Retirement Starts Today Radio

Click here to work with us! Most people focus on saving for retirement, but what happens when you actually get there? Retirement isn’t just about having enough money—it’s about managing risks that can threaten your financial security and lifestyle. In this episode, we explore Five Key Retirement Challenges (and Solutions), inspired by a Kiplinger’s Personal Finance […] The post Five Key Retirement Challenges (and Solutions), Ep #393 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Click here to work with us! Most people plan for retirement by focusing on their savings and investment returns—but what if some of the most important decisions happen after you stop working? In this episode, I sit down with Jeremy Keil, also known as Mr. Retirement, to discuss the three biggest mistakes retirees make—mistakes that can […] The post Top 3 Retirement Mistakes – An Interview with Mr Retirement, Ep 392 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Click here to work with us! Many retirees enter their golden years with the goal of financial security, but what if the biggest risk isn’t running out of money—it’s not spending enough of it? A surprising new study reveals that retirees are withdrawing just 2% a year from their savings—barely half of what’s traditionally considered safe. […] The post The 2% Trap: Why Retirees Spend Far Less Than They Could, Ep #391 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Click here to work with us! For decades, you’ve been focused on saving—watching your retirement accounts grow, sticking to a budget, and making smart financial decisions to ensure a secure future. But now that the time has come to actually enjoy your hard-earned money, spending it feels… unsettling. You’re not alone. Many retirees struggle with the […] The post From Saver to Spender: How to Confidently Use Your Nest Egg, Ep 390 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Click here to work with us! A lot of retirees assume their tax situation gets simpler once they stop working, but that’s not always the case. There are plenty of ways high-net-worth retirees end up paying more than they need to—sometimes without even realizing it. Maybe it’s interest and dividend income getting taxed at higher rates, […] The post 7 Inefficiencies on Rich Retirees’ Tax Returns, Ep #389 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Click here to work with us! Most people plan for retirement by focusing on their finances—building up a nest egg, securing passive income, and minimizing taxes. But what if that’s only part of the equation? Many retirees find themselves financially secure yet feeling unexpectedly lost, disengaged, or even unhappy. The truth is, money alone doesn’t guarantee […] The post The 5 Pillars of a Fulfilling Retirement (That Nobody Talks About) with Dr. Daniel Crosby, Ep #388 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Click here to work with us! Many people fear running out of money in retirement, assuming they’ll struggle financially once they stop working. But a recent Gallup poll shows 80% of retirees have enough to live comfortably, despite concerns about Social Security, longevity risk, and pension declines. Why the difference between expectation and reality? Many retirees […] The post Are Retirement Income Worries Overblown? Ep 387 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Employee benefits are one of the most overlooked aspects of financial planning. We often check a few boxes during open enrollment and move on—but are we truly maximizing what’s available to us? This week, we sit down with Joe Saul-Sehy, host of Stacking Benjamins, to uncover the hidden value in workplace benefits. From disability insurance […] The post Joe Saul-Sehy Shares How to Get the Most from Your Employee Benefits, Ep #386 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Click here to work with us! What if you could turn those green numbers in your investment account into retirement income while paying as little in taxes as possible? That’s exactly what we’re covering today with Peter Lazaroff, Chief Investment Officer at PlanCorp. We’re tackling the challenge many of us face: managing deferred gains in our […] The post Peter Lazaroff’s Options for Reducing Taxes on Deferred Gains Pre-Retirement, Ep #385 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Click here to work with us! Can you be fired after announcing your retirement? It’s a question that raises eyebrows and stirs concern for anyone nearing the end of their career. A recent article highlights the legal and financial implications of being terminated after sharing retirement plans, and it’s a scenario more common than you […] The post Fired After Announcing Retirement? Ep # 384 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Click here to work with us! Are you spending too little in retirement, worried you might outlive your savings? Many retirees struggle to strike the right balance, often holding back on enjoying the wealth they’ve worked a lifetime to build. I’ll show you how to overcome those fears and spend with confidence while still planning for […] The post How to Spend More (or Less) in Retirement appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

