Retire Early Podcast

In this episode of the Retire Early Podcast, financial advisors and retirement planners Sam Benson & Linwood Fraher of Martin Wealth Solutions kick off a deeper conversation around asset classes, starting with one of the most misunderstood: cash. Sam and Linwood explain why cash is more than just “money in the bank” and how it plays a strategic role in retirement planning. They discuss when ho...

In this episode of the Retire Early Podcast, financial advisors and retirement planners Sam Benson & Linwood Fraher of Martin Wealth Solutions look back on the key financial themes of 2025 and discuss what may lie ahead in 2026. Sam and Linwood reflect on market behavior, interest rates, inflation, and economic trends that shaped the past year, then share perspective on how retirees and pre-re...

In this episode of the Retire Early Podcast, financial advisors and retirement planners Sam Benson & Linwood Fraher of Martin Wealth Solutions break down one of the most common questions retirees and pre-retirees ask: Do I still need life insurance in retirement? Sam and Linwood walk through the different types of life insurance, how their purposes change as you approach retirement, and when i...

In this episode of the Retire Early Podcast, financial advisors and retirement planners Sam Benson & Linwood Fraher of Martin Wealth Solutions walk through potential and ongoing Social Security changes and what they could mean for current and future retirees. Sam and Linwood explain how Social Security works today, why changes are being discussed, and which areas are most likely to be impacted...

In this episode of the Retire Early Podcast, financial advisors and retirement planners Sam Benson & Linwood Fraher of Martin Wealth Solutions unpack the five biggest ideas every business owner should understand before selling their company. Selling a business is often the largest financial event in an owner’s lifetime — and Sam & Linwood break down the critical steps, timing consideration...

In this episode of the Retire Early Podcast, financial advisors and retirement planners Sam Benson & Linwood Fraher of Martin Wealth Solutions explore one of the biggest lifestyle and financial decisions retirees face: Should you downsize? Sam and Linwood break down the emotional, practical, and financial sides of downsizing — from reducing expenses and simplifying life to the potential surpri...

In this episode of the Retire Early Podcast, financial advisors and retirement planners Sam Benson & Linwood Fraher of Martin Wealth Solutions break down one of the biggest misconceptions in personal finance: the idea that everyone should follow the same retirement plan. Sam and Linwood explain why strategies that work for one person may be completely wrong for someone else — even if their inc...

In this episode of the Retire Early Podcast, financial advisors and retirement planners Sam Benson & Linwood Fraher of Martin Wealth Solutions walk through a practical, easy-to-follow End-of-Year Financial Action Plan designed to help you finish strong and enter the new year with clarity and confidence. Sam and Linwood break down four essential steps — from reviewing spending and boosting reti...

In this episode of the Retire Early Podcast, financial advisors and retirement planners Sam Benson & Linwood Fraher of Martin Wealth Solutions walk listeners through the Smart Wealth Milestone System — a clear and practical framework designed to help you track your progress toward financial independence. They break down how this system simplifies the retirement journey into key stages — from b...

In this episode of the Retire Early Podcast, financial advisors and retirement planners Sam Benson & Linwood Fraher of Martin Wealth Solutions revisit one of the biggest benchmarks in retirement planning — the idea that you need $1 million to retire. They break down why the “million-dollar rule” isn’t a one-size-fits-all target, exploring how lifestyle, inflation, taxes, and healthcare costs c...

In this episode of the Retire Early Podcast, financial advisors and retirement planners Sam Benson & Linwood Fraher of Martin Wealth Solutions explain what happens when the Federal Reserve changes interest rates — and how those decisions can directly impact your retirement plans. They break down how rate hikes and cuts influence savings accounts, bonds, mortgages, and investment returns — and...

In this episode of the Retire Early Podcast, financial advisors and retirement planners Sam Benson & Linwood Fraher of Martin Wealth Solutions unpack what market volatility really is (and isn’t), why it feels different when you’re near or in retirement, and how to build a plan that can weather the ups and downs. They explain volatility vs. risk, sequence-of-returns risk, and practical portfoli...

