We'd be remiss if we didn't discuss the recent market activity, and you're totally within your right for it to have caused you a little bit of concern.  This week, Rick offers some word of encouragement, not just for those who already have a plan in place, but also for those who may have delayed in their planning up until this point (hint: it's not too late!).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's one thing to hope for a nice retirement, it's another to actually take the steps to make it happen.  This week, Rick talks about the steps you can  taker to make your hopes into a reality.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent article in CNN Business argues that "older investors should invest like they're Millenials." This week, Granger discusses why that can actually be a healthy idea when it comes to retirement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Market Watch points out that we've had 20 bear markets since 1930, or one every four and a half years on average.  Since we're long overdue, Rick discusses how to position ourselves for whenever the next one may hit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent Investopedia article found that some retirees actually spend more in retirement than while when they were working.  This week, Rick & Granger discuss why that might happen, and how to properly plan for that without compromising the latter years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some projects can definitely be DIY projects, but what about planning your own retirement?  This week, Rick discusses the pros and cons of going it on your own.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Retirees traditionally spend their first few years of retirement doing  the things they've dreamed about while they were still working, AKA the "Go-Go Years."  Rick and Granger discuss the importance of planning to spend a little more in those first few years of retirement without compromising your lifestyle in the latter years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Barron's says that one of the most common financial mistakes is not having a written plan for your retirement.  Rick and Granger discuss why having a formal plan is such a  big deal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The start of a new year is a perfect time to reflect and reassess... and that includes your retirement plan (or lack thereof).  This week, Rick and Granger discuss the Five Retirement Myths outlined in national bestselling retirement author Patrick Kelly's book of the same name.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the end of the year, Congress approved major changes in the way people plan for retirement.  It's called the SECURE (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) Act, and this week Rick & Granger discuss how it could potentially affect you, specifically when it comes to RMD planning.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That is to say, "Annuities."  This week, Rick discusses some of the stigmas surrounding annuities, and how the could, or possibly couldn't, be a useful part of your retirement plan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The federal deficit for the 2019 budget year has grown to more than $984 billion.  But the government doesn't have to operate on a budget like we do- if they need more money, it usually comes from a tax increase.  This week, Granger discusses the possibility of a tax increase in the future and how to proactively take advantage of the cuts that are currently in place.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Obviously, the preferred answer is neither.  But one of them can be considerably more damaging to your retirement plans.  Granger explains, as well as why the first 5-10 of retirement are so important.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Fed cut interest rates at the end of October (the third cut in as many months), which is great for car loans and credit cards... but what about retirement savers? This week Rick discusses ways to offset low interest rates in retirement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thanks to a historically long bull market run, many retirees and pre-retirees have become overconfident about how much money they think they'll be able to safely withdraw in retirement. This week, Rick & Granger how using a little bit of science can help make sure that amount isn't going to be a problem down the road.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

33 years ago, President Reagan signed the Tax Reform Act of 1986, which lowered the then-top tax rate for ordinary income from 50%-28%.  But could we see that top tax rate get that high again?  Rick and Granger discuss the possibility, and discuss how to take advantage of the rates as they are now while you still can.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

32 years ago, the Dow lost 22% of it's total value in a single day in an event known as "Black Monday."  This week, Rick and Granger talk about whether or not something like that could happen again, and how to prepare for it if it did.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1994, the 4% rule (which said you could spend 4% of your nest egg annually and have an enjoyable retirement) was established.  That was 25 years ago, and 25 x 4= 100% of a nest egg being gone by now if that rule were followed. This week, Rick and Granger talk why rules of thumb are a good starting point ina  plan, but shouldn't be the entirety of it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you plan for a trip when you're not sure how long it will last?That's a similar problem many face as they approach retirement, and this week Granger discusses how to make those long-term plans.  Also: when is enough when it comes to helpign out your children financially?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are many things that can be controlled as you enter retirement.  One of the things you can't control is when a market correction happens.  This week, Granger discusses ways to safeguard yourself in the event that a correction happens late, or even worse, early in your retirement years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Developing a plan that takes you to and through retirement means creating a relationship that will last you the rest of your life.  So it only makes sense that you trust the person you're in this relationship with.  This week, Rick discusses the importance of that, as well as how to find out where you stand as you approach retirement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As you get closer to leaving the workforce, the concern about market risk seems to increase.  This week, Rick & Granger discuss ways to reduce that risk.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Granger discusses common planning mistakes pre-retirees make in the years leading to retirement.  Also, the similarities between coaching in football/basketball and retirement planning.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Rick discusses how there's no "magic number" to answer that question.  Plus, what a board game can teach us about our retirement plan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Granger gives tips on how to keep from spending down your principle in retirement, plus when is it too early to start thinking about RMDs? (Apologies in advance for the number of bird puns in this week's episode.)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

