1 00:00:08,369 --> 00:00:09,489 KT: Good morning, Suze. 2 00:00:09,648 --> 00:00:12,449 Suze: Good morning, Miss Travis. How are you today? 3 00:00:12,648 --> 00:00:15,789 KT: I feel pretty good. Little, little rainy and cold here 4 00:00:15,789 --> 00:00:17,069 KT: in South Florida. 5 00:00:17,329 --> 00:00:18,180 Suze: I know, right? 6 00:00:18,270 --> 00:00:20,465 KT: The weather's really strange. 7 00:00:20,465 --> 00:00:23,690 Suze: So strange, very strange, strange. But what is the date? 8 00:00:24,354 --> 00:00:27,934 KT: January 15th, 2026 9 00:00:27,934 --> 00:00:30,514 Suze: And welcome everybody to the Women and Money podcast as 10 00:00:30,514 --> 00:00:34,115 Suze: well as everybody smart enough to listen. Listen to my voice. 11 00:00:34,275 --> 00:00:35,244 KT: Yeah, it sounds good. 12 00:00:35,395 --> 00:00:41,125 Suze: Is it low? How low can you go? And today is 13 00:00:41,125 --> 00:00:44,205 Suze: ask KT and Suze anything. And if you have a 14 00:00:44,205 --> 00:00:44,214 Suze: question 15 00:00:45,319 --> 00:00:48,290 Suze: that you would like us to answer on the podcast, 16 00:00:48,450 --> 00:00:54,069 Suze: please write in Ask Suze SUZE podcast at gmail.com. And 17 00:00:54,069 --> 00:00:55,400 Suze: if KT chooses it, 18 00:00:56,099 --> 00:00:59,180 Suze: it will be answered on the podcast. Keep it short. 19 00:00:59,490 --> 00:01:01,650 Suze: There are thousands. How many did you see? 20 00:01:02,060 --> 00:01:05,519 KT: You had 2000, then 6000 the next day, right? 21 00:01:05,660 --> 00:01:08,139 Suze: So a lot comes in. That doesn't mean that you 22 00:01:08,139 --> 00:01:11,860 Suze: shouldn't try because obviously some are chosen. And again, many 23 00:01:11,860 --> 00:01:15,459 Suze: of you know I do peruse these, and if I 24 00:01:15,459 --> 00:01:20,059 Suze: see one that catches my eye, I will answer you directly. 25 00:01:20,699 --> 00:01:22,129 Suze: So tell everybody what we did. 26 00:01:22,260 --> 00:01:24,669 KT: We had the best weekend. 27 00:01:24,669 --> 00:01:25,489 Suze: Last weekend, yes. 28 00:01:25,940 --> 00:01:29,889 KT: So Suze and I went on a road trip and 29 00:01:29,889 --> 00:01:32,769 KT: it was our first road trip of 2026, and we 30 00:01:32,769 --> 00:01:33,339 KT: drove to... 31 00:01:33,480 --> 00:01:36,660 Suze: Well, KT, let's be honest, it was our first road 32 00:01:36,660 --> 00:01:39,470 Suze: trip in 14 years... 33 00:01:40,040 --> 00:01:43,059 KT: Since we moved from the Bahamas back to back to 34 00:01:43,059 --> 00:01:44,400 KT: where there's roads. 35 00:01:46,489 --> 00:01:52,889 KT: We drove 5 and a half hours to Amelia Island and it was spectacular. 36 00:01:52,970 --> 00:01:55,489 KT: It was really fun and... 37 00:01:55,489 --> 00:01:59,239 Suze: So wait, we went there because our two really good friends... 38 00:01:59,370 --> 00:02:00,089 KT: Lisa and Jill. 39 00:02:00,089 --> 00:02:01,410 Suze: Lisa and Jill... 40 00:02:01,620 --> 00:02:02,410 KT: Oprah friends. 41 00:02:02,489 --> 00:02:07,360 Suze: Oprah friends. So Lisa Halliday was the PR force behind. 42 00:02:07,764 --> 00:02:11,035 Suze: The Oprah Winfrey Show for God knows how many years 43 00:02:11,294 --> 00:02:14,975 Suze: and Jill Adams and still does so but was the 44 00:02:14,975 --> 00:02:19,794 Suze: one behind Oprah's Book Club for all those years picking 45 00:02:19,895 --> 00:02:24,695 Suze: and helping Oprah pick all of those books and we 46 00:02:24,695 --> 00:02:28,535 Suze: just love these girls more than you have any idea. 47 00:02:28,889 --> 00:02:32,419 Suze: And so they happened to be in Amelia Island with 48 00:02:32,429 --> 00:02:38,418 Suze: Lisa's parents, and we decided let's go have dinner with them. 49 00:02:38,940 --> 00:02:41,899 KT: We also had another reason to go to Amelia Island. 50 00:02:41,899 --> 00:02:43,660 Suze: Tell everybody why. 51 00:02:44,029 --> 00:02:46,860 KT: We love you, Lisa and Jill, but we were really 52 00:02:46,860 --> 00:02:51,460 KT: excited to go to Olive Amelia. Olive Amelia is a 53 00:02:51,460 --> 00:02:54,779 KT: little shop down in the, the village, like the main 54 00:02:54,779 --> 00:02:58,619 KT: street of Amelia Island, very quaint Victorian village. 55 00:02:59,080 --> 00:03:04,149 KT: And Olive Amelia's, the shop sells olive oil and vinegars, 56 00:03:04,270 --> 00:03:08,830 KT: and Suze and I are hooked on Sicilian lemon white 57 00:03:08,830 --> 00:03:10,350 KT: balsamic vinegar. 58 00:03:10,350 --> 00:03:12,610 Suze: That just comes from this one store. 59 00:03:12,830 --> 00:03:16,309 KT: We've been importing it. Well, well, we've been asking her 60 00:03:16,309 --> 00:03:17,440 KT: to send it to us. 61 00:03:17,550 --> 00:03:18,990 Suze: No, we haven't asked her to send it. 62 00:03:19,070 --> 00:03:21,679 KT: We have buying it now for like two or three 63 00:03:21,679 --> 00:03:24,669 KT: years in the Bahamas. We get this sent to us 64 00:03:24,669 --> 00:03:26,710 KT: because it's so delicious. We love it. 65 00:03:26,899 --> 00:03:30,580 KT: We put it on salad, fish. We put it on everything. 