Episodes

Attracting and Retaining Your Best Employees with Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plans Episode 405 – Competition for the most talented and skilled workers is a constant battle. Placing a “golden handcuff” on key employees can help tie the employee to the company. One of the most common and effective is a non-qualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plan. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 405 Download The Transcript/Flyer More SML Planning Minute Podc...

Some Simple Tricks That Can Help You Spend Less Episode 404 – A surprising number of people tend to waste money on things they don’t need. Are you one of them? A few small changes can go a long way in controlling where your money goes. Here are a few tips that could help improve your spending habits. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 404 Hello, this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual Life’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode: ...

Don’t Make This Million-Dollar Mistake with Your 401(k) – Revisited Episode 403 – Don’t make a million-dollar mistake, as Jeffrey Rolison apparently did, by failing to regularly review and update the beneficiary designation on his company sponsored retirement plan. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 403 Download The Transcript/Flyer More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes This podcast is brought to you by Security Mutual Life Insurance Company of New ...

Don’t Forget Your Annual Policy Checkup Episode 402 – How long would you go without getting a physical? Life insurance also requires periodic attention. When was the last time you had a policy checkup? What ”symptoms” do you need to watch out for? More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 402 Hello, this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode: don’t forget your annual policy checkup! When it comes to ...

You’ve Heard of FOMO. What Is FORO? Episode 401 – You’ve heard of acronyms such as LOL, OMG, IDK, etc. FOMO, or “fear of missing out,” is another big one. But have you heard of FORO, or “fear of running out?” It can be crippling. Here are some ways to deal with it. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 401 Hello, this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, you’ve heard of FOMO. What is FORO? Some...

Does It Make Sense to Own a Vacation Home? Episode 400 – Buying a vacation property might bring you a lifetime of joyful memories. But you also need to consider the financial realities you’re likely to face. You might love the place, but you might also regret it. Think carefully before you make your move. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 400 Hello, this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode: ...

Twelve Ways to Make Yourself More Likable Episode 399 – Everyone wants to be liked by others, but it takes effort. Here are a few non-manipulative suggestions on how to make yourself a little more engaging and likeable. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 399 Hello, this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode: twelve ways to make yourself more likable. Today we’re going to depart from our normal...

Seven Life Insurance Tax Benefits Many People Are Unaware Of Episode 398 – It’s not always easy to understand how life insurance works. But there are some unique tax advantages that often get overlooked. Here are seven of them. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 398 Hello, this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode: seven life insurance tax benefits many people are unaware of. Is there really ...

New York City’s Pied-à-Terre Tax Episode 397 – Affluent individuals owning real estate in New York City may now be subject to a “wealth” tax. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 397 Hello, this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode: New York City’s Pied-à-Terre Tax. Affluent individuals owning real estate in New York City may now be subject to a “wealth” tax. If you own a second home in New Yor...

Talking About Money with Your Kids Episode 396 – When is the best time to start talking with your kids about money? At an early age, of course. But if you haven’t gotten around to it yet, here are some ideas on how to get started. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 396 Hello, this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode: why don’t people talk about money with their kids? The statistics are start...

Is a Health Savings Account Right for You? Episode 395 – A Health Savings Account, or HSA, is one of very few financial vehicles considered “triple tax advantaged.” You can get a deduction going in, the money grows tax-free, and the money also comes out tax-free. But they’re not for everybody as there are some major caveats. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 395 Hello, this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. ...

What is the “Time Value of Money?” Episode 394 – The time value of money is one of the most important financial concepts there is to understand. It comes into play in almost every financial decision. You don’t need to understand the arithmetic, but you should have some sense of where and how the math applies. Doing so may be able to improve the quality of your financial life. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 394 Hello, this is Bill Rainaldi, with anothe...

The Strange Case of Rob, Michele and Nick Reiner Episode 393 – It came as a shock when Rob and Michele Reiner were murdered late last year. Now, their son Nick, accused of the murders, is trying to fund his defense using money in a trust fund provided by his parents. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 393 Hello, this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode: the strange case of Rob, Michele & Nick...

When Unmarried Couples Split Up Episode 392 – What happens when unmarried couples split up? Sometimes it can be even more complicated and unpleasant than a divorce. As with many things, it’s probably better to prepare in advance. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 392 Hello, this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode: what happens when unmarried couples split up? We’ve had a couple of episodes...

Social Security Is in Bad Shape. Does It Still Make Sense to Wait? Episode 391 – The new Social Security Trustees Report is out, and as usual, the news is not good. If the two Trust Funds were combined, they are projected to be insolvent in the third quarter of 2034. Is that enough of a reason to consider collecting earlier? More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 391 Hello, this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. ...

Is It Possible to Spend Too Little in Retirement? Episode 390 – It has been well documented that the biggest fear people have in retirement is running out of money. Incredibly, according to a 2024 survey done by Allianz Life, 63 percent of Americans are more fearful about running out of money than they are about dying. But is it possible to overdo it? More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 390 Hello, this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mut...

10 Commonly Misunderstood Insurance Terms Explained Episode 389 – Sometimes people get confused by all the jargon used in the financial services industry. It’s difficult to understand what you’re buying—or what you already have—if you don’t understand the language being used. Here is a quick listing of ten terms, commonly used in the life insurance industry, that you might not fully understand. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 389 Hello, this is Bill Ra...

Dealing with the Latest Financial Trend: Spending Your Kids’ Inheritance Episode 388 – Financial trends come and go, but the latest, “SKI,” or Spending Kids’ Inheritance, is likely to have a lasting impact. Are you prepared? There are some ways to learn how to “SKI” without getting hurt. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 388 Hello, this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, dealing with the l...

What Exactly Is a Reverse Mortgage? Episode 387 – We hear so much talk these days about reverse mortgages. Are they worth looking into? For some people the answer is yes, but only if certain conditions are met. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 387 Hello, this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode: so what exactly is a reverse mortgage? It’s hard to miss all the talk these days about reverse ...

Should I Turn Down My Inheritance? Episode 386 – Why would you ever choose NOT to accept an inheritance? There are a few good reasons. And it’s doable if you decide that’s what you want. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 386 Hello, this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode: should I turn down my inheritance? So, a family member has died recently and left some assets to you. You should be hap...

Careless Spending Can Erode Income Gains Revisited Episode 385 – If your income goes up over time, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be able to save more. If you’re not careful, “lifestyle creep” can make things worse. Here are a few ideas on how to fight back against lifestyle creep. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 385 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, we take a look b...

Are You Sure You Want to Be an Executor? Episode 384 – Being named as an estate executor is often considered an honor, and you will be compensated for your efforts. But is it worth all the potential trouble? More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 384 Hello, this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode: are you sure you want to be an executor? Perhaps you should consider it an honor. Your Uncle Charl...

The Latest on Wealth Taxes Episode 383 – The concept of a wealth tax—applying a tax to the value of someone’s assets—has become popular in some state legislatures in the last few years. Are they likely to catch on anytime soon? More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 383 Hello, this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode: the latest on wealth taxes. Public budget concerns seem to be everywhere, and ...

Social Security and Divorce Episode 382 – Divorced spouses may be caught unaware that they could be eligible for a Social Security benefit based on their ex’s work history. The rules are complicated, but if you’re in that situation, there may be a pleasant surprise waiting for you: collecting a Social Security benefit you didn’t even know existed. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 382 Hello, this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’...