Tag: Financial Planning

Navigating the Medicare Maze with Craig Smith (Ep. 151)

Navigating the Medicare Maze with Craig Smith (Ep. 151)

There is no secret to Medicare, you just need the proper guidance.

In this insightful episode of Life Unlimited, host Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, welcomes Craig Smith, Medicare professional. With a focus on senior healthcare since 2013, Craig has become a go-to advisor for baby boomers managing healthcare and insurance financials, especially Medicare. The episode delves deeply into the layers of Medicare, shedding light on its various sections, eligibility nuances, and pivotal decisions for those approaching their golden years.

Key Points Covered:

  • Exploring Medicare Parts A and B, along with drug plan details
  • Clarity on Medicare eligibility starting at age 65 and special condition considerations
  • Insights on how employer healthcare plans interact with Medicare choices at 65, including spousal coverage implications
  • Highlighting Medicare’s automatic enrollment, penalties, and drug plan selection
  • Differentiating between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement Plans
  • Guidance on Medicare’s annual enrollment and state-specific plan variations
  • Plus, more tips for making well-informed Medicare decisions!

 

Connect with Craig Smith:

Connect with Larry Heller: 

 

About Craig Smith:

Craig Smith has been an instrumental figure in the senior healthcare market since becoming an insurance agent in 2013. His expertise in Medicare and commitment to offering unbiased, affordable healthcare plans have significantly impacted retirees and those nearing retirement age. With a deep understanding of the intricacies of Medicare, Craig provides tailored advice to his clients, helping them make informed decisions about their healthcare and financial security.

An Employer’s Guide to 401(k) Plans: A Four-Part Series (Part IV) (Ep. 150)

An Employer’s Guide to 401(k) Plans: A Four-Part Series (Part IV) (Ep. 150)

Are your 401(k) offerings impacting employee wellness and engagement?

Join Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, in the concluding episode of our four-part series, “An Employer’s Guide to 401k Plans.” This final segment focuses on the broader impact of 401(k) plans in terms of employee well-being and corporate culture. Larry explores how these plans transcend traditional retirement savings and play a pivotal role in fostering financial literacy, engagement, and loyalty among employees.

Larry Discusses:

  • The vital role of 401(k) plans in attracting and retaining talent and the extensive benefits for employers
  • Clarifying contributions, fund choices, and Roth options in 401(k) plans to support informed decision-making
  • Providing easily accessible resources and dedicated support for navigating 401(k) plans effectively
  • The importance of comparing model portfolios with target date funds for diverse financial needs and personalized investment approaches
  • The need for showcasing an employer’s commitment to employee well-being through comprehensive financial wellness programs
  • The necessity of continuous communication and regular educational meetings to engage employees in their 401(k) plans
  • And much more!

 

Resources: 

Connect with Larry Heller: 

Everything You Need To Know About Prenuptial Agreements With Sandra Radna, Esq (Ep.114)

Everything You Need To Know About Prenuptial Agreements With Sandra Radna, Esq (Ep.114)

Despite common belief, prenuptial agreements are not just for the ultra-rich. They can benefit anyone from any financial background.

In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP invites matrimonial attorney Sandra Radna, Esq to discuss prenuptial agreements and what benefits they serve to both individuals in a marriage.

Sandra also discusses how prenuptial agreements do not come as one-size-fits-all, and highlights how you can create an agreement that matches your wants and needs.

Sandra discusses: 

  • How prenuptial agreements can protect you and your spouse during a marriage
  • Why prenuptial agreements are not just for multi-millionaires (despite common belief)
  • How much time prior to the wedding you should establish a prenuptial agreement
  • What is a postnuptial agreement?
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Sandra Radna:

Connect With Larry Heller:

About Our Guest:

Sandra M. Radna Esquire is an award-winning New York attorney and the owner of Sandra M. Radna P.C. Sandra has been published and quoted in a number of periodicals concerning the intersection of finances and matrimonial law, including CNBC.com, Yahoo Finance Observer, Business Insider, and more. She’s also the author of the book “You’re Getting Divorced…Now What?”.



Navigating The Myriad of Tasks After The Loss of a Loved One with Ronnie Genser (Ep.113)

Navigating The Myriad of Tasks After The Loss of a Loved One with Ronnie Genser (Ep.113)

One of the last things you want to worry about when you lose a loved one are the numerous non-financial tasks after the loss of a loved one.

Unfortunately, this is the reality for a lot of people.

In this episode, Larry Heller invites Ronnie Genser, President at Bereavement Navigators, to discuss all you need to know when it comes to navigating the myriad of taxes after the loss of a loved one, especially a spouse.

Ronnie discusses: 

  • How the loss of a loved one impacted her career and finances
  • How to prepare for the loss of a spouse from a non-financial standpoint
  • What inspired her to found Bereavement Navigators, a company that helps widows and widowers navigate the myriad of non-legal and non-legal and non-financial aspects of losing a loved one
  • How to navigate Social Security for the deceased without the headache
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Ronnie Genser:

Connect With Larry Heller:

About Our Guest:

Ronnie Gensers’ professional background includes over 20 years in international and domestic sales, marketing, training and consulting.

Unfortunately, Ronnie’s successful career path took an unexpected turn after the sudden death of her husband. The things Ronnie learned about what she needed to do after her husband’s death include how to organize the numerous and unexpected tasks and the resources she found and the tips she learned. She now shares her work as a Bereavement Navigator with widows, widowers, adult children, and other relatives who have lost loved ones.

