Episodes

  • Healthcare in Retirement: What Medicare Won't Cover (And How to Plan for It) | Episode 149

    Healthcare in Retirement: What Medicare Won't Cover (And How to Plan for It) | Episode 149
    Mar 21 2026
    Most people spend decades planning for retirement income — but healthcare? That's the expense that can quietly derail even the best-laid plan. In this episode of Safer Retirement Radio, Brad Geddes, CFP® breaks down the three healthcare phases every retiree faces: Phase 1 — The Gap Years (Before Medicare) If you want to retire before 65, healthcare costs don't have to stop you. Brad explains why he's never had a client delay retirement solely because of pre-Medicare insurance costs — and how a straightforward budgeting exercise can make early retirement more attainable than you think. Phase 2 — Medicare Reality Check Medicare helps, but it doesn't cover everything. Dental. Vision. Hearing aids. Supplemental premiums. Fidelity estimates the average healthy 65-year-old couple will spend over $315,000 out-of-pocket on healthcare in retirement — and that number doesn't include long-term care. Ten years ago it was $225,000. Do the math on where it's headed. Phase 3 — Long-Term Care This is the planning conversation most people avoid — and can least afford to. Brad explains the self-insuring strategy, asset-backed long-term care policies, and why the real purpose of long-term care coverage is often protecting the surviving spouse, not just paying the bills. You've worked too hard to have an unexpected healthcare expense blow up your retirement. The answer isn't fear — it's a plan. 📞 Ready to build yours? Call us at 833-707-3030 or visit DeckerRetirementPlanning.com Download Brian's book The Decker Approach and 11 other free retirement resources at DeckerRetirementPlanning.com under Safer Retirement Education.
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    56 mins
  • How to Build Reliable Retirement Income (Without the “Pie Chart” Guesswork) | Episode 148

    How to Build Reliable Retirement Income (Without the “Pie Chart” Guesswork) | Episode 148
    Feb 28 2026
    If you’re nearing retirement, the biggest question is simple: Where will your paycheck come from—and how long will it last? In this episode of Safer Retirement Radio, Bradley Geddes, CFP(R) breaks down practical retirement income tools—and why many retirees don’t realize the weaknesses of the “pie chart” approach until a market downturn hits. You’ll learn: How an income plan differs from a 401(k) or IRA (tools vs. a plan) The difference between bond ladders/CD ladders and bond funds Why interest rates and bond values move in opposite directions—and why that matters for retirement income How using multiple income sources can help reduce market volatility risk Why Decker Retirement Planning's approach focuses on time horizons and avoiding “drawing from a fluctuating account” Want more retirement education resources? Visit DeckerRetirementPlanning.com and look for A Safer Retirement Education. To schedule a complimentary visit with the team: 833-707-3030 Investment advisory and insurance services offered through Decker Retirement Planning, Inc., a registered investment advisor. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. This content is for informational purposes only and is not individualized investment, tax, or legal advice.
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    56 mins
  • When a Spouse Passes: Social Security, Taxes, Medicare, and Estate Planning Moves | Episode 147

    When a Spouse Passes: Social Security, Taxes, Medicare, and Estate Planning Moves | Episode 147
    Feb 15 2026
    When a spouse passes away, the emotional toll is obvious—but the financial “whammies” can be just as disruptive: a lower Social Security benefit may disappear, tax filing status changes, Medicare decisions shift, and beneficiary and estate documents need immediate attention. In this episode of Safer Retirement Radio, Brian Decker and Marc Knauss, CFP(R) break down the practical steps families should understand before a loss happens, and the priorities to address in the first 30–90 days afterward. They cover how survivor benefits work, why taxes often rise for the surviving spouse, and how proactive planning can reduce administrative headaches and costly mistakes. Key topics discussed: Survivor Social Security basics: notify promptly, benefit coordination, and timing considerations Tax impact after a spouse’s death: filing status changes and why brackets can tighten Medicare and supplemental plan review after becoming widowed Account consolidation, beneficiary updates, and estate document cleanup (trust, POA, health directive) Risks of scams and pressure tactics after an obituary posts Real estate and tax planning concepts like step-up in basis Advanced planning themes discussed on the show: trusts, legacy design, and rental real estate tax strategies If you’re within 5–10 years of retirement (or already retired), this episode is a reminder that a written income plan and coordinated strategy can help protect the surviving spouse and reduce “decision pressure” during grief. Learn more & download resources: DeckerRetirementPlanning.com (Safer Retirement Education) Schedule a visit: 833-707-3030 This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as tax or legal advice. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Any references to protection, safety, or lifetime income generally refer to fixed insurance products, never securities or investments. Insurance guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing carrier.
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    56 mins
  • How to Know If You’re Ready to Retire: The 6 Key Checkpoints (Income, Taxes, Risk, and Stress-Testing) | Episode 146