66 00:03:30,690 --> 00:03:34,449 Suze: So we went in to finally say, hi Laura, the 67 00:03:34,449 --> 00:03:38,009 Suze: woman who owns it. Look, it's us in person, and 68 00:03:38,050 --> 00:03:40,050 Suze: she couldn't believe it. 69 00:03:40,330 --> 00:03:44,149 KT: She posted a little movie, I think it's on her site, right? 70 00:03:44,330 --> 00:03:46,080 Suze: You know what? I didn't look... 71 00:03:45,919 --> 00:03:46,240 KT: We have to look. 72 00:03:46,330 --> 00:03:48,809 Suze: But I did a video telling everybody, this is not 73 00:03:48,809 --> 00:03:52,169 Suze: a paid announcement, by the way, right? Everybody, you gotta 74 00:03:52,169 --> 00:03:54,570 Suze: try this. So I'm just gonna say to all of you. 75 00:03:55,130 --> 00:04:00,130 Suze: If you wanna try something incredible, I'm telling you incredible, 76 00:04:00,500 --> 00:04:03,059 Suze: just do a little one. They have a very little 77 00:04:03,059 --> 00:04:07,210 Suze: tiny bottle for like $7 or $8. Try it. 78 00:04:07,259 --> 00:04:08,009 Suze: What's it called again? 79 00:04:08,070 --> 00:04:11,649 KT: It's Sicilian lemon, white balsamic vinegar. 80 00:04:11,820 --> 00:04:14,399 Suze: I promise you, if you try it, oh, I should, 81 00:04:14,500 --> 00:04:17,359 Suze: you know, we're gonna get him hooked on spending money. 82 00:04:17,959 --> 00:04:20,720 Suze: I think you wanna know something, KT? I think this 83 00:04:20,720 --> 00:04:23,720 Suze: is the first time in the history of the Suze 84 00:04:23,720 --> 00:04:26,799 Suze: Orman Show, the podcast, anything I've ever done... 85 00:04:26,799 --> 00:04:28,600 KT: Where you ask someone to buy something... 86 00:04:29,160 --> 00:04:33,239 Suze: But I promise you, if I promise you, oh my God, anyway, 87 00:04:33,320 --> 00:04:34,059 Suze: all right, go on. 88 00:04:34,238 --> 00:04:37,519 KT: All right, let's get this show started. So I have 89 00:04:37,519 --> 00:04:40,479 KT: a first question that's not even a question, it's a 90 00:04:40,480 --> 00:04:44,078 KT: statement from David, and David said. 91 00:04:44,678 --> 00:04:48,630 KT: Suze, I've been listening to you for 25 years. 92 00:04:48,880 --> 00:04:50,350 Suze: Makes me feel old. David. 93 00:04:50,640 --> 00:04:55,659 KT: The Sunday podcast this past Sunday was your best ever. 94 00:04:56,399 --> 00:05:00,720 KT: The greatest free advice out here. Welcome to Florida. My 95 00:05:00,720 --> 00:05:01,720 KT: family was from 96 00:05:01,774 --> 00:05:05,284 KT: Evergreen Park, thank you for what you do and God 97 00:05:05,285 --> 00:05:07,214 KT: bless you. That's from David. 98 00:05:07,334 --> 00:05:10,294 Suze: You know what I find funny about that, KT, is 99 00:05:10,295 --> 00:05:15,454 Suze: that David, a man, finds last Sunday's podcast, which was 100 00:05:15,454 --> 00:05:18,234 Suze: all about the market and what I thought, the best ever. 101 00:05:19,720 --> 00:05:23,170 Suze: But that wasn't the best ever because in my opinion 102 00:05:23,170 --> 00:05:28,609 Suze: because that was about money, just straight money, and it 103 00:05:28,609 --> 00:05:31,730 Suze: seems like men care more about when they write in, 104 00:05:32,250 --> 00:05:34,850 Suze: can you talk about money, can you talk about what 105 00:05:34,850 --> 00:05:38,450 Suze: stocks can you do this? I really think the best 106 00:05:38,450 --> 00:05:42,670 Suze: podcasts I've ever done on the Women and Money podcast 107 00:05:42,928 --> 00:05:46,579 Suze: are the ones that talk about emotions and 108 00:05:46,910 --> 00:05:51,230 Suze: the qualities of people, and fear and shame and anger, 109 00:05:51,269 --> 00:05:55,140 Suze: and those things, those are the ones I love the most, 110 00:05:55,470 --> 00:05:58,109 Suze: cause I have to tell you, if you don't have 111 00:05:58,109 --> 00:05:59,690 Suze: control over who you are, 112 00:06:00,010 --> 00:06:02,730 Suze: it doesn't matter what I tell you to buy. You 113 00:06:02,730 --> 00:06:05,089 Suze: will buy at the wrong time and sell at the 114 00:06:05,089 --> 00:06:09,130 Suze: wrong time. Just saying. But David, thank you so much 115 00:06:09,130 --> 00:06:10,350 Suze: for thinking that. 116 00:06:10,630 --> 00:06:13,130 KT: Yea David. That was the best ever for David, Suze. 117 00:06:13,250 --> 00:06:15,630 Suze: Well, actually, KT thought it was fabulous. 