Would you like to have the confidence to know that it is all going to be okay so that you can walk away from your career? So would Judy! In this episode of Retirement Answer Man, you’ll meet Mike and Judy, an educator and an attorney. They are both facing burnout and ready to throw in the towel, but before they retire, they want to make sure they can swing it. Join us over the next 4 episodes, to learn more about Mike and Judy’s journey to retirement. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE...

Have you heard of IRMAA? IRMAA can be an unwelcome surprise if you aren’t expecting her.  On this episode of Retirement Answer Man, you’ll hear what to expect from IRMAA and your Medicare costs. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN PRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT [2:14] Recent feedback [6:57] What IRMAA surcharges are IN THE NEWS [14:55] Structured protection ETF [25:06] What the details show LISTENER QUESTIONS [30:23] Should we keep our life insurance policy? [34:42] Will...

What is your risk tolerance? What does risk tolerance even mean? Why does it matter?  We’ll explore these questions as I answer one of our listener’s questions on getting back into the stock market with a low risk tolerance.  Listen in to learn why he may not need to follow the traditional way of doing things. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN PRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT [2:00] How much risk to take in retirement IN THE NEWS [19:10] The AT&T data breach [23:03]...

  Have you thought about getting a mortgage for your home in retirement? If so, have you strategized how you would pay it off? In this episode, we explore Scott’s question about pursuing a mortgage and paying it off early. Listen in to learn some different strategies you could use if you plan to get a mortgage on your home in retirement.  OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN PRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT [2:08] Should Scott get a mortgage to build his retirement home? ...

Let’s get back to basics—addition and subtraction two ways to get to the same answer. However, we have a tendency to stick with addition. Today we’ll learn how subtraction can help you come out ahead. Why am I talking about elementary math on a retirement podcast? Listen in to find out.  OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN PRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT [2:12] Is scarcity really a negative thing? [6:04] Stop trying to aim for precision [11:17] Stop making retirement planning...

Have you ever considered moving to a retirement community? With the freedom that retirement brings, many people begin to rethink their living arrangements.  On this episode, you’ll hear how Brad and his wife decided to move to a retirement community. Listen in to hear how they approached their decision, the research they put in on where to retire, and how they enjoy their new locale.  OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN A MINI CASE STUDY [2:40] How Brad discovered The...

Does a withdrawal strategy in retirement have to be complicated or can you simply do a reverse of dollar cost averaging? In this episode, we’ll take a look at how reverse dollar-cost averaging would work by using an example and discover who it works for. Click play to learn if this withdrawal strategy would work for you. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN PRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT WITH A LISTENER QUESTION [1:44] Is it okay to do a reverse dollar-cost average for...

We would all love to have that magic number–the exact amount we need to retire. However, since there are so many unknowns it is impossible to attain an exact number. This is why the big question of retirement is a complex one.  In this episode, I’ll walk a listener through the process of how she can learn how much she really needs to retire. Make sure to stick around to hear about the books I read in March. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN LISTENER QUESTIONS [1:46] How...

Have you been wondering what retirement is like for real retirees out in the wild? With the success of our Retirement Plan Live series, we decided to try mini-case studies to learn more about what retirees like you are doing to rock retirement.  In this episode, you’ll hear some feedback from Sarah who asked a question on the show about a year and a half ago. Listen in to hear how she responded to the advice I gave. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN A MINI CASE STUDY ...

Michael Kitces is one of the innovators in the retirement planning and financial services space. His blog and ecosystem of resources help retirees and financial advisors gain the base knowledge needed to rock retirement. On this episode of Retirement Answer Man, Michael joins me to discuss the state of retirement planning, how it has changed, and how you can live your retirement to its fullest. Listen to this interview with one of the great minds in retirement planning.  OUTLINE OF THIS...

Have you ever wondered why it is so hard for you to spend your money? Even now after all these years of saving you know you have enough, but it’s hard to let go and untie those purse strings. Today, my friend and renowned author, Michael Easter joins me to discuss overcoming frugality from a different perspective. Click play to hear about the evolutionary mismatch that hinders you from spending your money.  OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN LISTENER QUESTIONS [2:38]...

For the past ten years, we have been exploring how to do retirement right so that you can get down to the business of living a great life.  This is why this month we have had a series of special guests. Today’s guest is behavioral investment expert and author Dan Crosby. Together we explore why it is so hard to overcome your money mindset and how you can learn to let go to enjoy the money you have worked so long and hard to save. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN...

Retirement planning has changed over the years, but has the industry evolved to keep up?  Your retirement needs are much different from those of your parents' generation. This is why it is important to focus on retirement planning in a holistic way rather than from solely a financial perspective.  Morningstar’s Christine Benz joins me today on this episode of Retirement Answer Man. This seasoned retirement journalist shares her thoughts on the state of retirement planning, long-term care,...

