Your Retirement Elevated Podcast with Scott Dougan

Half of parents are still paying their grown kids' bills (almost $1,500/month, on average), and it’s putting their own retirement at risk. The ‘Bank of Mom and Dad’ is open for business… but for how much longer? In this episode, Scott breaks down the rising trend of parents financially supporting Gen Z and millennial children, even into their 30s and 40s, and the often-overlooked danger it poses to long-term financial security.

Her...

You’ve spent years saving in your IRA, but what if we told you it could be the worst asset to leave to your kids? In this episode, Scott uncovers a critical issue with your retirement plan: inherited IRAs.

Why does nationally recognized IRA expert, Ed Slott, call traditional IRAs “the worst asset to pass on to your kids?” We’ll break it all down for you and explain how you may be leaving a massive tax bill for your heirs.

Here’s wh...

The ​headlines ​are ​loud, ​the ​markets ​are ​messy, ​and ​your ​gut ​might ​be ​telling ​you ​to ​do ​something, ​anything. ​But ​what ​should ​you ​actually ​do ​when ​your ​portfolio ​takes ​a ​hit like we’ve seen in recent days and weeks? If you’ve felt your stress levels rise, you’re not alone. Today we’ll try to help ease those emotions and the natural inclination to start making changes to your investment strategy.

Here’s w...

Retirees have leveraged the traditional IRA for decades to invest and save, but is it still the best tool for today’s retirement landscape? IRA expert Ed Slott recently called the traditional IRA “the worst possible asset to own,” which is a bold statement.

If this is true, when did it all change, and what are some better options? In this episode, we’ll explore the validity of this statement and have a real conversation about inves...

April Fool’s Day is all about jokes and pranks, but when it comes to retirement planning, getting fooled can cost you real money. Today we’re going to unpack five common myths that trick retirees into making emotional or short-sighted decisions.

Here’s some of what we cover:

🎭 Don’t get fooled by “guaranteed high returns”

🕒 Social Security timing is more than just fear of missing out

💰 Tax burdens in retirement can be higher—not...

March Madness is here, and just like filling out a bracket, picking individual stocks feels exciting. But the odds of winning big are slim. Investors often chase stock picks the same way they bet on their favorite teams, but history shows most stocks underperform, just like most brackets get busted.

In this video, Scott breaks down the risky game of stock picking and how it compares to the unpredictability of March Madness.

Here’s ...

Much like the weather, the stock market has its share of ups and downs. Those stormy days might feel unrelenting at times, but even in weeks filled with red, we can usually count on brighter days ahead. In this episode, Scott will provide some much-needed context for market corrections, explain how they differ from pullbacks and bear markets, and show you why staying calm is the best approach.

Here’s what we cover in this episode:

Many people enter into a relationship with their financial advisor with unrealistic expectations, often believing they can control the uncontrollable. The reality is an advisor can provide great value, but they can’t help you with everything.

Today it’s part ​two ​of ​our ​series ​on things your advisor ​can ​and ​can't do for you, and we’re going to clarify some misconceptions and set proper expectations regarding what an advisor ...

In the world of finance, the role of a financial advisor can often be misunderstood. Many individuals think that hiring a financial advisor is solely about investment management or picking stocks. However, the role of an advisor is multifaceted so understanding what they can and can't help you with will allow you to make more informed decisions.

In this video, you’ll discover the five key things a financial advisor can do for you, ...

The day President Trump took office, he announced plans to implement a 25 percent tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada. Additional tariff conversations have exploded since that day. What could these mean to your personal finances and the economy? Today, we’ll explain a bit of the backstory of tariffs and discuss the possible financial pros and cons.

Here’s what we cover in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

0:53 – What is a tariff?

3:32...

In honor of Valentine’s Day, we’re going to talk about the five love languages made popular by author Gary Chapman. If you’re not familiar with them, they include acts of service, quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, and physical touch. Today we’ll tell you ​what ​those ​have ​to ​do ​with ​planning ​for ​retirement. ​You'll ​be ​surprised ​by ​some ​of ​the ​connections ​Scott is able to make ​here.

Here’s what we cover in t...

As we gear up for another Super Bowl featuring the Kansas City Chiefs, let's take a moment to appreciate one of the best coaches in the game, Andy Reid. Whether you’re planning the perfect play on the field or preparing for retirement, success comes down to strategy, discipline, and knowing when to adjust. Today, we’re breaking down some of Coach Reid’s best quotes and how they apply to building a winning retirement plan.

Here’s wh...

Everyone views their retirement differently, and there’s a segment of the population that wants to live life to the fullest. If they could build the perfect plan, that last check they write would barely clear the bank. For those that don’t want to leave a large legacy and would rather spend down their assets over their lifetime, we’ll talk about how personalized planning can help accomplish that goal and ensure you’re not going to ...

Chasing that magic number in retirement can be pretty anxiety-inducing. Many in the financial industry get fixated on saving and saving to reach this gigantic number, but there’s so much more detail that goes into figuring out what you will need to support your lifestyle. Today we’re going to tell you what goes into finding that financial independence number for you.

Read the article that Scott wrote for Kiplinger about this topic ...

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 retirees are drawn to this lifestyle, ...

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 affiliation, recognize the challenge...

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 examines broader challenges facing th...

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 diversification

9:41 – Required mi...

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

5:25 – Are you paying too much in ta...