What does it mean to live a life of purpose? I talk with Jordan Grumet, aka Doc G, host of the Earn & Invest podcast, about how his work as a hospice doctor shaped his understanding of purpose and regret. His new book, “The Purpose Code,” offers insights on how to live with intention and meaning. We […] The post Purpose vs purpose: An interview with Doc G, Ep #382 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Originally aired February 2024: There are two ways to mess up retirement: run out of money or die with regret. Oftentimes, people in the retirement space only focus on the running out of money part. In an effort to help you live an even better retirement, today’s retirement headline discusses the regret part. Join me […] The post 5 Expenses Retirees Wish They Spent More Money On (Rebroadcast) appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Originally aired March 2024: There are many ways that could threaten your financial security in retirement. Knowing the common issues can ensure that you don’t fall into the traps. Today’s financial headline comes from Yahoo Finance and is called 8 Ways Baby Boomers Become Poor in Retirement. Listen in to learn what they are so […] The post 8 Ways to Become Poor in Retirement (Rebroadcast) appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Originally aired April 2024: It may be easy to define success in your working career, but defining success in retirement can be more difficult. What does success look like in retirement? What will you do daily or weekly to get the most out of your retirement? In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore […] The post The 4 Phases of Retirement (Rebroadcast) appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Originally aired February 2024: You’ve heard of the 4% rule, and if you’ve listened to this podcast before, you’ve heard of Guyton’s guardrails strategy. But have you ever heard of using them together? Today’s retirement headline explores this idea. Overall, the article highlights the importance of considering sequence-of-returns risk in retirement planning and adopting flexible […] The post Using Guardrails For The 4% Rule (Rebroadcast) appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Originally aired June 2024: The 4% rule is the “golden rule” of retirement planning. Everyone is familiar with it and it’s easy to work out for some quick, back-of-the-napkin math. Since it is so easy to calculate and implement, many use it as their retirement withdrawal rule. However, this approach may be overly conservative. While […] The post Is the 4% Rule Too Safe? (Rebroadcast) appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Originally broadcast April 2024: You’ve been accumulating your savings your entire life, but when the time comes to draw down your investments, there are new risks. In this episode, we’ll discuss four risks that come with the decumulation phase of retirement. Press play to learn how to avoid these risks in retirement. Are you looking […] The post The Four Unique Risks in Decumulation (Rebroadcast) appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Ready to learn how to make a lasting and meaningful legacy for your loved ones? I had an in-depth conversation with Myra Salzer from the Wealth Conservancy. Myra brings a unique perspective as a financial advisor who specializes in helping clients navigate life after inheriting significant wealth. We explore not just the financial implications but […] The post Navigating the Complex World of Inherited Wealth with Myra Salzer, Ep #375 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

In this episode, we step away from our usual financial discussions to share personal stories from our military service. Why? To give listeners a glimpse of who we are beyond our roles as financial advisors—so we opened up about how our time in the service shaped our lives. Bret shares his experience working in logistics […] The post Veterans Day Special: Reflecting on Service and Lessons Learned, Ep #374 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Investing in health can lead to a more vibrant, enjoyable retirement. In this episode, I share the personal health investments I’ve made, like sleep tracking and working with a health coach, each designed to enhance well-being and longevity. Prioritizing health alongside wealth allows us to fully embrace retirement. I detail four key health tools, each […] The post Investing in Health: The Steps to a Longer, Better Retirement, Ep #373 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Are you feeling rattled by Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)? We’re here to help. Today we get deep into managing RMDs as we explore an article by Pam Krueger from Kiplinger’s. I outline the complexities of RMDs, share strategies to minimize tax impacts, and talk about how to craft a “perfect RMD” strategy. Plus, I’ll dig […] The post Don’t be Rattled by RMDs, Ep #372 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Are you sure you’re making the right call when deciding between Roth and traditional retirement accounts? A recent article on the Michael Kitsis blog started a debate into why, during your peak earning years, contributing to traditional pre-tax accounts might actually make more sense—even if tax rates rise in the future. I’m going to break […] The post Take Advantage of Your Peak Deduction Years, Ep #371 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

