Ep 7 - Mastering Early Retirement: Social Security, Health Insurance, and More

How much money do you need to retire comfortably, and when is the best time to take Social Security? In this episode of the Metcalf Money Moment, hosts Jeb, Ethan, and Eric dive into the key components of retirement planning. They discuss the early retirement dichotomy, how much money you need to retire comfortably, and the complexities of managing retirement accounts. The conversation also explores the crucial decision of when to take Social Security, navigating the often overlooked topic of health insurance in retirement, and concludes with the bottom lines for anyone planning for the future. Whether you're thinking about retiring early or just starting to plan, this episode offers valuable insights for every stage of retirement planning.

IN THIS EPISODE: 

• (00:00) Opening and intro
• (00:49) Retirement planning
• (04:00) How much money do you need to retire
• (09:40) Discussion of retirement accounts
• (16:10) When do I take social security 
• (21:33) What about a health savings account
• (25:25) The bottom line - a final word the steps to take to when planning for retirement 

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• To retire early, individuals must address critical factors like how much money they need, when they can access retirement accounts, when to take Social Security, and how to handle health insurance costs before Medicare eligibility at 65.
• Individuals should start planning for Medicare around age 62 or 63, as Medicare uses a two-year income lookback period to determine costs. Proper planning can help manage income levels to optimize Medicare premiums.
• Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are a valuable tool for covering healthcare expenses in retirement. They offer triple tax advantages, grow tax-free, and can be used for qualified medical expenses, making them a strategic financial asset.

RESOURCES:

Metcalf Partners - Website

Jeb Graham - LinkedIn

Ethan Hutchison - LinkedIn

Eric Wymore - LinkedIn

DISCLAIMER:

This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax or legal advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific situation with a qualified tax or legal advisor.

ABOUT THE HOSTS:

Jeb Graham:

Jeb is the CEO and Managing Partner at Metcalf Partners Wealth Management. Before founding Metcalf Partners, he was a financial advisor in Overland Park, Kansas. Active in the Kansas City community, Jeb serves on the Kansas City Chapter Board of Entrepreneur Organization (EO). He holds a finance degree from Kansas State University and a CFP® designation, and he received additional executive education in retirement planning from Wharton.

Ethan Hutcheson:

Ethan is a Partner and Financial Planner at Metcalf Partners. He is passionate about helping people prepare, plan, and execute. With a career in Financial Services, his expertise spans Financial Planning, Tax, and Investment Management. Outside of work, Ethan enjoys hunting, cycling, and outdoor activities with his wife, Shanna, and their sons, Rhett and Levi.

Eric Wymore:

Eric is a Partner and Wealth Manager at Metcalf Partners Wealth Management. His career has been dedicated to wealth management. As an Accredited Investment Fiduciary, he prioritizes acting in clients’ best interests. Originally from southeast Iowa, Eric has lived in Kansas City for 20 years with his wife, Becky and their sons, Gabe and Nolan. He holds a degree in finance from Iowa State University.