Take Pride in Retirement

Could the youngest generation in the workforce teach the rest of us something about retirement planning? I’m joined by Bank of America’s Kai Walker to explore findings from the company’s 2026 Workplace Benefits Report, including why Gen Z is getting an earlier start on retirement savings. We discuss lessons that apply at any age: starting with small contributions, making the most of your employer’...

A bigger Social Security check sounds like good news—but how much breathing room will it actually give you? I’m joined by Bill Sweeney, AARP’s senior vice president of government affairs, to discuss the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment and why rising expenses can leave retirees feeling squeezed. We explore how Medicare premiums can affect your increase, why the inflation measure used for Social Secu...

“Guaranteed” sounds reassuring—but what does that promise actually protect? Your retirement income? Your account balance? Someone you love? In this episode of Take Pride in Retirement, Josh joins me to unpack the differences between income protection and protection from market losses. I explain how a variable annuity can offer an income guarantee while its account value falls, how fixed indexed an...

This Halloween-themed financial vignette explores the financial fears many Americans face, from market volatility and inflation to unexpected expenses and retirement uncertainty. Featuring insights from interviews with financial industry leaders, this month's vignette offers a message of optimism and emphasizes how proactive retirement planning can help turn financial uncertainty into confidence....

Your Medicare plan worked this year—but will it still meet your needs next year? In this episode of Take Pride in Retirement, my husband and co-host, Josh Rhett Noble, joins me to discuss what to review during Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). We walk through your plan’s Annual Notice of Change, checking trusted doctors and prescriptions, and looking beyond the monthly premium to understa...

Prices go up, your investments go down—and your bills still need to be paid. How can your retirement plan account for both rising costs and market losses? In this episode of Take Pride in Retirement, my husband and co-host, Josh Rhett Noble, joins me to discuss why growth and protection both deserve a place in your retirement plan. We explore how inflation can erode purchasing power, why market de...

You’ve figured out your retirement paycheck—but who are you having brunch with? Leaving work changes more than your income. It can also change your routine, your friendships, and your sense of purpose. In this episode of Take Pride in Retirement, my husband and co-host, Josh Rhett Noble, joins me to talk about planning a social life you can take pride in. We explore why the everyday connections we...

Federal employees may have access to valuable retirement benefits—but those benefits come with rules, elections, and deadlines that can shape the rest of their lives. In this episode of Take Pride in Retirement, Josh joins me as I talk with my friend and colleague Rayna Reyes, a federal retirement specialist and co-founder of American Federal Benefits Consultants. Rayna explains what makes federal...

You may have spent 30 or 40 years saving and investing for retirement—but what happens when it is finally time to start spending that money? In this episode of Take Pride in Retirement, Josh joins me as I sit down with bestselling author and AARP personal finance columnist Jean Chatzky to discuss her new book, The Forever Paycheck. We explore why the transition from accumulating money to creating...

A generic prescription should mean a lower price—but does that savings actually reach you? In this episode of Take Pride in Retirement, I talk with Antonio Ciaccia of 46brooklyn Research about why some generic medications still carry surprisingly high prices. We explore prescription drug markups, the role of pharmacy benefit managers, and how a “specialty drug” label can affect where you fill a pr...

The fall season is upon us, and among the normal fall cleanup of a financial portfolio is an equally important but often overlooked part of retirement planning:  building and maintaining an emergency fund in retirement. This month's vignette discusses how an emergency fund can help cover unexpected expenses without forcing someone to sell investments at an unfavorable time, and why having a clear...

Caregiving rarely begins with a financial planning meeting. More often, it begins with a fall, a diagnosis, a hospital discharge, or a phone call saying someone you love can no longer manage alone. Josh and I have both experienced caregiving within our own families, so we understand how quickly the emotional, physical, and financial demands can accumulate. In this episode, we discuss how to calcul...

