About Stephen Kates: Stephen Kates is a Certified Financial Planner® with over 15 years of experience in wealth management and financial planning. As the Principal Financial Analyst for Annuity.org and RetireGuide.com, he offers strategic insights on market trends and investment strategies. Stephen is also the Founder of Clocktower Financial Consulting, LLC, and has previously served as Head of Financial Planning for Advisor.com. His expertise has been featured on major media platforms including Fox Business, CBS News, and Newsweek.

In this episode, Shawn and Stephen Kates discuss:

• The importance of risk management in retirement planning
• Balancing growth and stability in retirement income
• The growing role of annuities
• Financial literacy’s role in retirement success

Key Takeaways:

• Managing risk in financial planning is crucial, as retirees who are overly exposed to high-growth investments may face significant emotional and financial stress during market downturns, requiring careful reassessment of their portfolios.
• Essential expenses in retirement should be safeguarded by guaranteed income sources such as annuities or Social Security to reduce the reliance on volatile markets, allowing retirees more confidence in maintaining their financial security.
• Those who are approaching retirement should focus on adjusting their strategies by balancing growth with protection, ensuring that their retirement portfolios offer both flexibility and stability during uncertain economic times.
• Financial literacy is an indispensable tool for making informed financial decisions, as people must be able to identify reliable information and avoid the pitfalls of misleading advice or scams in an era of overwhelming digital content.

"Having some level of financial literacy... is going to allow younger people to not go down some road, get scammed, you know, do something silly." — Stephen Kates

Connect with Stephen Kates:

Website: www.Annuity.org & www.StephenKates.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-kates-cfp

Get a free copy of Shawn’s book “The Priority of Retirement” here- https://www.retirewisepro.com/the-priority-of-retirement

Contact Shawn:

Website- https://www.retirewisepro.com/

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiIMGdosN-snkV5gFt7FRSg

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-maloney-retire-wise

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/retirewise_llc/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/ShawnMaloney.RetirementPlanning/

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

About Shane Whybrew: Shane Whybrew is the Vice President of the Financial Wisdom Network at the Ron Blue Institute. With over 30 years of experience in development, fundraising, and pastoral roles, Shane has dedicated his career to helping others understand biblical financial wisdom and grow in their stewardship and generosity. His journey included pioneering financial principles at Grace Church in Noblesville, Indiana, and building a strong relationship with the Ron Blue Institute. Shane enjoys the sales process and takes pride in helping others impact their communities and the world through effective stewardship.

In this episode, Shawn and Shane Whybrew discuss:

• Biblical principles in financial decision-making
• The role of the church in financial stewardship
• Educational outreach by the Ron Blue Institute
• The 4H framework for financial wisdom

Key Takeaways:

• The Ron Blue Institute collaborates with eight large churches in the U.S. to pilot a financial discipleship program integrating biblical principles into church ministry, going beyond traditional stewardship sermons and financial classes.
• The 4H framework (Heart, Health, Habits, Hope) serves as a practical tool for individuals to make financial decisions that are aligned with their faith, using scriptural references to provide guidance and reinforce a biblically-informed approach to money management.
• Ron Blue advocates for five core principles of biblical financial management—spend less than you earn, avoid debt, build financial margin, set long-term goals, and give generously—that are universally applicable across all income levels and provide a solid foundation for achieving financial stability.
• Emphasizing the belief that all possessions are ultimately owned by God and that individuals are merely stewards of these resources, the Ron Blue Institute encourages a shift in financial behavior towards managing money wisely and aligning financial practices with Christian faith.

"All financial behavior follows a belief system... So what the 4H tool is represented to do is to take the way that we can talk about how you and I make financial decisions and align it with our faith." — Shane Whybrew

Connect with Shane Whybrew:

Website: www.ronblueinstitute.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanewhybrew/

The Four Hs of Financial Wisdom: https://ronblueinstitute.com/fourhtool/

Get a free copy of Shawn’s book “The Priority of Retirement” here- https://www.retirewisepro.com/the-priority-of-retirement

Contact Shawn:

Website- https://www.retirewisepro.com/

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiIMGdosN-snkV5gFt7FRSg

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-maloney-retire-wise

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/retirewise_llc/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/ShawnMaloney.RetirementPlanning/

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

About Kevin Heath: Kevin Heath has been a significant player in the health insurance and Medicare industry for 20 years. He is the founder of MTD Benefits Inc., a company dedicated to educating and guiding clients through the complexities of health insurance and Medicare, without charging fees for their services. With extensive experience working for large carriers like Humana and Aflac, Kevin brings a wealth of knowledge and a client-first approach, prioritizing the best interests of his clients over commissions. In addition to his broker license, he is also a licensed Health Insurance Counselor, reflecting his commitment to providing expert, unbiased advice.

In this episode, Shawn and Kevin Heath discuss:

• Securing financial and healthcare needs
• The complexities of health insurance and Medicare options
• The differences between standard Medicare plans and Medicare Advantage plans
• Covering additional expenses not covered by standard Medicare

Key Takeaways:

• Medicare has four main parts: Part A covers inpatient hospital care, Part B covers outpatient services, Part C (Medicare Advantage) is a privatized plan offering additional benefits, and Part D provides prescription drug coverage.
• Medicare Supplement plans (Medigap) help cover deductibles, coinsurance, and other out-of-pocket costs not fully covered by standard Medicare plans.
• Unlike traditional Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans often include additional benefits such as dental, vision, and hearing coverage, which can be valuable for retirees looking for more comprehensive coverage.
• Selecting the right Medicare or health insurance plan requires careful consideration of individual circumstances and potential future healthcare costs to avoid exhausting retirement savings.

"We're going to educate. We're going to make sure we're educating with the correct information, not the incorrect information." — Kevin Heath

Connect with Kevin Heath:

Website: www.mtdbenefits.com

Email: kevin@mtdbenefits.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtdbenefits/

Get a free copy of Shawn’s book “The Priority of Retirement” here- https://www.retirewisepro.com/the-priority-of-retirement

Contact Shawn:

Website- https://www.retirewisepro.com/

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiIMGdosN-snkV5gFt7FRSg

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-maloney-retire-wise

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/retirewise_llc/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/ShawnMaloney.RetirementPlanning/

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.