Your Retirement Elevated Podcast with Scott Dougan

Social Security COLA Increase Estimate Announced for 2025

People always want to know whether they’ll get a Social Security increase and if so, how much will it be in 2025?
 
New government data shows that inflation is starting to subside, and that seems like it will have an impact on next year’s Social Security cost-of-living, or COLA, adjustment. Even though many retirees are still struggling with higher costs, the 2025 increase estimate shows the lowest adjustment in four years.
 
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
1:12 – Scott’s reaction to the news
2:28 – Historical data
5:52 – Buying power nationally
12:54 – How it impacts spending
14:50 – Looking ahead
 
Want to connect with us?
https://listentoscott.com/
https://elevatemyretirement.com/our-team/scott-m-dougan/
913-393-4724
 
Watch the show on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3RiT7Ky

4 Ways You Could Pay More Taxes Than Planned

So ​you ​think ​you've ​got ​it ​all ​figured ​out and you’re ​not ​going ​to ​give ​Uncle ​Sam ​a ​single ​dime ​more ​than ​you ​absolutely ​have ​to. ​Well, ​not ​so ​fast, ​my ​friend. ​On ​today's ​episode, ​we're ​going ​to ​give ​you ​four ​ways ​that ​you ​could ​pay ​more ​taxes ​than ​you ​had ​originally ​planned. ​A couple of ​these ​might ​surprise ​you.
 
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
1:24 – Moving into a higher tax bracket
7:09 – Rates for tax bracket go up
8:33 – Fewer tax deductions
9:48 – New taxes
 
Get the free guide: Could Higher Taxes Derail Your Retirement Approach? - https://listentoscott.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SW_HigherTaxes_WP_Client_0622.pdf
 
Want to connect with us?
https://listentoscott.com/
https://elevatemyretirement.com/our-team/scott-m-dougan/
913-393-4724
 
Watch the show on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3RiT7Ky

The Retirement Equation: Controlling What We Can Control

When it comes to planning for retirement, one of the most critical aspects to understand is control. Knowing what is within your control, what you have some control over, and what is entirely out of your control can make a significant difference in how you approach planning.
 
Today we’re going to focus on the behavioral side of planning and discuss why control is an important part of the retirement equation. This equation breaks things down into three main categories: things that we have total control over, things we have no control over, and things that we have some control over.
 
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
3:00 – Total control
6:20 – Emotions
8:00 – Not in control
9:55 – Some control
 
Want to connect with us?
https://listentoscott.com/
https://elevatemyretirement.com/our-team/scott-m-dougan/
913-393-4724
 
Watch the show on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3RiT7Ky

Time to Take the Retirement Checklist Challenge

Retirement planning can be overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. Working through a checklist can ease your worries and give you confidence, but what should you have on that retirement checklist?  Today Scott is going to share his Checklist Challenge, a comprehensive guide to ensure you're fully prepared for retirement. Find out which 34 essential items made the list.
Are you ready to take the Checklist Challenge? Download the checklist and follow along as you listen to the episode. See where you stand and identify areas for improvement. If you find gaps in your plan, don't hesitate to reach out to a financial advisor for guidance.
 
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
2:10 – Common retirement fears
5:41 – Structure of financial plans
8:45 – Medical and healthcare
11:15 – How to use the checklist
 
Follow along with the checklist here: https://listentoscott.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Checklist-Challenge-Download-PDF-for-WEB.pdf
 
The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande - https://amzn.to/4cECv8J
 
Want to connect with us?
https://listentoscott.com/
https://elevatemyretirement.com/our-team/scott-m-dougan/

5 Critical Questions To Ask Your Financial Advisor

​Whether ​you're ​just ​starting ​out ​with ​a ​financial ​advisor ​or ​considering ​a ​change, it’s important to have some key questions in mind to help determine whether a particular advisor is a good fit for you and your finances. Today we’re going to give you ​five ​critical ​questions ​you ​need ​to ​ask ​to ​ensure ​you're ​getting ​the ​best ​advice ​possible.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
1:41 – Reviewing your financial situation
3:55 – Proactively managing tax returns
6:28 – Future income planning
10:50 – Risk tolerance
14:32 – Estate planning
 
Want to connect with us?
https://listentoscott.com/
https://elevatemyretirement.com/our-team/scott-m-dougan/
913-393-4724

Protect Your Information: Our Cybersecurity Event with Ryan Fickel

In today’s digital age, cybersecurity has become a critical concern for everyone, especially those planning for retirement. In this special edition of Your Retirement Elevated we’re sharing a video replay of our recent cybersecurity event with expert Ryan Fickel. Ryan is the Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at Advisors Excel and will be working closely with our team moving forward.
This presentation covers a wide range of cybersecurity threats, from phishing attacks to ransomware and the growing dangers posed by AI. Don’t miss this helpful advice on how to stay vigilant against these attempts.
 
