The Florida Retirement Podcast

What if one emotional reaction could quietly derail years of careful retirement planning? In this episode, Murrell Winter explores the emotional triggers that can push otherwise rational retirees into making costly financial decisions. From market downturns and alarming headlines to IPO excitement and Social Security choices, he explains why fear and uncertainty often lead investors to act at exactly the wrong time. Murrell shares ...

What if a successful retirement looks less like hitting a grand slam and more like consistently getting on base? In this episode, former college baseball pitcher and financial advisor Murrell Winter uses lessons from America’s pastime to explain why retirement planning is about strategy, discipline, and having the right team around you. From avoiding emotional decisions during market volatility to building a balanced plan tha...

Going it alone in retirement can be empowering, but it can also change everything about how your financial plan needs to work. In this episode, Murrell Winter explores the realities of solo aging, from navigating income sources and tax changes to planning for healthcare and long-term care without a built-in support system. The conversation highlights often-overlooked risks, like filing taxes as a single retiree and losing shared in...

It only takes one urgent message to turn a normal day into a costly mistake. In this episode, Murrell Winter breaks down the rapidly growing threat of financial scams targeting retirees and pre-retirees, with billions lost each year. From AI-driven impersonations to investment, romance, and imposter schemes, the conversation highlights how today’s scams are evolving—and why anyone can be vulnerable. Murrell shares pract...

Are the “gold standard” rules of retirement planning quietly failing today’s retirees? In this episode of The Florida Retirement Podcast, Murrell Winter revisits the 4% rule and the classic 60/40 portfolio to see how they hold up in a modern market. He breaks down why these once-reliable guidelines may not fit every situation, how market conditions and interest rates have shifted the landscape, and the risks of re...

Turning 73 may come with more than candles—it can trigger tax rules that reshape your retirement income. In this episode of The Florida Retirement Podcast, Murrell Winter breaks down Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), explaining why they exist and how they impact taxes, Medicare costs, and long-term planning. He discusses what happens if you miss a distribution, how inherited accounts create unexpected tax consequences, a...

Annuities spark strong opinions—but are they misunderstood, misused, or simply poorly explained?
In this episode of Florida Retirement, financial advisor Murrell Winter breaks down what annuities actually are, why they’ve earned such a polarizing reputation, and how they can fit alongside other retirement tools. The conversation covers different annuity types, common red flags, liquidity concerns, fees, and the impor...

Most couples spend less than 30 minutes a week in real conversation—so when do they actually talk about retirement?

In this episode of Florida Retirement, financial advisor Murrell Winter explores why open money conversations between spouses matter more than ever. He discusses aligning risk tolerance, shared retirement goals, income planning, taxes, long‑term care, and how couples with very different visions for retirement ca...

Inflation is showing up everywhere—but the real impact often shows up long after retirement begins. In this episode of The Florida Retirement Podcast, Murrell Winter breaks down what inflation is, why it happens, and why it poses one of the biggest risks to retirees living on fixed income. The conversation explores how rising costs quietly erode purchasing power, why cash can lose value over time, and how inflation compounds ...

Tax season can feel overwhelming for retirees—especially when missed details lead to costly surprises. In this episode of The Florida Retirement Podcast, Murrell Winter breaks down what retirees should focus on during tax season, from gathering the right forms to understanding required minimum distributions and estimated tax payments. The discussion covers how different income sources are reported, why long‑term tax planning ...

If you’re a Florida public employee, the decisions you make before retirement can carry six‑ or seven‑figure consequences. In this episode of the Florida Retirement Podcast, Murrell Winter breaks down how the DROP program and the Florida Retirement System intersect with income planning, health care costs, taxes, and long‑term stability. The discussion highlights common missteps, recent program changes, and considerations that...

Warren Buffett may be stepping back, but his investing mindset feels more relevant than ever. In this episode of the Florida Retirement Podcast, Murrell Winter explores what decades of disciplined investing reveal about time, temperament, and long-term thinking. The conversation breaks down why patience can outweigh prediction, how diversification supports staying retired, and why emotional reactions often derail otherwise solid pl...

What if the cash you trust most is slowly working against you? In this episode of the Florida Retirement Podcast, financial advisor Murrell Winter breaks down the hidden risks of dead money—cash sitting in banks, low‑yield accounts, or underperforming assets that lose purchasing power to inflation. Using real‑world examples and even lessons from financial history, Murrell explains how inflation quietly erodes wealth and why h...

How do you make smart financial moves when interest rates are shifting, inflation looms, and retirement is closer than ever? In this episode, financial advisor Murrell Winter takes a wide‑angle look at what retirees and pre‑retirees should be thinking about as 2026 begins. The conversation covers falling interest rates, inflation’s impact on purchasing power, income planning for the peak‑65 retirement wave, and the role of di...

Scrolling before bed can age your brain—and ignoring financial bad habits can age your retirement plan. In this episode, financial advisor Murrell Winter reveals the common money missteps that quietly sabotage your nest egg, from delaying savings and missing employer matches to borrowing from retirement accounts and underestimating expenses. Discover why budgeting, diversifying your accounts, and planning for the unexpected a...

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, financial advisor Murrell Winter breaks down the essential end-of-year financial checklist, from maximizing retirement contributions and Roth conversions to using up FSA funds and making strategic charitable donations. Discover practical ways to reduce your tax bill, set meaningfu...

Is Gen X really facing a retirement crisis, or is there a smarter way forward? In this episode, financial advisor Murrell Winter of Swan Retirement Strategies unpacks the real challenges Gen Xers face—from chasing the elusive $1.6 million goal to fears of outliving savings and the reality of working in retirement. Discover why one-size-fits-all advice falls short, how simple tools like balance sheets and budgets can change yo...

What happens when decades of federal service meet the maze of retirement planning? In this episode of the Florida Retirement Podcast, host Murrell Winter breaks down the unique challenges and opportunities facing federal employees as they transition into retirement. From understanding pensions, TSPs, and survivor benefits to avoiding common tax pitfalls and probate headaches, Murrell shares practical strategies to turn confusion in...

What if legacy planning isn’t just for the ultra-wealthy? In this episode, financial advisor Murrell Winter reveals why everyone should think about their legacy—no matter their net worth. Discover the emotional and practical sides of passing on wealth, the surprising statistics about generational inheritance, and how simple conversations and the right documents can shape your family’s future. Real stories, actiona...