Money Unscripted

A lot of us have a retirement number in our head. Maybe it's $1 million. Maybe it's less or more. But what if that number isn’t actually telling you whether you're ready to retire? On this episode of Fidelity’s personal finance podcast Money Unscripted™, we explore why retirement readiness isn't about reaching a “magic number” or single savings milestone. It's about creating a flexible plan that can support your retirement lifestyle through market changes, inflation, health  care expenses, and whatever else life throws your way. Host Ally Donnelly sits down with Fidelity VP, Financial  Consultant Gina Gillespie to help you figure out how much money you may need to retire, how to build a flexible retirement income plan, and ways to improve your retirement savings outlook by making small tweaks to your overall plan. They also share how to use retirement calculators and planning tools to design and fund the retirement that’s right for you. View transcript Saving for retirement: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/retirement/saving-for-retirement 5 moves to help maximize peak earning years: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/how-to-maximizeretirement-savings-in-peak-earning-years View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/moneyunscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com.  Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

Preparing for retirement also means preparing for Medicare.  Knowing when to enroll, how to sign up for Medicare, and understanding coverage options ahead of time can make a meaningful difference.  On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly talks with Ryann Little from Fidelity's Medicare Services team about navigating Medicare with confidence and ways to avoid costly Medicare mistakes.  Help take control of your health care in retirement by knowing the ABCs of Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D. Watch now. View transcript Get help choosing the right Medicare plan.    Fidelity Medicare Services can help you compare options and enroll in the right coverage for you.   Learn more: https://medicare.fidelity.com/home/ Learn about Medicare: Our educational tools and resources can help you learn throughout your Medicare journey: https://medicare.fidelity.com/learning-center Medicare enrollment: Time to change plans? See practical tips on when it makes sense to make a switch in Medicare coverage: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personalfinance/retirement/medicare-enrollment-plans View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

Estate planning is a process that’s full of emotions. And full of questions. Where do you start? Who should be part of the conversation? And what are the key documents you need? On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity’s Pamela Pirone-Benson break down everything from writing a will and setting up a trust to choosing your power of attorney and navigating estate taxes. Watch now. View transcript: https://www.fidelity.com/bin-public/600_Fidelity_Com_English/documents/video-transcripts/Money-Unscripted_Estate-Planning-2026_Audio.pdf 5 steps to create an estate plan: https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/wealth-management/estate-planning-made-easy 10 Estate planning pitfalls to avoid: https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/wealth-management/estate-planning-common-pitfalls View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

Retiring early isn’t just about leaving the workforce—it’s about knowing whether your lifestyle and finances are ready to support the years ahead. On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly talks with Donna and Stan about how they retired early–on their terms. Fidelity VP and Regional Planning Leader Andy Alvarez joins the conversation to break down the key questions anyone should consider as they think about retirement. How much do you really need to retire? How can you turn retirement savings into reliable retirement income? What could a retirement budget look like, and how can you help your money last as inflation drives up costs? If retirement is on your radar, watch now. View transcript: https://www.fidelity.com/bin-public/600_Fidelity_Com_English/documents/video-transcripts/Money-Unscripted_Retire-Early_Audio.pdf How to feel financially secure in retirement: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/benefits-of-annuities How to safeguard your retirement: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/retirement-asset-allocation View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

Market volatility can be stressful—especially when you’re close to or already in retirement. On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly talks to new retiree Ted Mitchell about how he’s navigating life after work as the markets go up and down. Fidelity VP and Branch Leader Andy Alvarez joins to share what you can do now to help protect yourself and your finances from the unknown. See how to help build your retirement income, boost emergency savings, and when to revisit your long-term plan to try and safeguard against market swings and inflation. Watch now. View transcript: https://www.fidelity.com/bin-public/600_Fidelity_Com_English/documents/video-transcripts/Money-Unscripted_EPG-Audio.pdf Market volatility: https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/market-and-economic-insights/market-volatility-overview Retirement calculators & tools: https://www.fidelity.com/calculators-tools/retirement-calculator/overview View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

Understanding the difference between a will and a trust is a key step in building an estate plan that helps protect your assets and your loved ones. On this episode of Fidelity’s personal finance podcast Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly sits down with Fidelity Vice President of Advanced Planning Pamela Pirone-Benson to explain how wills and trusts work, who may need them, when you may need to go through probate, the difference between a revocable and irrevocable trust, and why estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy. Watch now. View transcript: https://www.fidelity.com/bin-public/600_Fidelity_Com_English/documents/video-transcripts/Money-Unscripted_Wills-and-Trusts_Audio.pdf  Revocable and irrevocable trusts: https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/wealth-management/insights/revocable-and-irrevocable-trusts Wills and estate planning for parents: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/life-events/wills-and-estate-planning-for-parents/ View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

