Shows
Retirement 360Preserving Your Retirement From Taxes - March 9, 2025Today Ashley Rose Schneider from the Mercurio team discusses ways to help you preserve your retirement savings in the most tax efficient way possible, so you can keep more of it in your own pocket, not in the U.S. Treasury. Alan then joins her in the final segment to answer listener questions.2025-03-0952 minRetirement 360Naughty or Nice - December 22, 2024Ashley Schneider from the Mercurio office begins the program with a segment concerning certain scenarios of future retirees to determine if they are naughty or nice concerning their planning during this holiday season. Then Alan and Troy take over and review four keys for a solid retirement plan as well as reviewing timeless advice.2024-12-2252 minRetirement 360The Retirement Savings Crisis - December 15, 2024Alan takes a look at a recent AARP study which shows that 20% of adults age 50 and older have NO retirement savings, and taxes might go up to help compensate. Alan takes a further look at this study and delves into why saving and planning for retirement is so important. Later Troy joins him to go over things that should be on anyone's list for putting a retirement plan together, as well as answering listener questions.2024-12-1552 min
Retirement Coach's CornerMailbag: How Should I Prioritize Newfound Wealth?Are you ready to take control of your financial future? In today’s podcast, Alan and Troy dive into listener questions about retirement planning, like what to do about your old 401(k) or how to handle a sudden influx of money. While each of these are “good” problems to have, you still want to be strategic about your next steps. Alan and Troy stress the importance of having a comprehensive financial plan tailored to your unique situation. Whether you're five to ten years away from retirement or just starting to think about your financial future, sitting down with a...2024-07-1811 minRetirement 360Plan for the Worst, Hope for the Best - May 11, 2024Today Alan introduces a new sub-advisor, Ashley Rose Schneider, to the show, and she and Alan discuss why it is important to plan for worst case scenarios so family members will know what their plan encompasses in case something catastrophic does occur.2024-05-1252 minRetirement 360The Retirement 360 Book - March 3, 2024Troy's book about the Retirement 360 Game Plan is now one year old, and today Alan and Troy continue their special offer to give a copy away along with the Retirement Took Kit that will help you get started on the process of putting a full Retirement 360 Game Plan together with the help of Mercurio Wealth Advisors.2024-03-0352 minRetirement Coach's CornerHidden Financial QuestionsSome financial questions are obvious and popular, while others are more hidden. Today, we dig through some of the more overlooked yet equally important questions to ask when going over your retirement plan. From savings that later turn into your largest expense, are you watching these financial elements closely? Do you know how much you can safely withdraw from your retirement savings? Alan and Troy share what indicators they track and how to calculate both your expenses and needs-based income in retirement. You may be surprised by what you look at differently over time as your financial...2023-11-1619 minRetirement Coach's CornerThe Financial Implications of Losing a Spouse No one likes to think about it, but most likely, one spouse will outlive the other one. Today, we talk about some of the financial implications that come up after one spouse passes and how to be prepared ahead of time. Did you know your income, expenses, and tax bracket will all change after one spouse dies? This could make a big difference on how you approach your retirement savings. Having a plan in place will make it much easier on the remaining spouse when the time comes. Here’s what we di...2023-10-0515 minRetirement 360Get the Facts on Social Security - September 3, 2023Alan and Troy break down Social Security and its importance to anyone's retirement income plan, and also address letting a financial professional help determine when the best time to take it would be for your situation. And be listening for a special offer from Mercurio Wealth Advisors for folks to call and get started with a Retirement 360 Scorecard.2023-09-0352 minRetirement Coach's CornerReal Estate Investing in Retirement Let’s talk the pros and cons of real estate investing. Is this a part of your retirement plan? Should it be? Some people love the idea of rental properties as opposed to funding a retirement account, but for others, this might sound like a headache. Troy and Alan share what successes and downfalls they’ve seen among clients. It’s often worth asking the question, “Why are you doing this?” If you’ve got a solid retirement income plan, maybe you don’t need a real estate investment. Or, if you have a lot of real estate ho...2023-08-3114 minRetirement Coach's CornerThe 5 Biggest Money Mistakes in Retirement Planning (Part 1) Unfortunately, we all make mistakes from time to time. After years of working as financial advisors, Alan and Troy outline five of the most common mistakes people make with money. Building a strategy ahead of time can help you avoid these mistakes and get the most out of your money. What strategy is in your best interest when it comes to your Social Security or retirement savings? Are you focusing on the right things with your investments? Have you assessed the amount of risk you are willing to take on? These are critical financial questions th...2023-05-0416 minRetirement Coach's CornerMoving the Retirement Goalposts People like to change their goals sometimes, whether they realize it or not. Today we talk about common ways people move the goalposts in their financial lives. Should your goals move and what happens when they do? Troy and Alan talk through the techniques you can implement to stick to your goals in a healthy way. From getting serious about saving what you need to protecting yourself from too much risk, it’s important to understand your plan. What does it take to have that successful plan? Here are the areas peopl...2023-04-0616 minRetirement Coach's CornerEp 42: What You Need to Know About Bank Failures What happens when a bank fails? If you’ve been watching the news lately, you may have noticed a lot happening around the Silicon Valley Bank and then Signature