Perfect Game Retirement

📅 Book a 1-on-1 with Ryan: https://speakwithryan.com/ 📦 Grab your FREE Tax-Free Retirement Toolkit: https://toolkit.blackoakam.com/podcast-toolkit.html   A new tax bill has officially passed (you’ve probably heard it mentioned as the “Big Beautiful Bill”). And while most headlines are focused on politics, we’re focused on what it means for your retirement. The choices you make in the next year o...

📅 Book a 1-on-1 with Ryan: https://speakwithryan.com/ 📦 Grab your FREE Tax-Free Retirement Toolkit: https://toolkit.blackoakam.com/podcast-toolkit.html   Markets crash. Taxes shift. Congress waffles on Social Security. You can’t control any of that. And stressing over it won’t help. What will? Focusing on the four things that actually move the needle in retirement. In this episode, Ryan breaks d...

📅 Book a 1-on-1 with Ryan: https://speakwithryan.com/ 📦 Grab your FREE Tax-Free Retirement Toolkit:  https://toolkit.blackoakam.com/podcast-toolkit.html   You’ve worked hard, saved well, and now you’re thinking about giving back—maybe to your kids, your grandkids, or a cause you care about. But should you wait and pass that wealth on later, or give while you’re still around to enjoy the impact?...

📅 Book a 1-on-1 with Ryan: https://speakwithryan.com/ 📦 Grab your FREE Tax-Free Retirement Toolkit: https://toolkit.blackoakam.com/podcast-toolkit.html     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 ju...

Target-date funds just passed $4 trillion in assets. They’re now the default investment in many 401(k)s, and millions of Americans are using them without really understanding how they work. So, are they a smart choice… or just the easiest one? These funds promise convenience and automatic adjustments, but with so much riding on a one-size-fits-all solution, it’s worth asking—are they really helpin...

Graduation season is an exciting milestone, not just for the grads, but for parents and grandparents who have supported them along the way. Today, Ryan wants to share practical ways you can help your graduate make smart financial decisions early, along with actions that could have a lasting impact on their future. Join us as we discuss ways families can pass on more than just good wishes. Here’s w...

A little hope is good for the soul, but when it comes to retirement planning, wishful thinking can lead to serious financial mistakes. Today, Ryan walks through five common examples of wishful thinking that can quietly damage your retirement and how you can build a plan that protects your future instead of relying on luck. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 🏦 The myth of living off interest...

Today we’re talking about Type A personalities. If you’re driven, competitive, and goal-oriented, then you’re part of the club that often struggles during difficult markets. When things get tough, your instinct is to work harder, push more, and fix the problem. But in investing, that instinct can sometimes backfire. In this episode, Ryan explores how Type A investors can unintentionally sabotage t...

Most people believe financial success comes down to numbers, but the truth is your emotions and mindset may play an even bigger role than any spreadsheet ever could. In this episode, Ryan unpacks key lessons from Morgan Housel’s best-selling book The Psychology of Money, revealing how behavior, beliefs, and background shape our financial choices. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 🧠 Why no o...

Ever wonder what other people talk about with their financial advisors? A new survey of nearly 400 experienced advisors reveals the biggest concerns, challenges, and financial goals their clients are facing today. From retirement planning to working longer than expected, Ryan’s breaking down the key takeaways and how they compare to what he sees in his own client conversations. We’ll also uncover...

Got an old 401(k) collecting dust after a job change? You're not alone, and what you do with that account might have a big impact on your long-term financial health. In this episode, Ryan answers a listener’s question about whether it’s okay to leave your 401(k) where it is, or if you’re better off rolling it over. Spoiler alert: the answer isn’t one-size-fits-all, but there are some key pros and...

When it comes to retirement planning, it's often the threats you don't see coming that do the most damage. In this episode, Ryan uncovers five silent "assassins" that can quietly erode your financial future, including market crashes, inflation and some surprises along the way! More importantly, he explains how proper planning can defend your wealth against these hidden risks. Here’s what we discus...

