The Atomic Retirement Podcast

The market is falling—again. So what should you actually do when things get rocky? In this episode, you'll hear a simple, practical playbook for staying calm, staying invested, and making smart moves during market downturns. Backed by 150+ years of market history and real investor behavior, you’ll learn why crashes aren’t as rare (or as scary) as they seem—and six proactive things you can do...

Most people think they've done everything right by saving in a traditional IRA or 401(k). But what if I told you that a big portion of your retirement savings actually belongs to the IRS? In this episode, we'll break down a recent CNBC article featuring insights from IRA expert Ed Slott, who calls traditional IRAs "the worst possible asset" for retirement. Here’s what you’ll le...

Think you know how taxes work? Some of the most common tax "facts" people believe are actually costing them money. In this episode, we’re diving into 10 of the biggest tax myths to set the record straight. We’ll cover: ✅ Why being in a higher tax bracket doesn’t mean all your income is taxed at that rate ✅ The reason many retirees end up paying more in taxes than expected ✅ The truth...

Most retirees don’t realize just how valuable Social Security can be—or how much strategy goes into maximizing those benefits. In this episode, we break down a real-life case study of a couple I work with, let's call them James and Elizabeth. Thanks to a smart claiming strategy, they’re projected to collect over $2.4 million in lifetime Social Security benefits. We’ll walk through: ✔️ Why the...

Freezing your credit is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect yourself from fraud and identity theft, and the best part? It’s free and only takes 15 minutes.  In this episode of The Atomic Retirement Podcast, you'll learn: ✅ What a credit freeze is and how it helps protect you from fraud ✅ Step-by-step instructions on how to freeze your credit at all three major bureaus ✅ A...

Roth conversions are often touted as a smart tax move—but are they always the right choice? Not necessarily. In this episode, we’re breaking down 7 situations where a Roth conversion might actually cost you more in taxes than it saves you. You’ll learn: ✅ Why a partial Roth conversion is probably smarter than going all in ✅ How your income two years ago impacts your Medicare premiums ✅ Why you...

Warren Buffett has spent a lifetime building wealth—but his greatest financial lesson isn’t about investing. It’s about what happens after you’re gone. In a recent letter, Buffett revealed key details about his estate plan, why he’s giving most of his fortune to charity, and the steps he’s taken to prevent confusion and conflict for his family. His biggest lesson? Estate planning isn’t just about...

Should you claim Social Security early and invest the money, or wait for a higher monthly benefit? What about using annuities to supplement your income? In this episode, we break down the numbers, risks, and real-life considerations to help you make the best decision for your retirement. Plus, learn about an exciting new Social Security change that benefits millions of Americans—especially retiree...

Did you know taxes could be your largest retirement expense? If you’re over 50, you’re in a prime position to take advantage of powerful tax breaks that can save you thousands—but many people miss these opportunities and end up overpaying. In this episode, we’ll uncover 6 key tax strategies to help you keep more of your hard-earned money, including: Catch-Up Contributions: Maximize your retirement...

Ever wonder what people in their 80s and 90s wish they’d done differently with their money? In this episode, we explore their financial wisdom and regrets—from outliving their savings to navigating unexpected life changes like divorce and career shifts. These heartfelt stories highlight the importance of planning for the unexpected and making the most of your wealth while you can. You’ll gain: Pra...

Better investment returns (we all want them). Today we're discussing how to be a more successful long-term investor and I'm joined by Ashby Daniels, a financial planner and the mastermind behind Money Visuals. Money Visuals is Ashby's creative outlet where he shares wisdom and timeless ideas for long-term investors. We can learn many important lessons from the world's greatest...

When it comes to bringing people together, few things can match the magic of food, music, and, of course, the thrill of vacationing. Today we're talking about vacationing and I'm joined by Mark Comfort, an industry expert with more than 30 years of experience helping people create memories that last a lifetime. Mark has traveled to 108 countries and he and his wife Mimi are the owners of...

One of the most important decisions you will make in retirement is deciding when to collect your Social Security benefits. Social Security is a guaranteed lifetime annuity designed to pay you an inflation-protected income for as long as you live. But figuring out when to collect payments, especially if you are eligible for multiple benefits or coordinating with a spouse, can be nearly impossible....

