Ryan choose a personal chef or personal maid? (1:13) Medical expens…
…
continue reading
Are you confident that your financial plan is complete? Many people believe they have a solid plan in place, only to realize later that they've missed important areas. From not accounting for long-term care expenses to overlooking the impact of taxes on retirement income, there are many ways a financial plan can be incomplete. Here are some of the …
…
continue reading
In today’s episode, we’ll break down the top ten tax questions retirees are asking in 2023. Before you file your 2022 taxes and plan ahead for the rest of the year, make sure to listen to this episode as we’ll discuss some important tax questions that retirees should ask themselves to ensure they're making the most of their retirement savings and m…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Ep 11: The Ins and Outs of Annuities: What You Need to Know to Plan for Retirement
15:06
15:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
15:06
For episode 11 of Candid Conversations: Retirement Talk with Ryan Cravitz, we’re tackling a topic that’s often a source of confusion for many people: annuities. There are different types of annuities, each with their own unique nuances, and it’s important to have a basic understanding of how they work and how they might fit into your financial plan…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Ep 10: Mailbag Edition – Answering Listener Questions About IRAs, Long Term Care, Tax Brackets & Much More
21:42
21:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:42
For episode 10 of Candid Conversations: Retirement Talk with Ryan Cravitz, we’re peppering Ryan with, you guessed it, 10 listener questions about a wide range of financial planning and retirement topics. From IRAs to long term care, tax brackets, reverse mortgages and more, Ryan will share tips and guidance that will level up your financial knowled…
…
continue reading
When you really boil it down, there are really only three places where you can invest money: the banking world, the insurance world, and the Wall Street world. Understanding how these three worlds of money are used is important, but so is knowing the pros can cons for each. Once you’ve done that, you’ll have a better grasp on how to structure your …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Ep 8: Social Security, Annuities, and Life Insurance – Mailbag Edition
15:34
15:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
15:34
On today’s show, we’re going to open up the mailbag and find out what questions you have for Ryan. Over the course of this episode, we’ll tackle annuities, life insurance policies, Social Security strategy, and whether it’s time to be more aggressive with your investments. If you’ve been curious about any of these financial planning topics, we hope…
…
continue reading
The question that gets asked most often when someone sits down with a financial advisor is ‘Am I ready to retire?’ We all want to reach the point where we’re financially independent but have you taken the necessary steps to reach that point? Today we’ll share some of the common discussions we have with clients when it comes to determining when you …
…
continue reading
Most Americans will utilize a retirement account during their working career to put money aside for retirement, and the most common option is the IRA. However, things can get a little trickier when deciding whether a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA is the better fit for your investments. On this episode, we’ll provide you with the information you nee…
…
continue reading
Much like the game of football, retirement planning has a similar period of time where it’s essential for your long-term success. We call this the Financial Red Zone, and it’s the 5-10 years prior to retirement and the first years in retirement. Planning and execution become critical during this time and we’ll tell you why on this episode. Here’s s…
…
continue reading
On this episode, we’re going to clear up some of the most common myths and misunderstandings surrounding this retirement program. From how to get the most out of your claim to taxes to whether it will eventually run out of money, Ryan will help you better understand Social Security and what goes into planning for it. Here’s some of what you’ll lear…
…
continue reading
Tax planning is another core piece of a comprehensive retirement plan so let’s focus in on this area. People often confuse this topic with tax filing, but when we say tax planning we’re talking about what we can do in order to increase our after-tax, spendable income. Making the right decisions with your investments today can help you keep more of …
…
continue reading
On this episode of the podcast, we’re going to discuss the importance of income planning and why so many people fail to put a proper one in place. Plus, we’ll tell you about the steps we take with clients to insure they have a plan for turning everything they’ve accumulated over their career into income in retirement. Here’s some of what you’ll lea…
…
continue reading
We’re kicking off the podcast with a little introduction to our show and host, Ryan Cravitz. Before we dive into the financial planning conversations we’ll have on future episodes, we wanted to lay the foundation for what’s to come on the show by giving you a little background on our business and how Cravitz Financial began. Here’s some of what you…
…
continue reading