Read about the six pillars of a retirement plan
A New Way to Think About Paying for Long-Term Care
Long-term care can become one of the largest expenses in retirement. Understanding what qualifies as long-term care, what care can cost, the limitations of traditional long-term care insurance, and newer…
The 5 Retirement Conversations Every Couple Should Have
Retirement brings decisions that affect both spouses, from how you want to spend your time to what happens to income when one spouse dies. These five conversations can help couples identify differences, understand potential…
Retirement Planner vs. Financial Advisor: What’s the Difference?
As retirement gets closer, the financial guidance you need may change. Understanding the difference between investment-focused advice and comprehensive retirement planning can help you identify whether your current approach addresses income, taxes,…
Will Your Money Last as Long as You Do?
Saving enough for retirement is only part of the equation. Learn how identifying your income gap, planning for inflation and taxes, and dividing savings into now, later, and forever buckets can help turn…
6 Money Moves for Market Swings
Market volatility is inevitable, but it does not have to derail your retirement plans. These six retirement planning moves can help you prepare for market swings, protect your retirement income, manage investment…
Inherited an IRA? Here’s How to Avoid Costly Tax Mistakes
Inheriting an IRA can create new opportunities, but it also comes with important tax rules and deadlines. Learn what has changed, the options available, and how to make thoughtful decisions…
The 5 Retirement Conversations Every Couple Should Have
Retirement brings decisions that affect both spouses, from how you want to spend your time to what happens to income when one spouse dies. These five conversations can help couples identify differences, understand potential financial consequences, and build a retirement plan around the life they want to share. — Retirement planning involves plenty of numbers, but some of the most important…
The Retirement Decisions That Let Her Retire Earlier Than She Thought.
Retirement can feel like a finish line, but for many people, it’s really a series of decisions. For Angie, retirement had always seemed tied to age 65. Like many workers, she assumed she would continue working until she became eligible for Medicare. Yet after nearly five decades with the same employer, she began wondering whether retirement might be…
The Hidden Crisis Facing Pre-Retirees
Loneliness is rising among adults over 45, and it can have a powerful impact on health, happiness, and fulfillment in retirement. Here’s what recent research reveals—and how thoughtful retirement planning could help protect connection and purpose in the years ahead. Loneliness Is Rising—And Often Unspoken A recent AARP study found that 40% of adults age 45+ meet the criteria for loneliness. That’s up from 35%…
Will $1 Million Last? Stress Testing Retirement Spending
This blog explores how long $1 million might last in retirement under different spending scenarios, and why assumptions around lifestyle, inflation, taxes, and market volatility matter more than the headline number. A Question Nearly Everyone Asks One of the most common retirement questions sounds simple: If I have $1 million, how long will it last? But as Retirement…
Launching Our First Magazine: Meet Adventurous Angie
A brand-new Merkle Retirement Planning magazine is here, and its first issue puts a spotlight on Adventurous Angie—an energetic retiree proving that retirement isn’t the end of the story; it’s the start of an exciting new chapter. Meet Angie and discover how she followed a customized retirement plan that helped her retire before Medicare eligibility—and…
Inside the Cave of Questions: Getting Started at 55+
This Indiana Jones–inspired episode of Retiring Today with Loren Merkle turns a common worry—how to start planning for retirement at 55—into a guided trek through six milestones: lifestyle, income, taxes, investments, health care, and legacy. We go on an adventure that blends adventure with practical guidance in search of the “compass of clarity.” Finding Your Way Out of the Cave Retirement planning can feel like stepping into a dim maze. As…
The 5 Retirement Conversations Every Couple Should Have
Retirement brings decisions that affect both spouses, from how you want to spend your time to what happens to income when one spouse dies. These five conversations can help couples identify differences, understand potential financial consequences, and build a retirement plan around the life they want to share. — Retirement planning involves plenty of numbers, but some of the most important…
Retirement Planner vs. Financial Advisor: What’s the Difference?
As retirement gets closer, the financial guidance you need may change. Understanding the difference between investment-focused advice and comprehensive retirement planning can help you identify whether your current approach addresses income, taxes, Social Security, health care, investments, lifestyle, and legacy. — For decades, much of your financial life may have centered on one goal: saving and investing for the…
Will Your Money Last as Long as You Do?
