#477 - Widowed in Retirement: Navigating Life Changes

Even though it is difficult to think about it, at some point, those of us who are married will have to think about one of you transitioning from two to one.

This week we’re exploring the nonfinancial impacts of this transition with someone who has walked this journey. Rock Retirement Club member, Mark Trautman shares his personal journey through his life-changing experience.

Mark shares the challenges and the tools that have helped him get through this heartbreaking part of his life so that he can move forward and rock retirement on his own.

PodcastsRoger WhitneyMarch 8, 2023widowed in retirement, Dr. Bobby DuBois, Rosie

#476 - How to Rock Retirement on Your Own

If you have been listening to this show for a while, chances are you already know how to rock your retirement. However, this can all change with the loss of a spouse. All of your best-laid plans change in an instant. That’s why this month we are focusing on going from two to one.

#475 - Should I Rebalance My Portfolio Now?

Life is what happens to us when we are busy making other plans. This is especially true during transitions. As I transition to adding a new segment to this show, it’s gotten a bit messy. It’s been a bumpy road and not everything has gone according to plan.

Listen in to hear how this applies to retirement planning. While you’re at it you’ll hear how to decide whether to rebalance a portfolio and how to nurture relationships. Press play so that you can start rocking retirement.

#474 - What are Brokered CDs and How Do They Work?

Do you ever feel like a curmudgeon when you hear about new technology? Listen in to find out what has me putting on my sourpuss hat this week.

We have a variety of interesting listener questions this week. Listen in to learn about purchasing brokerage CDs and CDs on the secondary market, how to decide whether to take the pension or the lump sum, and how to determine whether to become a 1099 contractor rather than a W2 employee.

In the Bring It On segment you’ll hear about what work looks like in retirement from Mark Ross. Spoiler alert: you can work in retirement!

PodcastsRoger WhitneyFebruary 15, 2023listener questions, brokered cds, pension vs lump sum

#473 - How Is Deferred Compensation Taxed When I Receive It?

Recently, we had the finale of the Retirement Plan Live series, so I want to share my observations on what we can all learn from Rosie’s experience. There was a lot to unpack from Rosie’s plan. Before we get to the Listener Questions segment, I’ll share my thoughts with you.

Make sure to stick around after the listener questions to hear the Bring It On segment with Dr. Bobby Dubois. You’ll hear about building energy in retirement through your emotional, cognitive, and social well-being. Learn how to use these powerful ways to live longer and stay healthier in retirement.

#472 - How Do I Calculate the Decreased Social Security Benefit If I Retire Early

I’m excited about our newest segment, Bring It On with Kevin Lyles. The Bring It On segment will discuss mindset and other non-financial aspects of retirement.

In addition to our newest segment, today you’ll hear about the books I read in January and listener questions.

Learn how to calculate a decreased benefit when retiring early, which accounts to draw from to minimize taxes, how to manage 401Ks through a company transition, and what to consider when choosing a financial advisor.

Join me for this episode of Retirement Answer Man to explore the latest issues in retirement and beyond so that you can get ready to rock retirement.

#471 - Retirement Plan Live: The Impact of the Bear Market

Retirement can be tricky. There are so many unknowns, so preparing yourself mentally can be a challenge.

Mental toughness is the ability to remain positive and proactive in the most adverse situations. Our Retirement Plan Live volunteer, Rosie, is having to rely on mental toughness to stay on target through an extra challenging early retirement.

Join Rosie and me today as we discuss the impact that the bear market had on her finances at the start of her retirement.

PodcastsRoger WhitneyJanuary 25, 2023retirement plan live, Rosie, RPL, sequence of return

#470- Retirement Plan Live: Their Financial Resources

Take a breath, check yourself, and then observe where things are at.

That’s what Rosie and I are doing on this episode of Retirement Plan Live.

