Retirement Starts Today

Are index funds really the "sure thing" in investing, or do our emotions get in the way? To help answer that question, we’re going to talk about a Wall Street Journal article by Jason Zweig, which demonstrates the simplicity and challenges that come with investing in index funds. While these funds are designed to replicate the market at a low cost, actual investor behavior is what can lead to underperformance. We’ll talk about why sticking to this seemingly easy strategy is harder than it looks and explore how to avoid the "behavior gap" that keeps investors from reaching their full potential. Next, Brett and I team up to tackle a listener question about estate planning. If you’ve already got a financial plan in place but need help with wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, this segment is for you. We break down what estate planning tools you need to protect your family and your assets, and we’ll also get deep into when it's time to involve an attorney. Estate planning may not be fun, but having a plan in place can prevent huge headaches down the road. Outline of This Episode Resources & People Mentioned Messing Up the Closest Thing to a Sure Thing in the Stock Market, by Jason ZweigMind the Gap 2024: A Report on Investor Returns in the USThe Retirement Podcast Network Connect with Wall Street Journal contributor Jason Zweig Jason Zweig, Wall Street Journal profile Connect with Benjamin Brandt www.retirementstartstoday.com/start http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ https://twitter.com/retiremeasaphttps://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletterwww.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

How can we better prepare for a successful retirement? We’re exploring the lessons from a recent article by Christine Benz of Morningstar, where she reflects on her six-week sabbatical and how "mini-retirements" can help us test the waters before we fully retire. We talk about how the luxury of unscheduled time, balancing purpose, and the importance of finding joy in small moments can shape our ideal retirement experience. I also have a listener-inspired segment on protecting personal data in the age of cyber threats and data breaches. Outline of This Episode Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast NetworkLessons From Another ‘Faux-tirement’Christine Benz, How to Retire (Morningstar)IRS Identity Protection PINSocial Security Online Services Connect with Benjamin Brandt www.retirementstartstoday.com/start http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ https://twitter.com/retiremeasaphttps://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletterwww.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Are you actually prepared to navigate the complexities of retirement? We’re exploring Fritz Gilbert’s Six Lessons From Six Years of Retirement, shared from his blog The Retirement Manifesto. One by one, we’ll walk through these lessons, keeping in mind that retirement is an evolving journey, not a static experience. For those who still need to optimize their post-work life, these lessons will show you a roadmap. We then talk about a listener question about portfolio management—whether to prioritize Roth conversions or refilling cash buckets when your investments outperform expectations. We get deep into the importance of tax diversification and flexibility in retirement, especially why having options—whether it’s a Roth, brokerage, or IRA—is absolutely crucial when facing financial uncertainties. If you’re preparing for or already navigating retirement, today is an excellent lesson from the ‘upperclassmen’—those a few years ahead of us in the retirement game. Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast NetworkOriginal Six Lessons article by Fritz Gilbert (and The Retirement Reality Series)The Strategic Coach program Connect with The Retirement Manifesto Author Fritz Gilbert Fritz Gilbert’s The Retirement Manifesto Connect with Benjamin Brandt www.retirementstartstoday.com/start http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ https://twitter.com/retiremeasaphttps://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletterwww.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Podbean, Player FM, iHeart, or Spotify

Retirement is not just a transition from work to leisure. It’s a continuous journey of self-discovery. We explore the story of Tom, who reflects on the emotional and financial challenges he faced after leaving a successful career. From adjusting to a fixed income to finding new ways to matter outside of his career, Tom’s experiences give us valuable lessons for those nearing retirement. In light of Tom’s story, we talk more about Roth conversions and the evolving rules surrounding Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). We’ll tell you how to manage Roth conversions, even after reaching RMD age, and the importance of tax planning as part of a truly comprehensive retirement strategy. Learn how to make smarter financial decisions as you prepare for (or continue through your continuous journey of) retirement. Outline of This Episode Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast NetworkTom Pendergast’s Blog:Out Over My SkisRetirement Freedom or Free Fall article Connect with Tom Pendergast Tom Pendergast’s Blog Connect with Benjamin Brandt www.retirementstartstoday.com/start http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/ https://twitter.com/retiremeasaphttps://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletterwww.RetirementIncome.University

You know inflation is something to consider in retirement, but how much should you worry about it? On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore an article from Of Dollar and Data that dives into the nitty gritty of inflation by analyzing three hypothetical retirement scenarios. Learn how to plan for any eventuality so that you can better prepare for rising costs as you age. Outline of This Episode Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast NetworkOur Annual Listener Survey Of Dollar and Data Connect with Benjamin Brandt http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/https://twitter.com/retiremeasaphttps://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletterwww.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts,Stitcher,TuneIn,Podbean,Player FM,iHeart, orSpotify

