Redefine Retirement with Ryan Wheless

In this episode of the Redefine Retirement podcast, host Ryan Wheless CEO of Allied Wealth takes a straightforward Q&A approach to address the most frequent questions potential and current clients ask via social media, YouTube, and direct outreach. He breaks down the firm's fee structure (typically 0.75%–2%, averaging 1.25%), emphasizing that fees must deliver clear value through tax plann...

In this episode of the Redefine Retirement podcast, host Ryan Wheless engages in a wide-ranging conversation with Jamie Hopkins, a highly credentialed retirement planning expert (attorney, CFP, MBA, RICP co-creator, and more) who now leads a major trust company managing $93 billion in assets under administration. Hopkins discusses his background in retirement income education, including his role i...

In this engaging episode of the Redefine Retirement podcast, host Ryan Wheless sits down with Annie Duke, a former world-champion poker player turned cognitive psychologist, delivering a masterclass on why even the most well-intentioned investors repeatedly sabotage their own retirement plans. The core problem is that our brains treat “future us” like a stranger, so in moments of panic (a 30% mark...

In this engaging episode of the Redefine Retirement podcast, host Ryan Wheless sits down with retirement policy expert and former Social Security deputy commissioner Jason Fichtner to tackle the biggest retirement fears head-on: running out of money and making the wrong Social Security decision. They dismantle the outdated “breakeven analysis” that pushes most people to claim benefits at 62, showi...

In this hard-hitting episode of Redefine Retirement, host Ryan Wheless sits down with Hon. David M. Walker, former U.S. Comptroller General and chief accountability officer who led the Government Accountability Office under Presidents Clinton and Bush, delivering a staggering $100 return per dollar invested. Walker sounds the alarm on America’s escalating $2 trillion annual debt, warning of a loom...

In this episode of the Redefine Retirement podcast, host Ryan Wheless and tax expert David Brooks deliver a masterclass on why taxes will likely eclipse healthcare as retirees’ largest lifetime expense, with the average American couple facing $1.1 million in income tax alone. Drawing from Brooks’ painful $100K IRS bill in the 1990s and his 22-year obsession with the tax code, they dismantle myths...

In this episode of the Redefine Retirement podcast, host Ryan Wheless and actuary Peter Neuwirth explore the seismic shift from corporate pensions to 401(k)s since 1978, which fueled a 1,000%+ stock market surge from 1980–2000 while saddling individuals with DIY retirement risk. Neuwirth, a risk-averse bond-ladder investor, champions annuities as “longevity insurance” backed by trillion-dollar car...

In this episode of Redefine Retirement, host Ryan Wheless and estate planning attorney Crista Hermance dive into the critical yet often overlooked aspects of estate planning. They discuss the importance of starting estate planning early, even for young adults over 18, to ensure access to medical and digital assets in emergencies. Krista highlights common mistakes, such as outdated beneficiary desi...

In this episode of the Redefine Retirement podcast, host Ryan Wheless engages with Steve Parrish, a seasoned financial expert and former director of the Retirement Income Center at the American College, to explore the evolving landscape of retirement planning. Parrish highlights the shift from traditional pensions to self-managed 401(k)s and IRAs, emphasizing that retirement is now a journey of de...

In this episode of the Redefine Retirement podcast, host Ryan Wheless welcomes Roger Whitney, a seasoned Certified Financial Planner with over 25 years in the industry, founder of the Retirement Answer Man podcast with 8.5 million downloads, author of the bestseller Rock Retirement, and creator of the Rock Retirement Club. Whitney shares his career journey, from trading tech stocks in the 1990s to...

In this episode of the Redefine Retirement podcast, host Ryan Wheless interviews Karsten Jeske, known as Big Ern from the Early Retirement Now blog, a former economist with a PhD, CFA charter, and experience at the Federal Reserve and BNY Mellon managing assets for institutions like pension funds and endowments. Jeske shares his journey to financial independence, retiring at 44 alongside his wife...

In this episode of the Redefine Retirement Podcast, host Ryan Wheless and guest Ozer Culhagil, a financial advisor and close friend, dive into common retirement planning pitfalls and strategies to secure a financially stable future. They discuss critical mistakes, such as overestimating Social Security benefits, underestimating life expectancy, and neglecting the impact of taxes and healthcare cos...

