Decoding Retirement

Budget-conscious consumers are known for cutting corners to save money on everyday expenses. But when it comes to insurance, choosing cheap policies now may potentially add higher costs in the long run. On this episode of Decoding Retirement, host Robert "Bob" Powell speaks with Meaghan Dowd, director of insurance at Holistiplan, about how making the wrong choices with your insurance could adverse...

Conventional wisdom can only get you so far, especially when dealing with unforeseen life events that might permanently change your plans. On this week's episode of Decoding Retirement, host Robert "Bob" Powell speaks with Keith Wargo, president and CEO of Autism Speaks, about the financial necessities of autism care. Keith discusses resources to help families affected by autism, the importance of...

The best laid plans for retirement can be totally upended by an unexpected medical emergency, especially if you don't have a reserve of savings to draw from. On this episode of Decoding Retirement, host Robert "Bob" Powell speaks with Sudipto Banerjee, global retirement strategist at T. Rowe Price, about what you can do to factor healthcare costs into your retirement planning. Sudipto discusses ma...

The steady stream of dire news about Social Security continues to affect retirement plans around the country; but one man is surprisingly optimistic about its future. On this episode of Decoding Retirement, host Robert "Bob" Powell speaks with Andrew Biggs of the American Enterprise Institute. Biggs reveals that retirees tend to be much more confident in their savings, and discusses why the doom a...

With a rapidly aging workforce, budgeting time and money for caregiving has become even more crucial for the average American. On this episode of Decoding Retirement, host Robert "Bob" Powell speaks with MIT AgeLab director Joe Coughlin, who shares his unique perspective on the advancements and challenges that await retirees. Coughlin also discusses the impact of unpaid caregiving on family financ...

Dr. Mehmet Oz, now head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, lays it out plain: healthcare isn’t just a cost, it’s an investment to win the future. Want to fix Medicare, Medicaid, and save America trillions? Dr Oz says get people healthy, working, and off government dependency.  On Decoding Retirement, Dr. Oz tells host Bob Powell that he is cutting waste within Medicare and Medicaid -...

As benefits are cut and Social Security approaches possible insolvency, retirees are being asked to work longer and accept fewer benefits. Is this inevitable, or is an alternative outcome possible? On this episode of Decoding Retirement, host Robert "Bob" Powell speaks with Teresa Ghilarducci, Professor of Economics at The New School, about challenging the conventional assumptions around retiremen...

Prospective retirees hoping to cash in their Social Security after 2033 may be in for a rude awakening. The 2025 Trustees Report confirmed that the program will only be able to pay 77% of the expected disbursements after 2033, and with the expected tax cuts from the new Republican budget bill, that number could shrink even faster. On this episode of Decoding Retirement, host Robert "Bob" Powell sp...

The Republican tax bill has been signed into law, and many of its provisions will affect retirement and benefits for millions of Americans. On this episode of Decoding Retirement, host Robert "Bob" Powell discusses the bill with Jae Oh, CFP and education fellow at the Alliance for Lifetime Income, diving into the complex provisions and adjustments that could directly impact you. Jae gives his expe...

What are the biggest mistakes people make when managing their retirement accounts? This week on Decoding Retirement, Robert "Bob" Powell dives into the complex world of IRAs with "the IRA Whisperer" Denise Appleby, CEO of Appleby Retirement Consulting. Denise discusses what to do if you miss your required minimum distribution, the best way to do a 401(k) rollover, and the IRS forms you need to sta...

Can AI really replace a skilled financial professional? In this episode of Decoding Retirement, Robert "Bob" Powell speaks with Nick Holeman, director of financial planning at Betterment, about why you might not want to ditch your adviser for a chatbot just yet. Nick also discusses how to utilize the Roth conversion window, how political uncertainty is affecting the market, and approaching your in...

Planning for what happens to your finances when you're gone can be a tough but necessary conversation. On this episode of Decoding Retirement, Robert "Bob" Powell speaks with Jeffrey Levine, chief planning officer of Focus Partners Wealth, about balancing a happy retirement with a sizable nest egg for your family to inherit. Jeffrey discusses how to maximize tax efficiency, how aggressive your por...

