In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss why the beginning of the year is one of the most important times for smart tax decisions and how early planning can prevent costly mistakes later. With the help of their Director of Financial Planning and Tax Strategy, Taylor Wolverton, they walk through practical smart tax strategies designed to support effective tax planning in retirement and help you stay ahead with a proactive tax planning checklist. From contribution rules to charitable strategies, this episode focuses on building a strong foundation for retirement tax planning that supports long-term confidence.

Listen in to learn about key decisions that impact your ability to plan for retirement, reduce unnecessary taxes, and ultimately secure your retirement. Whether you are still working, transitioning into Retirement, or already planning retirement income, these insights can help you align your retirement checklist with current rules, deadlines, and opportunities—so you can focus on retiring comfortably without last-minute surprises.

1. How the 401k catch up rule works, including 401k catch up contributions and updated 2026 401k contribution limits
2. Why the IRA contribution deadline matters and how a Roth IRA contribution can still be made after year-end
3. How qualified charitable distribution strategies work, including important QCD rules
4. When it may make sense to donate stock to charity versus giving cash and how this affects your charitable deduction
5. How income choices impact a long-term Roth conversion strategy and overall retirement tax planning

1. “The beginning of the year is where smart tax planning really starts—what you do now determines how much flexibility you’ll have later.” — Radon Stancil
2. “Tax planning in retirement isn’t just about deductions; it’s about choosing the right accounts at the right time.” — Murs Tariq

Understanding how the standard deduction, charitable strategies, and income planning work together is a critical part of Retirement Planning. From managing distributions to timing conversions, early awareness helps avoid mistakes that can limit your ability to secure your retirement and maintain tax efficiency throughout the year.

Resources:

If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!

To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss why Medicare 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most impactful years for retirees and those approaching retirement. With major Medicare updates, rising Medicare costs 2026, and several Medicare new rules taking effect, understanding how these changes affect your overall Retirement Planning is more important than ever. From prescription drug reforms to premium increases and income-based adjustments, Medicare is not something you can afford to “set and forget” when you’re planning retirement and working to secure your retirement.

Listen in to learn about how Medicare Part B premium 2026 increases, IRMAA surcharges, and Medicare income limits 2026 can directly impact your cash flow in retirement. Radon and Murs also explore how Medicare planning fits into a comprehensive strategy to help you retire comfortably, avoid costly surprises, and align your healthcare decisions with your long-term retirement checklist and broader financial plan.

In this episode, find out:

1. How Medicare drug price negotiations and Medicare Part D changes 2026 are lowering costs for certain prescriptions
2. What the new Medicare out of pocket cap means for retirees with high prescription drug expenses
3. Why the increase in Medicare Part B premium 2026 matters for your monthly retirement income
4. How IRMAA surcharges and income from strategies like Roth conversions can affect your Medicare premiums
5. What Medicare does not cover, including the difference between a Medicare wellness visit and a traditional physical, plus updates on Telehealth Medicare

Tweetable Quotes:

1. “Medicare isn’t separate from your financial plan—it’s interconnected with your taxes, income, and investment strategy.” — Radon Stancil
2. “One decision, like a Roth conversion, can trigger higher Medicare premiums if you don’t account for IRMAA.” — Murs Tariq

Understanding Medicare 2026 is a critical part of Retirement Planning, whether you’re already enrolled or just beginning to plan for retirement. Staying informed about Medicare updates, knowing your coverage gaps, and proactively planning can make a meaningful difference in how confidently you approach Retirement.

Resources:

If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!

To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss a comprehensive market update 2025 recap and how lessons from last year can help investors confidently plan for retirement as we move into 2026. They reflect on policy changes, inflation trends, interest rate shifts, and how thoughtful portfolio risk management and managing market volatility can turn uncertainty into opportunity—especially for those focused on retiring comfortably and achieving true peace of mind.

Listen in to learn about how disciplined retirement investment strategies, including diversification, the three bucket strategy, and proactive tax planning, help create a resilient retirement portfolio. Radon and Murs break down how peace of mind investing isn’t about chasing returns, but about building systems that support income, growth, and stability—no matter what the markets bring—so you can confidently secure your retirement.

