Your Retirement Elevated Podcast with Scott Dougan

The 4% rule gets talked about like gospel in retirement planning. But let’s be honest, it’s always been more of a rough guess than a golden rule. Now, its original creator is revising it to 4.7%. So, does that mean your retirement paycheck just got a raise, or is this just another headline that oversimplifies a complex decision?

In this episode, Scott takes a closer look at what the 4.7% update really means. He walks through the or...

You’ve worked hard, saved well, and now you’re thinking about giving back—maybe to your kids, your grandkids, or a cause you care about. But should you wait and pass that wealth on later, or give while you’re still around to enjoy the impact? Let’s talk about how to make that decision with confidence.

In this episode, Scott shares a thoughtful 4-step process to help you navigate one of the most meaningful decisions in retirement.

H...

A lot of people believe that everything should go into a trust once you’ve set it up, and while that sounds logical, the answer is actually no. Not everything belongs in your trust, and getting it wrong could lead to headaches, probate delays, or even tax trouble. So today, we’ve invited estate planning attorney Connor Kelley to break down the four big ones you want to be careful with: retirement accounts, vehicles, life insurance,...

Most people walk into a financial advisor’s office asking for more income or a better plan. But what they’re really searching for is something deeper: peace of mind, clarity, and the ability to live life on their terms. In this episode, Scott challenges the conventional approach to planning and reveals the real reason people seek financial guidance in the first place.

Here’s what we cover in this episode:

🗺️ Find clarity, not jus...

What if I told you the key to financial success isn’t how smart you are with numbers, but how well you understand your own emotions? One of the most talked-about money books out there, The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel, might change the way you think about money, and we’re going to dive into the key concepts in this video.

Here’s what we cover in this episode:

🧠 Understanding emotional drivers of money decisions

🎯 Why “en...

When most people think about retirement risks, they picture a stock market crash. But the truth is, the biggest threats to your financial future are often the ones you never saw coming. In this episode, Scott unpacks seven real risks that can quietly derail even the most well-planned retirement. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about volatility.

Here’s what we cover in this episode:

🔥 Inflation + interest rates = lifestyle erosion

💰...

You’ve had 2025 circled on your calendar for years, but now, with rising inflation, market volatility, and economic uncertainty, you’re asking the big question: Is 2025 still a good time to retire? In this episode, Scott breaks down what really matters when making the retirement leap and why the media headlines shouldn’t dictate your financial future. If you’re feeling pressure to postpone your plans, this conversation offers clari...

Most people think a full bank account means full retirement readiness, but it’s just the beginning. In this episode, Scott outlines the three essential keys you must consider before retirement. These points will help you determine whether you're set for a smooth, confident transition or if there are gaps you still need to address.

Find out how to assess your readiness using our practical 1–10 scoring system to help you identify exa...

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...