The Secure Retirement Method Podcast
91 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 5 ratingsDiscover stories from real people who are living out their definition of a secure retirement.
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Episodes
Inflation-Proof Your Retirement
March 06, 2024 05:00 - 30 minutes - 56.7 MBNavigate through retirement with confidence as April Schoen addresses the silent thief, inflation, revealing strategies to protect your financial future. In this episode, we’ll dive deep into understanding inflation and its impact on your retirement dreams. Unpack the essentials of inflation and its direct impact on your retirement savings. Discover historical perspectives on inflation to better understand its cyclical nature. Explore strategic ways to combat inflation, from gua...
Maximizing Social Security: Strategies for Retirement Success
February 07, 2024 05:00 - 22 minutes - 41.1 MBFeeling overwhelmed by Social Security decisions for your retirement? Unravel the complexities of this critical component of retirement planning in today's episode. Join me, your guide in the maze of retirement planning, as I illuminate the often puzzling world of Social Security. From timing your benefits to understanding the system's history and strategizing for maximum returns, I offer a wealth of knowledge to help secure your financial future. Discover when to ideally start yo...
Weathering the Financial Storm
January 17, 2024 05:00 - 58 minutes - 108 MBHow do you weather the storm during a financial crisis?—and not just weather the storm, but come out stronger? In this podcast, we show you how to prepare for a financial crisis, with actionable steps that allow you to face whatever comes your way. We’ll cover: The essential elements of financial resilience The early warning signs of a financial crisis Creating a comprehensive financial plan Emergency fund essentials Protecting your investments and retirement accounts And mo...
The New Year Financial Kickoff
January 03, 2024 05:00 - 23 minutes - 42.4 MBIt’s the New Year Financial Kickoff… In this edition of Ask April, I will help you launch your financial year and set you on a path toward your goals. I’ll cover: Setting your financial aspirations for 2024 Building this year’s spending plan Debt paydown strategies Why your investments should align with your dreams And more
A Guide to Your Year-End Financial Review
December 20, 2023 05:00 - 22 minutes - 41.3 MBWhat can you do at the end of the year to set yourself up for financial success in 2024? In this edition of Ask April, I share a year-end checklist to help you start the new year on track toward your financial goals. I’ll cover: Why is an end-of-year financial review important? Setting goals for the next 3 years Assessing your spending plan Evaluating your investments Building a financial safety net And more
Inside the Florida Retirement System
December 06, 2023 05:00 - 45 minutes - 84 MB“How much should I save for retirement?” “When should I go into DROP?” “What about inflation?” If you’re preparing for retirement, chances are these questions have been swirling around your head… In this episode, guest host Steve Gordon asks us the most common questions about the Florida Retirement System. With decades of combined expertise, we have helped countless people answer these questions and plan for secure retirements. We cover: Is there a “magic number” to save for re...
Withstanding an Economic Downturn
November 22, 2023 05:00 - 25 minutes - 46.6 MBWe’ve been getting a lot of questions about what’s going on with the economy… Many people are wondering if we’re headed for a recession—and what they can do to prepare if we are. The good news is that even if we face economic uncertainty, it won’t be anything new… In this episode, we cover what past economic crises can teach us about how to weather difficult economic times.
How Much Should I Save For Retirement?
November 08, 2023 05:00 - 20 minutes - 37.4 MB“How much should I be saving for retirement?” We get this question all the time… In this episode, April will cover the basics of saving for retirement, including: Savings goals for different stages of life A helpful rule of thumb Saving in the right places How to make saving systematic And more This episode marks the first edition of “Ask April,” a new segment in which April will answer the most common financial questions from clients, share practical advice, and help listen...
