Faith & Retirement

In this week's episode, Jay Peroni, CFP®, unpacks how even a small Federal Reserve rate cut can ripple across a retiree’s financial life. While a quarter-point shift may seem minor, it alters borrowing costs, savings yields, bond values, and market confidence—changes that retirees cannot afford to ignore. Jay compares interest rates to a ship’s rudder: small turns create big outcomes over time.

For conservative investors relying on CDs and savings accounts, lower rates mean shrinking income streams. Jay recalls a client who once earned $18,000 annually from CDs but now sees less than half that amount. Diversification—across bonds, dividend stocks, annuities, and inflation-protected investments—is key to maintaining income stability. Bonds bring their own paradox: values may rise with falling rates, but reinvested income drops. This tension highlights the importance of viewing bonds within a broader, balanced strategy. Jay also emphasizes the “sequence of returns risk,” where early losses in retirement can devastate portfolios. Tools like cash reserves and guaranteed income help buffer against volatility.

The conversation expands to inflation, particularly in healthcare, where rising costs outpace general inflation. Jay underscores the need for growth to offset purchasing power erosion, but always aligned with biblical values. He warns against supporting “woke” companies whose policies undermine both culture and shareholder value, urging faith-driven stewardship instead.

Ultimately, retirees need balance—growth, protection, tax-efficient withdrawals, and values alignment. With preparation, they can weather rate shifts and inflation while preserving peace of mind and honoring God. Go to faithandretirement.com today to get your Retirement Readiness Checkup!

In this week's episode of Faith & Retirement, Jay Peroni, CFP dives into one of the most pressing questions for listeners: Are you truly retirement ready? Many people assume their savings and 401(k)s are enough, but Jay explains why a Retirement Readiness Checkup is essential to uncover hidden risks and ensure alignment with both financial goals and biblical values.

Jay introduces his “screen and clean” process, likening it to a health screening that uncovers issues investors never realize they have. By filtering out morally compromised companies—such as those tied to abortion, pornography, or gambling—and financially unstable ones, clients not only regain spiritual peace but often see stronger performance. Real-life stories, like a couple who unknowingly held gambling stocks, or a widow who gained $30,000 in additional annual income after her portfolio was restructured, illustrate the impact of active, faith-aligned management.

The discussion also covers “orphan accounts”—old 401(k)s left behind at past employers—where high fees and unbiblical investments hide. Jay highlights how consolidating accounts or using in-service rollovers after age 59½ can simplify, reduce costs, and align savings with Christian stewardship.

Beyond investments, Jay addresses red flags with advisors, the proper role of annuities, and the five critical areas of a financial MRI: income, investments, taxes, healthcare, and legacy. He reminds listeners that waiting to act is risky, comparing preparedness to Noah building the ark before the rain.

Listeners are encouraged to schedule their free Retirement Readiness Checkup at faithandretirement.com, ensuring their finances are managed with clarity, confidence, and Christ at the center.

In this week's episode, Jay Peroni, CFP® unpacks how Christian investors can protect wealth, lower taxes, and leave a Godly legacy in today’s uncertain economy.

Jay begins by sharing his personal calling into faith-based financial planning. After witnessing clients pushed into profit-driven products at large firms, he felt led to help families align their wealth with biblical values. He emphasizes that stewardship is about more than returns—it’s about eternal impact.

Accessibility and personal connection are central to Jay’s approach. He recalls guiding a widow through financial and emotional challenges, modeling the Good Shepherd by offering not just advice but prayer and relationship.

Economic headlines may look rosy, but Jay cautions listeners with Proverbs 27:12: the prudent see danger and take refuge. With $35 trillion in debt and rising risks, biblical stewardship requires diversification, risk management, and tax planning. He highlights client stories like Rick and Susan, who reduced taxes by $20,000 annually, gained lifetime income streams, and expanded their giving.

Throughout the episode, Jay contrasts faith-driven strategies with fear-based sales tactics. From Roth conversions and charitable trusts to long-term care planning and biblically responsible portfolios for churches, he shows how intentional stewardship transforms both families and ministries.

The conversation ends with a reminder: markets may shift, but God remains our Pilot. For those seeking confidence and peace in retirement, Jay invites listeners to schedule a free, Christ-centered portfolio review at FaithAndRetirement.com.

In this episode, Jay Peroni, CFP unpacks the newly passed Big Beautiful Bill Act, a sweeping tax and estate law signed on July 4, 2025. While complex, Jay explains that the law opens up new planning opportunities for Christian retirees, business owners, and families of wealth.

