While Rick and Granger are the voices you hear weekly on the show, they're not the only people at the Hughes Retirement Group.  Rick shines a light on the team they surround themselves with, and the types of problems they can help you with in retirement, on this episode of The Retirement Playbook. Get to know the team and schedule a time to speak with them at https://hughesretirementgroup.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of us assume taxes are going to go up in the future.  And thanks to Secure Act 2.0, there's actually something happening that could force pre-retirees to pay more as soon as next year.  Rick talks about what that is, and why it may not necessarily be a bad thing, on this episode of the Retirement Playbook. Get to know the Hughes and schedule a time to speak with them at https://hughesretirementgroup.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Like any relationship, it's important to find a financial advisor that you get along with. That's not to say that you're playing golf on the weekends together, but that you've got the same goals in mind.  namely, your financial well being.  Rick Hughes discusses how they put their clients first and foremost on this episode of The Retirement Playbook. Get to know the Hughes and schedule a time to speak with them at https://hughesretirementgroup.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These days, it's not uncommon to see annuities offer an up-front bonus.  But what does that mean, and is it all it's cracked up to me?  Rick Hughes dissects how they work on this episode of The Retirement Playbook. Get to know the Hughes and schedule a time to speak with them at https://hughesretirementgroup.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to making a big decision, are you more likely to take the advice of friends, family, or a professional?  Granger Hughes discusses the merits of each on the latest episode of The Retirement Playbook. Get to know the Hughes, and schedule a time to speak with them, at https://hughesretirementgroup.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With all the talk of recession in the past year (and the expectation that this year was going to be worse), the doom and gloom people were warning of never really materialized.  So is it safe to say we're out of the woods?  Rick Hughes offers his insight, as wella s advice on what to do now, on this episode of The Retirement Playbook. Get to know the Hughes, and schedule a time to speak with them, at https://hughesretirementgroup.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you find that you've made a mistake in your retirement plan, is it ever too late to fix it?  Rick Hughes offers his insight, and speaks on why you should be wary of "set it and forget it" style retirement planning on this episode of The Retirement Playbook. Get to know the Hughes, and schedule a time to speak with them, at https://hughesretirementgroup.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's not a pretty concept, but it's a world many retirees live in every day.  Granger Hughes discusses the things to watch out for, as well as how to hopefully avoid them, on this episode of The Retirement Playbook. Get to know the Hughes, and schedule a time to speak with them, at https://hughesretirementgroup.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the number one fear among retirees: outliving their savings.  In other words, the fear of life.  Rick Hughes discusses strategies on how to tackle this fear head on on this episode of The Retirement Playbook. Get to know the Hughes, and schedule a time to speak with them, at https://hughesretirementgroup.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That is to say, the employer match that a third of Americans are missing out on when it comes to their 401(k) contributions.  Rick Hughes discusses how to ensure we're getting the most out of our investments, including employer matches, on this episode of The Retirement Playbook. Get to know the team, and schedule a time to speak with them, at https://hughesretirementgroup.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you know your risk tolerance, and do you know the risk level of your retirement accounts?  Rick Hughes discusses why there's often a disconnect between those two figures and how to get them on the same page on this episode of The Retirement Playbook. Get to know the team, and schedule a time to speak with them, at https://hughesretirementgroup.com/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An economist and former advisor says the pending stimulus program is too big is going to bring back the kind of inflation rates "we haven't seen in a generation."  Rick and Granger discuss what that could mean for retirement planning if he's correct.   Develop a plan that factors in inflation at https://hughesretirementgroup.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all know that the markets can be risky.  But these days, with low interest rates, it seems like there may not be many other options if we want our nest egg to continue to grow.  This week, Granger discusses what those other options are, and how important they are to consider the closer you get to retirement. Schedule a time to see your portfolio's risk at https://hughesretirementgroup.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many analysts are crediting the performance of the market with stimulus spending, and the promise of another bill on the way.  But what happens when that spending stops?  And how will these bills be paid (and as importantly, by whom)? Rick discusses how to prepare for the possibility of an unfavorable market. Start developing your comprehensive strategy at https://hughesretirementgroup.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You probably wouldn't/shouldn't buy a car directly off a lot without taking it for a test drive, and the same can be said about you retirement.  What if the income you budgeted for turns out to not be enough?  Rick and Granger discuss when (and how) to "test drive" your retirement budget, and what to do if the test falls short of your expectations.  