My Retirement Clarity with Lee Perkins

In a world filled with so much uncertainty, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by what you can’t control. Volatile markets, shifting tax laws, and political noise don’t seem to be going away anytime soon. But when it comes to retirement planning, there are things you can control, and they’re far more powerful than most people realize. In this episode, Lee walks through the four key areas retirees shoul...

The 4% rule gets talked about like gospel in retirement planning. But let’s be honest, it’s always been more of a rough guess than a golden rule. Now, its original creator is revising it to 4.7%. So, does that mean your retirement paycheck just got a raise, or is this just another headline that oversimplifies a complex decision? In this episode, Lee explores the deeper reality behind this rule cha...

You’ve always been told to save for retirement, but can you go too far? Is it actually possible to over-save for the future? In this insightful episode, Lee answers a compelling listener question about what happens when saving becomes so aggressive that it starts to limit your lifestyle today. He dives into the emotional and practical downsides of over-saving, the dangers of comparing yourself to...

Graduation season isn’t just a time for caps, gowns, and celebrations, it’s a pivotal financial crossroads for many young adults stepping into independence. As they leave the classroom behind and enter the workforce, the financial decisions they make now can quietly shape the next 40 years of their lives. Today, Lee talks about why it’s so important for parents, grandparents, and mentors to help t...

The headlines are loud, the markets are messy, and your gut might be telling you to do something — anything — right now. If recent volatility has you feeling uneasy, you're not alone, but reacting the wrong way can cost you far more than a bumpy month in the markets. In this episode, Lee breaks down how tariffs and trade tensions are fueling market swings and what that really means for your retire...

Reinvention can be exciting, but is it risky when retirement is on the horizon? In this episode, Lee answers a question from a listener who wants to shift from corporate life to a new career in real estate at age 53, using IRA withdrawals to stay afloat during the transition. He also breaks down why early withdrawals can be financially dangerous and how commission-based careers may not offer the s...

Many people approach retirement age asking the question, “Have I done enough?”  It’s a common worry, but are they really focusing on the right things?  Based on a survey of nearly 400 experienced advisors, Lee explores the gap between what clients fear and what he believes truly deserves their focus when planning for retirement. He unpacks why concerns like outliving your money and market crashes...

March Madness is here, and just like filling out a bracket, picking individual stocks can feel like a thrilling gamble. But the odds of winning big are slim. In fact, history shows that most stock picks, like most brackets, end up busted. Many investors can’t resist chasing big wins, even though diversification is a smarter play. One economist, Hendrik Bessembinder, analyzed the returns of nearly...

For years, $1 million was considered the gold standard for retirement savings. But is it really enough? In this episode, Lee and Ben explore just how far that million-dollar nest egg can take you in retirement, depending on where you live. Recent studies reveal a stark reality: in some states, $1 million could last a lifetime, while in others, it may barely cover 15 years. But geography isn’t the...

If you’ve spent years successfully managing your own investments, do you really need a financial advisor? That’s the question Bob, one of our listeners, sent in. He’s got an MBA, knows the markets well, and has always handled his portfolio solo. So, is working with an advisor just an extra expense, or could it actually add real value? In this episode, we break down when and why even experienced in...

This week, Lee and Keith dive into Carl Richard’s timeless article, Pretending To Be An Investor Is Dangerous, and discuss how to avoid the common mistakes many people make when managing their investments, particularly as they approach retirement. They explore what it means to be a "pretend investor" and break down the six key behaviors that can derail your financial security- from obsessing over...

A recent article on Fortune highlights a growing trend among baby boomers: continuing to work well into their 60s and 70s. Surprisingly, this is not out of necessity, but for the mental stimulation, social connections, and fulfillment that work provides. With nearly 20% of Americans over 65 still employed, this shift is challenging traditional views of retirement and sparking important conversatio...

