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Some of the most important decisions you will make about retirement actually come when you are retired. 

In this episode, Stephen Stricklin is joined with Waldean Wall, VP of Advanced Markets and Solutions at Allianz Life Insurance, as they dive into conversations about what planning looks like in the distribution phase. They aim to provide you with information that could help you make better informed decisions when it comes time to retire. 

In this episode, you will learn:

• The difference between a withdrawal and a rollover 
• The advantages and disadvantages to leaving money in a 401(k)  
• What inservice distributions are  
• Taxation on Social Security
• And more!

Tune in now to gain an understanding of one of the trickiest parts of retirement. 

Resources: Wise Wealth | Simplify Your Retirement | Stephen Stricklin | Waldean Wall | Allianz Life Insurance

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Many times, people can forget to plan for inflation rates when it comes to retirement planning. 

In this episode, Stephen Stricklin dives into the topic of inflation rates and how they might sneak up on you when you retire. Stephen offers some insights of things you should be thinking about and how you can work towards your retirement goals with inflation in mind.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How inflation works and what it looks like 
• Why is senior CPI is higher  
• Ways to mitigate the effects of inflation  
• What you can do now and in retirement to keep up with inflation rates 
• And more!

Tune in to understand what inflation could like when you retire and what you can be doing to stay on track with your goals. 

Resources: Wise Wealth | Simplify Your Retirement | Stephen Stricklin 

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We often hear the same questions from clients when it comes to Medicare and Medicare planning. We are here to help you answer some of these questions. 

In this episode, Stephen Stricklin is joined by Wise Wealth’s Paul Brock as they answer some of the most common things they hear from clients regarding Medicare, and aim to provide you with the information you need to reach your retirement goals. 

In this episode, you will learn:

• Two options you have when it comes to Medicare
• When you are able to change your Medicare plan and how it works
• The age at when you can get Medicare
• Why should you review Medicare & supplement choices annually
• What to look for in an advisor helping with Medicare
• And more!

Tune into this episode to learn the basics of medicare and begin planning for your retirement. 

Resources: Wise Wealth | Simplify Your Retirement | Stephen Stricklin | Paul Brock 

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Many people have burning questions about Social Security but don’t know where to go to find the answers. 

In this episode, Stephen Stricklin is joined by Larry Kotlikoff, professor of economics at Boston University, and expert on all things Social Security, as they dive into some common questions around Social Security benefits to help you feel a little more prepared when planning for retirement. 

In this episode, you will learn:

• Details of Social Security in relation to retirement age
• The difference between spousal benefits and survivor benefits
• What it would look like to go back to work after getting Social Security benefits
• Withdrawal of benefits and Suspending benefits
• Advice from Larry when it comes to Social Security 
• And more!

Tune in now to look at the big picture of Social Security!

Resources: Wise Wealth | Simplify Your Retirement | Larry Kotlikoff | Kotlikoff.net | Maximize My Social Security | Maxifi | Get What’s Yours 

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Are you looking for a long-term strategy that is both effective and valuable for your portfolio? 

Your answer is diversification! 

In this episode, Stephen Stricklin talks about diversification. He shares his expertise on what diversification is, what it isn’t, why it’s valuable and why it’s important to have a diversified portfolio.

In this episode, you will learn:

• What diversification is and how it works
• Why diversification is valuable
• When you should diversify outside of your account with your financial advisor
• How consolidation can improve diversification
• Other than investments, where else you should diversify
• And more!

Tune in now to learn more about diversification! 

Resources: Wise Wealth | Simplify Your Retirement | Stephen Stricklin

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Success comes from activity, not from analysis. Procrastination is one of the biggest reasons why people don’t move forward, rather maintaining the status quo, doing the same thing they’ve always done with the same results.

In this episode, Stephen Stricklin discusses how procrastination can hold you back from reaching your full potential when it comes to financial planning. He shares how listeners can overcome procrastination through examples and insights he has gained through his experience. 

In this episode, you will learn:

• How the fear of change stops growth
• What stops clients from moving forward or making effective decisions
• How confirmation bias can prevent change
• The importance of research 
• Why trust among your advisor is so crucial 
• And more!

Tune in now learn how you can stop procrastinating and take the next step forward! 

Resources: Wise Wealth | Simplify Your Retirement

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Choosing the right financial advisor for you and your needs is key to developing your most effective plan. But how do you know who the right advisor is for you? What makes the different types of advisors different?

In this episode, Stephen Stricklin dives into the importance of choosing the right financial advisor for you. He provides a full overview of the various types of advisors, the variety of licenses, their standards and how they get paid. 

The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation is one of the most esteemed due to the stringent requirements including experience, education, ethics, on-going training and acting as a fiduciary.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Understanding the different types of licences for advisors, and how they can limit advice
• The difference between the types of advisors, Captive vs. Independent
• What it means when an advisor is a fiduciary vs. doing what is suitable
• How advisors get paid and what the cost is of “doing it myself”
• Most importantly, taking action
• And more!

Play this episode to learn how to identify the right advisor for you!

Resources: Wise Wealth | Simplify Your Retirement

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In typical retirement planning, your plan is designed to work for you until you either become incapacitated, or you pass away. But there are a few things that you can do to protect yourself and your legacy in the event that either of these things happen to you. 

In this episode, Stephen Stricklin addresses how to protect your retirement plan in the event of you becoming incapacitated during retirement or you pass away. He dives into the process of protecting your wealth and the importance of leaving a message for your loved ones to protect your legacy. 

In this episode, you will learn:

• Planning tools for incapacitation 
• Why you need a power of attorney on your individual accounts — no matter your age
• The difference between a contract and probate
• How you can distribute your money through a trust or an individual
• Why it’s more than money, it’s the message you leave behind
• And more!

Tune in now and learn more about how you can protect your retirement plan starting today! 

Resources: Wise Wealth | Simplify Your Retirement

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Once you have your specified amount set aside for emergencies and your income planned for retirement, what do you do with the rest of your money?

In part three of this mini-series, Stephen Stricklin reveals the third bucket, diving into the role the growth bucket plays within your financial plan and in relation to the other buckets. He reveals the importance of investing based on your goals and the benefits gained after retirement.

In this episode, you will learn:

• The role of the growth bucket
• How the growth bucket works with the other buckets
• The benefits of growing your growth bucket
• The importance of  investing based on your goals
• And more!

Discover how the third bucket ties everything together in this episode of Simplify Your Retirement!

Resources: Wise Wealth 

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Planning for retirement requires knowledge of what you will need, and when you’ll need it. Do you really know how much your retirement will cost?

In part two of this mini-series, Stephen Stricklin dives deep into the income bucket. He reveals the role it plays in retirement planning and how it works in relation to the other buckets. Discover the importance of planning when you will retire and how much retirement will cost.

In this episode, you will learn:

• The role of the income bucket
• The importance of having a retirement timeline
• The benefits of an annuity
• The limitation of the income buckets
• And more!

Play this episode to learn more about the income bucket!

Resources: Wise Wealth