Are you actually prepared to navigate the complexities of retirement? We’re exploring Fritz Gilbert’s Six Lessons From Six Years of Retirement, shared from his blog The Retirement Manifesto.

One by one, we’ll walk through these lessons, keeping in mind that retirement is an evolving journey, not a static experience. For those who still need to optimize their post-work life, these lessons will show you a roadmap.

We then talk about a listener question about portfolio management—whether to prioritize Roth conversions or refilling cash buckets when your investments outperform expectations. We get deep into the importance of tax diversification and flexibility in retirement, especially why having options—whether it’s a Roth, brokerage, or IRA—is absolutely crucial when facing financial uncertainties.

If you’re preparing for or already navigating retirement, today is an excellent lesson from the ‘upperclassmen’—those a few years ahead of us in the retirement game.

• The Retirement Podcast Network
• Original Six Lessons article by Fritz Gilbert (and The Retirement Reality Series)
• Dan Sullivan’s The Strategic Coach program

• Fritz Gilbert’s The Retirement Manifesto

• Become a Client: www.retirementstartstoday.com/start
• Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/
• Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap
• Join the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter
• Dive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University

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Retirement is not just a transition from work to leisure. It’s a continuous journey of self-discovery. We explore the story of Tom, who reflects on the emotional and financial challenges he faced after leaving a successful career. From adjusting to a fixed income to finding new ways to matter outside of his career, Tom’s experiences give us valuable lessons for those nearing retirement.

In light of Tom’s story, we talk more about Roth conversions and the evolving rules surrounding Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). We’ll tell you how to manage Roth conversions, even after reaching RMD age, and the importance of tax planning as part of a truly comprehensive retirement strategy.

Learn how to make smarter financial decisions as you prepare for (or continue through your continuous journey of) retirement.

• [2:06] What challenges arise when going from a fulfilling career to retirement?
• [3:11] How do you cope when you’re no longer excited about retirement?
• [5:31] Can part-time work in retirement bring meaning or just fill time?
• [4:56] How do you adjust to losing status and income?
• [4:03] Why is adapting to a fixed income harder than expected in retirement?
• [9:46] How many Roth conversions can you make after turning 73?
• [10:41] Is converting IRA funds to a Roth still a good strategy after RMD age?
• [12:07] What happens if you delay your first Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)?
• [13:50] How do changes in tax laws impact retirement decisions?

• The Retirement Podcast Network
• Tom Pendergast’s Blog: Out Over My Skis (Retirement Freedom or Free Fall article)

• Tom Pendergast’s Blog

• Become a Client: www.retirementstartstoday.com/start
• Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/
• Follow Ben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/retiremeasap
• Join the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter
• Dive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University

You know inflation is something to consider in retirement, but how much should you worry about it?

On this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore an article from Of Dollar and Data that dives into the nitty gritty of inflation by analyzing three hypothetical retirement scenarios.

Learn how to plan for any eventuality so that you can better prepare for rising costs as you age.

• [2:02] How inflation impacts retirement
• [9:10] In conclusion
• [11:05] Do balanced funds make sense in the distribution stage of retirement?

• The Retirement Podcast Network
• Our Annual Listener Survey
• Of Dollar and Data

• Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit:http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/
• Follow Ben on Twitter:https://twitter.com/retiremeasap
• Join the newsletter: https://retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter
• Dive deeper into retirement planning with Ben at www.RetirementIncome.University

Subscribe to Retirement Starts Today on

Apple Podcasts,Stitcher,TuneIn,Podbean,Player FM,iHeart, orSpotify