In this episode of the Retirement Made Easy Podcast, we dive deep into the 2025 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for Social Security. We break down how the COLA works and what it means for your retirement planning.

With the 2025 COLA coming in at 2.5%, we explore how this adjustment could affect your benefits—whether you’re still working or already collecting Social Security. We also discuss the projected rise in Medicare Part B premiums and why it’s crucial to plan conservatively for future costs.

Tune in to discover how the COLA can be a powerful tool in your retirement strategy, while understanding the importance of not relying too heavily on it. If you’re planning for retirement, this episode is packed with essential insights to help you build a more secure financial future.

• [2:13] Check out our free resources at RetirementMadeEasyPodcast.com
• [3:18] How Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustment works
• [8:25] What type of COLA should we project for the future?
• [10:36] Expected future cost of Medicare Part B premiums
• [13:25] The COLA is incredibly powerful
• [17:40] Retirement is a journey—not a finish line
• [20:25] Plan conservatively and err on the side of caution

• 3 Steps to Retirement Planning
• Cost-of-Living Adjustment History
• Monthly Part B Premiums and Annual Percentage Increases
• Calculating Medicare Part B costs

• Email at: Gregg.gonzalez@lpl.com
• Podcast: https://RetirementMadeEasyPodcast.com
• Website: https://StLouisFinancialAdvisor.com
• Follow Gregg on LinkedIn
• Follow Gregg on Facebook
• Follow Gregg on YouTube

Subscribe to Retirement Made Easy
On Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts

One of the biggest questions people have about retirement planning is: “Will I have enough saved?” This episode of Retirement Made Easy dives into just that—how to determine the “magic number” you’ll need to retire comfortably and securely.

From evaluating your current expenses to assessing your future goals, we will start to cover all the bases to help you calculate your retirement needs with confidence.

Whether you're thinking about traveling, leaving a legacy for your loved ones, or simply covering the basics, this episode offers practical steps to ensure your money lasts through retirement, no matter how long that might be.

Listen in to find out how to navigate expenses, balance risk, and prepare for a lasting retirement.

• [2:50] Get free resources at RetirementMadeEasyPodcast.com
• [4:56] Look at your expenses, budget, and income
• [12:04] What do you like to spend money on?
• [14:42] How much will you need to save?
• [18:35] Do you want to leave an inheritance?

• 3 Steps to Retirement Planning
• I'm 65 With $1 Million - How Much Can I Expect to Spend in Retirement?
• EveryDollar

• Email at: Gregg.gonzalez@lpl.com
• Podcast: https://RetirementMadeEasyPodcast.com
• Website: https://StLouisFinancialAdvisor.com
• Follow Gregg on LinkedIn
• Follow Gregg on Facebook
• Follow Gregg on YouTube

Subscribe to Retirement Made Easy
On Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts

When it comes to retirement, healthcare planning isn’t just an afterthought—it’s one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Will your current savings cover future healthcare expenses? How will you bridge the gap if you retire before Medicare kicks in? Without a solid plan, unexpected medical costs could delay your dream retirement.

In Episode #173, we break down the key questions and strategies you need to consider to stay ahead of healthcare challenges in retirement. Whether you’re planning for your own retirement or helping a spouse navigate Medicare options, this episode will arm you with the tools to retire on time and on your terms.

• [1:45] The five pillars of retirement planning
• [2:20] Check out RetirementMadeEasyPodcast.com for free resources!
• [3:41] Do you have to wait until you’re 65 to retire and get on Medicare?
• [6:31] Saving in an HSA can cover healthcare expenses
• [10:53] Will healthcare expenses delay your retirement?
• [13:07] What will Obamacare cost per month?
• [16:18] Does your employer pay out unused vacation days?
• [17:49] Why would you consider transferring money into an HSA?
• [20:44] The basics of Medicare + supplements
• [25:53] Benefits and drawbacks of Medicare Advantage plans
• [30:23] Does your plan adequately adjust for inflation?
• [31:09] Check out the Retirement Made Easy YouTube channel

• 3 Steps to Retirement Planning
• Obamacare Federal Poverty Level

• Email at: Gregg.gonzalez@lpl.com
• Podcast: https://RetirementMadeEasyPodcast.com
• Website: https://StLouisFinancialAdvisor.com
• Follow Gregg on LinkedIn
• Follow Gregg on Facebook
• Follow Gregg on YouTube

Subscribe to Retirement Made Easy
On Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts

Getting through retirement while being able to pay all of your expenses is the goal. But how do you make it happen? You’ll have to make decisions before and during retirement that will impact whether or not it’s successful. I answer some questions directly related to financially surviving retirement in this episode of Retirement Made Easy.

• [1:46] Question #1: Should you build an expected inheritance into your plan?
• [5:19] Question #2: How can you calculate costs in retirement?
• [8:24] Question #3: How does disability work with life insurance?
• [10:25] Question #4: How does the survivor benefit work when divorced?
• [13:05] Question #5: Why do you need to find specialists?

