What Does a Comfortable Retirement Actually Cost?

Does achieving the American Dream really require $5 million, or is the real challenge planning for the costs no one wants to talk about? In this episode of The Retirement Project, Pat Schultz explores a headline-grabbing study that puts a multimillion-dollar price tag on the American Dream and unpa…

Are You Making These Retirement Mistakes Without Realizing It?

What if the biggest retirement mistakes happen in the final stretch before you stop working? In this episode, Pat Schultz shares some of the most common pitfalls he sees in the five years leading up to retirement. From taking too much investment risk and waiting too long to plan, to overlooking tax…

Are You Letting Medicare Fears Stop a Smart Roth Strategy?

Is paying a little more for Medicare today worth avoiding a much bigger tax bill tomorrow? In this episode, Pat Schultz breaks down the often-overlooked connection between Roth conversions and Medicare premiums. While many retirees hesitate to convert because of the potential for higher Medicare co…

What Should You Do with Your 401(k) at Retirement?

What should you really do with your 401(k) when you retire—roll it over, leave it alone, or cash it out? In this episode of The Retirement Project, Pat Schultz breaks down the three most common paths retirees take—and the potential consequences of each choice. He explores why rollovers can offer mo…

Should Annuities Have a Place in Your Retirement Plan?

Are annuities a smart income tool—or one of retirement’s most misunderstood investments? In this episode of The Retirement Project, Pat Schultz breaks down what annuities really are and why they spark so much confusion among investors. He explores the different types—including variable, fixed index…

The Moment That Changed How I See Retirement Forever

What if one unexpected moment could reshape your entire retirement? In this episode, Pat Schultz, CFP® and founder of Harriman Hall Wealth Management, shares the real-life experiences that shaped his mission to guide retirees with clarity and purpose. From the hidden dangers of making financial dec…

The Retirement Expectations That Miss the Mark

What if retirement looks “double‑stuffed” on the label—but falls short in real life? In this episode of The Retirement Project, host and CFP® Pat Schultz explores the gap between expectations and reality in retirement planning. Using a lighthearted Oreo analogy, he unpacks common surprises retirees…

The Gap Years: What Early Retirees Need to Know About Healthcare

Retiring before Medicare can feel like freedom—until healthcare costs suddenly take center stage. In this episode, certified financial planner, Pat Schultz unpacks what really happens in the gap years before age 65 and why health insurance decisions often shape retirement timing more than people ex…

Miss the Window, Change the Outcome: Retirement Planning by the Clock

Some retirement decisions have expiration dates—and once they pass, you don’t always get a second chance. In this episode, Pat Schultz explores the critical windows of opportunity in retirement planning and why timing matters just as much as saving. Using a fun seasonal analogy, he breaks down how …

The Social Security Decision That Follows You for Life

One decision, dozens of rules, and long‑lasting consequences—when you take Social Security matters more than most people realize. In this episode of The Retirement Project, certified financial planner Pat Schultz breaks down how Social Security fits into a modern retirement plan. He explores why cl…