Your Retirement Elevated Podcast with Scott Dougan

As the cold winds of winter sweep across the Midwest, many retirees find themselves yearning for a change of scenery—a warmer, sunnier place to call home during the colder months. Enter the snowbird lifestyle, a popular choice for those looking to escape the harsh winter climate and embrace a more temperate environment. In this show, we explore the world of snowbirding, the reasons why so many ret...

Maybe the biggest news of the new year is that Democrats and Republicans actually agree on something. The stats show that around 80% of people on both sides believe that the nation is facing a retirement crisis. So what are the biggest problem areas and how do we correct them? This video will dive into results from a recent survey that reveal a vast majority of Americans, regardless of political a...

In today’s episode, Scott breaks down a recent Social Security solvency proposal that suggests a 40% reduction in benefits for high-income earners. Proposed by the American Enterprise Institute, this plan targets wealthier individuals to bear the brunt of reductions, allowing lower-income retirees to face less drastic cuts. Scott weighs in on whether this proposal is likely to gain traction and ex...

Retirement planning is more than just saving money; it's about making your savings last as long as you do. Today Scott is going to share five crucial tax strategies that can significantly impact your financial future. Here’s what we cover in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 1:19 – Why tax planning is critical to today’s retirement plan. 3:13 – Roth conversions 5:38 – Harvesting capital gains 7:15 – Tax...

In this show, we explore why people in this financial bracket often rethink their strategy and discuss key topics like tax planning, withdrawal strategies, and income guardrails. With more at stake and no room for mistakes, the importance of having a skilled team to guide you through retirement is greater than ever. Here’s what we cover in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 1:52 – Shift to Distribution 5:...

As the year draws to a close, it's the perfect time to reflect on your financial health and make strategic decisions for the future. In this week’s episode, Scott takes us through four major year-end financial planning mistakes and how to avoid them. Here’s what we cover in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 1:44 – Ignoring the issues that debt creates. 5:50 – Overlooking the costs of your go-go years. 11...

If ​you ​have ​watched ​any ​of ​our ​podcasts ​and ​videos, ​or ​if ​you've ​ever ​engaged ​as ​a ​client ​with ​Scott ​Dougan ​and ​the ​Elevated ​Retirement ​Group ​team, ​you've ​probably ​come ​across ​a ​lot ​of ​flow ​charts. ​We're ​going ​to ​poke ​a ​little ​bit ​of ​fun ​at ​Scott ​today ​as ​he ​has ​prepared ​us ​a ​beautiful ​flow ​chart. It’s not the typical chart about ​finances ​b...

Did you know there are three specific birthdays that can have a huge impact on your tax situation? It’s true, and today we’re going to tell you why 50, 65, and 73 are key ages for retirement planning. Here’s what we cover in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 1:44 – Age 50 4:38 – Changes in catch-up rules 8:30 – Age 65 11:33 – Age 73 Want to connect with us?   Web: https://listentoscott.com/ Schedule a ca...

The 2025 contribution limits are now available and the tweaks might be significant for anyone approaching retirement. These changes are really going to affect that person with tax-deferred accounts like a 401, IRA, 403b and others. Join us to find out how the 2024 limits compare to what’s coming in 2025 and how it might change your saving strategies. Here’s what we cover in this episode: 0:00 – In...

When you talk about retirement timing and how to remain retired, people often overlook at least one of seven key areas. The majority of them have nothing to do with money but they’re just as important as your savings account. We sent out this article in a newsletter to clients recently and got a good response, so today we want to elaborate on these seven factors that will help you lead a fulfillin...

The ​primary ​value ​of ​a ​financial ​advisor ​isn't ​just ​picking ​the ​right ​portfolio, making ​sure ​you're ​minimizing ​taxes ​or ​establishing ​a ​paycheck ​that ​you're ​not ​going ​to ​outlive ​in ​retirement. ​​It's ​about ​preparing ​clients ​for ​the ​truth. Can you handle the truth? Today we’re going to talk about the uncertainty in life and retirement and how a financial advisor hel...

The perception of what it takes to be wealthy sometimes matches reality, but often it doesn’t. Americans have opinions on what qualifies as being rich, and a recent survey tells us that we don’t always agree on what it takes to live comfortably. Today we’re going to explore this disparity and discuss why comprehensive planning provides the clarity and direction you need to instill confidence in yo...

