Stay Wealthy Retirement Podcast

The Real Cost of a Financial Advisor (And Why the 1% Math Is Misleading)

09 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A viral claim keeps making the rounds: that a 1% advisory fee will drain hundreds of thousands of dollars from your retirement savings. The math looks...

Why the Happiest Retirees Spend Their Money Differently

02 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Saving for retirement is one challenge. Feeling comfortable (and confident) enough to actually enjoy it is another. Even when the numbers say you're o...

Why 59% of Stocks Destroy Wealth (And What Smart Retirees Do About It)

26 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If you're in or near retirement, one bad investment decision can have lasting consequences. And new research shows just how risky stock picking can be...

The Roth Conversion Rule Almost Nobody Explains Correctly (4 Scenarios That Make It Simple)

19 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Now that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act has made the 2017 tax rates permanent, more retirees are taking a fresh look at Roth conversions. But there's ...

5 Withdrawal Strategies to Boost Retirement Income (And How High You Can Really Go)

12 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

📝 Note: The 6.5% withdrawal rate is based on an 80% stock portfolio, a 30-year time horizon, and a 90% "confience score." Thanks for your patience ...

Why Healthcare Before Medicare Shouldn't Stop You From Retiring Early

05 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Health insurance is keeping millions of Americans stuck in jobs they'd otherwise leave. In fact, 1 in 5 workers ages 50–64 say they're staying put b...

The Retirement Income Mistake That Costs Investors Up to 6% Per Year

26 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

For 30 or 40 years, a paycheck simply showed up. Then one day, it stops. Now you're staring at a portfolio and asking: "How do I turn this into reliab...

The Retirement Risk That Changes Everything

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Markets move every day. Headlines change every hour. But the greatest threat to your retirement plan isn't volatility... it's something far less visib...

Why a Stock Market Crash Won't Ruin Your Retirement (and What Actually Will)

12 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Your retirement involves complex, interconnected decisions—taxes, income, healthcare, estate planning, investments.  See how they fit together in o...

Annuities Explained: When Guarantees Help—and When They Hurt Your Retirement

05 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Annuities are often sold as a simple solution to a complicated retirement problem. Guaranteed income. Protection from market volatility. Peace of min...

The Best Investment for Your Retirement (It's Not What You Think)

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What makes an investment "good?" It seems like a straightforward question, but the answer is more subjective than most people realize.  Recently, my ...

What Happens to Your Taxes When a Spouse Dies (And How to Plan Ahead)

22 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

After decades of filing taxes together, most couples assume their retirement plan will continue largely unchanged if one spouse passes away. But for m...

How to Use 2026 Market Outlooks to Plan for Retirement

15 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Every year, Wall Street rolls out its market predictions. Targets get published, expectations get set, and the headlines make it sound like the future...

2026 Tax Changes Explained (Including 2 Rules Causing Confusion)

13 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Every January, we go through the same routine. Limits adjust, brackets shift, and most years it's just a quick refresh. But 2026 is different. Sweepin...

The 7 Questions That Shape a Confident Retirement

08 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

After decades of saving and doing the right things, most people expect retirement to feel clear.  But for many, it doesn't. Not necessarily because t...

7 Investing Facts Every Retirement Saver Needs to Hear

18 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's that time of year again—time to step back from the complex tax strategies, Roth conversion debates, and retirement planning deep dives… and h...

3 Tax Planning Strategies Most Retirement Investors Overlook

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

💥 Download the freshly updated 2026 Tax Planning Cheat Sheet (PDF): www.youstaywealthy.com/cheatsheet *** Most year-end tax advice is generic... m...

"Happy Thanksgiving (Yes, Even the Jerks)": Wisdom from Warren Buffett

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Oracle of Omaha is officially "going quiet."  In a rare and deeply personal announcement, Warren Buffett published what appears to be his final p...

The S&P 500 Trap: Why the "Safe" Choice Is Actually Risky for Retirees

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"Just buy the index." It's the simple advice that built your wealth and got you to the finish line. But here's what often gets overlooked: The strateg...

