Best Alex Murguia Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 180: The Secret Life of Private Investments 55:11

3d ago55:11

55:11

In this episode of Retire with Style, Wade Pfau and Alex Murguia explore the world of alternative investments, with a focus on private equity and private credit. They discuss what it means to be an accredited investor, the different types of private equity investments, and the typical life cycle and structure of private equity funds—including the r…

1
Episode 179: Forecasts, Futures, and Funds: Inside the Hedge Fund Playbook 44:57

10d ago44:57

44:57

In this episode of Retire with Style, Wade Pfau and Alex Murguia explore the complex world of hedge funds, focusing on strategies like global macro, event-driven, and managed futures. They explain the role of derivatives, the impact of forecasting, and how these approaches can complement a broader investment portfolio, especially in the context of …

1
Episode 178: Hedging Your Bets in Retirement: What You Should Know 56:58

17d ago56:58

56:58

In this episode, Wade and Alex explore the world of hedge funds—what they are, how they’re structured, and how they’ve evolved from simple hedging tools into complex investment vehicles. They break down common fee models, challenges in measuring performance, and the impact of data biases. The conversation also covers key hedge fund strategies—inclu…

1
Episode 177: Winning the Loser’s Game: A Look at Alternative Investments 52:49

24d ago52:49

52:49

In this episode of Retire with Style, Dr. Wade Pfau and Dr. Alex Murguia explore the evolving world of alternative investments and their potential role in retirement planning. They discuss the concept of "Winning the Loser’s Game"—emphasizing the value of steady, disciplined strategies over high-risk maneuvers—and examine how alternatives like cryp…

1
Episode 176: Strategic Retirement Planning: Q&A on Income, Taxes, and Investments 34:41

1M ago34:41

34:41

In this episode of Retire with Style, hosts Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau tackle a range of financial planning questions in a lively Q&A session. They explore Social Security strategies, the role of single premium immediate annuities (SPIAs) in retirement income, and investment approaches for managing required minimum distributions (RMDs). The discuss…

1
Episode 175: Can Money Buy Happiness in Retirement? 51:15

1M ago51:15

51:15

In this episode of Retire With Style, Dr. Wade Pfau and Dr. Alex Murguia are joined by behavioral finance expert Dr. Daniel Crosby to explore the intersection of wealth, values, and happiness in retirement. Together, they unpack why aligning your spending with your personal values can lead to a more fulfilling life—and how money, when used thoughtf…

1
Episode 174: The Psychology of Investing: Understanding Market Reactions 30:27

1M ago30:27

30:27

In this episode of Retire with Style, Wade Pfau and Alex Murguia sit down with Dr. Daniel Crosby, a leading voice in behavioral finance, to unpack the psychological side of investing in today’s volatile markets. Together, they examine how market swings and media noise shape investor behavior—and why having a thoughtful media diet and disciplined de…

1
Episode 173: Navigating Market Volatility: Strategies for Investors 49:11

2M ago49:11

49:11

In this episode of Retire with Style, Wade Pfau and Alex Murguia dive into the current market landscape and what it means for retirement planning. They highlight the importance of staying grounded during periods of volatility and how emotions can cloud financial judgment. Alex introduces the RAIN model—a practical framework to recognize and manage …

1
Episode 172: Understanding Market Volatility 53:00

2M ago53:00

53:00

In this episode of 'Retire with Style', Wade Pfau and Alex Murguia discuss the complexities of market volatility, its implications for investors, and the current economic landscape. They discuss the nature of volatility, the significance of the VIX as a measure of market fear, and the emotional toll of daily market fluctuations. The conversation al…

1
Episode 171: Unlocking the Secrets of Bond Laddering 49:57

2M ago49:57

49:57

In this episode of Retire with Style, hosts Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau are joined by Nate Conrad from Lifex Funds to discuss the innovative approach to retirement income through bond ladders. The conversation explores the evolution of Lifex, the differences between traditional bond funds and bond ladders, and the design of Lifex ETFs aimed at provi…

1
Episode 170: The Importance of Your Planning Assumptions Part 2 29:42

2M ago29:42

29:42

Welcome Back! In this episode, Alex, Wade and Brian dive into the complexities of financial planning, focusing on return assumptions, the importance of a living financial plan, and the methodologies behind capital market assumptions. They discuss the balance between spending and saving in retirement, the relevance of the 4% rule, and practical reco…

1
Episode 169: The Importance of Your Financial Planning Assumptions: Part 1 31:00

3M ago31:00

31:00

In this episode, Alex and Wade are joined by Brian Bass from McLean Asset Management to discuss the complexities of financial planning assumptions, particularly focusing on Monte Carlo simulations and their implications for success rates in retirement planning. They discuss how different advisors may present varying success rates based on their und…