Overcoming Adversity
October 25, 2023 05:00 - 21 minutes - 39.8 MBHow can you deal with adversity? In this episode, we feature a recording of John’s inspiring Rotary talk, “Sweetheart, It’s Just Your Leg, Not Your Life.” John tells his incredible story of overcoming adversity after his amputation and shares his wisdom on: How to plan for unplanned life events Building support groups Creating an unbeatable mindset to get through anything And more
Lessons from 50 Years in Financial Services
October 11, 2023 05:00 - 50 minutes - 92.1 MBIn this episode, I interview John about his fifty-year career helping clients and what he’s learned throughout his journey. It turns out that not much has changed in fifty years—people then and now share the desire to build a secure financial future for themselves and their families. John has seen thousands of clients’ stories unfold, and today he’ll share that wealth of experience with you. He’ll cover: What he’s learned about understanding clients’ unique needs and goals The ...
The Podcast is Back
September 27, 2023 05:00 - 20 minutes - 38.3 MBWe’re excited to announce that we’re relaunching the podcast… It’s our intention to share our knowledge on the world of financial planning so we can help others, and this next phase of the podcast will be focused on doing just that. In this episode, we’ll let you know what to expect from the show going forward and get new listeners up to speed on who we are and what we do. We’ll also tackle the question on everyone’s minds: “What’s happening with the economy?”—and share how you c...
SECURE Act 2.0
February 01, 2023 05:00 - 21 minutes - 40.3 MBLast week, the SECURE Act 2.0 was signed into law. What does this mean for you and your retirement? In this episode, we cover the most important changes from the SECURE Act 2.0 that you need to be aware of. These changes include: Age for required minimum distributions Effects on retirement accounts Automatic enrollment Treatment of student loan payments Distributions from 529 plans to Roth IRAs And more
5 Financial Risks in Retirement–and How to Avoid Them
January 18, 2023 05:00 - 50 minutes - 92.6 MBWhat are the 5 financial risks you will face in retirement (& how do you avoid them)? With the right planning, you can create your own secure retirement… That means having the money for the life you want… But traditional planning doesn’t work for retirement… Wealth distribution is very different from wealth accumulation… In this podcast, we show you how to prepare for the top 5 financial risks in retirement and achieve financial balance.
Medicare Basics
January 04, 2023 05:00 - 54 minutes - 101 MBMedicare is a complicated topic with a lot of moving parts… But as you reach retirement age, you’ll need to make decisions about Medicare. We all need to cover healthcare costs as we get older—there’s no avoiding it. In this webinar, we’ll cover everything you need to know to get started with Medicare planning so you can prepare for a secure retirement. We’ll answer common questions about Medicare, such as: What does Medicare cover? When & how do I enroll in Medic...
Tax Diversification in Retirement
November 16, 2022 05:00 - 48 minutes - 88.7 MBMany people make decisions about taxes in a vacuum… But taxes have a significant impact on your finances in retirement. The good news is that there are proven strategies to optimize your income so you can minimize your taxes. In this podcast, we’ll show you how tax diversification can help you build a secure retirement. Listen to learn: How tax rates will change in the future Why it’s a myth that you’ll have less income in retirement How different types of investm...
Exploring Social Security
October 05, 2022 05:00 - 1 hour - 111 MBPlanning when you’ll take Social Security might be the most important decision you make for your retirement… It impacts your income for the rest of your life (and your spouse’s income, too)… The decision you make determines your destiny… You need to make the decision that leads to your secure retirement—you’ll have the money to do the things you want and live worry-free. In this episode, we’ll cover the basics of Social Security and help you understand this important...
The Secure Retirement Method for Members of the Florida Retirement System
September 14, 2022 05:00 - 58 minutes - 108 MBWhen it comes to planning for retirement, the decisions you make today determine your destiny tomorrow. And no matter what stage of life you’re at, making a plan now will ensure that you can retire with maximum freedom, security, and enjoyment. If you wait any longer, your time and money are on the line. In this webinar, we answer the most common questions about retirement and show you how to plan for a secure future. Listen to learn: How to get the most out of FRS ...