60% of Americans say they're anxious about market investing due to the potential of a market crash.  This week, Granger discusses whether that anxiety is warranted, and how to hopefully alleviate some of it as you approach/enter retirement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Rick talks about what a potential project interest rate cut could do to your retirement plan, as well as how to navigate around it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What can what was arguably the worst collapse in the history of the British Open teach you about retirement?  Granger discusses this, as well as how your own life insurance policy can be used during your lifetime.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will your budget change in retirement?  Almost certainly, although not how you may expect.  This week Rick discusses what may occur, and how to stretch that nest egg further.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rick and Granger talk about the need to be emotionally detached to your retirement plan and weigh in on Bernie Sanders' tax plan to eliminate student debt... And how that plan could affect your retirement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After leaving the working world behind, a lot of retirees are hesitant to actually enjoy their retirement out of fear of running out of money. Rick and Granger discuss ways to alleviate that fear.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You've left the working world behind... now what?  This week, Rick discusses how to "make the most" of the first few years of your retirement. Also, how to know you've got the right guy in your corner when it comes to financial advice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When should you have the details on your retirement plan worked out?  Possibly sooner than you think. Also: the dangers of not having a strategy to social security claiming or healthcare costs in retirement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While retirement is traditionally a time for the distribution of your assets, it's still important to continue generating income as well.  This week, Rick and Granger discuss ways to do that, as well as how to potentially reduce tax obligations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How would an upcoming market correction affect your retirement plan?  Granger discusses the importance of testing your plan before you leave the 9-5 for the last time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Granger and Jeremy Smith have fun with some retirement alphabet this week, discussing the pros and cons of Roth IRAs, the things you need to know about RMDs, and the importance of a portfolio stress test.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rick and Granger discuss the things women should be aware of when it comes to retirement, and the importance of having both spouses aware of the plan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rick and Granger discuss the recent federal warning the our Social Security Trust may run out of money by 2035.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rick and Granger discuss the chores and tasks people would rather do than deal with financial planning and the need to sometimes have conversations with clients that they may not want to hear.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rick and Granger discuss common retirement myths, the investing risk pre-retirees get as they get closer and closer to retirement, and the perils of withdrawing from your 401k too early.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rick Hughes discusses what Tax Freedom Day is, a proposed bill in DC that would allow you to save your money longer, and what people often get wrong about putting money into a retirement account.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rick and Granger discuss long term care policy alternatives and what to do if you decide to take more than the "required minimum" when it comes to taking your RMDS (required minimum distributions).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The #1 fear for most retirees is outliving their money.  Rick discusses how to address that "longevity risk" as well as the pros and cons of pension buyouts, which can now be offered even after retirees are already collecting a pension.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rick compares the discipline of student athletes the discipline of retirees, the importance of a financial check-up, and tax saving strategies that can still be used on 2018 taxes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rick & Granger discuss a proposed bill that would tax stock trades, changes to Medicare Advantage in 2019, and why the next market correction could actually be a good thing for you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rick and Granger discuss the things you should be doing to prepare for retirement, whether you're ten years, five years, or even three months away from leaving the 9-5.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Granger discusses the transition period of converting savings into lasting income, the advantages of rolling 401ks into IRAs, and RMDs, or Required Minimum Distributions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rick and Granger discuss alternatives to the high costs of long term care policies, navigating the ups and downs of the market in retirement and how to budget for expenses that could be more than double your social security benefit.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.