Retire Right with Alan Becker

What if doing nothing is your riskiest retirement move? In this episode of Retire Right, Alan Becker and Nikki Vivas dive headfirst into the biggest financial headlines of 2025—with a dash of humor and practical wisdom. From the flurry over the "Big Beautiful Bill" to the shifting sands of Social Security strategies, Alan reveals why the status quo could cost you, and how taking action now sets th...

Ready to stop worrying and start planning the retirement you deserve? In this lively episode, Alan Becker unpacks the latest Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment, talks strategies for turning your savings into income, and reveals why those annual government increases may not stretch as far as you hoped. Small business owners—you won’t want to miss Alan’s insider tips on preparing your own fin...

On this episode of "Retire Right with Alan Becker," Alan and the Retirement Solutions Group team break down essential retirement planning topics, including taxes, Social Security, long-term care, and market trends. Discover actionable strategies and real-life advice to help you navigate the complexities of retirement. Whether you’re planning for the future or managing your retirement right now, yo...

On this episode of "Retire Right with Alan Becker," Alan and the Retirement Solutions Group team break down essential retirement planning topics, including taxes, Social Security, long-term care, and market trends. Discover actionable strategies and real-life advice to help you navigate the complexities of retirement. Whether you’re planning for the future or managing your retirement right now, yo...

Ready or not, fall is here—and with it comes the whirlwind of Medicare open enrollment! On this episode of Retire Right, Alan Becker and Nikki Vivas kick off the season by diving into the latest twists, turns, and surprises in healthcare coverage for retirees. Ever wonder what’s really changing with Medicare this year, or how to protect your prescriptions, pocketbook, and peace of mind as you face...

Are you standing at the edge of retirement, wondering if your hard-earned nest egg will go the distance? This week on Retire Right with Alan Becker, we dive into the real-life strategies that can give your retirement plan an edge—all with a dash of Chiefs football energy and a fresh-baked cookie waiting at the office. Alan and Nikki tackle everything from making sense of Social Security to facing...

What do falling interest rates, Roth conversions, and soup season have in common? On this episode, Alan Becker and Nikki Vivas mix timely financial headlines with practical retirement wisdom—plus a dash of personality you won’t want to miss. Whether you love a good chunky Campbell's soup reference or you’re worried about what the Fed’s recent moves mean for your retirement income, you’ll find some...

Ever wondered if you really need millions in the bank—or sky-high earnings—to feel financially secure in retirement? Join Alan Becker, president of Retirement Solutions Group, and co-host Nikki Vivis as they dig into the real ingredients of financial health and debunk those intimidating money myths. From the truth about financial checkups and why procrastination might be your biggest enemy, to the...

Ready to discover what really keeps your retirement standing tall, no matter what life throws your way? In this episode of Retire Right, Alan Becker teams up with Nikki Vivas to break down the "Four Pillars" that every solid retirement plan needs. Think your nest egg is safe just because you’ve saved enough? Think again—Alan shares eye-opening stories and clever analogies that will make you rethin...

Are you worried about running out of retirement savings, or just want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your hard-earned nest egg? In this episode of "Retire Right with Alan Becker", Alan reveals why having a written plan might be the secret weapon for a stress-free retirement, and shares what most financial advisors are missing when it comes to helping you reach and enjoy those golden y...

A new chapter is unfolding on Retire Right! This special episode marks a heartfelt transition as beloved host Megan Mosack introduces Kansas City’s own Nikki Vivas as the new voice joining Alan Becker. The dynamic duo dives straight into 2025’s shifting financial landscape, all while sharing dad jokes and stories from their own journeys. Think you know what retirement spending looks like, or when...

I’ll bet a lot has happened to you in the last 20 years that you didn’t see coming. You probably had some unexpected blessings and also some obstacles to overcome. Either way, there were some big unknowns in your past and they’ll continue in the future. On this episode of "Retire Right with Alan Becker," Alan and the Retirement Solutions Group team break down essential retirement planning topics,...