Today we're talking all things real estate with Kiley Willis. Kiley is a realtor at ReeceNichols Plaza in Kansas City (licensed in both Kansas and Missouri), and she is one of Kansas City's top real estate producers. Last year she was the top-ranked solo agent by sales volume at her old brokerage. And since 2016, she has sold more than 220 homes valued at nearly $60M in sales volume. If...

Tax season is upon us, and you have probably received your fair share of important tax documents in the mail (or email inbox). Chances are your W-2 is not the only tax form you'll need to complete your income tax return because you likely received at least one or more 1099 forms too. Your 1099 forms report various types of income from the previous year. And that's why we must pay attenti...

Warren Buffett's annual shareholder letter to owners of Berkshire Hathaway stock is out. Today we'll walk through it together, and I'll point out my top takeaways. After all, the letter contains wisdom from someone with 80 years of investing experience, which Buffett points out is roughly one-third of America's lifetime! I hope you enjoy this episode of The Atomic Retirement po...

2022 was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad year for stock and bond markets. It seemed like everything went down in value, everything except inflation and mortgage rates which reached 40-year highs and 20-year highs, respectively. In short, 2022 was an emotionally draining year for many retirement investors and that means most panicked and yanked money out of their 401(k)s, right? No so fast....

Social Security may only be able to pay 80% of its promised benefits starting in 2035 if Congress does not address a projected shortfall. Today we're talking about 7 changes Americans say they are willing to make to fix Social Security. I hope you enjoy this episode of The Atomic Retirement podcast!    Resources Mentioned 7 Changes Americans Are Willing to Make to Fix Social Security The 2022...

Healthcare is not cheap and, aside from taxes, might be your most costly retirement expense. Did you know there's a tax-advantaged savings account to help with your healthcare costs? Health Savings Accounts came about in 2003, and many people are unfamiliar with their benefits and tax secrets. That's our topic on this episode of The Atomic Retirement podcast!    Resources Mentioned Tax S...

Today we're talking all things Medicare with Danielle Roberts. Danielle is a Medicare expert and the co-founder of Boomer Benefits, an insurance agency helping people across the country understand Medicare and their insurance options. She's also the author of 10 Costly Medicare Mistakes You Can't Afford To Make. If you have Medicare questions and you're not sure where to start,...

With stock and bond markets down double-digits year-to-date, and inflation at 40-year highs, is it a bad time to retire? Should I delay retirement? That's our topic on this episode of The Atomic Retirement podcast!   Resources Mentioned Is Now a Bad Time to Retire?   What Past Stock Market Declines Can Teach Us Retirees Have a Superpower Sequence of Return Risk Start Your Atomic Retirement Jo...

How much money do I need to stop working, be financially independent, and retire? Do I need a half-a-million dollars, a million, two million, or something else? That's our topic on this episode of The Atomic Retirement podcast!   Resources Mentioned My Social Security Account Website Future Value Calculator   Start Your Atomic Retirement Journey 📱 Follow Ryan on Twitter 🗞 Get Atomic Planning...

Is the US in a recession? That's our topic on this episode of The Atomic Retirement podcast!   Resources Mentioned If This is a Recession, We Might Not Know for Months Bureau of Economic Analysis Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Data   Start Your Atomic Retirement Journey 📱 Follow Ryan on Twitter 🗞 Get Atomic Planning's Weekly Newsletter 🚀 Ask Ryan a Money Question

Today we are talking about the 15 lies and omissions that insurance salespeople tell about Indexed Universal Life (IUL) Insurance Policies. I hope you enjoy this episode of The Atomic Retirement podcast!   Resources Mentioned Is IUL a Scam? Yes. by Jeremy Schneider Personal Finance Club Instagram Page Start Your Atomic Retirement Journey 📱 Follow Ryan on Twitter 🗞 Get Atomic Planning's Weekl...

Today we are talking about 10 Social Security myths and misconceptions that refuse to die. I hope you enjoy this episode of The Atomic Retirement podcast!   Resources Mentioned 10 Social Security Myths That Refuse to Die Social Security Administration Website Start Your Atomic Retirement Journey 📱 Follow Ryan on Twitter 🗞 Get Atomic Planning's Weekly Newsletter 🚀 Ask Ryan a Money Question