Category: Health & Wellness
How Are My Social Security Benefits Taxed? (Ep. 23)

How Are My Social Security Benefits Taxed? (Ep. 23)

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How much of your Social Security Benefits do you keep after taxes? How can you better plan your taxes to reduce the amount taken from your Social Security during retirement?

In this episode, Michelle Gessner, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, dives into the nuances of how your Social Security benefits are taxed. She unravels the complexities and explores strategies so you can potentially reduce those taxes. 

From understanding provisional income to leveraging Roth IRAs, Michelle sheds light on critical steps that could impact your financial future.

Michelle discusses: 

  • The intricacies of how Social Security benefits are taxed so that you can potentially reduce your taxes 
  • The role of provisional income and its impact 
  • Benefits of Roth IRAs in tax planning 
  • Potential savings on Social Security taxes through Roth conversions
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Michelle Gessner: 

About Michelle Gessner: 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Michelle is passionate about building a life plan for her clients and helping them see that they have choices, which often comes to them as a pleasant surprise. She is an independent thinker and a huge advocate for her clients’ interests. Her greatest joy is working to do what is right for them and be their voice.

Michelle has a B.S. in Finance from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and an M.S. in Management from Boston University, Brussels. Growing up in Montana and moving to Colorado for college, she took out student loans and worked her way through all four years. After graduating in 1987 with honors, she accepted a job at Shell Oil in Houston and worked her way up the corporate ladder to a management position before leaving in 1992 for Brussels, Belgium, where she lived for 4 years. In Brussels, she learned about different cultures and basic conversational French as well as pursuing and earning a graduate degree in management. 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional,  she is held to the highest standards set forth in the industry. She surrounds herself with a back office of experts in tax and investment research so that her clients have the best of both worlds – the resources of a large firm with the caring, dedication, and personal service of a small firm. 
Important Tax Mistakes to Avoid {That CPAs Wish You Knew} (Ep.22)

Important Tax Mistakes to Avoid {That CPAs Wish You Knew} (Ep.22)

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In this episode, Michelle Gessner sits down with Madison Ross, co-founder of Ross & Connor LLP, a CPA firm based in Fort Worth, Texas. Together, they dive into why proactive tax planning and working with professionals is essential to avoid costly mistakes and optimize tax strategies.

Madison, an expert in small business, real estate, and individual taxation, shares common tax pitfalls to avoid, including the main problem with gifting property during your lifetime to loved ones, why titling real estate to an S-corporation may not be a good idea for business owners, tax essentials for cryptocurrency owners and navigating Roth conversions. Michelle and Madison also explain how avoiding unintended consequences like Medicare surcharges and leveraging the right software can make tax planning more efficient and effective.

Take note as Michelle and Madison cover: 

  • Gifting property during one’s lifetime may lead to high tax liabilities due to the loss of a step-up in basis
  • Roth conversions require careful planning to avoid higher tax brackets and unintended consequences 
  • Risks of using an S-Corp for real estate for business owners Consulting  professionals can help prevent costly tax mistakes
  • And more

Connect with Madison Ross:

Connect with Michelle: 

About Our Guest: 

Madison Ross is a Tax Partner and co-founder of Ross and Connor LLP. His focus is on Small Business, Real Estate, and Individual taxation. The firm incorporates tax planning strategies, which provide clients with a roadmap for tax savings and wealth building. Madison is a member of the Main Street Business Certified Tax Advisory Network, which consists of hundreds of CPAs, Enrolled Agents, and Lawyers from across the country who meet weekly to discuss up-to-date tax strategies. He received a certification in Cryptocurrency Taxation from Main Street Business in 2022. Madison is licensed as a CPA in Texas and New Mexico and is a member of the AICPA.

About Michelle Gessner: 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Michelle is passionate about building a life plan for her clients and helping them see that they have choices, which often comes to them as a pleasant surprise. She is an independent thinker and a huge advocate of her clients’ interests. Her greatest joy is working to do what is right for them and be their voice.

