Episodes
10
Latest episode
Aug 2026
Language
EN-US
When do RMDs start, how are they calculated and which retirement accounts are affected? Dave and Nick explain required minimum distribution rules, taxes, Roth conversions, QCDs and planning considerations for State of Michigan retirees.
The second quarter of 2026 saw a return to new market highs with global stock market returns bouncing back after a mostly negative first quarter. But it has been a year of contradictions: as markets push to new highs, consumer sentiment has fallen to record lows. And while the focus of market conversation has been around the record size of the SpaceX IPO and the competition among large AI companies, small companies and emerging markets have been the market leaders, each posting returns above 40% for the last twelve months. Get the full report from East Bay HERE. Summary: Stock and bond markets gained ground around the world during Q2. Emerging markets and U.S small-cap stocks have led the way this quarter. Geopolitical and macroeconomic forces continue to provide uncertainty. Glass half-full: Stocks were up around the world in Q2 and continued to touch new all-time highs. Bonds of most credit and maturity types also gained during the quarter. Unemployment remains historically low. The U.S. economy continues to grow. Glass half-empty: The war in Iran is ongoing. Inflation has begun to re-accelerate, and markets now expect the Fed to hike rates rather than cut rates by year’s end. U.S. consumer sentiment is near all-time lows. Investment markets continue to be volatile around the world. Follow this link for a recording of Eastbay’s video presentation. Get our Outlook from Quarter 1 2026 HERE. The post S5E16 – 2Q 2026 Market Commentary and Economic Outlook appeared first on Shotwell Rutter Baer.
Retirement is the perfect time to start checking destinations off your bucket list, but planning memorable travel takes more than choosing a location. In this episode of Kitchen Table Finance, Nick Nauta sits down with travel advisor Kim Barber of My Globetrotter Travel to discuss how retirees can make the most of their travel years. Kim shares practical advice on planning bucket-list vacations, budgeting for travel during retirement, avoiding common mistakes, and deciding when to take those once-in-a-lifetime trips. They also discuss cruises, travel insurance, international destinations, group travel, and the technology that makes traveling easier than ever. Whether you’re dreaming of an African safari, an Alaskan cruise, or simply looking for ways to stretch your travel budget, this conversation offers practical insights to help you travel with confidence. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why retirement is often the ideal time for bucket list travel How to create a realistic retirement travel budget Why traveling during shoulder season can save money and improve your experience Common mistakes retirees make when planning major trips The benefits of cruises for retirees and first-time cruisers Why travel insurance is worth considering for international travel Tips for planning multi-generational family vacations The best destinations for first-time international travelers Helpful travel apps that simplify international travel Why waiting too long to take your dream trip can limit your options Connect with Kim Barber Website: https://myglobetrottertravel.com Facebook Instagram: @myglobetrottertravel Contact SRB today at 517-321-4832 or email us at info@srbadvisors.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more bite-sized financial and retirement tips. https://www.youtube.com/@shotwellrutterbaer The post S5E15 – Retirement Travel Planning Tips with Travel Expert Kim Barber appeared first on Shotwell Rutter Baer.
How do you know when you’re financially ready to retire? Should you delay Social Security? How much should you expect healthcare to cost? These are some of the most common questions we hear from clients and podcast listeners, and in this episode, we’re answering them around the kitchen table. David Shotwell and Nick Nauta walk through the retirement planning topics that matter most as you prepare for retirement. They discuss practical ways to estimate retirement income needs, strategies for creating reliable retirement paychecks, Roth conversion considerations, healthcare planning, and how to prepare your portfolio for market volatility. You’ll also hear why there is no magic retirement number, why every retirement plan should reflect your personal goals, and how thoughtful planning can help you make confident financial decisions before and throughout retirement. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to estimate whether you can afford to retire What factors should influence your Social Security claiming decision What healthcare costs may look like before and after Medicare How to create retirement income from your savings When Roth conversions may make sense How to prepare your retirement plan for a market downturn Why flexibility is one of the most valuable retirement planning tools Whether retirement is just around the corner or still several years away, this conversation offers practical guidance to help you build a retirement plan that fits your goals and your lifestyle. Resources Specialized financial planning for MSU faculty and staff navigating the transition from campus to retirement. https://srbadvisors.com/michigan-state-university-faculty/ Specialized financial planning for State of Michigan employees who want to make the most of their benefits and retire with confidence. https://srbadvisors.com/state-of-michigan-employees/ Contact SRB today at 517-321-4832 or email us at info@srbadvisors.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more bite-sized financial and retirement tips. https://www.youtube.com/@shotwellrutterbaer The post S5E14 – Retirement Questions Everyone Asks Before Leaving Work appeared first on Shotwell Rutter Baer.
