Retirement Answer Man

Roger Whitney, CFP®, CIMA®, RMA, CPWA®

A top retirement podcast. Roger Whitney, CFP®, CIMA®, CPWA®, RMA, guides you on how to actually do retirement well financially and personally. This retirement podcast isn't afraid to talk about the softer side of retirement. It will teach you how to retire with confidence. Two-time PLUTUS winner for best retirement podcast / blog and the 2019 winner for best financial planner blog. This retirement podcast covers how to create a paycheck, medicare, healthcare, Social Security, tax management in retirement as well as retirement travel and other non-financial issues you'll need to address to rock retirement. Retirement isn’t an age OR a financial number. It’s finding that balance between living well today and feeling confident about your retirement. It’s about gaining more freedom to pursue the life you want. Join the rock retirement community at www.rogerwhitney.com read less

Our Editor's Take

The Retirement Answer Man podcast focuses on practical planning and advice. Anyone interested in living their best life in their senior years may find a great listen here. The show explores the financial and social strategies for navigating life changes when retired. Listeners may find valuable insights on planning life today to retire on their terms.

Roger Whitney is a leader in the world of finance. The award-winning financial advisor has helped countless people in his 25+ year career. He wrote the popular book Rock Retirement and created the Rock Retirement Club. His quest to live life to the fullest shines through in these episodes. Roger's passion for educating his listeners makes the Retirement Answer Man podcast a great listen.

Listeners will learn about making the most of their Social Security benefits. They will hear about strategies for rental properties and Roth IRAs. The podcast also answers listener questions. These questions often lead to discussing the more personal aspects of retirement. In one podcast episode, listeners learn about functional healthcare. Dr. Bobby Dubois joins Roger to lend his expert opinions on its benefits.

In another episode, Roger discusses navigating after losing a spouse. Listeners will hear from people like Mark Trautman, who shares his journey of losing his wife. Retirement Answer Man podcast episodes include the Bring It On segment. This segment focuses on mindset and other non-financial aspects of retirement.

The Retirement Answer Man podcast examines planning for every facet of retirement. Whether planning ahead or already retired, listeners may find invaluable information here. Fans can enjoy new episodes weekly.

