The Investor Coaching Show with Paul Winkler

The Top 1% Provide 40.4% of Income Taxes in the US

Around elections this year in the U.S., there was a lot of talk about an increase in taxes for the wealthiest Americans. Although it is tough for some people to admit, the income taxes on income in the U.S. are highly progressive already, and changes for the top 1% of earners and on estates could negatively impact land owners, business owners, and people in their prime earning years. Listen along as Paul talks about how the top 1% of earners already provide nearly double their income share in income taxes. 

 

For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

Inheriting an IRA Is More Complicated Now Than It's Ever Been

Today, Paul talks about how tax laws around the 10-year rule on inherited IRAs make inheriting this common retirement vehicle more complicated than ever. Paul covers how it’s taken years for tax laws to clarify and catch up with this change and talks about specific rules for taking the RMD in the year that the decedent passed away, how to take the RMD when there are multiple beneficiaries, rules around minors inheriting IRAs, and many other laws that have come in the last few years. It is more important now than ever to seek professional advice in this area. 

 

For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

Why Can an Ex-Spouse Take Social Security Benefits from a Previous Marriage?

Paul got a question today from a listener who wants to know how an ex-spouse can take benefits when they did not work and are no longer married to the working spouse. Listen along as Paul uses this question to explain an important aspect of social security that is usually misunderstood: Social Security is not a personal account you build up. It is a benefit earned through work history and tax payments. When you are married and filing jointly, both partners are growing their social security benefits. 

 

For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

2024 Social Security Crash Course

Today, Paul gives a crash course about social security and some of the most common mistakes or misconceptions when taking this benefit. Listen along to learn more about earnings limits, income requirements, taxes on benefits, and the rules around spousal benefits included in the case of being widowed, divorced, and remarried.

For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

Almost $800,000 of Retirement Funds Are in Limbo. What Do I Do?

Paul brings an article about an investor who has almost $800,000 in an investment hoping it would turn around his financial situation amid health complications. Today, Paul talks about what happened to this investor, what red flags all investors should be looking out for, and why the best thing you can do is learn from others’ mistakes instead of learning the hard way. 

 

For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

Understanding Your 401(k) Options for 2025

Today, Paul walks through what you need to know to make the right decisions with your employer retirement options in 2025. The IRS has made a few changes to the contribution limits on these accounts. Paul explains these in detail as well as covering topics like matches, savings credits, and an extra catch-up contribution that was added with the SECURE 2.0 Act. Later in the episode, Paul talks about the risk of long-term bonds in your portfolio and why you shouldn’t take blanket advice from financial articles.

 

For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

Bitcoin and a Trump Presidency: Is It Really Going To Be That Much Better?

Many proponents of Bitcoin are very excited about what a Trump presidency may mean for Bitcoin prices. Today, Paul needs investors to know that Bitcoin is driven by supply and demand, still has to compete with other cryptocurrencies, and offers no true return on your investment. It’s always going to be worth what someone is willing to buy for it. So while it may be a high-profile time for the crypto market, it is a dangerous time to try to get in and play the crypto game.

 

For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

Market Volatility or Inflation: Which Is More Dangerous for Retired Investors?

Most investors who are taking money in retirement have a fear of running out. They are afraid that the market will be too volatile and they’ll have to deplete their portfolio when the market is down. Today, Paul wants investors to know about another very dangerous reality: your money losing its purchasing power. Paul looks into the numbers of how markets fare over longer periods and what may happen if you are too conservative and get priced out of a livable income due to inflation.

 

For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

The Paul-Tyson Fight: How the Investing Industry Looks Too Much Like Sports Betting

Today Paul and Jeff talk about their first impressions after the Paul-Tyson fight over the weekend and they both have the same reaction: This was always more about the money than it was about the sport. Paul brings a clip from CNBC that talks about rampant sports betting and the negative effect it’s having on families’ emotional and financial well-being. The truth is that the investing industry works very similarly to the sports industry. They want you to focus on the drama and story behind their products so they can make money.

 

For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.

“Just Do These 5 things”: A Product Pitch Disguised as an Educational Article

Today, Paul brings an article that says, “If you’ve made these five money moves, you will likely have enough money in retirement.” Most of the article seems like a pretty stock description of common investing products and strategies, like maxing out your work contributions or utilizing HSAs (but don’t really prove the article's main point). As Paul reads on, he quickly notices the article is actually a sales pitch masquerading as educational content. Listen to why articles like these don’t give you a nuanced understanding of your financial situation and how you can ditch these sales pitches and become a more confident investor.

 

For more information about what we do or how we can help you, schedule a 15-minute call with us here: paulwinkler.com/call.