Bank. These are specific banks that cater to a specific client. How might these recent collapses impact your money or financial plan? Troy and Alan talk about the common situations that lead people to have large sums of cash in the bank and how to protect your money. Instead of reacting out of fear from the recent headlines, listen to Alan and Troy explain what you need...2023-03-2313 minRetirement Coach's CornerEp 41: Mailbag – Roth Conversions, Inherited IRAs, Rental Properties & More It’s time to open up the mailbag and find out what’s on your mind when it comes to financial planning. In this episode, we’ll cover five different topics that impact both pre-retirees and retirees and we’ll coach you through each of these planning items today. Alan and Troy will discuss Roth conversions, why inherited IRA withdrawals have different rules, how to find a trustworthy advisor, rental properties, and tax planning. There’s a wide range of topics so we hope this episode touches on something you’ve been curious about. If you have anything you’...2023-03-0216 minRetirement 360Four Retirement Unknowns - February 26, 2023Today Alan goes over four areas that are not entirely known when someone is getting ready for retirement, such as how long one might live, or the cost of health care - and definitely future market performance. And throw taxes in there and - well, there is a lot to plan for any and all scenarios. Alan goes over how the Retirement 360 Game Plan takes these into consideration when putting a plan together so that it will work no matter what the future holds.2023-02-2652 minRetirement Coach's CornerEp 37: Do I Need a New Financial Advisor?As the saying goes, “the grass is always greener on the other side.” If that’s the case, how can you tell if it’s time to find a new financial advisor or if you’re just imagining things might be better elsewhere? Alan and Troy talk through when and why you might want to find another financial advisor and when it might make more sense to stay with the advisor you have. Here are some of the reasons people tend to wonder if they should switch advisors: My financial advisor made a mistake, should I le...2022-11-2219 minRetirement Coach's CornerEp 36: The Retirement MarathonWhat does it look like to finish the race strong when it comes to retirement? In running, marathons are considered one of the ultimate races to run. Today we talk about the similarities between retirement planning and running a marathon. From preparing ahead of time to crossing the finish line successfully, Troy and Alan are here to coach you through it. Here are some of the similarities between marathons and retirement: A lot of planning and preparation is required. (2:39) A proper diet is key. (7:20) Don’t start too fast. (11:10) Get additional financial resources he...2022-11-1717 minRetirement 360Getting To Know Alan and Troy PLUS Pensions - October 30, 2022This show takes another look at the local pension issues that potential retirees need to make timely decisions on. Plus segments on getting to know the backgrounds of both Alan Mercurio and Troy Bolton.2022-10-3052 min
Retirement 360Getting To Know Alan and Troy PLUS Pensions - October 30, 2022This show takes another look at the local pension issues that potential retirees need to make timely decisions on. Plus segments on getting to know the backgrounds of both Alan Mercurio and Troy Bolton.2022-10-3052 minRetirement Coach's CornerEp 35: Getting to Know Troy and AlanWhen you are on a team, it’s important to build a sense of trust and understanding of one another. Troy and Alan are financial advisors and retirement coaches, but there’s a lot more to know about them. On today’s show, we hear more about what their lives look like and what their outlook is for the future. Here are the questions we answer from the mailbag: What would we do if we could foresee the future? (1:27) What takes up a lot of our time? (4:28) Where do they spend time at home? (8:24) What songs will th...2022-10-2715 minRetirement Coach's CornerEp 34: Mailbag: Can I Retire Now?Wondering what to do about the market right now? Troy and Alan coach three different people through their investment decisions. From when to become more conservative in your investments to using a Roth 401(k) option to retiring early, you’ll want to hear what they have to say on today’s show. How would Troy and Alan build a plan around these people and their unique situations? Here are the questions we answer from the mailbag: At what age do I need to become a conservative investor? (1:13) Should I use the Roth 401(k) option at work? (5:40) Can I...2022-10-2017 minRetirement 360Getting To Know Alan - October 9, 2022In the introductory segment, Alan fills us in on his background in financial services and some of the history of Mercurio Wealth Advisors. Later he and Troy revisit some topics everyone needs to have on their retirement planning checklist.2022-10-0952 minRetirement Coach's CornerEp 32: Should You Follow These Popular Retirement Rules of Thumb?We’ve all heard a few different rules of thumb when it comes to retirement planning. Are they worth following? Alan and Troy weigh in on what advice to take to heart and which of these rules of thumb don’t pan out. Let’s start with the rule of 100. This takes your age and your risk tolerance into account. Subtract your age from 100 and theoretically, that’s how much risk you should have in the market. Seek out a fiduciary to see if this is something you should follow. You need to find somebody who can help you...2022-08-2513 minRetirement 360Financial Tool Kit - July 3, 2022Troy talks financial headlines as well as gives a final update on the July 14th mid-year outlook event hosted by Mercurio Wealth Advisors. Then Alan discusses the different financial instruments, or tools, that can be used to create your Retirement 360 Game Plan2022-07-0352 minRetirement 360Headlines and Protected Income - June 18, 2022Today Alan address the coming "Peak 65" when more people will turn age 65 than at any point in U.S. history and what it can mean for those who are planning for retirement. Troy and Alan also address other headlines as well as their State of the Economy seminar on July 14 with two outstanding guest speakers.2022-06-2052 minRetirement Coach's CornerEp 29: When To Get Out Of Your Own WaySometimes the biggest thing holding you back is you. If you overthink something or