Saving enough for retirement is only part of the equation. Learn how identifying your income gap, planning for inflation and taxes, and dividing savings into now, later, and forever buckets can help turn a retirement nest egg into an income strategy designed to last. Saving $1 Million Is Different From Having a Plan Reaching a retirement savings goal can feel like…
6 Money Moves for Market Swings
Market volatility is inevitable, but it does not have to derail your retirement plans. These six retirement planning moves can help you prepare for market swings, protect your retirement income, manage investment risk, uncover potential tax opportunities, and take advantage of market downturns. — Market swings can feel very different when retirement is getting closer. While you are working…
8 Ways People Can Run Short on Money in Retirement — And How to Help Avoid Them
Retirement comes with opportunities, but it also brings financial risks that can catch people off guard. Learn eight common reasons retirees can run short on money and practical planning strategies that may help you prepare for a more confident retirement. Retirement should be a time to enjoy the lifestyle you’ve worked hard to build. Yet many retirees…
The Retirement Decisions That Let Her Retire Earlier Than She Thought.
Retirement can feel like a finish line, but for many people, it’s really a series of decisions. For Angie, retirement had always seemed tied to age 65. Like many workers, she assumed she would continue working until she became eligible for Medicare. Yet after nearly five decades with the same employer, she began wondering whether retirement might be…
The 5 Retirement Conversations Every Couple Should Have
Retirement brings decisions that affect both spouses, from how you want to spend your time to what happens to income when one spouse dies. These five conversations can help couples identify differences, understand potential financial consequences, and build a retirement plan around the life they want to share. — Retirement planning involves plenty of numbers, but some of the most important…
Will Your Money Last as Long as You Do?
Saving enough for retirement is only part of the equation. Learn how identifying your income gap, planning for inflation and taxes, and dividing savings into now, later, and forever buckets can help turn a retirement nest egg into an income strategy designed to last. Saving $1 Million Is Different From Having a Plan Reaching a retirement savings goal can feel like…
Should You Do a Roth Conversion with a Million-Dollar IRA?
Many retirees are surprised to learn that a large IRA balance can create a significant tax bill later in retirement. This blog explores how Roth conversions work, why taxes may become one of your biggest retirement expenses, and how a proactive tax strategy could help reduce the lifetime taxes you pay while creating more flexibility…
Your Tax Bill Dropped When You Retired. Here Is Why It May Not Stay That Way.
Retirement often brings a welcome reduction in taxes, at least initially. But for many retirees, Required Minimum Distributions, tax-deferred retirement accounts, and changing tax laws can eventually cause tax bills to rise again. This article explores why that happens and how tax diversification may help create more control and flexibility throughout retirement. Retirement Doesn’t Automatically Mean Lower…
How to Turn Retirement Savings Into Income That Outlasts Inflation, Taxes, and a 30 Year Retirement
Many people spend decades accumulating retirement accounts, investments, and financial products, but far fewer have a written strategy showing how everything works together. This blog explores the difference between owning financial tools and having a retirement blueprint, how recent tax law changes may impact retirement decisions, and why planning for income, taxes, inflation, health care, and longevity…
How to Create Retirement Income Without a Pension (The Three-Legged Stool Is Not Coming Back)
This blog explores how retirement planning has evolved from the traditional “three-legged stool” of Social Security, pensions, and personal savings into a more complex process that requires greater focus on income planning, tax diversification, and long-term financial balance. The Decline of the Traditional Retirement Model Social Security remains a foundational part of retirement for many Americans, but the pension…
The 5 Retirement Conversations Every Couple Should Have
Retirement brings decisions that affect both spouses, from how you want to spend your time to what happens to income when one spouse dies. These five conversations can help couples identify differences, understand potential financial consequences, and build a retirement plan around the life they want to share. — Retirement planning involves plenty of numbers, but some of the most important…
6 Money Moves for Market Swings
Market volatility is inevitable, but it does not have to derail your retirement plans. These six retirement planning moves can help you prepare for market swings, protect your retirement income, manage investment risk, uncover potential tax opportunities, and take advantage of market downturns. — Market swings can feel very different when retirement is getting closer. While you are working…
Inherited an IRA? Here’s How to Avoid Costly Tax Mistakes
Inheriting an IRA can create new opportunities, but it also comes with important tax rules and deadlines. Learn what has changed, the options available, and how to make thoughtful decisions that fit your retirement plan. Inheriting an IRA Can Change Your Retirement Plan Receiving an IRA from a parent, grandparent, or other loved one can be…
Your Tax Bill Dropped When You Retired. Here Is Why It May Not Stay That Way.