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Episodes

Overcoming Frugality in Retirement with Dan Crosby
Mar 20 2024
Overcoming Frugality in Retirement with Dan Crosby
For the past ten years, we have been exploring how to do retirement right so that you can get down to the business of living a great life.  This is why this month we have had a series of special guests. Today’s guest is behavioral investment expert and author Dan Crosby. Together we explore why it is so hard to overcome your money mindset and how you can learn to let go to enjoy the money you have worked so long and hard to save. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN PRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT WITH DAN CROSBY [3:38] Overcoming frugality[10:56] How to gain confidence in the midst of uncertainty[19:19] What are things you can do to overcome your frugality LISTENER QUESTIONS [26:52] How do people in retirement spend less money than more money?[33:44] Does it make sense to use money allocated for a 401K for a second home?[37:33] A comment on this past Retirement Plan Live[39:20] How to fund my HSA in retirement [42:13] How to look for blind spots once you have your feasible plan of record TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT [47:16] Is there something else important that you could add to your life or retirement Resources Mentioned In This Episode BOOK - The Soul of Wealth by Dan Crosby BOOK - The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware BOOK - Die with Nothing by Bill Perkins Rock Retirement Club Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement  by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center
What is True Retirement Planning? With Christine Benz
Mar 13 2024
What is True Retirement Planning? With Christine Benz
Retirement planning has changed over the years, but has the industry evolved to keep up?  Your retirement needs are much different from those of your parents' generation. This is why it is important to focus on retirement planning in a holistic way rather than from solely a financial perspective.  Morningstar’s Christine Benz joins me today on this episode of Retirement Answer Man. This seasoned retirement journalist shares her thoughts on the state of retirement planning, long-term care, investing in retirement, and what encompasses true retirement planning. Listen in to gain more perspective as you navigate your retirement journey. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN PRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT WITH CHRISTINE BENZ [4:55] The state of retirement planning as a process[18:30] The state of investments for retirement planning[22:16] The state of long-term care[25:26] How to begin to plan for retirement decumulation LISTENER QUESTIONS [30:45] About opening a Roth for a child[32:51] How to create a 5-year income floor with financial capital[37:11] On using bonds to fund the 5-year income floor[41:44] Should you keep investment accounts under the FDIC and SIPC limits?[46:30] Should I have a Simple IRA and Solo 401K? TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT [50:00] Understand what this year’s retirement contribution levels are Resources Mentioned In This Episode BOOK - More than Enough by Mike Piper BOOK - Die with Zero by Bill Perkins Morningstar Christine Benz The Longview Podcast Rock Retirement Club Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement  by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center
How Systems Thinking Can Improve Your Retirement with Rick Nason
Mar 6 2024
How Systems Thinking Can Improve Your Retirement with Rick Nason
This month we celebrate the Retirement Answer Man’s 10th anniversary milestone with several guests throughout the month.  Today we welcome Professor Rick Nason, author of It’s Not Complicated, to discuss complicated vs complex thinking. If that discussion didn’t Stick around for the listener questions with Tanya Nichols and Bring It On with Dr. Bobby Dubois OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN COMPLICATED VS COMPLEX THINKING WITH PROFESSOR RICK NASON [4:20] Defining simple, complicated, and complex[9:11] Why it is important to identify whether you’re dealing with complicated vs complex[18:10] How to approach complex problems[29:30] How AI plays into the discussion of complex vs complicated thinking LISTENER QUESTIONS [38:50] On portfolio performance calculations[46:18] How to decide whether to stay with an advisor or move to another firm?[51:38] How to take your RMD[57:02] On the Dying with Zero book[57:31] On Don Quixote BOOKS I READ THIS MONTH [58:56] The books I read this month BRING IT ON WITH DR. BOBBY DUBOIS [1:04:02] Exploring uncertainty[1:09:53] Uncertainty in retirement[1:22:14] How to test anxiety treatments TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT [1:25:27] Please fill out our listener survey Resources Mentioned In This Episode Align Financial The Fog of War Trillion Dollar Bet BOOK - Horse by Geraldine Brooks BOOK - Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus BOOK - Life of Pi by Yann Martel BOOK - Die with Zero by Bill Perkins BOOK - When Genius Failed by Roger Lowenstein BOOK - It’s Not Complicated by Rick Nason BOOK - The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter BOOK - The Scarcity Brain by Michael Easter  BOOK - From Strength to Strength by Arthur Brooks  Rock Retirement Club Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement  by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center
What Can I Learn from the FIRE Movement?
Feb 28 2024
What Can I Learn from the FIRE Movement?
Those who have FIREd like Keven Sebesta are choosing to rock life each day. In this final episode on the FIRE movement, we’ll explore what we can learn from them. Join Kevin and me to discover how you can do what FIRE is doing right. What can you learn from FIRE? Traditional retirement planning is all about achieving the end goal. Climbing the mountain and reaching the summit. However, FIRE embraces life today. Those in the FIRE movement see life as an endless journey to explore.  Don’t wait to explore your passions and interests. Do them now. If that isn’t possible, examine how your life is structured and begin to build a life filled with intentionality. Build connections and community based on your interests.  Listen in to learn how you can create a rich life now without waiting until retirement.  OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN PRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT [3:55] When I retire I will…[5:10] Lessons to learn from FIRE movement[13:43] What financial lessons to learn from FIREd people[16:23] Planning from the inside out LISTENER QUESTIONS [22:18] What is the payoff/penalty of using my IRA to do a Roth conversion?[30:25] Moving money from an IRA to an HSA[34:07] On refilling the pie cake [38:47] Make sure you have enough taxes withheld when doing Roth conversions[41:39] Can Gail open a Roth for her granddaughter? TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT [43:33] Write down one thing that you know well and question it with a mindset of curiosity Resources Mentioned In This Episode Arthur Brooks Cal Newport Designing Your Dream Life with Arthur Brooks Mark’s Money Mind Rock Retirement Club Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement  by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center