act impulsively, it can have big implications on your financial plan. Let’s talk about the main areas where people tend to get in the way of themselves and what to do instead. Are you feeling a little worried about the market at the moment? Alan and Troy share what they tell clients to focus on instead. Think about how much risk your plan can withstand and still have a successful outcome. Even if you’re down, does your market provide what you need...2022-06-1621 minRetirement 360Retiring Today - June 12, 2022In the opening segment Troy looks at some headlines as well as promoting some major events Mercurio Wealth Advisors will host in the coming weeks. Then Alan revisits the subject of retiring in today's changing environment with few pensions and longer lifespans, and how a written income plan can help make your retirement dollars last so they can provide for your retirement lifestyle as long as they need to.2022-06-1252 minRetirement Coach's CornerEp 28: Retiring at 55Is retiring at the age of 55 feasible? Inspired by an article from Yahoo Finance, Troy and Alan discuss what you need to do to make that dream a reality. Not everyone wants to retire this early, but some are dreaming about retiring as soon as today (or even better, yesterday). In order to make it happen, you’ve got to have the right plan in place. When you retire early, you will face certain challenges you don’t want to overlook. Social Security can’t be withdrawn until 62 years old, so do you have enough money to pull f...2022-06-0218 minRetirement 360Retiring Today - May 21, 2022Troy begins the program by talking about his background in financial services and how he became involved with Mercurio Wealth Advisors. Then Alan discusses how retiring in today's financial environment is so much different from just a few years ago, especially in regards to how the reduction in pensions and the rise of 401Ks and other self funded investment instruments have changed how people need to save for retirement to assure the lifestyle they want to have after their working years are over.2022-05-2352 minRetirement Coach's CornerEp 27: All About RMDsWhat do you need to know about required minimum distributions? Are they inevitable or is there something you can do about them? What we discuss in this episode: 0:29 - Troy and Alan are back together! 1:28 - Do you know what RMDs are? 4:16 - RMD age changed to 72. 9:43 - Can you avoid taking RMDs? 14:38 - What do you do if you don’t need the RMD? Get additional financial resources here: https://mercurioadvisors.com/2022-05-1920 min
Retirement Coach's CornerEp 22: Who Needs A Financial Advisor?Does everyone really need a financial advisor? Who does an advisor most benefit and who might be better off on their own? Alan and Troy talk through the reasons why someone might do well working with a financial advisor to create the right financial plan. Instead of waiting until you get to retirement, you want to approach it beforehand with an advisor. For those who are procrastinating or feel like they don’t know where to start, an advisor will be able to help you. The right advisor will be able to build a plan that helps yo...2022-03-0313 minRetirement 360The Client Experience - February 26, 2022What is it like to come into a financial planning office? Today Alan takes you through that experience with Mercurio Wealth Advisors, from the moment you first make contact through the process of putting a Game Plan together all the way through implementing that plan once it is agreed upon.2022-02-2752 min
Retirement Coach's CornerEp 20: Fill in the Financial BlanksWhat answers will Troy and Alan have for these financial questions? Do yours match what they have to say? Find out! What we discuss in this episode: 2:06 - The best way to not run out of money is? 5:22 - The stock market has the ability to…? 7:30 - When should you run the other way from a financial advisor? 11:30 - What is a new client most nervous about? 13:41 - What’s the most gratifying part of Troy and Alan’s job? Get additional...2022-02-0318 min
Retirement Coach's CornerEp 16: Planning for Long-Term Care ExpensesHow should you prepare for the possibility of needing long-term care? Is long-term care insurance your only option? Alan and Troy share the basics of how to address long-term care expenses in your financial plan. Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://mercurioadvisors.com/podcast/ep-16-planning-for-long-term-care-expenses/ What we discuss in this episode: 0:40 - Alan is enjoying Florida right now! 2:41 - How often do clients consider long-term care expenses? 4:51 - Can you self-insure against long-term care expenses? 7:26 - Should you get long...2021-12-0215 min
Retirement Coach's CornerEp 15: The Strategy Behind Life InsuranceIs life insurance something you should have as a part of your financial plan? Alan and Troy discuss the reasons you may want to use this financial tool. Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://mercurioadvisors.com/podcast/ep-15-the-strategy-behind-life-insurance/ What we discuss in this episode: 0:35 - Why does talking about life insurance make people cringe? 4:04 - How do you know if you need life insurance? 8:01 - Life insurance protects against risk. 10:20 - How can life insurance provide tax-free income?2021-11-1814 min
Retirement Coach's CornerEp 14: What Is Your Risk Tolerance?Do you know what your risk tolerance is or why it matters? Alan and Troy break down the basics of what risk is and how it fits into your financial plan. Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://mercurioadvisors.com/podcast/ep-14-what-is-your-risk-tolerance/ What we discuss in this episode: 0:42 - Troy got a new job title! 2:11 - What is risk tolerance? 7:35 - How does your advisor know how to factor in their risk? 10:47 - How can you tell what someone’s risk...2021-11-0416 min
Retirement 360How to know if your Retirement is on track!How to know if your Retirement is on track! by Alan Mercurio2021-08-1352 min
Retirement Coach's CornerEp 9: What to Know About AnnuitiesWhat do you think of when you hear the word, “annuities”? Troy and Alan talk through the different types and how they may or may not fit in your plan. Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://mercurioadvisors.com/podcast/ep-9-what-to-know-about-annuities/ What we discuss on this episode: 0:43 - A lot of people have strong opinions about annuities. 1:29 - What is an immediate annuity? 4:13 - What is a fixed annuity? 6:41 - How does a variable annuity work? 10:06 - What is an ind...2021-07-2919 min