Highlights include:

• Estate planning: A $15M exemption ($30M for couples) creates a unique window for tax-free wealth transfer.
• Charitable giving: New limits in 2026 mean acting now can maximize deductions. Donor-advised funds can stretch generosity further.
• Business owners: Expanded small-business stock exclusions and permanent expensing provisions open doors for tax savings.
• Investors: Opportunity Zones and tax-efficient strategies can align portfolios with biblical stewardship.

In closing, Jay reminds listeners that “policy shifts create planning windows.” Now is the time to act—with wise counsel, biblical principles, and careful planning. He invites listeners to visit faithandretirement.com or call his office for a free portfolio review to ensure their wealth serves both family and Kingdom purposes.

In this episode, Jay Peroni, CFP®, tackles one of the greatest threats to retirement security: fear. Markets rise and fall, inflation chips away at savings, and unexpected crises test even the strongest plans. But Jay reminds us that when our eyes stay fixed on Christ, our finances can remain steady—no matter the storm.

Jay explains how behavioral finance shows most people fear loss more than they desire gain, which often leads to poor decisions in market downturns. He shares stories from 2008 of clients who panicked and sold, missing years of recovery, and others who trusted their faith-driven plan and came out stronger than ever.

Listeners also learn how inflation acts as a “silent thief,” reducing purchasing power over time, and how strategies like dividend-growth portfolios can provide retirees with a “raise” every year. Jay highlights special challenges for Christian business owners and retirees with most of their wealth tied up in home equity—offering creative, biblical solutions to unlock value and protect legacies.

The conversation also covers the role of insurance in protecting wealth, survivor planning for widows and families, and how generosity through charitable trusts or donor-advised funds can multiply Kingdom impact for generations. Finally, Jay outlines how wise stewardship—diversification, cash reserves, and biblically aligned portfolios—helps believers prepare for the next financial storm with confidence.

Through Scripture, stories, and practical steps, Jay shows that retirement doesn’t have to be ruled by fear. Instead, it can be a season of faith, freedom, and generosity.

Is your retirement plan unshakable? Visit faithandretirement.com today for your free second opinion and discover how faith-based strategies can secure your future.

This episode, Jay Peroni, CFP focuses on the unique financial challenges and opportunities facing affluent Christian families. Jay offers biblically grounded strategies for wealth stewardship. Jay compares inflation to termites—silent but destructive. Even wealthy families feel it, not at the grocery store, but through rising property taxes, travel costs, and tuition. To combat this, Jay emphasizes inflation-resistant planning: private pensions, dividend-growth portfolios, and diversification with assets like gold and bitcoin. The mission: ensure lifelong income, minimize taxes, and preserve generosity.

A weakening U.S. dollar also impacts affluent families, raising international costs while benefiting exporters. Jay explains how global diversification serves as a financial shock absorber, ensuring currency swings don’t derail Kingdom impact.

Many wealthy individuals attempt to self-manage wealth but underestimate complexity. Jay shares examples of clients losing hundreds of thousands annually in unnecessary taxes or leaving heirs exposed through poor estate planning. A coordinated approach—investments, taxes, giving, and family governance—requires an expert team.

Jay also highlights the importance of “opportunity capital” for large expenses or generosity goals, as well as proactive business succession planning to maximize value and align proceeds with faith-based portfolios and charitable giving.

In Segment 2, Jay discusses annuities as a tool for lifetime income stability, estate planning pitfalls that can fracture families, and how interest-rate changes create both risks and opportunities. He urges clients to see volatility not as fear, but as opportunity when anchored in a biblical plan.

Finally, Jay underscores the role of charitable trusts and donor-advised funds in sustaining long-term generosity. The call to action: high-net-worth Christians should seek a free second opinion at FaithAndRetirement.com to ensure their wealth reflects both wisdom and Kingdom purpose.

In this week's episode, Jay Peroni, CFP and special guest Mark Riefer, Portfolio Manager of the FIS Bright Portfolios Focused Equity ETF (ticker: BRIF) explore how Christians can align their investments with biblical values without sacrificing performance.

Mark introduces Bright Portfolios’ proprietary “3 Ps Moral Audit” system—Process, Products, and Priorities—which screens companies based on how they operate, what they produce, and how they use their profits. Products are given the most weight because they reflect a company’s core mission and value to society.

Jay emphasizes the spiritual responsibility of investing. Citing Matthew 6:21—“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”—he explains that investing is not neutral. Investors profit directly from a company’s practices, whether righteous or harmful. Jay shares a powerful client story about a couple who were shocked to find their retirement accounts supported abortion and trafficking-related businesses. After switching to a biblically responsible portfolio, they found peace knowing their money aligned with their faith.