In retirement, retirees make the big switch–drawing on savings rather than contributing to them. This is often when the trouble comes–the psychological hurdle comes when it’s time to start spending your hard-earned savings. In this episode, you’ll learn how to understand the mental barrier that comes with the big switch and learn strategies to overcome it. Listen to learn how to use your retirement funds without guilt or fear of financial instability. Outline of This Episode Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast NetworkAnnual Listener SurveyMorning Star article Connect with Benjamin Brandt http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/https://twitter.com/retiremeasaphttps://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletterwww.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts,Stitcher,TuneIn,Podbean,Player FM,iHeart, orSpotify

Knowing when to retire is not just an economic decision; it’s highly personal. In an era where your work is with your identity, deciding when to retire can feel monumental. So how do you know when the time is right? That’s what we’ll explore in today’s episode. In addition to discussing this retirement headline, Bret Mulvaney joins the show again to help me answer our listener question. Press play to listen. Outline of This Episode Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast Network Vox article Dan Sullivan - The Strategic Coach Connect with Benjamin Brandt http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/https://twitter.com/retiremeasaphttps://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletterwww.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts,Stitcher,TuneIn,Podbean,Player FM,iHeart, orSpotify

Do you feel pain when spending money? Or perhaps it’s the opposite, and you spend a little too freely without much thought, pain, or remorse? In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore an article on how to make the most out of retirement by trying to land somewhere in the middle of the spending spectrum. Whether you find yourself to be a “tightwad” or a “spendthrift” you’ll find this episode to be a helpful exploration of gaining happiness from your retirement spending plan. Outline of This Episode Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast Network The Wealth of Common Sense Connect with Benjamin Brandt http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/https://twitter.com/retiremeasaphttps://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletterwww.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts,Stitcher,TuneIn,Podbean,Player FM,iHeart, orSpotify

It’s easy to make mistakes in your investment portfolio, but as you get closer to retirement, it becomes more important than ever to make sure you are maximizing your financial health so that you can achieve your long-term goals. In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll take a look at an article written by Christine Benz which highlights several common errors that investors make. Listen in to avoid these mistakes and learn the actions you can take to rectify the problems. Outline of This Episode Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast Network MorningStar article Connect with Benjamin Brandt http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/https://twitter.com/retiremeasaphttps://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletterwww.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts,Stitcher,TuneIn,Podbean,Player FM,iHeart, orSpotify

What would you say your retirement confidence level is? If you’re like many super-savers, it may be surprisingly low. In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore an article from Investment News that dives into a phenomenon where wealthier Americans who are confident in their money management skills still feel shaky about retirement and transferring their wealth to their heirs. Listen in to learn how to become more confident in your retirement plan and stick around for the listener question where we discuss just how safe annuities really are. Outline of This Episode Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast Network Die with Zero Investment News article Connect with Benjamin Brandt http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/https://twitter.com/retiremeasaphttps://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletterwww.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts,Stitcher,TuneIn,Podbean,Player FM,iHeart, orSpotify

We may think of many things when it comes to rising interest rates, but often we fail to understand how that could lead to rising IRS penalties. In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll take a look at an informative article from the WSJ about how to avoid rising IRS penalties. Make sure to stick around for the listener questions segment where I answer Jeff’s question on how to bridge the income gap between retirement and Social Security. Outline of This Episode Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast Network WSJ article Connect with Benjamin Brandt http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/https://twitter.com/retiremeasaphttps://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletterwww.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts,Stitcher,TuneIn,Podbean,Player FM,iHeart, orSpotify

When was the last time you checked your beneficiaries on your retirement account? After listening to today’s episode, I guarantee you’ll be logging in to verify. In the retirement headlines segment, we’ll check out a Yahoo Finance article titled ”They Broke Up In 1989, But Now His Ex-Girlfriend Is Inheriting His $1 Million Retirement Account After Nearly 40 Years.” How’s that headline for clickbait? It certainly got me to click! Make sure to stick around to hear how a reverse mortgage could play a part in your retirement planning. Outline of This Episode Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast Network Yahoo Finance articleWade Pfau Die with Zero Connect with Benjamin Brandt http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/https://twitter.com/retiremeasaphttps://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletterwww.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts,Stitcher,TuneIn,Podbean,Player FM,iHeart, orSpotify