Retirement Coach's CornerEp 8: The Financial Red ZoneIn the financial red zone, your last few years before retirement are crucial to get it right. Just like in football, during that final stretch before the end zone you want to make sure there are no major mistakes are errors. On today’s episode of the podcast, Alan and Troy coach you through this area in your financial life. Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://mercurioadvisors.com/podcast/ep-8-the-financial-red-zone/ What we discuss on this episode: 1:21 - What is the financial red zone? 3:29 - Why d...2021-07-2216 min
Retirement 360Retirement 360 Mistakes to avoid in RetirementRetirement 360 Mistakes to avoid in Retirement by Alan Mercurio2021-07-0252 min
Retirement 360Retirement 360 06 - 26 - 21 Segment 1Retirement 360 06 - 26 - 21 Segment 1 by Alan Mercurio2021-07-0226 min
Retirement Coach's CornerEp 3: What is Investment Planning?What’s the difference between income planning and investment planning? On today’s episode we talk about the importance of investment planning, how it’s done, and what you can expect when working with Mercurio Wealth Advisors. Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://mercurioadvisors.com/podcast/ep-3-what-is-investment-planning/ What we discuss on this episode: 2:29 - What is the goal for investment planning? 5:11 - How do you balance risk for someone in retirement? 7:47 - What is a tactical manager? 10:50 - How are fees redu...2021-04-2018 min
Retirement Coach's CornerEp 1: Get to Know Alan Mercurio and Troy BoltonOn this episode of Retirement Coach’s Corner, get to know our team a little better. Alan Mercurio is the founder and chief financial officer at Mercurio Wealth Advisors, and Troy Bolton is a senior wealth advisor with the company. Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://mercurioadvisors.com/podcast/episode-1-get-to-know-alan-mercurio-and-troy-bolton/ What we discuss on this episode: 1:15 – What does being a financial advisor mean to you? 6:15 – What does the financial planning process look like? 10:07 – Why do you work and live in Louisville? 12:17...2021-04-0117 min
Retirement 360What You Have vs. What You spendIn this segment, Alan talks about a couple of interesting findings from a new Charles Schwab survey...one being that the average baby boomer has about $920,000 saved for retirement, and that boomers expect to spend about $135,000 a year in retirement. Alan says at that rate, they’ll enjoy a comfortable seven years of retirement. But what happens in year-eight … and year-nine … and all the years that follow? Alan discusses what he sees and some tips on how to get ahead of the other "boomers".2020-12-0952 min
Retirement 360A Lesson From BaseballThe baseball playoff's are underway, so we're giving you a sports analogy tied into your financial planning. When you’re trying to figure how much money you’ll need in retirement, the first question is – how many years do you think you’ll need to pay for? Unfortunately, we can only guess at that number. Alan Mercurio and Morningstar’s David Blanchett say most of us are not very good guessers… they give us some tips on how to handle this question while designing a financial plan.2020-10-0252 min
Retirement 360Best Of Alan Mercurio | Mercurio Wealth AdvisorsThis week we go back in time to some of our favorite segments from the beginning of the year until now. Alan weighs in on some important financial topics and continues his stance on transparency and education when it comes to retirement planning.2020-07-0652 min
Retirement 360Best Of Alan Mercurio | Mercurio Wealth AdvisorsThis week we go back in time to some of our favorite segments from the beginning of the year until now. Alan weighs in on some important financial topics and continues his stance on transparency and education when it comes to retirement planning.2020-07-0652 min
Retirement 360Money Lessons From DadWhile people were celebrating father's day, hopefully they were tuning in as well! Alan went over some financial advice we all get our fathers and shares some of the best advice he got from his father when it comes to finances. Is retirement planning too complicated? Alan reviews the results to a Harris Poll and the answer might surprise you. Tune in to find out the results!2020-06-2352 min
Retirement 360Coronavirus And The MarketsThe DOW slid almost 13% in one week due to the news of the Coronavirus. When will it stop? Will it continue to slide? Alan and Randy talk about how this recent scare has affected the market and what they expect it to do when comparing it to previous outbreaks. In contrast to the Coronavirus talk, Randy and Alan also talk about a "backdoor Roth IRA" and go through the pros and cons of going into retirement with a Roth IRA. While there are contribution and income limits, there is a strategy called the "Backdoor Roth" you should hear about!2020-03-0252 min
Retirement 360What's A Tax Mule?Did you know that even though people 50+ only make up 35% of the population but pay 59% of all federal income taxes?! Alan and Randy talk about this and more in this weeks radio show and talk a bit about how you can opt out of that statistic. Is having your money in a hedge fund the best bet? Alan talks a bit about how Wall Street's most successful hedge fund fell short when compared to most run-of-the-mill investors by breaking even in 2019.2020-01-2752 min
Retirement 360Uncle Sam And His Retirement PlanHave you heard about Uncle Sam and his retirement plan? Here's a hint - he doesn't retire when you do. Your taxes are essentially Uncle Sam's "retirement plan" and when you retire, you only keep on paying them. Alan talks a bit about paying taxes in retirement and how to factor them in to your anticipated retirement income. Does it make sense to convert your Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA? What are the pros and cons of doing so? Tons of "baby boomers" are at a stage in their financial life where they're considering this but might not be...2019-09-1652 min