118 00:06:17,670 --> 00:06:22,308 KT: All right, so ready? Andrea wrote, Hi Suze, I've been 119 00:06:22,309 --> 00:06:27,709 KT: named the executor of three family members' individual wills. Boy, 120 00:06:27,790 --> 00:06:31,630 KT: they must all like Andrea. Is there information on this 121 00:06:31,630 --> 00:06:35,829 KT: app on what executors need to do once the family 122 00:06:35,829 --> 00:06:39,709 KT: member passes away? So thank you in advance and thank 123 00:06:39,709 --> 00:06:41,789 KT: you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom. 124 00:06:42,559 --> 00:06:45,969 Suze: Andrea, I want you to listen to me closely. Being 125 00:06:45,970 --> 00:06:50,808 Suze: an executor of a will, especially a will, if they 126 00:06:50,809 --> 00:06:53,730 Suze: have real estate in their names and all kinds of 127 00:06:53,730 --> 00:06:56,970 Suze: accounts in their names, and it's not in a trust, 128 00:06:57,170 --> 00:07:00,649 Suze: it is a big, big job. 129 00:07:01,260 --> 00:07:04,200 Suze: It's a big job because you are the one who's 130 00:07:04,200 --> 00:07:06,899 Suze: going to have to work with an attorney most likely 131 00:07:06,899 --> 00:07:10,899 Suze: to go through probate, pay the probate fees, make sure 132 00:07:10,899 --> 00:07:13,579 Suze: that everything is transferred the way that it should be. 133 00:07:13,779 --> 00:07:16,529 Suze: It is a job and what you really should do, 134 00:07:16,820 --> 00:07:20,779 Suze: because to tell you everything that an executor does would 135 00:07:20,779 --> 00:07:23,809 Suze: take up this whole podcast. So maybe you go on 136 00:07:23,809 --> 00:07:27,489 Suze: ChatGPT or you go somewhere and they'll list everything for 137 00:07:27,489 --> 00:07:29,880 Suze: you as to what an executor does. But 138 00:07:30,380 --> 00:07:34,619 Suze: if you have accepted this, you might also want to 139 00:07:34,619 --> 00:07:37,579 Suze: say to them, you know what, if they own a house, 140 00:07:37,700 --> 00:07:41,299 Suze: if they have certain things that really would have to 141 00:07:41,299 --> 00:07:44,660 Suze: go through probate, I'm here to tell you you should 142 00:07:44,660 --> 00:07:48,500 Suze: talk to them about getting a living revocable trust where 143 00:07:48,500 --> 00:07:52,100 Suze: you would become the successor trustee if anything were to 144 00:07:52,100 --> 00:07:55,019 Suze: happen to them. And what you would do is go 145 00:07:55,019 --> 00:07:56,799 Suze: to must-havedocs.com. 146 00:07:57,730 --> 00:08:00,779 Suze: And there you could get the must-have docs, which happened 147 00:08:00,779 --> 00:08:05,079 Suze: to be a will, a living revocable trust, an advanced directive, 148 00:08:05,089 --> 00:08:07,420 Suze: and durable power of attorney for healthcare, as well as 149 00:08:07,420 --> 00:08:10,779 Suze: one for finances. You just have to get one and 150 00:08:10,779 --> 00:08:12,489 Suze: share it among the three of them. 151 00:08:12,850 --> 00:08:16,130 Suze: Remember there is shareware there where if you buy it, 152 00:08:16,440 --> 00:08:19,279 Suze: you have the permission to share it with your family members. 153 00:08:19,369 --> 00:08:25,869 Suze: $99 will save you thousands of dollars in probate fees, 154 00:08:26,369 --> 00:08:30,369 Suze: maybe one or two years in settling the estate, making 155 00:08:30,369 --> 00:08:33,570 Suze: sure that it is not that hard on you, and 156 00:08:33,570 --> 00:08:36,130 Suze: it tells you everything you need to do in there 157 00:08:36,130 --> 00:08:39,848 Suze: just so you need to know. But as an executor, 158 00:08:39,929 --> 00:08:41,750 Suze: if all they have is a will. 159 00:08:43,119 --> 00:08:45,648 Suze: It's gonna be a big deal most likely for you. 160 00:08:45,809 --> 00:08:46,439 Suze: All right, go on. 161 00:08:46,609 --> 00:08:49,528 KT: So my next question, and Suze and I just told 162 00:08:49,528 --> 00:08:54,489 KT: you all that we get thousands of questions. So selecting them, 163 00:08:54,568 --> 00:08:57,809 KT: there's a little secret that I have in the subject 164 00:08:57,809 --> 00:09:01,299 KT: area on this question. It says frothy Rothy question. 165 00:09:01,398 --> 00:09:04,093 Suze: Well, tell everybody what a frothy is... 166 00:09:04,093 --> 00:09:07,908 KT: A frothy Rothy was a podcast we did last summer. 167 00:09:08,789 --> 00:09:12,159 KT: About the green drink that I make that we drink 168 00:09:12,299 --> 00:09:15,020 KT: as well in the summer we have a different drink 169 00:09:15,020 --> 00:09:18,580 KT: than in the winter, but, um, Frothy Rothy, you're gonna 170 00:09:18,580 --> 00:09:20,739 KT: have to go back and listen to that drink and 171 00:09:20,739 --> 00:09:21,530 KT: its recipe. 172 00:09:21,690 --> 00:09:23,690 Suze: But that's, that's not what I was gonna ask you. 173 00:09:23,859 --> 00:09:24,569 KT: What were you gonna ask me? 174 00:09:25,099 --> 00:09:27,419 Suze: See, she always thinks she knows what I'm gonna say. 175 00:09:27,539 --> 00:09:28,719 KT: OK, what were you gonna say? 176 00:09:28,780 --> 00:09:35,210 Suze: I want you to tell everybody for 2026, what is 177 00:09:35,219 --> 00:09:38,218 Suze: your new view on Roth's and all of that. 178 00:09:39,520 --> 00:09:42,510 KT: Oh, I'm gonna study that thing and know it inside, out, 179 00:09:42,590 --> 00:09:45,950 KT: upside down, back door, front door, side door, you name it. 180 00:09:46,070 --> 00:09:49,549 Suze: And what word are you never going to use again? 