In this episode of the Retire with Peace podcast, host David Zaegel emphasizes the importance of engaging a financial planner early in the retirement planning process. He discusses how many individuals feel overwhelmed by the complexities of retirement planning and how professional guidance can alleviate that stress. Zaegel highlights specific strategies, such as Roth IRA conversions and qualified charitable distributions, that can be optimized when planned for in advance. He encourages listeners to develop a relationship with a financial planner before retirement to ensure a smoother transition and greater confidence in their financial decisions.