SML Planning Minute
SML Planning Minute podcasts provide timely and thought-provoking financial ideas and concepts for individuals, families and business owners. Be sure to listen in! Simply click on a topic below to access a podcast. You can also subscribe to one of the many service providers to listen on the go.

An Important Lesson From George Mallory Revisited
Episode 171 – George Mallory may—or may not—have been the first man to summit Mt. Everest. But he never gets credit for it. He apparently died on his way back down the mountain. In this episode we revisit how this may have parallels to your financial life. Continue Reading An Important Lesson From George Mallory Revisited

Fair Versus Equal – What’s the Legacy You Want to Leave to Your Children?
Episode 170 – Fair vs equal. Leaving your estate in equal shares to each of your children may not necessarily be the most beneficial or effective for your children. Continue Reading Fair Versus Equal – What’s the Legacy You Want to Leave to Your Children?

Preserving the Future of Family Businesses
Episode 169 – A comprehensive continuity and succession plan is vital to the continued success of the business but, as PricewaterhouseCoopers discovered, not enough family businesses have them. Continue Reading Preserving the Future of Family Businesses

IRS Finally Issues Secure Act RMD Regulations
Episode 168 – After more than 2 years, the IRS has finally gotten around to issuing proposed RMD regulations related to the Secure Act. And there are a few surprises. Continue Reading IRS Finally Issues Secure Act RMD Regulations

Concept vs. Product—Annuity Revisited
Episode 167 – In today’s episode, we are going to take a look back at one of our favorite previous episodes, we’re going where no one has gone before, talking about what some people think is a dirty word: annuities! Continue Reading Concept vs. Product—Annuity Revisited

What Does Life Insurance Have to Do With Divorce?
Episode 166 – What does life insurance have to do with divorce? Life insurance and divorce intersect in several ways. Continue Reading What Does Life Insurance Have to Do With Divorce?

The Solution to Estate Tax Planning Fatigue
Episode 165 – Life insurance can be used to avoid estate tax planning fatigue caused by ever-changing tax laws and political environments. Continue Reading The Solution to Estate Tax Planning Fatigue

You’ve Been Named the Trustee of an ILIT – Now What?
Episode 164 – Trustees of irrevocable life insurance trusts or ILITs are often family members or friends of the trust creator, who are not familiar with the many duties and responsibilities that the role requires. Continue Reading You’ve Been Named the Trustee of an ILIT – Now What?

Tax-Efficient Investments and Family Protection Go Hand-in-Hand Part 2
Episode 163 – Accumulate wealth, reduce income taxes and protect your family from catastrophic life events with a universal planning strategy. Listen to part 2 of the podcast here. Continue Reading Tax-Efficient Investments and Family Protection Go Hand-in-Hand Part 2

Tax-Efficient Investments and Family Protection Go Hand-in-Hand Part 1
Episode 162 – Accumulate wealth, reduce income taxes and protect your family from catastrophic life events with a universal planning strategy. Listen to part 1 of the podcast here. Continue Reading Tax-Efficient Investments and Family Protection Go Hand-in-Hand Part 1

Changes to Key Estate Tax Planning Numbers in 2022
Episode 161 – The inability of Congress to reduce by half the $11.7 million estate and gift tax exemption amount in 2021, leaves us with an even higher exemption amount for 2022. Continue Reading Changes to Key Estate Tax Planning Numbers in 2022

You’ve Been Named the Executor or Administrator of a Last Will and Testament – Now What?
Episode 160 – Agreeing to act as an Executor or Administrator for the estate of a deceased family member or friend is typically an act of love. However, it often requires more work and dedication than anticipated, and can involve personal liability. Continue Reading You’ve Been Named the Executor or Administrator of a Last Will and Testament – Now What?

Social Security COLAs: Less than Advertised?
Episode 159 – Not as good as advertised. The recent 5.9% Social Security COLA isn’t as good as it seems. Continue Reading Social Security COLAs: Less than Advertised?

Protecting the Elderly From Financial Abuse Revisited
Elder abuse is a huge problem that’s getting even bigger. Do you know the signs of elder abuse? More important, what should you do if you suspect it’s happening to someone you know? Continue Reading Protecting the Elderly From Financial Abuse Revisited

Changes to Your RMDs in 2022
Episode 157 – New IRS tables will impact required minimum distributions beginning in 2022. Learn how it could impact you here. Continue Reading Changes to Your RMDs in 2022

The Four Percent Rule Revisited
Episode 156 – The 4% Rule has been one of the standard models of retirement planning since the 1990s. The rule, however, has come under attack of late. A recent report by Morningstar indicates that the real number is more like 3.3%. What’s a retiree to do? Continue Reading The Four Percent Rule Revisited

Three Social Security ‘Do Over’ Options
Episode 155 – Deciding on when to collect Social Security is a complicated process. But it comes with surprising flexibility. And people are surprised to learn of the three “do over” options that Social Security allows. Continue Reading Three Social Security ‘Do Over’ Options

Thirteen Celebrity Estate Planning Lessons
Episode 154 – The rich and famous are prone to estate planning mistakes. Today we look at some real world examples, and the lessons we can all learn from all of them. Continue Reading Thirteen Celebrity Estate Planning Lessons

Guaranteed Lifetime Retirement Income From Your IRA
Episode 153- Purchasing an annuity in your Traditional IRA will guarantee that you never outlive your retirement savings and provide you with a secure, stable and stress-free retirement. Continue Reading Guaranteed Lifetime Retirement Income From Your IRA

Is the Social Security Administration Running a Scam?
Episode 152 – Is the Social Security Administration running a scam? One prominent retirement expert thinks so. Continue Reading Is the Social Security Administration Running a Scam?