181 00:09:49,549 --> 00:09:51,049 KT: That it's too complicated. 182 00:09:51,309 --> 00:09:53,510 Suze: You're never gonna say that again, right? 183 00:09:53,710 --> 00:09:54,589 KT: No, it isn't. 184 00:09:54,724 --> 00:09:56,674 Suze: And you're never gonna think it again, right? 185 00:09:57,445 --> 00:09:57,554 KT: Never. 186 00:09:57,554 --> 00:09:58,965 Suze: There you go. All right, go on. 187 00:09:59,044 --> 00:10:02,994 KT: All right, she wrote, Angel wrote, hello, most fabulous ladies. 188 00:10:03,284 --> 00:10:06,125 KT: I think I remember you saying that we can buy 189 00:10:06,125 --> 00:10:09,724 KT: and sell as much as we want in our Roth 190 00:10:09,724 --> 00:10:10,465 KT: IRA 191 00:10:11,070 --> 00:10:14,440 KT: and it has no bearing on any other accounts. 192 00:10:14,919 --> 00:10:15,064 Suze: Correct. 193 00:10:15,064 --> 00:10:17,319 KT: And then she said, I worry there could be some 194 00:10:17,320 --> 00:10:21,200 KT: buying or selling rules in the Roth with timelines that 195 00:10:21,200 --> 00:10:23,539 KT: I don't know about. So. 196 00:10:23,679 --> 00:10:25,260 Suze: How would you answer that, KT? 197 00:10:25,640 --> 00:10:27,559 KT: I think that you're absolutely right. 198 00:10:27,650 --> 00:10:30,209 KT: There are no rules when it comes to buying and 199 00:10:30,210 --> 00:10:31,559 KT: selling within your Roth. 200 00:10:31,650 --> 00:10:34,369 Suze: Yeah, listen, everybody, the reason that I want you all 201 00:10:34,369 --> 00:10:39,929 Suze: to have Roth IRAs, Roth 401ks, Roth 403bs, Roth TSPs, 202 00:10:40,159 --> 00:10:45,369 Suze: Roth SEP IRAs, Roth Roth Roth Roth, everything is there 203 00:10:45,369 --> 00:10:48,449 Suze: are no taxes when you buy or sell. 204 00:10:49,200 --> 00:10:52,960 Suze: Following a few simple rules, meaning that the Roth has 205 00:10:52,960 --> 00:10:56,559 Suze: been open for at least five years and you're 59 and a half 206 00:10:56,559 --> 00:11:00,299 Suze: years of age, when you withdraw any amount of money, 207 00:11:00,469 --> 00:11:05,150 Suze: it is absolutely tax-free. You die, pass it down to 208 00:11:05,150 --> 00:11:11,059 Suze: your beneficiaries, and they take it out absolutely tax-free. So, 209 00:11:11,520 --> 00:11:16,359 Suze: I think if you don't understand them, my favorite podcast 210 00:11:16,359 --> 00:11:17,229 Suze: that I have ever done, 211 00:11:18,250 --> 00:11:21,020 Suze: as to why I want you to have a Roth 212 00:11:21,020 --> 00:11:25,218 Suze: regardless of how much income you have, is Don't be 213 00:11:25,219 --> 00:11:31,380 Suze: Partners With Uncle Sam. April 21st, 2024. Listen to that 214 00:11:31,380 --> 00:11:35,539 Suze: podcast over and over again, and if you still decide 215 00:11:35,539 --> 00:11:38,340 Suze: that you don't wanna do a Roth, I don't know 216 00:11:38,340 --> 00:11:41,530 Suze: what to tell you. I just don't. All right, go on. 217 00:11:41,619 --> 00:11:45,229 KT: The next question is from Sharon, Suze. She said, Hi, Suze. 218 00:11:45,630 --> 00:11:50,069 KT: Regarding the divorced two-year requirement to file a claim on 219 00:11:50,070 --> 00:11:53,609 KT: your ex-spouse if I've been married twice. 220 00:11:54,479 --> 00:11:57,049 KT: You know, she's, she's wondering like what to do. She 221 00:11:57,049 --> 00:12:01,109 KT: said both lasted 10 years and divorced twice. 222 00:12:04,950 --> 00:12:08,989 KT: Am I able to collect divorced spouse benefits from ex-spouse 223 00:12:08,989 --> 00:12:12,950 KT: one if I've been divorced from ex-spouse one for more 224 00:12:12,950 --> 00:12:15,989 KT: than two years, even if I... 225 00:12:17,020 --> 00:12:20,219 KT: This makes me laugh about uh one and two even 226 00:12:20,219 --> 00:12:22,939 KT: if I have only been single for one year after 227 00:12:22,940 --> 00:12:28,939 KT: divorcing ex-spouse two, so that's what she's asking are the 228 00:12:28,940 --> 00:12:30,549 KT: requirements to file a claim? 229 00:12:30,679 --> 00:12:36,059 Suze: So first of all, everybody, there's spousal requirements and then 230 00:12:36,059 --> 00:12:41,340 Suze: there's survivor requirements, which means your spouse has died. So 231 00:12:41,340 --> 00:12:44,819 Suze: she's asking about spousal requirements. 232 00:12:45,200 --> 00:12:50,830 Suze: To collect on your ex-spouse's Social Security, you have to 233 00:12:50,830 --> 00:12:54,520 Suze: be 62 years of age or older. That's number one. 234 00:12:54,849 --> 00:12:57,890 Suze: Number two, you have to have been married for 10 years, 235 00:12:57,969 --> 00:13:01,809 Suze: divorced for two years, which she may be, I don't know, 236 00:13:01,929 --> 00:13:04,640 Suze: she doesn't say her age, but let's say she's 62 237 00:13:04,640 --> 00:13:09,599 Suze: or older. She meets the qualification for getting ex-spouse's number 238 00:13:09,599 --> 00:13:12,309 Suze: one's Social Security, some of it, all right. 