Smart Money With Sam

Wanting growth in retirement? You might need something else.

When someone says they want their money to grow, it could mean one of two very different things.

Some people are genuinely behind and need their portfolio to work harder before they retire. Growth is the right goal for them.

But for others, the nest egg is already there. The returns are reasonable. And yet, they still can't bring themselves to spend it. For this group, chasing a higher return isn't going to solve anything.

What they're really looking for is clarity and confidence, a plan that lays out what they've built and what they can actually enjoy without second-guessing every dollar.

We were all taught to save. Very few of us were ever taught how to eventually spend. And that transition, from a lifetime of accumulating to actually using what you've built, is often the most difficult part of retirement. Not because the numbers are wrong, but because the mindset hasn't caught up yet.

Hit follow for more on the psychology of retirement money.

All content presented is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as a solicitation or offer to sell securities or provide investment, tax, or legal advice. All examples are hypothetical, for illustrative purposes only, and are merely arithmetic calculations. They are not representative of the performance of any type of investment, security, or strategy offered by the firm. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Hypothetical returns do not reflect actual trading and may not be indicative of the performance of any specific investment. They are based on assumptions and estimates that may not be accurate or applicable to your individual situation. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Additional information, including management fees and expenses, is provided on our Form ADV Part 2 available upon request or at the SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website, www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

Spending or investing severance too fast can cost you.

A lump-sum severance payment is taxable income, and for many professionals, it arrives in the same year they are already earning a high salary. That combination can push your tax bracket higher than expected.

What tends to go unnoticed is the flip side: if you step back from work after a layoff or transition, the following year could look very different from an income standpoint. That gap is worth planning around before you do anything with the money.

Depending on your situation, a low-income year can open the door to strategies that were previously out of reach, including options for retirement accounts and tax-efficient giving that simply did not make sense at a higher income level.

The move most people skip is the most important one: understanding what your income picture actually looks like across both years before making any financial decisions.

Follow for more on transition planning, and comment "Roth" if you want a closer look at what becomes possible in a low-income year.

All content presented is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as a solicitation or offer to sell securities or provide investment, tax, or legal advice. All examples are hypothetical, for illustrative purposes only, and are merely arithmetic calculations. They are not representative of the performance of any type of investment, security, or strategy offered by the firm. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Hypothetical returns do not reflect actual trading and may not be indicative of the performance of any specific investment. They are based on assumptions and estimates that may not be accurate or applicable to your individual situation. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Additional information, including management fees and expenses, is provided on our Form ADV Part 2 available upon request or at the SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website, www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

Laid off at 55? Don't touch your 401(k) yet.

There's a benefit some people in this situation don't know they have, and the most common first move people make is exactly what eliminates it.

Beyond that, your severance and any unused PTO are still taxable income for this year. That changes the math on decisions you may already be thinking about, and getting the sequence wrong can have real consequences.

Health insurance is the third piece. COBRA is the default, but it isn't always the smartest or most affordable option, especially if you're within a few years of Medicare eligibility.

A layoff can feel like a financial emergency. In many cases, it's also a planning window. But only if you know the order of operations before you act.

If you just got laid off and want to talk through your options, the link in my bio gets you on my calendar.

All content presented is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as a solicitation or offer to sell securities or provide investment, tax, or legal advice. All examples are hypothetical, for illustrative purposes only, and are merely arithmetic calculations. They are not representative of the performance of any type of investment, security, or strategy offered by the firm. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Hypothetical returns do not reflect actual trading and may not be indicative of the performance of any specific investment. They are based on assumptions and estimates that may not be accurate or applicable to your individual situation. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Additional information, including management fees and expenses, is provided on our Form ADV Part 2 available upon request or at the SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website, www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

Foundation Wealth Partners is a financial advisor serving Gen X and older Millennials in their 40s to mid-50s.

Roll your 401(k)? Here's the conflict nobody mentions.

When an advisor moves your money into an IRA they manage, they earn fees on it. When it stays in your old employer plan, they don't. That dynamic shapes a lot of the rollover guidance you'll come across, whether people acknowledge it or not.

Here are 4 situations where rolling over genuinely makes sense:

1. Your old plan limits your investment choices significantly.
2. You have accounts spread across multiple old employers and want to simplify.
3. Your current plan has high fees that are quietly eroding your balance.
4. You want greater flexibility in how and when you access the money.

And here are 3 situations where keeping your 401(k) right where it is could actually serve you better:

1. Your old plan has access to low-cost institutional funds that an IRA simply can't match.
2. You're 55 or older and want to preserve the Rule of 55, which can allow penalty-free withdrawals after leaving that employer.
3. You're navigating a divorce, and your 401(k) may carry stronger creditor protections than an IRA in your state.

The answer isn't always roll it. It isn't always leave it. Anyone giving you a firm recommendation without first understanding your full picture isn't doing real financial planning.

All content presented is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as a solicitation or offer to sell securities or provide investment, tax, or legal advice. All examples are hypothetical, for illustrative purposes only, and are merely arithmetic calculations. They are not representative of the performance of any type of investment, security, or strategy offered by the firm. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Hypothetical returns do not reflect actual trading and may not be indicative of the performance of any specific investment. They are based on assumptions and estimates that may not be accurate or applicable to your individual situation. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Additional information, including management fees and expenses, is provided on our Form ADV Part 2 available upon request or at the SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website, www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

Foundation Wealth Partners serves Gen X and older Millennials, in their 40s to mid-50s.

Leaving your job at 55? This rule could matter.

Many people approaching early retirement have never heard of the Rule of 55, and that gap can cost them.

If you leave your job in the year you turn 55 or older, you may be able to access your 401(k) or 403(b) without the 10% early withdrawal penalty. For anyone navigating a layoff, a voluntary early exit, or just trying to bridge the years before age 59 and a half, that distinction is significant.

But two details can make or break whether this provision actually works for you.

One involves a common financial move that seems logical at the time but eliminates the exemption entirely. The other is buried in your plan documents and could limit your flexibility in a way that creates its own set of problems.

If you or someone you know is thinking about leaving work in the next few years, this is worth understanding before any decisions are made.

All content presented is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as a solicitation or offer to sell securities or provide investment, tax, or legal advice. All examples are hypothetical, for illustrative purposes only, and are merely arithmetic calculations. They are not representative of the performance of any type of investment, security, or strategy offered by the firm. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Hypothetical returns do not reflect actual trading and may not be indicative of the performance of any specific investment. They are based on assumptions and estimates that may not be accurate or applicable to your individual situation. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Additional information, including management fees and expenses, is provided on our Form ADV Part 2 available upon request or at the SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website, www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

Foundation Wealth Partners serves Gen X and older Millennials in their 40s to mid-50s.