Retirement Results Podcast

Turning 70 can bring financial decisions that may reshape the next chapter of retirement. Dan Groben and Phil Menard discuss preparing for required minimum distributions, managing potential tax surprises, and reviewing investment allocations. They also explore Roth conversions, realistic retirement spending, qualified charitable distributions, estate planning, and the importance of continually str...

Could playing it too safe actually put your retirement plan at risk? Dan Groben and Phil Menard to explore how fear can influence investment decisions, why overly conservative portfolios may struggle to keep pace with retirement income needs, and how interest rate risk can affect investments often viewed as safe. They also discuss balancing growth needs with personal risk tolerance and the importa...

Ignoring a single Medicare notice could leave some retirees paying thousands more for prescription coverage. Dan Groben and Phil Menard discuss why so many Medicare beneficiaries automatically renew their coverage without reviewing yearly changes. They explain how Part D drug plans, deductibles, formularies, and premiums can shift from year to year, why the lowest monthly premium is not always the...

What happens if a market downturn strikes just as you're relying on your retirement savings for income? Dan Groben and Phil Menard of Servant Advisors Group discuss how retirees can manage market volatility, inflation concerns, and bull market uncertainty without letting fear drive decisions. They explain why income planning matters, how portfolio allocation can impact long-term outcomes, and the...

A single financial decision today could cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars in retirement. In this episode, Dan Groben and Phil Menard discuss retirement mistakes that can be difficult, or impossible, to reverse. They explore the long-term impact of early 401(k) withdrawals, oversized Roth conversions, Medicare surcharges, and financial decisions made during periods of grief. The conversatio...

Are you enjoying retirement less because you're afraid to spend the money you've worked so hard to save? Dan Groben and Phil Menard discuss why many retirees underspend despite having sufficient resources. They explore common warning signs, how inflation can distort perceptions about financial security, and the value of a personalized retirement plan that accounts for spending goals, travel, gifts...

On this episode of the Retirement Results Podcast, Dan Groben and Phil Menard discuss why a retirement plan should create flexibility, not just follow a rigid roadmap. Using comments from NFL quarterback Josh Allen about preparing for life after football, they explore building financial margin, planning for unexpected health expenses, creating reliable retirement income, and maintaining access to...

What if the biggest threat to your retirement isn’t market volatility, but taxes quietly reducing your wealth year after year? Dan Groben and Phil Menard discuss why tax planning should begin long before retirement, the difference between tax preparation and tax strategy, and how tools like Roth conversions, tax-efficient withdrawals, and healthcare planning fit into a comprehensive retireme...

What if the biggest threat to your retirement portfolio isn’t market volatility itself, but the emotional decisions it can trigger? Dan Groben speaks with special guest Brad Jenkins, Chief Investment Officer of MarketGuard, to discuss managing risk before market downturns occur. They explore why a handful of stocks can distort market performance, the importance of having a strategy built for...

What happens when your paycheck stops, but the bills keep coming? Dan Groben and Phil Menard discuss the role of guaranteed income in retirement and why relying solely on market investments can create unnecessary stress. They explore how Social Security, pensions, annuities, and other income sources fit into a retirement strategy, why volatility affects retirees differently, and how building a pre...

What if the biggest thing standing between you and retirement isn’t your savings, but your uncertainty? Dan Groben and Phil Menard discuss why many Americans plan to work longer, even when they may already be financially prepared to retire. Using real client experiences, they explore the value of stress testing a retirement plan, preparing for potential Social Security changes, and understan...

What if playing it safe in retirement creates a risk of its own? In this episode, Dan Groben and Phil Menard discuss Warren Buffett’s massive move to cash and what it reveals about balancing risk, income, and long-term retirement goals. They explore the dangers of sitting on too much cash, the impact of inflation, the role of guaranteed income, and why a retirement plan should be built to wi...