While, for some people, the transition to retirement goes perfectly smoothly, that’s not the case for everyone. Most of us are counting the days until retirement. We’re excited by all the prospects this new stage in life will bring. However, some people struggle with the change. In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll look at a common issue with retirement from a psychological perspective with this article from Psychology Today. In the listener question segment, I’ll touch on how to bridge the gap between the beginning of retirement and collecting Social Security and discuss how to invest for the short-term in retirement. It’s time to up your retirement game; press play to get started. Outline of This Episode Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast Network Psychology Today article Connect with Benjamin Brandt http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/https://twitter.com/retiremeasaphttps://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletterwww.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts,Stitcher,TuneIn,Podbean,Player FM,iHeart, orSpotify

It’s no secret that I want you to spend more money in retirement. Why? Because you’ve worked for it! Retirement is about living the life that you have saved for all these years, so I’m looking for any way I can find to help you get out there and enjoy it. One way that has been gaining popularity in recent years is semi-retirement. In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll look at an article that shows how partial retirement has been shown to lead to an increase in spending levels in retirement. Outline of This Episode Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast Network ThinkAdvisor article Connect with Benjamin Brandt http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/https://twitter.com/retiremeasaphttps://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletterwww.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts,Stitcher,TuneIn,Podbean,Player FM,iHeart, orSpotify

We’ve all heard the saying, “Money can’t buy happiness.” However, research suggests that while money may not buy lasting joy, it can certainly enhance our lives if spent wisely. The key lies in how we spend our money. On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore a recent article on spending money to maximize your happiness. Stick around for the latest book update and sign up for the newsletter to learn how to preorder and stay up to date on book giveaways! Outline of This Episode Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast Network The Myth of Happiness Happy MoneyMoney happiness article Connect with Benjamin Brandt http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/https://twitter.com/retiremeasaphttps://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletterwww.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts,Stitcher,TuneIn,Podbean,Player FM,iHeart, orSpotify

By now, we’ve all heard of AI, but many people still have mixed feelings about this revolutionary tool. Since I’ve been using it in my life on a daily basis, I have been wanting to share how you all can use AI to help with retirement planning. When I came across this article from Business Insider, I knew I found my opportunity. Even if you’ve never used AI before, you’ll want to listen in to hear how you can use this versatile tool to help you plan your retirement. Outline of This Episode Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast Network Business Insider article Connect with Benjamin Brandt http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/https://twitter.com/retiremeasaphttps://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletterwww.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts,Stitcher,TuneIn,Podbean,Player FM,iHeart, orSpotify

Many factors should come into play when deciding when to take your Social Security benefit but doomsday headlines shouldn’t be one of them. On this episode, you’ll hear how Social Security’s biggest myth is costing retirees a lot of money. Don’t get caught unaware! Make sure to stick around until the end to hear about a jury duty scam that even I had never heard of. Outline of This Episode Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast Network Are You a Prudent Pessimist?The Jury Duty Scam CNBC article Connect with Benjamin Brandt http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/https://twitter.com/retiremeasaphttps://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletterwww.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts,Stitcher,TuneIn,Podbean,Player FM,iHeart, orSpotify

The 4% rule is the “golden rule” of retirement planning. Everyone is familiar with it and it’s easy to work out for some quick, back-of-the-napkin math. Since it is so easy to calculate and implement, many use it as their retirement withdrawal rule. However, this approach may be overly conservative. While using a significantly higher withdrawal rate may go too far, the 4% rule may be too cautious. Listen in to hear the limitations of sticking with this overly simplistic rule of thumb. Outline of This Episode Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast NetworkThink Advisor article Connect with Benjamin Brandt http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/https://twitter.com/retiremeasaphttps://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletterwww.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts,Stitcher,TuneIn,Podbean,Player FM,iHeart, orSpotify

Did you know that you can buy gold at your local Costco? However, just because it’s easy to buy doesn't mean it’s easy to sell. In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’re exploring gold and its role in your retirement portfolio. To do that, we’ll take a look at a retirement headline from WSJ and i’ll share my thoughts on the latest gold rush. Make sure to stick around until the end for Kevin’s question about the key difference between accumulation and decumulation. Outline of This Episode Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast Network WSJ article Connect with Benjamin Brandt http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/https://twitter.com/retiremeasaphttps://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletterwww.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts,Stitcher,TuneIn,Podbean,Player FM,iHeart, orSpotify

Risk is what is left over after you think you’ve thought of everything. – Carl Richards Getting to financial independence is job #1, but staying financially independent comes a close second. To do so you’ll need to be aware of the risks that could empty your accounts. Being vigilant of these risks and having a plan to work through or avoid them could save you hundreds of thousands of dollars. Listen in to hear how you can save your financial independence. Outline of This Episode Resources & People Mentioned The Retirement Podcast Network Connect with Benjamin Brandt http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/https://twitter.com/retiremeasaphttps://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletterwww.RetirementIncome.University Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on Apple Podcasts,Stitcher,TuneIn,Podbean,Player FM,iHeart, orSpotify