The Aul Financial Hour

A simple retirement strategy could trigger unexpected taxes if you miss one critical rule. On this episode, Steve Aul breaks down the realities of backdoor Roth conversions, including the often-overlooked pro rata rule that can create costly tax consequences. He also discusses whether claiming Social Security early and investing the benefits makes sense, how to optimize Social Security decisions f...

Could election-year uncertainty and market volatility tempt investors into costly mistakes? Steve Aul discusses why midterm election cycles often create market turbulence, strategies for protecting gains after strong market performance, and how different annuity options may fit specific retirement income needs. He also explains ways to manage concentrated stock positions, avoid fear-driven investi...

Are you saving so much for the future that you’re missing your life today? This episode explores the idea behind “Die With Zero,” highlighting how retirees often prioritize leaving money behind over creating meaningful experiences. Steve Aul discusses balancing wealth with memories, the hidden tax traps of retirement withdrawals like phantom income and IRMAA, and how complex tax...

Retirement can feel like a race—but without an income plan, it’s easy to lose your pace. This episode explores how aligning your lifestyle with reliable income streams helps reduce uncertainty in the first years of retirement. Steve Aul discusses covering income gaps, balancing withdrawal strategies, and evaluating tools like annuities based on individual needs. The conversation also h...

What is doing nothing really costing you right now? With market uncertainty, rising costs, and election concerns, many investors feel stuck—but inactivity can carry its own risks. Steve Aul breaks down key decisions around income replacement, managing gains, understanding fees, and navigating Roth IRA choices. He also highlights how tax planning, investment costs, and legacy strategies facto...

Is $5,300 a month really enough to fund the retirement lifestyle you want? Steve Aul breaks down why average spending estimates are only a starting point and how real retirement planning hinges on your personal lifestyle, income gaps, and long-term goals. From creating a “personally funded pension” to rethinking the role of 401(k)s, bonds, and traditional strategies, this episode explo...

What looks like a steady retirement income can quickly turn into a tax headache if you don’t understand how it’s structured. This episode breaks down how annuities are taxed, the differences between pre-tax and after-tax income streams, and why asset placement matters. Steve Aul also challenges outdated financial “rules of thumb,” examines the risk of relying too heavily on...

What happens to your income—and your taxes—when the paycheck stops in retirement? This episode breaks down how annuities are taxed, why account type matters, and how income streams can help close retirement gaps. Steve Aul explains the impact of pre-tax vs. after-tax dollars, challenges outdated financial rules, and highlights risks of relying too heavily on cash. The conversation also...

Annuities might be the most misunderstood word in retirement planning—and that misunderstanding could be costly. On this episode, Steve Aul breaks down why annuities get such a bad reputation, how today’s versions differ from the past, and where they may—or may not—fit into a retirement strategy. The conversation also covers managing emotions near retirement, protecting inc...

When markets swing and inflation lingers, why do even well‑prepared retirees still feel uneasy? On this episode, Steve Aul discusses how emotional reactions can derail retirement decisions during periods of volatility. The conversation explores common missteps driven by fear, how inflation and healthcare costs factor into long‑term planning, and why understanding risk, income needs, and portfolio...

Inflation quietly reshapes retirement long before most people notice the damage. On this episode, Steve Aul breaks down why inflation, taxes, and overlooked planning gaps pose real challenges for retirees. The conversation explores how rising costs erode purchasing power over time, common DIY retirement mistakes, and the disconnect between income, expenses, and long-term lifestyle expectations. St...

What happens if the market drops just as you start pulling income from your portfolio? On this episode, Steve Aul breaks down sequence of returns risk and why investing for retirement looks very different from investing during your working years. Steve explains the importance of portfolio diversification, regular risk reviews, and understanding how taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and annuities f...

