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Retirement Answers Today is your go-to podcast for clear, actionable guidance to build your dream retirement. Hosted by experienced Dave Ramsey SmartVestor Pros, each episode simplifies the complexities of retirement planning and wealth management, giving you strategies you can confidently implement today. Whether you’re nearing retirement or already there, we’ll cover crucial topics such as creating sustainable retirement income, managing taxes strategically, making smart investment decisions, maximizing your Social Security benefits, and much more. Our goal is simple: help you achieve financial clarity and peace of mind, so you can spend retirement focused on what truly matters. Tune in weekly to get straightforward advice, timely insights, and practical answers to your biggest retirement questions. It’s time to secure your financial future—start listening to Retirement Answers Today and make informed decisions that help you retire with confidence.
Episodes
![What is a Roth IRA and do you need one? [Episode 16]](https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/6000453/Retirement-Answers-Today-Podcast-2-transformed_300x300.jpeg){kind=logo}
Monday Aug 24, 2020
Monday Aug 24, 2020
A Roth IRA can be a great tool to help you get to where you want to be, come retirement. Many people do the bare minimum when planning for retirement, but there are so many options to consider when deciding where to put your retirement savings. A Roth IRA can be a great asset in your retirement plan by offering you a plethora of benefits.
Roth IRAs are the vehicle to help you invest the money you save for retirement. However, what makes Roth IRAs so incredible is that your earnings grow tax-free, which is a great benefit.
In this episode, I lay out and discuss the key features of the Roth IRA and how each of these factors can help you plan for your financial future. I talk about the different aspects of a Roth IRA and pose the pros and cons of a Roth IRA in potential scenarios that you may face in the future.
Roth IRAs can be a great way to plan well for retirement with numerous benefits and significant growth over time. It’s crucial that you do your research and stay informed to retire awesome!
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Monday Aug 17, 2020
Monday Aug 17, 2020
Is it a good idea to take a lump sum out to pay off a car or house?
If you took your money outside of your pension plan, could its growth do better?
On today’s episode of the Retirement Planning Podcast, Jim talks about cash out pensions, otherwise known as lump sum pensions. Pensions are thought to be a thing of the past, but they can be pretty great! Jim explains why companies offer cash out pensions, why they don’t, and he even divulges the top 5 things to consider before making a decision about a pension, including taxes and potential growth.
Host:
Jim Martin, Financial Advisor, Dave Ramsey ELP SmartVestor Pro.
Retirement Planning Podcast
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Monday Aug 10, 2020
Monday Aug 10, 2020
People talk about the importance of saving money all the time. It’s one of the biggest financial tips parents instill in their children and a recurring investment throughout our lives. But even though we talk about saving for retirement so often, we never really define what that magical number is that we should set as our goal for retirement.
Welcome back to the Retirement Planning Guy Podcast where any and all retirement questions get answered! Today, the big question I answer is, “How much money should I save for retirement?”. This question can be difficult for people to answer because, so often, they don’t know where to begin. So, let me help you break it down so that you can confidently determine what your golden number should be when it comes to saving for retirement.
I walk through the different factors that you should look at when trying to figure out how much to save for retirement and layout exactly what steps you should take. I start by explaining how to evaluate where you, and your retirement savings, stand now. I explain the roles that factors, such as age and lifestyle affect your retirement savings goal. I pose the questions you should ask yourself to help you narrow down your retirement savings amount.
Saving for retirement can be confusing and challenging. The most important thing to do is to be aware of it and make your money work for you. Do your research and be thorough in your planning—you’ll thank yourself later. Join me to learn how to be smart about your retirement savings at every stage of your life, so that you can effectively prepare for retirement.
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Monday Aug 03, 2020
Monday Aug 03, 2020
Planning for retirement can get overwhelming really quickly! Before you get into the weeds of retirement planning, stop, and get organized first.
Using a checklist can be a helpful tool to keep you on track, move forward, and accomplish what you need to get done. Implementing a retirement checklist will help you ensure that you and your financial advisors are staying on track and allowing you to plan well and retire happy!
I share the ten (or more) key marks that you should definitely have on your retirement planning checklist. I explain why they are important to factor into your retirement plan and how they will save you from trouble in retirement. I speak into the different aspects of each step in your retirement plan and the areas of consideration that will help you plan for retirement in the best ways possible.
From income and investments to taxes to setting realistic goals and planning for all scenarios, I cover it all! I want to offer advice and help to those looking to get serious about planning for retirement and making educated and informed decisions about your retirement. My goal is for you to know what bases to cover and how to cover them so that you are confident and secure in your retirement plan.
Make sure you plan well and retire happy by using the checklist challenge!
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Monday Jul 27, 2020
Monday Jul 27, 2020
Let’s talk life insurance! Yes, I said it. Today I’m breaking the silence and we’re talking about the taboo topic of life insurance.
So many people ask me about life insurance and want to know whether it’s something they should have, what kind to have, and all the nitty-gritty details. Today on the Retirement Planning Guy podcast, I’m here to answer all your life insurance questions!
There are a lot of different types of life insurance, so I walk through all the many types and help clarify what they mean and what they offer you. I offer some advice on what to look for when choosing policies and what the pros and cons are for the kinds of life insurance.
I explain the ‘why’ behind life insurance and what it can offer you. I also describe how life insurance works and layout the ways it can work in your benefit.
