Artificial intelligence is quietly reshaping the way we plan—and pay—for long-term care. In this new episode of Friends Talk Money, Richard, Pam, and Terry sit down with Lily Vittayarukskul, Co-Founder and CEO of Waterlily, for a candid conversation about what most people get wrong about long-term care and how AI is changing the game.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why most Americans underestimate the true cost and likelihood of needing long-term care
• How Waterlily uses AI and over 500 million data points to predict your personal care needs
• The real numbers behind self-funding vs. insurance for long-term care
• How to make smarter, unbiased decisions for your future, your family, and your finances
• What’s ahead for AI in financial planning and eldercare

Lily also shares her inspiring journey from NASA intern to health tech entrepreneur, and how her family’s experience sparked a mission to help others plan ahead with confidence.

If long-term care planning has been on your mind—or should be—this is a conversation worth hearing.

Learn more:

• Should you trust AI for Medicare, Social Security or long-term-care advice?, Richard Eisenberg (MarketWatch)

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Special Guest: Lisa Gomez

Big changes are coming to your 401(k) and workplace retirement plans in 2025 — are you ready for them? In this new episode, the Friends Talk Money team sits down with retirement policy expert Lisa Gomez (former Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employee Benefits Security) to unpack what’s changing and how it could affect your money.

We’re covering:

• How catch-up contributions are getting a big boost for people aged 60-63
• Why Roth 401(k)s are becoming a bigger deal — especially for higher earners
• The growing trend of adding private market and crypto investments inside retirement plans (should you be excited or concerned?)
• New guaranteed lifetime income options and what they mean for your future paychecks in retirement

Lisa Gomez, who oversaw over 800,000 workplace retirement plans as head of the Employee Benefits Security Administration, shares expert insights on how these changes impact your retirement readiness, the pros and cons of more investment choices, and the crucial role of professional advice.If you're saving for retirement, planning your exit, or already retired, this conversation is for you.

Listen now to learn:

• How to make the most of new catch-up contribution rules
• What “Rothification” means for your taxes and withdrawals
• The pros and cons of adding alternative investments to your 401(k)
• Smart questions to ask your employer or financial advisor

Read more:

• What’s in your 401(k)? Why you need to know — especially boomers and Generation X, Richard Eisenberg (MarketWatch)
• Private Equity Targets Your 40l(k), Terry Savage

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If you’re like a lot of people nearing retirement, your 401(k) or 403(b) is probably the biggest part of your savings. But do you actually know how it’s invested—or how much risk in stocks you’re taking on without realizing it?

In this episode of Friends Talk Money, we’re going to look more closely. Ron Surz, a long-time retirement investing expert and president of Target Date Solutions joins us—and he’s not afraid to call out where he thinks popular target date funds are falling short. He’ll walk us through what he believes is a better way to structure retirement portfolios, especially for people in their 50s, 60s, and those already retired.

• What’s really under the hood in your retirement plan
• The real risks inside target date funds—and how they’re built
• What Ron recommends instead, and why
• What to think about before you roll over your retirement savings
• The most common mistakes people make late in the game—and how to avoid them.

• Terry Savage: What's in YOUR retirement plan? (Chicago Tribune)
• Baby Boomer Investing Show
• Ron Surz, Target Date Solutions (401k Specialist)
• 4 Things You Can Control in Retirement (Pam Krueger)

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Is your financial advisor truly working in your best interest — or theirs? In this eye-opening episode, the Friends Talk Money team turns the mic toward their own co-host, Pam Krueger, as she reveals the personal story behind Wealthramp, the platform she created to connect investors with trustworthy, vetted financial advisors.

Pam shares the shocking truths she uncovered about conflicts of interest in the financial industry and why too many investors unknowingly work with advisors who don’t prioritize their clients' financial well-being. Learn how Wealthramp is disrupting the traditional advisor model by putting integrity, transparency, and fiduciary responsibility front and center.

If you’ve ever wondered how to find a financial advisor you can actually trust — this conversation is a must-watch.

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In this episode of Friends Talk Money, we're joined by Phil Moeller, renowned journalist and co-author of Get What’s Yours: The Secrets to Maxing Out Your Social Security. Phil dives into all things Social Security—unpacking the latest changes, what they mean for you, and how to make smart decisions that can boost your retirement benefits.

Topics we cover:

• Key Social Security changes for 2025 and beyond
• How these updates may affect your benefits
• Strategies to optimize your Social Security claiming decisions
• Common mistakes to avoid when planning for retirement

• Social Security: True or False? (Terry Savage)
• Aging in America (Phil Moeller)
• Get What’s Yours (Phil Moeller)
• Social Security (SSA.gov)
• Do you have to pay taxes on your Social Security income? (Wealthramp)

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