The Financial Gaps Most Retirees Never See Coming

Most people reach retirement with big financial blind spots—and no one ever warned them. On this episode, Mark Cordner breaks down why financial literacy matters more than ever, from understanding taxes in retirement to navigating annuities, guaranteed income, and long-term planning choices. The co…

Why Building Wealth and Protecting It Are Two Different Games

What if the same strategy that helped you build wealth could put your retirement at risk? Mark Cordner breaks down why retirement requires a different mindset than accumulation, especially during periods of market volatility. He explains the “two-pocket” strategy—balancing market-based assets with …

From Saving to Living: Rethinking What Retirement Can Look Like

What if stretching your retirement dollars didn’t require cutting joy, but changing perspective? Mark Cordner explores why more retirees are considering everything from relocating abroad to finally enjoying the money they’ve worked decades to save. The discussion covers living overseas, healthcare …

Protecting a Lifetime of Savings in a High‑Tech Scam Era

A phone call that sounds like your bank, a jackpot that feels too good to question, and a lifetime of savings gone in hours. On this episode, Mark Cordner unpacks how modern scams are targeting older Americans with alarming sophistication. From AI‑driven fraud to financial abuse within families, th…

Market Swings, Medicare, and Marriage in Retirement

The stock market doesn’t smooth out just because you retire. On this episode, Mark Cordner breaks down why volatility is a normal part of retirement and how mindset, planning, and guardrails can make market swings easier to live with. The conversation spans risk tolerance, guaranteed income options…

What Most Retirement Plans Don’t Account For

Running out of money isn’t the only thing retirees worry about—and it’s rarely the most complicated. On this episode, Mark Cordner breaks down the real forces that shape retirement, from income planning and taxes to health care, longevity, and how our life experiences affect money decisions. The co…

The Clock on Social Security Is Ticking—Now What?

A potential Social Security shortfall is moving closer—and that has real implications for retirement planning. On this episode, Mark Cordner breaks down what a projected trust fund depletion could mean, why relying solely on Social Security was never the intent, and how shifting demographics are ch…

How One Percent Can Cost You Millions in Retirement

One percent feels harmless—until it quietly reshapes your entire retirement. On this episode, Mark Cordner breaks down how small investment fees can translate into millions over time, and why focusing only on cost can be a costly mistake. The conversation expands beyond numbers into the often‑ignor…

What Your 401(k) Isn’t Telling You About Retirement

What really happens to your money—and your marriage—when retirement gets closer? This episode unpacks why many retirees move money out of 401(k)s, the trade‑offs of staying versus rolling over, and how earlier tax planning can change long‑term outcomes. The conversation turns personal as Mark Cordn…

The Retirement Risk Most People Don’t See Coming

What if the biggest retirement risk isn’t a market crash—but how you’re positioned when it happens? On this episode Mark Cordner breaks down why retirement planning isn’t about chasing returns, but managing risk, income, and certainty over decades. From a “two-pocket” strategy that separates market…