Decoding Retirement

Americans who are veterans or currently serve in the military often have to deal with a patchwork of complicated programs to ensure their promised benefits are accounted for. On this episode of Decoding Retirement, Robert "Bob" Powell speaks with Dan Kunze, veteran and host of the "Warrior Money" podcast, about how to navigate the complex world of military benefits with an eye towards retirement....

Big updates to tax laws are coming this year, affecting everything from deductions to funding for retirement accounts. With so many variables to consider, many prospective retirees are seeking professional guidance from financial professionals- but are they picking the right planners and asking the right questions? On this episode of Decoding Retirement, Robert "Bob" Powell speaks with Michael Dos...

Preparing for retirement involves a complex set of decisions, with prospective retirees relying on estimates of how long their money can carry them through their golden years while using information that is incomplete at best. For those who are feeling left behind in their retirement goals, making up that shortfall can seem nearly impossible. On this episode of Decoding Retirement, Robert "Bob" Po...

When it comes to the wealth disparity between Black and White families, America has a lot of catching up to do: in fact, the median gap between Black and White households is $172,000, according to a survey from Brookings. On this episode of Decoding Retirement, Robert "Bob" Powell speaks with Chris Wilson, H&R Block franchisee and author of "How To Make Your Nest Egg Last A Lifetime." Chris discus...

Becoming a caregiver for a loved one is often a difficult journey, giving up time and money to provide assistance to someone who can no longer manage their own affairs. Bills, paperwork, and medical visits can quickly pile up, leaving the caretaker saddled with difficult work that could take a toll on their mental and physical health. On this episode of Decoding Retirement, Robert "Bob" Powell spe...

Making a plan for what happens to your assets when you're gone may seem uncomfortable, but it can spare your loved ones a huge amount of money and conflict. On this week's episode of Decoding Retirement, Robert "Bob" Powell speaks with Colleen Carcone, director of wealth planning strategies at TIAA, about the essential steps you must take before creating an estate plan. Colleen discusses important...

The new Harris Poll on holiday shopping, compiled by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), paints a picture of Americans teetering on a financial tightrope. Rising prices are especially being felt by retirees on fixed incomes looking to maximize their dollars as they purchase gifts for their loved ones this holiday season. On this special episode of Decoding Retirement, Robert "Bob" Powell speak...

Cryptocurrency is gaining ground as an increasingly important asset across the world of finance, but does it hold promise as a way for retirees to grow their nest eggs? This week on Decoding Retirement, Robert "Bob" Powell speaks with Coinbase's chief security officer Philip Martin about the promise and perils of crypto. Martin discusses how to determine if a crypto platform is trustworthy, the ba...

Planning for retirement can be one of the most consequential decisions of your life, especially in the 4-5 years directly preceding your departure from the workforce. On this episode of Decoding Retirement, Robert "Bob" Powell speaks with financial planner Jeremy Keil about how to get the most out of your pre-retirement, and how solid preparation can make the difference between retiring comfortabl...

As America experiences a shortage of healthcare workers and an aging population, more and more families are being forced to shoulder the financial and emotional burden of caring for their loved ones. On this week's Decoding Retirement, host Robert "Bob" Powell dives into the details of a new study on caregiving with its author, John McHugh, associate professor at Virginia Commonwealth University....

Has your career given you burnout? Are you wondering when you will be able to focus on the things that matter most to you? On this episode of Decoding Retirement, host Bob Powell speaks with author Jillian Johnsrud about her new book "Retire Often," and how taking several 'mini-retirements' throughout the course of your career could improve your life for the better. Jillian discusses the preparati...

On this episode of Decoding Retirement, host Bob Powell discusses executive retirement with Amy Permenter, executive wealth strategist for Bank of America, revealing the essential steps to take to ensure your golden years are as successful as your working years. Amy speaks about the importance of understanding your company's benefits, navigating identity transition, and preparing for potential out...

With the rise of AI, internet and phone-based scams are becoming harder to detect, especially among vulnerable populations like seniors. On this episode of Decoding Retirement, host Robert Powell speaks with Matthew Sommer, head of the specialist consulting group at Janus Henderson Investors, about the financial scams you need to look out for and what you can do if you're the victim of one. Matthe...

