Episodes

Dec. 17, 2018

Listener Questions: IRAs and Trusts, and Special Social Security Rules

Devin and John continue working their way through some of the listener questions that have been coming in. John has a question about making a trust the beneficiary of an IRA, and then Devin has a question about Social Security …

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Dec. 10, 2018

Listener Questions: Medicaid Estate Recovery and Social Security Myths

John received a question from a listener with a blended family. The wife needs long-term care, and the assets to support such an expense! He talks about “Medicaid estate recovery” and other recommendations for power of attorney, etc. Then Devin...

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Dec. 3, 2018

#100: What Rights do Grandparent Have?

What kind of rights do grandparents have? John Ross from the Big Picture Retirement Show deals with a lot of people in retirement, and many of those folks have grandchildren. He shares some harrowing stories and tips you can use …

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Nov. 19, 2018

#099: Understanding Charitable Remainder Trusts

CRUTS are Charitable Remainder Trusts. Any time you are dealing with charitable planning, you must first have the charitable intent. You can find some tax benefits that go along with that charitable intent, but you have to start with the …

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Nov. 12, 2018

#098: Active vs. Passive with Rick Ferri - Part 2

Part 2 of the conversation about active versus passive investing with guest Rick Ferri, author of Smart Money. For more information, visit the show notes at

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Nov. 5, 2018

#097: Active vs. Passive with Rick Ferri - Part 1

This week, Devin welcomes Rick Ferri to the show to talk about active versus passive investing. But before the interview gets started, John and Devin have an entertaining conversation about the recently released 2019 Social Security and Medicare...

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Oct. 29, 2018

#096: 5 Lessons Learned From Previous Market Declines

In light of the recent market activity, Devin and John thought it would be useful to re-broadcast their original episode on the lessons they've learned from past market declines. Lesson 1: Market declines are normal Lesson 2: No one can …

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Oct. 22, 2018

#095: Social Security Survivor Benefits

On the surface, Social Security survivor benefits seem pretty simple: at the death of the first spouse, the surviving spouse is eligible to receive his or her own benefit, or the benefit of the deceased, whichever is greatest. In today's …

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Oct. 15, 2018

#094: BIG Update Coming to VA Benefits

Important benefits offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are changing. Devin and John talk about: Improved Pension with Aid and Attendance Clearly Defined Assets Test Adding A Look-back Period For more information, visit the show notes at

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Oct. 8, 2018

#093: Retirement Drawdown Strategies Part 3

Part 3 in the Big Picture Retirement series on Drawdown Strategies: Brandon Renfro talks about "setting a floor." For more information, visit the show notes at

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Oct. 1, 2018

#092: Retirement Drawdown Strategies Part 2

Part 2 in our series. In this episode we answer the question "How are you going to take your money out so that it lasts?" Then, once you have a plan for which accounts you should access in which order, …

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Sept. 24, 2018

#091: Retirement Drawdown Strategies Part 1

When you stop working, you've put aside some money into different types of accounts, and maybe you have a pension, or some rental property, or other investments. How do you start converting those assets into an income stream that will …

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Sept. 17, 2018

#090: 5 Social Security Mistakes With BIG Consequences

There are a few areas within Social Security that you could mess up without even meaning to do things wrong. One of my most trusted mentors has often told me, "Big doors swing on little hinges." I've found that to …

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Sept. 10, 2018

#089: You Can Buy WHAT In Your IRA?! Non-Traditional IRA Investments …

Did you know you could buy a horse as an investment in your IRA? What about real estate and other assets? Kirk Chisholm, of Innovative Advisory Group, joins us to explain how self-directed IRAs work. They a tricky thing, so …

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Sept. 3, 2018

#088: Cryptocurrency Basics with Joe Saul-Sehy

What’s the big deal about cryptocurrencies? And is it too late to get in now? Joe Saul-Sehy from Stacking Benjamins joins us to talk about what cryptocurrencies are and what we should be looking out for in the future of …

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Aug. 27, 2018

#087: Buying your First Rental Properties

Continuing on from last episode's discussion about buying rental property for retirement income, Devin and John talk about the mechanisms for evaluating a rental property. ...and John will entertain you with taxes. For more information, visit the show...

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Aug. 20, 2018

#086: Should You Have Rental Property for Retirement Income?

Have you thought about using rental properties for retirement income? Is rental real estate a good choice for retirement income for you? John and Devin go through some of the benefits of rental property. For more information, visit the show …

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Aug. 13, 2018

#085: 3 Estate Planning Tips to Avoid Probate

People are always talking about probate, and the many ways to avoid probate. Probate is the legal process of figuring out who gets your stuff. One of the biggest misconceptions about probate is that your estate does not go through …

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Aug. 6, 2018

#084: The Backdoor Into the Beautiful Roth IRA

The big benefit of the Roth IRA is that you fund it with after-tax money and it grows tax free, and then when you take it out, it is also tax free, if you meet the qualifications. The big problem …

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July 30, 2018

#083: The Beautiful Roth IRA

By the end of 2016, there was $660 BILLION dollars in Roth IRAs. So, lots of people are getting this right. Where you can get some of it wrong 1.It lets you put the money in after tax, so you …

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July 23, 2018

#082: Is A Codicil A Good Way To Change Your Will?

Is there any value in doing your codicil in blood? A codicil is an amendment to a will. They can be used when there is a smaller change and it seems easier than doing a whole new will. Is there …

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July 16, 2018

#081: What Do All Those Advisor Designations Mean?

Many industries utilize a lot of different types of designations, and that's also true for financial advisors. What do they all mean, and should you care? Devin asked John, "How many designations do you think there are for financial advisors?" …

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July 9, 2018

#080: Are Granny Cams Legal?

Listener Becky asks if it is legal to place a surveillance camera in the room of your loved one, specifically in grandma's nursing home. Devin also answers the question "Does keeping a balance on my credit card help my credit …

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July 2, 2018

#079: Is It Ethical To Strategize To Use Government Benefits?

What are the the moral or ethical considerations of using strategies and loopholes to utilize government programs? Is this ethical? It cheating? Is it getting close to fraudulent? John and Devin go through some scenarios. For more information, visit...

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