Social Security is the backbone of retirement for millions of Americans, but big changes may be coming. On this episode, we dive into the recently released proposal to raise the full retirement age to 69 and what it means for your benefits, your future, and your financial security.   Here’s what we cover in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 4:02 – Increase in full retirement age 8:11 – Penalty for taking...

Have you heard of Pig Butchering? It’s not what you think. It’s a cunning new scam that’s draining retirement accounts and leaving victims penniless. Today, we’re uncovering how scammers are using relationships built on various phone apps to lure people in.  Here’s what we cover in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 3:02 – What is “pig butchering?” 6:09 – The scale of these scams 11:10 – How can we identi...

We’ve spent years helping educate clients on financial planning and we’re excited about stepping out of our comfort zone and into a new medium: filmmaking. Scott is a contributing producer for the new movie, The Psychology of Retirement, which recently premiered in Colorado. Discover the behind-the-scenes stories of creating this impactful movie, the importance of a comprehensive retirement plan,...

Scott has always had a passion for cooking, and he recently completed a 9-week cooking course in Kansas City. In this episode, we explore the valuable lessons from the culinary world that can be applied to financial and retirement planning.  One of the key concepts Scott learned is "Mise en Place," which emphasizes the importance of organizing and preparing all ingredients before you start cooking...

Today’s a special episode discussing ​Medicare ​plans because it’s ​really ​important ​that ​you ​review ​your ​medical ​plans as soon as possible. Big ​changes ​are ​coming ​to ​the ​industry ​and ​you ​don't ​want ​to ​be ​caught ​off ​guard. ​That’s why we’ve invited Cortney Dale, CEO of Sunflower Insurance Solutions to point out the areas you have to pay attention to and highlight where you mi...

Are you and your spouse on the same page when it comes to what retirement is going to look like? If not, it’s time to talk. In this show, we'll explore why it’s so important for couples to have detailed conversations about their finances and retirement futures. Scott shares insights on how to navigate disagreements, the common issues couples face, and practical steps to ensure both partners are al...

A random, retired YouTuber did a simple video exploring the top 5 regrets from other retirees he interviewed (all in their 70s). It blew up to almost half a million views (and counting). That ​clearly ​struck ​a ​chord ​with ​people ​that ​wanted ​to ​learn ​more ​about ​regrets ​in ​the ​retirement ​landscape. ​   Here’s what we cover in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 4:47 – They wish they had retire...

When it comes to planning for retirement, annuities often come up as a topic of discussion. But what exactly are annuities, and how do they fit into your financial plan? Today we’re going to break down the four different types of annuities and explain their pros and cons to help you make the best decision on which one fits you the best.   Here’s what we cover in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 0:55 – W...

People always want to know whether they’ll get a Social Security increase and if so, how much will it be in 2025?   New government data shows that inflation is starting to subside, and that seems like it will have an impact on next year’s Social Security cost-of-living, or COLA, adjustment. Even though many retirees are still struggling with higher costs, the 2025 increase estimate shows the lowes...

So ​you ​think ​you've ​got ​it ​all ​figured ​out and you’re ​not ​going ​to ​give ​Uncle ​Sam ​a ​single ​dime ​more ​than ​you ​absolutely ​have ​to. ​Well, ​not ​so ​fast, ​my ​friend. ​On ​today's ​episode, ​we're ​going ​to ​give ​you ​four ​ways ​that ​you ​could ​pay ​more ​taxes ​than ​you ​had ​originally ​planned. ​A couple of ​these ​might ​surprise ​you.   Here’s what we cover in this...

When it comes to planning for retirement, one of the most critical aspects to understand is control. Knowing what is within your control, what you have some control over, and what is entirely out of your control can make a significant difference in how you approach planning.   Today we’re going to focus on the behavioral side of planning and discuss why control is an important part of the retireme...

Retirement planning can be overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. Working through a checklist can ease your worries and give you confidence, but what should you have on that retirement checklist?  Today Scott is going to share his Checklist Challenge, a comprehensive guide to ensure you're fully prepared for retirement. Find out which 34 essential items made the list. Are you ready to take the C...

​Whether ​you're ​just ​starting ​out ​with ​a ​financial ​advisor ​or ​considering ​a ​change, it’s important to have some key questions in mind to help determine whether a particular advisor is a good fit for you and your finances. Today we’re going to give you ​five ​critical ​questions ​you ​need ​to ​ask ​to ​ensure ​you're ​getting ​the ​best ​advice ​possible. Here’s what we cover in this e...