Your Retirement Elevated Podcast with Scott Dougan

In today’s digital age, cybersecurity has become a critical concern for everyone, especially those planning for retirement. In this special edition of Your Retirement Elevated we’re sharing a video replay of our recent cybersecurity event with expert Ryan Fickel. Ryan is the Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at Advisors Excel and will be working closely with our team...

The truth about retirement planning is that many people need a reality check when it comes to taxes and the impact they will have on their retirement money. Today we’re going to turn our attention to tax planning and how to keep most of your money from going to the IRS instead of the things you want to spend it on in retirement.   Here’s what we cover in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 2:40 – Taking mo...

What does a complete financial plan really look like? You’ve spent decades working hard, saving diligently, and now the golden years are on the horizon. But have you covered all of your bases? Listen in as Scott walks us through the 5 key areas of a complete financial plan in today’s episode- income planning, investment planning, tax planning, healthcare planning, and legacy/estate planning.   Her...

Today we’re going to cut through some of the fear by identifying the most common financial scams so you know what to be on the lookout for. We’ll also give you some tangible actions to take today to help safeguard your accounts. Are you at risk of having your identity stolen or becoming of fraud? We’ll break it all down with Scott in this video.   Here’s what we cover in this episode: 0:00 – Intro...

Most people think retirement planning is all about the numbers. Will the assets I have accumulated – 401k/IRA, Social Security, real estate, pension, etc. – provide enough income in retirement to fund my lifestyle? Once you reach retirement, you’ll quickly realize there’s much more to preparing for the next chapter of life. Today we’re going to share seven habits that studies show can improve your...

Retirement is a journey, and like any journey, it has its phases. Understanding these phases is crucial to ensure that you can enjoy your golden years without financial stress. In this episode, we’ll take you through the the essential stages of retirement planning: the go-go, slow-go, and no-go years. Understanding these three stages will help you effectively manage your finances as you determine...

The long process of writing a book has finally wrapped up for Scott and we’re excited to be rolling it out very soon. In anticipation of the launch of Exceptional Retirement: Tools and Strategies for Retiring On Your Own Terms, we wanted to share some background on the book, the chapters that we think you’ll like most, and the personal stories that influenced our approach. Our approach is all abou...

Each generation is currently navigating a unique part of the retirement planning experience. With many baby boomers preparing for the transition into retirement and the early half of Generation Z taking their initial steps into the career field, these major life events come with a handful of financial planning questions. In today’s episode, we’ll share insights into the unique concerns that echo a...

Are you prepared for the unexpected turns your retirement might take? In this episode of Your Retirement Elevated Podcast with Scott Dougan, we explore the surprising findings from a study by the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies. The study reveals a stark contrast between pre-retiree expectations and retiree realities, and we're here to explore the nine most common retirement surprises t...

Ever found yourself endlessly scrolling through options, unable to make a choice? You might be falling into the trap of FOBO: Fear of Better Options. It’s ​a ​psychological ​phenomenon ​where ​someone ​avoids ​making ​a ​decision ​out ​of ​the ​fear ​that ​there ​may ​be ​a ​better ​option ​out ​there. ​How ​can ​we ​identify ​it ​and ​work ​with ​it ​and ​make ​better ​decisions ​and ​actually ​g...

Are you ready to flip the switch from saving to spending as you approach retirement? Many people struggle with the transition and mindset shift that happens in retirement. In this episode, we’ll explore the delicate balance between money, happiness, and the art of spending wisely in your golden years. It's packed with insights on the psychological shift required to enjoy the fruits of your labor,...

On today's episode, we're going talk about scams and how they are more prevalent than you might think. In fact, just in 2022, there were more than 88,000 complaints of fraud that resulted in more than $3 billion in losses from people age 60+.   Here are some of the questions we’ll tackle in this episode: Why are people aged 60 and over common targets? The top five scams that constitute 65% of the...

Is 'Lazy Money' still a concern in 2024's higher interest rate landscape? In this episode, we explore this question, examining how the recent rise in interest rates affects the money sitting in savings accounts, CDs, and conservative investments.   Here's what we discuss in this episode: What are we talking about when we say, “lazy money?” The current interest rate landscape + why people end up wi...

Today's magic number is 65. You know, unlike older retired Baby Boomers, the majority of peak 65ers don't have pensions, which used to help fill that gap left by Social Security. Well, our current retirement system is obsolete. It's time for a new retirement security framework. These were the words of Jason Fitchner, an executive director at the ALI Retirement Income Institute, and it highlights a...

With inflation adjustments and the phased implementation of the SECURE Act 2.0, there are some important retirement planning changes to pay attention to this year. From potential tax implications on Social Security benefits to alterations in retirement account rules, higher Medicare expenses, increased IRA contribution limits, and shifts in required minimum distributions (RMDs), this episode offer...

Happy New Year! Today we’re tossing the old hat of resolutions out the window, opting for something with a little more staying power: systems. Say goodbye to the fleeting motivation of New Year's resolutions and embrace the profound impact of incremental habits for long-term success in health, wealth, and personal growth. This episode draws on the life-changing principles of Atomic Habits by James...

What would you pay to have the freedom to do what you want, when you want, how you want? On today's episode, we're going to talk about the five types of wealth and why people chase only one at the cost of the others.   Here are some of the questions we’ll tackle in this episode: Why being a time billionaire might be better than being a dollar billionaire. The importance of protecting your time and...

Get ready to rock to the rhythms of retirement wisdom in this week’s episode! We've put together the ultimate retirement planning playlist, featuring timeless lyrics that reflect various stages of the planning journey.   Here’s how we’ll craft the perfect mixtape in this episode:   Songs for the early stages of retirement planning, where having a dream is a good place to start. In retirement plann...

Ready for an adventure? Think of retirement planning as climbing a mountain. It's not just about the climb up; it's about preparing wisely, tackling the ups and downs, and even planning your way back down.   Here’s some of what we’ll discuss in this episode: How to prepare for the climb with careful planning. The climb represents the accumulation phase where you’re actively saving and investing. T...

We’re bringing you a special edition of the podcast today as we welcome Cortney Dale, CEO of Sunflower Insurance Solutions, to lead us through the latest updates on Medicare! She’ll discuss what's crucial for you to know as we approach 2024 and answer common questions that will help you make informed decisions about your Medicare elections in the months and years ahead. Listen in as she breaks dow...

Do you ever wish you could foresee financial missteps before they happen? On today’s episode, we’re going to explore some real-life stories of regret and arm you with the do’s and don’ts to ensure that your money is working for you and not against you.   Here’s some of what we’ll discuss in this episode: What it could cost you to pull money out of your IRAs early. People often fall into the trap o...

In this episode, we’re going to unearth and tackle some of these hidden but essential questions about retirement. We all want to get good answers to our financial questions, but sometimes we have to know the right questions to ask.   Here are some of the questions we’ll tackle in this episode: How much are my tax-deferred savings going to cost me in taxes come retirement? How much can I withdraw f...

There are some people who don’t care at all about leaving a financial legacy, but for those who do, it’s important to eliminate some of the common estate planning mistakes. In this episode, we cover topics ranging from poor expense planning to outdated beneficiary designations and family conflict triggers. We also shed light on some misconceptions about transferring real estate and explain the imp...

Are you nearing “retirement age?” If so, let’s explore that pivotal question you’ll soon face: Should you retire or continue working? We’ll unravel the intricacies of this decision, addressing both financial and emotional aspects, and help you find out if you’re truly ready to retire.   Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: The concept of retirement has evolved significantly over time, f...

Today we have a special edition of the show where Scott recently hosted a webinar for his clients and had Mike Sorrentino on to discuss some financial topics that are top of mind for many people right now. This conversation comes in the wake of the midpoint of 2023, sort of a mid-year or halftime report, if you will, and the topics that you're going to hear from this webinar include the housing ma...