In this episode, find out:

1. How the Market update 2025 sets the stage for smarter investment strategies in 2026
2. Why managing market volatility matters more than chasing high returns in retirement
3. How the three bucket strategy balances income, safety, and growth bucket investing
4. The role of tax efficient investing, including direct indexing strategy, tax loss harvesting, and capital gains planning
5. How alternative investments can reduce volatility and strengthen a long-term retirement portfolio

Tweetable Quotes:

1. “If your portfolio is designed correctly, you don’t have to sweat market corrections—you can still sleep at night and enjoy retirement.” — Radon Stancil
2. “Peace of mind investing comes from managing risk and taxes, not swinging for home runs.” — Murs Tariq

From retirement planning basics and a practical retirement checklist to advanced strategies like direct indexing strategy and alternative investments, this episode ties together everything needed for effective planning retirement. Whether you’re years away or already retired, these insights help you build confidence, reduce stress, and move closer to secure your retirement.

Resources:

If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!

To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon Stancil and Murs Tariq discuss a major Vanguard announcement that signals a meaningful shift in retirement planning. For years, annuities were often dismissed by large investment firms, yet today we are seeing industry leaders embrace their role in guaranteed income in retirement. Vanguard’s move to introduce a 401k annuity option inside the Vanguard retirement plan validates what many retirees already need—predictability, income, and risk control as they plan for retirement.

Listen in to learn about why annuities in 401k plans are gaining traction, how fixed annuities can serve as a bond alternative, and why firms like Fidelity retirement, BlackRock retirement, and Vanguard are acknowledging the importance of retirement income planning in the face of ongoing market volatility. Radon and Murs explain how this evolution helps investors create your own pension, supports retiring comfortably, and strengthens efforts to secure your retirement.

In this episode, find out:

1. Why the Vanguard announcement is a turning point for annuities retirement strategies
2. How guaranteed income in retirement helps offset market volatility
3. What a 401k annuity option really means for retirement planning
4. When IRA rollover options may provide more flexibility than a company 401k
5. How the Three Bucket Strategy simplifies planning retirement and managing risk

Tweetable Quotes:

1. “As you approach retirement, predictability and reliable income matter just as much as growth.” — Radon Stancil
2. “Annuities aren’t about giving up growth; they’re about creating confidence and peace of mind in retirement.” — Murs Tariq

By combining growth assets with income-focused strategies, retirees can follow a clearer retirement checklist, reduce stress during volatile markets, and build a customized retirement planning approach. Whether inside a Vanguard retirement plan or through broader IRA rollover options, the goal remains the same: thoughtful planning, smarter risk management, and a strategy designed to help you plan for retirement with confidence.

Resources:

If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!

To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss a comprehensive year-end tax checklist designed specifically for those in or nearing retirement. As the calendar winds down, it’s easy to overlook critical financial decisions that can significantly impact your retirement income tax and long-term retirement planning. This conversation walks through the most important year-end financial checklist items to help you avoid costly mistakes, missed deadlines, and unnecessary taxes as you plan for retirement.

Learn how a proactive retirement checklist can help you move from simply reacting at tax time to intentionally planning retirement with confidence. From required minimum distributions and the RMD deadline to charitable giving strategies and health savings account strategy, this episode reinforces why year-end planning is essential for retiring comfortably and helping to secure your retirement.

Listen in to learn about the practical steps you should take before December 31st to align your retirement planning with tax efficiency. Radon and Murs break down complex topics like capital gains tax planning, tax loss harvesting, and donor advised fund strategies into clear, actionable guidance. Whether you’re already retired or still planning retirement, this episode helps you connect year-end decisions to long-term retirement success.

1. How to avoid penalties by meeting the RMD deadline and properly handling required minimum distributions
2. Why tax loss harvesting and capital gains tax planning can play a major role in retirement income tax management
3. How charitable giving strategies, like a qualified charitable distribution and a donor advised fund can create powerful tax benefits
4. Why a health savings account strategy is one of the most overlooked tools in retirement planning
5. How a year-end financial checklist supports a smarter plan for retirement and long-term peace of mind

1. “If you wait until the end of the year to think about taxes, you’re already behind—retirement planning works best when it’s proactive.” — Radon Stancil
2. “A simple year-end tax checklist can be the difference between unnecessary penalties and retiring comfortably with confidence.” — Murs Tariq

Resources:

If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!

To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss the real-life complexities behind early retirement planning and what happens when couples don’t agree on retirement goals. Using a recent MarketWatch article as a springboard, they explore whether a couple with $2 million can truly retire early while juggling differences in spending expectations, lifestyle priorities, and retirement risk management. This episode offers valuable retirement planning tips for anyone asking “can I retire with 2 million?”, “can I retire at 55?”, or how to secure your retirement when spouses have competing visions for their future.