Some people spend decades diligently saving for retirement, watching their 401(k)s and IRAs grow. But here's an important question many fail to ask: "How much of that money will I actually get to keep after taxes?" If you have a million dollars in your retirement account, Uncle Sam could be entitled to a significant amount of that—depending on your tax situation. On this episode of "Retire Right w...

When you plan for retirement, you might want to consider all the risks your money may face… Because if you don’t take steps to help preserve your money from risk, your retirement could be at risk. Alan discusses some of the biggest potential threats to our retirement income. On this episode of "Retire Right with Alan Becker," Alan and the Retirement Solutions Group team break down essential retire...

In the world of investments, two approaches often dominate the conversation: active and passive investing. It's like choosing between a sports car that requires skilled handling or an SUV designed for a smoother, more predictable ride. While money has been flowing increasingly toward passive approaches in recent years, the question remains—which strategy is right for your retirement journey? On th...

Many of us spend decades preparing for retirement, diligently saving in our 401(k)s and watching our account balances grow. But as retirement approaches, a significant challenge emerges—how do you actually transform those savings into reliable monthly income? It's a shift from earning a paycheck to creating your own "retirement paycheck" that needs to last a lifetime. On this episode of "Retire Ri...

Do you have enough money saved for retirement… but you feel too scared to actually spend it? You’re not alone. Today, we’re talking with Alan. He’s here to talk about why so many retirees with millions are holding back and ways you can enjoy your retirement without fear. On this episode of "Retire Right with Alan Becker," Alan and the Retirement Solutions Group team break down essential retirement...

If you have money in a tax deferred retirement account like a 401k or an IRA, you may want to be aware of new retirement planning rules. The Secure Act and Secure Act 2.0 could have an even bigger impact on people who have saved $250,000 or more. On this episode of "Retire Right with Alan Becker," Alan and the Retirement Solutions Group team break down essential retirement planning topics, includi...

In the U.S., medical bills are not only the most common reason for bankruptcies, but they directly cause a whopping 66.5% of them, making them the leading cause of bankruptcy. A healthcare emergency, catastrophic illness, or accident can knock you off your feet physically – and financially. On this episode of "Retire Right with Alan Becker," Alan and the Retirement Solutions Group team break down...

People already find retirement planning overwhelming—and just when they feel like they’ve finally got everything in place and their plan is on track, their financial advisor steps in and says it’s time to rebalance. Suddenly, they’re again faced with having to make decisions they were uncomfortable making in the first place. On this episode of "Retire Right with Alan Becker," Alan and the Retireme...

You know how we sometimes do things that even we can’t explain? Well, it turns out, this also happens when it comes to our money.   Have you ever been so scared of losing money that you didn't take a financial risk? Or maybe you've found yourself buying something just because everyone else is? These are just a couple examples of how our behavior plays a big role in our financial decisions. On this...

When we think about risks to retirement, it’s natural to focus on the big, dramatic market downturns—like those we’ve seen in the past and will undoubtedly face again in the future. But those aren’t the only threats. The looming possibility of higher taxes, persistent inflation, and other challenges all contribute to the very real fear of outliving your savings. On this episode of "Retire Right wi...

For years, annuities have gotten a bum rap. Too expensive. Too many strings attached. Your money is locked up forever. You’ve heard all the “cons” of annuities for years. But with private company pensions dying out, the tide is starting to turn. Annuities sales have had record years recently. On this episode of "Retire Right with Alan Becker," Alan and the Retirement Solutions Group team break dow...

In the U.S., medical bills are not only the most common reason for bankruptcies, but they directly cause a whopping 66.5% of them, making them the leading cause of bankruptcy. A healthcare emergency, catastrophic illness, or accident can knock you off your feet physically – and financially. On this episode of "Retire Right with Alan Becker," Alan and the Retirement Solutions Group team break down...