Straight Talk on Retirement with JBL Financial

Jeff Lapidus flies solo this week covering common life insurance misconceptions, strategies for long-term care planning, retirement income decisions, and Medicare coverage for durable medical equipment with Medicare Coach Frank Ellis. Plus, listener questions on Roth conversions, gifting to children and grandchildren, and managing retirement taxes.

The Retirement Coaches discuss how to balance portfolio risk and income in retirement, sustainable withdrawal strategies, Medicare coverage while traveling, long-term care planning, and what recent market developments could mean for investors. They also answer listener questions on retirement readiness, beneficiary IRAs, and retirement income planning.

The Retirement Coaches discuss how HSAs work before and after Medicare, the challenges facing today’s homebuyers, value investing principles, retirement savings opportunities, and whether the 4% withdrawal rule still makes sense in today’s market. Plus, they answer listener questions on Social Security, pensions, Medicare, and retirement income planning.

The Retirement Coaches discuss recent market gains, strategies for managing highly appreciated investments, and ways to incorporate grandchildren into long-term estate planning. They also break down rising Medicare supplement premiums, explain key differences between Missouri and Illinois Medicare rules, and answer listener questions about retirement readiness and long-term care planning.

The Retirement Coaches - Jeff, Erin, and Robert answer listener questions on retirement planning, including 401(k) rollovers, Roth account strategies, taxes in retirement, and ways to organize your financial picture as retirement approaches. Plus, insights on preparing for life’s next chapter and creating a thoughtful game plan for the future.

In this episode, the Retirement Coaches discuss strategies for navigating today’s financial landscape, including Roth IRA and 401(k) rollover rules, avoiding costly tax mistakes, managing retirement income, and handling market volatility. The conversation also covers business sale planning, rising energy costs tied to AI growth, and practical ways retirees can stay financially and physically activ...

The Retirement Coaches celebrate 20 years on the air while sharing practical planning insights. Erin Lapidus, Jeff Lapidus, and Robert Markham discuss rising energy costs, REITs, tax-return planning opportunities, and how “family math” can help retirees make smarter decisions about income, savings, and taxes. They also address listener concerns about a rapidly rising market and explain why a disci...

Erin Lapidus and Robert Markham break down recent market volatility, what strong earnings may (and may not) mean for investors, and why long-term discipline matters more than reacting to headlines. They also explore rising energy costs, income strategies like REITs, and how to use your tax return as a planning tool. Plus, answers to listener questions on portfolio rebalancing and inherited IRAs.

On this episode, Jeff Lapidus, Erin Lapidus, and Robert Markham discuss several timely retirement planning topics, including how to think through required minimum distributions, creating cash flow from investment accounts, and using qualified charitable distributions as part of a tax-conscious retirement strategy. They also explain dividend income, price-to-earnings ratios, and what investors may...

Erin Lapidus, Jeff Lapidus, and Robert Markham break down timely retirement and tax planning questions, including excess 529 funds, Roth conversion rules, home sale tax issues, IRMAA thresholds, inherited Roth IRA requirements, and charitable giving strategies. It’s a practical discussion focused on helping listeners make informed financial decisions.

The Retirement Coaches — Erin Lapidus, Jeff Lapidus, and Robert Markham — discuss how to handle tax refunds, manage withholding in retirement, and think through Social Security decisions.   They also answer listener questions on income limits, spousal benefits, and planning strategies as tax rules continue to evolve. Practical insights to help you make informed financial decisions.

The Retirement Coaches discuss how to build a retirement income plan, respond to market volatility, and evaluate when you may be ready to retire. This episode focuses on practical strategies and real-world examples to help guide your decision-making process.

The Retirement Coaches walk through a real-life case study showing how thoughtful income planning may help improve tax efficiency in retirement. They discuss required minimum distributions (RMDs), charitable giving strategies, and ways to evaluate where retirement income is sourced. Tune in for practical insights designed to help you make informed financial decisions.

How much do you actually need to retire with confidence? The Retirement Coaches break down a simple, practical approach to retirement planning—focusing on your real monthly expenses, income sources, and long-term goals. Learn why generic formulas and long-term projections may fall short, and how understanding your own numbers can help you make more informed decisions about your financial future.

On this week’s Straight Talk on Retirement, The Retirement Coaches answer listener questions and discuss how current market conditions may influence your retirement planning decisions. They cover how to approach market volatility, what to consider when reviewing your portfolio, and what to keep in mind if you have concerns about your financial accounts or provider.   The team also highlights key t...

In this episode of Straight Talk on Retirement, Jeff takes listener questions while hosting the show solo and covers several practical retirement planning topics. The conversation includes how spousal Roth IRA contributions work when one partner is still employed, why timing investment changes inside retirement plans can be difficult, and what role a custodian plays in holding and reporting on ret...

The Retirement Coaches cover how to calculate retirement income needs, understand Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), and explore charitable giving strategies from IRAs. The team also answers listener questions on Roth IRA limits, real estate ownership structures, and market volatility. If you’re within five years of retirement — or already retired — this episode highlights practical steps to h...

In this episode, the Retirement Coaches walk through common questions about retirement planning, including required minimum distributions (RMDs), tax considerations, and year-end financial check-ins. Listeners share real-life scenarios, and Jeff, Erin, and Robert provide clear guidance on navigating decisions around Social Security timing, account withdrawals, and income planning. Practical tips a...

On this Valentine’s Day edition of Straight Talk on Retirement, the team answers listener questions about Social Security survivor benefits and how delayed claiming affects a spouse. They also provide an in-depth explanation of donor-advised funds, including tax considerations, distribution flexibility, and charitable planning strategies. The episode highlights how thoughtful planning can address...

In this episode, Jeff, Erin, and Robert walk through key themes from the February newsletter, including national income comparisons and why reviewing your spending habits can support long-term retirement planning. The discussion covers budgeting by age group, setting financial goals, debt reduction strategies, and evaluating recurring expenses. The team emphasizes thoughtful review rather than rea...

The Retirement Coaches review highlights from the January newsletter, including how artificial intelligence may reshape the workforce and what recent market volatility can teach long-terminvestors. The team revisits required minimum distribution fundamentals and discusses common tax-season scams to watch for. Listener questions add practical insight to retirement planning decisions.

In this episode, the team discusses recent examples of market volatility and the importance of aligning investment decisions with risk tolerance and long-term goals. They also answer detailed listener questions about required minimum distributions and review the IRS “Dirty Dozen” list of common tax scams. The conversation highlights how preparation and perspective can support confident retirement...

The Retirement Coaches explore how artificial intelligence is influencing the workplace and broader economy, while keeping the focus on disciplined, long-term investing principles. The show also revisits required minimum distributions and tax considerations, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful planning over reactive decision-making. Listener engagement drives the discussion throughout the hou...

This episode takes a closer look at market pullbacks and why long-term planning decisions shouldn’t be driven by short-term headlines. Jeff, Erin, and Robert also break down required minimum distributions, including how taxes are handled and what first-time RMD recipients should know. The team answers listener questions and discusses how to approach retirement decisions with a written game plan.

The first show of 2026 covers highlights from the January newsletter, including how artificial intelligence may reshape the workplace and what investors can learn from recent market volatility. The Retirement Coaches also revisit required minimum distribution basics and discuss common tax scams to watch for this filing season. Listener questions help kick off the year with practical retirement pla...