The headlines are loud, the markets are messy, and your gut might be telling you to do something - anything -right now. But what should you actually do when your portfolio takes a hit? In this episode, Ryan walks through the four key questions every investor should ask during a downturn, offering clear and practical steps to block out the noise and get some clarity on today’s market situation.   ...

The Masters is a beautiful reminder of just how much strategy, patience, and long-term focus goes into a great round of golf. Turns out, retirement works a lot like the game. Today, Ryan is teeing up a few key lessons from the course and how they translate into smarter planning for your financial future. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: ⛳ Why chasing a “hole-in-one” rarely pays off 📆 Why...

Tax season is here, but filing your 2024 return is just one piece of the puzzle. Now is also the perfect time to take advantage of new tax rules for 2025 before the year gets away from you. With higher standard deductions, increased retirement contribution limits, and updated HSA rules, there are plenty of opportunities to potentially lower your tax bill and boost your savings. In this episode, we...

In this episode, Ryan unpacks a listener question that’s becoming increasingly common: What should I do about my RMDs if I’m still working at 74 and contributing to my 401(k)? Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), and the tax penalties for missing them, can catch even the most financially prepared retirees off guard, especially those still working into their 70s. Here’s what we discuss in this ep...

April Fool’s Day is all about jokes and pranks, but when it comes to retirement planning, getting fooled can cost you real money. Today, we’re unpacking five retirement myths that often trick retirees into making decisions based on fear or flawed assumptions. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 🧠 Don’t let fear rush your Social Security decisions 💸 Tax planning is essential, not optional ⚠️...

Valentine’s season is all about love, but let’s be honest, money plays a huge role in any relationship. Whether you’ve been together for decades or just starting out, financial stress can put a strain on even the strongest partnerships. So, how do you talk about money without killing the romance? In today’s episode, looking at the questions every couple should ask about finances and retirement. He...

You’ve built a successful business, but now the big question is, how do you turn that into a retirement plan? If you’re like many entrepreneurs, you’ve spent years reinvesting in your business, but what happens when it’s time to step away? Can you sell it? Can you create passive income from it? Or should you start saving in other ways right now? In this episode, we’re breaking down strategies for...

If you've successfully managed your own investments for years, do you really need a financial advisor? Many DIY investors see it as an unnecessary expense, but as you approach retirement, it might be time to enlist the help of someone to help you with the other areas of retirement? Today we’ll tackle this common question and explains how advisors add value beyond investment returns. Here are some...

The Super Bowl may be over, but there’s still a lot to learn from one of the best coaches in the game, Andy Reid. Whether you’re planning the perfect play on the field or preparing for retirement, success comes down to strategy, discipline, and knowing when to adjust. Today, we’re breaking down some of Coach Reid’s best quotes and how they apply to building a winning retirement plan. As a former p...

There’s a real mindset shift when someone gets to retirement and has to start taking money out of their accounts after saving for years. It gets even more difficult to figure out where to pull your money from when you have multiple types of accounts with different tax considerations. So which should you pull from first and does it really matter the order you choose? That’s the question we’re tackl...

A recent article on Fortune highlights a growing trend among baby boomers: continuing to work well into their 60s and 70s, 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 conversations about what it means...

In recent years, inflation has become a significant concern for many individuals, especially those planning for retirement. While rates have returned to more normal levels, Americans still can’t ignore the profound impact it can have on your financial future. Today’s show will discuss ways to inflation-proof your retirement, particularly looking ahead to 2025 and beyond. Here’s what we discuss in...

Financial mistakes can happen at any age, but they can have a particularly significant impact in your 60s. This episode offers five common financial blunders to avoid during this pivotal decade. As you approach retirement, it's essential to navigate these pitfalls to secure your financial future. We’ll be discussing the importance of retirement planning, managing healthcare costs, protecting your...