Addressing common objections, both Jay and Mark explain that faith-based investing does not mean compromising returns or diversification. In fact, companies with strong ethics often have better long-term performance.

Whether you're unsure what your portfolio supports or you’ve been thinking about aligning your money with your values, this episode provides a clear next step. Jay offers free ethical portfolio screenings and consultations at faithandretirement.com.

Your money is working—but for what? Visit faithandretirement.com to schedule your free portfolio review and discover how faith-aligned investing can create both impact and peace of mind.

Faithful Finances: Aligning Your Wealth with God’s Purposes

In this episode, Jay Peroni, CFP, tackles how Christian investors can ensure their money aligns with their faith. Jay explains how many unknowingly invest in companies tied to abortion, pornography, or human rights violations through mutual funds and ETFs. He shares stories of clients who realigned their portfolios, experienced peace, and often improved performance by avoiding ethically compromised companies.

The episode also covers building reliable retirement income beyond Social Security, using “private pensions,” charitable trusts, and other tax-smart strategies. Jay addresses inflation, a weakening dollar, and the importance of diversification with assets like gold, silver, commodities, and international investments. Listeners hear real-life examples of families caring for aging parents, helping children with housing, and overcoming fear-driven investment decisions.

Aligning your finances with biblical values doesn’t mean sacrificing growth. With planning and wise stewardship, you can protect your wealth, create lasting legacy, and experience peace of mind. Schedule your free, confidential second opinion at FaithAndRetirement.com today.

As 2025 hits the halfway mark, many Christian families are asking: Is my financial plan still working? In this episode, Jay Peroni, CFP® reveals why so many investors are seeking a second opinion—especially those who want their faith and finances to align.

Jay shares stories of people shocked to discover their 401(k)s and IRAs were funding causes they morally oppose—like abortion providers and anti-biblical agendas. He explains how in-service withdrawals, biblically responsible screening, and personalized income strategies are helping believers reclaim their peace of mind and realign their portfolios with God’s calling.

You’ll hear how falling bond yields, inflation that’s hitting home harder than the headlines admit, and a weakening U.S. dollar are creating urgency for smart, values-based diversification—using tools like gold, silver, dividend stocks, and even digital assets. It’s not about hype. It’s about stewardship.

Jay also shares how he helps clients simplify their investments, protect their legacy, and invest redemptively—not just avoiding what’s wrong, but promoting what’s good and godly.

Don’t let your money work against your values.

If you’ve never had your portfolio reviewed through a biblical lens—or you’re unsure whether your current plan can stand the test of inflation, market shifts, or spiritual integrity—now is the time. Schedule your free second opinion today at FaithAndRetirement.com.

Your convictions matter. So should your financial plan.

In this powerful episode of Faith & Retirement, Jay Peroni, CFP and special guest Robin John, CEO of Eventide Asset Management and author of The Good Investor explore how Christian investors can harness their wealth to not only grow assets—but to love their neighbor, fight injustice, and reflect their faith through investing.

The show opens with a provocative question: What if your money could do more than fund retirement—what if it could heal the world?

Jay reflects on meeting Robin back in 2008 before Eventide had launched and how their shared passion for biblically responsible investing created a bond. Robin shares the inspiration behind his book, emphasizing that investing is not just about profits—it’s about stewardship, joy, and aligning capital with Christian values.

The conversation dives into real-life examples of investors finding peace by moving their portfolios from companies that contradict their beliefs into ones that promote life, dignity, and justice. Robin challenges listeners to rethink investing as ownership, not just transactions—because what we own, we are morally connected to.

The second segment explores investing as an extension of one’s calling. Robin recounts a life-changing moment in India that led him to reimagine business as a tool for justice. Jay explains how that same idea translates into client portfolios—helping believers match their values with their investments.

Listeners hear a poignant story of a client unknowingly supporting industries she opposed and the emotional transformation that occurred when her money began reflecting her mission. Robin warns that over 60% of Americans are investors, but most have no clue what they own—and that must change.

Key Takeaways:

• Investing is not morally neutral—it directs capital and impacts lives.
• Biblical stewardship involves aligning your investments with your faith and values.
• Retirement portfolios can serve a higher purpose—fighting injustice, healing communities, and honoring God.
• Joy, not greed, should be at the heart of investing.

If you're unsure what your money is supporting, visit faithandretirement.com to schedule a free portfolio review with Jay Peroni, CFP®. Discover how to align your faith, your capital, and your calling—because your retirement should reflect your mission.