Palm Springs may have sunshine and London may have fabulous fish and chips—but choosing an LGBTQ+ retirement destination requires more than finding a welcoming vacation spot. In this episode, Josh and I explore what LGBTQ+ retirees should consider before calling the moving company. We discuss the importance of testing everyday life in a potential destination, researching local legal protections, c...

Back-to-school season can put added pressure on the family budget—but a little planning can help keep those costs under control. Retirement. Radio’s Matt McClure talks with Lora Monfared, Consumer Credit Card Executive at Bank of America, about practical ways parents and grandparents can save on school supplies, technology, clothing and other essentials. They also discuss how to teach teens the ba...

Fixed indexed annuities are probably one of the most misunderstood retirement tools out there. Some people absolutely love them, while others tell you to avoid them at all costs. The truth, as is often the case, falls somewhere in the middle. In this episode, Josh and I break down what a fixed indexed annuity actually is, how it works, and why it may—or may not—belong in a retirement plan. We talk...

Social Security recently turned 91—but are you taking advantage of everything the program has to offer? In this episode of Take Pride in Retirement , I’m joined by Bill Sweeney, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at AARP , to talk about new research showing that roughly 40% of Americans over 50 still don't have a “my Social Security” account. We discuss what you can find online—from your...

For years we've heard the same advice: build a 60/40 portfolio and you'll be set for retirement. But is that still the right approach? In this episode, Josh and I explore where the traditional 60/40 portfolio came from, why it became such a popular rule of thumb, and why I believe successful retirement planning today is about much more than simply picking the right asset allocation. We'll discuss...

If you've ever wondered whether you're really on track for retirement, you're not alone. In this episode, Josh asks me five of the most common retirement questions I hear from LGBTQ+ clients—and we tackle them one by one. We discuss whether retirement planning is actually different for LGBTQ+ people, why estate planning is so important, how to know when you're ready to retire, what legacy planning...

Instead of diving into retirement strategies or breaking down financial headlines, Josh turns the tables and interviews me about my own story—how I became a financial advisor, why I launched Take Pride in Retirement , and why helping members of the LGBTQ+ community prepare for retirement has become such a personal mission. We talk about my career in journalism, the life-changing experience that fo...

As prices continue to challenge household budgets, finding practical ways to save money has never been more important. In this podcast extra, Retirement. Radio's Matt McClure sits down with Stephen Perrine, executive editor of AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin, to discuss AARP's annual  99 Great Ways to Save  guide.  The conversation covers: Smart grocery shopping strategies that can help reduce...

Early projections suggest Social Security recipients could receive a larger cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2027—but is that really something to celebrate? In this episode of Take Pride in Retirement , Matt McClure and Josh Rhett Noble explain how the Social Security COLA is calculated, why a larger increase often signals higher inflation, and what retirees should really focus on when planning...

Many people assume they understand how Social Security works—until they discover just how many important rules they've been missing. In this episode of Take Pride in Retirement , Matt McClure and Josh Rhett Noble break down one of the most misunderstood areas of retirement planning: Social Security spousal and survivor benefits. They explain who qualifies, how benefits are calculated, common misco...

Summer travel is in full swing—but so are higher prices. On this episode, Matt flies solo once again while Josh recovers, and welcomes Shikha Narula, Head of Rewards at Bank of America , for a conversation about how Americans are making travel happen despite rising costs. They discuss travel rewards, budgeting strategies, flexible planning, and why experiences continue to be a priority for so many...

Artificial intelligence is changing nearly every aspect of our lives—including our careers, earning potential, and ultimately, our retirement plans. This week, Josh is under the weather, so Matt flies solo with a fascinating conversation featuring Dr. Antoinette "Toni" Farmer-Thompson , President of Strayer University. Together they explore how AI is transforming higher education, why AI fluency i...

For decades, we've been told to save, save, save for retirement. But what happens when retirement finally arrives and it's time to start spending? In this episode, Josh and I explore one of retirement's biggest emotional challenges: learning how to enjoy the money you've worked so hard to save. We talk about why so many retirees become afraid to spend, how a thoughtful retirement income strategy c...