Show Notes
Rapid Fire Q&A: The "Happiest Retiree" Pet Factor, RMD Alternatives, Fidelity’s New Annuity + More Questions Answered
Welcome to our first monthly "Rapid Fire Thursday" episode of Ask an Advisor! Today, Wes Moss is opening up the listener mailbag to answer your direct financial questions. We’re covering a wide range of topics: from how pets fit into the "Happiest Retirees" research, to whether UTMA accounts or Trump Accounts beat out a classic 529 plan for college and savings goals. Plus, we address pension life insurance strategies, handling portfolio planning with reduced life expectancy, and how to navigate the infamous "Tax Torpedo" in retirement.
Mentioned on the show:
Required Minimum Distributions: How To Calculate, Rules
The Biggest Investing Lesson From Trump Accounts - Clark Howard
Best 529 College Savings Plans By State
Roth IRA vs Traditional (Pre-Tax) IRA Calculator - Clark Howard
All this and more on the September 10, 2026, Ask an Advisor “Rapid Fire” episode of the Clark Howard podcast. Submit your questions: WesMoss.com/ask
We hope you enjoy our weekly Ask An Advisor episodes. Let us know what you think in the comments!
Learn more about Wes:
BOOKS BY WES MOSS
Wes Moss, CFP®
Wes Moss - Clark.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More from The Clark Howard Podcast
Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks. Also, - how do we teach our kids and young adults about money? Managing money was simple just a few decades ago: cash was king, consumer choices were limited, and savings accounts earned fixed interest rates. Today, we live in the most over-stored country in the world, surrounded by endless retail options, online shopping, and digital payment methods like Venmo and Cash App. Money has become frictionless and abstract, making it easier than ever for young people to fall into financial traps like recurring subscriptions and impulse spending. Because the modern financial world is vastly more complex, parents can no longer rely on kids picking up smart money habits by osmosis – active teaching while they are still under your roof is essential, as Clark explains.
Winter heating bills won’t be pretty, especially in markets that rely on oil for heat. What can you do now to prepare? Taking control of monthly expenses comes down to knowing where the real price traps are hiding. Clark unpacks the latest updates on winter heating trends and shifting food prices to help you make smarter financial decisions.
Rapid Fire Q&A: Roth Conversion Traps, RMD Spending Rules, & Switching Careers To Finance
Artificial intelligence is creating unprecedented risks for your retirement savings, with AI-driven fraud causing massive financial losses across the country. Deepfakes and voice-cloning technology have become so advanced that scammers can effortlessly mimic real people, leaving brokerage firms and financial institutions vulnerable to fraudulent transfer instructions. Clark has recommendations to help secure your life savings.
Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks.