The Retirement Paycheck Show

Preparing for retirement isn’t just about money—it’s about what life actually looks like when the workday ends. In this episode, Steve Standley explores the often‑overlooked non‑financial side of retirement, including how couples adjust to new routines, shared space, and changing roles at home. The conversation highlights why many retirees struggle with the shift from saving to s...

What you don’t know about your retirement accounts could be quietly costing you. In this episode, Steve Standley shares a real-world story that highlights how overlooked details—like outdated annuities, low caps, and lack of ongoing reviews—can impact long-term income potential. He explains why regular check-ins matter, how changing environments affect financial products, and wha...

Social Security may not look the same by the time you retire—and that uncertainty is forcing many to rethink their income strategy. In this episode, Steve Standley breaks down the growing pressure on Social Security, why demographic trends matter, and what potential changes could mean for your retirement timeline. He explores how relying on a single income source can create risk and why buil...

What if one unexpected health event could quietly reshape your entire retirement plan? In this episode, Steve Standley explores how medical costs and long-term care can impact income strategies long after retirement begins. The conversation highlights gaps many overlook, including what Medicare doesn’t cover, the financial strain on caregivers, and the importance of planning for both known a...

What if staying longer at a job you enjoy creates challenges you didn’t expect in retirement? In this episode, Steve Standley explains why even those who plan to work longer should start preparing early for the transition ahead. He discusses how growing retirement accounts can trigger larger required withdrawals, affect taxes, and impact healthcare costs. The conversation also highlights the...

If retirement really came down to just two worries, would you be prepared for both? In this episode, Steve Standley breaks down the most common concerns retirees face—longevity and healthcare—and how they can shape financial decisions later in life. The conversation explores why saving alone isn’t enough, how rising medical costs and long-term care can impact retirement, and why...

Is chasing the “magic number” for retirement—like a million dollars—really the key to happiness, or just a myth? This episode of The Retirement Paycheck Show with Steve Standley reveals why most retirees don’t hit that milestone, yet still find satisfaction in retirement. Learn how guaranteed income streams, phased retirements, and planning for rising medical costs ca...

Retirement has a way of sneaking up on you faster than expected. In this episode, Steve Standley explains why waiting to plan—or trying to figure it out later—can limit options when retirement is suddenly closer than it looks. The discussion covers procrastination pitfalls, the importance of saving habits, Social Security timing misconceptions, and how today’s retirement reality...

Working longer should be a choice, not a financial requirement. In this episode, Steve Standley explores strategies for people who want the freedom to keep working—or walk away—on their own terms. The conversation covers building an income floor, managing market volatility, addressing debt, and ways to generate a retirement paycheck without relying solely on pensions that no longer exi...

A special conversation with Steve Standley and TG Sheppard and Kelly Lang from CRS 2026 in Nashville! Ready for your Retirement Paycheck? Connect with Steve today . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Preparing for retirement isn’t just about money—it’s about what life actually looks like when the workday ends. In this episode, Steve Standley explores the often‑overlooked non‑financial side of retirement, including how couples adjust to new routines, shared space, and changing roles at home. The conversation highlights why many retirees struggle with the shift from saving to s...

What happens to your “stuff” when you’re gone—and why does estate planning matter more than you think? This episode of the Retirement Paycheck Show unpacks the real-life consequences of neglecting beneficiary designations, power of attorney, and property ownership across counties. Steve Stanley shares stories that reveal how simple oversights can lead to costly probate and...

How much cash is too much when you’re heading into retirement? In this episode, Steve Standley breaks down why sitting on excess cash can quietly work against you—and how to think more clearly about where your money actually belongs. Using Warren Buffett’s perspective as a starting point, Steve explains the “three worlds” of retirement assets: banks, insurance, and th...

Retirement gets harder when headlines drive decisions instead of a plan. In this episode, Steve Standley breaks down how interest rates, inflation, and market uncertainty affect retirement—and what you can actually control. The conversation covers reinvestment risk, the danger of reacting to short‑term news, and why different “buckets” of money matter for income, spending, and lo...

When the paycheck stops, the bills don’t—and that reality changes how retirement planning works. In this episode, Steve Standley explains why retirement success depends less on account balances and more on reliable income. The conversation explores guaranteed income sources, how retirees balance insurance, market investments, and cash, and why outdated withdrawal rules can create unnec...

What happens when a sweepstakes winner’s dream turns into a financial nightmare? This episode dives into the real-life story of a “$5,000-a-week-for-life” jackpot winner left empty-handed after a company bankruptcy. Steve Standley breaks down the risks of windfalls, the importance of planning, and why having a trusted team is crucial for lasting financial security. Ready for your...

The biggest fear in retirement often isn’t the market—it’s losing the paycheck you’ve relied on for decades. In this episode, Steve Standley explores why so many retirees feel anxious even when the numbers look solid on paper. The conversation breaks down the difference between saving assets and creating income, the risks of retiring during volatile market periods, and why...

What if the biggest retirement mistake is taking advice from the wrong source? Steve Standley reveals why timing Social Security, building multiple income streams, and involving both spouses in financial planning are crucial for retirement planning. Learn why a written blueprint matters, how to avoid common pitfalls, and why women’s financial independence is essential. Discover how clear com...

What if the biggest tax mistakes in retirement happen years before you ever file a return? In this episode, Steve Standley explains why taxes shouldn’t be treated as a once‑a‑year problem—especially as you approach retirement. He breaks down the “retirement trap zone,” an important window when decisions around withdrawals, Social Security, and required distributions can qui...

Is your retirement portfolio built for the next market crash—or are you risking too much in the “trap zone”? This episode of The Retirement Paycheck Show with Steve Standley explores why the five to ten years before and after retirement are critical for dialing back risk, building a reliable income floor, and ensuring your plan can adapt to life’s surprises. Learn how to as...

How much cash is too much when you’re heading into retirement? In this episode, Steve Standley breaks down why sitting on excess cash can quietly work against you—and how to think more clearly about where your money actually belongs. Using Warren Buffett’s perspective as a starting point, Steve explains the “three worlds” of retirement assets: banks, insurance, and th...

Are you at risk of fumbling your retirement just before the goal line? This episode of The Retirement Paycheck Show with Steve Standley reveals why the five to ten years before and after retirement are critical for avoiding costly mistakes. Learn how to dial in your risk tolerance, build a reliable income floor, and protect against inflation and long-term care surprises. Discover why emotional inv...

Taxes may be the biggest surprise waiting for you in retirement—and they don’t go away when your paycheck does. In this episode, Steve Standley breaks down the top three priorities retirees should focus on as a new year begins, including how tax laws, RMDs, Social Security taxation, and IRMAA can quietly reshape your income. He explains why tax preparation and tax planning are not the...

Social Security isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision—and the wrong move can echo for decades. In this episode, Steve Standley and guest Heather Schreiber break down why timing, tax strategy, and survivor benefits matter so much for your retirement paycheck. Learn how rules of thumb can mislead, why proactive planning beats DIY, and how Medicare’s “Aunt Irma” surcharge c...

What if your biggest retirement worry isn’t how much you’ve saved, but how you’ll turn it into income you can count on? Steve Standley explores the emotional and financial shift from asset accumulation to income planning, sharing real stories and practical strategies for building a retirement paycheck. Learn why a written plan, guaranteed income, and clear communication matter&md...