Listen in to learn about how emotions, career stress, financial planning for couples, and the FIRE movement retirement mindset affect early retirement decisions. Radon and Murs break down Medicare retirement considerations, Social Security timing challenges, retirement income strategy development, and the hidden dangers of day trading risks and options trading risks when someone tries to “make early retirement work” through high-risk investing. If you're navigating retirement planning at 50 or planning retirement with a partner who’s not on the same page, this conversation offers clarity, humor, and a practical retirement checklist to help you move forward confidently.

· How couples can resolve conflicting retirement goals when one wants to retire early and the other wants to maintain lifestyle freedom.

· Why understanding the real reason behind wanting early retirement is essential to planning retirement effectively.

· The major financial risks of relying on day trading or options trading to fund retirement income.

· How to build a retirement income strategy that supports Medicare retirement costs, travel goals, and long-term financial security.

· Why the Peace of Mind Pathway helps couples retire comfortably and plan for retirement with less stress and more clarity.

“Retirement Planning isn’t just about math—it's also about emotions, goals, and making sure both spouses feel secure in the plan.” — Radon Stancil

“If early retirement adds more stress than your job does, then it’s not truly helping you secure your retirement.” — Murs Tariq

If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!

To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss how financial scams are coming from every direction—phone calls, email phishing scams, text message scams, social media, and even door-to-door encounters—and why a little healthy skepticism is now a key part of scam prevention. They share real-world scam alert examples hitting their community right now, especially senior scams, and explain how staying cautious can protect both your money and your mindset as you work to secure your retirement.

Listen in to learn about how to avoid scams by slowing down when urgency hits, verifying sources before clicking anything, and recognizing the red flags behind gift card scams, IRS scam calls, and the increasingly convincing threats of AI voice cloning scams and deepfake scam tactics. These practical cybersecurity tips also support smart identity theft prevention—an important part of retirement planning for anyone who wants to keep retiring comfortably on track.

· How gift card scams exploit the holiday rush and why “pay with gift cards” is a major scam alert

· Why IRS scam calls and “official” threats (like unpaid penalties) are designed to trigger fear and urgency

· How a jury duty scam can use phone number spoofing to appear like it’s coming from a real sheriff’s department

· The best ways to avoid clicking links in email phishing scams and text message scams, even when they look legitimate

· How emerging tech (like AI voice cloning scams and deepfake scam videos) is changing the landscape of senior scams and financial scams

· Radon Stancil: “If you ever get a call from a police department or sheriff’s department saying you have a warrant for your arrest or you missed jury duty—it’s a scam. Hang up.”

· Murs Tariq: “If there’s urgency, weird payment methods like gift cards or crypto, or they want you to click right now—pause and ask why.”

Resources:

If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!

To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss the November market update and how recent events have shaped the stock market volatility investors have experienced. From a tense government shutdown to missing economic data, rising interest rates, and uncertainty around inflation and investing, November brought no shortage of challenges. Radon and Murs break down what happened—and why staying grounded in long-term strategy is crucial when navigating volatile markets. This episode sets the stage for understanding not just what moved the markets, but how to approach managing market risk with confidence.

Listen in to learn about the ripple effects November’s disruptions had on the economy, the rapid swings in AI stocks, and what the Federal Reserve is considering as we move toward year-end. You'll also hear how a well-structured retirement portfolio—especially one built on bucket strategy investing—can help you plan for retirement, stay calm, and retire comfortably even when volatility spikes. With long term retirement planning always top of mind, Radon and Murs share insights that promote clarity, stability, and a path to secure your retirement.

In this episode, find out:

• How the November market review was influenced by the extended government shutdown and delayed economic data.
• Why interest rates, inflation numbers, and Federal Reserve uncertainty added to stock market volatility.
• What drove turbulence in the technology sector—especially surrounding AI stocks and concerns over an AI bubble.
• How volatile markets can impact your retirement portfolio and why understanding retirement investing strategies is essential.
• The importance of a structured Bucket Strategy for managing market risk and creating predictable income in retirement.

Tweetable Quotes:

Radon Stancil: “One thing that ends up being good can lead us right back to something that causes worry—that’s why having a strategy matters, regardless of what the markets are doing.”

Murs Tariq: “Volatility is triggered by moments inside and outside the stock market, which is why a well-designed retirement plan must be built to withstand the unexpected.”

Resources:

If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!

To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.