Your Retirement Elevated Podcast with Scott Dougan

💼 Want expert help in planning for your financial future?

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Thinking about tapping into your retirement savings early? The IRS might have a 10% surprise waiting for you. Withdrawing money before age 59½ from a traditional IRA or 401(k) can trigger not just regular income taxes, but also hefty penalties. In this episode, Scott explains the ...

💼 Want expert help in planning for your financial future?

Apply for a consultation here 👉 https://calendly.com/erg-kc/introductory-phone-call-with-erg 

Retirement is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll  ever make, but how do you know if you’re really ready? While there are countless details that matter, Scott is boiling it down to make it simple. In this episode, he covers the three key questions you need to ask yoursel...

💼 Want expert help in planning for your financial future?

Apply for a consultation here 👉 https://calendly.com/erg-kc/introductory-phone-call-with-erg 

The first five years of retirement can shape your financial future more than any other stage. Overspending often isn’t about recklessness, it’s about good intentions made at the wrong time. In these early years, small choices can snowball into big setbacks, from home upgrades to l...

💼 Want expert help in planning for your financial future?

Apply for a consultation here 👉 https://calendly.com/erg-kc/introductory-phone-call-with-erg 

There's a brand-new savings account just for kids created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and the media is already getting it wrong. It’s called the Trump Account, and it might just be the most misunderstood part of the new law. In this episode, Scott breaks down exactly what t...

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was passed in July and it’s already reshaping the retirement landscape, especially when it comes to tax strategy and account planning. In this episode, Scott breaks down the three biggest takeaways from the bill that directly impact your retirement accounts. From Rothification trends and expanded conversion opportunities to smarter ways to preserve income-based deductions, we’ll tell you what ...

💼 Want expert help in planning for your financial future?

Apply for a consultation here 👉 https://calendly.com/erg-kc/introductory-phone-call-with-erg 

The new tax bill just passed, but will it actually help you? Let’s look at who stands to benefit, who might lose out, and the strategic moves to consider now while the rules are fresh. Scott returns with a detailed breakdown of what the “Big Beautiful Bill” means for retirees, esp...

💼 Want expert help in planning for your financial future?

Apply for a consultation here 👉 https://calendly.com/erg-kc/introductory-phone-call-with-erg

Sending your child off to college is a proud and emotional milestone, but many parents miss one crucial step. Once your child turns 18, you're no longer automatically allowed to access their medical or financial information, even if you’re still paying the bills. That means in an e...

💼 Want expert help in planning for your financial future?

Apply for a consultation here 👉 https://calendly.com/erg-kc/introductory-phone-call-with-erg

Have you heard the rumor that Social Security is now tax-free or that you’re getting a $40,000 deduction just for existing? Let’s clear up the myths and focus on what the new tax law actually did and what it didn’t. In this episode, Scott breaks down six of the biggest misconceptio...

💼 Want expert help in planning for your financial future?

Apply for a consultation here 👉 https://calendly.com/erg-kc/introductory-phone-call-with-erg 

The headlines are loud, but the real opportunities are quieter. In this episode, Scott breaks down what the newly passed “Big Beautiful Bill” (BBB) actually means for retirees, pre-retirees, and business owners.

We’ll tell you how this sweeping tax legislation opens new planning w...

💼 Want expert help in planning for your financial future?

Apply for a consultation here 👉 https://calendly.com/erg-kc/introductory-phone-call-with-erg

In the book The Five People You Meet in Heaven, each person the main character meets helps him understand his life in a new way. Today, Scott talks about the five people you should meet before retirement—people who can guide your next chapter and help you retire with clarity, confi...

📋 Get Scott's 5 Critical Checkpoints in a Sound Financial Planning Process 👉 https://listentoscott.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/5-Critical-Checkpoints.pdf 

Choosing a financial advisor is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make, but why do people choose the advisor they do? In this episode, Scott walks through 11 of the most common reasons people hire an advisor, from gut-level trust to clear communication, behavioral c...

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...