239 00:13:13,489 --> 00:13:17,739 Suze: However, ex-spouse number two, even though she's only been divorced 240 00:13:17,739 --> 00:13:22,260 Suze: one year, doesn't disqualify her from claiming on spouse one. 241 00:13:22,969 --> 00:13:25,369 Suze: So the answer to the question is, oh, you can 242 00:13:25,369 --> 00:13:28,400 Suze: claim as long as you're 62 years of age or older, 243 00:13:28,690 --> 00:13:33,890 Suze: and you have not remarried. Yes, you can claim on 244 00:13:33,890 --> 00:13:35,640 Suze: spouse one, ex-spouse one. 245 00:13:35,849 --> 00:13:40,329 KT: So I have a question. What if ex-spouse two, has 246 00:13:40,330 --> 00:13:43,270 KT: greater benefits than one? Can you switch? 247 00:13:44,159 --> 00:13:48,849 Suze: After she has been divorced from ex-spouse two for two years? 248 00:13:49,289 --> 00:13:52,429 Suze: If she wants, she can switch if it's higher. 249 00:13:52,900 --> 00:13:56,939 Suze: Than ex-spouse one, believe it or not, as long as 250 00:13:56,940 --> 00:14:00,059 Suze: she's 62 years of age or older and she has 251 00:14:00,059 --> 00:14:06,699 Suze: not remarried, very different KT than if the ex-spouse even 252 00:14:06,700 --> 00:14:11,380 Suze: had died, then she could go from spousal benefits to 253 00:14:11,380 --> 00:14:18,299 Suze: survivor benefits and then claim, right, survivor benefits even if 254 00:14:18,299 --> 00:14:19,780 Suze: she gets remarried at 60or older. 255 00:14:20,320 --> 00:14:25,289 KT: And you can keep that even if you're remarried you 256 00:14:25,289 --> 00:14:28,330 KT: can keep survivor benefits survive from your... 257 00:14:28,330 --> 00:14:33,239 Suze: Yes it once the ex-spouse, once she's been divorced, if 258 00:14:33,239 --> 00:14:37,690 Suze: the divorced spouse dies now she has the ability to 259 00:14:37,690 --> 00:14:41,609 Suze: switch to survivor benefits, let's say, but if she was 260 00:14:41,609 --> 00:14:43,390 Suze: full retirement age. 261 00:14:44,309 --> 00:14:51,309 Suze: She could then get full retirement benefits from her ex-spouse, 262 00:14:51,390 --> 00:14:54,539 Suze: but now they're ex-survivor benefits. 263 00:14:54,630 --> 00:14:55,239 KT: Amazing. 264 00:14:55,469 --> 00:14:58,650 Suze: Amazing. And for the spousal benefits, just so you know, 265 00:14:59,150 --> 00:15:02,150 Suze: they don't have to have claimed yet for her to 266 00:15:02,150 --> 00:15:03,020 Suze: get those. 267 00:15:03,929 --> 00:15:03,950 KT: Huh. 268 00:15:05,119 --> 00:15:06,690 Suze: Huh, what was that, huh? 269 00:15:06,960 --> 00:15:11,049 KT: Well, that's like that's interesting. I, I mean, who knew? 270 00:15:11,520 --> 00:15:12,080 Suze: I did. 271 00:15:12,239 --> 00:15:14,320 KT: I didn't know that. I thought a lot of people 272 00:15:14,320 --> 00:15:19,039 KT: listening that are divorced didn't know that, that's like a surprise. 273 00:15:19,320 --> 00:15:23,580 Suze: You would only get the hire of your own benefit 274 00:15:24,260 --> 00:15:28,280 Suze: or your ex-spouse number one in this case benefit or 275 00:15:28,280 --> 00:15:33,239 Suze: your ex-spouse two benefit. You get the higher of them. 276 00:15:33,650 --> 00:15:37,049 Suze: If in fact you've met the qualification, so she just 277 00:15:37,049 --> 00:15:39,409 Suze: has to wait another year and she could switch to 278 00:15:39,409 --> 00:15:43,750 Suze: ex-spouse two if it's higher or the spousal benefit. Go on. 279 00:15:43,890 --> 00:15:47,530 KT: All right, keep track of those benefits, everybody. 280 00:15:47,609 --> 00:15:49,429 Suze: But you gotta be married 10 years. 281 00:15:50,289 --> 00:15:53,250 KT: All right, this is from Deborah. She said, Hi, Suze 282 00:15:53,250 --> 00:15:57,349 KT: and KT. Thank you both for providing such important education 283 00:15:57,369 --> 00:15:58,770 KT: for the women of America. 284 00:15:58,809 --> 00:16:00,549 Suze: But wait, I wanna go back for a second. 285 00:16:02,119 --> 00:16:06,690 Suze: Which is why it's so seriously important for gay couples, 286 00:16:06,830 --> 00:16:09,880 Suze: honest to God, to be able to be legally married. 287 00:16:10,210 --> 00:16:12,010 KT: Oh yeah, we forget about that. 288 00:16:12,090 --> 00:16:15,890 Suze: Right, because the spousal benefits and the divorce benefits, all 289 00:16:15,890 --> 00:16:19,270 Suze: of those really, really matter. 290 00:16:19,770 --> 00:16:23,609 Suze: So hopefully that benefit will never ever go away. And 291 00:16:23,609 --> 00:16:26,549 Suze: if you're out there and you have not yet taken 292 00:16:26,549 --> 00:16:30,830 Suze: advantage of being married and you've been living together, you 293 00:16:30,830 --> 00:16:33,090 Suze: love one another, and you keep saying to yourself, oh, 294 00:16:33,130 --> 00:16:35,869 Suze: what difference does it make if I get married or not? 295 00:16:36,369 --> 00:16:39,289 Suze: It makes a big difference, everybody, so 296 00:16:39,400 --> 00:16:41,890 Suze: don't take it for granted. All right, go on. 297 00:16:42,000 --> 00:16:44,799 KT: Yeah, you're depriving yourself of benefits. 