Power Your Retirement

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It’s been 60 years since Beatlemania took America by storm. But beyond the screaming crowds and legendary performances, some of their lyrics still carry timeless wisdom, even when it comes to your financial life. In this episode, Steve takes us on a magical mystery tour through classic Beatles songs to uncover lessons about investing, planning, and preparing for retirement.

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The kids may be heading back to class, but it’s also a great time for adults to brush up on retirement planning. In this episode, Steve walks through some key concepts that can make or break your retirement readiness. Test your knowledge with this quick financial pop quiz- five essential questions every pre-retiree and retiree should know. 

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🧾 Full Social Security benefits...

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The 4% rule gets talked about like gospel in retirement planning. But let’s be honest, it’s always been more of a rough guess than a golden rule. Now, its original creator is revising it to 4.7%. So, does that mean your retirement paycheck just got a raise, or is this just another headline that oversimplifies a complex decision?

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

💡 The basics of the original 4% rule

📈 What...

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Target-date funds just passed $4 trillion in assets. They’re now the default investment in many 401(k)s, and millions of Americans are using them without really understanding how they work. So, are they a smart choice or just the easiest one? In this episode, Steve unpacks the pros, cons, and misunderstood mechanics of target-date funds. 

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📈 What target-date funds actually...

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Today, we’re answering a smart question from a viewer about hiring a spouse or children in a family business. When structured properly, this strategy can create meaningful tax deductions, help a spouse build Social Security benefits, and even give children a head start on retirement savings. But if handled carelessly, it can raise red flags with the IRS.

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📋 What the IRS lo...

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Financial terms get thrown around all the time- crash, correction, high yield, equities, fiduciary- but do you really know what they mean, and why the wording matters? In today’s episode, Steve breaks down common financial terms you hear all the time, what they really mean, and why understanding them could make a real difference in your confidence and financial decisions.

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Today, we’re kicking off our new Financial Book Club with The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel. This isn’t just a book about financial strategies- it’s about the why behind the decisions we make with money, even when they seem irrational. In this episode, Steve breaks down four key themes from Housel’s bestselling book and explores how they show up in real life.

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🚨 The...

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Are you saving so much for retirement that it’s squeezing your life today? In this episode, Steve’s answering a smart viewer question about finding the right balance between preparing for the future and living fully in the present. Steve dives into Dennis’s situation: a high-income earner who’s maxing out multiple retirement accounts yet still feels like he’s living paycheck to paycheck. 

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The five love languages were made popular by author Gary Chapman. If you’re not familiar with them, they include acts of service, quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, and physical touch. Let’s think about how you may encounter the love languages when it comes to financial planning. 

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💰 How your love language could shape your financial behavior

🕰️ What quality time ha...

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Thinking about using real estate to strengthen your retirement plan? From generating income to offering financial flexibility or emergency access to cash, real estate offers a wide range of possibilities. But not every option is the right fit for every retiree. In this episode, Steve breaks down seven common real estate approaches that frequently come up in financial planning conversations.

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Today, Steve answers three thoughtful listener questions from viewers like you! Is saving 15% of your income truly necessary or just a rule of thumb that doesn’t fit everyone? What should you consider if you’re unexpectedly offered a severance package right before retirement? And does the popular 4% withdrawal rule still work in today’s financial landscape?

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🎯 Is saving 15...

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If you’ve ever left a job and wondered what to do with that old 401k account, you’re not alone, and today’s episode is for you! In this listener mailbag edition, Steve answers a question from William, who’s trying to decide whether to leave his 401k where it is or roll it into an IRA. It sounds simple, but the implications can be huge.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🔄 Rollover or leave it? Some pros an...

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Welcome to our final installment of our 7-part series, where we’re diving into the 7 principles of Powerhouse Financial Advisors!

Let’s be real. Nobody wants to talk about fees, but everyone wants to know if they’re getting a fair deal! Today, Steve sheds light on one of the most misunderstood aspects of working with a financial advisor: what you're actually paying for, and why it matters.

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Welcome to part 6 of our 7-part series, where we’re diving into the 7 principles of Powerhouse Financial Advisors!

Change is the name of the game! Career shifts, unexpected life twists—whatever it is, your retirement plan has to keep up. Today, we’re talking about flexibility. Why? Because your retirement should be as adaptable as you are! If you’re wondering how to keep your plan steady, even as life changes, tune in....

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Plenty of people have concerns about stock market volatility, a potential recession on the horizon, and fears for the economy amidst federal layoffs and tariffs. What if you’ve had 2025 marked on the calendar for a while as the year you plan to retire? Is this a bad time to do it? In this episode, Steve breaks down what retirees and near-retirees should actually be focused on in times like these. 

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If you’ve been in your utility job for years and still don’t understand how your pension works, you’re not alone. In this episode, Steve takes a listener question from Lisa. She’s been working for 15 years and asked a commonly misunderstood question: What’s the difference between a cash balance pension and a traditional pension? 

Tune in as Steve breaks down the key differences and why it matters!

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Wondering if you're actually on track for retirement? That’s the question Alex, a utility worker with 22 years of service, asked, and it sparked this helpful breakdown. Whether you’re early in your career or closing in on retirement, knowing where you stand is key to your financial future. The truth is, it’s not just about your 401k balance, it’s about how everything works together.

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Ever wonder what other people talk about with their financial advisors? A new survey of nearly 400 experienced advisors reveals the biggest concerns, challenges, and financial goals their clients are facing today. From retirement planning and healthcare costs to working longer than expected, we’re breaking down the key takeaways and how they compare to what we see in our own client conversations.

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The day President Trump took office, he announced plans to implement a 25 percent tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada. Additional tariff conversations have exploded since that day. How might this impact your personal finances and the economy? In this episode, we’ll take a closer look at the backstory of tariffs– what they are, why governments impose them, and the historical context of them. 

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