We don’t know with any kind of certainty what tax rates will be in the future, which means that planning your finances into retirement can be both stressful and intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. This week, John and April discuss tax diversification and how a wide range of investments now will afford you more choices later in life. April says, “The main thing that we want our clients to have is more options when it gets to retirement, not less; we don't want you to be painted into a corner...
Oct 21, 2020•55 min•Ep. 51
Retirement can come with an amount of financial uncertainty attached, even for people who have taken the time to plan. This week, John and April aim to alleviate some of the stress that comes along with retirement planning by discussing the five biggest financial risks in retirement and how best to avoid them. Together, they have over 50 years of combined experience in helping clients plan for retirement and use that practical knowledge to illuminate what works and doesn’t work during the planni...
Oct 07, 2020•53 min•Ep. 50
On this week’s episode of the Secure Retirement Podcast, we speak with my good friend, Bill Landing, a retired professor from Florida State University who is currently studying environmental chemistry and chemical oceanography. Bill has over 50 years of experience as a scientist and joins us to talk about the facts and fictions surrounding the pandemic. “The training that you get to be a scientist gives you qualities like skepticism. You look at data and interpretations of data, you look for alt...
Sep 23, 2020•56 min•Ep. 49
COVID-19 is the hot topic in the news right now, and in this special episode we give our own take on the situation. There’s no special guest today, but we do think this episode is needed amid the chaos out there in the world. Specifically, we take time to reflect on other hard times in the past and discuss how we got through them, along with speculating what the future may hold. Most importantly, we take time to discuss how you should be handling your finances during this unstable and unsettling...
Apr 29, 2020•23 min•Ep. 48
In today’s episode, we chat with retired teacher Elizabeth Gladden. After grieving the death of her husband, Elizabeth was inspired to go back to teaching as she craved the normalcy and routine of going back to school. “There were some days when you think ‘I just can’t face the world.’ And I think that’s perfectly normal to have days like that,’” says Elizabeth while remembering what it was like in the months after her husband’s death while she was trying to get back to living her life. Neverthe...
Apr 08, 2020•38 min•Ep. 47
For something so important for our retirement, it’s a shame that there is so much confusion and misinformation about social security out there. As a result, many people are sabotaging their social security benefit… and receiving much less than they could… because they make bad decisions during their retirement planning process. When you should start taking social security is one of the most important factors here. There is a “best” time – but it’s different for everybody, and there are certain t...
Mar 25, 2020•59 min•Ep. 46
John Dunwoody returns for a preview of his upcoming boating adventure on the Down East Loop and shares highlights of his eight-month trip on the Great Loop, which traverses some of the country’s most iconic inland waterways. Journeys of this length take some real planning and preparation, and John shares how he gets himself and his boat in shape for long voyages. He also talks about the places he’ll visit on the way… and how he chooses where he docks for the night. These trips are part of his ph...
Feb 19, 2020•36 min•Ep. 45
Everybody’s idea of a dream retirement is different. It could include cruises and vacations, volunteer work, more time with the grandkids… But whatever you’re looking forward to… you have to take some precautions now to make sure your golden years are protected from things like inflation, taxes, healthcare costs, and more. We outline some solid strategies to make sure your financial and personal freedom stays secure. We’ll even talk about how long you might live (since people today live longer t...
Jan 08, 2020•53 min•Ep. 44
They say that there are two certain things in life: death and taxes. And when it comes to your retirement accounts, taxes definitely come into play. You may have thought you were saving big-time on taxes with this method. But here’s the thing: required minimum distributions mean you really only deferred those taxes. And when it comes time to pay, the amount could be surprisingly high. We talk about what you should be doing now to prepare for that certainty, the rules you must follow, and much mo...
Dec 04, 2019•26 min•Ep. 43
Like any government program, especially one involving millions of people, Medicare is complicated. What’s covered? What will it cost? When should you sign up? Which “part” should you join? Where can you seek medical care? Those are just some of the questions those reaching eligibility age are asking. And the thing is, the answers are different for each individual. But there are some guidelines to consider as you make your decisions. The biggest thing to remember: Medicare does not cover everythi...
Nov 20, 2019•25 min•Ep. 42
There is so much wrong and misguided information – not to mention confusion – out there about social security. As a result, people make bad decisions that sometimes can be very hard to recover from. We tackled the most common questions about social security, how it affects retirement planning, and what you should be doing now to prepare for a happy and healthy future with a steady income that meets your needs. These are decisions you can’t put off any longer because what you do now will affect y...
Nov 06, 2019•32 min•Ep. 41
It started with a segment on a TV show many years ago… and Becky Hollis was hooked. Since then she’s been crazy about bears. Yes, those furry woodland creatures. What does that have to do with retirement? Well, in your Golden Years you’re not working – so what do you do instead? If you don’t have a good answer – an activity you truly enjoy – you’ll be worse than bored… it can actually negatively impact your mental and physical well-being. Becky has found fulfillment working with bear programs in...
Oct 23, 2019•32 min•Ep. 40
As its president, Dominic Calabro, puts it, Florida Tax Watch has been the watchdog for the state’s taxpayers for the last 40 years. A lot has happened in that time, including the transformation of Florida into one of the most important states in the union. That’s why, says Dominic, it’s more important than ever for public officials to be held accountable… to have an organization watching them closely to make sure they’re good stewards of public money – while not playing partisan politics. We ta...
Oct 09, 2019•41 min•Ep. 39
In the retirement planning world, Moshe Milevsky, author, professor at Toronto’s York University, and consultant, is known as someone who takes some stances that go against the grain, to put it mildly. But it’s not just for the sake of being controversial. He thinks deeply about ways people can live their best lives when they retire. And he says the current system, not to mention conventional wisdom, actually makes it more difficult than it has to be to reach that goal… and he says the problem i...
Aug 07, 2019•31 min•Ep. 38
Robert and Sonia Koudelka have a philosophy that guided them in their careers, second careers (you read that right), and what they do in retirement: “Get off your butt and do it.” Whether it’s playing golf five times a week, cruising through the Caribbean, making memories with the grandkids, or taking up a new hobby later in life, Robert and Sonia are enjoying their Golden Years to the fullest. But it’s no surprise as that’s what they’ve done their entire lives. We talk about what got them to th...
Jul 24, 2019•40 min•Ep. 37
If you have a special needs child or even a relative, this is a can’t-miss episode. Lou and Cal Ogburn share the story of their daughter and how she has been able to live a fulfilling and independent life. It’s thanks to their love and determination to secure her the federal and state benefits she qualified for – not to mention her great attitude and friendly personality. They’ve also made a plan to pay for her care when they’re gone, which will be especially important as she gets older. Listen ...
Jul 10, 2019•43 min•Ep. 36
We put John Curry in the hot seat and have business consultant - and longtime friend - Steve Gordon grill him on how attitudes towards retirement are changing and how it could impact your plans. Most people don’t have a real vision of their retirement, says John. And that can be very dangerous to their physical and mental health. We unpack what “vision” really means and how you can find fulfillment in your Golden Years – and it’s definitely not just about financial security. Listen in to find ou...
Jun 26, 2019•32 min•Ep. 35
Lynda Dickens had worked 43 years for the State of Florida. But she wasn’t ready to retire until a fateful trip changed her mind. And a new hobby she picked up soon after her retirement convinced her to never go back to work. In fact, she says it’s become an addiction. Now she’s more active than ever with lunches out with friends, card games, and all sorts of hobbies. We talk about her secrets to a happy retirement, as well as… A unexpected place to make new friends after you retire How her pare...
Jun 05, 2019•32 min•Ep. 34
During their many years together, Bruce and Judi Irvin have always viewed their marriage as a partnership… and that extends to how they manage their money. As a result, they set themselves up for a comfortable retirement that allows plenty of funds for adventurous travels around the world. We talk about where they’ve been and the wonders they’ve seen but more importantly how accountability, cooperation, and teamwork when it comes to finances has allowed them to truly enjoy their golden years. Li...
May 22, 2019•49 min•Ep. 33
There are no ideal retirement plans that work for everybody. Every couple has different needs and desires. That goes for how they split day-to-day financial responsibilities as well. That was certainly the case for Carlton Ingram and his late wife, Nancy. Carlton explains the arrangement they had and how it led to their happy marriage. He also goes over what he’s doing now to keep going in the face of tragedy. We also talk about… What you must do now with your financial accounts The impact of li...
May 08, 2019•41 min•Ep. 32
Alzheimer’s and dementia has to be part of your retirement planning, whether it affects you, your spouse, or a relative. It could take away your secure retirement if you don’t plan for it… and everyone who listens to this episode will be impacted in some way by this issue. As a caregiver, John Beck’s passion has become to educate people about how, as a community, we can be caring and accommodating to people with this common condition. Lisa Bretz, executive director of the nonprofit Area Agency o...
Apr 24, 2019•42 min•Ep. 31
After 30+ years working for the State of Florida, Kay Harris was certainly ready to retire, which she did in 2006. She had planned and prepared – financially and mentally. But, Kay says, there were things that popped up that she didn’t expect. We talk about how she dealt with the bumps in the road, as well as how she’s been able to achieve a profound personal transformation in retirement while ticking items off her bucket list. Listen in to find out… The questions you must ask now about your ret...
Apr 03, 2019•55 min•Ep. 30
Former circuit judge Terry Lewis has embraced retirement. He’s indulging in hobbies and interests, getting involved in the community in unique ways, and even giving back to the next generation of the legal profession. He feels like staying active and busy is a key to happiness when you’re no longer working. But, he says, don’t feel like you have to wait until retirement to do things that make you happy – he sure didn’t. And you do have the time too – you just need to find it. We talk about what ...
Mar 20, 2019•57 min•Ep. 29
There’s so much misinformation about Social Security (and Medicare) out there. Even worse, people are basing their retirement planning on this misinformation. John Curry and April Schoen clear the air and get to the heart of the best way to take full advantage of this benefit you’ve been paying into your whole life. Every situation is different. And you shouldn’t make a move until you look at your complete financial situation. But John and April give you the facts so you can make an informed dec...
Feb 20, 2019•57 min•Ep. 28
What are you looking for in retirement? For retired pharmacist – and lifelong boater - John Dunwoody, it meant adventure on the high seas in a 36-foot Grand Banks. Most people retire and get bored, says John, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Explore your own interests to figure out what’s going to give you your dream retirement… and make a plan to get it. We explore how to apply that philosophy to the real world – and how to make it work financially – as well as… The joys of slow travel Where...
Feb 06, 2019•39 min•Ep. 27
In retirement, Fran Buie is busier than ever… and having the time of her life. After a 33-year career working in state government, Fran was ready for a change. She found fulfillment by embracing lifelong interests and hobbies she had set aside for years… and helping others in her community. As Fran says, we have limited time on earth, let’s do something worthwhile. We discuss that philosophy and also get into… How to discover what you really want out of life – now Ways to stay engaged and active...
Jan 23, 2019•38 min•Ep. 26
The average American gets only 10 days of vacation per year. Even worse, a recent study found that 24% didn’t use any of their vacation days, and more than half didn’t use all of their days off. Larry Simmons is bucking that trend. After 40 years of working an 8 to 5 job this consulting engineer decided to “slack off.” He and his wife, Carol, travel around the country in their RV when and where they want to. Thanks to the Internet, Larry is able to take his work on the road. We discuss how to se...
Jan 09, 2019•39 min•Ep. 25
With all the misinformation out there about health and nutrition, it’s hard to know what you can do keep your body and mind in tip-top shape. Dr. Sam Graber specializes in helping people stay healthy and looking great now… and for years to come. This retired chiropractor turned health coach is a big advocate for “real food” that hasn’t had the nutrition processed out of it. And she doesn’t believe in dieting. We talk about how you can get started on a more healthy lifestyle and maintain it in th...
Dec 12, 2018•46 min•Ep. 24
As a longtime and committed journalist in Florida, WFSU’s program director for news Tom Flanigan has seen his share of political controversy but also plenty of uplifting news from everyday people. He has a commitment to the truth, something he passes on to the up-and-coming journalists he mentors. Tom doesn’t think he’s ever going to retire. It’s a sentiment that many share – traditional retirement isn’t for everybody. We talk about the alternatives, as well as… Why a healthy savings doesn’t gua...
Nov 28, 2018•44 min•Ep. 23
It’s tempting to think of retirement only from the financial side of things. Yes, it’s important that you save enough to be comfortable in your golden years. But, says Dr. Larry Kubiak, you can’t forget the emotional and psychological side. As Director of Psychological Services at Behavioral Health Center Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, Larry knows that better than most. With our identities so wrapped up in our jobs, retirement can bring your whole life crashing down if you’re not careful. And ...
Nov 14, 2018•46 min•Ep. 22