298 00:16:45,260 --> 00:16:48,700 Suze: Yeah, of possible potential benefits in many, many ways. Go on. 299 00:16:48,840 --> 00:16:51,880 KT: All right, next is from Deborah. Thank you both for 300 00:16:51,880 --> 00:16:55,640 KT: providing such important education for the women of America as well, 301 00:16:56,510 --> 00:16:59,000 KT: of course, for those smart enough to listen. 302 00:16:59,510 --> 00:17:02,510 KT: You mentioned in the first Suze school of the year 303 00:17:02,510 --> 00:17:08,629 KT: that the Roth contributions for 2025 tax calculations can be 304 00:17:08,630 --> 00:17:14,869 KT: made as late as April 15, 2026, correct, right? If 305 00:17:14,869 --> 00:17:18,550 KT: I want to contribute before April 15th for my 306 00:17:19,099 --> 00:17:24,419 KT: 2026 tax calculations. Do I need to do anything special 307 00:17:24,420 --> 00:17:29,390 KT: to tag these contributions to alert the IRS, or will 308 00:17:29,390 --> 00:17:32,079 KT: it all just come out in the wash over time? 309 00:17:32,239 --> 00:17:35,839 Suze: No, because really if you haven't made your contribution for 310 00:17:35,839 --> 00:17:40,520 Suze: 2025 yet and you want to and you wanna make 311 00:17:40,520 --> 00:17:45,879 Suze: a 2026 contribution as well, the same day, January 1st 312 00:17:46,119 --> 00:17:48,339 Suze: of this year, let's say you wanted to do both 313 00:17:48,479 --> 00:17:51,599 Suze: the same day. You have to tag what year it 314 00:17:51,599 --> 00:17:54,680 Suze: is for, and it doesn't all come out in the 315 00:17:54,680 --> 00:17:57,399 Suze: wash because again you have to meet the five-year rule. 316 00:17:57,479 --> 00:18:00,599 Suze: And if this is your first time opening up a 317 00:18:00,599 --> 00:18:04,880 Suze: Roth IRA, you have to let them know. So you just, 318 00:18:04,989 --> 00:18:07,199 Suze: when you open it up, you let them know it's, 319 00:18:07,239 --> 00:18:09,369 Suze: they ask you and you just tell them, all right. 320 00:21:42,189 --> 00:21:45,198 KT: All right. Next is from Mary. She said, I asked 321 00:21:45,199 --> 00:21:52,060 KT: my employer about allowing post-tax contributions up to the 415C limit. 322 00:21:52,709 --> 00:21:55,510 KT: Their response was the last time they reviewed it, they 323 00:21:55,510 --> 00:22:00,359 KT: did not think they would pass the nondiscrimination testing. Can 324 00:22:00,359 --> 00:22:03,879 KT: you explain that response and is it reasonable? 325 00:22:04,280 --> 00:22:07,659 Suze: It is reasonable, KT, and the reason is this. 326 00:22:08,369 --> 00:22:14,810 Suze: All corporations have to meet certain qualifications, which really, to 327 00:22:14,810 --> 00:22:18,650 Suze: put it simply without me getting complicated, which means that 328 00:22:18,650 --> 00:22:24,569 Suze: your highly compensated employees, known as HCEs, believe it or not, 329 00:22:25,410 --> 00:22:31,129 Suze: do not have more of an advantage than your non-highly 330 00:22:31,130 --> 00:22:39,250 Suze: compensated employees known as your NHCEs and therefore, if your 331 00:22:39,250 --> 00:22:45,130 Suze: lower wage employees are not fully contributing to the employer plan, 332 00:22:45,250 --> 00:22:47,530 Suze: the 401k or the 403B. 333 00:22:48,180 --> 00:22:54,379 Suze: Then the highly compensated employees cannot put in more than 334 00:22:54,380 --> 00:22:58,020 Suze: what everybody is allowed to put in, so that would 335 00:22:58,020 --> 00:23:02,938 Suze: be whatever the maximum happens to be, but above that 336 00:23:02,939 --> 00:23:08,760 Suze: they won't allow after tax contributions. Yes, it's reasonable so 337 00:23:08,819 --> 00:23:11,219 Suze: that it's possible that when you go to speak to 338 00:23:11,219 --> 00:23:15,640 Suze: your employer if they allow after tax contributions, they may 339 00:23:15,640 --> 00:23:17,260 Suze: say no because it may 340 00:23:17,750 --> 00:23:23,630 Suze: provide discrimination against the lower paid employees, believe it or not. 341 00:23:24,630 --> 00:23:27,660 Suze: That's a simple explanation of it, but that is the rule. 342 00:23:27,869 --> 00:23:28,349 Suze: All right. 343 00:23:28,550 --> 00:23:30,629 KT: OK, Suze, next question. 344 00:23:30,800 --> 00:23:32,010 Suze: Should this be your quizzie? 345 00:23:32,469 --> 00:23:34,989 KT: No quizzes in 2026. 346 00:23:35,140 --> 00:23:37,229 KT: Everybody loves when you do a quizzie. 347 00:23:37,380 --> 00:23:38,390 KT: No more quizzes. 348 00:23:38,790 --> 00:23:39,010 Suze: And why is that? 349 00:23:39,109 --> 00:23:43,869 KT: Because I'm busy studying Roth, so no quizzies. I'm busy 350 00:23:43,869 --> 00:23:45,050 KT: studying my... 351 00:23:45,150 --> 00:23:48,109 Suze: You are afraid to be wrong. Admit it to everybody. 