The Retirement Matters Show with Dale Smothers

In this exclusive episode of the Retirement Matters podcast, we share insights on retirement planning strategies for every stage of life — from early career to pre-retirement. This episode, recorded off-air and not available on radio, offers timely commentary on current market conditions, including the recent rise in AI-related stocks and the implications for investors at different life stages. So...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast, we explore the five most important areas to address in your retirement plan. These core topics can help guide you toward a more confident and well-structured retirement—whether you're approaching retirement age or just starting to plan for the future. Recorded live on September 13th during a challenging week in the news, this episode opens with a...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast, we explore  financial winter —a seasonal slowdown in the markets that often begins in late summer and can extend through the fall. While it's not a reason to panic, it is a time to be prepared, especially for those nearing or in retirement. We discuss why this seasonal trend occurs, what factors could make this year's financial winter more signifi...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters podcast, we're diving into one of our favorite segments — Questions from Listeners ! If you've ever wondered, "Am I going to be okay in retirement?" or "Will I have enough money to last?" — you're not alone. These are the core concerns we hear time and time again, and in this episode, we tackle some of the most common (and important) ones. From long-term c...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast, we go into what retirees and those planning for retirement should be doing now based on their time horizon and investment philosophy. This show originally aired live on August 23, 2025, and references the Federal Reserve's announcement from Friday, August 22, 2025, about an expected rate cut coming in September 2025. We discuss how the market reac...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters podcast, we have a little fun drawing parallels between going on a cruise and preparing for retirement. From the importance of having a plan (or itinerary), to the value of having more than just a captain steering the ship, we explore how retirement planning can benefit from the same structure, foresight, and support that make a cruise successful. We also...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast, we explore why having a well-crafted income plan, tax plan, and investment plan plays an important role as you enter or approach retirement. For those age 59 and above, transitioning into the retirement income phase involves a different set of challenges than during the accumulation years. The climb up the mountain (your growth phase) is only half...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast... We take a deep dive into one of the most critical yet often underestimated components of retirement planning: health care. At RDS Wealth, we approach retirement planning through our Retirement Atlas™, which outlines five key areas of focus: Income, Investments, Taxes, Health Care, and Legacy. This episode focuses specifically on the Health Care...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast, we're diving into critical retirement planning strategies—from when to take Social Security to how you may be able to take control of your 401(k) before you retire. We'll also break down how required minimum distributions (RMDs) can impact your plan and what to consider well before they apply. In this episode, we cover: Options for accessing or ma...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast, we explore what it truly means to have enough —not just financially in retirement, but in life as a whole. It's part of our ongoing Pause for Positivity series, and this uplifting theme runs throughout the entire episode. We also spotlight our Retirement Readiness Class , which took place in July and is offered at various times throughout the year...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters podcast, we dive into the newly signed legislation known as the "Big Beautiful Bill," officially enacted on July 1, 2025. This law was designed to make the 2017 tax cuts permanent, but it goes even further—with several new provisions that could significantly benefit middle-class retirees. We break down the key changes, what they mean for your retirement in...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast, you're going be listening to a radio show that was first recorded and then broadcasted live on January 5, 2025, across multiple stations in Tennessee and Kentucky. The first two segments celebrate America turning 249 years old and explore recent positive milestones. But the third segment is especially important — it dives deep into the difference...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters podcast, we dive into the pros and cons of the 401(k), and discuss why—if you're approaching age 60—it may be worth exploring whether moving from a 401(k) to an IRA could be a better fit for your retirement strategy. Many individuals still have money sitting in old 401(k)s from previous employers or remain in a 401(k) plan even after retirement. In some ca...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast, we tackle one of the most timely and pressing global events: the recent attacks by Israel on Iran—and what it could mean for the markets. This conversation explores how geopolitical conflict, especially in the Middle East, can impact investors and shape short- and long-term market trends. Depending on when you're listening to this, the situation m...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast , we explore the top five fears many retirees face and how to confidently overcome them. Based on insights from a recent AARP article , this conversation covers both the financial and emotional challenges that often arise as retirement approaches. We explore how fear can keep retirees from truly enjoying the life they've worked hard to build. Unfor...

On this week's episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast , we're tackling one of the most important questions you can ask: "Am I really on track for retirement?" While it might seem like a simple numbers game, the truth is — it's not just about math. There's an emotional side to retirement planning that often gets overlooked. If your retirement decision is driven entirely by feelings and not suppo...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast , we dive into an article from Schwab's Financial Research Center written by Rob Williams, CFP®, who at the time served as Vice President of Financial Planning at Charles Schwab. Rob outlines the three most common mistakes retirees make , and we break down each one while sharing how you can avoid letting these pitfalls sneak into your retirement st...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast, we go into understanding where we are in the stock market, why we got here, and what moves you should be making. We also discuss the importance of working with the right advisor during your retirement income phase—and why it's not just about taking steps, but taking the right steps at the right time. This episode originally aired live on May 24th,...

On this episode of the  Retirement Matters Podcast , we start by sharing a powerful positive focus story—one of our advisors had a conversation with a young man that may have truly changed the course of his life. It's a reminder of how small moments can lead to major impact. From there, we shift gears and offer our market outlook for the rest of 2025—and yes, it's an optimistic one. At RDS Wealth,...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast, we take a thoughtful look at the Indexed Universal Life policy, often referred to as a "7702 plan." If you've been exploring retirement income strategies, chances are you've come across this type of plan. While it can be a legitimate tool in certain financial situations, it's important to understand exactly how it works—especially before making an...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast , we explore what you should be doing with your 401(k) in light of the recent market downturn. Recorded and released on May 3, 2025—just after the April 2025 tariff war—this discussion comes at a time of significant market volatility. While the situation isn't fully resolved, we believe the worst may be behind us and a shift in momentum is underway...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast, we take a deep dive into one of the most important questions when it comes to retirement: How Much Money Do I Really Need To Retire? Of course, the answer is different for every single person listening—but there are three very distinct steps you can take to start. These steps help you apply your personal situation to the bigger picture, and unless...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast, we take a deep dive into who we are as a firm, what we believe, and how we're compensated—offering you an inside look at our values and the way we work with clients. This wasn't the episode we originally planned, but it naturally evolved into a powerful and informative conversation that we're excited to share with you. If you've ever wondered what...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters podcast, we discuss some details about the Trump administration's plan to help write what they believe is wrong in the world. They've talked about the prosperity of the coastlines and the suffering of middle America—and one way they're trying to fix this is by pulling three different levers. We are on the second lever, which has to do with tariffs. As we r...

In this episode of the Retirement Matters podcast, my voice is certainly in bad shape—very similar to what the stock market's been doing lately. When this show aired, we had just seen a steep decline of about 7–8% over two days, following the announcement of the world tariffs by President Donald Trump and the retaliatory tariff from China on U.S. goods. The market took a big hit, and many retirees...