Behind The Wealth Podcast

You spent years saving for retirement. Why can spending that money feel so difficult? On this episode of Behind the Wealth, Roger, Steve, and Casey discuss how to build confidence in your retirement paycheck. From Social Security increases and rising expenses to coordinating income sources, they explore why a growing account balance is only one piece of the picture. Learn how reviewing your spendi...

Market headlines, convincing scams, and year-end deadlines—how do you decide what deserves your attention? In this episode of Behind the Wealth, Elias, Steve, and Scott discuss the fourth-quarter market outlook, including elections, interest rates, and corporate earnings, and how to keep the news in perspective with your financial plan. They also explore a bank impersonation scam that could fool e...

You’ve spent decades saving for retirement. Now, how do you turn those savings into income—and keep your plan on track when markets get uncomfortable? On this episode of Behind the Wealth, Roger Abel, Elias Randel, and Scott Klahn discuss why the first five years of retirement deserve extra attention. From establishing a spending routine to coordinating Social Security, taxes, and investment withd...

You’ve spent decades saving for retirement—but how do you turn those savings into income and feel comfortable spending it? On this episode of Behind the Wealth, Elias, Scott, and Casey discuss how to plan for uncertain retirement expenses, what changing interest rates mean for your finances, and why spending your retirement savings can feel harder than building them. We explore: • Planning for hea...

How do you turn retirement savings into an income plan? In this episode of Behind the Wealth, Casey, Steve, and Scott discuss matching income to your needs and goals, making thoughtful withdrawal decisions, and adjusting your plan as life changes. Visit premieriwm.com to download our Retirement Vision Board and Retirement Expense worksheets. Check Out Our Investor Guide Series: https://www.premier...

Financial independence isn’t just about saving as much as possible—it’s about making thoughtful decisions with your money along the way. In this episode, we discuss how to balance enjoying life today with competing financial priorities such as buying a home, saving for college and preparing for retirement. Learn how to prioritize your goals, navigate tradeoffs and build a financial plan that suppo...

Unexpected retirement expenses can put even a carefully built plan under pressure. Elias Randel, Scott Klahn and Steve Hough discuss three commonly overlooked retirement costs: supporting adult children, paying for health care beyond Medicare and maintaining a paid-off home. Learn how to budget for these expenses, establish financial boundaries and build greater flexibility into your retirement pl...

Market leadership is expanding beyond the handful of mega-cap technology companies that have dominated investor attention—but what could that mean for the road ahead? In this episode of Behind the Wealth, Elias Randel, Steve Hough and Casey Mushrush discuss how broader participation across sectors may be creating a more balanced market environment. They also examine a critical question surrounding...

Buying your first home is about much more than finding the right house. In this episode of Behind the Wealth, Casey Mushrush is joined by experienced Realtor Corey Rath to discuss today's housing market, down payments, mortgages, home inspections, hidden costs, affordability, and the financial decisions every first-time homebuyer should understand before making an offer. Whether you're planning to...

How much can you safely spend in retirement without worrying about running out of money? In this episode of Behind The Wealth, we tackle one of retirement's biggest questions. We break down why the famous 4% rule isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, discuss the fear many retirees have about spending the money they've worked so hard to save, and explain why planning for the financial realities of th...

Stocks and bonds have traditionally balanced one another—but what happens when they start moving in the same direction? This week, Roger, Elias, and Scott explore why market relationships are changing, what it means for diversification, and why investors may need to think differently about managing risk. They also discuss the growing movement to add pension-like income options to 401(k) plans and...

This week on Behind The Wealth, Casey Mushrush, Steve, and Scott tackle a strange reality facing investors today: both good economic news and bad economic news seem capable of rattling the markets. Check Out Our Investor Guide Series: https://www.premieriwm.com/investor-guides  Get started on your path to financial freedom: www.premieriwm.com  Co-Host: Casey Mushrush, CFP Co-Host: Scott Klahn Co-H...