Why Retirees Fear Running Out of Money — Even Though They Rarely Do

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone fears running out of money in retirement—even millionaires.  What most people don't realize is that research shows most retirees rarely sp...

The Truth About Long-Term Care Insurance (and When to Buy It)

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sales of "traditional" long-term care insurance have fallen 92% since 2002. Meanwhile, hybrid policies have surged to over 500,000 sales a year.  But...

Long-Term Care: A 5-Step Process to Determine If You Can "Self-Fund"

23 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You've heard it before—70% of Americans over 65 will need long-term care. While that number is technically true, it's also misleading. Because here'...

8 Red Flags You're About to Get Scammed

16 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Americans lost a record $16 billion to scams in 2024—nearly 40% from investment fraud alone. The trend is moving in the wrong direction.  In this e...

6 Reasons Why Delaying Social Security Might Hurt Your Retirement

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Most experts say the smartest Social Security move is to wait until age 70 to claim. On paper, the logic seems simple—delay claiming, and you'll loc...

7 Signs You're Closer to Retirement Than You Think

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We've been told our whole lives that retirement happens at 65—maybe 62 if you're lucky. But in my experience, that traditional timeline isn't always...

Medicare's Future: Rising Costs, Fewer Perks, and Hidden Traps

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Even if you're not on Medicare right now, chances are someone you love is—and sooner or later, you'll face those decisions yourself. That's why it's...

Life Insurance Simplified: Smart Strategies for Protecting Your Retirement

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Despite making insurance decisions almost daily, many retirement savers don't truly understand what they're buying or why they need it. In today's epi...

How to Avoid Retirement's Biggest Blind Spots Before It's Too Late

28 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Retirement is about so much more than money—it's a complete life transition. In this episode, I'm sharing my recent conversation with Adam Cmejla, w...

RMDs Unpacked: The Math Behind Your Required Distributions (and Tax Strategy)

21 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) could force you to withdraw as much as 15% of your retirement account balance in a single year. But do RMDs real...

Why the New Target Retirement Age Is 58 (And How You Can Do It Too)

07 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is retiring in your 50s actually realistic for everyday Americans? According to a recent NerdWallet survey, the average target retirement age for hous...

Retirement's Big Shift: How the Rules Change After $1 Million

24 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if everything you've learned about money completely changes once you cross the $1 million mark? Many people think a healthy 7-figure nest egg mea...

3 Overlooked Threats to a Fulfilling Retirement

17 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A recent study reported that 76% of retirees regret not saving more money. But after working with hundreds of successful retirees and analyzing thousa...

5 Ways the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' Impacts Your Retirement

10 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Wondering how the new 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' affects you and your retirement plan? Don't want to read 870 pages of Congressional jargon? I've go...

How to Retire at 62 (Even If You Feel "Behind")

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Think you need millions of dollars to retire comfortably? Think again. Most people believe they're "behind" on retirement savings because they're meas...

Why 37% of Retirees Have Regrets (And How to Avoid Them)

13 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"I planned for 30 years of expenses—but zero years of purpose." This was a recent client's confession, and she's not alone. In fact, nearly 40% of r...

The Hidden Risk of "High-Yield" Cash in Retirement

05 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"Cash is king" has guided investors since the 1987 market crash. But what if this so-called "king" is actually putting your retirement plan at risk? M...

7 Pitfalls to Avoid If You Want to Stay Retired

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You've finally made it to retirement! But what if some of the choices you're making right now are quietly pulling you back to work? Every year, countl...

How to Spend More, Stress Less, and Retire Sooner

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"I'll just work a few more years." It's the retirement safety net millions of Americans often count on. In large part because the financial industry h...

How Tariffs Actually Work (And Why They're Shaking the Market)

10 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm diving into the tariff-induced market mania that has been dominating every news headline. Specifically, I'm joined by Cullen Roche, monetary...

