Episodes

One Third of People Have More Credit Card Debt Than Emergency Savings Episode 309 – According to a recent study, an astounding 36% of Americans have more credit card debt than emergency savings, and 27% have no emergency savings at all. These sobering statistics spotlight a glaring hole in many Americans’ finances. If this is you, how do you start to climb out? More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 309 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Sec...

5 Ways to Use Home Equity as a Source for Retirement Income Episode 308 – For many, many people, their home is their biggest asset. Can you use your home to fund a portion of your retirement? It’s not ideal, but here are five ideas you can try if you need to. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 308 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, five ways to use home equity as a source for ret...

Six Ideas on How to Manage Debt Episode 307 – According to an estimate by Experian, the average American adult holds $6,501 in credit card debt. Is there a way out? Here are six things that you might want to try. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 307 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, six ideas on how to manage debt. In today’s economy, you don’t have to be a big spender to feel...

Behavioral Economics, and How it Affects Your Financial Decisions Revisited Episode 306 – Behavioral economics has become a buzzword over the last few years. But understanding its role in making financial decisions can lead to a better outcome. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 306 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....

Business Succession Planning Needed More Now Than Ever Episode 305 – It has never been a more important time to consider business succession planning for small business owners to ensure that their financial security, retirement and family legacy plans are fulfilled. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 305 Download The Transcript/Flyer More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes This podcast is brought to you by Security Mutual Life Insurance Company of New...

Connecting the Dots: Using Life Insurance With Social Security Episode 304 – Even when you optimize your Social Security claiming strategy, there are still going to be problems that need fixing. Life insurance can be the perfect tool to address some of the shortcomings that Social Security creates. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 304 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, Connecti...

Does It Make Sense to Give Money to Your Kids While You’re Still Living? Episode 303 – “Accelerated inheritance” is a new term for an old idea: giving assets to your kids while you’re still living, rather than waiting until you die. But does it work? More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 303 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, does it make sense to give money to your kids while you’r...

Nine Thoughts on Divorce and Finance Episode 302 – Is divorce ever easy? Almost never. And the financial aspects can be especially tricky. Here are 9 thoughts that may help you weather the storm. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 302 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, some thoughts on divorce and finance. Is divorce an easy process? Rarely, if ever. But here are nine things to k...

Planning for Single Parents Revisited Episode 301 – Single parents must have their financial house in order, through insurance, financial and estate plans, to help protect their sources of income, existing assets and their children. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 301 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®. Th...

Why You Need a Real Person to Help With Your Life Insurance Needs Episode 300 – Anyone who has ever tried to call a large bank or medical practice knows one simple truth: It’s becoming increasingly difficult to talk to a real person. But that’s just what so many of us need. The case for interaction with a real people is especially important when it comes to life insurance. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 300 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another ed...

Important Retirement Savings Rules Changes You May Have Missed Episode 299 – The Secure Act and Secure 2.0 were both designed to assist people when it comes to saving for retirement. But as with any new law, the rules can be confusing, and some of the provisions are still being phased in. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 299 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, here are some impo...

Planning is a Dynamic, Not a Once-and-Done, Process Episode 298 – No matter what was planned for, the plan must be regularly reviewed and updated to meet changing family, financial, economic, political and legal environments. Planning is a dynamic process that doesn’t end. Transcript of Podcast Episode 298 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 ...

Millennials, Gen X and Gen Z Need to Prepare for Retirement Now Revisited Episode 297 – Whether you’re hoping to achieve financial independence and retire early as part of the FIRE movement or later, Millennials and members of Gen Z and Gen X need to prepare for retirement now. Transcript of Podcast Episode 297 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®....

Celebrity Estates: Discord in Tony Bennett’s Family Episode 296 – The death of Tony Bennett in 2023 seems to have created a family rift that is now playing out in court. Could it have been prevented? More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 296 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, as some may have predicted, Tony Bennett’s death has caused family discord over his wealth. Tony Bennett, bo...

Can You Save Too Much for Retirement? Episode 295 – Is it possible to save too much for retirement? Some have argued that the answer is yes, but with caveats. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 295 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, is it possible to save too much for retirement? Many of us have been taught that we should accumulate as much money as possible towards our retiremen...

The IRS Digs Deeper Episode 294 – For several years, the IRS has been focusing its audit activity on people making more than $10 million per year. But the results have been disappointing, and the IRS has decided to aim lower. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 294 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is deemphasizing their focus on ultra-high net ...

Estate Tax Uncertainty – Will We or Won’t We? A Potential Solution for Married Couples Episode 293 – As we get closer and closer to the sunset of the estate tax provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, wealthy married couples have options to remain flexible with their planning using survivorship life insurance. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 293 Download The Transcript/Flyer More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes This podcast is brought t...

Don’t Make This Million-Dollar Mistake with Your 401(k)! Episode 292 – 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 292 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 C...

Does State Taxation Cause the Wealthy to Move to Different States? – (Revisited) Episode 291 – States with high income and estate taxes may cause the wealthy to move to another state with one or the other, but not both taxes. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 291 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. Does State Taxation...

The U.S. Supreme Court Rules Against the Moores! Episode 290 – Charles and Kathleen Moore lose their appeal in the U.S. Supreme Court to fight a tax. What does that mean for the wealthy? More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 290 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, The U.S. Supreme Court Rules Against the Moores! On July 25, 2023, our podcast episode 239, titled “The Ultra-Wealthy Are...

Can Money Buy You Happiness? Episode 289 – Can money buy you happiness? Scientists have taken a new look at the age-old question. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 289 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, can money buy you happiness? This question has perplexed people for centuries, and a recent article in The Wall Street Journal has taken a fresh look.[1] A study done back in 201...

New Study Confirms: 20 Percent of Americans over Age 50 Have No Retirement Savings at All Episode 288 – A new study by AARP confirms what so many people have long suspected: Retirement insecurity is real. In fact, 20 percent of Americans over age 50 have no retirement savings at all. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 288 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, a new study confirms th...

Business Owners: Reach Out to Your Attorney and Insurance Agent Immediately! Episode 287 – Business owners who have entity purchase or stock redemption buy-sell agreements need to consult with their insurance agents and attorneys immediately, to determine whether their situation is impacted by a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision known as Connelly. More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 287 Download The Transcript/Flyer More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episo...

Why Don’t Schools Teach Financial Literacy? Episode 286 – A recent study by the National Financial Educators Council (NFEC) reached a startling conclusion: The majority of high school age respondents received a failing grade when it came to basic financial literacy. What can be done about it? More SML Planning Minute Podcast Episodes Transcript of Podcast Episode 286 Hello this is Bill Rainaldi, with another edition of Security Mutual’s SML Planning Minute. In today’s episode, why don’t scho...