Retirement Roadmap

We examine essential mid-year financial steps that could help you finish the year strong and brighten your financial future. Time flies by quickly, making it crucial to check in on your financial goals periodically rather than putting them off indefinitely. • Consider saving for retirement early, even if in small amounts, to harness the power of compound interest • Check your workplace retirement...

Longevity risk presents a significant challenge for retirees, with medical advancements potentially extending lifespans and creating decades-long retirements that require careful financial planning. • Running out of money in retirement is often feared more than death itself • Life expectancy now averages 79.5 years for men and 82 years for women • Most retirees now believe they need about $1.5 mil...

Social Security has reached a milestone with the average check surpassing $2,000 monthly for the first time in June 2025, but this achievement highlights serious concerns about retirement security in America. • Maximum benefit for those claiming at age 70 will be $5,108 per month • Social Security was designed to replace only about 40% of pre-retirement income • Cost of living adjustments are desi...

We explore eight common retirement planning myths that could potentially derail your financial future and explain why these outdated beliefs may no longer apply to today's retirement landscape. • The 4% withdrawal rule from the 1990s has been updated to 2.8% by Morningstar research, meaning you need significantly more savings to generate the same income • Social Security isn't going bank...

We explore the unexpected financial shocks that can derail even the most carefully constructed retirement plans and discuss strategies to help prepare for these challenges. • Healthcare costs average $315,000 for couples throughout retirement, yet most Americans estimate only $75,000 • Medicare has significant gaps requiring additional coverage and costs that increase annually • 70% of adults who...

Facing a layoff when retirement is on the horizon can feel devastating. That carefully planned timeline suddenly collapses, leaving you wondering if your retirement dreams are still possible. But what seems like a crisis might actually be an opportunity—if you know how to navigate it. This episode dives deep into the strategies and considerations for those experiencing job loss within five years o...

The traditional rules of retirement planning have changed dramatically in recent decades, calling for new strategies to generate plans for reliable income regardless of market conditions. Increased market volatility since 2000 has rendered the old "4% rule" obsolete, now reduced to 2.8%, while tax implications, sequence of returns risk, and the shift from pensions to 401(k)s create addit...

What if your dream retirement looked nothing like the standard Florida condo and golf course scenario? Evan and Mark dive into wildly unconventional retirement strategies—some absurd, some surprisingly practical—that could transform how you envision your golden years. The conversation begins with AI-generated oddball ideas like starting hobby-based cults and living in haunted houses before evolvin...

Market volatility in 2025 doesn't have to derail retirement plans if you've properly structured your income sources and diversified your investments. Proper retirement planning involves creating stable income buckets that aren't totally dependent on market performance, allowing retirees to weather economic storms with confidence. • Sequence of returns risk can pose a significant dan...

We examine the most common retirement fears that prevent people from planning effectively and offer practical solutions to address them. • Running out of money tops the list of retirement concerns as people face longer lifespans without traditional pensions • Healthcare costs average around $335,000 for a retired couple, with Medicare covering less than many expect • Loss of identity and social is...

We explore the financial and emotional benefits of part-time employment during retirement, discussing how it can both extend retirement savings and provide a sense of purpose during this major life transition. • Part-time work provides social connections and purpose when transitioning from decades of career identity • Working in retirement can help extend retirement funds by supplementing income a...

We explore strategies for optimizing your retirement plan with timely adjustments that can significantly impact your financial future. Spring cleaning your retirement plan involves reviewing multiple interconnected elements that work together to help secure your financial well-being. • Roth conversion strategies while taxes are potentially at historic lows • Evaluating tax brackets and timing conv...

We explore several strategies for spring cleaning your retirement plan. Retirement planning deserves regular attention and adjustments as your life circumstances and the economic landscape evolve. • Reviewing retirement accounts regularly to check balances, investment allocations, and risk levels based on your age • Considering contribution limits and ensuring you're at least capturing employ...

This episode dives deep into the current economic climate, focusing on how tariffs can affect the retirement landscape. We explore actionable steps to help secure your financial future amid rising costs and market volatility.  - Understanding tariffs and their implications on consumer prices - Historical context of tariffs versus the modern tax system - How you can put your cash to work in during...

Retirement is more than just a financial milestone—it's an emotional and physical transformation. As we share the story of Will and Jen Hagler, you'll hear how the COVID-19 pandemic prompted them to reassess their work-life balance and embark on an enriching retirement journey. Jen's poignant recollection of her father's unfulfilled dream to see the Grand Canyon serves as a pow...

This episode highlights seven crucial age milestones for effective retirement planning and the strategic decisions that accompany each. Listeners learn how these milestones—from catch-up contributions to Social Security eligibility—can shape a well-structured financial future. • Age 50: Eligibility for catch-up contributions to retirement accounts  • Age 59 1⁄2: Tax-free rollovers from 401(k)s to...

The episode delves into the implications of the Silver Tsunami as baby boomers begin retiring en masse, examining demographics, healthcare costs, and the wealth transfer that will impact future generations. Effective retirement planning is crucial to navigating the shifting landscape shaped by this demographic shift. • Discussion on baby boomers and their retirement statistics  • Examination of he...

Federal employees face significant changes in retirement policies that can impact their benefits. Understanding FERS and TSP is crucial for effective planning, and proactive education is emphasized throughout the discussion. • Overview of recent changes affecting federal employees • Importance of understanding federal benefits for retirement • Insight into FERS and its advantages • Discussion of s...

Understanding how much you can spend in retirement is complex, influenced by various factors including lifestyle, expenses, and resources. We provide insights into budgeting for retirement and highlight the significance of professional planning in your path toward financial security. • Highlighting the uncertainty around retirement spending • Importance of assessing current and future needs • The...

When's the last time you reevaluated your relationship with your financial advisor? This episode discusses critical factors like communication issues, alignment of financial goals, fee transparency, and the importance of a fiduciary relationship. • Importance of regular communication with your advisor • Adaptability of your advisor in line with your changing goals • Understanding fees and ens...

This episode explores the recent Social Security Fairness Act (HR 82), which eliminates the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) that unfairly reduced benefits for many public servants. Listeners learn about the implications of these changes, how they will receive increased benefits, and the importance of staying informed about Social Security, alongside discuss...

You may have started thinking on your "bucket list" but have you given thought to things that you do not want to be a part of your retirement experience? Imagine spending more time on meaningful activities and less on the grind. Retirement isn't just about finances; it's about finding purpose beyond a career and navigating an entirely different season of life with various chall...

Could understanding the intricacies of retirement tax planning be the key to unlocking a stress-free retirement? Join Evan and Mark Fricks, as they dissect several strategies for minimizing tax burdens on large pre-tax accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs. They highlight the importance of integrating income and tax planning, and offer insights into avoiding early withdrawal penalties. Learn how rollover...

Join us for a heartfelt journey with Kim Scofi, founder and President of United Military Care , as she shares her inspiring path into veteran support. With a backdrop of personal military ties and the pressing needs she observed, Kim reveals how her organization is transforming veteran care through personal case management, impactful " We Care Vet Fairs ," and the Georgia Veterans Networ...

Prepare yourself to gain a clear understanding of the often-confusing world of Medicare with the guidance of our guest, Buddy Friend , of Senior Benefits of Georgia. With over a decade of experience in Medicare insurance, Buddy unpacks the essentials of Parts A and B for you, detailing the ins and outs of hospitalization and physician coverage. Discover the cost structures, including when Part A i...