One of the most common Social Security questions we get is this: “If my spouse starts her Social Security at age 62 and I wait until age 70 to start mine, can she receive a higher spousal benefit when I start?”

When it comes to Social Security, most people know you can qualify for retirement benefits based on your own work history — the taxes you paid into the system over the years. But what many don’t realize is that you might also be eligible for a spousal benefit, even if you didn’t work enough to qualify on your own. That’s right — even if you didn’t pay into Social Security, you may still be able to receive a benefit based on your spouse’s earnings record.

To find links and resources mentioned in today's podcast, visit SoundRetirementPlanning.com and click on episode #454.

The Retirement Budget Calculator is an intuitive tool that promises ease and accuracy. However, like any tool, user error could potentially lead to costly mistakes. To avoid this, let the experienced advisors at Parker Financial LLC guide you.

When you hire our team, we offer a comprehensive review of your current investments, taxes, and the data in the Retirement Budget Calculator. We will ensure your plan's completeness and accuracy, helping you create an investment strategy, assist with tax planning, and monitor your plan to maximize your retirement benefits.

At Parker Financial we offer a well-crafted retirement investment strategy, deeply rooted in academic data and financial science which can be the key to a prosperous retirement.

Don't leave your future to chance. Take the first step towards a sound retirement. Schedule your complimentary discovery session now by visiting Parker-Financial.net let us help you make the most of your retirement years.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing a time-tested strategy that can boost your confidence when it comes to withdrawing money in retirement—the barbell strategy. Also known as the two-bucket approach, this method is designed to help you navigate market volatility while staying focused on long-term growth.

I'll walk you through the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the barbell strategy—so by the end of this episode, you'll have a clear understanding of how it works and whether it’s a fit for your retirement plan.

Put simply, this strategy involves holding some of your retirement assets in low-risk, easily accessible accounts, while the rest remains invested for long-term growth. The goal isn't to predict the market—because no one can—but rather to create a structure that allows you to respond calmly and strategically, no matter what the market is doing.

If you're feeling stressed about what's happening in the market right now—you're not alone. Market volatility never feels good, but there is a better way to invest: one grounded in planning, discipline, and long-term thinking. In today’s episode, I’ll share 8 important things to consider as you navigate this market, so you can make confident decisions and stay focused on what truly matters.

Learn more at https://soundretirementplanning.com/

I recently came across a fascinating paper by Hendrik Bessembinder titled “Which U.S. Stocks Generated the Highest Long-Term Returns?” The research is based on nearly 100 years of stock market history, and it delivers some surprising and important lessons for retirees.

When markets get wobbly, people panic. It’s natural. We’ve all seen it—headlines screaming recession, market crashes, and doomsday predictions. The fear can be overwhelming. But what if I told you that you could structure your retirement investments in a way that makes all of this noise irrelevant? That’s what today’s episode is about—building Margins of Safety so you can worry less and live more.

I’m so glad you’re joining me for episode 449, where I have the privilege of interviewing Eduardo Repetto, Chief Investment Officer at Avantis. In today’s episode, we dive into recent market volatility, Warren Buffett’s growing cash reserves, and the investment philosophy behind Avantis Investors.

To find links and resources mentioned in today's podcast, visit SoundRetirementPlanning.com and click on episode #449.

I created the Retirement Budget Calculator as a tool to help people build a solid retirement plan. Rather than making the tool exclusive to our clients, I decided to make it available to everyone because I believe all Americans deserve a well-thought-out retirement plan.

Once you have a retirement plan, the next step is developing an investment strategy that aligns with your goals. That’s where Parker Financial comes in—we help clients implement an investment strategy.

To help you understand our approach, I’ve just finished creating a new ebook that explains our investment philosophy. You can download it for free by visiting RetirementBudgetCalculator.com. Just look for the "Invest" button in the upper right-hand corner, and you’ll get access to my new ebook called "Investing in Retirement."

In 2019, two pastors from my church approached me with a request: would I be willing to create a foundation or endowment to raise money for the Christian school our church operates? Without hesitation, I said yes. Both of my children had attended the school, and it had a profound impact on our family.

While I had experience serving on nonprofit boards, I had never started a nonprofit from scratch. This was entirely new territory. I spent the first year immersed in research—consulting legal experts, meeting with our church’s board of elders, and speaking with leaders from other schools that had established foundations.

Then, in October 2020, I was introduced to Ross Hjelseth. Ross had served as the head of schools at Life Christian Academy in Tacoma, WA, where he helped establish their foundation. His coaching and consulting played a crucial role in helping us navigate the process and make meaningful progress.

Having gone through this experience—and after receiving multiple inquiries from others looking to do something similar—I realized it would be valuable to record a podcast on the topic. My goal is to provide a roadmap for anyone considering starting a foundation, helping them move forward more efficiently.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Ross to discuss the process, key steps, and timeline involved. While Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) and Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) are sufficient for most people's charitable giving, for those interested in establishing a foundation, this conversation is for you. I hope you find it helpful.

To find links and resources mentioned in today's podcast, visit SoundRetirementPlanning.com and click on episode #448.

The Retirement Budget Calculator is an intuitive tool that promises ease and accuracy. However, like any tool, user error could potentially lead to costly mistakes. To avoid this, let the experienced advisors at Parker Financial LLC guide you.

When you hire our team, we offer a comprehensive review of your current investments, taxes, and the data in the Retirement Budget Calculator. We will ensure your plan's completeness and accuracy, helping you create an investment strategy, assist with tax planning, and monitor your plan to maximize your retirement benefits.

At Parker Financial we offer a well-crafted retirement investment strategy, deeply rooted in academic data and financial science which can be the key to a prosperous retirement.

Don't leave your future to chance. Take the first step towards a sound retirement. Schedule your complimentary discovery session now by visiting Parker-Financial.net let us help you make the most of your retirement years.

Imagine you could give to charity, lower your tax bill, and satisfy your Required Minimum Distributions—all at the same time. Most retirees don’t realize that there’s a smarter way to donate to charity using their IRA. In today’s episode, I’ll show you how one simple strategy—Qualified Charitable Distributions—can save you thousands in taxes while supporting the causes you care about.

To find links and resources mentioned in today's podcast, visit SoundRetirementPlanning.com and click on episode #447.

The Retirement Budget Calculator is an intuitive tool that promises ease and accuracy. However, like any tool, user error could potentially lead to costly mistakes. To avoid this, let the experienced advisors at Parker Financial LLC guide you.

When you hire our team, we offer a comprehensive review of your current investments, taxes, and the data in the Retirement Budget Calculator. We will ensure your plan's completeness and accuracy, helping you create an investment strategy, assist with tax planning, and monitor your plan to maximize your retirement benefits.

At Parker Financial we offer a well-crafted retirement investment strategy, deeply rooted in academic data and financial research which can be the key to a prosperous retirement.

Don't leave your future to chance. Take the first step towards a sound retirement. Schedule your complimentary discovery session now by visiting Parker-Financial.net let us help you make the most of your retirement years.