Should you take your Social Security at 62 or wait? Some say it's a "no brainer", but is there really a “no brainer” age to take your Social Security? There's many moving parts to consider. Your choice should impact your retirement income, taxes you'll pay, investment strategy, health costs, inheritance, and many more.

Michael walks through this common retirement question. Michael has the unique skillset of viewing this choice from a financial planning standpoint as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, the investment angle as he has multiple investment designations, as well the tax side from his certification as an Enrolled Agent.

In this episode, we explore:

💭 Why we may claim early or may wait to take Social Security

💭 Break even ages and why they are helpful but not the full story

💭 How taxes, Roth conversions, and income stacking may change the math

💭 The earnings test

💭 Spousal and survivor considerations

💭 The real impact of permanent benefit reductions and delayed credits

💭 Why Social Security decisions should be coordinated with your tax and retirement strategy

As always, the goal is not to tell you what to do, but to help you think through your options to see what may fit you best.

Chapters:

00:00 Social Security a No Brainer?

02:10 Using SS as a Part of Your Complete Plan

03:30 When's Your Full Retirement Age?

05:11 Chart for Early vs. Late Claims

06:51 Reasons SS at 62 May Make Sense

09:21 SS Running Out of Money?

10:15 Guilt Free Spending?

11:09 Potential Roth Opportunities

12:24 Start Getting Some of Your SS Payments?!

13:03 Take SS & Invest?

14:49 Reasons to Wait on SS?

15:46 Earnings Test Explained

17:34 Tax Flexibility Potential

18:38 Effect on Health Insurance

19:12 Spousal Effects

19:55 Does Your State Tax SS?

20:24 RMD Planning, Income Stacking

21:16 The Tax Timebomb?

23:34 Strategic Distribution Planning

24:51 Social Security's Impact on Your Life

26:29 Youtube Disc. TN & Words.mp4

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞?

We’re here to make retirement planning feel less intimidating by helping people think through their strategies and plans through clear relatable financial topics!

💬 Questions or Want to Connect?

🌐 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: www.custerfinancialadvisors.com

📧 𝐄𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥: custerfinancialadvisors@lpl.com

Disclosures:

Harborfront Financial Group is a Registered Investment Advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training, and the content of this communication has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.

The information contained in this material is intended to provide general information about Harborfront Financial Group and its services. It is not intended to offer investment advice. Investment advice will only be given after a client engages our services by executing the appropriate investment services agreement. Information regarding investment products and services are provided solely to read about our investment philosophy and our strategies. You should not rely on any information provided on our web site in making investment decisions.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Harborfront Financial Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Harborfront Financial Group and Custer Financial Advisors are separate entities from LPL Financial.

This is a hypothetical example and is not representative of any specific situation. Your results will vary. The hypothetical rates of return used do not reflect the deduction of fees and charges inherent to investing. All investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss.

In this episode Michael, CFP®, EA tackles three big listener questions. 1. How should we save for kids beyond a bank account, 2. Whether a 26‑year‑old really needs life insurance, and 3. How much life insurance should a family actually carry?

Topic overviews:

💭 Investing money for kids

💭 Why a brokerage/Non-Retirement account could be a useful family planning vehicle

💭 Tax ideas that are available when parents gift investments rather than cash

💭 Does whole life insurance make sense?

💭 How much life insurance might your family need?

💭 Why layering term policies may help match your timeline and net worth

💭 The real conversation couples should have about life insurance before choosing an amount.

Great questions, hope you find this helpful!

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞?

We’re here to make retirement planning feel less intimidating by helping people think through their strategies and plans through clear relatable financial topics!

💬 Questions or Want to Connect?

🌐 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: www.custerfinancialadvisors.com

📧 𝐄𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥: custerfinancialadvisors@lpl.com

Chapters

00:00 Michael Bugging His Wife

01:21 Little Known HSA Strategies

06:23 What to Know for Trump Accounts

08:10 How do you Claim the Money?

08:47 Hows' the Kids' Money Invested?

09:02 Family Planning Ideas for These Accounts

09:59 Too Good to be True?

