The Retirement Planners of America Podcast

Retirement has a “red zone”: the 5 years before and the 5 years after you retire. Decisions in this window can shape the rest of your financial life. In this episode, Ken Moraif and CIO Jordan Roach discuss why this decade matters, how major market drawdowns have impacted real families, and practical ways to think about risk, withdrawals, and planning so your savings can support your goals for the long run.

RPOA Advisors, ...

Many families are surprised to learn that while life insurance proceeds are generally income-tax free, they can still be included in your taxable estate if ownership and premium rules aren’t handled correctly. In this episode, Ken and Jeremy break down when a policy may be pulled into your estate and how a properly structured Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT) can help. We also cover the three IRS “ownership/incidents/premiums...

Protecting an inheritance for children and grandkids can be done thoughtfully and within the law. In this episode, we unpack how dynasty (aka generation-skipping) trusts are structured, what they can and cannot do, and why some families use them to help insulate assets from lawsuits, divorce, bankruptcy, and potential estate taxes—subject to state rules and careful drafting. This discussion is educational, not legal advice. Please ...

Thinking about how to pass your home to family the right way? In this episode, Ken and Jeremy walk through the Qualified Personal Residence Trust (QPRT)—what it is, when it’s considered, key trade-offs, and common pitfalls to avoid. You’ll learn high-level concepts like present-value discounting, trust timelines, living arrangements, and why professional advice is essential.
What we cover:
• What a QPRT is (at a high level)...

Thinking about excluding an heir from your estate? This video gives you a clear, education-focused guide to what’s involved, what commonly goes wrong, and legal tools that may help (like living trusts).
What you’ll see in the video:
• Why disinheritance is almost always emotional, not just financial
• Risks to your plan if you don’t set up documents carefully
• How a living trust can help avoid surprises or challeng...

✍️ Estate planning may not be the most glamorous topic—but it’s one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family and your legacy. Without a plan, you risk letting the government decide what happens to your wealth, or worse, creating family conflicts that last for generations.

In this episode of the Retirement Planners of America Podcast, Ken Moraif and Jeremy Thornton break down:
✅ The basics of will...

If you’re not careful, the way you take money out of your retirement accounts could cost you tens of thousands of dollars in unnecessary taxes. The good news? With the right strategy, you can keep more of your hard-earned savings.

In this episode, Ken Moraif (Founder & CEO of Retirement Planners of America) and CIO Jordan Roach cover:
✅ The biggest withdrawal mistakes retirees make
✅ How tax treatment differs a...

What if you could receive your Social Security tax free? Sounds too good to be true — but for millions of retirees, new rules could make it possible until 2029.

In this episode, Ken Moraif (Founder & CEO of Retirement Planners of America) and CIO Jordan Roach break down:
✅ How Social Security is taxed using provisional income
✅ The new $6,000 deduction per person — and what it means for retirees
✅ How retir...

President Trump just signed an executive order that could allow cryptocurrency, real estate, and private equity inside your 401(k).

But what does this mean for retirees and those nearing retirement? Is it a golden opportunity—or a risky move?

In this episode of the Retirement Planners of America Podcast, Ken Moraif and Chief Investment Officer Jordan Roach break it all down:
• The potential benefits of adding ...

Retirement Planners of America's Senior Retirement Planner Ken Moraif reviews the economy and market events for August 15, 2025. Learn more or sign up for RPOA's weekly Market Alerts at https://RetirementPlannersofAmerica.com​. 

Invest and Protect Episode: https://youtu.be/gdBNBICvKww 

Economic indicators and stock market performance cannot be predicted. Opinions expressed regarding the economy and the s...

🎯 The Four Stages of Your Financial Life Cycle: Where Do Most People Fail?

Retirement doesn’t happen by accident—it’s a journey that unfolds across four critical stages: Earning, Accumulation, Protection, and Legacy. In this episode of the Retirement Planners of America Podcast, Ken Moraif and Jeremy Thornton break down each phase and reveal where most people go wrong—and how you can avoid costly mistakes.

💡 Wha...

🚩 5 Red Flags to Watch for When Choosing a Financial Planner
Not all financial planners are created equal. In this episode, we break down five warning signs to look out for when evaluating who to trust with your money.

From vague answers to questionable incentives, these red flags can help you ask better questions and make more informed decisions.

This episode is part of an ongoing series aimed at helping you...

🎙️ 5 Critical Things to Know Before You Take Social Security
Deciding when and how to take Social Security isn’t just about picking a date—it can have lasting financial consequences. In this episode, we break down five essential factors to consider before making your choice, including:

✅ Key age milestones that impact your benefits
✅ The role of life expectancy and break-even points
✅ How your income affects b...

📰 Social Security Cuts? What You Need to Know Now

The Social Security Trustees have issued a stark update: by 2035, the system may only be able to pay out 81% of promised benefits. In this episode, we unpack what’s happening, what it could mean for your retirement income, and how these changes might affect people at different income levels.

Ken and Jeremy explore:

The latest Social Security projections

What happened in the past—and...

Retirement Planners of America's Senior Retirement Planner Ken Moraif reviews the economy and market events for July 4, 2025. Learn more or sign up for RPOA's weekly Market Alerts at https://RetirementPlannersofAmerica.com​. 

Economic indicators and stock market performance cannot be predicted. Opinions expressed regarding the economy and the stock market belong solely to Ken Moraif on behalf of Retirement Planne...

🎧 Your Magic Number: What It Means and Why It Matters
In this episode, Ken and Jeremy explore the idea of a “magic number”—a personal figure tied to your financial future that can influence the way you think about retirement, risk, and planning.

This conversation is part of a broader series focused on helping you think through key financial decisions with clarity.

📌 Want more thoughtful takes on planning, st...

🎙️ Five Enemies To Your Financial Well Being 🧠

Thinking seriously about retirement means paying attention to more than just saving and investing. In this episode, we explore five often-overlooked challenges that can impact your financial stability over time.

These aren't just numbers on a spreadsheet—they're real-world factors that can influence long-term financial decisions.

📌 Subscribe for more thoughtful discussions ...

Retirement Planners of America's Senior Retirement Planner Ken Moraif reviews the economy and market events for June 6, 2025. Learn more or sign up for RPOA's weekly Market Alerts at https://RetirementPlannersofAmerica.com​. #retirementplanning​​​
Economic indicators and stock market performance cannot be predicted. Opinions expressed regarding the economy and the stock market belong solely to Ken Moraif on behalf of ...

In this episode of the Retirement Planners of America Podcast, Ken Moraif breaks down the often-misunderstood world of capital gains taxes—what they are, how they differ from ordinary income taxes, and why they play a critical role in a smart retirement strategy. Joined by co-host Jeremy, Ken explains how proper tax planning can help your money last longer by minimizing the taxes you pay on investment income. Learn the difference b...