In this episode of the Retire Early Podcast, financial advisors and retirement planners Sam Benson & Linwood Fraher dive into one of the most common challenges they see among business owners approaching retirement — how to transition from business wealth to personal wealth. Many entrepreneurs spend decades reinvesting in their companies but overlook how that affects their long-term retirement...

In this episode of the Retire Early Podcast, financial advisors and retirement planners Sam Benson and Linwood Fraher of Martin Wealth Solutions tackle three of the most common—and most misunderstood—questions they hear from listeners and clients: (1) Should you pay off the mortgage early or keep the low-rate loan and invest? (2) If you’re divorcing in your 40s or 50s, how do you regroup financial...

In this episode of the Retire Early podcast, financial advisors and retirement planners Linwood Fraher & Sam Benson dive into the ongoing debate of active vs. passive investing and how blending the two can create balance in a retirement portfolio. They explore the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, why relying solely on one strategy may expose retirees to unnecessary risks, and how div...

In this episode of the Retire Early podcast, financial advisors and retirement planners Linwood Fraher & Sam Benson take a deep dive into annuities—what they are, how they work, and whether they make sense for your retirement plan. They explain the different types of annuities, their pros and cons, and how they can provide guaranteed income in retirement. Linwood and Sam also address common mi...

In this episode of the Retire Early podcast, financial advisors and retirement planners Linwood Fraher & Sam Benson share five actionable steps you can take today to move closer to the retirement you’ve always wanted. From maximizing your savings opportunities to paying off high-interest debt, they break down practical strategies that create long-term financial freedom. They also discuss the i...

In this episode of the Retire Early Podcast, financial advisors and retirement planners Sam Benson and Linwood Fraher of Martin Wealth Solutions break down the five estate planning basics every retiree should have in place. They explain why these core documents aren’t just for the wealthy — but for anyone who wants peace of mind, control, and protection for their family. From wills and trusts to p...

In this episode of the Retire Early Podcast, financial advisors and retirement planners Sam Benson and Linwood Fraher of Martin Wealth Solutions tackle one of the most important conversations in retirement planning: the seven key questions you must be able to answer before deciding if you’re truly ready to retire. From assessing your income streams and healthcare coverage to evaluating lifestyle e...

In this episode of the Retire Early Podcast, financial advisors and retirement planners Sam Benson and Linwood Fraher of Martin Wealth Solutions dig into the unique challenges of earning a six-figure income. While a higher salary may look like a clear advantage, it often comes with hidden pitfalls—higher taxes, lifestyle creep, and the pressure to “keep up” financially. Sam and Linwood break down...

In this episode of the Retire Early Podcast, financial advisors and retirement planners Sam Benson and Linwood Fraher of Martin Wealth Solutions explain how to coordinate your retirement savings across multiple accounts and strategies. They walk through how different vehicles—like 401(k)s, IRAs, Roth accounts, and taxable brokerage accounts—work together to create a balanced retirement plan. Sam a...

In this episode of the Retire Early Podcast, financial advisors and retirement planners Sam Benson and Linwood Fraher of Martin Wealth Solutions explore three common roadblocks that can delay or derail your retirement plans—and how to overcome them. They discuss the financial and emotional strain of supporting adult children, the dangers of making investment decisions based on emotion rather than...

In this episode of the Retire Early Podcast, financial advisors and retirement planners Sam Benson and Linwood Fraher of Martin Wealth Solutions break down the provisions of the recently passed “Big Beautiful Bill” and what it means for your retirement planning. They focus on the key changes affecting taxes, Social Security, and retirement accounts, explaining how these updates could impact your i...

In this episode of the Retire Early Podcast, financial advisors and retirement planners Sam Benson and Linwood Fraher of Martin Wealth Solutions discuss the intricacies of planning for early retirement before age 65. They introduce the Smart Wealth System, designed to help early retirees plan smarter, reduce risk, and strategically navigate the pre-Medicare years. Key topics include stress testing...

In this episode of the Retire Early Podcast, financial advisors and retirement planners Sam Benson and Linwood Fraher of Martin Wealth Solutions tackle one of the most common pre-retirement questions: “Should I still own stocks, or is it time to diversify?” Through real-life client stories and practical analysis, Sam and Linwood break down the importance of time horizon, risk tolerance, and the pe...