Your Retirement Elevated Podcast with Scott Dougan

Unpacking the Silicon Valley Bank Collapse

As you have likely heard, the Silicon Valley Bank collapsed on Friday, March 10th, 2023, after a bank run- marking the largest bank failure in the U.S. in over a decade. With a lot of fear surrounding this topic, we are here to focus on the facts and give you a better understanding of what we know today.
 
Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:
What we know about the Silicon Valley bank failure right now (2:57)
Unpacking why this SVB crisis happened and what sparked the bank run panic. (11:05)
The five keys points you want to keep in mind before panicking about this event. (17:48)
While there is a lot of fear and panic instilled by the media right now, it is rare to go a year without a new bank failure. (20:30)
Two important questions to help you evaluate what you hear in the media (22:17)
 
Read Mike Sorrentino's rundown of the SVB collapse:
https://listentoscott.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Bank-Run-PDF-for-Web.pdf
 
Want to connect with us? 
https://listentoscott.com/
https://elevatemyretirement.com/our-team/scott-m-dougan/
913-393-4724

Things Could (Always) Be Better

Today’s show is going to feel like a healing therapy session. We're talking about how things could always be better. From human progress and value to happiness, we’ll cover some fascinating topics today.
We are not psychologists or therapists, but we are fascinated by the human mind and the need to improve. It happens in all facets of our lives, but money always seems to drive that desire to want more.
Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:
How have you made financial decisions in the past? (2:01)
Despite the negativity in the world, we are positive about trying to improve. (10:14)
Why do we pursue improvement? (11:42)
 
See the studies here: https://experimentalhistory.substack.com/p/things-could-be-better
 
Want to connect with us? 
https://listentoscott.com/
https://elevatemyretirement.com/our-team/scott-m-dougan/
913-393-4724

Retiring Early? Check Out Scott’s Do’s & Don’ts of 6 Secret Sources of Income

If you’re thinking about retiring early, you’ll need to take a few extra steps in the planning process because you’ll be facing some additional challenges. But there are ways to navigate this by looking at all of the income options at your disposal.
On today’s show, we’ll share Scott’s top do’s and don’ts of six secret sources of come. So much of your success will depend on your income plan and this episode will lay out some ways to get ahead.
 
Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:
How to deal with anxiety and uncertainty about early retirement. (2:23)
How to make withdrawals from your plan if you’re a public safety employee. (7:30)
How SEPPs can help you tap into accounts. (10:24)
 
Want to connect with us? 
https://listentoscott.com/
https://elevatemyretirement.com/our-team/scott-m-dougan/
913-393-4724

SECURE Act 2.0 Webinar & In-Depth Discussion

We’ve got a special edition of the podcast today, and it’s one you’re going to want to listen to. We’ve already spent some time on this show discussing  SECURE Act 2.0 and we highlighted many of the planning opportunities it has created. But this is such an important piece of retirement legislation so we’re going even more in-depth on the subject.
In this episode, we are sharing a webinar we hosted about SECURE Act 2.0. And, spoiler alert, we get a little angry about the topic and go in attack dog mode. Get ready for it.
Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:
Why we went in attack dog mode about this topic. (0:50)
Big highlights of the SECURE Act 2.0 (15:46)
What changes we’re excited about. (29:23)
 
Watch the webinar: https://7fu676u8.pages.infusionsoft.net/?cookieUUID=02950531-d018-4d59-a98a-61bab700e137&affiliate=0 
 
Want to connect with us? 
https://listentoscott.com/
https://elevatemyretirement.com/our-team/scott-m-dougan/
913-393-4724
 

Financial Checklists and Important Birthdays

A new year means many of us are looking for ways to improve our financial lives in 2023.
Today we’re sharing a great checklist to give you areas of focus in order to be better prepared financially. If you’re nearing retirement, these are questions you want to think through and have a plan for before you make that transition.
We’ll also share some important birthdays for financial planning and make sure you know about the items that will impact you at specific ages.
Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:
Do you anticipate changes to your investment goals? (5:43)
Do you want to help children or grandchildren with college? (10:27)
When should you do Roth conversions? (11:52)
 