Life Insurance: The Essential Financial Tool Everyone Loves to Hate
August 31, 2022 05:00 - 1 hour - 114 MBWhat’s the most important thing you can do today for yourself and your family? Plan for life insurance--before it’s too late. But what type of life insurance should you buy? When should you buy it? And who should you buy it from? How can you create wealth for yourself today AND leave a legacy behind when you die? This podcast episode breaks down life insurance fundamentals and shows you how to get the most out of this essential financial tool. Listen to learn: Why...
How to Meet Life Changing Adversity Head On
November 24, 2021 05:00 - 47 minutes - 87.8 MBIn today’s episode, I sit down with my friend Steve Gordon to talk about overcoming adversity, or how to deal with life's ambushes. You may already know my story, but if you haven’t listened lately, we’ll catch you up on one of those life changing ambushes I faced earlier this year. What I went through was by far the most difficult, life changing, game changing event I’ve ever faced, yet it's given me insight and wisdom I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. Listen as Steve and I walk...
Tax Diversification: The Blueprint For Keeping More of Your Retirement Money
November 10, 2021 05:00 - 59 minutes - 108 MBOn this week’s episode of The Secure Retirement Podcast, April and I walk through the options for keeping more of your retirement income by paying less taxes—yes, we’re talking tax diversification and the strategies you can employ so your retirement income doesn’t get clobbered by taxes. As I say, “It’s not what you get, it's what you keep.” Listen as we break down the three types of retirement investment accounts and walk you through: Why it’s important not to put all of your re...
Retirement Rehearsal: How to Map Out Your Plan—Now
October 27, 2021 05:00 - 59 minutes - 109 MBOn this week’s episode of The Secure Retirement Podcast, April and I break down my new book, “The Secure Retirement Method for Members of The Florida Retirement System.” This episode will benefit anyone who has a job or is looking to retire one day (even if you aren’t from Florida). As mentioned in this episode, “What we bring to the table is the ability to ask you questions you’ve never thought about and sometimes we question your answers. We all have a blind spot and need to ...
Ken Armstrong | Seeking New Horizons
October 13, 2021 05:00 - 43 minutes - 80.8 MBOn this week’s episode of The Secure Retirement Podcast, Ken Armstrong joins us. Ken is a lifetime learner who is passionate about seeking new horizons. Ken says, “I challenge my friends to seek new horizons every day whether retired or not… if we’re not seeking new horizons we’re standing in one place... not moving.” At 73, Ken is preparing to embark on the next big step in his quest to seek new horizons, the adventure of a lifetime. He’s planning a trip that will take him acros...
How To Build A “Crisis-proof” Team
September 29, 2021 05:00 - 45 minutes - 84 MBWelcome to John H. Curry's Secure Retirement Podcast. In the last two episodes, Steve Gordon and I have talked about my health crisis, my mindset, and my journey back to work. Steve has nicknamed me “the most productive man in rehab,” but “...there is no “S” on my chest and no blue underwear. There were a couple of moments when I had some tough realizations. At those times I was glad I could step out of my own strength and into that of my team.” Today we’re talking about how I se...
My “Blueprint” For Success During A Crisis
September 15, 2021 05:00 - 33 minutes - 60.7 MBOn today’s episode of the Secure Retirement Podcast, I sit down with Steve Gordon for part two of our conversation. Steve and I discuss how I kept both my business and my personal life moving forward from rehab, when complications occurred during my recovery that kept me mostly isolated for 49 days. How’d I do it? Listen as I share the mindset tools I used to press forward, including: The number one thing you need to determine before moving forward How to leverage the who and no...
How to Stay Positive When the Unthinkable Happens
September 01, 2021 05:00 - 37 minutes - 69.4 MBI’m Back! As you know, I’ve been out of pocket for four months. Today, in my first episode since returning to work, I sit down for a personal interview with my friend Steve Gordon to discuss the shocking health crisis that both sidelined me and required me to make a life-changing decision with no time to weigh my options. Steve and I go deep into facing adversity head on and how I made peace with my circumstances. I share the challenges I faced in my journey, as well as: My adv...
