Episodes

Eight Reasons Why Young People Need Life Insurance Episode 333 – Do young people need life insurance? Here are eight good reasons why they might. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 333 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, think you’re too young for life insurance? Maybe not. Life is rarely simple, even if you’re part of Generation Z. And if you’re just starting out, life insurance ...

Planning for Retirement Episode 332 – Most Americans are very concerned with the adequacy of their retirement savings, and whether rising health care costs and inflation will adversely affect their retirement. Many are also concerned with the availability of Social Security. There are many resources and tools available to help you plan. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 332 Download The Transcript/Flyer More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes This po...

Understanding Opportunity Cost Episode 331 – Opportunity cost is an often-overlooked factor that has an effect on every financial decision you make. Understanding this concept can have a significant impact on how you approach even the most basic of financial decisions. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 331 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, understanding opportunity cost. Opport...

New Challenges for a Long Retirement Episode 330 – The prospect of increased longevity should make all of us smile, but it creates issues that prior generations rarely had to face. Are you ready to deal with the consequences? More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 330 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, new challenges for a long retirement. Are you a member of the “sandwich generation...

Debunking Common Myths About Retirement Episode 329 – With retirement planning, as with most financial principles, every situation is different. That said, we all need a few guidelines to see if we are going in the right direction. But these basic ideas evolve over time as demographics, life expectancy, tax laws and available products all change. Here are a few ideas that could use a good debunking. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 329 Download The Tran...

Can I Avoid the Dreaded IRS Audit? Episode 328 – There are few things that create more fear and loathing than a so-called “exam letter” from the IRS. It means that you’re likely looking at a significant time commitment just to put together the documentation they’re looking for, along with potential new taxes, interest, penalties, and accounting fees. Here are a few things that may end up triggering a tax audit. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 328 Downl...

What Have Billionaires Been Up to Lately? Episode 327 – Billionaires are considered role models by many and disliked by many others. Although relatively tiny in terms of numbers, they have an enormous influence on our economy. Where are they headed these days? More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 327 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, what have billionaires been up to lately? Billi...

Understanding Social Security Taxation Episode 326 – There’s been a lot of talk lately about making Social Security income tax-free. This would certainly be a popular move, especially for seniors. But doing so comes at a steep price. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 326 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, understanding Social Security taxation. There’s been a lot of talk lately ...

Five Reasons to Purchase Life Insurance for Your Children Episode 325 – Should you buy a life insurance policy on your newborn or young child? Here are five things to consider. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 325 Download The Transcript/Flyer More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes This podcast is brought to you by Security Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, The Company That Cares®. The content provided is intended for educational and infor...

Careless Spending Can Erode Income Gains Episode 324 – 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 324 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, careless spending can erod...

Six Estate Planning Tips from Warren Buffett Episode 323 – The investment wisdom of Warren Buffett is well known through his annual letter to shareholders. But he has some unique ideas about estate planning as well. Here are six of Buffett’s more important estate planning concepts. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 323 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, six estate planning tips ...

Are These the Good Old Days? – Revisited Episode 322 – There’s bad news everywhere you look. Political polarization in the USA, war in the Middle East, and natural disasters all over the place. But what if things are actually better than we realize? Here are some reasons to celebrate. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 322 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, we take a look back at...

Can Money Buy You a Longer Life? Episode 321 – Can money buy you a longer life? Surprisingly, in some cases it can. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 321 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, can money buy you a longer life? In past episodes we’ve discussed whether money can buy you happiness, and how much it takes to be considered wealthy. The answer to those questions was yes, a...

Financial Infidelity is a Real Thing Episode 320 – Financial infidelity is a real thing. And the problem may be worse than most people realize. Two new surveys provide us with some fascinating details. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 320 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, how many people are keeping financial secrets from their family? The number may surprise you. According to...

What is a Spendthrift Clause, and When Do People Use It? Episode 319 – Life doesn’t necessarily get easier when you accumulate wealth. There’s always something to worry about, and at some point, if you’re lucky, your worries evolve from accumulating your wealth to protecting it. If you’re worried about future generations destroying the wealth you’ve worked to accumulate, a spendthrift clause could help ease your mind. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 319...

Is Gen Z Falling Behind Already? Episode 318 – Generation Z, born after 1996, is just getting started with their financial lives. How are they doing so far? More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 318 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, is Generation Z falling behind already? Our youngest adult generation—Generation Z, or those born after 1996—make up 20 percent of the U.S. population....

Five Ways to Help Protect Yourself from Scams in 2025 Episode 317 – Be on the lookout. Internet scams are getting more sophisticated. Here are five ways to help protect yourself. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 317 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, five ways to help protect yourself from scams in 2025. It should come as no surprise that internet scams are getting more sophist...

Getting Life Insurance is Easier Than it Used to Be with Angela Thieschafer Revisited Episode 316 – The process of getting life insurance is a lot easier than it used to be. In this podcast, we will learn why, with special guest Angela Thieschafer. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 316 Hello, this is Bill Rainaldi with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, we take a look back at one of our favorite previous episode...

What Counts as a Will? Episode 315 – Can you write your own will simply by recording a video with your cell phone? Not so fast, a Montana court has ruled. In many cases, it needs to be in writing. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 315 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, what counts as a will? We’ve talked a lot about wills in the past, particularly with regard to missteps by cele...

The Social Security Fairness Act: Is it Really Fair? Episode 314 – The President is about to sign the Social Security Fairness Act into law. But is it really fair? And how does it affect Social Security’s solvency? More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 314 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, the Social Security Fairness Act has been signed into law. On December 21, the Senate passed ...

Dealing with Grief and Your Finances at the Same Time Episode 313 – It’s probably the last thing you want to think about if you’ve just lost your spouse. But no matter who you are, no matter what your situation, financial issues are always there, and no matter how difficult, you’re going to have to address them. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 313 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s epi...

How Much Money Do You Need to be Considered Wealthy? – Revisited Episode 312 – Do you have enough money to be considered wealthy? A recent survey by Charles Schwab and Company has the answer. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 312 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode we take a look back at one of our favorite previous episodes, how much money do you need to be considered wealthy? Le...

The Biggest Regrets People Have in Retirement, and Lessons for Future Generations Episode 311 – There is so much that younger generations can learn from their elders. Not just from the things they got right, but from the things they got wrong. A recent study by the TransAmerica Center for Retirement Studies can help young people figure out some of the things they can do for their own future by avoiding the same mistakes. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode ...

Go Beyond Financial Considerations when Deciding to Downsize Episode 310 – When you get past a certain age, downsizing always seems to sound like a good idea. But is it really? What are the really important considerations you need to keep in mind? More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 310 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, when is the best time to downsize your home? It should be fa...