Retirement 360What Questions Are You Asking When Planning Your Retirement?When you sit down with a financial advisor, one of the main reasons you do so is to find out if and when you're able to retire. When you're trying to decide that, what factors are you looking at? Alan goes through some of the main factors that help make this decision and talks about the questions he asks in his planning process. Did you know that about 20% of Americans over the age of 65 are still working? This is the highest this number has been since 1962. While some of those people are working by choice, their is a chunk of...2019-08-0552 min
Retirement 360Do You Really Spend More During Retirement?This Sunday, tune in to Retirement360 with MWA advisor Alan Mercurio and host, Randy Cook, as they take on the latest tending news. Are you planning to celebrate Bobby Bonilla Day? Better yet, did you know that even though he retired from baseball in 2001, Bobby Bonilla still receives a check for $1,193,248.20 from the New York Mets on the first of every July? Are you receiving the right financial advice for your retirement? Forbes says the financial advice people use in their working years is not necessarily the best choice to help them as they approach retirement. What advice are you...2019-07-1552 min
Retirement 360Have you completed a "Stress Test"This Sunday, tune in to Retirement360 with MWA advisor Alan Mercurio and host, Randy Cook, as they take on the latest tending news. How much of of your salary do you need to save? 10 times or even 16 times? Are the writers at Motley Fool correct? What and who are you supposed to believe? Have you done a "Stress Test" on your retirement plan, and what does that entail? And, how does citizenship play a role in your taxes? New Royal baby, Archie, could face an interesting dilemma.2019-05-2026 min
Retirement 360Do you ACTUALLY have a plan in place?Often, we at MWA discuss the term Retirement Plan. Your Retirement Plan is unique to you, your goals, your needs, and your family's wants. There are ways to achieve these goals, and there are some myths that need to be addressed because they may not be the most viable options. This week on Retirement360, MWA advisor Alan Mercurio and host, Randy Cook, highlight some common fallacies on securing your retirement goal: •Relying on your home as a source of income •Only relying on Social Security •Relying on lottery winnings •Relying on inheritance from a deceased relative2019-05-1352 min
Retirement 360Retirement 360 - Best of Alan MercurioCheck in with Louisville's Retirement Coach, Alan Mercurio, and his friends as they discuss news and how it may affect your planning.2019-05-0652 min
Retirement 360Retirement 360 - Best of Alan MercurioCheck in with Louisville's Retirement Coach, Alan Mercurio, and his friends as they discuss news and how it may affect your planning.2019-05-0652 min
Retirement 360When to Meet an AdvisorThis week on Retirement360, MWA advisor Alan Mercurio and host, Randy Cook, dive in to the importance of finding the right financial advisor and why you would consider meeting one sooner rather than later. At MWA, we focus on education and the necessary steps families need to take to make sure their retirement is sound. Planning for retirement is more than taking your last of work - it is ensuring your life becomes what you want, not what it has to be. Learning about investments, insurance, Social Security timing, tax preparation and having an estate plan all tie together for...2019-04-2952 min
Retirement 360Financial Planning and Netflix?Are financial services moving towards a Netflix-like subscription model? Maybe. Schwab had recently announced it will charge a $30 monthly fee for "unlimited advisory services, and automatic trades." While this might sound appealing to some, these clients will not have the benefit of custom planning, income planning or tax and estate planning. Robo Advisors might be easier - but are they better? This week on Retirement360 MWA advisor, Alan Mercurio, and host, Randy Cook, discuss new trends as companies (and the government) grow and develop with their retired audience. What worked in the past, might now be the best option for...2019-04-1552 min
Retirement 360Taxes - Pensions - And knowing your Risks!Taxes - Pensions - And knowing your Risks! by Alan Mercurio2019-04-0153 min
Retirement 360Retirement 360 Last Minute Tax TipsThis week on Retirement360, MWA advisor Alan Mercurio returns with host, Randy Cook and they take on one last trick before you file your taxes - putting money away in your traditional IRA and it will still count for last year. How is it possible? You'll soon find out! Personal finance guru, Suze Orman, says it's not the first 10-15 years of retirement that should concern you, its the following 10-15 years. Alan and Randy discuss strategies to making your retirement last.2019-03-2552 min
Retirement 360The three things you need to knowThis week on Retirement360 MWA advisor Alan Mercurio and host, Randy Cook take on three of the biggest concerns facing retirees today: Social Security, taxes and advisor fees. An easy way to maximize your SSI benefit is to simply wait it out and withdraw as late as possible. However, waiting until you are 70 is not always the best option for some families. Alan and Randy tackle the thought process of selecting the best approach to start receiving your benefits. As April 15th approaches, many families are filing taxes and meeting with their CPAs. Do you have a "Tax Bomb" lurking...2019-03-1152 min
Retirement 3602019 Best of Alan Mercurio2019 Best of Alan Mercurio by Alan Mercurio2019-03-0453 min
Retirement 3602019 Best of Alan Mercurio2019 Best of Alan Mercurio by Alan Mercurio2019-03-0453 min
Retirement 360Is Your Plan Obsolete?This week Mercurio Wealth Advisors Founder and President, Alan Mercurio, and host Randy Cook, discuss the importance of knowing your Risk Tolerance. What is Risk Tolerance? It is the ebb and flows you feel secure taking with the swings of the market. Almost everyone feels secure when the market climbs, but what when it dips? How much of your investment are you to miss? Knowing your Risk Tolerance is paramount to your overall planning strategy. This sets a bar that will intersect with all other saving strategies. In addition to knowing the importance of your Risk Tolerance, is your planning...2019-02-2553 min
Retirement 360Getting Everyone on the SAME teamThis week on Retirement 360, MWA advisor, Alan, and host, Tony Vanetti, discuss the importance of having a total team to manage and guide your retirement. Does your CPA speak with your attorney, and then do they both speak to your financial advisor? Alan tackles the importance of having eveyone meet to make sure your retirement is on trach!2019-01-2852 min