Heading Into Retirement? How to Have More, Tax-Free Income
May 26, 2021 05:00 - 47 minutes - 86.8 MBOn this week’s episode of The Secure Retirement Podcast, April Schoen talks about the importance of tax diversification in retirement. April discusses the three different types of retirement investments, offering examples of each type of account, how you can contribute to them, and their tax implications. Listen as she explains: Tax-deferred accounts Taxable or tax as you go accounts Tax-favored accounts or tax-free accounts How spreading out your retirement investments can h...
How To Mitigate The Five Financial Risks In Retirement
May 12, 2021 05:00 - 57 minutes - 105 MBOn this week’s episode of The Secure Retirement Podcast, April Schoen joins us to take a deep dive into the five financial risks you will face in retirement and how to overcome them. Additionally, April discusses retirement planning and what balance looks like in retirement. Listen in to learn more about the retirement red zone as well as: Mitigating financial risks Retirement planning: what works and what doesn’t Building a financially balanced retirement plan And more
How to Pay for Health Care in Retirement
April 21, 2021 05:00 - 51 minutes - 95 MBOn this week’s episode of The Secure Retirement Podcast, April Schoen joins us to discuss the best ways to pay for health care in retirement. We detail the key considerations you need to remember when it comes to Medicare, and go over how to create your detailed plan for what is usually the number one concern for anyone approaching retirement. We have an episode packed with valuable information to have at hand when you enroll in Medicare. We chat about transitioning to Medicare, ...
How and When to Claim Social Security Benefits
April 07, 2021 05:00 - 49 minutes - 90.8 MBThis week, I’m joined by fellow North Florida Financial advisor, April Schoen, for a live seminar on Social Security. Over the course of the seminar, we're going to be talking about how social security works, what you need to know around the program, different payment scenarios, and also issues that surround the program. April and I have over 50 years of combined experience in retirement planning and we’ll be using that knowledge today to discuss Social Security with retirement in m...
Bonnie Bevis | Retiring From a Career in Public Service
March 24, 2021 05:00 - 35 minutes - 39.8 MBOn this week’s episode of the Secure Retirement Podcast, we speak with Bonnie Bevis, a retiree with 35 years of work with Highway Safety under her belt. She began her career as a license examiner, and shares with us how she spent her years in public service while raising three children, as well as how she occupies her retirement time now. We chat with Bonnie about her extensive public service career, as well as: The need for a steady source of income Fixed Assets Department dut...
Helen Livingston | Staying Open to Opportunities
March 10, 2021 05:00 - 43 minutes - 47.2 MBOur special guest on this week’s episode of the Secure Retirement Podcast is Helen Livingston. Helen was a teacher, a high school counselor, and a principal in Alabama, and earned both her Master’s and PhD, all while raising four children. She was also an integral part of opening the Medical School at Florida State University. Helen has had an extensive career in education and continues to stay busy and active in her version of retirement. “It's important that you take a good clea...
Approaching Retirement with a Healthy Mindset
February 24, 2021 05:00 - 28 minutes - 33.5 MBIn our ninth and final episode of our series for members of the Florida Retirement System, Steve Gordon once again hosts our very own John Curry. We discuss an aspect of retirement that is necessary for absolutely everyone approaching this stage of their life to consider, mindset, and dive into how to successfully execute John’s Secure Retirement Method. We chat about the real motivations behind retirement, as well as: The spectrum of reasons why someone heads into retirement The...
Required Minimum Distributions and How to Plan for These Laws
February 10, 2021 05:00 - 29 minutes - 34.4 MBOn this week’s episode of The Secure Retirement Podcast, we approach the end of our Florida Retirement System series. The information in this episode will be valuable to our viewers nationally, even if you are not a member of the Florida Retirement System, as these laws apply across the country. We address the universal Required Minimum Distributions and offer ways to prepare for them so you aren’t caught by surprise. John says, “No matter what type of retirement account you have,...