Michelle has a B.S. in Finance from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and an M.S. in Management from Boston University, Brussels. Growing up in Montana and moving to Colorado for college, she took out student loans and worked her way through all four years. After graduating in 1987 with honors, she accepted a job at Shell Oil in Houston, and worked her way up the corporate ladder to a management position before leaving in 1992 for Brussels, Belgium, where she lived for 4 years. In Brussels, she learned about different cultures and basic conversational French as well as pursuing and earning a graduate degree in management. 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional,  she is held to the highest standards set forth in the industry. She surrounds herself with a back office of experts in tax and investment research so that her clients have the best of both worlds – the resources of a large firm with the caring, dedication, and personal service of a small firm.
Retirement Checklist: 6 Questions To Ask Yourself (Ep.19)

Retirement Checklist: 6 Questions To Ask Yourself (Ep.19)

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Are you ready for retirement? Let’s find out! 

On today’s show, Michelle Gessner, CFP® shares a checklist that includes six questions to ask and answer before you decide to hang up your career hat.

With her co-host, Michelle discusses the necessity of professional help with investments, the decision to retain money in an employer’s retirement plan, and the importance of stress-testing your retirement strategy.

She also shares some key insights on finding purpose in retirement, ensuring both financial security and personal fulfillment. 

By listening to this episode, you will:

  • Better understand why professional investment advice can lead to greater success and diversification
  • Learn the pros and cons of keeping your retirement funds in your employer’s plan versus rolling them over
  • Determine if you are getting the tax planning you need
  • Discover how to stress-test your retirement plan against unexpected financial changes and ensure your assets are protected
  • Gain valuable insights into finding purpose and happiness in retirement, beyond the financial aspects
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Michelle Gessner: 

About Michelle Gessner: 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Michelle is passionate about building a life plan for her clients and helping them see that they have choices, which often comes to them as a pleasant surprise. She is an independent thinker and a huge advocate of her client’s interests. Her greatest joy is working to do what is right for them and be their voice.

Michelle has a B.S. in Finance from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and an M.S. in Management from Boston University, Brussels. Growing up in Montana and moving to Colorado for college, she took out student loans and worked her way through all four years. After graduating in 1987 with honors, she accepted a job at Shell Oil in Houston and worked her way up the corporate ladder to a management position before leaving in 1992 for Brussels, Belgium, where she lived for 4 years. In Brussels, she learned about different cultures and basic conversational French as well as pursuing and earning a graduate degree in management. 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional,  she is held to the highest standards set forth in the industry. She surrounds herself with a back office of experts in tax and investment research so that her clients have the best of both worlds – the resources of a large firm with the caring, dedication, and personal service of a small firm. 
Long-Term Disability Insurance: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You (Ep.18)

Long-Term Disability Insurance: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You (Ep.18)

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Are you undervaluing the importance of long-term disability insurance in your financial plan?

This episode reveals the common myths and misunderstandings that could cost you and your loved ones dearly. Michelle dives into why even retirees need to grasp the nuances of disability insurance policies and how overlooking the benefits could expose gaps in your financial safety net.

Discussion points include:

  • How misconceptions around long-term disability insurance often lead to inadequate coverage
  • Understanding the fine print of your policy, including the monthly cap on benefits
  • How locking in coverage when you’re young and healthy helps ensure lower premiums and protection against future health issues.
  • The leading causes of long-term disability claims
  • And more

Connect with Michelle: 

About Michelle Gessner: 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Michelle is passionate about building a life plan for her clients and helping them see that they have choices, which often comes to them as a pleasant surprise. She is an independent thinker and a huge advocate of her clients’ interests. Her greatest joy is working to do what is right for them and be their voice.

Michelle has a B.S. in Finance from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and an M.S. in Management from Boston University, Brussels. Growing up in Montana and moving to Colorado for college, she took out student loans and worked her way through all four years. After graduating in 1987 with honors, she accepted a job at Shell Oil in Houston, and worked her way up the corporate ladder to a management position before leaving in 1992 for Brussels, Belgium, where she lived for 4 years. In Brussels, she learned about different cultures and basic conversational French as well as pursuing and earning a graduate degree in management. 