10:48 Replacing Social Security Potentially?

12:00 Is It Fair to Other Kids/Families?

12:30 Dell Accounts. Kids & Family Qualify?

13:58 Thoughts on an Investment Plan

14:28 Not Spending Enough?

17:05 Reactions to $2 Million Retirement Plan

17:23 Influencer's Investment Plan for Retirement Make Sense?

18:45 What Could Be Our Highest Spending Power?

22:26 Sequence of Return Risk

23:38 4% Rule Matter?

24:30 Who May Want All Stocks in Retirement?

25:24 Youtube Disc. TN & Words.mp4

Disclosures:

Harborfront Financial Group is a Registered Investment Advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training, and the content of this communication has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.

The information contained in this material is intended to provide general information about Harborfront Financial Group and its services. It is not intended to offer investment advice. Investment advice will only be given after a client engages our services by executing the appropriate investment services agreement. Information regarding investment products and services are provided solely to read about our investment philosophy and our strategies. You should not rely on any information provided on our web site in making investment decisions.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Harborfront Financial Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Harborfront Financial Group and Custer Financial Advisors are separate entities from LPL Financial.

This is a hypothetical example and is not representative of any specific situation. Your results will vary. The hypothetical rates of return used do not reflect the deduction of fees and charges inherent to investing. All investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss.

We cover some big financial topics people often ask about in this episode.

1.) What families should know to get money from the government for their kids.

2.) How could certain strategies make your HSA work harder for you?

3.) Whether an influencer's retirement investment plan makes sense to professional and how it might actually hold up in the real world!

Topics include:

💭 Why Michael tries to push his wife’s buttons at the start

💭 How Health Savings Accounts actually could work harder for you

💭 Common HSA mistakes families may want to avoid

💭 What’s going on with the new government backed kid accounts (Trump & Dell Accounts)

💭 How these kid accounts compare to other savings options for families

💭 An opinion on a retirement investment plan that seemed to scare Michael

💭 Sequence of return risk and why it matters for real world retirement planning

💭 Practical takeaways for parents and anyone planning for the future

Hopefully you find this helpful!

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞?

We’re here to make retirement planning feel less intimidating by helping people think through their strategies and plans through clear relatable financial topics!

💬 Questions or Want to Connect?

🌐 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: www.custerfinancialadvisors.com

📧 𝐄𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥: custerfinancialadvisors@lpl.com

Disclosures:

Harborfront Financial Group is a Registered Investment Advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training, and the content of this communication has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.

The information contained in this material is intended to provide general information about Harborfront Financial Group and its services. It is not intended to offer investment advice. Investment advice will only be given after a client engages our services by executing the appropriate investment services agreement. Information regarding investment products and services are provided solely to read about our investment philosophy and our strategies. You should not rely on any information provided on our web site in making investment decisions.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Harborfront Financial Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Harborfront Financial Group and Custer Financial Advisors are separate entities from LPL Financial.

This is a hypothetical example and is not representative of any specific situation. Your results will vary. The hypothetical rates of return used do not reflect the deduction of fees and charges inherent to investing. All investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss.

In this episode, Michael Custer, CFP®, EA, unpacks annuities in plain English, no sales pitch attached. While he admits they’re not his favorite financial tool, he takes a candid look at what annuities are and how they work.

You have probably seen commercials, gotten dinner invites, or maybe even own one yourself. Annuities spark a lot of curiosity, and today we dig into what they really are, when they may make sense or not, and why the fine print matters.

What we explore in this episode:

💭 What annuities actually are and why they show up so often in retirement conversations

💭 The simple breakdown of fixed annuities vs variable annuities

💭 How annuitizing works and how to figure out your break even point

💭 The fine print people miss: cap rates, participation rates, riders, and fees

💭 Why surrender charges can surprise people and how free withdrawals work

💭 When an annuity may genuinely make sense for someone

💭 How to compare an annuity to your other planning options so you choose what truly fits your goals

Stay curious and enjoy the episode.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞?

We’re here to make retirement planning feel less intimidating by helping people think through their strategies and plans through clear relatable financial topics!