• 3 Steps to Retirement Planning

• Email at: Gregg.gonzalez@lpl.com
• Podcast: https://RetirementMadeEasyPodcast.com
• Website: https://StLouisFinancialAdvisor.com
• Follow Gregg on LinkedIn
• Follow Gregg on Facebook
• Follow Gregg on YouTube

Subscribe to Retirement Made Easy
On Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts

When are the best times for Roth conversions? Should you invest in a target-date fund? Can you avoid the 10% early withdrawal penalty? These are just a few of the questions I’ll tackle in this special Listener Questions edition of Retirement Made Easy!

Preparing for retirement is complicated at best. I want to make sure I’m consistently answering the questions that are top of mind for my listeners. So if you have a question, head on over to RetirementMadeEasyPodcast.com and submit one!

• [0:28] Submit questions are RetirementMadeEasyPodacst.com
• [2:57] Question #1: When are the best times for Roth conversions?
• [8:23] Question #2: Should you invest in a target-date fund?
• [13:59] Question #3: How do I request a lump sum pension?
• [16:57] Question #4: Can you avoid the 10% early withdrawal penalty?
• [19:55] Question #5: How does 401K matching work?
• [22:28] Question #6: How does the survivor benefit work when divorced?
• [25:07] Question #7: How do long-term capital gains taxes work?

• Check out the Retirement Made Easy YouTube channel!
• 3 Steps to Retirement Planning
• Rule 72T

• Email at: Gregg.gonzalez@lpl.com
• Podcast: https://RetirementMadeEasyPodcast.com
• Website: https://StLouisFinancialAdvisor.com
• Follow Gregg on LinkedIn
• Follow Gregg on Facebook
• Follow Gregg on YouTube

Subscribe to Retirement Made Easy
On Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts

When should you claim your Social Security benefits? What do benefits look like for teachers who contribute to Teacher Retirement Systems? What is the survivor step-up strategy? In this episode of Retirement Made Easy, we’ll dive into some of the more complex areas of Social Security that people need to know about but are rarely told.

• [1:48] Check out our website for some FREE resources
• [2:27] Should you claim sooner or later?
• [6:19] The way Social Security is taxed
• [8:51] The GPO or WEP rules for survivor benefits
• [12:17] The survivor step-up strategy
• [19:34] Cost-of-living adjustments
• [24:03] How the spousal benefit works

• 3 Steps to Retirement Planning
• Widows Move Forward on Their Own – But Not Alone
• Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment

• Email at: Gregg.gonzalez@lpl.com
• Podcast: https://RetirementMadeEasyPodcast.com
• Website: https://StLouisFinancialAdvisor.com
• Follow Gregg on LinkedIn
• Follow Gregg on Facebook
• Follow Gregg on YouTube

Subscribe to Retirement Made Easy
On Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts

Social Security can be difficult to understand. The rules can be difficult to decipher. Answers are nearly impossible to find. This leaves most people frustrated and confused.

In this episode, I’m going to separate the truths from the many rumors you often hear and help you build your knowledge about Social Security. My goal is for you to walk away more informed about your future. Don’t miss it.

• [0:34] Make sure you follow our YouTube channel!
• [4:17] How do you earn a Social Security check?
• [8:27] How does the spousal benefit work with credits?
• [11:43] How do spousal benefits work with ex-spouses?
• [13:26] How does the survivor benefit work?
• [16:04] Understanding your Social Security statement
• [18:03] Collecting your benefits while working
• [19:40] How benefits are allocated monthly
• [20:39] What if you want to collect benefits and work?
• [23:21] Suspending or stopping your Social Security benefits

• 3 Steps to Retirement Planning
• SSA: How You Become Eligible for Benefits
• SSA: Primary Insurance Amount
• SSA: Form W-4V
• SSA: Form 521

• Email at: Gregg.gonzalez@lpl.com
• Podcast: https://RetirementMadeEasyPodcast.com
• Website: https://StLouisFinancialAdvisor.com
• Follow Gregg on LinkedIn
• Follow Gregg on Facebook
• Follow Gregg on YouTube

Subscribe to Retirement Made Easy
On Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts

2024 has already been full of many in-depth conversations with current and prospective clients. There have been some common threads among most of those conversations. From those common threads, I’ve pulled five lessons that we can all learn and benefit from when planning for retirement. Listen to this episode of Retirement Made Easy to learn what they are!

• [2:41] Lesson #1: Be careful who you get advice from
• [8:42] Lesson #2: Invest in line with your risk tolerance
• [12:29] Lesson #3: Make sure you have the details right
• [16:18] Lesson #4: Don’t be overconfident
• [18:50] Lesson #5: Always ask, “What am I missing?”

• 3 Steps to Retirement Planning

• Email at: Gregg.gonzalez@lpl.com
• Podcast: https://RetirementMadeEasyPodcast.com
• Website: https://StLouisFinancialAdvisor.com
• Follow Gregg on LinkedIn
• Follow Gregg on Facebook
• Follow Gregg on YouTube

Subscribe to Retirement Made Easy
On Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts