Your Successful Retirement - podcast cover

Your Successful Retirement

Discover the secrets to a successful retirement with Dennis O’Keefe, a seasoned CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ with over 30 years of expertise. Whether you’ve been retired for years, are on the verge of retirement, or are wondering how to plan for your “some-day” retirement – this podcast is your go-to guide. Gain exclusive strategies tailored to optimizing your retirement benefits, hear real-life stories from retirees, and absorb invaluable wisdom from our guest leaders.
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Episodes

Should I Collect Social Security Early?

This is one of the most common questions I hear from people nearing retirement age: when should I begin taking social security? And the truth is . . . it depends. In this episode, I’ll share why the common wisdom about taking social security may have it wrong, and what you need to consider when … Read More Read More

Dec 29, 2022

Real Stories of a Spendthrift Retirement

Retirement is as much about enjoyment as it is about spending management. But what happens when a retiree swings the spending pendulum too far and outlives their nest egg? In this episode, we look at the life and times of a big spender and how we can learn from his good timey ways. EPISODE LINKSYou … Read More Read More

Dec 22, 2022

Uncovering the Jones’s Secret

It’s tough to stay out of the comparison game, especially when your peers seem to be doing so much better than you. What’s their secret? What are you doing wrong? In this episode, I pull back the curtain and reveal what’s really going on with so many of the people you secretly admire. EPISODE LINKSYou … Read More Read More

Dec 16, 2022

My Controversial Take on AARP

When I was growing up, you couldn’t turn on the TV without seeing a dozen AARP ads. By the time my parents reached age fifty, they refused to join—they didn’t see themselves as old, which is the image AARP members had. In this episode, I give you my take on AARP, and some surprising truths … Read More Read More

Dec 09, 2022

5 Keys to Protect Your Future From Layoffs

In my 30+ year career, you’d be surprised how many people I’ve worked with who thought their job was safe, only to be stunned by a pink slip. With telecoms (and everyone else) looking at cost-cutting in the face of a potential recession, it’s wise to give yourself options in case your job gets the … Read More Read More

Dec 02, 2022

Are Pensions Really Dead?

For most people, the idea of pensions seems like an old-timey benefit we wish companies still offered. Since the late nineties, most companies that offered pensions have taken a “it’s your retirement, you pay for it” approach to benefits. In this episode, I reveal the benefits pendulum that drives the benefits we receive, and why … Read More Read More

Nov 25, 2022

What a School Bus Driver’s Lawn Says About Retirement

When I passed our old school bus driver’s house on the way to the office, I noticed her husband reseeding their lawn from scratch. For the fifth time. In this episode, we learn what lawncare has to do with retirement and discuss three foundations of a rock-solid approach to your investment plan. EPISODE LINKSYou can … Read More Read More

Nov 18, 2022

4 Questions to Help You Choose Where to Retire

Where you live in retirement is a question just about everyone asks as that chapter of life approaches. The answer can be tricky—and it’s not just taxes and comfort you need to think about. In this episode, I share different ways to think about your retirement abode, and four questions to answer that put you … Read More Read More

Nov 11, 2022

What an Old-Timey Shovel Means for Your Retirement

The town I’m from is famous for a shovel innovation that changed agriculture forever. You’d never guess how much wealth was created from this idea nobody even thinks about today. In this episode, we discuss the folly of prediction when it comes to your retirement investments, and how your retirement account can benefit from innovation … Read More Read More

Nov 04, 2022

How to NOT Be an Easy Target for Unscrupulous Advisors

If you were kicking butt in your investments and savings, how would you interview potential financial advisors? In today’s episode, I share a story about a conversation I had with a prospective client that’s a cautionary tale to anybody interviewing financial advisors—especially if they’re having some success. This is a must-listen episode. EPISODE LINKSYou can … Read More Read More...

Oct 14, 2022

The Invisible Prison Keeping People From the Life they Want

We all came from somewhere. And in the hundreds of conversations I have with people about their finances every year, it’s incredible how many are “trapped” in a prison of their own making. In this episode, we dig into the root cause of this self-imposed prison, and how you can break free to enjoy the … Read More Read More

Oct 07, 2022

Why the “Cheap Gas Effect” Gives False Hope

If you could get gas 10 cents cheaper across town or buy more convenient (and expensive) gas close by, what’s the better choice? How does this mindset impact your retirement? In this episode, we explore why the “Cheap Gas Effect” could fool you into thinking you’re doing more for your retirement than you are (and … Read More Read More

Sep 30, 2022

The Tough Habit We Must Master For Retirement Success

There’s a habit all of us find difficult which can be the difference between a well-funded retirement and a retirement that never shakes out how we want it to. In this episode, I reveal what this habit is, and why it’s so critical if you want to reach your financial goals. EPISODE LINKS You can … Read More Read More

Sep 16, 2022

When & Why You Should Call Your Financial Advisor

As the point person on your retirement journey, you should feel comfortable talking to your financial advisor. Listen as we discuss when to call your advisor. You might be surprised at how often you should be talking. EPISODE LINKS You can download a free digital copy of Dennis’ book “Retirement Built Right – The Essential … Read More Read More

Sep 09, 2022

“Fool’s Gold” that keeps folks miserable (and how to avoid it)

There’s a phenomenon I noticed years ago when pensions were still a thing that made people miserable, even when they were doing very well. In this episode, listen as we talk about one of the most surprising human traits and how to keep this “illness” from throwing you off-track. EPISODE LINKSYou can download a free … Read More Read More

Sep 02, 2022

Common Misconceptions About Fiduciaries That Work Against You

You’d be surprised how many people in the financial industry toss around the term “fiduciary” with no concept of what it means (or its implications for you). In today’s episode, we’ll talk about what it means to be a true fiduciary, why you want to work with one, and markers to help you identify fiduciaries-in-name-only. … Read More Read More

Aug 26, 2022

Real Talk About Following Your Passion and Changing Careers

Retirement doesn’t always mean bocci ball, Caribbean cruises, and gardening. Sometimes you “retire” a career and pursue a passion. In this episode, we interview a special guest who made the leap from a stale career to work that feeds his soul. Listen and discover what questions you need to answer, what to expect from friends … Read More Read More

Aug 12, 2022

The “Recession Talk” Nobody’s Having

With all the media’s recession fear and finger-pointing, there’s a conversation people aren’t having that spells success (or hardship) for their retirement. In this episode, listen as we reframe how to look at recessions and their surprising impact on your nest egg. EPISODE LINKSYou can download a free digital copy of Dennis’ book “Retirement Built … Read More Read More

Jul 29, 2022

The Secret to Buying Low and Selling High

We all know that the key to investment success is to buy low, sell high. In practice, most people do the opposite — which can be catastrophic to your retirement account. In this episode, we talk about how to design your portfolio to automatically buy low, sell high — ensuring you’re never caught up in … Read More Read More

Jul 15, 2022

How Adult Children Factor Into Retirement Planning

There’s a reality about adult children most parents don’t consider when they’re planning for retirement — this is a different world than the one we grew up in — and the impact on your retirement can be significant. In this episode, we cover how today’s economic climate makes it harder for adult children to enjoy … Read More Read More

Jul 01, 2022

The Keys To a Safe, Secure & Fulfilling Verizon Retirement Package

When you’re approached by insurance companies and stock jockeys about your retirement planning, you’re dealing with folks who don’t grasp the nuances of Verizon retirement plans, benefits, and offers. See how a rebel’s advice in 1980 and the recession in 1991 led to my focus on helping Verizon employees experience a safe, secure, and fulfilling … Read More Read More...

Jun 07, 2022

What To Do When Verizon Makes You an Offer

Nobody wants to leave money on the table. Especially when it comes to their retirement savings. Getting an offer from Verizon is a critical moment for your retirement planning. And whether you expected it or not, your decisions can make this offer a blessing or a curse. In this episode, we talk through how to … Read More Read More

Jun 04, 2022

How To Build a Successful + Rewarding Life After Verizon with Bob Grenier

From manual switches in 1967 to the conversion to digital, and from working the union side and moving to management, Bob Grenier has seen it all. And when he retired in 1998, he started a successful consulting practice to leverage his skills and experience. But Bob’s retirement is what is most remarkable. Listen as Bob … Read More Read More

Jun 03, 2022

Health Care Options After Verizon

I was down with a cold the last couple of weeks, and that got me thinking about one of the most common questions I get from Verizon employees and retirees. “What am I going to do about health insurance after Verizon?” Employer sponsored health plans are a significant benefit, and there is much to consider … Read More Read More

May 17, 2022

What Pro Athletes Can Teach You About A Successful Retirement

Did you know that any player who spends 43 days with a Major League Baseball team makes a $30k per year pension? Pro Athletes are very well taken care of, and their careers are often shorter than ours. Despite the obvious differences, you’d be surprised what retirement challenges are the same. Listen now and discover … Read More Read More

May 17, 2022

Case Study: How a Former Verizon Employee Charted a Rewarding Career Path

Discover how David Scanlon, who originally joined Verizon in 1982, has been able to build a rewarding career in the telephone industry (both pre- and post-VZN) that literally started by climbing telephone poles and installing landlines into residential homes. Take a listen and learn how his experiences during and after his time at Verizon can … Read More Read More...

May 02, 2022

The Simple Secret To Navigating Your Retirement Planning Journey

Discover the simple secret behind ensuring your wealth management & retirement planning journey is smooth sailing instead of a rocky road! EPISODE LINKSYou can download a free digital copy of Dennis’ book “Retirement Built Right – The Essential Guide for Telephone Employees!” here: https://theverizonguy.pages.ontraport.net/ebookoptin ABOUT THE SHOWTap into Dennis O’Keefe’s 30+ years of experience helping … Read More Read More...

Apr 23, 2022

How Much Should I Save For Retirement?

Everyone wants to know – “What’s my magic number? How much should I save for retirement?” I’ll answer that question (and much more!) on this episode of “Your Telecom Retirement” – so listen up! EPISODE LINKSYou can download a free digital copy of Dennis’ book “Retirement Built Right – The Essential Guide for Telephone Employees!” … Read More Read More

Apr 23, 2022

The Single Biggest Retirement Mistake Verizon Employees Make – And How To Fix It!

Discover the single biggest retirement mistake Verizon employees make – and how to fix it! – on this episode of Your Telecom Retirement! EPISODE LINKSYou can download a free digital copy of my book “Retirement Built Right – The Essential Guide for Telephone Employees!” here: https://theverizonguy.pages.ontraport.net/ebookoptin ABOUT THE SHOWTap into Dennis O’Keefe’s 30+ years of … Read More Read More...

Apr 14, 2022

What’s Changed in 30+ Years of Verizon Benefits – And What You Need To Know MOST Today!

Discover what’s changed most with Verizon benefits, buyout packages and early retirement offers over the past 30 years, and what you need to know TODAY to take advantage! EPISODE LINKSYou can download a free digital copy of my book “Retirement Built Right – The Essential Guide for Telephone Employees!” here: https://theverizonguy.pages.ontraport.net/ebookoptin ABOUT THE SHOWTap into … Read More Read More...

Apr 14, 2022
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