Shcedule a time to create that retirement budget with the Hughes by going to https://hughesretirementgroup.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tennessee was among one of the most popular moving destinations in 2020, while states like New Jersey and California saw a large exodus.  While not the sole reason, taxes probably came into play for a decent number of those moves.  Rick and Granger talk about other strategies people can take that don't involve packing up the furniture. Start developing a retirement strategy that includes a much needed tax plan at https://hughesretirementgroup.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are certain milestone ages that retirees are probably aware of, like 62 (when you can begin claiming social security) or 72 (when you have to begin taking RMDs).  But did you know there are several other big milestones that you should know about, and some happen well before you actually retire?  Rick and Granger discuss these milestones, and how to stay on course even if some of them have already passed by.   See where you stand on the road to retirement by scheduling a time to speak with the Hughes at https://hughesretirementgroup.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Believe it or not, the current interest rates could be lower than they already are- even going into negative territory.  Rick and Granger discuss that possibility, as well as alternatives to paying banks to hold your money.   Start a discussion about your options at https://hughesretirementgroup.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's the magic number you want to see before you'd feel comfortable about retiring?  Is there a number at all?  Rick and Granger discuss how people can feel confident about being able to retire, regardless that number might be.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

By listening to this podcast, you've already shown an interest in improving your retirement.  But have you taken the next step and spoken to someone about improving it?   This week, Rick walks us through what a typical first meeting with them would go like.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having a diversified stock portfolio is great, but it doesn't mean you have a diversified retirement plan.     This week, Rick discusses the difference, and why it's important to focus on the latter as you prepare for retirement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You have until December 7th to choose the plan that will best suit you for the upcoming year.  This week, Rick talks about the importance of reviewing your options and not just keeping your same plan from 2020 without seeing if any changes have been made.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Financial advisors always look for indicators to see where the markets and economy are headed, and activity with the Federal Reserve might suggest that tough times are coming.   This week, Rick and Granger discuss how to prepare for those tough times, and how to be financially nimble through those times.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So far, Congress has approved more than $6 trillion in stimulus spending to help get us through the pandemic, and there's still talk of more to come.  But while Uncle Sam can just print more money as they see fit, we don't have that option when it comes to funding our retirement.   This week, Rick and Granger discuss options if someone finds themselves coming up short.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That's what they tried to tell us back in 1985 when the compact disc was set to make the vinyl album obsolete.  Fast forward 35 years, and vinyl sales are out-selling CDs.  There's something to be said for the old way- like talking with a real person about your retirement plans vs a robo-advisor.  This week, Rick discusses some of those benefits, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The saying goes "Offense wins games, but defense wins championships."  And when it comes to retirement, you definitely want a championship-level strategy.   This week, Rick talks about how to avoid "giving up points" when it comes to your nest egg.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During the pandemic, the federal government has pumped more that six trillion dollars into the economy... And regardless of who wins the election in November, that bill will come due sooner than later. This week, Rick talks about the things we can do ahead of the election to make sure we're not footing the lion's share of the bill.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All eyes are set on November 3rd, but a recent USA Today article says that the biggest impact on your retirement won't rely on the outcome of "Trump vs Biden."  Granger discusses what that is, and how to prepare for this election, and the many others you'll see over the course of your retirement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent survey asked "average" investors what kind of returns they expected to earn over the next five years.  The answer? 15%!  And while possible, it may not necessarily be probable. This week, Granger discusses managing expectations, and how to develop a plan that won't rely on sky-high returns.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent Market Watch article compared investing with taking a long road trip: you can A: drive fast and get there quicker (but potentially run the risk of a speeding ticket or worse) or B: go a little slower and reduce those risks. This week, Granger talks about how pre-retirees can find out which strategy (or a combination of them) will work best for them.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the end of 2019 (remember way back then?), the SECURE act changed the age that required minimum distributions began (from 70 and a half to 72).  And whether you just turned 70 or maybe even 60 it's still important to figure out how much those RMDs could be.  This week, Granger explains why.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonds used to be a critical part in most retirement plans.  