This month we celebrate the Retirement Answer Man’s 10th anniversary milestone with several guests throughout the month.  Today we welcome Professor Rick Nason, author of It’s Not Complicated, to discuss complicated vs complex thinking. If that discussion didn’t Stick around for the listener questions with Tanya Nichols and Bring It On with Dr. Bobby Dubois OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN COMPLICATED VS COMPLEX THINKING WITH PROFESSOR RICK NASON [4:20] Defining...

Those who have FIREd like Keven Sebesta are choosing to rock life each day. In this final episode on the FIRE movement, we’ll explore what we can learn from them. Join Kevin and me to discover how you can do what FIRE is doing right. What can you learn from FIRE? Traditional retirement planning is all about achieving the end goal. Climbing the mountain and reaching the summit. However, FIRE embraces life today. Those in the FIRE movement see life as an endless journey to explore.  Don’t...

Over these past few weeks, we have been discussing the FIRE movement with Kevin Sebesta, a coach in the RRC who achieved FIRE some time ago and has been rocking retirement ever since.  This week Kevin helps me explore the challenges that retiring early can bring. Listen in to hear if these are similar to the issues you face in retirement.  OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN PRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT [4:58] The challenges of leaving traditional work early [10:55]...

Now that we know what FIRE is, let’s learn the benefits. In this episode of Retirement Answer Man, Kevin Sebesta joins me to discuss the benefits of FIRE.  Afterward, Mark Ross comes aboard to noodle on why creativity is important in retirement. And finally, Taylor Schulte from the Stay Wealthy podcast helps me answer some listener questions. Don’t miss out on this informative episode! OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN PRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT [1:41] Life as a journey...

Have you heard of the FIRE movement? It’s become increasingly popular in the past few years. Even if you are technically too old to retire early, there is something we can all learn from FIRE seekers.  In this episode, Kevin Sebesta, a real live FIREer joins me to discuss what FIRE is, how he achieved it, and what people who retire early do with their time.  Make sure to stick around for the Bring It On segment with Dr. Bobby Dubois to learn whether supplements are worth the time and money...

How do you manage a joint cash flow with separate assets? In addition to discussing Mark and Mary’s situation, today I chat with Kay about how she and her husband handled finances with their late in life marriage. Kay gives us some insight on how to manage finances in a financially unbalanced relationship. You’ll appreciate her perspective on how to manage the household cash flow when you haven’t always been married. Make sure to stick around to hear an update from Sam, our single...

We’re back with Retirement Plan Live to explore how two adults who married later in life can share their resources as they age. Last week we looked at their goals both individually and together and today we’ll do the same with their resources. Listen in to hear the different ways that older adults who come together later in life can pool their resources so they can rock retirement. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN RETIREMENT PLAN LIVE [2:55] Let’s look at their...

Do you like lemonade? If so, you won’t want to miss out on the lemonade I make on today’s episode.  We’re discussing goals on this episode of the Retirement Plan Live series and we get to catch up with Lori from the 2017 Retirement Plan Live. Find out what she is up to and how to work through shared and separate goals in retirement. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN RETIREMENT PLAN LIVE  [3:42] Mark and Mary’s differences developed into a big conversation [9:00] Mark’s...

If you’re married, do you have retirement planning meetings? If you’re single do you plan a time to meet with yourself to plan your retirement? What or whom do you use as a sounding board? In this Retirement Plan Live, we’re getting to know Mark and Mary–two lovely people who have found each other later in life. This mature newlywed couple is trying to iron out the details of their finances.  Sit back and enjoy this episode where we meet Mary and learn about her story and the financial...

Today you’ll meet Mark–half of our newest case study for Retirement Plan Live. Mark and Mary are a year and a half into their new marriage and are trying to figure out how to plan the rest of their lives. On this episode, you’ll learn about Mark and his aspirations and concerns for their life together.  In the next episode, you’ll meet Mary, in week three we’ll discuss their goals, the following week we’ll look at their resources, and finally, we’ll see how they manage their cash flow and...

One of our listeners actually has a better mortgage rate than me! However, as they begin to test their retirement budget they have found that the mortgage payment leaves that budget a bit tight. So they are wondering if they should pay off their mortgage early by withdrawing from their IRA. What would you do? Listen in to hear my response in addition to several other listener questions. We’ll also catch up with Rosie from the last Retirement Plan Live. Press play to learn if she implemented...

It seems like no matter how much we save we always have that nagging worry about whether it is truly enough.  One of our listeners is looking for ways to reduce the chances of running out of money in retirement. My response to his question may surprise you. Listen in to hear what I have to say about improving his retirement trajectory. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN LISTENER QUESTIONS [2:21] What can I do to ensure not run out of money in retirement [8:43] A rental...