352 00:23:48,829 --> 00:23:50,910 KT: Yeah, I'm afraid I don't like to be wrong. It's 353 00:23:50,910 --> 00:23:53,709 KT: I'm not afraid. I don't like it when I'm wrong. 354 00:23:53,790 --> 00:23:55,459 Suze: That's why we do the quizzies. 355 00:23:55,619 --> 00:23:57,579 KT: No more quizzies, everybody. They're gone. 356 00:23:57,579 --> 00:23:58,550 Suze: I am going to give her a quizzie whether she 357 00:23:58,550 --> 00:23:59,369 Suze: knows it or not. 358 00:23:59,630 --> 00:24:04,219 KT: So from Nancy, Nancy, Nancy said, I am 59 years 359 00:24:04,219 --> 00:24:07,790 KT: old and had to stop working to be a caretaker 360 00:24:07,790 --> 00:24:10,810 KT: for my elderly mother, so I did not have any 361 00:24:11,030 --> 00:24:13,948 KT: W-2 income in 2025. 362 00:24:14,469 --> 00:24:17,750 KT: My husband has a 401k at his job, but he 363 00:24:17,750 --> 00:24:22,030 KT: does not have a Roth. Can he fund my Roth 364 00:24:22,030 --> 00:24:24,859 KT: IRA while I'm unemployed? 365 00:24:25,390 --> 00:24:26,109 Suze: Pop quizzie? 366 00:24:26,430 --> 00:24:26,829 KT: No. 367 00:24:27,670 --> 00:24:28,229 Suze: Seriously? 368 00:24:28,349 --> 00:24:29,839 KT: Yeah, he can't fund it. 369 00:24:30,030 --> 00:24:30,770 Suze: Are you positive? 370 00:24:30,910 --> 00:24:31,609 KT: Yeah. 371 00:24:33,760 --> 00:24:34,108 Suze: (Suze makes the wrong answer sound) 372 00:24:34,108 --> 00:24:36,169 KT: Oh come on, don't, don't do that to me. I 373 00:24:36,170 --> 00:24:40,290 KT: thought all retirement accounts, especially the Roth, have to be 374 00:24:40,290 --> 00:24:42,489 KT: funded with earned income. 375 00:24:42,810 --> 00:24:44,719 Suze: All right, ready to learn something new. 376 00:24:45,050 --> 00:24:47,229 KT: It's her husband's earned income? 377 00:24:47,810 --> 00:24:47,900 Suze: Yea. 378 00:24:47,900 --> 00:24:51,089 KT: And it's allowed. OK, so you, you have to fund 379 00:24:51,089 --> 00:24:51,989 KT: all mine. 380 00:24:54,000 --> 00:24:56,410 Suze: KT anyway, here's the thing. 381 00:24:57,510 --> 00:25:04,390 Suze: There's something known as a non-working spousal retirement account, and 382 00:25:04,390 --> 00:25:10,389 Suze: your spouse cannot only fund their own 401k or a 383 00:25:10,390 --> 00:25:15,069 Suze: Roth 401k if they have one, their own Roth IRA 384 00:25:15,069 --> 00:25:17,708 Suze: and if they make too much money, their own Roth 385 00:25:17,709 --> 00:25:21,399 Suze: backdoor Roth IRA if they don't have a traditional IRA 386 00:25:21,949 --> 00:25:23,649 Suze: and they can fund 387 00:25:23,989 --> 00:25:30,159 Suze: the non-working spouse's retirement account. Now, officially it's not named 388 00:25:30,390 --> 00:25:34,670 Suze: a non-working spousal, and yes, your spouse can fund it 389 00:25:34,670 --> 00:25:37,310 Suze: not only for themselves but for the spouse as well. 390 00:25:37,670 --> 00:25:40,989 KT: Suze, my final question is from Lynn, and it's a 391 00:25:40,989 --> 00:25:45,229 KT: Roth question. I'm, I'm, I'm learning about you, but don't 392 00:25:45,229 --> 00:25:47,829 KT: ask me to answer it. Don't ask me to answer it. 393 00:25:47,910 --> 00:25:49,589 Suze: But I know why you chose it. 394 00:25:50,400 --> 00:25:54,579 KT: Because of Lynn, all right, my sister, my twin sister's name. Hi, 395 00:25:54,589 --> 00:25:58,459 KT: Suze and KT, I'm 65 years old and still working 396 00:25:59,000 --> 00:26:02,179 KT: because I love my job. I love my job too. 397 00:26:02,520 --> 00:26:04,139 Suze: You don't have a job go on. 398 00:26:05,219 --> 00:26:08,819 KT: I'm contributing to a Roth 401k so I can leave 399 00:26:08,819 --> 00:26:12,420 KT: it to my children one day. Unfortunately, most of my 400 00:26:12,420 --> 00:26:18,699 KT: retirement savings are in traditional IRAs and 401ks. My goal 401 00:26:18,699 --> 00:26:22,859 KT: is to continue contributing to the company Roth 401k and 402 00:26:22,859 --> 00:26:27,780 KT: Roth 457B to the max until I scale back when 403 00:26:27,780 --> 00:26:31,619 KT: I turned 70 or so. What are the rules about 404 00:26:31,619 --> 00:26:33,699 KT: inheriting Roth 401k 405 00:26:34,130 --> 00:26:38,819 KT: to non-spousal beneficiaries? I find it hard to get a 406 00:26:38,819 --> 00:26:42,540 KT: clear answer, as the sites always say they have to 407 00:26:42,540 --> 00:26:45,780 KT: take it in 10 years, and it may affect their 408 00:26:45,780 --> 00:26:50,650 KT: tax bracket. Is this true for Roth 401k inheritances? 409 00:26:50,780 --> 00:26:51,939 Suze: So here's the scoop. 