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
3:48 – Where do threats come from?
8:12 – The fundamentals and preventative measures
18:28 – Phishing techniques getting more advanced
20:49 – Credit monitoring services
29:05 – Antivirus software, Windows11, wireless routers
37:22 – Credit card, identity, and password theft
42:31 – Precautions when using AI
53:51 – Q&A session
 
Want to connect with us?
https://listentoscott.com/
https://elevatemyretirement.com/our-team/scott-m-dougan/
913-393-4724
 
Watch the show on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3RiT7Ky

Don’t Let the IRS End Up With Your Retirement Money

The truth about retirement planning is that many people need a reality check when it comes to taxes and the impact they will have on their retirement money. Today we’re going to turn our attention to tax planning and how to keep most of your money from going to the IRS instead of the things you want to spend it on in retirement.
 
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
2:40 – Taking money out prior to 59.5
3:58 – Enhanced creditor protection
7:35 – 3 ways to move your money
11:22 – What happens if something gets messed up
 
Get the Retirement Rollover Reality Check PDF: https://listentoscott.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Rollover-Reality-Check-PDF-FOR-THE-WEB.pdf
 
Want to connect with us?
https://listentoscott.com/
https://elevatemyretirement.com/our-team/scott-m-dougan/
913-393-4724
 
Watch the show on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3RiT7Ky

Mastering The 5 Key Areas of Your Financial Life

What does a complete financial plan really look like? You’ve spent decades working hard, saving diligently, and now the golden years are on the horizon. But have you covered all of your bases? Listen in as Scott walks us through the 5 key areas of a complete financial plan in today’s episode- income planning, investment planning, tax planning, healthcare planning, and legacy/estate planning.
 
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
0:33 – Overview of the 5 key areas
6:20 – Income planning
9:00 – Investment planning
11:52 – Tax planning
16:48 – Healthcare planning
19:15 – Legacy and Estate planning
 
The 3 Stages of Retirement Episode
https://listentoscott.com/video-podcasts/the-3-stages-of-retirement/
 
The 5 Key Areas of a Complete Financial Plan PDF
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D6L8ZwZL0vyy5m3LbsCrXHC6_2QadcQt/view?usp=sharing
 
Want to connect with us?
https://listentoscott.com/
https://elevatemyretirement.com/our-team/scott-m-dougan/
913-393-4724
 
Watch the show on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3RiT7Ky

Am I At Risk of Having My Identity Stolen or Being A Victim of Fraud?

Today we’re going to cut through some of the fear by identifying the most common financial scams so you know what to be on the lookout for. We’ll also give you some tangible actions to take today to help safeguard your accounts.
Are you at risk of having your identity stolen or becoming of fraud? We’ll break it all down with Scott in this video.
 
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
1:44 – Big interest in this topic
5:52 – Cyber threats
12:46 – Social media
14:30 – Common scams
17:30 – Upcoming event
 
Register for our July 10th cyber security event:
https://keap.page/bu413/cyber-security-event.html?inf_contact_key=d984fd0f0a859add734228f5a3da8c52
 
Listen to our previous episode on cybersecurity: https://listentoscott.com/podcasts/practical-strategies-for-protecting-retirees-against-scams-fraud/
 
Download the cybersecurity checklist: https://listentoscott.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PDF-Download-for-Website-Cyber-Security-Checklist.pdf
 
Want to connect with us?
https://listentoscott.com/
https://elevatemyretirement.com/our-team/scott-m-dougan/
913-393-4724
 
Watch the show on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3RiT7Ky

7 Habits for Living an Exceptional Retirement

Most people think retirement planning is all about the numbers. Will the assets I have accumulated – 401k/IRA, Social Security, real estate, pension, etc. – provide enough income in retirement to fund my lifestyle? Once you reach retirement, you’ll quickly realize there’s much more to preparing for the next chapter of life. Today we’re going to share seven habits that studies show can improve your satisfaction in retirement.
 
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
4:55 – #1: Work at staying healthy
8:07 – #2: Strong social connections
9:18 – #3: Sense of purpose
10:49 – #4: Never stop learning
14:30 – #5: Be optimistic
17:50 – #6: Practice mindful gratitude
20:20 – #7: Have a pet
 
Want to connect with us?
https://listentoscott.com/
https://elevatemyretirement.com/our-team/scott-m-dougan/
913-393-4724