The market recently returned to all-time highs, but many investors remain surprisingly cautious. In this episode, Roger, Steve, and Casey discuss what's driving the rally, the growing influence of AI, why so much money is still sitting in cash, and what investors should watch as markets continue to climb. They also explore the disconnect between Wall Street and Main Street, including the ongoing i...

Markets have climbed to new highs, but that doesn’t mean investors are in the clear. In this episode of Behind The Wealth, Roger Abel, Steve Hough, and Elias Randel break down some of the biggest risks that could challenge today's strong market narrative, from economic uncertainty and policy changes to the impact of upcoming midterm elections. They discuss why headlines often create short-term vol...

This week, we react to a viral article where ChatGPT was asked the “best” age to claim Social Security — and discuss why the real answer is usually more personal than people think. We also dive into retirement readiness beyond just your account balance, including cash flow, taxes, debt, and withdrawal strategy, plus the hidden impact of “personal inflation” and why many households feel like their...

From the automobile to smartphones to artificial intelligence, innovation has continually reshaped the way we live, work, and invest. In this episode, Roger is joined by PIWM Regional Vice President, Steve Hough, to discuss how major technological shifts throughout history have impacted everyday life and the financial markets—and what the future may hold as AI continues to evolve. We’ll explore wh...

Who really had it harder: millennials or boomers? In this episode, we break down the generational money debate (and why the answer isn’t so simple). We also cover a big win for retirement savers as more small business employees gain access to 401(k)s, plus a surprising stat: most Americans plan to ignore one of the most talked-about Social Security strategies. Check Out Our Investor Guide Series:...

What do income taxes, market volatility, and everyday money habits have in common? More than you think. In this episode, we unpack the surprising history of how the modern tax system helped spark America’s cocktail culture, why investors who stayed disciplined through recent market swings are being rewarded, and the subtle strategies wealthy individuals use to manage their finances. It’s a mix of...

This week Roger & Elias discuss how sharing your biggest money mistake can help teach your kids about money. Plus they look at the IRS's Dirty Dozen tax scams for 2026.  Download Free Resources For Teaching Your Kids About Money: https://www.premieriwm.com/kids-and-money   Check Out Our Investor Guide Series: https://www.premieriwm.com/investor-guides   Get started on your path to financial fr...

Are things really as bad as they feel right now? In this episode of Behind The Wealth, we explore the growing gap between how people perceive the economy and markets versus what the data and history actually show. When headlines, volatility, and uncertainty pile up, it’s easy for fear to shape our decisions—but that doesn’t always align with reality. We break down how emotions—especially fear and...

On this episode of Behind The Wealth, we explore how retirement is evolving, how paying yourself first can have a long term impact on your retirement trajectory, and why so many Americans feel like they are falling behind. Check Out Our Investor Guide Series: https://www.premieriwm.com/investor-guides   Get started on your path to financial freedom: www.premieriwm.com   Securities and advisory ser...

Are you on track for retirement—or just comparing numbers? In this episode, we look at average 401(k) balances for those nearing retirement and what they may (and may not) mean for your situation. We also cover why reviewing beneficiary designations is an important step many people overlook. Plus, we break down how Social Security fits into a broader plan—from income timing to taxes and spousal co...

Small financial decisions can have bigger consequences than many investors realize; and sometimes, it’s the simple mistakes that end up being the most expensive. In this episode of Behind the Wealth, we tackle some of the most common misconceptions about working with a financial advisor. We also dive into lesser-known Social Security rules for married couples, highlighting how timing, spousal bene...

In this episode, Roger and Elias discuss how markets are reacting to recent escalations in the Middle East and what investors may be watching as events unfold. They also reflect on past geopolitical events and the lessons history offers for navigating periods of market volatility. Check Out Our Investor Guide Series: https://www.premieriwm.com/investor-guides   Get started on your path to financia...

Markets are always watching the Federal Reserve—but how much does leadership at the central bank really influence market behavior? In this episode, we explore how markets historically respond to changes in Federal Reserve leadership. Plus we discuss a timeless investing principle: why “slow and steady” often beats trying to chase quick wins and how investors can approach the most common retirement...