Month: August 2026
Retirement Questions You Should Answer Before It’s Too Late (Ep. 51)

Retirement Questions You Should Answer Before It’s Too Late (Ep. 51)

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How much cash should you keep on hand? When should you begin planning for long-term care? What happens when you inherit an IRA? 

These are the kinds of financial questions many people don’t ask until they’re facing an important decision.

In this episode, Jim Sumpter, CFP®, walks through several of the retirement planning topics clients bring up most often. He explains how to think about emergency funds, why long-term care planning starts with a conversation long before care is needed, how to balance cash with long-term goals, what inherited IRA beneficiaries need to know about distribution rules, and why preparing before life changes often creates more flexibility later.

Key takeaways:

  • Building an emergency fund based on household spending instead of a fixed dollar amount
  • Preparing for long-term care through insurance, personal savings, or a combination of both
  • Evaluating how much cash belongs in conservative accounts versus long-term investments
  • Understanding inherited IRA distribution rules after changes to federal legislation
  • Matching financial decisions to future goals instead of reacting after life changes occur
  • And more!

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Estate Planning Basics Every Family Should Understand (Ep. 50)

Estate Planning Basics Every Family Should Understand (Ep. 50)

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Have you been putting off your estate plan because it never feels urgent?

Many families discover too late that assumptions, outdated paperwork, or missing documents can create difficult decisions for the people they care about most.

In this episode, Jim Sumpter, CFP®, explains why estate planning isn’t reserved for wealthy families and walks through the core documents that help protect your wishes. He discusses common misunderstandings about wills, beneficiary designations, powers of attorney, medical directives, guardianship for minor children, and digital assets. Throughout the discussion, he shares practical examples that illustrate how preparation today can reduce confusion and help families carry out important decisions when they’re needed most.

Key takeaways:

  • Why having a will doesn’t automatically control retirement accounts or beneficiary assets
  • How probate laws determine decisions when no estate planning documents exist
  • The role of financial and medical powers of attorney during incapacity
  • Why beneficiary designations deserve regular reviews after major life changes
  • How planning for digital accounts and online access has become part of modern estate planning
  • And more!

Connect with Jim Sumpter: 

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