After the last episode in which Rosie planned out all her hopes and dreams for retirement, today we’re taking a look at her financial picture. We’ll walk through the sources of her social, human, and financial capital to see where she and her husband stand financially.

Listen in and create your own plan as we go. Make sure to sign up for 6-Shot Saturday to ensure that you get all the worksheets to work through your own retirement plan with me and Rosie.

#469 - Retirement Plan Live 2023: Their Goals for Rocking Retirement

Setting big goals is great, but they have to be the right goals or else they could become a trap. Rosie joins us again today to set her retirement goals. In this episode, you’ll hear her financial goals for her needs, wants, and wishes. We’ll discuss her financial expectations for each of these categories and how her goals fit into her values.

Don’t miss out on this second episode of Retirement Plan Live. When you finish listening, head on over to LiveWithRoger.com to register for the live meet-up on February 2 where we will break down Rosie’s plan in detail and decide whether or not she’ll be able to live out her retirement dreams.

PodcastsRoger WhitneyJanuary 11, 2023retirement plan live, Rosie, RPL, tithing

#468 - Retirement Plan Live: Meet Rosie and Dwayne

Rosie and Dwayne retired in a bear market and now they wonder if they will have enough money to rock retirement. We will explore that question all month long in this Retirement Plan Live.

Over the course of the next few weeks, you’ll learn about Rosie and Dwayne and their journey, their goals, their resources, and their investment strategy. Then we’ll wrap up this series together with a live webinar on February 2. Don’t miss out on the exciting finale, sign up at LiveWithRoger.com.

PodcastsRoger WhitneyJanuary 4, 2023retirement plan live, Rosie, social security, RPL

#467 - Should I Take My Pension Lump Sum Now or Wait?

This is our last episode of 2022, so naturally, there will be a bit of reflection alongside the practical planning and your listener questions. Kevin Lyles also joins me in the Coach’s Corner to discuss living your best life in retirement.

Let’s noodle on what it means to live authentically and discover the answers to some fantastic questions that will help guide you on your retirement journey. Stick around until the end of the episode to hear my word for 2023 and how I plan to review my year.

PodcastsRoger WhitneyDecember 28, 2022listener questions, pension, Kevin Lyles, social security, IRA

#466 - Should I Have a Mortgage on My Rental Property?

Do you wonder what you’ll do with all your free time in retirement? Planning your time by filling your days with purpose and passion can help ease the stress that comes with the sudden emptiness of leaving behind a full-time career.

On this episode of Retirement Answer Man, we’ll discuss how dabbling in a few different activities can help you find your purpose. You’ll also hear the answers to questions posed by listeners like you.

PodcastsRoger WhitneyDecember 21, 2022listener questions, mortgage, rental income, structure, divorce, social security

#465 - Should I File for Social Security If I’m Still Working?

Are you curious about the changes that are coming next year on the Retirement Answer Man show? Today, you’ll have a sneak peek at one of our new segments: the Rock Life segment. Bobby Dubois joins me to discuss how to ensure that you have enough energy so that you can rock retirement.

On this episode, you’ll also hear my holiday gift-buying suggestions as well as the listener questions segment. Don’t miss out on hearing what to do with a settlement, whether to file for Social Security if you are still working, and whether you should simplify your investments in retirement.

Don’t miss this episode to hear the answers to these listener questions, get a preview of what’s to come next year, and to get some fantastic gift ideas.

#464 - Should I Invest in Individual Stocks or ETFs in Retirement?

Is it worth investing in individual stocks or should you simply go with ETFs? Joe has recently parted ways with his financial planner and is beginning to manage his portfolio himself and was wondering about the benefits of these choices.

Tanya Nichols and I will explore Joe’s questions as well as others on this episode of Retirement Answer Man. Listen in to hear the benefits of owning ETFs vs individual stocks, how to structure your Roth conversions, and what to do about health insurance before Medicare.

#463 - Should I Pay Off My Mortgage or Invest?