ESG Investing: The Hidden Costs, Real Impact, and How to Avoid the Hype

20 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

ESG investing is exploding in popularity—but it's also a giant, confusing mess. Over $35 trillion in global assets now follow ESG guidelines. 🤯 B...

3 Ways to Boost Retirement Income

06 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Morningstar recently published its annual "State of Retirement Income" research report. This year's report finds the highest 30-year safe withdrawal r...

The Biggest Retirement Investment Risk: How to Protect Your Portfolio

13 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm discussing the biggest retirement investment risk. As Morgan Housel put it, "It's the hardest risk for people to understand...  ...and it's...

3 Ways to Reduce Medicare IRMAA (Now and in the Future!)

30 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Worried about Medicare IRMAA eating into your retirement savings?  Whether you're 10+ years away from Medicare or already enrolled, this episode will...

2025 Market Outlook: Planning for Uncertainty

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Markets tend to operate in cycles—yesterday's winners often become tomorrow's losers (and vice versa).  The most unloved asset classes can quietly ...

How to Evaluate Financial Advisors: A Step-by-Step Guide

09 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Looking to hire a financial planner with retirement & tax planning expertise? My team and I have availability for 25 Discovery Meetings over the next ...

12 Insightful (and Unbelievable!) Statistics About Markets & Investing

19 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Grab your Tax Planning Cheatsheet (updated for 2025!) by clicking here. The 2-page PDF guide includes every important number you'll need for your reti...

Fixing the Housing Market, Trump's Tariffs, What's Next for Our Economy (and More!)

12 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How do we fix the housing affordability problem in the U.S.? Will lower interest rates really improve the real estate market? How have Zillow and Airb...

5 Steps to Overcome Retirement Spending Challenges

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I'm discussing the challenges of spending money in retirement.  To help, Brian Portnoy, one of the world's leading experts on the psychology o...

How to Invest In Emerging Markets

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Emerging Markets are the world's primary drivers of global growth (and wealth accumulation). Just over 50% of the world's economic output comes from t...

Why You Are (Probably) Planning for the Wrong Things in Retirement

07 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why are most people planning for the wrong things in retirement? What should they be planning for that they're not? To help answer these important que...

4 Ways to (Tax-Efficiently) Diversify Concentrated Investments

24 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I'm talking about navigating the risks of concentrated investments. Specifically, Peter Lazaroff, CIO of Plancorp, joins me to answer three BIG...

Small Cap Value (Part 3): How to Choose the Right Fund and Take Action

10 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I'm sharing how retirement investors can take action in this final episode of our Small Cap Value series.  Specifically, I'm discussing three ...

Small Cap Value (Part 2): How to Reduce Risk + Improve Returns

26 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I'm diving into part two of our Small Cap Value investing series. Specifically, I'm addressing three big questions: ➤ How do small-cap value ...

Small Cap Value (Part 1): Is This Popular Strategy Dead?

12 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm kicking off a two-part series on Small Cap Value investing. Specifically, I'm addressing three big questions: ➤ What exactly are small-cap...

Retirement, Taxes, and Investment Underperformance

29 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I'm sharing key takeaways from three of the BEST retirement articles I read this month. 1️⃣ The first article is about the future of taxes...

5 Surprising Investing Facts That You've (Probably) Never Heard

15 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I'm sharing FIVE surprising statistics about the economy, markets, and retirement. For example, one stat highlights a "stock market indicator" ...

Roth Conversions for Kids, Home Equity in Retirement, Pension vs. Lump-Sum (And More!)

31 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are you ready to get answers to some BIG retirement questions? Questions such as: ➤ What role does the equity in my home play in my retirement plan?...

5 Strategies to Take Control of Your Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)

18 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) begin at age 73 for most retirement savers. These forced withdrawals can be a burden for those who don't need (o...

Dividend Investing (Part 4): Answering Top Listener Questions

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the final episode of this series, I'm answering the BEST listener questions I've received about dividend investing. Questions such as: ➤ If divid...