    How to Know If You’re Ready to Retire: The 6 Key Checkpoints (Income, Taxes, Risk, and Stress-Testing) | Episode 146
    Feb 7 2026
    How do you really know if you’re ready to retire—before you turn in your notice? In this episode of Safer Retirement Radio, Brian Decker and Arrin Wray break down the six key checkpoints they use to help families move from guesswork to clarity, including the two questions that matter most: How much can you safely draw each month? How do you protect that income when markets change? You’ll learn how Decker Retirement Planning approaches retirement with a math-based distribution plan that coordinates income sources (Social Security, pensions, rental income, and portfolio withdrawals), prioritizes tax efficiency, and helps reduce the risks that can derail retirement—especially in volatile markets. In this episode, we cover: The 6 key points of a retirement plan: plan, tax minimization, risk reduction, portfolio optimization, income optimization, and fee minimization Why a pie-chart portfolio isn’t a retirement plan (and what a real distribution plan should show) Income needs assessment: how to calculate your retirement “gap” and plan withdrawals over time Planning for healthcare before and after Medicare, plus long-term care considerations What a retirement stress test is, and why it helps “future-proof” your plan A fast rundown of advanced tax strategies discussed on the show (e.g., donor-advised funds, CRTs, NUA, ILITs, dynasty trusts, cost segregation, GRATs), and when they may apply If you’re within 5–10 years of retirement (or already retired), this episode will help you pressure-test your assumptions and understand what it takes to retire with more confidence and fewer surprises. Learn more: DeckerRetirementPlanning.com Schedule a visit / ask a question: 833-707-3030
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    56 mins
  • Retirement Headwinds vs. Tailwinds: Risk, Inflation, Longevity, and the Shift to Income Planning | Episode 145

    Retirement Headwinds vs. Tailwinds: Risk, Inflation, Longevity, and the Shift to Income Planning | Episode 145
    Jan 31 2026
    Markets have delivered strong returns, but retirement planning is about more than a good run in stocks. In this episode of Safer Retirement Radio, Brad Geddes, CFP® joins Brian Decker to break down what today’s retirees and near-retirees need to watch next—especially when you’re transitioning from saving to spending. You’ll hear a practical discussion on: Why strong markets can quietly encourage retirees to take more risk than they realize The “sequence of returns” problem: why a downturn early in retirement can do outsized damage Longevity and rising healthcare costs—and how to plan when you don’t know what life will bring Inflation’s long-term impact, including why sitting in too much cash can be costly over time The mindset shift from accumulation to distribution, and why income planning becomes the priority How to think about “pulling risk back” without “getting out of the market” Why flexibility and planning often matter more than predictions If you’re within 5–7 years of retirement, recently retired, or wondering whether your current portfolio is built for income and resilience—this episode will help you think more clearly about the next phase. To learn more or schedule a visit with our team: 833-707-3030 or visit DeckerRetirementPlanning.com.
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    56 mins
  • Tax-Smart Retirement Planning: RMDs, Roth Decisions, and Avoiding Costly Mistakes | Episode 144