Navigating Medicare Coverage
January 27, 2021 05:00 - 26 minutes - 31.6 MBOn this week’s episode of The Secure Retirement Podcast, we focus on healthcare coverage, particularly Medicare Parts A - D, as we continue to address the key issues that affect members of the Florida Retirement System. With Medicare available from coast to coast, the information in this episode will be valuable to our listeners nationally, even for those outside of the Florida Retirement System. John says, “Most people do not feel the effects of healthcare, or inflation in general...
Key Social Security Considerations
January 13, 2021 05:00 - 37 minutes - 41.9 MBOn this week’s episode of The Secure Retirement Podcast, we continue addressing the key issues that affect members of the Florida Retirement System with a special focus on Social Security. Even if you are not a member of the Florida Retirement System, this episode will be particularly useful because Social Security touches everyone nationally. John says, “For many people, Social Security is really the only guaranteed lifetime income. Folks who have a pension like the Florida Retir...
Selecting the Right DROP Option for your financial goals
December 30, 2020 05:00 - 24 minutes - 29.6 MBOn this week’s episode of The Secure Retirement Podcast, we continue our special series focused on the specific concerns of members of the Florida Retirement System. “Some people say they have the ability financially to retire, but they don't have the ability mentally to retire. And I call that part of the mindset,” says John. “When it comes to the subject of drop, it's not just about money. It's the mindset, what will you do with the money? Do you need the income right away? Do y...
How Your Mindset Affects Financing Your Retirement
December 16, 2020 05:00 - 25 minutes - 23.2 MBOn this week’s episode of the Secure Retirement Podcast, we continue our series on the concerns of members of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), focusing this week on the mindset of retirement and what that means for your planning process. And, if you’re not a member of the FRS, stay tuned because the information provided in this series is still applicable to any recent retirees, or those in the planning stages. John says, “When you retire, every day is a Saturday. What do you do...
Tax Deferral — Everything You Need to Know
December 02, 2020 05:00 - 19 minutes - 17.8 MBOn this week’s episode of the Secure Retirement Podcast, we dive into the third episode in our series on the Florida Retirement System. Today we talk about an important topic that many people choose to avoid— factors to consider while thinking about tax deferral. We also ask the important questions you need answers to before making your final decision. “We're looking for opportunities to minimize tax. We want to avoid the tax, not evade the tax, because the difference between tax ...
Funding Your Future: The Choices and Their Implications
November 18, 2020 05:00 - 18 minutes - 16.7 MBOn this week's episode, we speak about properly planning your secure retirement based on your personal financial situation. John explains the four FRS options, what they mean, and how each is designed to suit a specific situation.The discussion, while aimed specifically at members of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), gives valuable insights to anyone in the process of planning their retirement. “Some people choose one of the four options in a vacuum. They're all good, but they'...
Concept First — What Does Retirement Look Like For You?
November 04, 2020 05:00 - 18 minutes - 16.9 MBThis week’s episode of The Secure Retirement Podcast marks the beginning of a special series focused on the specific concerns of members of the Florida Retirement System. However, the key topics covered in this series will still relate, in principle, to any retiree, regardless of whether they are a member of the FRS. “I have clients from across all walks of life— doctors, lawyers, business owners, and we all have something in common. All of us. And that is: someday, we have a visi...
The Importance of Tax Diversification in Retirement
October 21, 2020 05:00 - 54 minutes - 50 MBWe don’t know with any kind of certainty what tax rates will be in the future, which means that planning your finances into retirement can be both stressful and intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. This week, John and April discuss tax diversification and how a wide range of investments now will afford you more choices later in life. April says, “The main thing that we want our clients to have is more options when it gets to retirement, not less; we don't want you to be painte...
5 Financial Risks in Retirement and How to Avoid Them
October 07, 2020 05:00 - 52 minutes - 48.4 MBRetirement can come with an amount of financial uncertainty attached, even for people who have taken the time to plan. This week, John and April aim to alleviate some of the stress that comes along with retirement planning by discussing the five biggest financial risks in retirement and how best to avoid them. Together, they have over 50 years of combined experience in helping clients plan for retirement and use that practical knowledge to illuminate what works and doesn’t work duri...