Is life insurance something to invest in after you retire? There are so many options for you and I cover them for you so that you can make an informed decision and figure out what will work best for you and your retirement.
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Monday Jul 20, 2020
Monday Jul 20, 2020
Have you taught your kids or grandkids about money? It’s so important to understand money and be comfortable managing your money. Once you understand it, it’s time to teach your children and grandchildren how to handle their money in smart ways, as well.
This episode reveals the importance of having a strong familiarity with money and why it is so critical to grasp. Jim goes through the top seven things to help you teach your kids and grandkids how to manage, save, and comprehend money.
Jim discusses the value of money. He explains how this can be taught and why it can be beneficial for children to recognize money’s value. He offers simple tips that are easy to follow and helpful to know for kids at any age.
Jim’s suggestions go beyond just understanding money. He explains not only how these steps help kids learn about money, but also how they allow them to learn other helpful skills, as well. Jim shares how he teaches his children about money and explains why he believes these lessons are so essential to teach your own children or grandchildren.
Teaching children about money can be challenging. However, the key is to keep the conversation going. The lessons about money learned at an early age are things kids will carry with them forever and will become inherent skills later in life.
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Monday Jul 13, 2020
Monday Jul 13, 2020
So, you’ve retired—congrats! You’ve got time on your hands and way too much space. Let’s talk downsizing!
Downsizing can be a liberating experience—especially when you no longer have to worry about cleaning and maintaining a big house. Plus, downsizing can help you flush out the old and start fresh! But beyond the day to day perks of downsizing, there are some great advantages of downsizing that can help you financially, as well.
Jim lays out all of the financial benefits of downsizing that are definitely things to consider. Jim details why these pros to downsizing are so beneficial and how they can be advantageous for your post-retirement finances. However, Jim also keeps it real by describing the cons—both emotional and fiscal—that should be considered when contemplating if downsizing is right for you.
Downsizing can be a big step, both emotionally and financially. Just like any big decision, it’s a good idea to weight the pros and cons and be mindful of your decision. Ultimately, it is YOUR choice, so learn about it before you make your big decision!
Looking at UPsizing, not downsizing? Whether you’re looking at buying a second home, a bigger home, or a home far far away, Jim offers some valuable advice to follow before you buy!
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Monday Jul 06, 2020
Monday Jul 06, 2020
Laid off? Hearing the words “you’re fired” can be very scary. They are words no one ever wants to hear, are often unprepared for.
So, is it possible to retire after being laid off?
Being laid off stinks. It knocks you down and sucker punches you. Hard. There are a lot of things to consider if you’re ever in that situation and even more so if you’re planning for retirement. Here’s the thing though: if you’ve planned, even a little bit, for retirement, you’re going to be okay.
Jim, having been laid off before, shares the good, the bad, and the ugly about layoffs. But what he offers in the episode of The Retirement Planning Guy Podcast, is a detailed explanation of what you need to do next to stay on track for retirement. Jim clearly outlines what your next steps need to be, both immediately and later down the line, to understand where you stand, where you need to be, and how to get to retirement.
Jim poses important questions for you to ask yourself after being laid off to determine when retirement will be right for you. Being laid off doesn’t have to impact your retirement plans. It may present retirement more quickly or push it out a few more years than planned, but there are a lot of factors to address before you make a decision about retirement. Jim discusses these factors; how to consider them and weigh them. He also poses different options for retirement after being laid off and encourages us to step back, get a clear understanding, and make well thought out decisions.
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Monday Jun 29, 2020
Monday Jun 29, 2020
How do you find the right financial advisor for you? This question is so common, but the answer is often unknown. If you’re passionate and willing to invest the time and energy into learning and nurturing your own finances, then you don’t need a financial advisor telling you what you already know. But for those of us that aren’t as knowledgeable, it’s imperative to do your homework when it comes to finding a financial advisor that puts you and your financial goals first.
To truly discover the best financial advisor for you, there are several factors to consider. Jim walks us through each avenue of financial advising and details the pros and cons to each. Jim discusses captive and independent financial advisors and shares what aspects of the two to weigh into your decision. He gives insight into certifications for financial advisors and what information they convey. Through his knowledge and experience, Jim offers us an insider’s perspective into the key factors to consider when searching for a trusted and credible financial advisor.
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Monday Jun 22, 2020
Monday Jun 22, 2020
Do you want to have fun and live in financial freedom in retirement? Well, good news—you can!
We see people all around us that are living it up in retirement, and we strive to achieve the same happiness when we retire. But then we get stuck on how to get there. Financial freedom is the name of the game, especially in retirement! So, Jim cuts through the white noise of cliché financial tips that are too often said but have little substance to get us moving in the right direction and away from worrying about money.
To have an awesome retirement, you need to take the right steps to financial freedom. Jim walks us through the structure of our finances and how much money is needed to cover essential expenses, discretionary expenses, and legacy. Jim helps us break down what each of the things should look like for us and what aspects of our finances we should be looking at to prepare for our retirement goals.
Once we’ve planned out our finances for retirement, then comes the fun part: planning what an awesome retirement looks like for each of us. That’s when you start to align your finances with your amazing retirement goals!
The bottom line is to be realistic with your retirement goals and how they align with your finances. The key to an awesome retirement is to find financial freedom, so tune in to learn how with The Retirement Planning Guy!
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