Being single can bring flexibility, freedom, and independence. It also means every financial decision is on your shoulders. On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly talks to Rachel, a writer who is happily single, but realized she  needed to take charge of her financial plan–for life on a single income. Fidelity CFP Alex Roca joins the conversation to  break down the essentials of solo planning: building a realistic budget for money management, investing with confidence, and thinking ahead for retirement and estate planning. View transcript: https://www.fidelity.com/bin-public/600_Fidelity_Com_English/documents/video-transcripts/Money-Unscripted_Soloist_Audio.pdf  6 money considerations for single women: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/women-talk-money/6-steps-for-single-women Estate planning for singles: https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/wealth-management/estate-planning-for-singles View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

From fake emails and texts to suspicious voicemails and AI-generated videos—cyber scams are everywhere. And scammers are more sophisticated and persistent than ever. So how can you protect your account and personal information from phishing and fraud? On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity’s Head of Cyber Defense Sean Downey break down how modern scams work, ways to spot the red flags, and what to do if you've been targeted. Watch now. 4 ways to stop identity thieves: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/family-financial-safety/4-ID-theft-protection-tips Protect your accounts: https://www.fidelity.com/security/overview  View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted.   New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays.   Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com.   Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted!   © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. 

Caregiving for an aging parent can be both beautiful and overwhelming. It’s why Beth Pinsker wrote My Mother’s Money: A Guide to Financial Caregiving. It’s the book she wishes she’d had when her mom’s health took a turn. On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly brings Beth together with Fidelity Senior Leader Sangeeta Moorjani to talk through the emotional and financial sides of caregiving. It's a practical conversation that covers a lot of ground: when to get power of attorney and how to use it, navigating health care and insurance, how to support your parents without draining your own finances, and ways to avoid caregiver burnout. Watch now. A financial roadmap for caregiving: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/retirement/hidden-costs-of-caregiving Power up your financial plan: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/power-of-attorney-finances View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

This year, you can save more in your 401(k) than ever before. Watch this episode of the Money Unscripted podcast as host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity Vice President Kirsten Hunter Peterson break down 2026 contribution limits and catch-up contribution limits to your retirement savings plan. They also look at how to factor in your company match, retirement savings goals, and strategies to help you supercharge your savings. Watch now. How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/how-much-should-i-contribute-to-my-401k Investing beyond your 401(k): https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/trading-investing/taxable-brokerage-account View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com . Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

The key ingredient for any financial plan? Your budget. On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly talks with chef, influencer, and small business owner Jenn Lueke about how she helps her followers stretch their dollar in the kitchen and beyond. Ready to get your own plan cooking? Fidelity Vice President, Financial Consultant Gina Gillespie joins to share Fidelity’s new 60/30/10 plus 15 budgeting guideline. She breaks down how to make a budget and shares budgeting tools to help you reach your goals. Watch now. Tools to help you learn how to establish a budget and create a savings plan: https://www.fidelity.com/calculators-tools/budgeting-debt-management Fidelity’s easy budgeting guideline: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/spending-and-saving View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

2026 is a big year for IRAs. New rules for traditional and Roth IRAs could mean more tax-free savings in your  retirement accounts. Contribution limits are up, income limits are higher, and for the first time ever, catch-up  contributions are increasing for people 50 and over. On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly  and Fidelity’s Vice President of Retirement Offerings Rita Assaf break down what’s changing, why it matters,  and how to make the most of these new opportunities. Roth IRA vs. traditional IRA: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personalfinance/retirement/traditional-vs-roth Can you have a Roth IRA and a 401(k)?: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/can-you-have-a-roth-iraand-a-401k View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/moneyunscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

Market volatility can be stressful—especially when you’re close to or already in retirement. So, what do you need to know? On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity Branch Leader Andy Alvarez look at ways you can try to protect yourself from the unknown. See how to map out your retirement income, ways to build up your emergency savings, and why revisiting your plan is so important. We also talk through how annuities could fit into your long-term plan and ways to try and protect your nest egg from inflation. Watch now.  Market Volatility: https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/market-and-economic-insights/market-volatility-overview  Retirement calculators & tools: https://www.fidelity.com/calculators-tools/retirement-calculator/overview  View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted.  New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays.  Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com.  Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted!   © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. 

