Retire Stronger

In this reflective episode, Bill and John look back on 49 episodes of Retire Stronger and revisit the core principles that drive their philosophy: behavior over returns, guardrails over guesswork, purpose over probability, and tax planning over tax deferral. They discuss the dangers of chasing a “lawnmower number,” why retirement isn’t about beating the S&P 500, and why the real risk isn’t mar...

Most retirees fear one bad market crash will ruin everything. But history tells a very different story. In Episode 48 of Retire Stronger , Bill Kearney and John Foard zoom out nearly 100 years to uncover what actually threatens your retirement — and why volatility isn’t the real enemy. Learn how market expansions, bear markets, recoveries, and investor behavior shape long-term success — and how to...

You can have no debt, a $2M portfolio, optimized Social Security, and still feel unfulfilled in retirement. In this episode, John and Bill unpack why financial planning software answers “Can I retire?” — but rarely asks, “What am I retiring into?” If you’re in your 40s, 50s, or approaching retirement, this conversation could change how you think about the finish line. Timestamps: 00:00 – Financial...

Most retirement portfolio mistakes don’t come from reckless investing — they come from doing what used to work. In this episode of Retire Stronger, John Foard and Bill Kearney break down the two most common retirement portfolio mistakes they’re seeing right now — mistakes being made by disciplined, successful investors who believe the strategies that got them to retirement will also carry them thr...

Markets move. Headlines get loud. And when volatility hits, the temptation to “do something” with your portfolio can feel overwhelming. In Episode 45 of Retire Stronger, John Foard and Bill Kearney break down why frequent portfolio tinkering often works against investors, how emotions quietly erode long-term returns, and what actually justifies making changes. You’ll learn the difference between b...

Most people judge their retirement plan by one number: their account balance. If it’s going up, they assume everything else must be fine. But some of the most dangerous retirement risks never appear on a statement . In this episode of Retire Stronger , Bill Kearney and John Foard break down the hidden risks that quietly derail otherwise successful retirement plans—often years after the decisions w...

Many retirees focus on investments and taxes but fail to plan properly for Medicare decisions, healthcare costs, long-term care risks, and insurance gaps. One mistake in these areas can undo decades of smart financial decisions. In this episode of Retire Stronger, John Foard and Bill Kearney conclude their 2026 retirement planning series by focusing on one of the most critical—and commonly overloo...

In this episode of Retire Stronger , John and Bill explain why investing in retirement isn’t about beating the market—it’s about funding your lifestyle with intention. They break down purpose-based investing, the “now, soon, later” bucket strategy, and how proper risk alignment, disciplined rebalancing, and tax-aware planning work together to protect income, reduce emotional decision-making, and i...

In this episode of the Retire Stronger Podcast, John Foard and Bill Kearney explain why tax planning is one of the most overlooked—and most impactful—parts of retirement planning. Most people assume taxes are handled by their CPA, but your retirement income depends on how your money is spread across taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free accounts. In this conversation, we break down how these tax “bu...

Are retirement plans failing because of bad investments—or bad income plans? In this episode of Retire Stronger, John Foard, CFP® and Bill Kearney break down why the most common reason retirements go off track is mismanaged income, not markets. This Part 1 of our 2026 Retirement Roadmap series focuses on crafting a durable, flexible income plan—what we call your retirement “paycheck”—and previews...

Year-End Tax Planning: RMD Rules, Charitable Strategies & Estate Planning Missing your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) can cost you a 25% penalty—plus you still owe taxes on the amount. In this episode, Bill Kearney and John Foard, CFP® break down critical year-end tax planning strategies including RMD rules, charitable giving options, old 401(k) cleanup, and estate planning updates. Key T...

Many retirees are scared to do financial planning—afraid of what the numbers will reveal. But John Foard, CFP® and Bill Kearney explain why NOT planning is actually the scarier decision. In this episode, they break down why proper financial planning is essential for tax optimization, longevity planning, and retirement success. Timestamps 01:42 - Why retirement planning is crucial for staying on tr...