Want to connect with us? 
https://listentoscott.com/
https://elevatemyretirement.com/our-team/scott-m-dougan/
913-393-4724

SECURE 2.0 Act – Retirement Changes You Need to Know

We’ve gone through all of these different SECURE 2.0 Act provisions, which touch on a range of planning items and dates so that you can really focus on what’s most important. This episode will help you get a better understanding of the changes, how they might impact you, and what planning opportunities you need to be aware of.
Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:
More changes again to the required minimum distribution ages.  (7:16)
Elimination of RMD requirements for Roth 401(k) plans.  (12:31)
Reduction in penalty for missing your RMD withdrawal. (14:16)
Catch-up contribution changes. (15:52)
The ability to roll 529 plan into a Roth. (18:22)
Employer can make a deposit into an emergency savings account for employee. (26:38)
 
Want to connect with us? 
https://listentoscott.com/
https://elevatemyretirement.com/our-team/scott-m-dougan/
913-393-4724

Mailbag: Mortgages, Dividends and College

It’s time for another mailbag episode, and we bet these questions (and our answers) will help many of you. This episode could really help if you’re looking to improve your financial situation and prepare for retirement.
We will discuss whether to pay off your mortgage, what to do about dividends, and whether to prioritize paying for college or saving for retirement. Listen to hear some of the questions our listeners have, and maybe you’ll gain some valuable knowledge from our answers!
 
On this episode, we’ll share:
Should you pay off mortgages of two rental properties? (1:44)
Should you reinvest if you have dividends? (6:24)
Should parents focus more on retirement or paying for college? (8:47)
 
Want to connect with us? 
https://listentoscott.com/
https://elevatemyretirement.com/our-team/scott-m-dougan/
913-393-4724

End-of-Year Tax Strategies

It’s time to focus on the end of the year, especially taxes, which are a big topic of conversation. We spotlight this topic every December because it’s just that important.
We do a year-end tax event each year and produce a white paper because having the right strategies to limit your tax bill can help reduce some of the anxiety around tax time. Some people stress about doing their taxes. If you’ve ever received a letter from the IRS, you know what that anxiety is like.
 
On this episode, we’ll share:
Why we’re sitting at very low tax rates and how that could change. (7:36)
Whether you should do itemized or standard deductions. (11:10)
Why you need to get a 2022 tax projection. (13:26)
 
PDF:
End of Year Tax Strategies PDF - Downloadable for Website.pdf
Want to connect with us? 
https://listentoscott.com/
https://elevatemyretirement.com/our-team/scott-m-dougan/
913-393-4724

Stock Seller’s Remorse

Do you have seller’s remorse? If you sell a stock and then regret it later, this might be you. We love talking about the behavioral side of finances and investing, and today’s show is all about that.
The economy and markets have had a rough time this year, so we’ve seen more regret among investors who led with their feelings instead of facts.
On this episode, we’ll share:
The behavioral side of finances and investing. (1:06)
What’s high in terms of historical interest rates? (6:17)
How people almost fell asleep on stock market volatility. (12:48)
 
Want to connect with us? 
https://listentoscott.com/
https://elevatemyretirement.com/our-team/scott-m-dougan/
913-393-4724

What Can I Control?

What’s in your control, what’s outside your control, and how do those things influence your decision-making in your financial life? For instance, inflation is surging, the markets are down, and political warfare is holding strong.
But rest assured, there are aspects you are still definitely in control of. We’ll explain how facts and logic are better tools than emotions, myths, misconceptions and misinformation.
On this episode, we’ll share:
Should you just ignore the things you can’t control? (2:50)
What’s out of your control? And what can you control? (4:42)
The best way to start your day. (15:18)
 
Want to connect with us? 
https://listentoscott.com/
https://elevatemyretirement.com/our-team/scott-m-dougan/
913-393-4724