Medicare's "dirty little secrets" - the hidden costs, coverage gaps and commission conflicts that could cost retirees thousands. You'll learn why so-called "free" Medicare Advantage plans aren't always what they seem, how switching plans can be risky, and what every retiree needs to know before open enrollment. Bob Powell and three distinguished Medicare experts will show you the truth about Medic...

Choosing the right Medicare Part D plan could be the single biggest factor in helping you save thousands on your prescriptions each year. In this Decoding Retirement episode, Bob Powell and guest Katy Votava break down how to find the best drug coverage for 2026 - from understanding the different tiers to decoding copays and co-insurance. Learn why the cheapest plan isn’t always the best deal - an...

Medicare Advantage is more popular than ever, but also more confusing. More than 34 million Americans are enrolled in these Part C plans, yet many don’t understand how they differ from Original Medicare or what hidden costs to watch for. On day four of our Medicare Annual Enrollment series, host Bob Powell and guest Jae Oh break down how Advantage works, what’s changing in 2026, and how to avoid c...

Choosing the right Medicare plan can feel like solving a puzzle, but there’s one tool that can make it much easier. In this episode of Decoding Retirement, Bob Powell and Senior Vice President at KFF Tricia Neuman discuss down how to use the Medicare Plan Finder to compare plans, uncover hidden costs, and avoid costly mistakes. The Plan Finder helps you find the best value for prescriptions, docto...

This is your step-by-step guide to deciding whether to keep, switch, or completely change your Medicare coverage. Decoding Retirement host, Robert “Bob” Powell and Medicare expert Marcia Mantell break down how to use Medicare.gov to compare plans, avoid costly Medigap mistakes, and spot red flags like rising copays or shrinking provider networks. This checklist-driven episode gives retirees the cl...

Think you can skip your Medicare paperwork? Think again. The Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) could save you - or cost you - thousands of dollars. In this special episode of Decoding Retirement, host Robert “Bob” Powell breaks down the must-read sections of your ANOC. Bob and Medicare Rights Center president Fred Riccardi reveal why ignoring this document is risky, how to spot red flags that mean it...

Generation X has long been regarded as scrappy and resourceful, having come of age during a period of significant societal and economic shifts. Now, as the oldest cohort of Gen X'ers begin to enter their golden years, they're finding that retirement may be more than they bargained for. On this week's Decoding Retirement, host Robert "Bob" Powell speaks with Kerry Hannon, Yahoo Finance columnist an...

The newly passed "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" has enormous financial repercussions, especially for those people living in or planning for retirement. On this episode of Decoding Retirement, host Robert "Bob" Powell analyzes the bill with tax expert Robert Keebler of Keebler and Associates LLP, discussing the major provisions that you need to know. Keebler reveals essential strategies to navigate t...

As prices and inflation continue to rise, planning ahead for retirement has become even more important. But how can people assess their eventual costs and ensure they don't exceed their sources of income when the future is so difficult to predict? On this week's episode of Decoding Retirement, host Robert "Bob" Powell speaks with Jean Chatzky, host of the HerMoney Podcast, about her proven strateg...

A Federal government shutdown could be well on its way to happening in September. How will those preparing for or living in retirement be affected? In this Decoding Retirement Q&A, host Robert "Bob" Powell gets some answers from Jean Chatzky, financial expert and host of the HerMoney Podcast. Jean reveals whether government benefits will be disrupted, how retirement investments may fare, and what...

Living a long and happy life in retirement is a goal that is surprisingly within reach for many people, as long as the right steps are taken before you get there. On this episode of Decoding Retirement, host Robert "Bob" Powell speaks with Debra Whitman, AARP's chief public policy officer and author of “The Second Fifty,” about the surprising answers to retirement's most challenging questions. Deb...

Plenty of people work hard to reach their retirement, only to find that life after a career can be less satisfying than they thought. On this episode of Decoding Retirement, host Robert "Bob" Powell speaks with Elizabeth Zelinka Parsons, author of "Encore: A High Achiever's Guide to Thriving in Retirement," about the steps you can take to ensure a rewarding and adventurous life after work. Elizabe...