Podcast Extra: Avoiding the October Scaries

A bigger Social Security check doesn’t necessarily mean more breathing room in your budget. In this podcast extra, Retirement.Radio’s Matt McClure talks with Bill Sweeney, AARP’s senior vice president of government affairs, about the 2027 cost-of-living adjustment and the financial pressures facing retirees. They discuss why the annual increase may fall short of what many older Americans need, how Medicare premiums can affect that increase, and why Congress faces growing urgency to address Social Security’s long-term funding challenges. Sweeney also shares practical resources to help you review your earnings history, explore benefit estimates, and make more informed claiming decisions. -- Call us now: (770) 685-1777Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcastsWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults -- About Retirement Results:Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money. With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.

This Halloween-themed financial vignette explores the financial fears many Americans face, from market volatility and inflation to unexpected expenses and retirement uncertainty. Featuring insights from interviews with financial industry leaders, this month's vignette offers a message of optimism and emphasizes how proactive retirement planning can help turn financial uncertainty into confidence. -- Call us now: (770) 685-1777Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcastsWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults -- About Retirement Results:Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money. With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.

You’ve spent decades saving for retirement—but how do you turn that money into income you can confidently spend? Retirement.Radio’s Matt McClure talks with bestselling author and AARP personal finance columnist Jean Chatzky about her new book, The Forever Paycheck. They explore why retirees often struggle to spend their savings, ways to build or buy a retirement paycheck, and how a dependable income plan can help you enjoy the money you’ve worked so hard to save. -- Call us now: (770) 685-1777Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcastsWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults -- About Retirement Results:Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money. With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.

The fall season is upon us, and among the normal fall cleanup of a financial portfolio is an equally important but often overlooked part of retirement planning: building and maintaining an emergency fund in retirement. This month's vignette discusses how an emergency fund can help cover unexpected expenses without forcing someone to sell investments at an unfavorable time, and why having a clear cash-reserve strategy can provide both financial flexibility and peace of mind. -- Call us now: (770) 685-1777Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcastsWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults -- About Retirement Results:Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money. With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.

Back-to-school season can put added pressure on the family budget—but a little planning can help keep those costs under control. Retirement.Radio’s Matt McClure talks with Lora Monfared, Consumer Credit Card Executive at Bank of America, about practical ways parents and grandparents can save on school supplies, technology, clothing and other essentials. They also discuss how to teach teens the basics of budgeting, encourage responsible credit use, resist the pressure to overspend and begin building an emergency fund. It’s a timely conversation packed with simple strategies families can use during the school year and beyond. Whether you're preparing for retirement or simply looking for practical ways to make your money go further, this interview is packed with actionable tips you can start using today. -- Call us now: (770) 685-1777Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcastsWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults -- About Retirement Results:Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money. With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.

As prices continue to challenge household budgets, finding practical ways to save money has never been more important. In this podcast extra, Retirement.Radio's Matt McClure sits down with Stephen Perrine, executive editor of AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin, to discuss AARP's annual 99 Great Ways to Save guide.  The conversation covers: Smart grocery shopping strategies that can help reduce impulse spending. Creative ways to use AI as a money-saving tool, from negotiating fees to planning travel. Easy travel tips that can help lower fuel costs on your next road trip. Online shopping tricks that could unlock discounts before you click "buy." Resources from AARP that can help you stretch your dollars throughout the year. Whether you're preparing for retirement or simply looking for practical ways to make your money go further, this interview is packed with actionable tips you can start using today. -- Call us now: (770) 685-1777Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcastsWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults -- About Retirement Results:Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money. With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.

New Medicaid work requirements are scheduled to take effect in 2027, and some healthcare experts are raising concerns about how they could affect cancer patients and survivors. Retirement.Radio's Matt McClure sits down with Dr. Julie Gralow, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), to discuss the potential consequences of these changes. They explore how additional paperwork and reporting requirements could create barriers to care, the risks associated with coverage interruptions, and what patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers should know as states begin implementing the new rules. -- Call us now: (770) 685-1777Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcastsWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults -- About Retirement Results:Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money. With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.

Retirement.Radio’s Matt McClure speaks with Dr. Ryan Potter about the growing issue of hearing loss among first responders and why protecting hearing health is so important in high-pressure emergency situations. Dr. Potter explains that long-term noise exposure impacts an estimated 80% of law enforcement officers, 40% of firefighters, and 45% of EMS providers, creating challenges that can affect both job performance and quality of life. The conversation also highlights practical ways everyone can protect their hearing, from using hearing protection in loud environments to getting baseline hearing evaluations and taking a proactive approach to long-term hearing health. Dr. Potter shares the personal story that inspired his career in audiology and discusses how Hearing Life is helping people improve their hearing through assessments, treatment options, and special savings opportunities for first responders. -- Call us now: (770) 685-1777Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcastsWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults -- About Retirement Results:Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money. With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.

May is Military appreciation month, a time to honor the men and women who serve and have served our great nation…And while we honor those associated with the military, members and veterans are fighting a different battle: finances, and purpose.Key Points Covered: Finding a purpose -  For many who leave the military, the biggest challenge isn’t just money — it’s finding purpose in a new civilian world. Financial Stability - With a solid financial foundation, veterans gain the freedom to chase meaningful work instead of just any paycheck. Financial Options - Several powerful financial vehicles are available specifically for former service members. Schedule your complimentary Social Security and retirement consultation:www.activewealth.com/plan -- Call us now: (770) 685-1777Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcastsWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults -- About Retirement Results:Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money. With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.

April is National Financial Literacy Month. It started back in the early 2000s when Congress realized too many Americans were leaving school without the first clue about how to manage a paycheck, a credit card, or a financial future.  Fast-forward to 2026, and the problem hasn’t gone away. Nearly half of U.S. adults still give themselves a C-minus or worse on money knowledge…Key Points Covered: Review one monthly bill and see if you can cut, renegotiate, or cancel it Set one small savings goal — even twenty bucks a paycheck counts Learn just one new money concept — like how compound interest works for you instead of against you Sit down with your partner or your kids and have one honest conversation about money. No judgment, Just real talk Schedule your complimentary Social Security and retirement consultation:www.activewealth.com/plan -- Call us now: (770) 685-1777Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcastsWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults -- About Retirement Results:Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money. With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.