The Retirement Matters Show with Dale Smothers

On this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast, we dive into some critical issues currently facing America. We emphasize that such fluctuations are a normal part of the investing journey. The ups and downs of the market are inherent, and optimism remains at its core. Our mission is to help you build portfolios that harness this optimism by ensuring they are correlated with the stock market on t...

This week on the Retirement Matters podcast, we dive into one of the most crucial aspects of preparing for retirement—knowing what is enough . Think of it this way: You can't kick a field goal if the goalposts keep moving, and you can't score in basketball if the hoop is constantly shifting. The same goes for retirement—if we measure our readiness against a constantly moving horizon, we'll never f...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters podcast, we discuss how rules change in retirement, one in particular that will greatly impact you if you're not aware of it and how you should be adapting your philosophies, your mindset, and your strategies in retirement investing to adapt to those new rules. The objective is clear - you need to win at this game called life and retirement is a part of th...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters podcast, we dive deep into a Cryptocurrency scheme that is sweeping across America. You're not going to want to miss this and know what to be on the lookout for if you are over the age of 60 and have ever Googled the words,"Bitcoin or Cryptocurrency." You are likely a target. We cover at the end of this show long-term care leveraging tools that you need to...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters podcast, we dive into an important issue that affects all retirees: inflation and interest rates, and how they are connected in the current economic landscape. Please note, this episode aired live on February 22, before the Federal Reserve made any definitive announcements about raising interest rates. At that time, there was a lot of speculation about a p...

In this episode of the Retirement Matters podcast, we explore the current trade war and the reasoning behind the tariffs being imposed, offering insights from an American-first perspective. While the specifics of what is being targeted are debatable, the impact of these tariffs on your retirement and finances is clear, and we dive into that discussion. We also cover recent changes to Social Securi...

In this episode of the Retirement Matters podcast, we take an in-depth look at a case study to explore the impact of the Social Security Fairness Act on the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). Using two hypothetical clients, Martha and George (names and numbers have been changed for privacy), we'll illustrate how individuals who haven't yet begun receiving...

In this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast, we're diving into listener questions and unpacking some key topics we've been discussing recently. If you've been following the podcast in order, you'll remember the recent updates on the Social Security Act—today, we go a little deeper into that. We also address some common concerns retirees often face, like navigating taxes, Social Security, hea...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters podcast, we will discuss both imminent and potential changes to Social Security. The show airs on Saturday, January 4th and Sunday, January 5th right before President Biden signs the bill into law called the Social Security Fairness Act. Since this law was a bipartisan attempt to make Social Security as fair as possible, it's very likely that it is now the...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters podcast, we are going into the Christmas Holiday season of 2024. This episode was aired originally on the 21st of December 2024 and it was coming off of a fed chair decision in 2024 December 18th to lower interest rates, but in this conversation they discussed that they may not be lowering interest rates as much as they had planned in 2025.   The market re...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters podcast, we're diving into some valuable lessons that you can apply directly to your own retirement strategy. And here's the twist—these insights were all inspired by a recent family trip to Universal Studios! That's right, while enjoying some fun with the boys, we discovered real-world lessons that can be easily translated to help you navigate your retire...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters podcast, we dive into two crucial topics for your retirement plan. First, we discuss inflation and why you should plan for it just like you would for scoring points in basketball—what you had last time isn't enough to win the game. You need to keep building on your plan to stay ahead of rising costs. Next, we explore long-term care , an often-overlooked bu...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast, we're diving into what it truly means to "win" at retirement. After all, retirement means different things to different people, and finding success looks different for everyone. In this episode, we'll offer valuable insights for retirees and show you how to ensure you're on the right path to achieving your retirement goals. Just like in any game,...

On this week's episode of the Retirement Matters podcast, we're discussing companies that tend to perform well under Republican leadership. While many of these companies also succeed with Democrats in office, history shows a slight edge during Republican administrations. However, before fully committing to an "America First" investment strategy, it's important to consider the market shifts expecte...

On this week's episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast, we talk about how the recent election demonstrated the strength of our democracy, with a smooth transfer of power highlighting our shared values over differences. As we move forward, discussions on government efficiency, tax cuts, and growth policies offer potential opportunities for individuals and the economy. The stock market is reaching...

In this episode of The Retirement Matters podcast, we dive deep into some of the questions you've shared as a listener—or maybe even as a viewer of our TV shows. Whitney Eubank joins us to unpack a few key questions that many of you have encountered on your path to retirement. She even touches on some things you might not have considered yet. We tackle four big questions in this episode, all conne...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast, we dive deep into one essential topic: retirement planning. We explore the significance of having a solid retirement plan, what it entails, and the challenges of retiring without one. I love the analogy we use at the end, comparing retirement planning to solving a maze. If you've ever tackled a paper maze, you know the best approach is to start at...

In this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast, we delve into the crucial distinction between investing for income and investing for growth. These two philosophies are essential to navigate your retirement journey effectively. While we often discuss transitioning from the growth phase to the income phase, it's vital to understand how to balance both within your investment strategy, which is one...

On today's episode of The Retirement Matters podcast, we're discussing a topic that's becoming all too familiar: inflation. It seems inflation is back in the news, and there's a specific reason for this—namely, a shift in the Federal Reserve's mandate. In this episode, I'll explain why this change may not be the best move right now. We didn't cover this in detail during the show, so here's a bonus...

On this episode of The Retirement Matters Show, Dale dives into the Q3 GDP report that came out on September 26, 2024 and provides a little bit of education around what market turblence could mean for a retirement plan! We discuss how you can start to build a portfolio- a true retirement plan, not dependent upon the stock market. One that we call a 'Risk On Risk Off' portfolio- allowing you the fr...

On this episode of The Retirement Matters Podcast, we dive into the latest jobs report and discuss the significant 50 basis point rate cut—the first reduction in nearly four years. This is a pivotal moment, signaling a shift in the Federal Reserve's focus from combating inflation to addressing unemployment. While we won't debate the Fed's decisions, I'll share my thoughts on why this shift may not...

  On this week's episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast, we delve into the intricate world of taxation. Interestingly, although we didn't explicitly mention it in the show, our discussion starts with inflation. If you think about it, inflation can be seen as a form of taxation. From there, we move on to healthcare expenses. Many people worry about Medicare choices and long-term care, including...

On this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast, we dive into the phenomenon of "financial winter," which typically hits in October. This strange trend often sees sellers dominate the market while buyers retreat. If you're in the growth phase, this could be a prime opportunity to capitalize. For those in the income phase, however, October, along with September and November, can be challenging. W...

On this episode of The Retirement Matters podcast, we dive into inflation. We discuss what it is, how to plan for it, and its impact on your purchasing power. Understanding inflation and how it's measured in the American economy is crucial, but it's important to realize that merely understanding inflation is not enough to prepare for its effects. Proactive planning and adjustments are necessary to...

On this week's episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast, we have a sort of proverbs show, though it's not about Bible stories or the Proverbs written by Solomon. Although we do mention a Bible story in this show, ironically, we are talking about financial proverbs. We cover a bit of everything, including retirement income planning, tax planning, and even address the idea of doomsday prepping in y...