What could happen to our taxes if the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) expires in 2025? This week, we explore a Wall Street Journal article analyzing the TCJA’s potential expiration and its varied impacts across the U.S. from coast to coast. These tax cuts, enacted under President Trump, included reductions across multiple income […] The post Who Pays More when the Tax Cuts Expire? Ep 370 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Are you actually prepared for how upcoming tax law changes could impact your retirement? I analyze insights featured on the Nerd’s Eye View blog, focusing on key tax strategies for retirees. With the potential 2025 sunset of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act approaching, potential changes in marginal tax rates, personal exemptions, and deductions could […] The post Retirement Income Worries Often Overblown, Ep 369 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Are index funds really the “sure thing” in investing, or do our emotions get in the way? To help answer that question, we’re going to talk about a Wall Street Journal article by Jason Zweig, which demonstrates the simplicity and challenges that come with investing in index funds. While these funds are designed to replicate […] The post The Closest Thing to a Sure Thing, Ep 368 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

How can we better prepare for a successful retirement? We’re exploring the lessons from a recent article by Christine Benz of Morningstar, where she reflects on her six-week sabbatical and how “mini-retirements” can help us test the waters before we fully retire. We talk about how the luxury of unscheduled time, balancing purpose, and the […] The post Lessons From Another ‘Faux-tirement’, Ep #367 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Are you actually prepared to navigate the complexities of retirement? We’re exploring Fritz Gilbert’s Six Lessons From Six Years of Retirement, shared from his blog The Retirement Manifesto. One by one, we’ll walk through these lessons, keeping in mind that retirement is an evolving journey, not a static experience. For those who still need to optimize their […] The post Six Lessons From Six Years of Retirement (from Fritz Gilbert’s Retirement Manifesto), Ep # 366 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Retirement is not just a transition from work to leisure. It’s a continuous journey of self-discovery. We explore the story of Tom, who reflects on the emotional and financial challenges he faced after leaving a successful career. From adjusting to a fixed income to finding new ways to matter outside of his career, Tom’s experiences […] The post Freedom or Free-fall (Tom’s Story), Ep #365 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

You know inflation is something to consider in retirement, but how much should you worry about it? On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore an article from Of Dollar and Data that dives into the nitty gritty of inflation by analyzing three hypothetical retirement scenarios. Learn how to plan for any eventuality so […] The post How Does Inflation Impact Retirement? Ep #364 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

In retirement, retirees make the big switch–drawing on savings rather than contributing to them. This is often when the trouble comes–the psychological hurdle comes when it’s time to start spending your hard-earned savings. In this episode, you’ll learn how to understand the mental barrier that comes with the big switch and learn strategies to overcome […] The post Permission to Spend in Retirement, Ep #363 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Knowing when to retire is not just an economic decision; it’s highly personal. In an era where your work is with your identity, deciding when to retire can feel monumental. So how do you know when the time is right? That’s what we’ll explore in today’s episode. In addition to discussing this retirement headline, Bret […] The post How Do You Know It’s Time to Retire?, Ep #362 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Do you feel pain when spending money? Or perhaps it’s the opposite, and you spend a little too freely without much thought, pain, or remorse? In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore an article on how to make the most out of retirement by trying to land somewhere in the middle of the […] The post Tightwads vs Spendthrifts, Ep #361 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

It’s easy to make mistakes in your investment portfolio, but as you get closer to retirement, it becomes more important than ever to make sure you are maximizing your financial health so that you can achieve your long-term goals. In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll take a look at an article written by […] The post 5 Common Portfolio Mistakes, Ep #360 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

What would you say your retirement confidence level is? If you’re like many super-savers, it may be surprisingly low. In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore an article from Investment News that dives into a phenomenon where wealthier Americans who are confident in their money management skills still feel shaky about retirement and […] The post Super-Savers Confidence Score, Ep #349 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

We may think of many things when it comes to rising interest rates, but often we fail to understand how that could lead to rising IRS penalties. In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll take a look at an informative article from the WSJ about how to avoid rising IRS penalties. Make sure to […] The post How to Avoid This IRS Penalty, Ep # 358 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

When was the last time you checked your beneficiaries on your retirement account? After listening to today’s episode, I guarantee you’ll be logging in to verify. In the retirement headlines segment, we’ll check out a Yahoo Finance article titled ”They Broke Up In 1989, But Now His Ex-Girlfriend Is Inheriting His $1 Million Retirement Account […] The post My Ex Has Your Inheritance… Ep # 357 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