As we step into 2025, many of us set New Year’s resolutions—whether it’s eating healthier, exercising more, or cutting back on a vice. But what if we also focused on improving our attitude toward money? The New Year is a great time for a reset and to adjust our attitudes when it comes to finances, and in this episode, Lee will break down what some of those financial attitude shifts could be. From...

In this episode of My Retirement Clarity, Lee sits down with a long-time client and friend, Joey Kinard, to discuss how he and his wife are making the most of their retirement years. From traveling to new places to embracing an active lifestyle, Joey shares what’s been working for them as they enjoy this exciting chapter of life. Joey’s early retirement was filled with memorable RV adventures. The...

At JL Perkins Wealth Management, we receive all sorts of questions about financial and retirement planning, but some themes come up more often than others. In today's mailbag edition of the show, we'll tackle some of the most common questions we answer on a daily basis. Lori wonders whether it’s advisable to help her aging parents financially, especially with potential long-term care needs. Matt a...

When it comes to retirement planning, it’s critical that you and your spouse are on the same page. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll agree on every little detail, but it does mean that compromise and honest conversations are a big part of navigating the process together. Join Lee as he dives into why aligning with your spouse is so important, where disagreements tend to arise, and the key...

Remember the thrill of shaking a Magic 8 Ball to get answers to your childhood questions? Would we ace that math test? Would we be famous someday? Well, today, we're bringing a bit of that magic back. But instead of asking about pop quizzes and playground crushes, we’re turning to the Magic 8 Ball for advice on something much more important: your retirement planning! What would the Magic 8 Ball ha...

National Financial Planning Month is here! In this episode, we’ll do a little bit of celebrating as we look at what financial planning truly means, as well as what drew Lee into the field! We’ll break down what it means to be a fiduciary, how JL Perkins is different from other wealth advisory firms, and what the standard process looks like with us. Lee also shares a key tip to help you avoid start...

A random, retired YouTuber did a simple video exploring the top 5 regrets from other retirees he interviewed (all in their 70s). It blew up to almost half a million views (and counting). Let’s see what regrets made the list and, more importantly, explore what proactive steps you can take to avoid having the same regrets when you retire. Planning and working with an advisor can make all the differe...

Remember when you were a kid, always asking 'How do you know?' about everything, like why the sky is blue or where the sun goes at night? That curiosity doesn't go away as we get older; it just turns into different questions, like the ones we face when planning for retirement. Today, we’re digging into the 'How Do You Knows' of retirement planning. How do you know how much income you’re going to n...

We get a lot of questions about 401(k)s because they can be tricky to navigate. So, in today’s episode, we’re tackling some of the most frequently asked questions about 401(k)s. Tune in for a comprehensive breakdown of what they are, how they work, and how you can make the most of them! We’ll cover everything from understanding company matches and target date funds to the pros and cons of 401(k) l...

We’re thrilled to welcome the Mayor of Macon, Lester Miller, to the My Retirement Clarity podcast today! If you’re from the area, you’re familiar with who he is and some of the incredible things that have happened under his leadership. With the reputation of Macon on the rise, we thought it would be fun to discuss some of the key projects that have made the city a must-visit destination. From the...

With tax rates set to change soon and national debt on the rise, tax planning might be the most critical piece of retirement planning right now. That’s why we wanted to catch up with David Brooks, a renowned tax expert from Omaha, Nebraska. David, who we consider a tax guru, shared invaluable insights into the world of tax strategies, proactive planning, and the future of tax policies.  For those...

We all make excuses from time to time for decisions we know might not be the best. Whether it's about our health, relationships, or finances, excuses can hold us back from achieving our long-term goals. Very often, Lee sees people who know that the financial decisions that they’re making aren’t the best decisions, but they try to create excuses or explanations for why they’re doing what they’re do...

In this episode, host Lee Perkins sits down with Keith Dykes, the newest member of the JL Perkins Wealth Management team. Originally a Zoom call, this engaging interview explores Keith's background, family life, and journey to becoming a financial advisor. Learn about Keith's transition from agronomy to finance, his dedication to client service, and the values that align him perfectly with the tea...