The Benefits of FIRE
Feb 14 2024
The Benefits of FIRE
Now that we know what FIRE is, let’s learn the benefits. In this episode of Retirement Answer Man, Kevin Sebesta joins me to discuss the benefits of FIRE.  Afterward, Mark Ross comes aboard to noodle on why creativity is important in retirement. And finally, Taylor Schulte from the Stay Wealthy podcast helps me answer some listener questions. Don’t miss out on this informative episode! OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN PRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT [1:41] Life as a journey[3:00] Benefits of retiring early BRING IT ON WITH MARK ROSS [19:09] Why is creativity important? LISTENER QUESTIONS WITH TAYLOR SCHULTE [25:52] About the Retirement Podcast Network[28:43] How to choose between investing in a Roth 401K and a traditional investment account[33:55] Timing a reallocation of assets[39:45] A good, detailed, free retirement calculator[44:55] Why Rosie didn’t hire another financial planner TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT [50:28] Define whether your decisions are hats, haircuts, or tattoos Resources Mentioned In This Episode New Retirement Calculator The Retirement Podcast Network Stay Wealthy Podcast Define Financial BOOK - Coaching Beyond Words by Anna Sheather BOOK - How to Think Like Leonardo DaVinci by Michael Gelb BOOK - Atomic Habits by James Clear PODCAST - Choose FI PODCAST - Catching Up to FI BOOK - The 100-Year Life by Andrew Scott and Lynda Gratton BOOK - The Second Mountain by David Brooks  Rock Retirement Club Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement  by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center
Retirement Plan Live: Mature Marriage - Managing Joint Cash Flow with Separate Assets 
Jan 31 2024
Retirement Plan Live: Mature Marriage - Managing Joint Cash Flow with Separate Assets
How do you manage a joint cash flow with separate assets? In addition to discussing Mark and Mary’s situation, today I chat with Kay about how she and her husband handled finances with their late in life marriage. Kay gives us some insight on how to manage finances in a financially unbalanced relationship. You’ll appreciate her perspective on how to manage the household cash flow when you haven’t always been married. Make sure to stick around to hear an update from Sam, our single Retirement Plan Live case study from 2018. She’ll let us know how she’s been doing, what has surprised her about retirement, and whether her retirement plan has changed.  OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN RETIREMENT PLAN LIVE [6:40] A comment about this RPL[8:12] How to discuss uncomfortable topics with your partner[13:56] Some examples of how separate assets can work[19:03] Chatting with Kay about her relationship and prenup[25:14] How they managed cash flow after they married[31:40] How they navigated the financial challenges in their marriage CATCHING UP WITH SAM FROM THE 2018 RETIREMENT PLAN LIVE [34:18] What Sam has been up to since we last chatted[38:01] How she has dealt with the ups and downs of the markets[42:26] Does her retirement plan look the same?[44:41] What has surprised her about retirement TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT [50:24] Think about how you will manage your cash flow in retirement Resources Mentioned In This Episode 2018 Retirement Plan Live with Sam 219, 220, 221, 222, 223 Rock Retirement Club Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement  by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center
Retirement Plan Live: Mature Marriage - Mary’s Story
Jan 10 2024
Retirement Plan Live: Mature Marriage - Mary’s Story
If you’re married, do you have retirement planning meetings? If you’re single do you plan a time to meet with yourself to plan your retirement? What or whom do you use as a sounding board? In this Retirement Plan Live, we’re getting to know Mark and Mary–two lovely people who have found each other later in life. This mature newlywed couple is trying to iron out the details of their finances.  Sit back and enjoy this episode where we meet Mary and learn about her story and the financial challenges she and Mark are facing in their new marriage. As you listen to Mark and Mary’s story maybe you can use it to frame your own retirement planning conversation.  OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN A BIT OF HOUSEKEEPING [1:50] What is the retirement podcast network? [3:43] Books I read in December[7:00] A correction on a recent question[7:45] Some listener wisdom on what Rojo should do to retire at 60[13:43] Sign up for the results webinar! MEET MARY [14:38] What motivated her to volunteer for RPL?[19:03] Advice for anyone navigating the online dating world[20:15] How they ended up together[23:31] Mary’s aspirations for their relationship BRING IT ON WITH KEVIN LYLES [37:10] The phenomenon of unretirement[43:44] What to do if you are considering unretirement[45:49] A Social Security tip if you do unretire TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT [46:28] Have your retirement planning meeting for the year Resources Mentioned In This Episode BOOK - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey BOOK - Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss BOOK - The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss Rock Retirement Club Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement  by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center
Retirement Plan Live: Mature Marriage - Mark’s Story
Jan 3 2024
Retirement Plan Live: Mature Marriage - Mark’s Story
Today you’ll meet Mark–half of our newest case study for Retirement Plan Live. Mark and Mary are a year and a half into their new marriage and are trying to figure out how to plan the rest of their lives. On this episode, you’ll learn about Mark and his aspirations and concerns for their life together.  In the next episode, you’ll meet Mary, in week three we’ll discuss their goals, the following week we’ll look at their resources, and finally, we’ll see how they manage their cash flow and learn who pays for what.  Make sure that you’re signed up for the live webinar on February 1 at 7 pm CST. In this webinar, you’ll get to see how everything panned out for Mark and Mary. To sign up, head on over to LiveWithRoger.com and mark it on your calendar. OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN MEETING MARK [3:30] What motivated Mark to volunteer for this case study[9:15] Mark loves spreadsheets[15:26] How they merged their lives BRING IT ON WITH DR. BOBBY DUBOIS [22:54] Should you do a broad spectrum of tests?[24:10] Why you should or shouldn’t do these tests[38:10] Why I did some screenings[46:51] How to do screenings productively TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT [50:24] Organize the tests you’ve had from your doctor Resources Mentioned In This Episode Function Health BOOK - Outlive by Peter Attia Rock Retirement Club Roger’s YouTube Channel - Roger That BOOK - Rock Retirement  by Roger Whitney Roger’s Retirement Learning Center