1
Episode 168: Funded Ratio vs. Monte Carlo: Which is Better? 45:17

3M ago45:17

45:17

In this episode of 'Retire with Style', hosts Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau discuss the importance of understanding the funded ratio in retirement planning. They explore how the funded ratio compares to Monte Carlo simulations, the significance of present value in assessing retirement income, and the implications of conservative return assumptions. Th…

1
Episode 167: Navigating Retirement Goals: The Four L's 37:28

3M ago37:28

37:28

In this episode of 'Retire with Style', hosts Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau delve into the intricacies of financial planning for retirement. They introduce the concept of a financial planning framework, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's goals, risks, and the alignment of assets. The discussion covers the Retirement Income Challenge, th…

1
Episode 166: Mastering Your Financial Future: A Framework for Success 35:25

3M ago35:25

35:25

In this episode of 'Retire with Style', Wade Pfau and Alex Murguia discuss the importance of having a structured financial planning framework, especially in the context of retirement. They explore the psychological aspects of financial planning, including the need for a positive mindset and the impact of behavioral biases on investment decisions. T…

1
Episode 165: Tax Planning Essentials for Retirees 37:39

4M ago37:39

37:39

In this episode of 'Retire With Style', hosts Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau delve into the intricacies of tax planning for retirement. They introduce the Retirement Income Challenge, discuss the importance of understanding tax impacts on retirement income, and explore strategies such as Roth conversions and gains harvesting. The conversation also cove…

1
Episode 164: Investment Insights: What 2024 Taught Us 53:45

4M ago53:45

53:45

In this episode, Wade Pfau and Alex Murguia review 2024, focusing on the discrepancies between market predictions and actual outcomes. They discuss the impact of prognostications on investment decisions and highlight the unpredictability of markets, emphasizing the importance of a long-term perspective in financial planning. Their conversation disc…

1
Episode 163: 2025 Retirement Planning Guidebook Updates 37:29

4M ago37:29

37:29

In this episode of 'Retire with Style', hosts Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau discuss significant updates in retirement planning for 2025, including changes to Medicare Part D, Social Security benefits, required minimum distributions (RMDs), and new catch-up contribution limits. They also explore the implications of inflation adjustments on qualified ch…

1
Episode 162: Retire with Style Live (not really) Q&A: Part 6 48:57

4M ago48:57

48:57

In this episode of 'Retire with Style', hosts Wade Pfau and Alex Murguia, are joined by Jason Rizkallah from McLean Asset Management. They continue answering your critical questions surrounding retirement planning, focusing on the nuances of choosing between lump sum and annuity options and asset allocation strategies for retirees. They explore the…

1
Episode 161: Retire with Style Live (not really) Q&A: Part 5 53:34

5M ago53:34

53:34

In this episode of 'Retire with Style', Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau continue answering your questions on various aspects of retirement planning, focusing on the importance of buffer assets, the impact of market volatility, and how to make accurate financial projections. They share personal updates, including plans for a pickleball tour, and delve in…

1
Episode 160: Retire with Style Live (not really) Q&A: Part 4 46:14

5M ago46:14

46:14

In this episode of 'Retire with Style', hosts Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau engage in a lively discussion about various financial strategies for retirement. They explore the differences between Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Roth IRAs, emphasizing the tax advantages of HSAs. The conversation also delves into the implications of investing in Real E…

1
Episode 159: Retire with Style Live (not really) Q&A: Part 3 27:47

5M ago27:47

27:47

In this conversation, Wade Pfau and Alex Murguia discuss various aspects of retirement planning, focusing on withdrawal strategies, investment diversification, tax-efficient withdrawals, and the implications of the wash sale rule. They emphasize the importance of having a reliable income stream during retirement and explore different strategies for…

1
Episode 158: Retire with Style Live (not really) Q&A: Part 2 34:50

5M ago34:50

34:50

In this episode of 'Retire with Style' Alex and Wade continue answering your questions about the various aspects of retirement planning. Their conversation focuses on the implications of the Secure Act 2.0 on SPIA and RMD calculations, the legal responsibilities surrounding RMD miscalculations, strategies for protecting late-life income against inf…

1
Episode 157: Retire with Style Live (not really) Q&A Part 1 38:28

5M ago38:28

38:28

In this episode of 'Retire with Style', Wade Pfau and Alex Murguia tackle a variety of questions related to retirement planning, including the necessity of international stocks, the implications of Roth conversions, and strategies for purchasing property with retirement funds. They also discuss potential reforms in Medicare and Social Security, and…

1
Episode 156: Navigating The New Retirement Landscape 43:15

6M ago43:15

43:15

In this episode, Wade and Alex welcome Jason Fichtner to discuss the evolving landscape of retirement income. They explore consumer perspectives on retirement, the importance of protected income strategies, and the generational shifts affecting retirement planning. Their conversation also delves into the decline of traditional pensions, insights on…