410 00:26:52,739 --> 00:26:58,629 Suze: Yes, it's true partially. Whether it is a Roth KT, 411 00:26:59,339 --> 00:27:04,899 Suze: or a traditional retirement account, whether it's an IRA doesn't 412 00:27:04,900 --> 00:27:09,050 Suze: matter if it's not left to a spouse or an 413 00:27:09,050 --> 00:27:14,219 Suze: eligible designated beneficiary, which I've explained many times, but normally 414 00:27:14,219 --> 00:27:17,180 Suze: if it's a child to the kids and they're more 415 00:27:17,180 --> 00:27:20,180 Suze: than 10 years older or younger than you, which I'm 416 00:27:20,180 --> 00:27:22,300 Suze: sure they are, for the beneficiary. 417 00:27:22,709 --> 00:27:27,260 Suze: All right, they have to wipe the account clean within 418 00:27:27,260 --> 00:27:33,040 Suze: 10 years. The difference between a traditional retirement account, they 419 00:27:33,040 --> 00:27:36,520 Suze: should start wiping it clean yearly because otherwise in the 420 00:27:36,520 --> 00:27:40,219 Suze: 10th year they're gonna have to wipe it all out, 421 00:27:40,520 --> 00:27:42,760 Suze: and if they've never touched it, it could be a 422 00:27:42,760 --> 00:27:45,760 Suze: serious tax hit for them because it will be taxed 423 00:27:45,760 --> 00:27:49,579 Suze: to them as ordinary income. In a Roth, however, 424 00:27:50,160 --> 00:27:52,959 Suze: I wouldn't touch it if I didn't have to and 425 00:27:52,959 --> 00:27:56,199 Suze: let it grow for all those 10 years and in 426 00:27:56,199 --> 00:28:00,339 Suze: the 10th year then wipe it clean but it's now 427 00:28:00,920 --> 00:28:07,260 Suze: tax free to them just that simple. Whoever said 428 00:28:07,630 --> 00:28:11,550 Suze: that it's gonna be taxable. They're just saying that because 429 00:28:11,550 --> 00:28:14,349 Suze: they wanna be careful. Did you meet the five year rule? 430 00:28:14,469 --> 00:28:18,030 Suze: Did you not yet? Whether it's a Roth 401k or 431 00:28:18,030 --> 00:28:21,948 Suze: a Roth IRA, it still has to meet the five 432 00:28:21,949 --> 00:28:26,969 Suze: year rule. However, you die, it's met the five year rule. 433 00:28:27,630 --> 00:28:29,869 Suze: They have 10 years to wipe it clean, and it 434 00:28:29,869 --> 00:28:34,790 Suze: will be 100% tax free to them. All right. 435 00:28:35,819 --> 00:28:37,150 Suze: What do you want to say? 436 00:28:37,540 --> 00:28:40,260 KT: When you have that 10 years, you can take any 437 00:28:40,260 --> 00:28:43,020 KT: amount in any year as long as it's wiped clean 438 00:28:43,020 --> 00:28:43,719 KT: within 10 years. 439 00:28:43,819 --> 00:28:46,729 Suze: That's right. ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding 440 00:28:46,729 --> 00:28:48,969 Suze: ding ding ding ding ding. 441 00:28:49,030 --> 00:28:52,079 KT: I'm learning. I'm learning. You're never too late to learn, everybody. 442 00:28:52,329 --> 00:28:53,520 Suze: So what are we gonna do today? 443 00:28:54,920 --> 00:29:00,520 KT: Today is our I'm excited we have an appointment this 444 00:29:00,520 --> 00:29:05,640 KT: afternoon with our web developers. We have a new website 445 00:29:05,640 --> 00:29:09,189 KT: being launched at any moment and I have to make 446 00:29:09,189 --> 00:29:10,719 KT: approvals on everything. 447 00:29:11,089 --> 00:29:15,530 KT: I'm excited. It's, it works great on your phone. It's simple. 448 00:29:15,849 --> 00:29:19,930 KT: It's easy to get updated information, and we've been developing 449 00:29:19,930 --> 00:29:22,140 KT: this now for quite a long time now. 450 00:29:22,209 --> 00:29:23,780 Suze: When she says we... 451 00:29:23,780 --> 00:29:24,670 KT: The team. 452 00:29:24,939 --> 00:29:25,650 Suze: Not me. 453 00:29:26,050 --> 00:29:28,329 KT: No, I do that. That's my job job. 454 00:29:28,930 --> 00:29:31,849 Suze: For some reason, everybody, I just, I don't take an 455 00:29:31,849 --> 00:29:36,930 Suze: interest in graphics and data. That's KT's forte, so I 456 00:29:36,930 --> 00:29:37,729 Suze: stay out of it. 457 00:29:38,079 --> 00:29:40,020 Suze: Right. And so until Sunday. 458 00:29:40,319 --> 00:29:42,280 KT: What are you gonna do Sunday? What are you gonna 459 00:29:42,280 --> 00:29:42,959 KT: talk about? 460 00:29:43,160 --> 00:29:48,079 Suze: I may talk about the market again, but what a 461 00:29:48,079 --> 00:29:51,959 Suze: K market is, a U-shaped market, a V shape, I'm 462 00:29:51,959 --> 00:29:55,579 Suze: gonna talk to them, I think, about the alphabet letters 463 00:29:55,880 --> 00:29:58,719 Suze: of the stock market. What do you think of that? 464 00:29:59,479 --> 00:30:00,510 KT: Like the I's? 465 00:30:00,800 --> 00:30:01,719 Suze: No, the K's, 466 00:30:04,150 --> 00:30:05,800 KT: What about the KTs? 467 00:30:06,119 --> 00:30:10,540 Suze: KTs always in the market if you ask me. Anyway, everybody... 468 00:30:10,540 --> 00:30:14,439 KT: Have a great, great, great week ahead. See you Sunday. 469 00:30:14,560 --> 00:30:16,959 KT: There's only one thing we want you to remember, everybody, 470 00:30:17,040 --> 00:30:18,170 KT: and it's this: 471 00:30:18,170 --> 00:30:18,989 Suze: People first. 472 00:30:19,119 --> 00:30:19,780 KT: Then money. 473 00:30:20,000 --> 00:30:24,099 Suze: Then things. Now you stay safe. Bye-bye, everybody.