In this episode, I address listener concerns about the future of Social Security, especially given recent changes under President Trump's administration and the involvement of the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge).

I’ll dive into the current state of Social Security, the potential impact on your benefits, and how you can maximize those benefits moving forward. With solvency concerns looming, I’ll help you better understand what’s at stake and how to make smart decisions for your retirement.

• (0:00) Can Elon Musk and Doge Take Away My Social Security Benefit?
• (1:33) Please rate and review the Retire with Ryan podcast!
• (2:21) What is Doge and how it could impact Social Security
• (3:55) The role of Congress in controlling Social Security
• (5:38) What is the future of Social Security solvency?
• (8:26) Why waiting to collect Social Security could increase your benefits
• (10:20) The earnings limits when collecting Social Security early

• Retirement Readiness Review
• Subscribe to the Retire with Ryan YouTube Channel
• Download my entire book for FREE

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In this episode of Retire with Ryan, I’m talking about the growing threat of smishing, a type of phishing scam where fraudulent text messages try to trick you into revealing personal information like your social security number, bank account details, or credit card information. I’ll explain how these scams are targeting individuals like you and share some important tips on how to protect your phone and investment accounts from being compromised. It's crucial to stay informed and secure, and I’m here to help you navigate these risks.

• (0:00) Introduction to smishing and FBI warning
• (0:51) How smishing scams are growing and affecting individuals
• (1:42) Please review the podcast on Apple or Spotify
• (2:41) Real-life examples of smishing attacks Ryan has encountered
• (3:53) Identifying fraudulent links and avoiding them
• (5:56) What to do if you’ve clicked on a fraudulent link
• (7:20) Tips to protect your phone and investment accounts
• (9:53) Signs that your phone has been compromised
• (11:33) Two-factor authentication and securing your accounts

• File a complaint at https://www.ic3.gov/
• Retirement Readiness Review
• Subscribe to the Retire with Ryan YouTube Channel
• Download my entire book for FREE

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Maximizing your retirement plan contributions is one of the most powerful ways I can help you secure your financial future. As we near the end of the first quarter of 2025, it’s the perfect time to review your contributions.

In this episode, I break down how you can ensure you're contributing the maximum allowable amount and why it’s essential to do so. I explain how to calculate your contribution limits based on your salary and pay frequency, so you can easily determine how much you should be setting aside per pay period.

If you haven’t adjusted your contributions for the year, don’t worry—I’ll walk you through how to quickly get back on track to ensure you’re maximizing your retirement plan. By taking action now, you can set yourself up for greater savings down the road.

• (0:00) The importance of maximizing retirement contributions
• (3:21) How to calculate maximum contributions for those under 50
• (6:50) How catch-up contributions for individuals over 50 (and how to maximize these)
• (8:12) A new super catch-up provision for those aged 60-63 under the Secure Act 2.0
• (9:34) Employer matching contributions and how they fit into your total contribution limit
• (12:03) How to convert after-tax contributions to Roth accounts to maximize growth
• (14:55) The advantages of using a taxable brokerage account for additional savings

• Retirement Readiness Review
• Subscribe to the Retire with Ryan YouTube Channel
• Download my entire book for FREE

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What’s the best way to protect your retirement savings when the market feels unpredictable? In today’s episode of Retire with Ryan, I cover the growing uncertainty caused by political decisions and how they affect your investments.

From tariffs to immigration changes and government cutbacks, I’ll share insights on how to navigate this volatility and keep your portfolio secure. Whether you’re nearing retirement or already there, this episode will provide actionable steps to ensure your investments remain on track despite external economic pressures.

• (0:56) Market volatility and economic impact
• (1:30) Check out Retirement Readiness Review
• (2:19) Insights from a J.P. Morgan conference call
• (4:37) Tariffs and their economic effects
• (6:31) The labor market and immigration policies
• (8:13) Government cutbacks and their impact
• (9:17) What you should do with your investments

• Retirement Readiness Review
• Subscribe to the Retire with Ryan YouTube Channel
• Download my entire book for FREE

www.MorrisseyWealthManagement.com/contact

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In this episode, I dive into the latest developments with the Social Security Fairness Act and what these changes mean for retirees who were previously ineligible for Social Security benefits. With potential increases in payments and retroactive benefits, this episode is packed with critical insights for anyone impacted by the new law.

I break down real-world examples to show exactly how these changes will affect individuals—particularly teachers, former public employees, and those with pensions exempt from Social Security. Whether you’re waiting for retroactive benefits or trying to understand the tax implications, I’ve got you covered with the essential information you need.

