Episodes

The episode explains why Illinois residents who don't consider themselves wealthy may still face a significant estate tax bill. The key issue is Illinois' $4 million estate tax threshold, which works differently from the federal estate tax exemption.

If you're sitting on $10 million to $25 million or more, you've probably heard all about GRATs, SLATs, and estate tax strategies. But how often do you actually stop and think about how you want to use your money? In this episode of the Retirement Power Hour, Joe Allaria, CFP ®, walks through four ways high-net-worth individuals can think about spending, gifting, and giving, from covering living expenses and long-term care to leaving a legacy through charitable giving. This isn't about the te...

If you're planning to retire in the St. Louis area, one of the biggest questions you'll face is whether to settle in Illinois or Missouri. In this episode, Joe Allaria, CFP ®, breaks down seven key categories, including retirement income tax, estate tax, personal property tax, real estate tax, gas and sales tax, and home prices, to score each state and find out which one comes out ahead. But the results come with a twist. While Missouri wins more categories overall, the two biggest factors, ...

How much can you actually spend in retirement? In Episode 44 of the Retirement Power Hour, Joe Allaria, CFP®, breaks down six retirement spending questions every retiree needs to answer before locking in their income plan.

Learn how to turn retirement savings into reliable income with strategies for withdrawals, Social Security timing, annuities, tax planning, and investment risk.

Explore 2026 retirement contribution limits, catch-up contributions, income phase-outs, and tax changes for 401(k)s, IRAs, Roth IRAs, HSAs, and SIMPLE IRAs.

The new year always brings a wave of stock market forecasts… but how accurate are they really? In this episode of the Retirement Power Hour, Joe Allaria and Jay Waters break down the biggest 2026 market predictions from major financial institutions and compare them to what experts predicted for 2025. The results may surprise you. This annual episode isn’t about telling you where the market is going… it’s about showing why building your financial plan around predictions is risky and why a pe...

Compare Roth and traditional 401(k) accounts, understand their tax advantages, and learn how your income and future tax bracket can guide your choice.

Learn how to invest your 401(k) by evaluating target-date funds, diversification, risk tolerance, investment options, and your retirement timeline.

Find out how much to contribute to your 401(k) based on your age, income, and retirement goals, with tips for employer matches and increasing savings.

Learn how tariffs can affect consumer prices, inflation, and stock market returns, and why a diversified portfolio and long-term financial plan matter.

See how Wall Street's 2024 stock market predictions compared with actual returns and learn why long-term investors should focus on financial planning, not forecasts.

Review the IRS's 2025 cost-of-living adjustments for tax brackets, 401(k) and IRA contributions, Social Security, and other retirement planning limits.

Compare whole life and term life insurance, including costs, coverage periods, cash value, and how to choose a policy that fits your financial needs.

Learn how to estimate your life insurance needs by evaluating income replacement, outstanding debts, future expenses, dependents, and existing coverage.

Scott Carson shares 30 years of financial advice on investment planning, retirement spending, estate planning, tax strategies, and helping clients make the most of their wealth.

Can you retire at 60 with $1 million? Explore how retirement expenses, Social Security, pensions, investment returns, inflation, and healthcare costs affect your retirement readiness.

Explore how phased retirement can help you transition out of full-time work, manage retirement income, reduce financial pressure, and enjoy more flexibility before fully retiring.

Learn how charitable giving strategies may help reduce taxes, support causes you care about, and fit into your broader retirement and estate plan.

Jake DeKinder of Dimensional Fund Advisors joins Joe Allaria to examine historical stock market performance during election years and explain why investors should avoid reacting to political uncertainty.

In Episode #27 of the Retirement Power Hour, Joe Allaria, CFP®, talks about various ways you can protect yourself online from cybersecurity attacks, phishing attempts, and other forms of attempted fraud. Resources Mentioned on the Show: As Nationwide Fraud Looses Top $10 Billion in 2023 Identity Theft: 15 Ways to Protect Against Cyber Attacks If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to check out our latest podcast on Social Security: Will I Get It? Submit Your Questions To submit a listener q...

In 10 years will you be able to rely on social security to be there for you? In this episode of the Retirement Power Hour, Joe Allaria, CFP ®, talks about if social security is going to pay out benefits in the future and a 6 part plan on how to fix social security. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to check out our latest podcast on 2024 Stock Market Predictions. Resources Mentioned on the Show: The Reformer: An interactive Tool to Fix Social Security Submit Your Questions To submit a li...

Can we trust these large financial institutions that claim to know what the market is going to do? In this episode of the Retirement Power Hour, Joe Allaria, CFP ®, sits down with fellow financial advisor, Jay Waters, to talk about what happened in 2023, what the “experts” say is going to happen in 2024, and why to think twice before listening to what these large financial institutions predict. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to check out our latest podcast on How to Pay 0% in Capital ...

Is it possible to pay 0% in Capital Gains Tax? In this episode of the Retirement Power Hour, Joe Allaria, CFP®, explains 4 strategies to NOT pay any Capital Gains Tax, including gain harvesting, donating appreciated shares of securities, tax-loss harvesting, and not selling at all (but instead leaving your shares to your heirs). If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to check out our last podcast on How to Not Fail at Retirement with Author Mike Drak. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCc1uTayt5E...