💬 Questions or Want to Connect?

🌐 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: www.custerfinancialadvisors.com

📧 𝐄𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥: custerfinancialadvisors@lpl.com

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Annuities

00:52 What are annuities?

01:45 Who May Like an Annuity?

02:45 What Are Annuities?

03:41 What's Your Break Even Point with an Annuity?

04:52 Ways People Buy an Annuity

05:49 Understanding Fixed Annuities

06:38 Understanding variable annuities

08:37 Understand Your Annuity Surrender Schedule

10:38 Free Surrender Period Amounts

11:34 Have We Thought of All Our Options?

13:31 Youtube Disc. TN & Words.mp4

Disclosures:

Harborfront Financial Group is a Registered Investment Advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training, and the content of this communication has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.

The information contained in this material is intended to provide general information about Harborfront Financial Group and its services. It is not intended to offer investment advice. Investment advice will only be given after a client engages our services by executing the appropriate investment services agreement. Information regarding investment products and services are provided solely to read about our investment philosophy and our strategies. You should not rely on any information provided on our web site in making investment decisions.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Harborfront Financial Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Harborfront Financial Group and Custer Financial Advisors are separate entities from LPL Financial.

This is a hypothetical example and is not representative of any specific situation. Your results will vary. The hypothetical rates of return used do not reflect the deduction of fees and charges inherent to investing. All investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss.

The IRS rolled out new 2026 retirement contribution limits and, yes, more new rules! Who's excited?! Not a huge shocker, but we think some are good! They made some things more complicated though. From new income limits, new catch ups, a super catch up window that only exists from ages 60 to 63, and the mandatory Roth catch up for higher earners, it feels like the IRS is writing plot twists just to keep us on our toes.

In this episode, we break down:

💭 The mandatory Roth catch up rule for higher earners

💭 The backdoor Roth strategy and the pro rata rule

💭 IRA and Roth IRA contribution limit changes

💭 Simple IRA updates including Roth Simple availability

💭 New 401k and 403b limits and how the super catch up works

💭 Why HSA accounts may act like a secret retirement account

💭 Common planning paths people use when stacking accounts

💭 How Roth contributions could help bridge the gap before 59 1/2

💭 Key income restrictions to watch for in 2026

If you want a clear walk through of all the major retirement updates coming in 2026, this episode tries to make it feel a whole lot more understandable.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞?

We’re here to make retirement planning feel less intimidating by helping people think through their strategies and plans through clear relatable financial topics!

💬 Questions or Want to Connect?

🌐 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: www.custerfinancialadvisors.com

📧 𝐄𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥: custerfinancialadvisors@lpl.com

Chapters:

00:00 New IRS Rules & Allowed Contribution Limits

02:57 New IRA Allowed Limits!

03:50 What's the New 401k Allowed Maxes?

04:44 New "Super Catch Up" Allowed?!

05:31 $72k to a 401k?

06:30 Mandatory New Roth Catch-Up Rule

08:08 Who May this Hurt?

08:52 Roth Simple IRAs Really?!

09:39 Do I Still Get My Match?

10:29 Don't Forget Your Health Savings Account

11:32 Backdoor Roth IRA Strategy

13:21 Pro Rata Rule!

14:10 Commonly Used Retirement Set Up

16:35 Roth Contribution Rule

18:34 Recap of New Rules

Disclosures:

Harborfront Financial Group is a Registered Investment Advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training, and the content of this communication has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.

The information contained in this material is intended to provide general information about Harborfront Financial Group and its services. It is not intended to offer investment advice. Investment advice will only be given after a client engages our services by executing the appropriate investment services agreement. Information regarding investment products and services are provided solely to read about our investment philosophy and our strategies. You should not rely on any information provided on our web site in making investment decisions.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Harborfront Financial Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Harborfront Financial Group and Custer Financial Advisors are separate entities from LPL Financial.

This is a hypothetical example and is not representative of any specific situation. Your results will vary. The hypothetical rates of return used do not reflect the deduction of fees and charges inherent to investing. All investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss.

