Your Money Your Retirement Podcast

Most people spend their entire working lives looking forward to retirement as a time when things finally get simpler, including the tax bill. So when I tell you that for many retirees, taxes often get more complicated and can actually go up after they stop working, that's hard to believe. 

Most people spend decades learning how to save for retirement — maxing out their 401k, watching their balance grow. But there's almost no education about the next chapter: turning that balance into income.

Many people think of retirement as a destination, you work hard, you save, you arrive. But for millions of women, retirement isn't a destination. It's a marathon that could run 30, even 35 years and the plan many of them have might, not last that long. 

Divorce later in life can have a lasting impact on your financial future. New research finds that more than 60% of Americans who divorce after age 50 say it delays their retirement and that's only part of the financial fallout. Nearly 70% take on new debt, often ranging from $25,000 to $50,000. For many, starting over after 50 doesn't just mean rebuilding a life, it means rebuilding a retirement plan, too.

We're faced with questions every day. What's for dinner? When's the meeting? How was your day? These are questions that are, or should be easy to answer, but when you're starting to consider retirement, the questions can get a lot more complicated.

Many people spend decades building their retirement nest egg, only to discover that having substantial savings isn't enough. Just like a beautiful house needs a strong foundation to withstand storms, your retirement plan needs proper structuring to help preserve against the challenges ahead.

Retirement isn't looking as bright as it used to. Confidence is slipping. Less and less people believe they'll live as well (or better) in retirement than they do today. What changed…and what can be done to turn that outlook around?

Your 401(k) may be one of your largest assets. And may be one of your largest future tax liabilities if not managed carefully. In this week's podcast, we discuss strategies to help preserve your savings, create reliable retirement income, and reduce unnecessary taxes throughout retirement.

You might think legacy planning is just for people with big mansions and even bigger bank accounts, but think again. It's really about preparing for life's curveballs and protecting your loved ones, no matter your bank account size. 

You've spent 30, 40 years building a nest egg. You've done everything right. But now you're facing this impossible choice you need your money to grow or inflation will eat it alive, but one bad market crash could potentially wipe out years of savings in months. It's like you're being asked to walk a tightrope without a safety net. 

Imagine a master carpenter showing up to a job site with the most expensive tools money can buy titanium hammers, high-end saws but no blueprints. Without a plan, those tools are useless. Many people approach retirement the same way: they have financial "tools" like 401(k)s and IRAs, but no actual strategy to build a confident future.

Gone are the days when retirees could rely heavily on robust corporate pension plans. Today, not only are corporate pensions a fading memory, but many retirees need more than their Social Security benefits. This places a greater burden of securing a financially stable retirement on individuals.

Some people spend forty years building a "pile of money" for retirement, but a pile isn't a plan. To survive decades without a paycheck, you need to become the architect of your own income.

Market swings are inevitable, but panic doesn't have to be. The key to weathering volatility isn't avoiding market corrections; it's preparing for them. With a smart strategy and the right mindset, you can stay focused, protect your retirement goals, and navigate uncertainty with confidence.

It's a common belief that taxes decline in retirement. However, for many individuals, the opposite holds true, taxes can remain a significant, and sometimes one of the largest, expenses throughout retirement.

Retirement isn't looking as bright as it used to. Confidence is slipping, only about 3 in 10 people believe they'll live as well (or better) in retirement than they do today. What changed… and what can be done to turn that outlook around?

The retirement landscape has fundamentally changed and the old rules no longer apply. Gone are the days of working until 65, relying on a pension, and enjoying a predictable 20-year retirement. Today's reality is more complex, more uncertain, and requires a new strategy. Understanding this shift isn't just helpful, it's essential to building a retirement plan that actually works.