Financial Planning Explained

This week on Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP®, and Nick DeVito, CFP®, continue their in-depth Social Security Survivor Benefits case study by exploring one of the most overlooked planning opportunities: unrealized capital gains.

Building on Part 1, Mike and Nick examine how appreciated investments and unrealized capital gains can influence a surviving spouse's long-term financial strategy. Through a real-world financial planning scenario, they explain how inherited assets receive a step-up in cost basis, how capital gains are taxed after the death of a spouse, and why understanding these rules can help families minimize taxes while maximizing retirement income.

Throughout the episode, they demonstrate how Social Security survivor benefits should never be viewed in isolation. Instead, they show how coordinating survivor benefits with investment portfolios, capital gains planning, tax-efficient withdrawals, and estate planning can create a more comprehensive and effective retirement strategy.

Whether you're planning for retirement, helping aging parents, managing inherited investments, or simply looking to make smarter financial decisions, this episode provides practical insights that can help you preserve more of your wealth and avoid costly mistakes.

For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning, visit: https://maaplanning.com

This week on Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP® sits down with Nick DeVito, CFP® walk through a real-world Social Security Survivor Benefits case study, demonstrating how claiming decisions can significantly impact retirement income, financial security, and long-term planning outcomes.

Using a practical financial planning scenario, Mike and Nick explain how survivor benefits work, who qualifies, and the strategies available to surviving spouses when navigating Social Security claiming decisions. They break down key rules surrounding survivor benefits, including eligibility requirements, timing considerations, benefit calculations, and common mistakes that can reduce lifetime benefits.

Throughout the episode, they highlight how Social Security survivor benefits fit into a comprehensive retirement income plan and why coordinating these benefits with other assets, pensions, investments, and tax strategies is essential for maximizing financial security.

Whether you're approaching retirement, currently receiving Social Security benefits, planning for a spouse's future financial well-being, or simply looking to better understand your options, this episode provides valuable insights and actionable strategies to help you make informed decisions.

For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning, visit: https://maaplanning.com

This week on Financial Planning: Explained, host Michael Menninger, CFP® walks through a comprehensive estate planning case study, illustrating how thoughtful planning can help families protect assets, minimize taxes, and ensure their wishes are carried out efficiently.

Using a real-world financial planning scenario, Michael breaks down the key components of an effective estate plan, including wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and strategies for transferring wealth to future generations. He also highlights common estate planning mistakes that can create unnecessary costs, delays, and family conflicts.

Throughout the episode, Michael explains how estate planning integrates with a broader financial plan and why regularly reviewing your estate documents is essential as your family, assets, and goals evolve over time.

Whether you're building your first estate plan, updating existing documents, planning for retirement, or looking to preserve your legacy for your loved ones, this episode provides practical insights and actionable strategies to help you make informed decisions.

For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com.

This week on "Financial Planning: Explained", host Michael Menninger, CFP sits down with Michael Mandio. Michael is the Vice President of Production, Community Mortgage Team for AnnieMac Home Mortgage. AnnieMac is a nationwide residential mortgage lender. They help homebuyers and homeowners secure financing for purchasing properties, refinancing current loans, and accessing home equity.

In this episode, Michael and Mike discuss AnnieMac and how they help home buyers through the buying process. The guys also discuss the Cash2Keys program, which lets buyers leverage cash offers to skip the stress or bidding wars and put themselves in the best position to win housing bids. This is a great episode for anyone purchasing a new home or refinancing a current home. ​

For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com.

On this week's episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes back Mackensie Ellis. Mackensie is a student loan professional at Juno. Juno student loans uses collective bargaining power to negotiate better rates on undergraduate, graduate, and refinance student loans.

In this episode, Mackensie and Mike talk about loan repayment after graduation. The two get into refinance options, loan deferment, and public service loan forgiveness. This is a great episode for students of any age or students who have recently graduated looking for repayment options.

​For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com.

This week on "Financial Planning: Explained", host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes Mackensie Ellis. Mackensie is a student loan professional at Juno. Juno student loans uses collective bargaining power to negotiate better rates on undergraduate, graduate, and refinance student loans.

In this episode, Mackensie and Mike discuss what Juno is an how the service works. They also talk about federal vs private student loans, along with the pros and cons of each. Other topics include: Parent PLUS loans and Stafford loans. This is a great episode for students of any age that are looking to negotiate a better student loan rate, or refinance their current loan. ​

For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com.

On this week's episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes back Shellee Howard. Shellee is the Founder & CEO of College Ready. College Ready helps students stand out through strategic college planning proven to strengthen applications, increase scholarship offers, and simplify every step of the admissions journey. This is part two of a four-part series on college planning.

In this episode, Shellee and Mike discuss the process of Shellee's company and how they guide students to make educated choices when college planning. They also discuss considerations and opportunities post-grad that students should consider when choosing a school. This is a great episode for any student or parent of a student that is gearing up for college. ​

For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com.

This week on "Financial Planning: Explained", host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes Shellee Howard. Shellee is the Founder & CEO, College Ready. College Ready helps students stand out through strategic college planning proven to strengthen applications, increase scholarship offers, and simplify every step of the admissions journey. This is part one of a four-part series on college planning.

In this episode, Shellee and Mike discuss how students can differentiate themselves beyond grades, how to give students clarity on what they may want to do, and the admissions process. This is a great episode for any student or parent of a student that is gearing up for college. ​

For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com.

On this week's episode of "Financial Planning: Explained”, host Michael Menninger, CFP sits down with Rob Delany. Rob is the CEO of BLOCS - Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools. BLOCS is committed to providing eligible families access to high-quality, values based private or faith-based education, providing students with a positive and successful pathway forward.

In this episode, Rob and Mike discuss the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC). The guys talk about tax credits and deductions, how to go about making charitable donations, and BLOCS role in the process. This is a great episode that provides valuable insights for anyone seeking potential charitable donations to a great program.

​For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com.

This week on "Financial Planning: Explained", host Michael Menninger, CFP welcomes back regular guest, Brad Sorensen, CFA. Brad is a portfolio manager and outsourced Chief Investment Officer at Cornerstone Portfolio Research.

In this episode, the guys recap the performance of the stock market in the first quarter of this year. They detail the markets performance with respect to the labor market, inflation, and touch on the significant market volatility in the first quarter of 2026. This is a great episode for anyone keeping a close eye on the market and what to expect in the foreseeable future.

​For more information on Menninger & Associates Financial Planning visit https://maaplanning.com.