Annuities aren’t the problem—misunderstanding them is. On this episode, Steve Aul breaks down why annuities feel confusing, what most people get wrong before they buy, and how different products serve very different purposes. The conversation expands into long‑term tax strategy, income planning, and why retirement isn’t just about April 15 or claiming Social Security as soon as y...

Gen X is closer to retirement than many realize—and the doubts are getting louder. On this episode, Steve Aul breaks down why Gen X savers feel behind, how market crashes shaped their mindset, and what really matters when replacing a paycheck in retirement. The conversation spans tax complexity, guaranteed income, spending anxiety, and why confidence—not just account balance—driv...

Market drops feel random—until you zoom out and see the pattern. On this episode, Steve Aul breaks down why corrections and bear markets are part of the investing landscape and why fear often does more damage than volatility. The conversation explores risk versus reward, ways people think about protecting retirement assets, and how income, taxes, and annuities fit into replacing a paycheck....

Market headlines are loud—but what actually matters when volatility, Social Security questions, and retirement decisions collide? On this episode, Steve Aul breaks down how geopolitical tension can ripple through markets, why Social Security’s future is back in focus, and what it means for retirement income planning. The conversation explores diversification, managing risk after long b...

Market swings, million‑dollar milestones, and one decision you only get to make once—this episode covers why timing matters more than headlines. Steve Aul breaks down recent market volatility, and the emotional traps investors fall into, then shifts to the hidden risks of being a “paper millionaire” when taxes turn wealth into income. The conversation also dives into business exi...

What keeps people up at night when their entire financial future is on the line? Tracey Richardson, an investment advisor with more than 25 years in financial services, joins the podcast to have real conversations behind retirement planning. From longevity worries and market noise to the importance of feeling heard at the table, Tracey shares how comprehensive planning, empathy, and staying the co...

What do Oreo cookies, market pullbacks, and retirement taxes have in common? More than you might expect. On this episode Steve Aul breaks down market volatility warnings, income planning in retirement, and why expectations—whether about investment risk, withdrawal rates, or taxes—don’t always match reality. The conversation explores asset protection strategies, retirement income...

Gold may be soaring, but is it really the safe haven investors hope for? On this episode, Steve Aul breaks down the hype around record‑high gold prices, the realities of gold IRAs, and the hidden risks many retirees overlook. From tax‑rate traps to emotional investing, Steve explores the assumptions that could derail your retirement strategy. They also unpack how economic acceleration, interest‑ra...

When rising costs force tough financial choices, how do you protect your future without sacrificing your present? On this episode, Steve Aul explores why Americans are cutting retirement savings, the real difference between needs and wants, and how spending habits matter as much as account balances. He breaks down the transition from building wealth to using it wisely, the hidden risks in politica...

Retirement might feel predictable—until taxes, income gaps, and Social Security decisions flip the script. On this episode, Steve Aul breaks down why your 401(k) balance isn’t truly yours, how taxes quietly drain retirement savings, and what smart planning can do to protect your future. You’ll hear insights on Roth conversions, the real story behind the 4% rule, Social Security t...

What if the financial “truths” you’ve always believed were actually myths? On this episode, Steve breaks down common misconceptions around taxes, Social Security, RMDs, charitable giving, and retirement income planning. From the real impact of delaying Social Security to smart strategies like Roth conversions, QCDs, and personally funded pensions, you'll hear practical insights t...

What happens when the fear of running out of money collides with the realities of retirement? On this episode, Steve Aul breaks down the psychology of risk, why many retirees hesitate to spend their savings, and how tools like safer assets, income planning, and tax‑smart strategies can bring clarity. From de‑risking after age 50 to navigating RMDs, gifting, and combating “plutophobia,”...

A surprising retirement ranking sparks a deeper look into the real issues shaping your financial future. Steve Aul breaks down the truth about relocating in retirement, the often‑misunderstood world of annuities, and why long‑term care planning matters more than most families realize. From common myths—like Medicare being “free”—to real stories of caregiving and the hidden...