Bill Landing | Coronavirus — Facts and Fiction
September 23, 2020 05:00 - 55 minutes - 51.1 MBOn this week’s episode of the Secure Retirement Podcast, we speak with my good friend, Bill Landing, a retired professor from Florida State University who is currently studying environmental chemistry and chemical oceanography. Bill has over 50 years of experience as a scientist and joins us to talk about the facts and fictions surrounding the pandemic. “The training that you get to be a scientist gives you qualities like skepticism. You look at data and interpretations of data, yo...
Your COVID-19 Financial Action Plan
April 29, 2020 05:00 - 22 minutes - 21 MBCOVID-19 is the hot topic in the news right now, and in this special episode we give our own take on the situation. There’s no special guest today, but we do think this episode is needed amid the chaos out there in the world. Specifically, we take time to reflect on other hard times in the past and discuss how we got through them, along with speculating what the future may hold. Most importantly, we take time to discuss how you should be handling your finances during this unstabl...
Elizabeth Gladden | Staying Busy In Retirement
April 08, 2020 05:00 - 37 minutes - 34.8 MBIn today’s episode, we chat with retired teacher Elizabeth Gladden. After grieving the death of her husband, Elizabeth was inspired to go back to teaching as she craved the normalcy and routine of going back to school. “There were some days when you think ‘I just can’t face the world.’ And I think that’s perfectly normal to have days like that,’” says Elizabeth while remembering what it was like in the months after her husband’s death while she was trying to get back to living her...
A Guaranteed Income in Retirement
March 25, 2020 05:00 - 59 minutes - 54.5 MBFor something so important for our retirement, it’s a shame that there is so much confusion and misinformation about social security out there. As a result, many people are sabotaging their social security benefit… and receiving much less than they could… because they make bad decisions during their retirement planning process. When you should start taking social security is one of the most important factors here. There is a “best” time – but it’s different for everybody, an...
John Dunwoody | Aging vs Getting Old
February 19, 2020 05:00 - 35 minutes - 32.9 MBJohn Dunwoody returns for a preview of his upcoming boating adventure on the Down East Loop and shares highlights of his eight-month trip on the Great Loop, which traverses some of the country’s most iconic inland waterways. Journeys of this length take some real planning and preparation, and John shares how he gets himself and his boat in shape for long voyages. He also talks about the places he’ll visit on the way… and how he chooses where he docks for the night. These tri...
The Top 7 Risks to Your Retirement
January 08, 2020 05:00 - 52 minutes - 48.5 MBEverybody’s idea of a dream retirement is different. It could include cruises and vacations, volunteer work, more time with the grandkids… But whatever you’re looking forward to… you have to take some precautions now to make sure your golden years are protected from things like inflation, taxes, healthcare costs, and more. We outline some solid strategies to make sure your financial and personal freedom stays secure. We’ll even talk about how long you might live (since peopl...
Required Minimum Distributions FAQs
December 04, 2019 05:00 - 26 minutes - 24.2 MBThey say that there are two certain things in life: death and taxes. And when it comes to your retirement accounts, taxes definitely come into play. You may have thought you were saving big-time on taxes with this method. But here’s the thing: required minimum distributions mean you really only deferred those taxes. And when it comes time to pay, the amount could be surprisingly high. We talk about what you should be doing now to prepare for that certainty, the rules you mus...
Clearing Up Medicare Misinformation
November 20, 2019 05:00 - 25 minutes - 23.1 MBLike any government program, especially one involving millions of people, Medicare is complicated. What’s covered? What will it cost? When should you sign up? Which “part” should you join? Where can you seek medical care? Those are just some of the questions those reaching eligibility age are asking. And the thing is, the answers are different for each individual. But there are some guidelines to consider as you make your decisions. The biggest thing to remember: Medicare ...