Dividend Investing (Part 3): A More "Flexible" Dividend Strategy

06 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, I'm sharing everything you need to know about stock buybacks. Specifically, I'm sharing: ➤ Why stock buybacks are referred to as...

Dividend Investing (Part 2): Three Reasons Why Dividend Strategies Underperform

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm continuing our multi-part series on Dividend Investing. Specifically, in part two, I'm sharing: ➤ What the long-term performance has been...

Dividend Investing (Part 1): Making Money While You Sleep

09 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm kicking off a multi-part series on Dividend Investing. While dividends are a normal occurrence in the global markets, their role in a retire...

How to Protect Yourself From Financial Scams (+ New Resources)

25 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm sharing a story about a couple who lost $2 million to an investment scam. I'm also sharing (new!) resources to help protect your personal da...

The Best Retirement Account, Making Investment Changes, and More!

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There is no shortage of questions when it comes to navigating and planning for retirement. ➤ How much do I need to save?  ➤ How do I optimize my ...

Inflation: Why Does Everything (Still) Feel So Expensive?

21 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Inflation hit a 40-year high of 9.1% in June 2022. Today, inflation is hovering around 3%. If inflation is back in line with long-term historical aver...

Roth Conversions and the 5-Year Rule (Explained!)

07 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Want an easy way to learn how the "Roth 5-Year Rule" affects your unique situation?  Subscribe to the Stay Wealthy Retirement Newsletter. As a thank...

4 (Little-Known) Retirement Planning Misconceptions

21 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm talking through four (rarely-discussed) retirement planning misconceptions. In fact, some of these misconceptions might not be misconception...

How to Invest During an Election Year

08 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's an election year. As a result, many retirement investors believe that the market MUST be in for a wild ride. But is that true?  Over the last 10...

Why We Need to Stop Talking About "Paying Off the National Debt"

25 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The U.S. national debt recently crossed $34 trillion. Without causing some serious pain, paying off this debt is nearly impossible to do. We would hav...

How to Evaluate (and Choose) a Financial Advisor

11 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With over 300,000 in the U.S., finding a financial advisor is easy. On the other hand, properly evaluating an advisor AND choosing the right expert to...

2024 Market Outlook: Why We Should Prepare for a Crash

04 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm talking about stock market predictions. Specifically, I'm sharing: ‣ What happened in the markets in 2023 ‣ What may lie ahead for us in...

4 Retirement and Tax Planning Updates for 2024

21 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm sharing 4 (important!) retirement and tax planning updates for 2024. I'm also sharing my freshly updated two-page tax cheatsheet 😊 One li...

Is Tax-Loss Harvesting Worth It?

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Year-end is a popular time for tax planning strategies. Roth conversions. Charitable gifts. Squeezing in those final tax-deductible contributions. And...

3 Big Medicare Pitfalls to Avoid (In 2024)

30 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Navigating the Medicare world is confusing and challenging.  As a result, many retirees make Medicare decisions without clearly understanding the lon...

Part 2: What the %@#! Is Happening to Bonds

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In part two of my series on bonds, I'm tackling three BIG questions: 1.) With cash yielding 5%, does it make sense to use money market funds (or t-bil...

Part 1: What the %@#! Is Happening to Bonds

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bonds are down 20%+ over the past three years.  Meanwhile, riskier asset classes (like U.S. stocks) are UP ~30% during the same period. ‣ What the ...

9 Fun (and Useful!) Facts About Investing & Retirement

19 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm sharing nine fun facts about the economy, markets, and retirement.  Along with being entertaining, these facts bring important planning t...

Credit Freeze: Top 5 (Listener!) Questions Answered

04 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone should freeze their credit. But most retirement savers I talk to have not tackled this simple (and free!) task. After commenting briefly abou...

What the Media Won't Tell You About Inflation

27 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Last June, inflation hit a 40-year high of 9.1%. Since then, it's been falling month over month, hitting 3.2% in July of this year. The Fed's aggressi...