As the Trump administration's budget bill works its way through Congress, many people are wondering how the bill's provisions on taxes and Social Security will affect their finances. On this episode of "Decoding Retirement," Robert “Bob” Powell speaks with Lisa Featherngill, national director of wealth planning at Comerica Bank. Lisa discusses what deductions are likely to stay in the bill, the so...

Are you part of the record-breaking cohort of people reaching retirement age this year? On this episode of "Decoding Retirement," Robert “Bob” Powell speaks with Fiona Greig, global head of investor research and policy at Vanguard. Fiona discusses how to generate steady income to last through your golden years, and sheds light on helpful tools like auto-enrollment in company retirement plans and a...

College has long been seen as a ticket to the middle class, but does that still hold true when paying for college seems more and more out of reach for the average American family? On this episode of "Decoding Retirement," Robert “Bob” Powell speaks with Tricia Scarlata, head of education savings for J.P. Morgan Asset Management. Both being parents of college-age children, Bob and Tricia talk about...

On this episode of "Decoding Retirement," Robert “Bob” Powell speaks with Chris Herman, head of personal retirement at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Having dealt with caregiving for his mother for nearly 25 years, Chris discusses the often unforeseen difficulties that come with managing finances for an elderly family member. In this wide-ranging conversation, Bob and Chris talk about the necessit...

The new administration has made some people uneasy about the future of Social Security and whether or not it will remain solvent when they expect to retire. On this episode of "Decoding Retirement," Robert “Bob” Powell speaks with Andy Smith, executive director of financial planning at Edelman Financial Engines, about facing retirement with a "one-size-fits-none" approach. Smith emphasizes maximiz...

"Will I run out of money" is a question on every retiree's mind. On this episode of Decoding Retirement, Robert “Bob” Powell speaks with Michael Conrath, Chief Retirement Strategist at JP Morgan Asset Management, to discuss JP Morgan's new edition of their 'Guide to Retirement.' Michael discusses how to replace income during retirement, what keeps older Americans in the workforce, and how inflatio...

Tariffs, high prices, and the risk of "stagflation" are all pressing issues for those who are planning their retirement. Should people stay the course, or is it time to rethink their investment strategies? On this episode of Decoding Retirement, Robert “Bob” Powell speaks with Wealth Advisor at Concurrent Wealth Management Dr. Preston Cherry to talk about his new book, his growth philosophy, and m...

With the current volatility in equities, people approaching retirement age are feeling nervous. Are they right to worry or can this newfound risk be effectively navigated? On this episode of Decoding Retirement, Robert “Bob” Powell speaks with Chris Littlefield, President of Retirement Income Solutions at Principal, to discuss adjusting your portfolio to match the moment, common retirement mistake...

Reverse mortgages have been called risky and confusing - but what if everything you thought you knew was wrong? On this episode of Decoding Retirement, Robert “Bob” Powell speaks with Don Graves, Founder of the Housing Wealth Institute, to find out the surprising ways reverse mortgages could supercharge your retirement income. Find out how it could change your golden years forever. Yahoo Finance's...

SoFi Head of Advice & Planning Brian Walsh joins Robert 'Bob' Powell on Decoding Retirement to lay out the best way investors and retirement planners should deal with market volatility. Together they break down and decode standard deviation, behavioral finance, and various digital money management tools including robo advice. Yahoo Finance's Decoding Retirement is hosted by Robert Powell. Find mor...

Financial expert Christine Benz joins Robert "Bob" Powell on Decoding Retirement to break down key lessons for a secure and fulfilling retirement. From navigating Social Security changes and smart spending strategies to finding purpose beyond work, Christine shares insights from her new book, How to Retire. Whether you're planning ahead or already retired, this episode offers practical advice to m...

Discover the new reality of multi-generational living in this episode of Decoding Retirement. Host Robert "Bob" Powell and guest Sherry Finkel Murphy break down the "Triple Decker Club Sandwich" generation, exploring how shifting family dynamics, housing challenges, and longevity planning are reshaping retirement. Yahoo Finance's Decoding Retirement is hosted by Robert Powell. Find more episodes o...

In this episode of Decoding Retirement, Robert "Bob" Powell interviews retirement planning expert Wade Pfau to discuss key strategies for ensuring financial security in retirement. They explore the importance of calculating a funded ratio, managing risks like longevity and inflation, and recent policy changes affecting Social Security and inherited IRAs.   Find out everything you need to know abou...