In this episode of Redefine Retirement hosted by Ryan Wheless, guest Joe Wilson, founder of Omega Wealth Private Capital, reveals the hidden “tax bombs” that could devastate your retirement if you don’t plan ahead. With over 20 years in financial services, Joe brings a jargon-free, client-first approach to retirement planning, making complex strategies simple and actionable. The discussion covers...

In this episode of Redefine Retirement hosted by Ryan Wheless, guest Garry Thurman, CEO of Guardian Investment Advisors, shares expert insights on modern retirement strategies to live a limitless life with clarity and purpose. Thurman emphasizes the importance of holistic financial planning beyond mere growth, focusing on Roth IRA conversions to leverage the current low tax brackets extended by th...

In this episode of Redefine Retirement hosted by Ryan Wheless, guest Christine Benz, Morningstar's director of personal finance and author of How to Retire: 20 Lessons for a Happy, Successful Retirement , shares a holistic approach to retirement planning. Beyond the financial aspects, Benz emphasizes the importance of finding purpose, nurturing relationships, and maintaining flexibility in spe...

In this episode of Redefine Retirement , Ryan Wheless sits down with Carl Richards, Certified Financial Planner, author of the bestselling books The Behavior Gap and The One-Page Financial Plan , and creator of The Sketch Guy column for The New York Times . Known for his simple sketches that make complex financial concepts clear, Carl has become one of the most trusted voices on money and behavior...

In this episode of Redefine Retirement , Ryan Wheless sits down with Jeremy Schneider, founder of Personal Finance Club. After selling his tech company and retiring at just 36 years old, Jeremy dedicated his life to helping others build wealth the simple way. With over a million followers online, Jeremy has become one of the most trusted voices in personal finance. He explains why low-cost index f...

In this episode of Redefine Retirement , Ryan Wheless welcomes Dr. E.J. Antoni, Chief Economist at The Heritage Foundation and newly appointed Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)  under President Donald Trump! E.J. offers a behind-the-scenes look at the policies that drove growth, lowered taxes, and boosted wages during the Trump years and how similar strategies could help today’s...

In this episode of Redefine Retirement , Ryan Wheless welcomes Tom Hegna, one of the most respected voices in retirement income planning. Together, Ryan and Tom discuss why retirement income planning is more critical than ever, how guaranteed lifetime income can provide peace of mind, and why annuities and life insurance deserve a place in your strategy. Giveaway alert! For the first 25 people who...

In this episode of Redefine Retirement, Ryan Wheless sits down with estate planning attorney Jerry Taylor, who brings decades of experience helping families safeguard their legacies. As a specialist in wills, trusts, asset protection, and long-term care strategies, Jerry helps demystify a topic most people avoid until it’s too late. Learn more and connect with Jerry Taylor at: https://jerrytaylorl...

In this episode of Redefine Retirement, Ryan Wheless sits down with Becky Ruby Swansburg, CEO of Stonewood Financial and one of the nation’s foremost experts on legislative risk in retirement. With a background in public policy, a sharp understanding of tax law, and a passion for empowering retirees, Becky brings a unique and urgent perspective to the conversation. Together, Ryan and Becky unpack...

In this episode of Redefine Retirement, Ryan Wheless welcomes Mark Henry, Founder and CEO of Alloy Wealth and host of Living Large Radio. After watching his own parents lose their retirement savings in the 1987 Black Monday crash, Mark made it his mission to help others retire with clarity and confidence. Together, they break down why today’s retirees can’t rely on outdated strategies and why hitt...

In this episode of Redefine Retirement, Ryan Wheless sits down with Zach Lemaster, the founder of Rent To Retirement, to uncover how real estate can be a powerful wealth-building tool in retirement. From turnkey and build-to-rent investing to out-of-state portfolio building, Zach shares real-world strategies that make real estate more accessible and tax-efficient than most retirees realize. Whethe...

In this episode of Redefine Retirement, Ryan Wheless welcomes Ed Slott, America’s IRA expert and best-selling author, for a masterclass on how taxes can quietly erode your retirement savings and what you can do about it From the widow’s penalty to inherited IRA traps and Roth conversion timing, this conversation is packed with clear, actionable advice to help you defuse the retirement tax time bom...

In this episode of Redefine Retirement, Ryan Wheless sits down with Dr. Wade Pfau, a renowned retirement researcher and co-founder of the RISA tool to break down smarter ways to plan for income in retirement. From the flaws in the traditional 4% rule to the hidden dangers of market volatility and the widow’s penalty, Wade offers clear, research-backed strategies for building a retirement plan that...