The Aul Financial Hour

What if your investment portfolio was built before the storm hit, rather than patched together as the waters rise? In this episode of the Aul Financial Hour, host Steve Aul sits down with Chief Investment Officer Brad Jenkins to break down the mechanics of Market Guard. Discover how a methodical, mathematical approach to active management and tax loss harvesting can help protect your retirement savings while keeping your financial ...

Market volatility and looming elections create immediate uncertainty for your retirement portfolio. In this episode of the Aul Financial Hour Podcast, Steve Aul breaks down how to lock in market gains, navigate required minimum distributions (RMDs), and rethink portfolio diversification when interest rates shift. Discover actionable strategies to protect your hard-earned assets...

Market shifts can transform your portfolio overnight—especially as Wall Street moves toward 24-hour trading. On this episode of the Aul Financial Hour, host Steve Aul breaks down the hidden risks of round-the-clock market volatility and reveals why human guidance outshines AI when securing your financial future. Discover practical approaches to bridging income gaps with guara...

While rising Treasury rates and market shifts create mixed signals for the economy, retirees often miss the bigger picture when securing their financial future. Host Steve Aul tackles shifting interest rates, fixed index annuities, and the psychological impact of inflation on retirees. Beyond the numbers, Steve reveals why over-saving can hold you back from living your best life and how creating memories today outweighs leaving a g...

What if the biggest retirement mistake is not knowing how you'll replace your paycheck? Steve Aul breaks down why income planning can shape your confidence in retirement, from identifying income gaps and building sustainable withdrawal strategies to understanding annuities beyond the common misconceptions. He explains the difference between accumulation and decumulation, discusses retirement risks in the final years before leaving ...

How much of your retirement savings actually belongs to you, and how much may be owed to taxes? On this episode, Steve Aul discusses the often-overlooked impact of taxes on retirement income, why Social Security timing is not a one-size-fits-all decision, and how guaranteed income strategies fit into retirement planning. The conversation also explores lessons from professional athletes preparing for life after their careers and how...

What if the way your retirement income arrives changes how confidently you spend it? This episode explores the difference between drawing from savings and receiving steady retirement income, and why that distinction can shape spending habits. Steve Aul discusses guaranteed income strategies, common concerns about annuities, turning retirement savings into a personal pension, and the key questions retirees ask: “When can I ret...

Could the biggest retirement risk be hiding in plain sight, even as markets continue to climb? Steve Aul examines how retiring baby boomers, changing investor behavior, and longer life expectancies are reshaping retirement planning. He discusses market volatility, the importance of balancing growth and income, common misconceptions about the 4% withdrawal rule, and why inflation remains a critical factor in retirement. Steve also e...

What happens when playing it safe in retirement creates a different kind of risk? Steve Aul explores why moving everything to cash after retirement may not be the best answer, discussing inflation, portfolio growth, protected income strategies, and managing market volatility. He also covers charitable giving opportunities, tax considerations, Social Security timing, healthcare costs in retirement, and the importance of building a p...

Are today’s market headlines driving smart decisions or fueling FOMO? Steve Aul breaks down how investors can separate noise from reality, drawing lessons from former Fed Chair Alan Greenspan’s famous “FedSpeak.” The conversation explores higher interest rates, retirement planning, market risk, the 60/40 portfolio, and the dangers of chasing hot investments. Steve also discusses why a personalized retirement...

What’s the bigger retirement risk: a market downturn or running out of income? Steve Aul breaks down key retirement questions, including how to replace a paycheck after leaving work, strategies for creating reliable income, and why Roth accounts and Roth conversions are gaining attention across generations. He also discusses retirement readiness, the emotional side of leaving the workforce, and the challenges of navigating ma...

A simple retirement strategy could trigger unexpected taxes if you miss one critical rule. On this episode, Steve Aul breaks down the realities of backdoor Roth conversions, including the often-overlooked pro rata rule that can create costly tax consequences. He also discusses whether claiming Social Security early and investing the benefits makes sense, how to optimize Social Security decisions for couples, and why longevity, infl...

Could election-year uncertainty and market volatility tempt investors into costly mistakes? Steve Aul discusses why midterm election cycles often create market turbulence, strategies for protecting gains after strong market performance, and how different annuity options may fit specific retirement income needs. He also explains ways to manage concentrated stock positions, avoid fear-driven investing, and reduce risk when too much w...

Are you saving so much for the future that you’re missing your life today? This episode explores the idea behind “Die With Zero,” highlighting how retirees often prioritize leaving money behind over creating meaningful experiences. Steve Aul discusses balancing wealth with memories, the hidden tax traps of retirement withdrawals like phantom income and IRMAA, and how complex tax rules can quietly erode savings. Th...

Retirement can feel like a race—but without an income plan, it’s easy to lose your pace. This episode explores how aligning your lifestyle with reliable income streams helps reduce uncertainty in the first years of retirement. Steve Aul discusses covering income gaps, balancing withdrawal strategies, and evaluating tools like annuities based on individual needs. The conversation also highlights common pre-retirement mis...

What is doing nothing really costing you right now? With market uncertainty, rising costs, and election concerns, many investors feel stuck—but inactivity can carry its own risks. Steve Aul breaks down key decisions around income replacement, managing gains, understanding fees, and navigating Roth IRA choices. He also highlights how tax planning, investment costs, and legacy strategies factor into a broader retirement plan. I...

Is $5,300 a month really enough to fund the retirement lifestyle you want? Steve Aul breaks down why average spending estimates are only a starting point and how real retirement planning hinges on your personal lifestyle, income gaps, and long-term goals. From creating a “personally funded pension” to rethinking the role of 401(k)s, bonds, and traditional strategies, this episode explores practical ways to align income ...

What looks like a steady retirement income can quickly turn into a tax headache if you don’t understand how it’s structured. This episode breaks down how annuities are taxed, the differences between pre-tax and after-tax income streams, and why asset placement matters. Steve Aul also challenges outdated financial “rules of thumb,” examines the risk of relying too heavily on cash, and explores strategies for ...

What happens to your income—and your taxes—when the paycheck stops in retirement? This episode breaks down how annuities are taxed, why account type matters, and how income streams can help close retirement gaps. Steve Aul explains the impact of pre-tax vs. after-tax dollars, challenges outdated financial rules, and highlights risks of relying too heavily on cash. The conversation also explores tax surprises when sellin...