The Truth Behind Guaranteed Paychecks in Retirement

Retirement may be on the horizon, but the real question is whether your income is ready for the road ahead. In this episode, Brooks breaks down how guaranteed income can bring clarity, stability, and confidence as you transition from saving to spending. From defining your true monthly number to map…

Uncle Sam’s Holiday Surprise: RMDs Explained | Should You Take More Than Your Minimum? | Income Layering: The Key to Stress-Free Retirement

Are you ready for Uncle Sam’s holiday surprise? This episode dives into the critical decisions around Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) and why taking more than the minimum could reshape your retirement future. Brooks explains how tax brackets, account balances, and long-term planning intersect…

Retirement Under Pressure: Outsmarting Risks Before They Strike | Beyond the 401(k): Building a Retirement Plan That Lasts | Hidden Retirement Risks—and How to Beat Them

What do RVs, retirement, and hand sanitizer have in common? They all remind us that life is full of unexpected risks—and your retirement plan is no different. In this episode of Retirement Referee, Brooks uncovers the hidden threats that can quietly derail your financial future, from market volatil…

The Wealth Transfer No One Talks About | Inheritance: Blessing or Burden?

Worried about the stock market roller coaster as retirement approaches? In this episode, Brooks shares strategies for building stability without sacrificing growth, including how fixed index annuities can protect your principal while capturing upside potential. We also dive into the “great wealth t…

Every Day Is Saturday—But Is Your Retirement Ready? | Retirement Plans Need Software Updates Too | From Jordan’s Final Game to Your Financial Future

What do smartphones, remote controls, and retirement plans have in common? They all need regular updates to stay relevant. In this episode, Brooks Bernhagen draws parallels between evolving tech and financial planning, urging retirees to treat their retirement strategy as a living document. From op…

Shohei Ohtani’s Paycheck Strategy Meets Retirement Planning | Defer Now, Gain Later: Retirement Lessons from the Ballpark | How to De-Risk Without Slamming the Brakes

What do Shohei Ohtani’s contract and your retirement plan have in common? In this episode, Brooks Bernhagen breaks down how income deferment strategies—like annuities, Roth conversions, and delayed Social Security—can create flexibility and reduce tax burdens. From Medicare premiums to market risk,…

Is Your Retirement Plan Breathing Toxins? | The Hidden Costs That Could Pollute Your Portfolio | Why Bull Markets Feel Like Summer—But Winter Always Comes

What do scented candles and retirement accounts have in common? They both can hide toxic surprises. In this episode, financial advisor Brooks Bernhagen breaks down the invisible risks lurking in your portfolio—from high fees and outdated allocations to misleading “premium” investments. Using relata…

Gold Rush or Fool’s Gold? Navigating Retirement’s Biggest Decisions | COLA, Costs, and Caution: The Retirement Referee’s Playbook | Don’t Let FOMO Derail Your Retirement—Brooks Bernhagen Explains How

Is your retirement plan ready for the unexpected twists ahead? In this episode, Brooks Bernhagen, the Retirement Referee, breaks down the latest Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, reveals why gold’s record highs spark both excitement and caution, and shares strategies to separate emotion fr…

Retirement Curveballs: Are You Ready for the Unexpected? | Surprises Ahead: Navigating Taxes, Tantrums, and Retirement | The Retirement Referee’s Guide to Life’s Financial Twists

What do road trips, tantrums, and taxes have in common? Each brings unexpected twists—just like retirement. Brooks Bernhagen, your Retirement Referee, unpacks the financial curveballs that can catch retirees off guard. From building emergency funds to spotting hidden tax traps in Social Security, R…

Is Your Retirement Plan Ready for a Season Shift? | Don’t Let Lazy Money Sink Your Golden Years | Financial Cavities: What’s Hiding in Your Retirement Plan?

When the seasons change, should your retirement strategy shift too? In this episode, Brooks Bernhagen breaks down how interest rate changes, spending volatility, and overlooked financial “cavities” can impact your retirement plan. Discover why proactive income planning, regular portfolio checkups, …