What happens if AI changes your career plans before you're ready to retire? Dan Groben and Phil Menard discuss how technology-driven job disruptions can affect workers nearing retirement and why having a flexible retirement plan matters. They share real-life stories of clients who pivoted careers, adjusted retirement timelines, and tested different financial scenarios before making major decisions...

What retirement advice worked 20 years ago but may not hold up today? Dan Groben and Phil Menard discuss outdated retirement rules of thumb, including relying on your home as a retirement plan and the limitations of the traditional 4% withdrawal rule. They explore the importance of balancing home equity with income needs, the impact of market volatility and inflation, and why planning for potentia...

Fidelity’s decision to add annuities to target-date funds is reigniting a major retirement planning debate. In this episode, Dan Groben and Phil Menard explore why income planning is becoming just as important as market growth, the difference between market risk and interest-rate risk, and the questions investors should ask before adding an annuity to their retirement strategy. They discuss...

Are today’s tax rates the lowest you may see in retirement? Dan Groben and Phil Minard discuss why Roth accounts are attracting attention from both Gen Z investors and retirees. They explore the factors driving interest in Roth conversions, how taxes can affect retirement income, why withdrawal strategies matter, and situations where a Roth conversion may or may not make sense. The conversat...

What if the "safe" side of your retirement portfolio isn't as safe as you think? Dan Groben and Phil Menard examine whether the traditional 60/40 portfolio still works in today's market and why bonds may present challenges that many investors overlook. They discuss interest rate risk, the impact of inflation, and how fixed indexed annuities are often used as an alternative for portfolio protection...

What if the retirement date you’ve been assuming for years is much closer than you think? Dan Groben and Phil Menard share a real-life case of a saver who expected to work until age 70, only to discover a different path after building a detailed retirement income strategy. The conversation explores retirement income planning, replacing pensions, Roth conversions, tax efficiency, longevity ri...

What if your “diversified” portfolio is secretly riding on just a handful of stocks? Dan Groben and Phil Menard break down how persistent inflation impacts retirement plans and why true diversification matters more than ever. They explore hedging strategies using assets like commodities, real estate, and balanced allocations, while revealing how overlapping mutual fund holdings can con...

Fees could be quietly draining your retirement account without you realizing it. This episode breaks down how investment fees show up, often hidden in fund expenses, commissions, and 401(k) structures, and why many investors struggle to identify what they’re actually paying. The conversation explores simple benchmarks, like comparing total costs to industry averages, and highlights the impor...

What if moving your retirement money could quietly limit your options or create unintended consequences down the road? This episode explores a potential rule change that would allow Roth IRAs to move into workplace plans, and why that shift may not be as simple as it sounds. The conversation breaks down the trade-offs between consolidation and flexibility, highlights how investment choices can shr...

Think a backdoor Roth is a simple workaround? Think again. In this episode, Dan Groben and Phil Menard break down how backdoor Roth strategies really work, why they’re just a traditional IRA contribution followed by a conversion, and the small missteps that can trigger big tax consequences. They discuss income limits, pro rata rules, and the importance of understanding your full financial pi...

A 40-year retirement sounds like a stretch, until you realize it’s already happening. This episode explores how longer lifespans are reshaping retirement planning, from managing decades of income needs to navigating rising healthcare costs and inflation. The conversation highlights why relying on market performance or old rules of thumb can leave gaps, especially as pensions become rare and...

What if the “safe” part of your portfolio isn’t actually safe anymore? This episode breaks down why annuities are making a comeback as retirees face rising inflation, market volatility, and potential Social Security cuts. The conversation highlights how modern fixed index annuities differ from outdated versions, offering income protection without market or interest rate risk. Rea...

Your portfolio can quietly drift into dangerous territory without you realizing it. This episode of the Retirement Results Podcast explores portfolio rebalancing and why many investors nearing retirement unknowingly take on more risk than intended. The conversation breaks down how strong-performing sectors can overwhelm diversification, how risk tolerance shifts as retirement approaches, and why u...