What You Can Control When Retirement Headlines Get Loud

Retirement gets harder when headlines drive decisions instead of a plan. In this episode, Steve Standley breaks down how interest rates, inflation, and market uncertainty affect retirement—and what you can actually control. The conversation covers reinvestment risk, the danger of reacting to short‑…

The Paycheck Problem Most Retirees Underestimate

When the paycheck stops, the bills don’t—and that reality changes how retirement planning works. In this episode, Steve Standley explains why retirement success depends less on account balances and more on reliable income. The conversation explores guaranteed income sources, how retirees balance in…

When the Big Check Bounces: Lessons from a Lost Jackpot

What happens when a sweepstakes winner’s dream turns into a financial nightmare? This episode dives into the real-life story of a “$5,000-a-week-for-life” jackpot winner left empty-handed after a company bankruptcy. Steve Standley breaks down the risks of windfalls, the importance of planning, and …

When a Nest Egg Doesn’t Feel Like Income

The biggest fear in retirement often isn’t the market—it’s losing the paycheck you’ve relied on for decades. In this episode, Steve Standley explores why so many retirees feel anxious even when the numbers look solid on paper. The conversation breaks down the difference between saving assets and cr…

From Waffle House Wisdom to Real Retirement Planning

What if the biggest retirement mistake is taking advice from the wrong source? Steve Standley reveals why timing Social Security, building multiple income streams, and involving both spouses in financial planning are crucial for retirement planning. Learn why a written blueprint matters, how to avo…

The Retirement Trap Zone No One Warns You About

What if the biggest tax mistakes in retirement happen years before you ever file a return? In this episode, Steve Standley explains why taxes shouldn’t be treated as a once‑a‑year problem—especially as you approach retirement. He breaks down the “retirement trap zone,” an important window when deci…

Are You Risking Too Much in Retirement’s Trap Zone?

Is your retirement portfolio built for the next market crash—or are you risking too much in the “trap zone”? This episode of The Retirement Paycheck Show with Steve Standley explores why the five to ten years before and after retirement are critical for dialing back risk, building a reliable income…

Where Should Your Money Live in Retirement? The Three‑World Framework

How much cash is too much when you’re heading into retirement? In this episode, Steve Standley breaks down why sitting on excess cash can quietly work against you—and how to think more clearly about where your money actually belongs. Using Warren Buffett’s perspective as a starting point, Steve exp…

Are You About to Fumble Your Retirement at the Goal Line?

Are you at risk of fumbling your retirement just before the goal line? This episode of The Retirement Paycheck Show with Steve Standley reveals why the five to ten years before and after retirement are critical for avoiding costly mistakes. Learn how to dial in your risk tolerance, build a reliable…

The Three New‑Year Must‑Dos Every Retiree Should Know

Taxes may be the biggest surprise waiting for you in retirement—and they don’t go away when your paycheck does. In this episode, Steve Standley breaks down the top three priorities retirees should focus on as a new year begins, including how tax laws, RMDs, Social Security taxation, and IRMAA can q…