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Bob Carlson: The Good & The Bad About Social Security in 2022

Stan Haithcock
July 26, 2022
Bob Carlson: The Good & The Bad About Social Security in 2022

About Fun With Annuities Episode #119

Bob Carlson is one of my favorite celebrity guests because it’s like getting an advanced degree every time he’s on Fun With Annuities. We discussed the Social Security report and the good and bad news that came out of it. They never take the simple or logical route. Here’s an idea, let’s try cutting some of the spendings Mr. & Mrs. Politicians.

Bob also weighed in on the current inflationary trends sweeping the country and the globe. Let’s say he doesn’t agree with Janet Yellen’s “transitory” take. However, Bob and I do agree that inflation needs to be looked at from a personal level. For example, if your kids are out of the home, you aren’t buying as much food or taking them to school and sports practices. So, stop watching cable news spew about inflation and start looking at your specific situation when it comes to inflation.

With interest rates rising, Bob is a big fan of MYGAs (Multi-Year Guarantee Annuities) and other fixed rate guaranteed products like CDs. He is more optimistic than I am about the Fed continuing to raise rates ongoing. I hope he is right, but I have no faith in the Fed being autonomous as they were designed to be. We all know that regardless of the party in power, they, unfortunately, can and do bully the Fed. I guess we will see what happens this time with Mr. Powell.

We then pivoted to global issues like the war in Ukraine and the overall volatility of the markets, including crypto-currency. Because Bob is an expert in retirement planning and advice, he is always proactively risk-averse with his suggestions and recommendations. This is the reason I highly recommend his website, newsletters, and information at www.retirementwatch.com. If this isn’t already pinned as one of your favorites, it should be.

We finished with what’s currently happening with the Secure Act 2.0 and what and when to expect things to be implemented with this piece of legislation. Bob is more patient than I regarding our “friends” in D.C., and his insight is definitely worth the listen. Remember the Bo Jackson Nike commercial ad campaign called “Bo Knows.” Well, forget that. It should now be “Bob Knows.”

Bob Carlson will always be a welcomed and ongoing guest on my Fun With Annuities podcast. Forget cable news or newspapers; Bob Carlson should be your go-to source for all things retirement. Enjoy the informational ride.

"This is how you decide how much you love your family: are you gonna take time to sit down and write this stuff down, or are you gonna leave them a big electronic mess that’s gonna take a lot of time and effort to resolve, and might not eventually be resolved." — Bob Carlson.

Brief Bio on Co-host: Bob Carlson

In addition to being editor of the Retirement Watch newsletter I mentioned, Bob has a monthly video series Retirement Watch Spotlight and the weekly free e-letter Retirement Watch Weekly. Bob is also the Founder of The Center for Retirement Security, a research and collaboration vehicle for retirement finances, investments, taxes, and estate planning. As the educational arm of Retirement Watch, the Center for Retirement Security offers retirees and pre-retirees the tools they need to survive and even thrive in the changing landscape of retirement planning. His book, Where’s My Money: Secrets to Getting the Most out of Your Social Security (Regnery Capital:2021), talks about the biggest retirement mistake we can make – not taking full advantage of your Social Security benefits. It’s a mistake that almost every retiree makes. Bob has written many books over the years and has been interviewed by all top financial publications. You can also follow him on the Retirement Watch Twitter page. Bob is an attorney and has also passed the CPA Exam. He received his J.D. and an M.S. (Accounting) from the University of Virginia and his B.S. (Financial Management) from Clemson University. And just to pile on…he is an instrument-rated private pilot.

In this episode, The Annuity Man® and Bob Carlson discuss:

  • Hedging for rising inflation rates
  • Accessing institutional shares through 401k
  • What are your digital assets?
  • Watching out for blockchain technology

Key Takeaways:

  • The inflation rate that you experience is probably lower than what data that is shared suggests. However, don’t forget that inflation rates are still rising, showing signs that it won’t be transitory.
  • 401k plans allow access to institutional shares, which have the lowest expenses. Doing a roll-over from a 401k to an IRA will give you access only to retail shares, which have the highest expenses.
  • Digital assets are a much broader category than a lot of people realize. It’s a federal crime for others to access your digital assets. You have to specify and give people permission. List and organize all your digital assets.
  • It would be wiser to be more interested in blockchain technology than just the cryptocurrency part. Watch out for how companies will utilize this technology and if its biggest problem will ever be resolved: its impact on the environment.

Fun With Annuities® Podcast is hosted by America’s Annuity Agent®, Stan The Annuity Man®, and a Celebrity Co-Host. Hear facts with no sales pitches from the top independent agent in the country, licensed in all 50 states. Stan and his guests dive deep into topics such as annuities, finance, retirement, and so much more. It’s fun learning the facts and seeing if they’ll fit your personal retirement lifestyle. Thanks for being here!

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