This week, we revisit key takeaways from Dave's conversation with Kathy Stokes of AARP — and how they apply to today’s rapidly changing digital landscape. From deepfake scams to AI-powered fraud attempts, it’s more important than ever to know how to verify, protect, and respond.

In this episode of the Retire with Peace podcast, host David Zaegel discusses the rising threat of online scams, particularly in the context of advancements in artificial intelligence. He emphasizes the importance of being aware and verifying information to combat these scams. Zaegel also shares practical tips for enhancing online security, including the use of strong passwords and two-factor authentication, to protect against identity theft and fraud.

In this episode of the Retire with Peace podcast, host David Zaegel discusses the importance of charitable donations and the strategic use of donor advised funds. He explains how these funds can serve as a powerful planning tool for tax purposes, allowing individuals to batch their donations for maximum tax benefits. The conversation covers the mechanics of donor advised funds, including the ability to donate appreciated stock, the timing of donations, and the potential for investment growth within the fund. Zaegel emphasizes the importance of tax planning and how donor advised funds can benefit both the donor and the charities they support.

In this episode of the Retire with Peace podcast, host David Zaegel discusses the various tax credits available for charitable donations in Missouri. He explains how these credits work, emphasizing that they are dollar-for-dollar credits rather than deductions. The conversation covers different categories of donations, including food pantries, diaper banks, pregnancy resource centers, domestic violence shelters, and educational support through MO Scholars. Zaegel encourages listeners to consider these options for their charitable giving, especially as the year comes to a close and tax planning begins.

In this episode, David Zaegel wraps up the series on Social Security by discussing advanced topics, including the importance of Roth IRA conversions and their tax implications. He emphasizes the need for strategic planning to protect surviving spouses and maximize benefits from Social Security and IRAs. The conversation highlights the interplay between tax strategies and retirement planning, urging listeners to consider the long-term effects of their financial decisions.

In this episode, David Zaegel discusses planning strategies for couples regarding Social Security benefits. He emphasizes the importance of maximizing benefits, planning for taxes, and protecting the surviving spouse. The conversation covers various strategies, including delaying benefits for higher earners and considering health factors when deciding when to claim benefits. Zaegel highlights the need for couples to work together in their planning to ensure they receive the maximum potential benefits.

In this episode of the Retire with Peace podcast, host David Zaegel delves into the intricacies of Social Security calculations, focusing on how benefits are determined based on an individual's earnings history. He explains the importance of the highest 35 years of earnings, the adjustment for inflation, and the calculation of the Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME) and Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). Additionally, he discusses spousal benefits and the strategies couples can employ to maximize their Social Security benefits.

In this episode of the Retire with Peace podcast, host David Zaegel discusses the fundamentals of Social Security, including its history, funding mechanisms, eligibility requirements, and the timing of retirement benefits. He emphasizes the importance of understanding how Social Security works to effectively plan for retirement, highlighting key aspects such as the minimum and maximum ages for collecting benefits and the impact of waiting to claim benefits on monthly payouts.