And while the earning potential behind bonds has decreased significantly, the argument can be made for still including them in a modern plan.  Granger discusses why and more on this week's episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The conventional wisdom is that with Roth 401ks, you don't have to pay any taxes on withdrawals made in the future.  But there are small exceptions, and this week Rick & Granger talk about what those are and how to prepare for them.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Think back to all the planning that went into your wedding day.  The different meetings, the back and forth discussions, the actual ceremony itself.  Now think about how much time you've spent on your retirement planning... This week, Rick discusses how a few meetings to discuss retirement can set you up for an enjoyable 20-30+ years of post-work bliss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chances are, you probably know how much you pay for cable/your cell phone/various subscriptions are each month, and you've determined that the value you get out of them is probably worth the price paid.  But how about the fees you're paying on your retirement accounts?  This week, Rick discusses how exactly to find out what you're paying, and how even an extra 1% in fees can impact your financial future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1980, the interest rate was close to 20%.  These days, it's almost zero.  We all know that it can't stay that way forever, and this week, Rick discusses how an interest rate increase would affect your retirement strategy in the future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The word “retire” doesn’t seem to inspire as much excitement as it used to. In fact, retirement confidence is universally down across all generations. This week, Granger talks about steps to take to help boost that confidence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In honor of Father's Day Weekend, Rick & Granger take time to talk about lessons (financial and otherwise) that were passed on to them by the fathers/father figures in their life. Also: how to make sure you do outlast your money.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Withdrawing money form your retirement accounts is typically considered a "last resort" sort of move, but a recent Bankrate survey shows that close to 31 million Americans have taken or plan to take early withdrawals.  This week, Granger offers advice for those that are considering it, and how the recent CARES Act can impact that decision.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An old rule of thumb states that we’ll need about 70% of our pre-retirement income, after we quit working.  But MarketWatch says the median percentage for a 62-year-old retiree is now about 55% … and the corona virus recession is expected to drop that even further, to 48%.  This week, Granger discusses how to go about figuring out what your magic number is, since everyone's situation is different.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A side effect of the recent economic downturn is that some employers are making "early retirement" offers, in the hopes of reducing expenses.  Unfortunately, these offers sometimes come far too early and with far too few zeroes attached to make them worth entertaining. This week, Rick discusses other factors to take into consideration if a buy-out offer is on the table, and how to plan your own early retirement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Motley Fool says one of the best ways to get through a recession is to have multiple sources of income, and that's as valuable for retirees as it is for those that are still working.  This week, Rick and Granger discuss how to generate those sources beyond just social security.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost every day, we find ourselves in a situation where we have to weigh the risks of doing something against the potential reward.  And while it was easy to say we were comfortable with high risk in the markets for the past 12 years, the first quarter of this year has shown how damaging that can be, especially for those on the verge of retirement.  This week, Rick and Granger discuss the importance of knowing your true risk tolerance, and how to go about figuring that out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent article in The Street stated that the missing ingredient in most retirement plans is safety.  But as the markets have recently reminded us, that can be a relative term.  On this episode, Rick & Granger talk about the balance between growth and safety.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With all the scary economic headlines recently, financial advisors have become quite popular!  This week, Rick & Granger answer some questions that listeners have asked about their financial future.  Plus: the current state of Medicare and Social Security.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot of first quarter 401k statements arrived in the mail recently, and while many of us are reluctant to open them, it's more important than ever to look at your asset allocation and see if it might be time to reassess your risk ability and risk tolerance. This week, Rick & Granger talk about the difference between the two, and how you can go about doing it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even the best portfolio can use a tune-up, and even if you had a review earlier in the year, Forbes says it wouldn't hurt ti have another on in light of all the recent market changes.  This week, Rick discusses what they look for in those reviews, and how it could help your retirement plan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been mentioned several times on the show that the "sequence of returns" risk can really do some damage if the market drops n the first few years of retirement. Well, the market has definitely done that this year, so this week rick and Granger talk about what new/soon to be retirees should do if they were affected.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.