The Retirement Referee
The Retirement Referee with Brooks Bernhagen
Playlist by The Retirement RefereeWhen your retirement gets down to game time, who do you want making the calls? Don’t settle for second-best – get the advisor that knows the rules. The Retirement Referee, hosted by Brooks Financial …Follow the podcast:
53 clip(s) in playlist
The Spending Rule That Changes When the Market Does
What if the biggest retirement risk isn’t market losses—but how you spend when markets change? In this episode, Brooks Bernhagen breaks down why rigid withdrawal rules can fail real retirees and how flexible spending guardrails can better match life’s ups and downs. Using recent research, market hi…
10:27Clean
When the Paychecks Stop: The Retirement Mistake Money Can’t Fix
What do NBA superstars and everyday retirees have in common when the paychecks stop? This episode breaks down how high earners and regular savers can make the same costly mistakes after leaving the workforce. Using real-world examples from professional athletes and market history, Brooks explains w…
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Why Letting One Spouse Handle the Money Can Backfire
What if the biggest retirement risk for couples isn’t the market—but silence at the dinner table? On this episode of the Retirement Referee Podcast, Brooks Burnhagen breaks down why treating money as a “one‑person job” creates stress, imbalance, and confusion when life throws a curveball. He explai…
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The Hidden Cost of Dipping Into Your 401(k)
When everyday bills start competing with your retirement savings, the pressure can feel relentless. In this episode, Brooks walks through the real conversations he’s having with retirees who are considering tapping retirement accounts just to keep up with rising costs. From hidden tax consequences …
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Why Social Security Alone Isn’t the Retirement Plan You Think It Is
Even Oprah’s Social Security check comes with a surprising lesson for the rest of us. This episode explores why Social Security replaces only a portion of retirement income and what that shortfall means for everyday retirees. Brooks breaks down how dependable income sources can work alongside Socia…
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The Money You Don’t Spend Might Matter Most
What if the smartest money move you ever made was the money you never touched? A surprising story from Rob Gronkowski sparks a practical conversation about building a wall between today’s spending and tomorrow’s security. Brooks breaks down a simple two‑bucket approach that separates living money f…
08:53Clean
The Hidden Risks Lurking Inside Your Retirement Portfolio
What happens when retirees chase tech‑stock excitement without seeing the hidden risks? In this episode, Brooks breaks down how sector imbalances quietly build inside portfolios and why an X‑ray of your holdings can reveal far more “catch‑up” than true diversification. He explains how guardrails, d…
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You Don’t Need $1 Million to Retire Well
Only three out of one hundred Americans retire with a million dollars... so what does everyone else do? In this episode, Brooks Bernhagen breaks down why successful retirement isn’t about hitting a magic number but about building a strategy that stretches what you do have. From income planning and …
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The $6,000 Deduction Every Retiree Should Understand
What if one mindset shift could change how much of your retirement income you actually keep? In this episode, Brooks breaks down why the new $6,000 senior deduction is more than a tax-season perk... it’s a reminder that strategic, year‑round tax planning can meaningfully lower lifetime taxes. He ex…
09:08Clean
Retirement Scams to Look Out For in 2026
Millions of Americans retiring at once are creating the perfect storm for financial predators... and most people don’t even realize they’re in the blast zone. In this episode, Brooks Bernhagen breaks down the red flags every retiree should watch for, from high‑pressure “act now” tactics to one‑size…
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