1
Episode 155: Navigating Roth Conversions: Key Strategies and Insights 48:50

6M ago48:50

48:50

In this episode of 'Retire with Style', hosts Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau delve into the complexities of Roth conversions, discussing strategies, constraints, and the importance of diversified accounts. They explore how to approach Roth conversions effectively, considering factors like income needs, tax implications, and the innovative concept of ta…

1
Episode 154 The Financial Advisor's Guide to Roth Conversions Part 2 40:50

6M ago40:50

40:50

In this episode of 'Retire with Style', hosts Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau, along with guest Rob Cordeau, continue their conversation into the complexities of Roth conversions and their implications for tax efficiency in retirement planning. They discuss the nuances of paying taxes on conversions, the importance of understanding tax brackets, and the…

1
Episode 153: The Financial Advisor's Guide to Roth Conversions 36:17

6M ago36:17

36:17

In this episode, Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau are joined by Rob Cordeau to discuss the complexities and strategies surrounding Roth conversions. They emphasize the importance of long-term tax planning and the various factors that influence the decision to convert traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs. They explore the perspectives of financial advisors versu…

1
Episode 152: Navigating Holiday Money Talks 57:17

7M ago57:17

57:17

In this episode, hosts Wade Pfau and Alex Murguia engage with Dan Veto to discuss the complexities of money conversations that arise during the holiday season. They explore the concept of the 'family bank,' where family members often turn to one another for financial support, and the emotional dynamics that accompany these requests, including love,…

1
Episode 151: Financial Strategies for Early Retirement 42:40

7M ago42:40

42:40

In this episode of 'Retire with Style', hosts Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau with Jessica Wunder from McLean Asset Management delve into the complexities of early withdrawals from retirement accounts, specifically IRAs and 401(k)s. They discuss the penalties associated with early withdrawals, the Rule of 55, and various exceptions allowing penalty-free…

1
Episode 150: Lump Sum or Annuity: What’s Right for You? 54:15

7M ago54:15

54:15

In this episode of 'Retire with Style', Wade and Alex discuss the complexities of pension decisions with Jason Rizkallah from McLean Asset Management. The conversation delves into the critical choices retirees face regarding pension options, including whether to take a lump sum or annuity payment, the implications of each choice, the importance of …

1
Episode 149: The Various Aspects of Tax Planning 47:06

7M ago47:06

47:06

In this episode of 'Retire with Style', Wade and Alex delve into various aspects of tax planning, focusing on strategies such as front-loading taxes, tax loss harvesting, and deduction bunching. They discuss the implications of tax filing status changes, particularly for surviving spouses, and the impact of the Secure Act on inherited IRAs. The con…

1
Episode 148: Tax-Efficient Income Stacking 28:06

8M ago28:06

28:06

In this episode of 'Retire with Style', Wade and Alex discuss the complexities of tax-efficient retirement planning, focusing on understanding preferential income, tax brackets, and the implications of additional income on tax rates. They explore the net investment income tax, strategic Roth conversions, and the significance of timing in retirement…

1
Episode 147: Navigating Medicare and Tax Planning 37:51

8M ago37:51

37:51

In this episode, Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau delve into the complexities of tax planning related to healthcare, focusing on Medicare premiums and the implications of income on these costs. They discuss the Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMA) and how it affects Medicare premiums, emphasizing the significant impact of seemingly small incre…

1
Episode 146: The Concept of the 'Tax Torpedo' 31:58

8M ago31:58

31:58

In this episode of 'Retire with Style', hosts Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau delve into the concept of the 'tax torpedo', a phenomenon affecting the taxation of Social Security benefits. They explore how increased taxable income can lead to a significant rise in the percentage of Social Security benefits that are taxed, particularly for middle-class re…

1
Episode 145: Mastering Tax-Efficient Withdrawals 38:59

8M ago38:59

38:59

In this episode of 'Retire with Style', Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau delve into tax-efficient withdrawal strategies for retirement. They discuss the importance of withdrawal order sequencing, the types of accounts available for withdrawals, and effective marginal tax rate management. The conversation highlights techniques for generating taxable incom…

1
Episode 144: Understanding the Rules of RMDs 31:01

9M ago31:01

31:01

In this episode of 'Retire with Style', Alex and Wade delve into the intricacies of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). They discuss the calculations involved, the implications of RMDs on retirement planning, and the recent changes introduced by Secure Act 2.0. The conversation also covers the consequences of failing to take RMDs, the aggregatio…