If you have ever seen those ads saying things like “be your own bank” or “the rich use this secret strategy,” today’s conversation might spark some curiosity.

We talk through the Kyle Busch lawsuit and why this famous NASCAR driver is saying he was promised one thing with an index universal life policy (IUL) and now he's claiming he lost millions of dollars and wants to warn others.

In recent years, IUL policies have seem to flood the market. We see them on Social Media all the time. There's different rules regulating them that's important to know. The lawsuits against them seem to be growing at a rapid pace.

This is not about throwing shade at insurance or the people who sell it. It is about understanding the problem you are trying to solve before any strategy even enters the room.

We look at what IULs try to do, why they sale the uber wealthy sometimes use them, and why that may not make sense for the typical family.

Topics Covered

💭 What Kyle Busch was told by the IUL person and why he says his payments did not match the expectations

💭 What an index universal life policy is

💭 The difference between suitability, best interest, and fiduciary standards

💭 Why some wealthy families may consider life insurance for estate tax planning

💭 Why most everyday people are not trying to solve estate tax problems

💭 How confusing financial titles can be and why that matters

💭 Red flags to watch for when someone pitches the same strategy to everyone

💭 What questions to ask before saying yes to any complex product

💭 Why understanding your real problem is more important than the product itself

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞?

We’re here to make retirement planning feel less intimidating by helping people think through their strategies and plans through clear relatable financial topics!

💬 Questions or Want to Connect?

🌐 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: www.custerfinancialadvisors.com

📧 𝐄𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥: custerfinancialadvisors@lpl.com

Chapters

00:00 Was Kyle Busch Scammed by an IUL?

01:12 What's an IUL?

02:06 Are There Different Standards of Care to Clients?

03:12 They Market Ultra Wealthy Use These... Why Shouldn't I Then?

04:00 What's the Estate Tax Issue?

05:15 What Are We Trying to Solve with This Product?

05:51 This Isn't Just Happening to the Ultra Wealthy

06:19 Financial Industry Is Confusing!

06:55 Maybe These Are Right for Some People?

Disclosures:

Harborfront Financial Group is a Registered Investment Advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training, and the content of this communication has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.

The information contained in this material is intended to provide general information about Harborfront Financial Group and its services. It is not intended to offer investment advice. Investment advice will only be given after a client engages our services by executing the appropriate investment services agreement. Information regarding investment products and services are provided solely to read about our investment philosophy and our strategies. You should not rely on any information provided on our web site in making investment decisions.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Harborfront Financial Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Harborfront Financial Group and Custer Financial Advisors are separate entities from LPL Financial.

This is a hypothetical example and is not representative of any specific situation. Your results will vary. The hypothetical rates of return used do not reflect the deduction of fees and charges inherent to investing. All investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss.

If you've ever wondered "why do interest rates move and how does it impact me?” this episode is for you.

We gave Michael CFP®, EA a challenge: can he explain how and why interest rates change? This impacts everyday lives so we're interested to know. How come so quickly a mortgage rate goes up? Could it come back down?

We asked Michael to explain it so that a 10‑year‑old might get it! How do we think he did? It'd have to be a pretty smart 10-year old! But I think we're catching on.

In this episode we explore why interest rates move, why they can affect mortgages and car loans, and why the bond market pays very close attention every time the Fed clears its throat.

It is all the real world stuff that shapes buying a home, running a business, saving for retirement, and figuring out whether your cash may want to sit tight or get to work. And yes, we keep it friendly and curiosity driven so you can walk away feeling like this finally makes sense without needing a PhD in economics.

Topics:

💭 Why interest rates matter in everyday life

💭 What the Fed funds rate actually is

💭 A candy bar example

💭 Understanding risk and return in simple terms

💭 Why the US Treasury can play a pivotal role on your life

💭 How rising rates may affect mortgages and car loans

💭 How rate changes can impact the bond market

💭 Why businesses care about borrowing costs

💭 Inflation, unemployment, and the Fed’s balancing act

💭 What rising or falling rates may mean for savers

Chapters:

00:00 Why Does the Fed Funds Rate Matter?

