Episodes

Annuities seem to have a negative connotation within the financial industry, but do they deserve it? Are annuities good or are they bad? Because there are so many different types of annuities, it's hard to generalize that they are either good or bad. Each annuity should be evaluated independently based on each individual’s situation. On episode #19, host Joe Allaria is joined by Partner and Wealth Advisor of CarsonAllaria Wealth Management, Mark Allaria, CFP®, as the two discuss the pros and con...

Social Security filing strategies can get complex for couples, especially those with different ages. Can you start a spousal benefit, then switch to your own? Can you start your own benefit, then switch to a spousal benefit? What is a restricted application? Can I still file and suspend? So many questions and not enough answers. But, we're fixing that problem on this episode by answering several listener questions around this very topic. Click to listen as host Joe Allaria discusses Social Secur...

It's that time of year again...when we see stock market predictions being released by financial institutions, fund managers, financial media personnel, and other financial “experts.” Most of these predictions end up being wildly inaccurate, yet they keep being made, and many keep listening. Click to listen as host Joe Allaria uncovers how these "experts" did on their 2022 predictions, and what they're saying about 2023. Listener Question What will the stock market do in 2023? We're talking about...

In this episode, Host and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional Joe Allaria is joined by Wendy Green, the Founder and Host of the "Hey, Boomer" podcast, and the two discuss Creating Your Retirement Identity. Recent retirees can often find themselves in a retirement identity crisis after using their title as a defining adjective for who they are for so many years and then having that title anymore. Tune in to hear more about different ways to frame your identity both prior to and during retir...

In this episode, Host and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional Joe Allaria is joined by Co-Host Jay Waters, Wealth Advisor with CarsonAllaria Wealth Management, to discuss our Top 10 Retirement Myths that seem to be widely accepted amongst those in or near retirement. In Part 2 of this two-part series, we cover the final five myths, including: Final 5 of the Top 10 Retirement Myths Long-term care is covered by Medicare. You can count on historical returns to repeat during retirement. You wi...

In this episode, Host Joe Allaria is joined by Co-Host Jay Waters to discuss our Top 10 Retirement Myths that seem to be widely accepted amongst those in or near retirement. In Part 1 of this two-part series, we cover the first five myths, including: First 5 of the Top 10 Retirement Myths If you reach a certain dollar amount (say $1M), you can safely retire. Your investments should be conservative in retirement. You have to avoid market downturns when you’re retired. You need to have your mortga...

On Episode 13, host Joe Allaria covers "13 Year-End Financial Strategies" to consider before we enter into 2023. Here are the 13 strategies with links to resources mentioned 1. Contribute to employer-sponsored retirement plans 2. Contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA) 3. Spend the rest of Flex Spending Account (FSA) 4. Make charitable contributions (with appreciated stock and/or donor advised funds) 5. Bunch your medical expenses (if applicable) 6. Tax-loss harvesting 7. Gain harvesting 8....

The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 made what some would consider significant changes to a few key Social Security filing strategies. Specifically, the legislation removed some well-known Social Security loopholes that were used by many to increase spousal benefits. But, one of those loopholes was phased out over time, which means it could still be used by some. Listen in to hear more about the restricted filing strategy, which could be used if one spouse was born in 1953 or earlier, and if the ot...

A sound financial plan is only one part of living a better retirement. Another huge part is maintaining good health and it's extremely difficult to "retire better" if you don't feel better. On this episode, Kevin English, a health and wellness expert specializing in helping those over 50 years of age, joins Joe Allaria to share a few simple keys to improving your health even after age 50, including: How to eat better without going on an extreme fad diet How to maintain muscle with a simple worko...

Retirement brings unique challenges that you may not experience during your working years. Advisors that work with retirees or those close to retirement should understand this and adjust their practices accordingly. In this episode, Joe Allaria is joined by 30-year industry veteran, Scott Carson, as the two discuss five things a retirement-focused advisor should do. We also cover a listener question from Julie on long-term care premium increases, and if it makes sense to keep these policies as t...

In this episode, Host Joe Allaria, CFP® answers a listener question about how to estimate life expectancy for the purposes of building your financial plan, and he also explains six of the biggest and most common mistakes that retirees are making in regard to Social Security, including: Starting benefits too early Not coordinating benefits for married couples Not maximizing survivor benefits Not maximizing divorced benefits Relying on the Social Security Administration for advice Thinking all Soc...

There are 11,000 Baby Boomers turning 65 everyday. Many of them share the same Medicare questions, like: Do I need to enroll at age 65? What if I work past age 65? What coverage is best for me? Should I get a Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plan? What does Medicare cover? Does my income impact my premium? If so, how? On this episode, Joe Allaria is joined by Medicare expert Joanne Giardini-Russell, CEO of Giardini Medicare, to touch on all of the above. About Our Guest Joanne Giardini...

Does life insurance make sense in retirement? If so, why? What are some creative and useful reasons for retirees to retain coverage? Also, what should policy owners and their agents be doing to properly maintain these policies over time? On this episode of The Retirement Power Hour, host Joe Allaria will be joined by insurance industry rock star Sheryl Moore to discuss all of the above and more! About our guest Sheryl Moore is the Founder, Creator, and CEO of Wink, Inc and Moore Market Intellig...

On this episode, Joe Allaria welcomes David Blanchett, Managing Director and Head of Retirement Research for PGIM DC Solutions. David is a respected voice in the financial industry and has published over 100 papers in a variety of industry and academic journals. He's also received awards for his research from the Academy of Financial Services, the CFP Board, the Financial Analysts Journal , the Financial Planning Association, the International Centre for Pension Management, the Journal of Financ...

Host Joe Allaria and special guest Scott Carson, Senior Wealth Advisor for CarsonAllaria Wealth Management, discuss the benefits of reframing your mind around retirement, building your lifestyle allocation, and designing your retirement life to maximize your satisfaction and fulfillment. For more information and references on material discussed, see the links below: 1. Designing Your Life Resources 2. "Where's the best place for me to retire" tool (provided by Marketwatch.com) To submit a liste...

Bear markets are tough to endure and can leave investors that are committed to long-term investing feeling a bit handcuffed. But, while bear markets are uncomfortable, they can also present unique financial planning opportunities that may help investors soften the blow and minimize the negative effects of steep market declines. On this episode, host Joe Allaria will be joined by fellow Wealth Advisor, Jay Waters, as the two discuss five useful strategies to consider during a bear market. For mor...

Times of heightened uncertainty, whether as a result of geopolitical tensions, inflation concerns, interest rate concerns, or anything else, can make it difficult for investors to stay the course. Stock market volatility and negative headlines give the impression that you should be doing something. Poor investor behavior begins to emerge and the average investor can easily lose thousands (or more) from poor decisions. On this episode, host Joe Allaria is joined by brother, Wealth Advisor, and CE...

So many voices in finance are constantly telling you that you should worry. They say you should worry about the stock market, about Social Security, about inflation, and many other things. But, this episode is all about why you shouldn't worry. Tune in as Joe Allaria welcomes guest and co-host Mark Allaria as the two discuss the importance of focusing on what you can control, getting a plan, taking prudent action, but then letting the rest go. For more information on some of the statistics menti...

At the beginning of every year, we see stock market predictions being released by financial institutions, fund managers, financial media personnel, and other financial “experts.” Most of these predictions end up being wildly inaccurate, yet they keep being made, and many keep listening. Click to listen as host Joe Allaria and guest Jay Waters (Wealth Advisor with CarsonAllaria Wealth Management) discuss the difference between the actual results of 2021 vs. the predictions made. They'll also help...