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional,  she is held to the highest standards set forth in the industry. She surrounds herself with a back office of experts in tax and investment research so that her clients have the best of both worlds – the resources of a large firm with the caring, dedication, and personal service of a small firm. 
Discovering Your Purpose in Retirement – Planning for Happiness in the Next Chapter of Your Life with Sue Mintz (Ep.17)

Discovering Your Purpose in Retirement – Planning for Happiness in the Next Chapter of Your Life with Sue Mintz (Ep.17)

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While it’s widely acknowledged that retirement involves careful financial planning, its essence extends far beyond mere numbers – a facet often overlooked. 

Today, Sue Mintz, a certified retirement transition coach, unravels the intricacies of crafting a comprehensive retirement strategy that embraces the full spectrum of considerations. Sue highlights that retirement should be viewed as a process, not just an event, with different phases like the “honeymoon,” “messy middle,” and “new normal”. She emphasizes the need for a holistic retirement plan, focusing on mental and physical health, time management, and financial stability. 

Tune in to gain insight into common misconceptions about retirement as well as:

  • Addressing non-financial aspects of retirement like social connections, purpose, and structure
  • The concept of “unretiring” due to increased life expectancy and evolving priorities
  • How to redefine your retirement based on your preferences and goals
  • The value of retirement transition coaching
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Michelle Gessner: 

Connect with Sue Mintz:

About Sue Mintz: 

During Sue Mintz’s career at a Fortune 500 company, she excelled in leadership development training and career coaching. Since retiring, she became the founder of Retirementhood™.  She is a Certified Retirement Transition Coach, speaker, writer, and workshop facilitator, focused on educating and guiding soon-to-be, or recent retirees on the importance of planning for the non-financial side of retirement. Sue offers a structured process for planning a lifestyle that is purposeful, healthy, enjoyable, and fulfills long-awaited goals. She is not a financial adviser.  

She received her retirement coaching certification through Retirement Options, a division of Career Partners Intl, LLC., and she has also been certified as an Authorized “Now What®” Coach/Facilitator. Additionally, she remains an active member of the Retirement Coaches Association.  For more information about Sue, the services she offers, and her publications, visit https://www.retirementhood.com/ or contact her at suemintz@retirementhood.com.

FEATURE
Medicare: A Comprehensive Guide with Joanne Giardini Russell (Ep.15)

Medicare: A Comprehensive Guide with Joanne Giardini Russell (Ep.15)

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After the successful release of “Understanding Medicare: A Guide for Beginners,” Michelle was prompted to ask Joanne Giardini Russell back to the show to provide a deeper look into Medicare.

Let’s gain further knowledge about how to make informed decisions regarding your healthcare and insurance options as Michelle and Joanne discuss: 

  • Recommendations to prepare for Medicare six months before eligibility 
  • Seek professional guidance to avoid common enrollment mistakes
  • The importance of annually reviewing your drug plans
  • Growing concerns surrounding predatory marketing/scams 
  • The Inflation Reduction Act and its impact on pharmaceuticals 
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Michelle Gessner: 

Connect with Joanne Giardini Russell:

About Joanne Giardini-Russell:

Joanne Giardini-Russell is the owner of Giardini Medicare, an independent agency that provides Medicare products to the public. She and her team of Medicare nerds at Giardini Medicare specialize in the “transition” to the Medicare system. Do you need Medicare? If so, how do you get there in a stress-free and logical fashion? Having spent years in the financial and insurance industries, Joanne recognized an enormous and unfilled niche. Namely, the lack of quality education and assistance in “best practices” in getting yourself into the Medicare system.

She and her team of agents have grown a firm that can help assess the “Do I need Medicare,  how do I get it, how does it work” questions and more. They assist in the transition from the workplace era and into the Medicare years and enroll people in the proper Medicare products. 

Joanne routinely leads Medicare sessions for financial advisors, CPAs, Credit Unions, and the public. Additionally, she often writes Medicare content for publications and websites such as  Advisor Perspectives, SixtyandMe.com, and InsuranceNews.Net. She and Cameron Giardini produce the “Transition to Medicare” Podcast. , He produces the company’s YouTube channel while she handles TikTok. The company website is https://gmedicareteam.com/ 

Joanne resides in Michigan with her husband, Jeff. Three of her adult children work with her at Giardini Medicare; creating what they affectionately refer to as the “First Family of Medicare”.