Retire With Style
The purpose of Retire With Style is to help you discover the retirement income plan that is right for you. The first step is to discover your retirement income personality. Your hosts Wade Pfau, PhD, CFA, RICP and Alex Murguia, PhD walk you through creating and implementing a retirement plan that will help you reach your goals, and that you’ll be able to stick with. Start by going to risaprofile.com/style and sign up to take the industry’s first financial personality tool for retirement planning.
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Episode 211: The Math Behind Retirement Decisions (and Why It Matters)
<p>In this episode of Retire with Style, Wade Pfau and Alex Murguia break down key concepts in retirement income planning, including present value, discount rates, and internal rates of return. They explain how these tools apply to real-world decisions such as Social Security claiming and choosing between a pension and a lump sum. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding cash flows and using sound mathematical analysis to inform decisions, while still accounting for personal preferences and risk. Listen now to learn more!</p> <p> </p> <p>Takeaways</p> Present value and breakeven analysis are crucial for financial planning. U...
Episode 210: Navigating Tax Changes for 2026
<p>In this episode of Retire with Style, Alex and Wade break down the key tax changes coming in 2026, including the return of standard ACA subsidies, the extension of current tax rates, and updates to standard deductions. They cover inflation-related adjustments, itemized deductions, charitable giving rules, estate tax exemptions, and what the alternative minimum tax means for retirees. The conversation also explores the new Trump accounts launching in July 2026 and wraps up with a lighthearted discussion on New Year’s resolutions. Listen now to learn more!</p> <p> </p> <p>Takeaways</p> The ACA subsidies are reverting to pre-2021 levels in...
[Best of 2025 Repost] Episode 174 The Psychology of Investing Understanding Market Reactions
<p>As we close out 2025 and head into the New Year, we’re sharing one final Best of episode before returning with new conversations in January. This week’s replay is Alex’s top pick from the year, a conversation that stood out for its relevance, insight, and the questions it generated from listeners.</p> <p>We’ll be back soon with brand new episodes in 2026. Until then, Happy New Year, and thank you for being part of the Retire With Style community!</p> <p> </p> <p>Repost from Episode 174</p> <p>In this episode of Retire with Style, Wade Pfau and A...
[Best of 2025 Repost] Episode 195: The 4% Rule and Beyond: Retirement Strategies with Bill Bengen
<p>As the year comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to revisit a few of our favorite Retire With Style episodes from 2025. This week, we’re replaying one episode that stood out in particular as Wade’s favorite conversation of the year, based on both the discussion and the questions it sparked from listeners.</p> <p>We’ll be back with brand new episodes after the holiday break. Thanks for listening this year, and we look forward to continuing the conversation in 2026.</p> <p>Repost from Episode 195</p> <p>In this episode of Retire with Style, Wade Pfau and...
Episode 209: Your TIPS Questions Answered: Inflation Protection, Interest Rates, and Retirement Income
<p>In this episode of Retire with Style, Wade Pfau and Alex Murguia explore how Treasury Inflation Protected Securities, or TIPS, fit into a retirement income plan. They discuss when it may make sense to build a TIPS ladder, the challenge of predicting interest rates, and how TIPS compare with equities as tools for managing inflation risk. The conversation also addresses strategies for creating inflation-adjusted income, the role TIPS can play alongside Social Security, and how a TIPS ladder can support a Social Security delay bridge. Listen now to learn more. </p> <p> </p> <p>Takeaways</p> TIPS are designed to...
Episode 208: Your Retirement Spending Questions Answered: The 4 Percent Rule, Sequence Risk, and Glide Paths
<p>In this episode of Retire With Style, Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau explore core themes in retirement planning, including the 4 percent rule, sequence of returns risk, and how to balance discretionary and essential spending. They discuss how these factors shape retirement income strategies, the role of reliable income sources, and when a rising equity glide path can be beneficial. The conversation highlights why retirees may need a more flexible and adaptive approach rather than relying on traditional rules of thumb.</p> <p> </p> <p>Takeaways</p> The 4% rule is not a constant and can vary based on market conditions. S...
Episode 207: Your Tax Questions Answered: 401(k)s, Roth Conversions, and RMDs
<p>In this episode of Retire With Style, Alex and Wade answer listener questions on key retirement planning topics. They discuss penalty-free withdrawals from 401(k)s, the role of Roth conversions for both younger savers and retirees, and the distinctions between qualified and non-qualified accounts. They also examine how long-term demographic trends may influence market expectations and investment strategies in the decades ahead.</p> <p> </p> <p>Takeaways</p> The rule of 55 allows penalty-free withdrawals from 401(k) plans if employment is terminated after age 55. Roth conversions should be considered based on current and future tax rates. It's important to fill y...
Episode 206: Wills, Trusts, and the Caregiving Journey
<p>In this episode of Retire With Style, Wade Pfau and Alex Murguia talk with Beth Pinsker, author of My Mother’s Money, about the practical and emotional realities of financial caregiving and estate settlement. They discuss why clear documentation matters, how probate works, and where family disputes over inheritance often begin. The conversation also covers the roles of wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations, along with the emotional weight that comes with managing a loved one’s affairs. Beth shares personal insights that highlight the value of proactive planning and open communication to help families avoid conflict and ensure a smoot...
Episode 205: Preparing for the Financial Side of Caregiving
<p>In this episode of Retire With Style, Wade and Alex talk with Beth Pinsker, author of My Mother’s Money, about the realities of financial caregiving. Beth shares her experience managing her mother’s finances during a health crisis, underscoring the value of preparation and clear legal documentation. The discussion covers the importance of establishing power of attorney, the practical challenges of budgeting for someone else, and the emotional strain that arises when court involvement becomes necessary. The episode offers listeners a straightforward look at why financial caregiving matters and what steps can help families prepare before a crisis hits...
Episode 204: How Your Retirement Style Shapes Your Social Security Strategy
<p>In this episode, Alex and Wade unpack the complexities of Social Security claiming strategies, weighing the benefits of delaying versus claiming early. They examine key financial considerations such as survivor benefits, tax planning opportunities, and the psychological factors that shape these decisions. The discussion also highlights how the Retirement Income Style Awareness (RISA) tool can help align Social Security choices with individual retirement preferences. Ultimately, the episode underscores the long-term financial impact of claiming decisions.</p> <p> </p> <p>Takeaways</p> Delaying Social Security can significantly increase lifetime benefits. Social Security provides inflation-protected lifetime income. Survivor benefits are a c...