What You Need To Know About Retiring in a Recession (Ep.112)

What You Need To Know About Retiring in a Recession (Ep.112)

If you’re thinking about retiring, but the recession has you worried, have no fear, with proper planning, you can make decisions that are right for you.

What types of things should you be reviewing with your financial advisor when the economy looks like it is headed into a recession?

In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP® discusses how you can make an educated decision when deciding whether your retirement plan is fit for the costs of a recession.

Larry discusses: 

  • The importance of knowing your retirement expenses prior to retiring
  • How to know if your retirement plan is compatible with a recession
  • The analysis you can do on your retirement plan to strengthen it against inflation
  • What you can do if you are forced to retire
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Larry Heller CFP®:

 

Strategies For Living With Inflation (Ep.107)

Strategies For Living With Inflation (Ep.107)

Inflation is beyond our control. However, there are ways you can mitigate the effects of inflation — both now and in retirement.

Discover how in this episode, as Larry Heller, CFP®, highlights ways inflation affects our lives and the steps that you can take to protect yourself and your retirement against it.

Larry discusses: 

  • What to consider with both your planning and investing when it comes to inflation
  • The cash strategy of having two to three years of your expenses in cash
  • Investments to use as a hedge against inflation
  • How a “tax bracket creep” works
  • And more

Connect With Larry Heller:

Determining the Optimal Investment Asset Allocation For Retirees (Ep. 89)

Determining the Optimal Investment Asset Allocation For Retirees (Ep. 89)

Asset allocation is one of the most important concepts for investors to grasp. 

That’s why one of the most-asked investment questions is, “How can we achieve optimal asset allocation, particularly during retirement?”

In this episode, Larry Heller addresses some of your questions and fears about asset allocation for retirees. He provides sound advice on your investments and walks you through some of the ways Heller Wealth Management can assist you in creating a portfolio that is tailored to your specific needs.

Larry Heller discusses: 

  • Why some of the most frequently used asset allocation rules should be avoided when constructing a portfolio
  • Three factors to consider when creating an optimal asset allocation portfolio
  • What a withdrawal is
  • How the Heller Wealth Management Reservoir Strategy works and how it may help you overcome panic selling and market fears 
  • And more

Resources: 

Connect With Larry Heller

Why Everyone Should Have Supplementary Uninsured Motorist Coverage — With Attorney Brian Murphy (Ep. 83)

Why Everyone Should Have Supplementary Uninsured Motorist Coverage — With Attorney Brian Murphy (Ep. 83)

Approximately 15% of people behind the wheel don’t have any automobile insurance coverage.

What happens if you’re injured by one of those people? 

Find out in this episode, as Larry Heller speaks with Brian Murphy of Rappaport, Glass, Levine & Zullo LLP. As a personal injury trial attorney, Brian represents individuals all over the New York Metropolitan area who have been catastrophically injured due to the negligence of others. Brian shares real-life accidents and educates you on the value of supplementary uninsured motorist (SUM) coverage.

You will learn:  

  • The most important aspects of auto insurance policies
  • Real-life situations where SUM coverage can be used
  • How to find out what your SUM coverage is and how much it costs
  • Whether SUM coverage is covered under your umbrella policy
  • About no-fault auto coverage
  • And more! 

 Listen now to learn about supplement uninsured motorist coverage and how it can protect you! 

Resources:  Heller Wealth Management: (631) 293-2806 | Email Larry | RGLZ Personal Injury Law: (631) 293-2300 | Email Brian Murphy

Retirement Heaven or Hell: Which Will You Choose? — With Authors Mike Drak And Susan Williams (Ep. 81)

Retirement Heaven or Hell: Which Will You Choose? — With Authors Mike Drak And Susan Williams (Ep. 81)

“You’ve dreamed of retirement for decades, and have even worked hard to save for it. But what will your life look like when you stop working?

In this episode, join Larry Heller as he speaks with the authors of Retirement Heaven or Hell, Mike Drak and Susan Williams. 

Together, Mike and Susan reveal why they’re on a mission to help people understand the opportunities retirement can offer them and how they can create a retirement that works for them. To help you get started, they share ways you can overcome the challenges of retirement to live with more purpose and balance than ever before! 

In this episode, you will learn: 

  • Key principles for a happy, secure, and fulfilling retirement
  • How to transition into retirement successfully and overcome the shock of a sudden, full-stop retirement
  • How to find value and purpose after retirement 
  • About “retirement rebels” 
  • And more!

Tune in now to learn how you can make your retirement your own personal heaven with Mike Drak and Susan Willams!

Resources:  Heller Wealth Management: (631) 293-2806 | Email Larry | Retirement Heaven or Hell | Mike Drak | Susan Willams

Three Methods For Resolving Divorce Disputes — With Attorney Michael Fried (Ep. 79)

Three Methods For Resolving Divorce Disputes — With Attorney Michael Fried (Ep. 79)

Are you thinking of settling your divorce out of court? Here’s what you need to know! 

In this episode, Larry Heller welcomes Michael Fried, partner at Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein LLP. As an experienced litigator and trial attorney in the field of matrimonial and family law, Michael breaks down three types of dispute resolution services he provides at his matrimonial firm in New York. Plus, he shares his insight on COVID-19’s impact on divorce rates. 

In this episode, you will learn: 

  • How the pandemic has impacted divorces
  • Methods for resolving divorce disputes — and the pros and cons of each
  • How to select the best process for both parties 
  • How Micheal acts as a “consulting attorney” during the mediation aspect of his practice
  • And more!

Tune in now to discover Michael’s three methods for resolving divorce disputes! 

Resources:  Heller Wealth Management: (631) 293-2806 | Email Larry | Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein LLP: (212) 867-9123