Health insurance is one of the biggest retirement planning questions for State of Michigan employees. The rules can be complicated, especially when you are trying to understand retiree coverage, Medicare, premium subsidies, and how your decisions affect your spouse or dependents. In this episode of Kitchen Table Finance, Dave Shotwell and Nick Nauta walk through the major health insurance decisions State of Michigan employees face before and after retirement. They explain the different retiree health care options, highlight common mistakes to avoid, and share the key questions you should have answered before making retirement decisions. Whether you are several years from retirement or preparing to leave state service soon, this conversation will help you understand the planning process and identify the information you need before making important choices. What you’ll learn in this episode: The difference between pre-Medicare and Medicare health insurance planning How State of Michigan retiree health insurance works Understanding premium subsidies versus the Personal Healthcare Fund How years of service can affect your health insurance costs What happens when Medicare becomes your primary coverage Questions to ask before choosing your retirement date How your health insurance decisions may affect your spouse or dependents Why survivor benefit elections may impact retiree health coverage When it makes sense to compare ORS coverage with other insurance options Why working directly with ORS is an important part of retirement planning Resources Check out our FREE ebook about specialized financial planning for State of Michigan employees who want to make the most of their benefits and retire with confidence.https://srbadvisors.com/state-of-michigan-employees/ Contact SRB today at 517-321-4832 or email us at info@srbadvisors.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more bite-sized financial and retirement tips. https://www.youtube.com/@shotwellrutterbaer The post S5E13 – Health Insurance in Retirement for State of Michigan Employees appeared first on Shotwell Rutter Baer.
Retirement planning is about more than investments, savings targets, and account balances. In this episode of Kitchen Table Finance, Nick Nauta sits down with Cole Williams to discuss the Kinder Institute approach to financial life planning. Cole shares insights from his Registered Life Planner training and explains how financial planning can help people connect their money to the life they truly want to live. Together, they walk through George Kinder’s three powerful life planning questions and discuss how these conversations help uncover priorities, values, and what really matters most. Topics covered include: What financial life planning is and why it matters George Kinder’s influence on modern life planning The importance of active listening in financial planning Why retirement planning should begin with your vision for life The three Kinder questions and how they uncover your priorities The difference between return on investment and return on life How to identify your “enough.” Why clarity often matters more than financial complexity How the SRB process helps clients connect their goals with their finances The role of accountability and support in creating meaningful change Whether you are approaching retirement or simply want greater clarity around your financial future, this episode offers a practical framework for aligning your money with what matters most. Mentioned in this episode: George Kinder Registered Life Planner (RLP) Program LifePlanningForYou.com Contact SRB today at 517-321-4832 or email us at info@srbadvisors.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more bite-sized financial and retirement tips. https://www.youtube.com/@shotwellrutterbaer The post S5E12 – Financial Life Planning: Finding Purpose Beyond the Numbers appeared first on Shotwell Rutter Baer.
Retirement planning does not stop when you reach your savings goal. The next challenge is figuring out how to turn those savings into dependable retirement income. In this episode, David Shotwell and Nick Nauta discuss retirement income planning for Michigan State University employees, including how to estimate spending needs, structure withdrawals, evaluate Social Security timing, and think about taxes in retirement. Topics covered: Determining retirement spending needs Understanding income sources in retirement Creating withdrawal strategies from retirement accounts Evaluating Social Security timing decisions TIAA Traditional income considerations Tax planning around retirement withdrawals Common mistakes retirees make Helpful resources: Retirement Spending Worksheet Related episodes: Tax Planning Episode:S4E18 – What to Know About Taxes in Retirement Social Security Planning:Ep 116: Getting Real About Social Security Contact SRB today at 517-321-4832 or email us at info@srbadvisors.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more bite-sized financial and retirement tips: https://www.youtube.com/@shotwellrutterbaer The post S5E11 – How to Calculate Your Retirement Income appeared first on Shotwell Rutter Baer.
Tax planning is not something that should only happen during tax season. In this episode of Kitchen Table Finance, Dave and Nick discuss some of the most common retirement tax mistakes and why proactive planning can make a significant difference throughout retirement. The discussion focuses on how retirement income sources are taxed, how Roth conversions fit into a retirement strategy, and why understanding required minimum distributions and Medicare IRMAA rules is critical for retirees. The episode also highlights how withdrawal strategies, Social Security taxation, and capital gains planning can impact long-term retirement outcomes. Topics Discussed: Why tax planning should happen year-round The importance of tax diversification Understanding Roth conversion opportunities Planning for required minimum distributions Social Security taxation strategies Capital gains and tax loss harvesting Medicare IRMAA considerations Michigan retirement tax planning Coordinating tax planning with your CPA and advisor Related Episodes S4E19 – Does your Retirement Plan Need a ROTH? Understanding IRMAA: S4E18 – What to Know About Taxes in Retirement Contact SRB today at 517-321-4832 or email us at info@srbadvisors.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more bite-sized financial and retirement tips. https://www.youtube.com/@shotwellrutterbaer The post S5E10 – Top Tax Mistakes Pre-Retirees Make appeared first on Shotwell Rutter Baer.
