The Retirement Solution

How many times have you told yourself, “Just one more year” before retirement? In this episode, Jon Hicks explores the “one more year syndrome” that keeps many workers from making the leap into retirement. He discusses the emotional and financial factors behind delaying retirement, the value of healthy retirement years, how Social Security timing fits into the equation, and why running the numbers may reveal...

What if the biggest threat to your retirement isn’t the market—but the decisions you make because of fear? On this episode from this past weekend’s radio show, Jon Hicks discusses why market forecasts can be distracting, the challenges of market timing, and the importance of building a retirement strategy around income, protection, and tax efficiency. He also explores the psychological side of retirement, explaini...

Could rising taxes and changing policies have a bigger impact on your retirement strategy than you realize? Jon Hicks discusses the broader conversation around taxation, wealth preservation, and long-term financial planning, using proposed tax policies as a starting point. He explains why understanding the tax code, protecting assets, and creating a coordinated strategy with financial, legal, and tax professionals can play an impor...

Are your retirement worries multiplying in the middle of the night—and do they have to? In this episode from this past weekend’s radio show, Jon Hicks outlines five key pillars of retirement planning: protection, income, tax strategy, healthcare expenses, and wealth transfer. He also explores the risks of concentrated investments, lessons from past market leaders, and why balancing growth opportunities with risk managem...

Are you dreaming about retiring early—or just looking for a way to escape the daily grind? In this episode, Jon Hicks explores the question many workers ask: “Can I retire now?” He discusses the difference between being financially ready for retirement and simply feeling burned out, along with the importance of having a plan for both your finances and your time. Learn how lifestyle goals, income needs, healthcare ...

Could taxes be the biggest expense in your retirement without you realizing it? Jon Hicks explains how the way your money is positioned—not just how much you’ve saved—can shape your retirement income. He breaks down the three tax buckets—taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free—and why balancing them matters over time. The conversation also highlights how income goals, spending habits, and legacy planning c...

Are you overlooking the freedom your retirement savings could already provide? From this past weekend’s radio show, Jon Hicks explores how a well-designed plan can help define when and how to spend in retirement. The conversation covers “guardrails” for spending, balancing splurges with long-term income, and how emotions and headlines can influence investment decisions. John also breaks down tax diversification, m...

What do people who thrive in retirement do differently? Jon Hicks breaks down four key financial behaviors often seen in those enjoying retirement—from saving aggressively and building income streams to managing risk and planning for unexpected expenses. He also explores the importance of defining “enough,” reducing financial stress, and creating a strategy that supports lifestyle needs over time. From tax plannin...

Is the 401(k) really the retirement solution—or just a piece of the puzzle? In this episode, Jon Hicks breaks down the origins of the 401(k) and why it may not be designed to carry the full weight of retirement planning. He explains how many Americans rely too heavily on it, and why a strategy focused on protection, income, and tax planning matters as retirement approaches. The conversation also covers common gaps in traditio...

Why do some retirees with millions still feel anxious about spending their money? In this episode, Jon Hicks explores the psychological shift from saving to using retirement funds and why it can be harder than expected. The discussion highlights how fear, habits, and uncertainty can impact decisions, even with strong income and assets in place. Jon also outlines key considerations like understanding income sources, stress-testing a...

What if chasing the “perfect” financial decision costs you the moments that matter most? In this episode from this past weekend’s radio show, Jon Hicks explores how retirement planning goes beyond spreadsheets and projections. From Social Security timing decisions to the risks of over-saving or delaying retirement, the conversation highlights how emotions, habits, and priorities shape financial choices. Jon also d...

Will you react any differently the next time the market drops? This episode explores how investor behavior is often driven more by emotion than logic, especially as retirement approaches. Jon Hicks breaks down why past reactions to market downturns tend to repeat—and how discipline, planning, and understanding risk capacity play a role in navigating uncertainty. The conversation also highlights the shift from saving to spendi...

Are hidden tax traps quietly reshaping your retirement? This episode from this past weekend’s radio show explores how retirement shifts you from taxpayer to tax manager—and why decisions around withdrawals, Social Security, and account types can affect long-term outcomes. Jon Hicks breaks down common pitfalls, including over-reliance on tax-deferred savings, changes to inherited IRAs, and the complexity of multiple inco...

Should all your retirement savings go into Roth—or is that strategy missing the bigger picture? In this episode, Jon Hicks breaks down the debate between Roth and pre-tax 401(k) contributions, explaining why flexibility—not extremes—can play a key role in retirement planning. He explores how different tax buckets work together, the considerations behind Roth conversions, and why focusing only on short-term or long...

“Sell in May and go away” might sound catchy—but does it still hold up? In this episode, Jon Hicks breaks down the origins of this long-standing market saying and why its relevance is being questioned today. He explores how relying on simple investment rules can miss the bigger picture, especially as financial priorities shift from growth to generating income in retirement. The conversation also highlights how pla...

Retirement isn’t just about saving—it’s about what your money can actually do next. In this episode from this past weekend’s radio show, Jon Hicks explores the shift from growing wealth to using it with purpose. He discusses why many retirees focus too narrowly on preservation, how income, taxes, and lifestyle goals factor into a plan, and why a 401(k) alone isn’t a complete strategy. The conversation ...

What if the first year of retirement has more impact than the next 20 combined? In this episode, Jon Hicks breaks down sequence of returns risk and why early market downturns can significantly affect long-term outcomes. Using real-life examples, he explains how timing—not just performance—can shape retirement income. The conversation also covers a three-bucket strategy designed to organize income, manage volatility, and...

What happens when retirement shifts from a blurry idea to a clear plan you can actually follow? In this episode from this past weekend’s radio show, Jon Hicks explains why retirement planning is about more than numbers—it’s about turning savings into a lifestyle. He breaks down sequence of returns risk, the impact of market timing, and how a bucket strategy can help structure income. The conversation also explores...

When headlines scream chaos, it’s easy to assume volatility is the enemy—but that thinking can be misleading. In this episode, Jon Hicks discusses how economic shocks, rising oil prices, and nonstop news cycles affect retirement planning and investment decisions. The conversation explores why volatility itself isn’t the real risk, how disruption reshapes different parts of the economy, and why diversification matt...