There comes a time when retirement planning becomes retirement doing. Many people get stuck in that gap between knowing vs. doing. While it is important to learn what you can so that you can make educated decisions, you’ll want to build a foundation to give you the confidence to act. My goal is not only to teach you information but also to help you build the structure you need to go out and rock retirement.

On this episode, we’ll discuss how to close the knowing vs. doing gap, answer listener questions, and check out what Kevin has to say in the Coach’s Corner. Listen in to hear a clarification on Social Security and COLA, a new perspective on whether to purchase long-term care insurance and how to find a financial advisor who will simply answer questions. Stick around until the end to hear the Coach’s Corner segment with Kevin Lyles.

#462 - How Do I Know if an Annuity Is Right for Me in Retirement?

Curiosity is an important quality to nurture as you get older; it can even help you find your purpose in retirement. Today, I’ll help you explore how to use your curiosity to discover your purpose as you embark on the next phase of your life.

This episode is packed with questions that could help you rock retirement. Listen in to learn how to know if an annuity is right for you in retirement, how to apply for social security, whether you can contribute to a Roth IRA if you are an independent contractor, how to choose healthcare alternatives before Medicare, and 401K alternatives for the highly compensated employee.

PodcastsRoger WhitneyNovember 23, 2022listener questions, annuity basics, annuities, social security, medicare, backdoor Roth

#461 - How to Rebalance a Bond Ladder

The good life is a direction, not a destination. This is why we are so focused on the process of retirement planning. Rocking retirement is all about having an adaptable process to work through.

On this episode of Retirement Answer Man, I answer a few process-based questions. You’ll learn how to work through the steps to rebalance a bond ladder and how to analyze whether you have enough to create a sound retirement.

PodcastsRoger WhitneyNovember 16, 2022listener questions, bond ladder

#460 - What Should I Know Before Using 72T to Fund Retirement?

When planning your retirement journey it is imperative that you fully explore and understand the options available. On this episode of Retirement Answer Man, Shane asks about the best ways to access his retirement accounts early.

Taylor Schulte from Define Financial joins me in the listener questions segment to discuss Shane’s question by clarifying the rule of 55 and 72(t), the ups and downs of using his fiduciary to prepare Jay’s taxes, and how to fund the first 5 years of retirement.

Don’t miss out on the answers to questions from listeners like you. Tune in to hear if Taylor’s response matches my own.

PodcastsRoger WhitneyNovember 9, 2022listener questions, Taylor Schulte, rule of 55, 72t

#459 - Should I Invest in Commodity ETFs to Fight Inflation?

If the bear market and inflation may have you worried, a bit of productive paranoia with a tinge of optimism may see you through. On this episode of Retirement Answer Man, we’ll discuss upcoming monthly themes, the next Retirement Plan Live case study, and ideas for new segments for the show. You’ll also hear answers to several listener questions. Today we’re putting our geek hats on to discuss commodity ETFs, perpetual withdrawal rates, single-pay annuities, and how to mix compounding with growth. Press play to get started.

PodcastsRoger WhitneyNovember 2, 2022listener questions, commodities, ETF, annuities, perpetual withdrawal, NUAs

#458 - When Can I Make a Backdoor Roth Contribution?

If you don’t qualify for a Roth IRA you may be interested in using a backdoor Roth to utilize the advantages of a Roth IRA. One listener wonders about the rules for contributing to a backdoor Roth. Today, I’ll clear up his question and answer many more.

Other listener questions in this episode cover using RMDs as QCDs, dealing with capital gains, and target date funds. Don’t miss out on discovering the answers to questions from listeners like you. Press play now to listen.

PodcastsRoger WhitneyOctober 26, 2022listener questions, Roth, RMD

The Retirement Answer Man® Show

Hitting the hot topics of life and retirement, right between the ears.

Find your favorite episode or topic by using the search box below!

Sign up for 6-Shot Saturday.