Retirement 360Retiring harder today?Retiring harder today? by Alan Mercurio2019-01-2252 minRetirement 360Navigating VolatilityIf you could protect your wealth in turbulent times - would you do it? Or, would you ride out the waves of the stock market? Do the ebbs and flows match your risk tolerance? Are you concerned about future income should there be a downturn in the market? This week, MWA advisor, Alan Mercurio, and host Randy Cook, discuss the pressing questions of market volatility and how someone can still come out on top, or at least ride the wave.2019-01-1452 min
Retirement 360Control: How to Manage Your Accounts in a Volatile MarketAs the markets move up and down, our office is fielding phone calls and meetings with everyone wanting to know - what do I do to control my savings? If you are considering adjusting your 401k and moving in to a different style account, what will that take? Will it spare you or add new fees? Will it adjust your taxes? Are there accounts that can offer protection and growth? This week, MWA advisor, Alan Mercurio and host, Randy Cook, discuss options to lessen the unpredictability of the stock market, and to consider exploring different options so you can continue...2018-12-3153 min
Retirement 360Taking the leapSome say retirement is harder today than it was 5 years ago. People fear having to stop working. Families want to grow and protect their savings with little risk. Your income plan is not set and you are not sure where your retirement income will actually come from? Sound familiar? When there is fear, or a problem, there is often a solution. Meeting with an advisor if only once, or meeting with your advisor regularly, can ease the tension in knowing how your savings are doing, how to make your savings work for you, and how your savings match up against...2018-12-2649 min
Retirement 360Roller Coaster MarketsThis week MWA advisor, Alan Mercurio, and host, Randy Cook, discuss securing your planning throughout a rollercoaster market. What is a Yield Curve? What are tools and strategies to protect your wealth? How does inflation affect my savings?2018-12-1749 min
Retirement 360How long will the money lastHow many people do you in their 80's? 90's? Even living to 100? This week, MWA advisor, Alan Mercurio, and host, Randy Cook, discuss what it takes to make your assets last and have longevity. Many retirees know that once you stop workin, you ought to have a plan - does your income plan accommodate for family emergencies? Does your plan take in to account for market corrections? How can you structure your plan to sync all the facets of your retired life to make it last 20, or 30 years AFTER you retire?2018-12-1049 min
Retirement 360Financial FOMOFOMO: The fear of missing out. Whether you are caught up in the endless financial news cycle, or constant watching the stock tickers, it is easy to get swept in the hype of markets, products, and what your neighbor is doing. If you go down 9% this month, but grew by 239% over the last years, is there need to panic? Just because a talking head on TV is calling for fire and brimstone, the main thing to do is NOT panic and simply call a fiduciary. This week, MWA advisor Alan Mercurio, and host, Randy Cook, will dive into how to...2018-11-1951 min
Retirement 360Corrections, Taxes and Planning for the FutureThe word "Correction' is circling the news, so what are you doing in case there is a pullback in the market? But other than worrying, learn what actions MWA Advisor Alan recommends in case there is the 10% drop. If you do not secure your accounts in the event of a correction, you will also want to consider preventing these mistakes at the 2018 tax season approaches. Alan and host, Randy Cook discuss the “6 Whopping Tax Mistakes that can Ruin your Retirement”: Retirement Tax Mistake #1: Assuming you will pay less taxes in retirement Retirement Tax Mistake #2: Not Planning for Social Security Taxation Reti...2018-11-0549 min
Retirement 360Understanding Market CorrectionsWhat is a "Market Pullback" and what action should you consider? MWA Advisor, Alan Mercurio and host, Randy Cook, delve in to the details of what to look for, how to understand the highs and lows, and choices you should consider within your portfolio. Always speak with your trusted fiduciary before making any new plans. Should you make changes in your portfolio - do you know how the fees are assigned and how much you may pay over a lifetime? If you add up ATMs, checking, savings, IRA, 401k and other investing…the real number is closer to $369,000.00! Does this nu...2018-10-2949 min
Retirement 360Offence or Defense?When it comes to growing your money - should you play offense or defense? MWA advisor, Alan Mercurio and host, Randy Cook, tackle the pros and cons of both. A defense cannot earn more money, you cannot just save your way to wealth. They touch on 3 steps to playing a smart offense for growth: Set a goal. Determine your financial target. Income. Who’s got your money? Find where it is so you can get it. Earn it. Invest. Find something to invest in that will reproduce money. That said, playing a smart defense and setting up certain protections and in...2018-10-1549 min
Retirement 360Are You Asking Yourself the RIGHT questions?Are You Asking Yourself the Right Questions? Self-reflection is necessary for your planning - but are you asking yourself the right questions? What do you look forward to the most during retirement? How long will your retirement last? How much will retirement cost? How much will you need to save to reach your retirement goals? How much of your retirement nest egg can you afford to spend each year? Answering these items - let alone planning for them can be a daunting task. By working with a financial professional, a trusted advisor can lead you in the right direction. This...2018-09-2448 min
Retirement 360Leaving a LegacyFor many, leaving a legacy to your spouse, family or charity is built within your long term planning. But more than just assigning a beneficiary, your legacy will need to project market inflation, routine audits and even thinking outside the box of just your assigning your assets. Mercurio Advisor, Alan will chat with host, Tony Vanetti and go over ways to maintain and grow your legacy, account for market changes, and even add items like your airline miles!2018-07-3049 min