Roth conversions. Backdoor Roths. Mega backdoor Roths. You hear about these strategies all the time, but how do they work? And what’s the difference between them? On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity Market Leader Leanna Devinney look at how taxes, timing, and your retirement plans can help you decide if one of these money moves is right for you. Watch now. Roth IRA Conversion Calculator: https://www.fidelity.com/calculators-tools/roth-conversion-calculator/ Consider an IRA: https://www.fidelity.com/retirement-ira/overview View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2026 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

What do you need to know about tax planning in 2026? On this episode of Money Unscripted, learn about the new SALT cap increase, why you might want to consider itemizing over taking the standard deduction, a boosted child tax credit, and other opportunities to save on your taxes. Join host Ally Donnelly and Ajay Sarkaria, Fidelity Regional Vice President of Private Wealth Management, as they walk through the tax strategies that could help you keep more of what you earn. Watch now. 2026 Financial Preview: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/trading-investing/investing-outlook?ccsource=Podcast_MU Managing Taxes: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/managing-taxes/managing-taxes View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

How and where do you want to live in retirement? What if you have a major health incident? And who will help you if you can’t manage your own finances as you age? These are hard questions, but the answers can impact generations of your family. That’s why Dr. Tim Habbershon, head of Fidelity’s Center for Family Engagement, says we need to stop avoiding the conversations and start talking about generational wealth and planning together. Tim joins Ally to share ways we can build the skills to have better conversations about everything from long-term care to passing down wealth to our heirs. Watch Money Unscripted now. Fidelity Center for Family Engagement: https://fcfe.fidelity.com/family/home Leading indicators of enduring family harmony: https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/personal-finance/five-indicators-of-family-harmony View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted. New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com. Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted! © 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.

Someone turning 65 today has an almost 70% chance of needing some type of long-term care services, according to government data. Whether it's because of an injury, an illness, or simply growing older, that care is expensive. Long-term care insurance is a smart strategy to help protect your finances and your family. So, what is long-term care insurance? How much does it cost? And what does it cover? Get the answers you need on this episode of Fidelity’s personal finance podcast Money Unscripted with host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity’s Stefne Lynch. Learn more about the Alzheimer's Association at https://www.alz.org/ or call their 24/7 helpline at (800) 272-3900.  Hybrid life insurance with long-term care: https://www.fidelity.com/life-insurance/long-term-care/overview  How long-term care planning can help your loved ones: https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/personal-finance/long-term-care-planning    View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted.   New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays.   Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com.   Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted!   © 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.  

The markets go up and down. That’s out of your control. But what can you control in times of uncertainty? On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly and Certified Financial Planner Ryan Viktorin help you take a big-picture look at your finances during market volatility. Are you still on track to meet your goals like saving for retirement? Does your financial plan still make sense? Should you stay the course with your investments or make adjustments? Watch now.  Market volatility overview: https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/market-and-economic-insights/market-volatility-overview 6 tips to navigate volatile markets: https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/investing-ideas/six-tips  View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted.  New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays.  Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com.  Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted!   © 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. 

Maybe you want to buy a home. Or take a dream vacation. But what is your cash doing to help you reach those goals? On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity’s Leanna Devinney look at four short-term options: high-yield savings accounts, money market funds, CDs, and treasury bills. Learn how to define your goals, weigh risk and reward, and use these tools to help you get the most out of your money. Watch now. Investing for short-term goals: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/trading-investing/investing-for-short-term-goals  CD vs. high-yield savings account: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/cd-vs-high-yield-savings  View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted.   New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays.   Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com.   Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted!   © 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.   

If you’re close to turning 65, Medicare is likely on the horizon. The enrollment process can feel overwhelming but making sure you have the right health care coverage is so important. On this episode of Money Unscripted, host Ally Donnelly and Fidelity’s Ryann Little help you prepare for this critical piece of retirement planning. Learn the difference between Medicare Part A and Part B, see how to avoid costly mistakes, and get smart tips on navigating the complexities of coverage. Watch now.  Learn about Medicare: https://medicare.fidelity.com/home?ccsource=MU_podcast_audio  Your guide to working past 65: https://medicare.fidelity.com/learning-center/articles/guide-to-working-past-65/  View all episodes here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/money-unscripted.   New episodes drop bi-weekly on Tuesdays.   Have a comment or episode idea? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at moneyunscripted@fidelity.com.   Be sure to follow, like, and share Money Unscripted!   © 2025 FMR LLC. All rights reserved.