00:38 How Rates Work Using Real Life Example

02:45 Potential Risk Involved?

03:51 Impact of the Fed Fund Rate on Loans?

05:53 Increasing Offer Because Other Rates Have Gone Up

06:34 Summary of Why Fed Funds Rate Actually Matters

07:30 Are There Different Levels of Ratings for Loans?

08:25 What to Consider Doing When Interest Rates are Moving?

09:20 How Interest Rates Could Effect People?

10:25 Where May Interest Rates Go From Here?

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞?

We’re here to make retirement planning feel less intimidating by helping people think through their strategies and plans through clear relatable financial topics!

💬 Questions or Want to Connect?

🌐 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: www.custerfinancialadvisors.com

📧 𝐄𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥: custerfinancialadvisors@lpl.com

Disclosures:

Harborfront Financial Group is a Registered Investment Advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training, and the content of this communication has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.

The information contained in this material is intended to provide general information about Harborfront Financial Group and its services. It is not intended to offer investment advice. Investment advice will only be given after a client engages our services by executing the appropriate investment services agreement. Information regarding investment products and services are provided solely to read about our investment philosophy and our strategies. You should not rely on any information provided on our web site in making investment decisions.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Harborfront Financial Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Harborfront Financial Group and Custer Financial Advisors are separate entities from LPL Financial.

This is a hypothetical example and is not representative of any specific situation. Your results will vary. The hypothetical rates of return used do not reflect the deduction of fees and charges inherent to investing. All investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss.

We’re addressing one of the most frequent mistakes we see among high‑income earners and a lesser‑known Roth IRA and Trad. IRA rule that even seasoned advisors are overlooking!

The different income limits that can quietly trigger a 6% penalty every year if left uncorrected, catching families off guard far too often.

Topics Covered 💭

💭 The Roth IRA income limits that trips people up

💭 What “phasing out” actually means

💭 What happens if you contribute to a Roth IRA when you are over the limit?

💭 Ways to still fund Roth IRAs and how they work

💭 The pro rata rule explained

💭 When a 401k still works even if Roth IRAs don't as well

💭 Using an HSA as part of retirement strategy

💭 Simple order of operations for high earners

💭 How to clean up IRA mistakes

💭 Career lessons Michael and Jacqueline received that stick with them

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞?

We’re here to make retirement planning feel less intimidating by helping people think through their strategies and plans through clear relatable financial topics!

💬 Questions or Want to Connect?

🌐 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: www.custerfinancialadvisors.com

📧 𝐄𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥: custerfinancialadvisors@lpl.com

Chapters

00:00 Life Example of Trying to Use a Roth When Maybe Not Allowed To

02:24 Why Does Income Matter?

03:26 Income Restrictions for IRAs & Roth IRAs

04:46 6% Yearly Penalty Until Fixed

05:51 A Way Around the Income Rules?

07:29 What's the Pro Rata Rule?

09:33 How to Fix Not Allowed Contributions Under 59 1/2?

11:08 Roth IRA Contribution Limitations

12:05 Use Work Plans or IRAs?

13:02 Trad. IRA Income Limit Lower Than Roth? Covered by Work Plan?

14:07 Health Savings Account for Retirement

14:56 Can You Invest a Health Savings Account?

15:23 People and Pros Are Missing the Income Rules

16:39 Best Career Advice We've Received?

Disclosures:

Harborfront Financial Group is a Registered Investment Advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training, and the content of this communication has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.

The information contained in this material is intended to provide general information about Harborfront Financial Group and its services. It is not intended to offer investment advice. Investment advice will only be given after a client engages our services by executing the appropriate investment services agreement. Information regarding investment products and services are provided solely to read about our investment philosophy and our strategies. You should not rely on any information provided on our web site in making investment decisions.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Harborfront Financial Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Harborfront Financial Group and Custer Financial Advisors are separate entities from LPL Financial.

This is a hypothetical example and is not representative of any specific situation. Your results will vary. The hypothetical rates of return used do not reflect the deduction of fees and charges inherent to investing. All investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss.