Accessible Finance For Retirement

Accessible Finance For Retirement

By Eric Johns CFP®, EA, MBA with Equilibrium Financial PlanningBusinessInvesting
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Accessible Finance For Retirement episodes

  • Accessible Finance Episode 61: Fee based vs Fee Only, Taxes, 401k and more- Listener Questions

    This week we answer listener questions about fee based versus fee only, tax advice, how to justify a 1% fee, what to do when you find all of your retirement savings are in a 401k or other tax deferred account, and more.


    How should you decide whether to go with a fee only or fee based advisor? Fee-based means they will not only charge you but they can take commissions--it is frequently referred to as a marketing term designed to cause confusion.

    Fee-only, while broadly covering various structures like AUM, flat fee, hourly, a la carte, project based, and more, designates that the advisor does NOT take a commission on products and therefore is focused on providing the best solutions for you without any perverse incentive structures.


    If you would like us to discuss your specific scenario without providing financial advice, feel free to write to us at [email protected]. We will anonymize your personal information. Thanks!

    29 min
  • Accessible Finance Episode 60: Investment Selection, Estate Planning, and Annuities - Listener Questions

    This week we answer listener questions about investment selection and estate planning for grandkids as well as annuity vs. lump sum pension plans.

    How should you decide whether to annuitize a pension or take the lump sum?
    Unfortunately, "it depends" is the correct answer here. You are more likely to want to annuitize if you are risk averse and want to increase your fixed income to satisfy your spending needs. You want to consider the options present in the annuity component itself. Does it provide for inflation adjustment or survivor provisions? How does all of this align with your personal goals?
    If you would like us to discuss your specific scenario without providing financial advice, feel free to write to us at [email protected]. We will anonymize your personal information. Thanks!

    18 min
  • Accessible Finance Episode 59 : The Golden Years or The Broke Years? Avoiding the Retirement Pitfalls

    Most of us dream about "the golden years", but without a plan, they can easily turn into the "broke years"! So how do you avoid spending your retirement on instant noodles?
    In this episode, we discuss how the reality is that with longer life expectancies and increasing costs, often times retirees may underestimate how long their savings need to last, underestimate potential healthcare costs, over-rely on Social Security, fail to adjust for inflation, and don't have a planned withdrawal strategy. Don't wing it with your golden years--let a solid plan help turn retirement pitfalls into smooth sailing!
    If you have a specific situation you’d like us to cover (anonymously), send your questions to us at [email protected]. We’re here to help guide you through these important discussions, without giving formal financial advice.

    26 min
  • Accessible Finance Episode 58: Talking Money with Family-Navigating Tricky Financial Conversations

    We all have a bucket list dream for retirement: maybe it's a world cruise, joining the Disney Vacation Club, or hosting the grandkids every summer. But there’s an essential question to ask—can your retirement fund make it happen?
    In this episode, we’re digging into a topic that often feels tricky: talking about finances with family members, whether it’s planning for your parents' future or helping loved ones think about their own financial security. These discussions can be awkward, but they’re vital for ensuring everyone is financially prepared for the future. We’ll share practical strategies to help make these conversations respectful and productive, while also focusing on the fun side of retirement planning—those big dreams and must-do experiences that make retirement special.
    If you have a specific situation you’d like us to cover (anonymously), send your questions to us at [email protected]. We’re here to help guide you through these important discussions, without giving formal financial advice.

    20 min
  • Accessible Finance Episode 57: Retirement Roulette - Are You Betting on a Winning Strategy?

    Retirement can be like a trip to the casino--except instead of hoping for a big jackpot, you're trying to avoid going broke!

    This week we focus on how retirement planning can feel like gambling, but shouldn't if you are prepared. Having a retirement strategy is crucial for diversifying risk, tax-efficient investments and withdrawal strategies, and protection against life's wild cards. Don't leave your retirement to change--plan for a future that feels more like winning than jackpot than like losing it all at the casino.


    If you would like us to discuss your specific scenario without providing financial advice, feel free to write to us at [email protected].  We will anonymize your personal information.  Thanks!

    26 min
  • Accessible Finance Episode 56: The Sandwich Generation: Preserving Your Sanity While Caring for Aging Parents and Kids

    Should you be concerned about your parents’ retirement?

    Yes, considering they will be bombarded with dinner seminar offers from financial product salesmen, especially annuities, and most of us will step in to help if the situation becomes dire.


    This week we focus on adult children juggling both aging parents and their own kids, including the unique challenges faced, illustrate the chaos surrounding both roles, and discuss some practical solutions through financial planning.


    If you would like us to discuss your specific scenario without providing financial advice, feel free to write to us at [email protected].  We will anonymize your personal information.  Thanks!

    30 min
  • Accessible Finance Episode 55: Why are Roth Conversions Useful, and How Can They Help You?

    Why are Roth conversions useful, and how can they help you?


    Roth conversions allow us to pull income forward into years where our marginal (and effective) tax rates are expected to be lower than in the future.  This enables us to fill up the “lower” tax buckets with dollars that would otherwise be taxed at higher rates down the line.  Make no mistake, the money in tax-deferred retirement accounts will be taxed.  Our goal is to intentionally pay taxes at minimum effective tax rates.


    This week we dive into use cases and best practices surrounding Roth conversions, including exactly what we mean when we say effective tax rates rather than marginal tax rates should be used in conversion analysis.


    If you would like us to discuss your specific scenario without providing financial advice, feel free to write to us at [email protected].  We will anonymize your personal information.  Thanks!

    29 min
  • Accessible Finance Episode 54: Ron & Hermione, 58 & 56, Pre-Retirees Planning For Early Retirement

    How should we adjust our investment portfolio as we approach early retirement?

    What strategies can help us pay off credit card debt before retirement?
    How can we ensure our savings and investments will support a comfortable retirement lifestyle?
    We begin by addressing the credit card debt, have a candid conversation about early retirement, and continue to elaborate on globally diversified investments based upon possible risk profiles
    If you would like us to discuss your specific scenario without providing financial advice, have seen any article or advice you'd like some feedback on, or have any general questions, feel free to write to us at [email protected]. We will anonymize your personal information. Thanks!

    27 min
  • Accessible Finance Episode 53: Bruce & Rachel, 66 and 64, Recently Retired Struggling With Asset Management

    How can we optimize our asset allocation to ensure long-term financial stability?

    Are there better investment options than cash value life insurance for our current needs?

    How can we manage our funds to ensure the ylast throughout retirement while covering all expenses?
    As always, we verify and analyze the cash flow, look at the possibility of rolling over the cash value life insurance into a single premium immediate annuity, when a reverse mortgage may be viable, and discuss risk tolerance to determine investment options.
    If you would like us to discuss your specific scenario without providing financial advice, have seen any article or advice you'd like some feedback on, or have any general questions, feel free to write to us at [email protected]. We will anonymize your personal information. Thanks!


    23 min
  • Accessible Finance Episode 52: Linda, 60, Planning Her Retirement With A Large Cash Reserve Currently

    How should I allocate my large cash reserve? Should I invest more aggressively or keep it as a safey net?

    What is the best way to balance between cash & investments as retirement approaches (Safety vs growth)?

    Should I consider using the cash to purchase a lifetime annuity for guaranteed income in retirement?

    As always, we start a cash flow analysis, and then look to clarify goals, assess risk tolerance, and then engage in some investment education, ensuring that emergency funds and liquid savings needs are met prior to investment strategies and the viability of a Single Premium Immediate Annuity (SPIA) based on her risk profile.

    If you would like us to discuss your specific scenario without providing financial advice, have seen any article or advice you'd like some feedback on, or have any general questions, feel free to write to us at [email protected]. We will anonymize your personal information. Thanks!

    29 min

About Accessible Finance For Retirement

From the publisher's feed

Join us each week as we, Eric Johns CFP®, EA, MBA, and Rachael Johns, J.D., take on the world of finance with a fresh, approachable perspective. As spouses and business partners, we’re here to answer your questions, tackle real-life scenarios, and break down complex financial topics in a way that leaves you saying, "I get it now."