Retirement 360Forecasting the Future?There is no crystal ball, there are no tea leaves and there are no fortune tellers to fully explain what the future holds. But families, with the help of their advisors, can prepare for both the blue and grey skies when it comes to protecting and growing their assets. In retirement, you will need to navigate where that future paycheck will come from, and ensure it will last as long as it needs too. Is a lifetime income possible? Yes. Will it need modifications along the way? Yes, especially should there be new tax changes that will affect your assets...2018-07-2349 min
Retirement 360What am I supposed to do?It is a fairly simple question but unfortunately, the answer can be long, complicated and layered. Retirement planning is different for everyone and for every family. No one solution is exactly applicable even if situations are similar. Investing in the stock market might yield greater rewards than a low-index fund, but your openness to risk is also much higher. Men and women invest differently, so who is the driving force in your family's planning, and are all needs being met? Is your advisor advocating for the both of you equally and or are they applying a cure-all to both partners...2018-07-0249 min
Retirement 360Never promise more than you can perform. - Publilius SyrusSounds reasonable, right? If you promise a friend the wedding cake of their dreams but show up with a box of lumpy cupcakes and a faltering smile…someone’s not going to have a good day. Ever been on a trip and the driver assures you that they “know a shortcut” to bypass traffic that ends up getting you three hours off-schedule? Maybe you’ve taken on a big project at work before, confident that you could exceed expectations, but slowly find yourself struggling just to keep your head above the sea of work you’ve stranded yourself in. The problem acro...2018-06-2549 min
Retirement 360Father's Day Special - Still listening to his advice?On this Father’s Day, consider this: “My father had taught me – mostly by example—that if a man wanted to be in charge of his life, he had to be in charge of his problems.” The line comes from Joyland, a novel penned by one of the famous masters of horror, Stephen King. A father of three himself, King’s characters are known for facing down their problems—albeit often in the form of a killer clown or murderous Plymouth Fury. Most of us grew up with a father that was a solid rock to rely on when bills started piling...2018-06-1848 min
Retirement 360Jobs Report Calms VolatilityWith summer finally here after our extended winter season, most of us are hitting the lake or hopping on an airplane to far-off lands (or Florida, which we’ll still say is far-off.) Have you ever thought about how much planning really goes into a vacation? There’s tickets to buy, suitcases to pack, pet sitters to arrange, and a whole host of to-do activities before you can set off. Whether you’re a fit-it-all-in-one-backpack type or playing Tetris to fit all 6 of your suitcases into your car’s trunk, all of us have a game plan for our getaways. This wee...2018-06-1148 min
Retirement 360Stocks Up, Signals Mixed"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. " -Benjamin Franklin. Education is paramount as you begin and maintain your retirement planning. The more you can learn, they better you and your family can better prepare. This week's radio show will feature MWA advisor's Alan Mercurio, Troy Bolton and also host, Tony Vanetti as they discuss how to avoid the “tax time bomb” with your investments. At what age should you begin your retirement planning? And, preparing for the shift from working full time to full time retirement.2018-06-0447 min
Retirement 360Tackling Trade & Treasuries"Everything old is new again." This week's radio show will feature a "Best of Retirement 360" highlights with MWA advisor's Alan Mercurio, Troy Bolton and also host, Tony Vanetti. They discuss the importance and need for a financial advisor, that just maybe following your parent's advice on financial issues may not be the best idea, how to navigate volatility, and what you can expect with the 2018 tax plan - will filing actually be easier?2018-05-3046 min
Retirement 360Markets Post Week of GrowthThe stock market can be a complex creature to understand. You might have incredible gains for a few years, and then suddenly in a few months you’ve lost all that success through a bad market. There’s an old saying that paints the market as an escalator, steadily climbing in the good years….yet it may suddenly transform into a plummeting elevator, ruining all the upward progress you just had. This week on Retirement 360 with Kentuckiana’s Retirement Coach Alan Mercurio and Wealth Advisor Troy Bolton, we’re going to discuss how having your entire nest egg on that upward ele...2018-05-2149 min
Retirement 360Examining EmploymentHumorist Erma Bombeck once penned in her weekly newspaper column that, “When your mother asks, ‘Do you want a piece of advice?’ it is a mere formality. It doesn’t matter if you answer yes or no. You’re going to get it anyway.” As many of us celebrate our mothers this coming Sunday, think back to a time you received motherly words of wisdom—requested or not. Insight given across the dinner table or yelled from wooden porches as streetlights began to brighten can stick with us for decades, and might even have a place in your retirement planning. This week on R...2018-05-1449 min
Retirement 360Earnings Rise, Stocks StumbleWith Derby right around the corner, many of us will spend this week gearing up for the big show on Saturday—even if all that means is sipping on Mint Juleps and eating Derby pie at in front of your TV. Thousands both on and off the track will be watching to see which swift equine competitor will be the first to cross the finish line. One thing you can be sure of regardless of where you watch is that the participants—both horse and human—have put in hundreds of hours in training, planning, and commitment just to get a plac...2018-05-0747 min
Retirement 360Examining Earnings & YieldsFounder and President, Alan Mercurio speaks with the host, Tony Vanetti. They cover topics like following the same financial footsteps as your parents, filing taxes, creating a secure plan that strikes back at volatility, and what to expect for healthcar costs.2018-04-3047 min