Retirement often brings a welcome reduction in taxes, at least initially. But for many retirees, Required Minimum Distributions, tax-deferred retirement accounts, and changing tax laws can eventually cause tax bills to rise again. This article explores why that happens and how tax diversification may help create more control and flexibility throughout retirement. Retirement Doesn’t Automatically Mean Lower…
Annuities Explained for Retirees: How to Know If One Is Right for Your Retirement Plan
Annuities are one of the most discussed—and often misunderstood—retirement planning tools. This blog explains what annuities are, the different types available, their potential benefits and drawbacks, and how to determine whether an annuity belongs in your overall retirement plan. Why Annuities Can Cause So Much Confusion Few retirement planning topics generate as much confusion as annuities. Part of the challenge is…
How to Create Retirement Income Without a Pension (The Three-Legged Stool Is Not Coming Back)
This blog explores how retirement planning has evolved from the traditional “three-legged stool” of Social Security, pensions, and personal savings into a more complex process that requires greater focus on income planning, tax diversification, and long-term financial balance. The Decline of the Traditional Retirement Model Social Security remains a foundational part of retirement for many Americans, but the pension…
Launching Our First Magazine: Meet Adventurous Angie
A brand-new Merkle Retirement Planning magazine is here, and its first issue puts a spotlight on Adventurous Angie—an energetic retiree proving that retirement isn’t the end of the story; it’s the start of an exciting new chapter. Meet Angie and discover how she followed a customized retirement plan that helped her retire before Medicare eligibility—and…
Fact or Fiction: Medicare, Costs, and Choices — What Really Matters Before 65 (and After)
When it comes to Medicare, misinformation travels fast. Maybe a friend insists it’s free. A coworker swears long-term care is covered. Someone else warns you about penalties for signing up too late. The truth? Some of what you hear is right—but a lot of it isn’t. You’ll learn what Medicare actually covers, what it costs,…
Can You Retire Earlier Than Expected?
In this episode of Retiring Today with Loren Merkle we cover important strategies to help you plan for the possibility of an extended retirement, emphasizing the need to anticipate a longer lifespan than previous generations. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Recent data from the Social Security Administration highlights that men and women reaching the age of 65 today can…
The Complete Guide to Medicare in 2025
In this episode of Retiring Today, Loren Merkle and AnnaMarie Morrow discuss the most critical Medicare updates that will help you make the best decisions for your retirement plan. – Complete explanation of the $2000 out-of-pocket maximums for Medicare Part D Key topics: – A comprehensive breakdown of Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D…
The Ultimate Guide to Help Beat Inflation in Retirement
Retirement is a phase in life that should be enjoyed, not spent worrying about running out of money. But with inflation spikes in recent years, many are concerned about sustaining their lifestyle in retirement. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you plan for and navigate inflation in retirement. Understanding the Impact of Inflation Why…
There’s No Place Like Retirement | Navigating the Yellow Brick Road with Confidence
Embarking on the journey to retirement can feel as daunting as Dorothy’s trek through Oz. But just like Dorothy, who had the lion, scarecrow, and tin man to help her reach her goal, you don’t have to navigate your retirement journey alone. We take a journey down the yellow brick road to help you build…
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The 5 Retirement Conversations Every Couple Should Have
Retirement brings decisions that affect both spouses, from how you want to spend your time to what happens to income when one spouse dies. These five conversations can help couples identify differences, understand potential financial consequences, and build a retirement plan around the life they want to share. — Retirement planning involves plenty of numbers, but some of the most important…
Inherited an IRA? Here’s How to Avoid Costly Tax Mistakes
Inheriting an IRA can create new opportunities, but it also comes with important tax rules and deadlines. Learn what has changed, the options available, and how to make thoughtful decisions that fit your retirement plan. Inheriting an IRA Can Change Your Retirement Plan Receiving an IRA from a parent, grandparent, or other loved one can be…
Your Estate Plan May Not Protect Your Family the Way You Think It Does. Here Is Why.
Estate planning today is about much more than avoiding estate taxes. This blog explores how changes to tax laws, the SECURE Act, probate rules, and beneficiary planning are reshaping the estate planning conversation and why flexibility, protection, and coordination matter more than ever. Why Estate Planning Still Matters Many people assume estate planning is only…
Tax Planning Now Could Save Your Family Money in the Great Wealth Transfer
A look at the massive wealth transfer underway, why families struggle to talk about inheritance, and how thoughtful planning can protect both wealth and relationships. The Largest Wealth Transfer in History $124 trillion is expected to change hands over the next 20 years, according to estimates by the consulting firm Cerulli Associates. Much of that wealth is…
Launching Our First Magazine: Meet Adventurous Angie
A brand-new Merkle Retirement Planning magazine is here, and its first issue puts a spotlight on Adventurous Angie—an energetic retiree proving that retirement isn’t the end of the story; it’s the start of an exciting new chapter. Meet Angie and discover how she followed a customized retirement plan that helped her retire before Medicare eligibility—and…
Inside the Cave of Questions: Getting Started at 55+
This Indiana Jones–inspired episode of Retiring Today with Loren Merkle turns a common worry—how to start planning for retirement at 55—into a guided trek through six milestones: lifestyle, income, taxes, investments, health care, and legacy. We go on an adventure that blends adventure with practical guidance in search of the “compass of clarity.” Finding Your Way Out of the Cave Retirement planning can feel like stepping into a dim maze. As…
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