What kind of fees are you paying for your investments? The answer is probably more than you think - because so many of the fees are hidden. Today Bob talks about places where high fees may be chipping away at your returns and how a good planner can help bring them down with proper investment placement.

Today Bob talks about what is on the minds of Kansans going into the new year, with long term care as one of the major concerns. Also Washington correspondent Andy Friedman checks in with what he sees ahead politically which could affect the market landscape.

Today Bob talks about the idea of chipping away at various goals to make eventual big progress, and that the idea of just a little more return on investments can add up to big bucks for retirement in the long run.

Planners can use active or passive investment templates. Today Bob talks about each and how they can work for individuals depending on their appetite for risk and other factors.

Taxes are one of the most overlooked areas in retirement planning. Today Bob discusses the importance of tax planning and how taking some forward looking steps can save you a lot of money come retirement time.

Last October the stock market started a precipitous nosedive which lasted through the final quarter of the year. Bob looks at the causes and that the volatility may continue depending on various factors including interest rates. The show also features financial educator David Bach on the market situation and how higher rates could help retirees and their income situation.

Stocks and bonds are the traditional areas used by many planners for retirement. But Bob looks closer at bonds and talks about why they don't provide the kind of income needed by more and more of today's retirees, and offers some alternatives that are better for income planning.

Retirement planning takes, well, planning. And some of the ideas involved aren't always obvious. Today Bob looks at some bypasses, or shortcuts - different kinds of strategies people can benefit by that are hidden in plain sight.

Bob is joined by Mike Scherer of Ag Risk Solutions on this program. They talk about the current ag economy and how it effects farmers at present, and how it could effect them in planning for their future.

Everyone wants to get more from their plan, and that means putting enough into it to be sure that happens. Today Bob discusses some ways you may be able to increase your savings in unique ways, such as decreasing investment fees, or automating savings on a regular basis, or using unexpected things like bonuses or inheritances to put into your investment accounts.