Social Security, ERISA, LTC: Q&A #2604

The Retirement and IRA Show

Jim Saulnier, CFP® & Chris Stein, CFP®

Business, Investing

4.3 • 729 Ratings

🗓️ 24 January 2026

⏱️ 82 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Jim and Chris discuss listener emails on Social Security survivor benefits and the earnings test, share a listener PSA on Social Security timing and IRMAA, then cover ERISA protections for retirement rollovers and a PSA from Greg on lifetime unlimited long-term care policies.
(9:45) Georgette asks whether she must still take her husband’s required minimum distributions if he passes during his RMD year and how Social Security survivor benefits work, including whether she should claim a widow’s benefit or wait to take her own.
(50:45) A listener asks how the Social Security earnings test applies when someone retires before full retirement age and applies midyear, and how to avoid missing a month of income due to the timing of benefit payments.
(55:00) The guys share a PSA about applying for Social Security and receiving benefits within days, which caused an unexpected IRMAA impact.
(1:00:35) Jim and Chris discuss whether rolling Roth and pre-tax 401(k) assets into IRAs results in losing ERISA protections, or if separate rollover IRAs are needed to preserve those protections.
(1:15:15) Greg, from our office, shares a PSA clarifying that some lifetime unlimited long-term care policies still exist.

The post Social Security, ERISA, LTC: Q&A #2604 appeared first on The Retirement and IRA Show.

Transcript

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0:00.0	The retirement and IRA show represents the words and views of the show hosts exclusively and should not be construed as investment legal or tax advice. All information is believed to be from reliable sources. However, we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. All economic and performance information is historical in nature and is not indicative of any future results. Any indices mentioned on the show are unmanaged and cannot be invested indirectly. Diversification and asset allocation strategies do not assure profit or protect against loss.
0:23.8	Never make any investment or financial decisions based on information offered on this show
0:26.9	without first consulting your financial legal or tax advisor.
0:29.7	Financial planning services offered through Jim Solnior and Associates LLC, a registered investment advisor.
0:38.4	This is the retirement and IRA show coming to you from beautiful Northern Colorado.
0:43.7	Join us as certified financial planner Jim Sondier, as well as Colorado State
0:48.2	University Finance instructor and certified financial planner Chris Stein, teach you
0:52.8	about IRAs, 401K's, annuities,
0:56.2	social security, pension plans, and estate planning in a fun and enjoyable show.
1:01.4	Whether you are listening live in Colorado or streaming from their website or iTunes podcast,
1:06.7	Jim and Chris want you to know that they're available to help you plan for your retirement.
1:11.3	Just visit their website at Jimhelps.com.
1:14.5	That's Jim H-E-L-P-S dot com.
1:18.0	And click the Meet the Team button on the homepage.
1:20.7	Now here's Jim and Chris with today's show.
1:23.1	Thank you. Well, hello, everybody, and welcome to the Retirement and IRA show Q&A edition.
1:41.3	Got a little technical difficulties here.
1:44.4	Resolving them here.
1:45.7	One second.
1:47.3	Okay.
1:47.8	Sorry about that, folks.
1:51.1	Everything was working smoothly until we decided to record.
	...

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