What happens when your retirement plan shows you'll run out of money? In this episode, Bill Kearney and John Foard, CFP® introduce "The Red Line"—the point where your assets can no longer sustain your lifestyle—and explain why traditional financial plans miss this danger zone. We cover: Why "spend less" and "get higher returns" aren't real solutions How tax op...

#SocialSecurity #RetirementPlanning #SocialSecurityBenefits The Social Security Trust Fund is projected to run out of reserves by 2034—potentially triggering automatic benefit cuts of 20-25%. In this episode, Bill Kearney and John Foard break down what this means for your retirement and the claiming strategies you should be considering now. Timestamps 02:38 - Current state of Social Security: The...

Thinking about downsizing or moving to a no-tax state in retirement? The financial impact goes far beyond the purchase price. In this episode, John Foard, CFP® and Bill Kearney break down the three major tax traps that catch retirees off guard—and how to avoid them. We cover: Why a smaller house doesn't always mean lower property taxes The real cost of moving to Florida or Texas (it's not...

In this episode of Retire Stronger, John Foard and Bill Kearney discuss the financial challenges faced by young professionals, particularly those graduating from medical, dental, and law schools with significant student debt. They explore the importance of understanding the phases of financial life, managing debt intelligently, and building a strong financial foundation to ensure long-term wealth...

In this episode, John Foard and Bill Kearney discuss the transformative impact of artificial intelligence, biotech, and clean energy on investment markets and retirement portfolios. They explore the opportunities and risks associated with these innovations, emphasizing the importance of a balanced approach to investing. The conversation covers market dynamics, investor psychology, and practical st...

In this episode of Retire Stronger, John Foard and Bill Kearney discuss the critical importance of planning for wealth transfer to the next generation. They explore the staggering $84 trillion expected to change hands in the coming decades and the potential pitfalls families face without proper planning. The conversation covers common mistakes in estate planning, the implications of tax changes, a...

In this episode of Retire Stronger, John Foard and Bill Kearney discuss the true essence of retirement, emphasizing that it is not merely about reaching a certain age but rather about having a solid cash flow plan. They explore how to determine retirement income needs, the various sources of retirement cash flow, and the critical impact of taxes, inflation, and healthcare costs on retirement plann...

In this episode of Retire Stronger, hosts John Foard and Bill Kearney discuss a real-life case study of a couple, David and Lisa, who saved nearly $2 million for retirement but faced a hidden tax surprise due to IRS rules. They explore the importance of proactive planning to avoid significant tax liabilities and provide strategies such as Roth conversions and a multi-bucket approach to retirement...

This conversation delves into the complexities of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) in retirement planning. The hosts, John Foard and Bill Kearney, discuss how RMDs are calculated, their tax implications, and strategies to manage them effectively. They emphasize the importance of planning ahead to avoid unnecessary tax burdens and highlight the evolution of RMD rules over the years. The discus...

In this episode of Retire Stronger, John Foard and Bill Kearney delve into the emotional complexities surrounding spending in retirement. They discuss how retirees often struggle with spending due to ingrained habits of saving and the fear of running out of money. The conversation emphasizes the importance of balancing security and freedom, addressing feelings of guilt related to spending, and the...

In this episode of Retire Stronger, John Foard and Bill Kearney discuss the common tax mistakes retirees make, particularly the pitfalls of relying too heavily on tax-deferred accounts like 401(k)s and traditional IRAs. They emphasize the importance of tax diversification and provide actionable strategies for individuals in their 40s and 60s to mitigate tax liabilities and enhance their retirement...

In this episode of Retire Stronger, John Foard and Bill Kearney discuss how to navigate down markets by leveraging strategic tax moves. They emphasize the importance of viewing bear markets as opportunities rather than setbacks, focusing on strategies like Roth conversions, tax loss harvesting, rebalancing, charitable giving, and estate planning. The conversation highlights the emotional challenge...

In this episode of Retire Stronger, hosts John Foard and Bill Kearney discuss the critical question of how much of retirement savings is truly yours after accounting for taxes. They explore a case study of a hypothetical retiree, Susan, who has saved $1.8 million, and analyze the tax implications of her retirement accounts. The conversation emphasizes the importance of strategic planning, includin...