Vision Wealth: A New View on Retirement

What if your retirement income plan had more moving parts than you realized? In this episode, Ben and Megan Smith break down the six streams of income that shape today’s retirement landscape—from Social Security timing to annuities, investments, and even part-time work. Discover how each source brings unique opportunities and trade-offs, and why there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. With candid stories and practi...

Did you know your financial habits could age your retirement plan as fast as poor sleep ages your brain? In this episode, Ben and Megan Smith reveal the sneaky, everyday money mistakes that quietly erode your future wealth. From the dangers of “lifestyle creep” to the hidden impact of fees and the power of small, consistent choices, discover how to break bad financial habits and build a resilient retirement. Whether you...

What do a superstar athlete and your retirement plan have in common? In this episode of the Vision Wealth Podcast, Ben and Megan Smith break down the concept of deferred income—using Shohei Otani’s headline-making contract as a springboard for real-world retirement strategies. Discover how deferral can impact taxes, income, and legacy planning, and why the right approach depends on your personal goals. From tax-deferred...

As the days get shorter and the year winds down, it’s not just your home that needs a seasonal checkup—your finances do too. In this episode of the Vision Wealth Podcast, Ben and Megan Smith share their essential end-of-year financial checklist, from budgeting and tax planning to Roth conversions, charitable giving, and RMD strategies. Discover why even high earners need guardrails, how to make the most of charitable do...

Think your investment accounts are quietly working for you? They might be quietly bleeding value. Ben and Megan Smith break down the hidden fees and underperforming products—from variable annuities to whole life insurance—that could be costing you more than you realize. This episode explores why understanding the fine print matters, how small details can add up over time, and why finding a trusted advisor is key. Whethe...

Is the American dream still within reach, or has it become a luxury reserved for a few? Ben and Megan Smith tackle the true cost of family, education, and retirement, exploring how shifting priorities and smart planning can help redefine financial success. This episode dives into the impact of social media, the value of freedom, and why aligning your money with your values matters more than ever. Discover how habits, mindset, and p...

What happens when long-term care becomes your reality overnight? In this episode, Ben Smith, president and lead wealth advisor at Vision Wealth, and his wife Megan Smith explore the emotional and financial weight of planning for aging, illness, and legacy. From outdated insurance policies to family dynamics and estate planning, this candid conversation reveals why waiting until it’s urgent can cost more than money. Whether yo...

What do dating and financial planning have in common? More than you think! In this episode, Ben Smith, president and lead wealth advisor at Vision Wealth, and his wife Megan Smith unpack the emotional layers of money talk—from transparency in relationships to bridging communication gaps between partners. This candid conversation reveals how trust, honesty, and shared goals can transform financial planning into a team sport. W...

Ben and Megan Smith of Vision wealth discuss the U.S. Mint’s decision to stop stamping pennies and how they rarely use cash. Then Ben talks about tools in people’s financial plans, such as mutual funds, that do not have the rate of returns they used to have. Ben also talks about refinancing annuities, since interest rates have increased and how no one tool is right for everyone. Ben explains how he puts a lot of effort ...

Ben and Megan Smith of Vision Wealth talk about how Welsh soccer team Wrexham has gained almost 100 times its value in the nearly five years that Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McIlhenney have owned it. Ben discusses the importance of patience and the realization that one has to put in if they expect to get a return. Then Ben breaks down a deferred tax strategy and how that can help people who make big profit off of sales. H...

Ben and Megan Smith talk about the phone call to partner with a car dealer that Nick Saban says changed his life and could soon make him a billionaire. Ben relates this to his deferred tax strategy and the potential savings it creates. But Ben also shares how some people are leery, because it seems too good to be true. So Ben and Megan talk about the importance of trust between advisors and clients and how finding that trust and sp...

Ben and Megan Smith talk about the prank call that QB Shedeur Sanders got during the NFL Draft and how other scams are much more costly. Ben and Megan share some recent scams they have uncovered and how easily people can fall for them. They give tips on things to look out for and Ben shares how an advisor can be an ally in this and part of their job is helping clients vet things that are fishy, so they do not lost parts of their ne...

Ben and Megan Smith talk about the recent shark tooth of the market graph. Ben shares five tools inside and outside of the market that he and the Vision Wealth team can help people use for their financial plans – and they can account for market ups and downs. Megan then shares how she has to use a multi-pronged approach in coaching, since different programs work for different cheerleaders.

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Ben and Megan Smith discuss how one’s mindset can really affect their financial future. Ben discusses how impatience with the long game and the fixation on instant gratification can be detrimental to one’s long-term plans. And Megan uses her background as a championship-winning cheerleading coach to talk about perseverance and why winning is so dependent on the mental game. And they talk about how the world is full of t...

Ben and Megan Smith discuss the pivotal years before and after the day someone retires. Ben and Megan share how each person requires a different strategy, but how there are several defensive strategies (such as retirement income) and offensive ones (such as money-growth) that people can deploy. Ben also explains how legacy planning is actually an offensive strategy. And the Smiths share their views on the switch to Daylight Saving ...

Ben and Megan Smith talk about both being willing to pay the price for success and dealing with the price or consequences of choices. Ben explains some points from one of his favorite authors, Jordan Peterson, and relates them to how people tackle finances. Ben and Megan each share real life experiences on how people handle what they can and cannot control and share the importance of someone controlling what they can – and be...

Ben and Megan Smith talk about a recent Goldman prediction that the S&P 500 will do considerably worse over the next decade. Ben compares this to another time that the S&P 500 struggled and shares how preparation is much more effecting than overreaction. Megan also compares people’s anxiety with the news cycle to her coaching teenagers, but how active listening and being understanding of feelings is a key to Ben&rsquo...

Ben and Megan Smith discuss an article that covers several things to do and not to do in retirement. Ben discusses the difference between tax preparation and tax planning. And he lays out some factors to consider with retirement and taxes: how accounts are taxed, diversifying accounts, income tax bracketology, and the importance of picking the right retirement route. Megan also shares about coaching local high schoolers to an Orego...

Ben and Megan Smith discuss a Wall Street Journal article that interviewed a dozen real estate experts on the renovation items that make the most sense. They share which item gets the biggest return on investment and why someone should not make the house they are selling into their idea of a dream home. The crew also discusses multiple times where Megan has been absolutely right, Ben’s words, on certain home repairs.

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