In this quarterly market update, we take a step back and look at what really happened during the first quarter of 2026 and what it means for your financial plan. We have been partnering with East Bay Investment Services since 2021 to help guide our investment models. Each quarter, they provide a balanced view of the economy, including both opportunities and risks. One consistent theme over the years has been the presence of global conflict as part of the overall investment landscape. In the first quarter of 2026, that risk moved from the background to the forefront. The conflict with Iran pushed oil prices higher and created volatility across both stocks and bonds. Despite that, the bigger story may be how resilient the U.S. economy and markets have been through this period. Economic growth has continued to move forward, while inflation outside of energy and unemployment has remained relatively stable. While headlines may suggest otherwise, the underlying data tells a more balanced story. Here is a quick summary of what we saw during the quarter: 8% is the average one-year total return for the U.S. stock market following the onset of geopolitical events. Investors who choose to “do something” by selling stock in response to such events tend to miss out on the market’s recovery and future growth. 20% represents the amount of the world’s oil supply that passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which is a critical shipping lane that was effectively closed during the war in Iran. Oil prices surged in Q1 as a result, but the price of oil and its long-term effect on stock market returns have not shown a strong causal relationship historically. 8 is the number of well-known, large, tech-related companies that underperformed the S&P 500 index in Q1. The collection of stocks is widely known as the “Magnificent 7” and welcomed a new member to the group, now known by some as the “Hateful 8.” -1.9% ia the YTD return of a portfolio comprised of 60% MSCI ACWI and 40% Bloomberg Global Aggregate (hedged USD). In other words, despite the unnerving headlines during the year and increased market volatility, a globally balanced portfolio comprised of both stocks and bonds is down just slightly this year. When we break things down further, we continue to look at the economy through a glass-half-full and glass-half-empty lens. On the positive side: These factors help explain why many portfolios have held up better than expected, even with increased volatility. On the other side of the equation: As always, the full picture is more nuanced than any list of bullet points. Markets are influenced by many moving parts, and short-term events often feel more significant than they are over time. That is why we continue to focus on long-term planning, diversification, and avoiding emotional decisions during periods of uncertainty. If you would like to take a deeper dive into the data, you can watch the full East Bay quarterly presentation or review the complete report. Contact SRB today at 517-321-4832 or email us at info@srbadvisors.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more bite-sized financial and retirement tips. https://www.youtube.com/@shotwellrutterbaer Check out the full video here: https://youtu.be/d8rF9KFNr8U The post S5E9 – 2026 Quarter One Market Review and Outlook appeared first on Shotwell Rutter Baer.
Welcome back to Kitchen Table Finance. Today’s conversation brings a fresh perspective from the next generation of financial planners. We sit down with Aditya “Adi” Chaturvedi, a Michigan State University junior and SRB intern, to talk about his journey from Mumbai to East Lansing and what led him into financial planning. Adi shares how his background in math, exposure to finance through family, and early career exploration shaped his path toward wealth management. Throughout the conversation, Adi offers a candid look at what it is like to step into real client meetings during uncertain markets. He reflects on seeing both strong market performance and periods of volatility, and how clients react in each environment. These experiences highlight an important truth. Financial planning is not just about numbers. It is about helping people navigate emotions, uncertainty, and long-term decisions. We also discuss the importance of being proactive in college, why early planning matters, and how small decisions can create meaningful opportunities later. Adi shares practical advice for students considering financial planning and explains how the right program can open doors toward a CFP designation. One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is Adi’s evolving perspective on money. He explains why financial success is not about chasing the highest returns, but about using money as a tool to support a meaningful life filled with experiences and strong relationships. If you are early in your career, guiding a student, or simply reflecting on your own financial journey, this episode offers practical insights and a grounded perspective on what really matters. Contact SRB today at 517-321-4832 or email us at info@srbadvisors.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more bite-sized financial and retirement tips. https://www.youtube.com/@shotwellrutterbaer Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/Gn-h-niQAcs The post S5E8 – Intern Aditya Chaturvedi Joins the Show appeared first on Shotwell Rutter Baer.
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