• (1:07) Changes to the Social Security Fairness Act
• (2:57) Benefits and retroactive payments
• (5:05) How the Social Security Fairness Act works
• (6:52) How the spousal benefit works
• (6:30) How the new law will impact retirees
• (11:32) How survivor benefits now work
• (14:05) The impact of the Windfall Elimination Provision
• (15:16) What do you need to do?
• (16:57) How Social Security benefits are taxed

• Retirement Readiness Review
• Subscribe to the Retire with Ryan YouTube Channel
• Download my entire book for FREE
• Social Security Fairness Act: Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) update
• Apply for Social Security at https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/
• Episode #217: Will Social Security Become Tax-Free?

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What is the best way to access equity in your home for retirement income? In this episode of Retire with Ryan, host Ryan Morrissey is joined by Mitch Cooper, a Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional with Mutual of Omaha, to explore this very question.

Mitch returns to the show to share his expertise on reverse mortgages, a powerful tool that allows retirees to tap into the equity of their homes without having to sell. Whether you’re considering this option for supplemental income or simply want to understand how it works compared to other alternatives like home equity loans, this episode provides valuable insights into how reverse mortgages can help secure your financial future in retirement.

• (0:00) Learn more about Mitch Cooper, a Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional
• (0:53) What is the best way to access equity in your home for retirement income?
• (2:25) How reverse mortgages differ from home equity loans and lines of credit
• (5:41) Requirements and eligibility for reverse mortgages, including age and equity
• (7:41) The impact of interest rates on reverse mortgage loan amounts
• (8:45) The protections offered by reverse mortgages, including the non-recourse nature
• (10:36) Other requirements for obtaining a reverse mortgage
• (16:06) Comparing reverse mortgages to annuities and their role as longevity insurance
• (25:14) How closing costs work with a reverse mortgage
• (30:36) The process of obtaining a reverse mortgage

• Retirement Readiness Review
• Subscribe to the Retire with Ryan YouTube Channel
• Download my entire book for FREE
• The National Reserve Mortgage Lending Association
• Mitch Cooper (Mutual of Omaha)
• Connect with Mitch on LinkedIn

www.MorrisseyWealthManagement.com/contact

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In this episode of Retire with Ryan, we’re diving into the ins and outs of 1031 Exchanges with expert Eric Brecher. As Executive Vice President at the Chicago Deferred Exchange Company, Eric brings years of experience in navigating this complex IRS provision, which allows real estate investors to defer capital gains taxes when selling property.

If you're interested in real estate investments and the potential tax advantages that come with them, this episode is a must-listen. Eric explains everything from the basics of a 1031 Exchange to key strategies, common pitfalls, and the crucial role of a Qualified Intermediary.

• [0:52] What is a 1031 property exchange provision?
• [6:44] The 4 key requirements for a 1031 exchange
• [9:13] The role of the qualified intermediary
• [16:09] Common mistakes and misconceptions
• [26:32] The three property rule
• [32:28] The role of the qualified intermediary
• [35:34] Other need-to-know details

• Retirement Readiness Review
• Subscribe to the Retire with Ryan YouTube Channel
• Download my entire book for FREE

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When it comes to retirement plans, the general rule is that you can’t access funds in your retirement account(s), without penalty, until age 59 ½. If you withdraw funds prior to 59 ½, you’ll get hit with a 10% penalty and income tax (if coming from a non-Roth account). But there are some instances in which you can make withdrawals penalty-free. We’ll dive into this in this episode of Retire with Ryan.

• [0:55] Why you should hire a fee-only financial advisor
• [2:32] When can you access retirement accounts?
• [3:20] Way #1: Pay for unreimbursed medical expenses
• [4:18] Way #2: If you become disabled
• [4:53] Way #3: Pay for health insurance premiums
• [5:43] Way #4: Death
• [6:23] Way #5: Pay debt to the IRS
• [6:50] Way #6: First-time home buyer
• [7:34] Way #7: Higher education expenses
• [8:31] Way #8: Substantial and equal payments
• [9:52] Way #9: Terminal illness
• [10:19] Way #10: Separation of service

• Retirement Readiness Review
• Subscribe to the Retire with Ryan YouTube Channel
• Download my entire book for FREE
• Getting Emergy Money from Your 401K
• Breaking Down the IRS’s New Finalized Regulations on Inherited Retirement Accounts

www.MorrisseyWealthManagement.com/contact

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