The Fed Changed Rates. Should Retirees Change Their Plans?

A small Fed rate hike has some retirees asking a big question: is it time to rethink their retirement strategy? Mark Cordner explains why rising interest rates are not automatically bad for investors, how income planning can help reduce anxiety during market volatility, and why retirees should have…

Is Retirement About Growth or Safety? The Debate That Changes Everything

Is retirement planning about chasing returns, or protecting your future from the risks no one sees coming? Mark Cordner tackles the debate over annuities, explains the difference between “probability-first” and “safety-first” retirement philosophies, and shares why healthcare and long-term care cos…

Rising Rates, Falling Confidence: Should Retirees Be Worried?

Are rising interest rates really a threat to your retirement, or just another scary headline? Mark Cordner breaks down what higher Treasury yields and inflation mean for retirees, why reacting to market noise can do more harm than good, and how a diversified “two-pocket” strategy can help manage un…

Before You Move for Retirement, Ask Yourself This One Question

Would moving to a cheaper town actually improve your retirement, or could it cost you more than you expect? On this episode, Mark Cordner explores the hidden factors behind retirement relocation, including healthcare access, taxes, family support, and quality of life. The conversation also dives in…

Why Age 59½ Could Change Your Retirement Strategy

Could waiting too long to make a retirement move cost more than you realize? On this episode, Mark Cordner explains why Roth conversions are not one-size-fits-all, how timing can affect long-term tax outcomes, and why age 59½ creates new planning opportunities for retirement accounts. The conversat…

The Retirement Income Secret: Why Monthly Checks Change Everything

Why do retirees spend money more confidently when it arrives as income instead of sitting in an investment account? This episode explores the powerful connection between guaranteed income, retirement confidence, and financial decision-making. Mark Cordner discusses annuities, Social Security, and t…

The Retirement Risk No One Saw Coming

What if the biggest retirement risk isn't a market crash, but living longer than your money lasts? On this episode, Mark Cordner discusses why baby boomer retirements haven't triggered the market downturn many feared, the importance of balancing growth and preservation, and how inflation can challe…

Will the Great Wealth Transfer Ever Reach Your Heirs?

Will the Great Wealth Transfer leave a legacy, or be consumed by taxes, healthcare costs, and longer life expectancies? On this episode, Mark Cordner explores strategies families use to preserve wealth across generations, including Roth conversion planning and tax considerations for heirs. The conv…

Warren Buffett Cut Risk. Should Retirees Do the Same?

What happens when playing it too safe in retirement becomes its own financial risk? Mark Cordner discusses Warren Buffett’s decision to move billions into cash and what it reveals about managing risk in retirement, the importance of balancing preservation with growth, and how diversification may he…

You May Not Need $1 Million to Retire After All

Do you really need $1 million to retire, or is the bigger question whether your income can support the life you want? On this episode, Mark Cordner breaks down why retirement readiness is about income, expenses, and expectations rather than chasing a specific savings number. He discusses Social Sec…