While, for some people, the transition to retirement goes perfectly smoothly, that’s not the case for everyone. Most of us are counting the days until retirement. We’re excited by all the prospects this new stage in life will bring. However, some people struggle with the change. In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll look […] The post I Just Retired. Why Am I Unhappy? Ep #356 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

It’s no secret that I want you to spend more money in retirement. Why? Because you’ve worked for it! Retirement is about living the life you have saved for all these years, so I’m looking for any way I can to help you get out there and enjoy it. One way that has been gaining […] The post Semi-Retire to Spend More $$$?! Ep #355 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

We’ve all heard the saying, “Money can’t buy happiness.” However, research suggests that while money may not buy lasting joy, it can certainly enhance our lives if spent wisely. The key lies in how we spend our money. On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore a recent article on spending money to maximize […] The post How To Spend Your Money To Maximize Happiness, Ep # 354 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

By now, we’ve all heard of AI, but many people still have mixed feelings about this revolutionary tool. Since I’ve been using it in my life on a daily basis, I have been wanting to share how you all can use AI to help with retirement planning. When I came across this article from Business […] The post Your AI Retirement, Ep #353 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Many factors should come into play when deciding when to take your Social Security benefit but doomsday headlines shouldn’t be one of them. On this episode, you’ll hear how Social Security’s biggest myth is costing retirees a lot of money. Don’t get caught unaware! Make sure to stick around until the end to hear about […] The post Social Security’s ‘Biggest Myth’ & Jury Duty Scams, Ep # 352 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

The 4% rule is the “golden rule” of retirement planning. Everyone is familiar with it and it’s easy to work out for some quick, back-of-the-napkin math. Since it is so easy to calculate and implement, many use it as their retirement withdrawal rule. However, this approach may be overly conservative. While using a significantly higher […] The post Is the 4% Rule Too Safe? Ep #351 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Did you know that you can buy gold at your local Costco? However, just because it’s easy to buy doesn’t mean it’s easy to sell. In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’re exploring gold and its role in your retirement portfolio. To do that, we’ll take a look at a retirement headline from WSJ […] The post Gold and Groceries, Ep #350 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Risk is what is left over after you think you’ve thought of everything. – Carl Richards Getting to financial independence is job #1, but staying financially independent comes a close second. To do so you’ll need to be aware of the risks that could empty your accounts. Being vigilant of these risks and having a […] The post Risk Management: Spring Client Meetings, Ep #349 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

There are two ways you can ruin your retirement: running out of money and dying with regret. If you are listening to this podcast, chances are, you’ve been a diligent saver and probably aren’t in danger of the first one. That’s why, today, we’re exploring an article from the White Coat Investor on ways to […] The post Spend More Money! Ep #348 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

It can be easy to forget your age as the birthdays roll around. However, when you’re about to turn 65 you’ll know. Medicare and all of their relevant service providers won’t let you forget. You may feel inundated with the amount of mail, emails, and even phone calls and text messages, but rather than ignoring […] The post Medicare Mistakes, Ep #347 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

You’ve been accumulating your savings your entire life, but when the time comes to draw down your investments, there are new risks. In this episode, we’ll discuss four risks that come with the decumulation phase of retirement. Press play to learn how to avoid these risks in retirement. Are you looking for a new advisor? […] The post The Four Unique Risks in Decumulation, Ep #346 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

A lot of us are looking to get in shape in retirement. This is a good thing since part of living an even better retirement is looking after your health and muscle mass. Staying healthier and more active longer will ensure that you are making the most out of your retirement. In addition, maintaining a […] The post More Muscles = Better Retirement, Ep #345 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.

Do you have index funds in your portfolio? Chances are you do! Our retirement headline today describes the rise of index funds over active funds and why that’s important. Outline of This Episode [1:22] Index funds have grown exponentially over the years [2:23] What are index funds [5:58] How index funds fit into my investment […] The post Index Funds Have Officially Won, Ep #344 appeared first on Retirement Starts Today Radio.