The Behavior Gap: How Retirement Investors Can Avoid It

14 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Year after year, investors underperform the funds they invest in by almost 2%. 🤯 Not because of fees or taxes...but because of poorly-timed investi...

3 Financial Scams to Watch Out For in 2023

06 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Consumers reported losing nearly $9 billion to fraud in 2022 — a 30% increase from the year prior. And those are just the incidents that are reporte...

Listener Q&A: Early Retirement Pitfalls, Best Index Funds to Invest In, and More!

30 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we're answering listener questions! Specifically, guest host Jeremy Schneider is answering questions like: What are the best index f...

Why You Shouldn't Care About Your Credit Score

23 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Almost every day, I (guest host Jeremy Schneider) hear someone mention their credit score. After being in school our entire young lives, we must all c...

Backdoor Roth IRA: What It Is, Pros + Cons, and How to Execute

16 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're talking about the Backdoor Roth IRA. Specifically, guest host Jeremy Schneider is sharing: What the Backdoor Roth IRA strategy is Why you...

How to Prepare Loved Ones for When You Die

09 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If YOU were to unexpectedly die tomorrow, would your loved ones know how to access your information?  Your bank accounts? Insurance policies? Debts? ...

A New (and Simple!) Strategy to Boost Retirement Income

02 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm discussing a new retirement withdrawal strategy.  The strategy is simple + allows retirees to (safely) spend more money than the 4% rule. I...

The Best Investment

26 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What separates a good investment from a bad one? How do you evaluate different investment options? Why are some very well-known metrics flawed and pro...

3 (More) Reasons NOT to Do Roth Conversions

12 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Last year, I published an episode titled, 5 Reasons Not to Do a Roth Conversion.  The 5 reasons shared were: 1️⃣ - Shadow taxes  2️⃣ - No un...

Why Cash Is Not a Great Investment (Even With a 5% Yield!)

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"Cash is king." But is it a great investment?  Historically, investors have built up dry powder to fund emergencies or survive market downturns. But ...

International Stocks: 3 Reasons Why Retirement Investors Should Own Them

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For the last 53 years, U.S. stocks have significantly outperformed international stocks. (It's not even close.) As a result, many retirement investors...

Phil-in the Gaps: Why Alternative Investments Belong in Your Retirement Portfolio

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm joined by Phil Huber, Chief Investment Officer at Savant Wealth Management. Phil joins me to take the other side of the alternative investme...

The Bond Market is Flashing a Recession Warning

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm talking about the bond market. Specifically, what it's currently telling us about where the economy might be headed. In fact, we've never se...

Why You Shouldn't Be Surprised By Your Investment Returns

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're talking about expectations vs reality. To help, I'm joined by Rubin Miller, founder and CIO of Peltoma Capital. Rubin and I talk about thr...

The Banking Crisis: 3 Things Retirement Investors Need to Know

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm talking about the current banking crisis. Why? Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank were the 2nd and 3rd largest bank failures in history...

Two (Real Life) Retirement Planning Case Studies

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

*** More Than Money is officially out! Click here to grab your copy now. *** (All net proceeds being donated to non-profit organizations dedicated to...

The Biggest Risk

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm discussing risk. Specifically, a type of risk known as "tail risk." As Morgan Housel puts it, it's the hardest for people to understand... ....

Alternative Investments: Should You Invest in Them?

01 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm talking about alternative investments. An "alternative" is an asset that doesn't fall into one of the three traditional investment categorie...

January Inflation: Why Prices Are Rising Again

15 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm addressing the January inflation report. In fact, contrary to expectations, inflation increased last month. Specifically, the Consumer Price...

How to Invest for Retirement in an Uncertain Market

08 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm talking about investing and planning for retirement during uncertain times. In fact, I was recently invited to discuss this topic with Caleb...

Financial Advisors (Part 5): Answering FIVE Frequently Asked Questions

02 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm wrapping up our series on Financial Advisors by answering five common questions. Questions such as: How important are professional designat...