    Tax-Smart Retirement Planning: RMDs, Roth Decisions, and Avoiding Costly Mistakes | Episode 144
    Jan 9 2026
    The new year is the right time to take a clear look at how taxes, required withdrawals, and income decisions can quietly shape the rest of your retirement. In this episode of Safer Retirement Radio, Brian Decker and Arrin Wray walk through the most common tax and planning issues retirees and near-retirees face—and why understanding them early can help you avoid unnecessary taxes, missed opportunities, and future stress. In this conversation, you’ll hear about: How required withdrawals work later in retirement—and why misunderstanding them can create avoidable tax pressure Why the timing of tax decisions matters more than most people realize How portfolio changes can unintentionally trigger taxes if handled without a plan Ways charitable giving fits into an overall income and tax strategy The difference between decisions that must be made during the year and those that can be adjusted later What information your CPA and planning team actually need to help you make better decisions If you’re within 5–10 years of retirement, or already retired, this episode provides clarity on how taxes, income, and planning decisions work together—and where many retirees unknowingly go wrong. Learn more: DeckerRetirementPlanning.com Schedule a conversation: 833-707-3030 This content is for informational purposes only and is not tax or legal advice. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal.
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    56 mins
  • Year-End Tax & Estate Planning: Loss Harvesting, Roth Conversions, Trust Basics | Episode 143

    Year-End Tax & Estate Planning: Loss Harvesting, Roth Conversions, Trust Basics | Episode 143
    Dec 13 2025
    Year-end is one of the few windows where decisions—or inaction—can materially affect how much of your money you actually keep in retirement. In this episode, Brian Decker and Marc Knauss, CFP(R) discuss the real-world tax and estate challenges retirees and near-retirees face as the calendar closes—and why waiting can quietly cost you. In this conversation, you’ll hear about: How reallocating risk late in life can trigger unexpected tax bills if handled incorrectly What happens when highly appreciated stocks or real estate are sold without a plan Ways retirees get caught off guard by one-time income spikes that push them into higher tax brackets Why some company retirement plans can create avoidable tax exposure when large positions are involved How timing decisions today can dramatically affect lifetime taxes and what passes to heirs Common estate planning oversights that lead to family tension, delays, or unnecessary costs Why many people think they have a plan—until a tax event or health issue proves otherwise If you’re within 5–10 years of retirement, or already retired, this episode will help you think differently about taxes, income, and legacy—before year-end decisions are locked in. Learn more at DeckerRetirementPlanning.com or call 833-707-3030. This content is for informational purposes only and is not individualized investment, tax, or legal advice. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.
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    56 mins
  • Why Accumulation Strategies Fail in Retirement — And What to Do Instead | Episode 142

    Why Accumulation Strategies Fail in Retirement — And What to Do Instead | Episode 142
    Dec 6 2025
    Most retirees don’t realize that the strategies that served them well for 30–40 years of saving can work against them the moment they stop working. In this episode, Brian Decker and Arrin Wray break down why accumulation and distribution require two completely different approaches—and why misunderstanding that distinction can jeopardize your retirement. Brian explains: Why market losses in retirement are far more damaging than losses during your working years How drawing income from fluctuating accounts accelerates losses and compromises long-term results Why bond funds haven’t acted as “safe money” in today’s rate environment—and the interest-rate risk most retirees overlook What makes the 4% rule unreliable in flat or volatile market cycles How momentum strategies and dividend sleeves fit into a modern risk-reduction plan Why your asset mix should flip at retirement—with only 25–35% of assets exposed to market risk How a laddered, principal-guaranteed income plan provides stability, clarity, and true distribution discipline You’ll also hear how Decker Retirement Planning builds math-based distribution plans, updates them annually, and helps retirees maximize net-of-tax income while minimizing exposure to unnecessary risk and fees. If you’re within 5–10 years of retirement—or already retired—this episode will give you a clearer picture of what a real retirement plan should look like. Have questions about your retirement readiness? Schedule a visit at DeckerRetirementPlanning.com or call 833-707-3030.
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    56 mins