1
Episode 143: The Importance of Asset Location and Asset Allocation 40:20

9M ago40:20

40:20

In this episode, Alex and Wade discuss the importance of asset location in addition to asset allocation. They explain that asset location involves strategically placing assets in different types of accounts based on their tax efficiency. They discuss the tax efficiency spectrum, with tax-exempt bonds being the most tax efficient and REITs being the…

1
Episode 142: Tax-Efficient Retirement Strategies 51:40

9M ago51:40

51:40

In this episode, Alex and Wade discuss tax-efficient retirement strategies, specifically focusing on tax diversification. They explain the three broad types of tax treatments in the tax code: taxable accounts, tax-deferred accounts (such as IRAs and 401ks), and tax-exempt accounts (such as Roth IRAs). They highlight the importance of having assets …

1
Episode 141: Tax-Efficient Retirement Distributions 53:56

9M ago53:56

53:56

In this episode, Alex and Wade introduce a new arc on tax-efficient retirement distributions. They discuss the importance of tax planning and how it can add value to your bottom line. They explain the concept of marginal tax rates and how they differ from average tax rates. They also touch on state income taxes, filing options, and the different fe…

1
Episode 140: Are you ready for our Retirement Income Challenge? Join us as we begin next week. 44:27

9M ago44:27

44:27

The Retirement Income Challenge is a four-day event that helps individuals create a retirement income plan. Day one focuses on the Retirement Income Style Assessment (RISA), which analyzes two factors: probability-based safety first and optionality versus commitment. Day two introduces the funded ratio, a balance sheet approach to financial plannin…

1
Episode 139: What to expect in Retirement 46:39

10M ago46:39

46:39

In this episode, Alex, Wade, and Jason discuss what to expect in retirement. They cover several major lifestyle changes that occur during retirement, including the loss of work identity, increases in unstructured time, changes in social connections, shifts in physical health, adjustments in daily routines, and the need for financial planning. They …

1
Episode 138: The Meaning of Retirement 44:01

10M ago44:01

44:01

In this episode, Wade, Alex, and Jason discuss the meaning of retirement and the factors to consider when deciding on a retirement date. They explore the idea that retirement is not just about leisure activities like golfing, but also about personal goals and relationships. They also touch on the possibility of working in retirement and the importa…

1
Episode 137: The Evolution of Messaging in the Financial Advisory Industry 51:36

10M ago51:36

51:36

In this episode, Wade and Alex discuss the evolution of messaging in the financial advisory industry and the importance of retirement income planning. They highlight the transition from brokers to investment managers to wealth managers and the shift from accumulation to decumulation. They emphasize the need for comprehensive financial planning that…

1
Episode 136: Personal Values Investing - Understanding and Using ESG Investments in Your Portfolio 44:33

10M ago44:33

44:33

In this conversation, Bob French and Rob Cordeau discuss ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing and its growing popularity. They explore the different ways investors can align their portfolios with their personal values and beliefs. They also address common misconceptions about ESG investing, such as it being solely for liberal inves…

1
Episode 135: RISA® in Action with James Matthews 59:44

11M ago59:44

59:44

In this conversation, Wade Pfau, Alex Murguia, and James Matthews discuss retirement income and the Retirement Income Style Awareness (RISA) framework. James shares his background in the retirement income space and his realization that traditional retirement planning advice was lacking. The conversation touches on the limited investment options in …

1
Episode 134 YouTube Live Q&A (not really): Answering Your Questions about Portfolio Allocation in Retirement 36:14

11M ago36:14

36:14

In this episode, Wade and Alex answer listener questions about portfolio allocation in retirement. They discuss the impact of low yields on TIPS and how it affects a retiree's portfolio. They also explore the optimal allocation of assets in taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-avoided accounts. Additionally, they address the role of annuities in retireme…

1
Episode 133: YouTube Live Q&A (not really): Answering Your Retirement Planning Questions with Rob Cordeau 40:49

11M ago40:49

40:49

In this episode, Alex, Wade and Rob answer listener questions about retirement planning. They discuss topics such as asset allocation, selling RSUs, managing sequencing risk, and when to claim Social Security. They provide insights on diversification, tax implications, and the importance of considering both sequence risk and concentration risk. The…

1
Episode 132: YouTube Live Q&A (Part 3) 35:02

11M ago35:02

35:02

In this conversation, Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau discuss various topics related to retirement planning, including glide paths, asset allocation, index funds, and tax planning. They address questions about implementing a rising equity glide path, asset allocation across different types of accounts, the performance of index funds, and the availabilit…

1
Episode 131: The Impact of the Election on the Stock Market and Retirement Planning 47:35

12M ago47:35

47:35

In this conversation, Alex and Bob discuss the impact of the election on the stock market and retirement planning. They emphasize the importance of looking at historical data and not getting caught up in the rhetoric and uncertainty of the election cycle. They also highlight the recency effect and how campaigns are information machines that can inf…

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