In retirement, healthcare costs can quickly become one of the biggest risks to your nest egg, making it essential to stay informed about changes in Medicare and review your plan annually. As Medicare introduces key changes for 2025, understanding these updates is crucial for making well-informed decisions that protect both your health and financial future. In this episode, we dive into three essential updates to Medicare that will help you navigate these shifts and ensure your coverage aligns with your needs and budget. Key Topics Covered: Change #1: Updates to Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D), including the elimination of the "Donut Hole." Change #2: Adjustments to Medicare Premiums and Deductibles, with potential impacts for higher-income earners. Change #3: Expanded benefits and options in Medicare Advantage Plans for 2025. Ryan Hitchcock Financial Planner High Point Capital Group Direct: 414-253-4611 rhitch@hpcg.com Investing involves risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Osaic, Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic Wealth is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth. 1200 N. Mayfair Rd., Suite 300, Milwaukee, WI 53226. Phone: 414-253-4600. #retirementplanning #retirement #medicare #openenrollment

Planning to retire before 65? Health insurance is likely one of your biggest concerns as you bridge the gap before Medicare kicks in. In this episode of Financial Breakaway, I dive into the essential strategies for managing healthcare costs during those early retirement years. From understanding COBRA and Marketplace insurance options to minimizing taxable income for maximum subsidies, I’ll cover it all. Topics include: 1. Health insurance options before Medicare 2. Navigating the Health Insurance Marketplace 3. Tax strategies to qualify for healthcare subsidies 4. Managing income and withdrawals to keep costs low 5. Utilizing HSAs and other tools to optimize your healthcare spending Tune in to learn how to create a solid health insurance plan that keeps you covered and financially prepared as you transition into retirement before age 65. Ryan Hitchcock Financial Planner High Point Capital Group Direct: 414-253-4611 rhitch@hpcg.com Investing involves risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Osaic, Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic Wealth is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth. 1200 N. Mayfair Rd., Suite 300, Milwaukee, WI 53226. Phone: 414-253-4600. #retirementplanning #retirement #medicare

Healthcare in retirement is deeply personal. After all, it's not just about managing costs; it’s about ensuring you can enjoy the quality of life you’ve worked so hard to build. While money and investments are often front of mind, securing the right healthcare plan is just as critical for living well in retirement. And yes, the reality is—it’s going to be expensive.

In today’s episode of Financial Breakaway, I’m covering the 7 essential steps to navigating your retirement healthcare. From understanding Medicare basics to choosing the right supplemental coverage and preparing for long-term care, this episode will equip you with the knowledge you need to protect your health and financial well-being in retirement.

Topics Covered:

1. Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D
2. Enrollment periods
3. Working and Medicare
4. Medicare costs
5. IRMAA
6. Medigap Plans: Supplement vs. Advantage
7. Long-term care planning

Ensure your retirement healthcare plan is solid—tune in now!

Ryan Hitchcock Financial Planner High Point Capital Group Direct: 414-253-4611 rhitch@hpcg.com Investing involves risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Osaic, Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic Wealth is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth.

1200 N. Mayfair Rd., Suite 300, Milwaukee, WI 53226. Phone: 414-253-4600.

Imagine a retirement filled with beach strolls and golf course mornings. But lurking in the backdrop is an often underestimated challenge: Taxes! This uninvited guest can cast a shadow over your financial dreams, but you're not alone. On today's episode of "Financial Breakaway," we're turning tax confusion into tax mastery.

We'll skip the dry numbers and dive into actionable strategies to help you keep more of your hard-earned savings. You'll learn how to dance around tax pitfalls with ease and ensure your retirement is as golden as you've envisioned.

Topics Discussed:

• Understanding Retirement Income Sources & Its Tax Implications: Dive into the differences between tax-deferred and tax-free accounts, and see how your pensions, annuities, and investments interact with your tax bill.

• Cory & Claire’s RMD Cliffhanger: Discover how to handle Required Minimum Distributions without tipping your income into a higher tax bracket.
• Mike & Mary’s State Swap Strategy: Learn how moving states could significantly reduce your tax obligations on Social Security and more.
• Dave & Dawn’s Deduction Dive: Explore advanced deduction strategies to maximize your returns and minimize your taxable income.

Every scenario and strategy is tailored to empower you with the knowledge to navigate the taxing waters of retirement confidently.

Let’s get into it.

Ryan Hitchcock

Financial Planner

High Point Capital Group

Direct: 414-253-4611

rhitch@hpcg.com

Securities and investment advisory services offered through Osaic, Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic Wealth is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth.

1200 N. Mayfair Rd., Suite 300, Milwaukee, WI 53226. Phone: 414-253-4600.

We currently find ourselves amid a presidential election year (whether we like it or not), and political headlines already dominate the news, sparking questions and concerns about how election outcomes might impact retirement and investment plans.

As a Financial Planner, I often get clients coming to me and asking how the elections may affect their portfolios or retirement savings. And it's safe to say I've heard all the theories, and I mean all the theories, about who's better or who's worse for the markets.

It's a crazy time for everyone, but it's crucial to approach these times with clarity and confidence.

In this episode, I want to focus on the facts instead of getting caught up in political debates. I want to help retirees and soon-to-be retirees navigate these turbulent times and stay on a steady path toward their financial goals.

So, let's dive in.

Ryan Hitchcock

Financial Planner

High Point Capital Group

Direct: 414-253-4611

rhitch@hpcg.com

Investing involves risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

Securities and investment advisory services offered through Osaic, Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic Wealth is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth.

1200 N. Mayfair Rd., Suite 300, Milwaukee, WI 53226. Phone: 414-253-4600.

In this episode, I talk with Economist Bryce Gill of First Trust Portfolios on pivotal market trends of 2023 and look ahead to what 2024 holds for investors. Tune in for a rich discussion on the stock and bond markets, recession risks, and the intricate relationship between the markets and the economy. Topics discussed:

• Insights into 2023's stock market, featuring the 'Magnificent 7' stocks
• Market outlook for 2024
• Analyzing the potential risks of recession
• Deciphering the differences between market trends and economic health
• Understanding the volatile nature of the bond market and interest rates
• The delicate balance of the housing market
• Insights into the plunge into Money Market Funds

Ryan Hitchcock

Financial Planner

High Point Capital Group

Direct: 414-253-4611

rhitch@hpcg.com

Investing involves risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. 

Securities and investment advisory services offered through Osaic, Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic Wealth is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth. 

1200 N. Mayfair Rd., Suite 300, Milwaukee, WI 53226. Phone: 414-253-4600.