Retirement 3602018 Q1 ReportThink of all the times you've put together a plan. Small things need a plan--a house project you swore you'd get to next summer, a fancy cake to impress your family at Thanksgiving. I'm sure you planned for the bigger tasks in life as well-what career you wanted, when to buy a house, whether to have kids or not. Did things always go according to the plan you originally set out? For most of us, the answer is a resounding, "No." What if you landed your dream job and ended up discovering you fit better elsewhere? Maybe the fancy cake...2018-04-1646 min
Retirement 360Markets IncreaseAs springtime gradually makes its appearance in the Kentuckiana area, many of us have started to think about what house projects we want to get done before winter comes around again. You've probably seen one of the many fix-it-up housing shows that have had a huge boost in popularity in recent years. The idea is generally the same across the board: a couple or a team of people purchase a "fixer upper" house. In the span of an hour the group rapidly transforms a rickety shack, run-down two-story, or cheerless split level into a housing masterpiece. While it's fun to...2018-04-0946 min
Retirement 360A Look BackAmerican actor John Wayne once said that, "Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway." Most of us remember Wayne as one of the biggest stars of Western film in the 20th century, perpetually seated on horseback and riding off to fight the latest bad guy in a countless number of films. While well-known now, Wayne started off as a nobody. He picked up gigs as an extra throughout the 1920s and didn't hit in big until 1939 as Ringo Kid in Stagecoach. That's nearly twenty years of being paid peanuts to pursue his dream in the movies. Wayne...2018-03-2649 min
Retirement 360Goldilocks ReturnsWith spring just around the corner (if you pay no mind to the random snow we've been gifted the past few weeks), you'll find lots of things will be popping up soon. Flowers, Derby hats, allergies, and better weather are all bound to start making their appearances in the coming months---along with our beloved spring cleaning chores. While most of us are content to "get to it later" when it comes to house chores in the winter, we end up facing the music when springtime comes around. It might be tempting to adopt a winter attitude towards your financial health...2018-03-1947 min
Retirement 360Volatile Markets ContinueAnyone who has begun even the preliminary stages of retirement planning knows that you're going to have to face some challenges. Even just thinking about not having the promise of that weekly paycheck to get your bills paid can be worrying. But, as writer T.S. Eliot once wrote, "If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?" Retirement is something that has so many facets playing into it that it's impossible to just "wing it" and try for a quick band-aid solution. While it might be overwhelming to face down, your future self...2018-03-1447 min
Retirement 360Interest Rates, Treasuries, and InflationWith tax season in full swing, many of us have our minds on our finances. This is the time of the year we reflect back on how things went for us-good and bad-in the markets. For those nearing retirement, it becomes an even more critical period as you approach the finish line of your working years. What we have in our pensions, 401(k)s, IRAs, and even just your savings account suddenly starts to matter a lot when we begin looking at replacing a paystub with money from our own investments. This can be overwhelming, sometimes even downright scary to...2018-03-0547 min
Retirement 360Interest Rates, Treasuries, and InflationWith tax season in full swing, many of us have our minds on our finances. This is the time of the year we reflect back on how things went for us-good and bad-in the markets. For those nearing retirement, it becomes an even more critical period as you approach the finish line of your working years. What we have in our pensions, 401(k)s, IRAs, and even just your savings account suddenly starts to matter a lot when we begin looking at replacing a paystub with money from our own investments. This can be overwhelming, sometimes even downright scary to...2018-02-2747 min
Retirement 360Stocks Jump AgainWith the big game coming up this weekend, a good majority of the nation's focus will be glued to their screens either watching the game or waiting for the halftime show to roll around. Snacks will be purchased, couches arranged for optimal viewing, and schedules cleared to fully enjoy the day. Amid all the snacking and quirky commercials though, there is something that many rarely think about. For the players, this is a day they have worked towards for years, probably even to back when they were first digging their cleats into a muddy high school field. Both teams are...2018-02-0547 min
Retirement 360Stocks Up as Shutdown LoomsThe experience of worrying is, at one time or another, something we all go through. I don't mean casual uncertainties either- did they remember I said no tomatoes on my sandwich? Did I pack everything for the trip? Is it going to rain during a birthday party? Those concerns are usually just thoughts that pass by us in the day. Real worries are things that stick with you for months, sometimes years. We try and think through them, come up with a band-aid solution to buy us some time, or maybe even just stick them in a corner hoping they'll...2018-01-3047 min
Retirement 360Retirement 360 Best Of 2017On the last weekend of the year - Retirement 360 with Louisville's Retirement Coach Alan Mercurio and host Tony Vanetti, will look back at some of the highlights that earned our greatests responses from listeners like you!2018-01-0247 min
Retirement 360True Meaning Of FiduciaryWhen most people go to the grocery, they don't pick food marked as "suitable". The word "suitable" in and of itself gives off the air of something being just okay-not the worst, but not the best either. We all strive to have the best of whatever we're after in life-we aim for the highest of what we can afford and attain, rather than setting our sights on sub-par quality. For years though, many retirement agencies have just had to abide by something called the "suitability standard". This standard-as I'm sure you can guess-meant that the advisor didn't necessarily have to...2017-06-2743 min