The Retirement Income Show with Dave Stearns

Just like a house needs a strong foundation to stand the test of time, your retirement plan must be built to “weather the storm” of market ups and downs. In this episode, we break down what it really means to create a solid retirement foundation—one that goes beyond surface-level details and focuses on true stability. We’ll explore the core building blocks that keep your retirement standing strong...

Ever wondered what your advisor’s business model really is—and why it matters? In this episode of The Retirement Income Show , we break down how your advisor’s model can either support or sabotage your retirement. You’ll learn how to spot red flags—like excessive risk, vague income plans, or sales-driven advice—and what a true retirement-focused model looks like: one built on income, clarity, and...

In this episode of The Retirement Income Show , we’re sharing key year-end ideas that can help you reduce taxes, boost retirement savings, and strengthen your financial plan before the calendar turns. Don’t wait for the holiday rush or those last-minute December phone calls — tune in now to learn how to make the most of the time you have left this year!

As Halloween approaches, things are getting downright scary—from government shutdowns to spooky yard displays. But the real fright might be lurking inside your own retirement portfolio! In this week’s episode of The Retirement Income Show , we expose the “ghosts and goblins” that can quietly haunt your investments all year long. Tune in to learn how to spot the troublemakers in your portfolio and...

Investing for income may sound simple—but using the wrong tools can cut your retirement dreams short. In this episode of The Retirement Income Show , we dive into the essential tools every retiree needs to build reliable income and long-term confidence. From insured options like CDs and annuities to higher-yield investments such as bonds, REITs, and value stocks, you’ll learn how to balance securi...

Ever wish retirement planning came with an "easy button"? In this episode of The Retirement Income Show , we break down the often overwhelming world of investing into plain English. Instead of drowning in charts, Monte Carlo simulations, and endless mutual fund options, we’ll explore how to set clear goals, focus on your dreams, and create a plan that inspires you—not confuses you. Becau...

How do you know when it’s truly time to retire? It might sound like a simple question, but the reality is far more complex—and the wrong decision could have lasting consequences. In this episode of The Retirement Income Show , we break down the essential factors you need to consider before making the leap. From managing debt and planning for inflation to understanding Social Security, taxes, RMDs,...

Is your financial advisor fully engaged—or just coasting on autopilot? When it comes to your retirement, having someone “asleep at the switch” could put your savings and future at risk. In this episode of The Retirement Income Show , we uncover the red flags that signal your advisor may be snoozing on the job—from cookie-cutter portfolios and lack of tax planning to ignoring legislative changes an...

A new 1,200-page law just rewrote key retirement rules. President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill is packed with changes that may impact your taxes, Social Security, and healthcare. In this episode of The Retirement Income Show , we cut through the noise and break down what matters most for retirees and pre-retirees, plus how you can prepare to take advantage of these changes in 2025 and beyond.

With so many moving parts in retirement planning—like Social Security, Roth conversions, long-term care, and estate planning—it’s easy to lose focus. In this episode of The Retirement Income Show , we cut through the noise to identify what truly matters: income investing. We’ll explain why retirement is really about replacing your paycheck, not just growing your investments, and how relying on wit...

You’ve spent your life saving and preparing for retirement, but now comes the hard part: spending it wisely. In this episode of The Retirement Income Show with Dave Stearns , we tackle one of the most overlooked and anxiety-inducing parts of retirement planning: decumulation. We explore why it's so difficult to shift from saving to spending, walk through common withdrawal strategies like the...

In this episode of The Retirement Income Show with Dave Stearns , we shine a spotlight on the newest and most dangerous financial scams targeting retirees today. From fake Medicare calls and AI-powered voice impersonations to romance scams and phishing emails, scammers are using sophisticated technology and sneaky tactics to steal your money and personal information. We’re breaking down the red fl...

In this episode of The Retirement Income Show with Dave Stearns , we tackle some of the most pressing concerns facing retirees and pre-retirees today — from inflation, interest rates, and Social Security uncertainty to scam prevention, housing decisions, and geopolitical instability. We also unpack the risks of outdated investment strategies and explore practical alternatives for generating reliab...

Have you ever unpacked a new item to assemble it, only to realize a crucial part was missing? It’s frustrating, and it can make the whole thing useless or at least sub-optimal. The same is true in many areas of life, especially retirement planning. If even one piece of your retirement plan is missing, the whole strategy can be incomplete, and that can have serious consequences. If you want to be c...

If retirement had a middle name, it would be "Income," just like our show: The Retirement Income Show .  You have to have income to replace the salary that you earned every week when you were working. It's important to realize that income is one of the primary elements of a successful and stress-free retirement. Too many people think of income as taking money out of your account, bu...

Retirement can bring about lots of questions, whether you're preparing to retire soon or have been retired for years! Over the last 20+ years at Stearns Retirement Group, we’ve heard them all. On this episode of The Retirement Income Show with Dave Stearns , we’re digging into the mailbag to answer some of the top questions retirees ask us. Don't miss it! www.incomeisking.com  |  www.ste...

There aren't many things that can happen economically, geopolitically, or socially that the stock market is not familiar with. If there were a way to invest in retirement that was effective in all market environments, would you want to know about it? Of course you would, so don't miss this episode of The Retirement Income Show with Dave Stearns !

Many people don’t even think about their 401(k) when they change employers. In fact, some people don’t even know the options for their employer plans. On this episode of The Retirement Income Show with Dave Stearns , we’ll help you sort it all out so that you know the next steps to take. We're covering the purpose of a 401(k), pensions, investment options, strategy, Roth conversions, and more...

In some ways, we could call this episode the "bloopers" of what advisors do in retirement planning. In a lot of cases, many advisors don't know what they don't know. If you apply the same strategies in retirement that you used when you were in the savings years, you could be in for financial ruin when it comes to living out retirement. If you want to be sure you have the right...

When you think about retirement, having a strong outline of the primary elements can put you way ahead of the game when you reach that milestone. Join us for this episode of The Retirement Income Show with Dave Stearns as we focus on the outline so that you can fill in the blanks to your retirement!

As human beings, we're all biased, and it's important that we know that about ourselves. If you're working with a financial advisor, it's critical that you understand his/her bias as they're helping you in your retirement. If you want to learn more about the potential bias of your financial advisor, don't miss this episode of The Retirement Income Show with Dave Stear...

Retirement can be challenging and brings up lots of questions, regardless of how much money you have. We know these questions can weigh heavily on you, and it's our job to help you get answers. Join us for this episode of The Retirement Income Show with Dave Stearns as we address some common retiree questions!  

What comes to your mind when you hear the phrase "Trump 2.0?" Maybe you feel positive emotions, perhaps you are scared, or maybe you worry that the stock market seems uncertain about him right now. No matter what comes to your mind, if you want to learn how to invest no matter what happens to the economy with Trump 2.0, then this episode of The Retirement Income Show with Dave Stearns wa...

Have you ever wondered what it might be like to have Elon Musk take a look at your monthly expenses? Do you think he might find some pork if he rummaged through your checkbook? Join us for this episode of The Retirement Income Show with Dave Stearns as we discuss what it might be like if you were "DOGE'd."