Hi everyone, welcome back to your classroom. Today, we're diving into part two of our retirement countdown series, focusing on what you need to consider when you're five years out from retirement. If you missed the previous episode, we discussed the preparations needed when you're ten years out. Now, let’s get into the critical steps for the five-year mark.

Timestamps:
1:25 Retirement preparation timeline.
4:18 Retirement planning strategies.
9:14 Retirement planning five years out.

✅Contact Thatcher at [email protected] with comments and questions!

Are you over age 50 and need retirement help?
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DISCLAIMER: The information provided in these episodes is only to be considered helpful hints and education. Nothing said or shown is to be misconstrued as specific tax, legal, or investment advice. Consult with your tax, legal, or investment professional before acting on anything you see in these videos.

​​Investment Advisory Services are offered through ProPath Financial, a registered investment adviser authorized to do business in states where registered or otherwise exempt from registration. Nothing discussed in this podcast should be viewed as investment advice.

Most of my clients are over the age of 50, and I’ve noticed that as you get closer to retirement, your thought process evolves. Instead of one long discussion, I thought it would be more beneficial to break it down into manageable segments. This way, you can focus on the timeframe that’s most relevant to you.

In this first episode, we’ll talk about what you should be doing 10 years out from retirement. Next week, we’ll cover the 5-year mark, and the following week, we’ll discuss the final year before you retire.

Stay tuned for next week’s episode, where we’ll discuss what to focus on 5 years out from retirement. If you have any questions or want to learn more about financial planning, feel free to reach out to me at ProPathFinancial.com. See you next time! 

Timestamps:

0:27 Preparing for retirement stages.

5:08 Retirement planning strategies.

9:57 Social Security and retirement planning.

12:05 Retirement preparation strategies.

✅Contact Thatcher at [email protected] with comments and questions!

Are you over age 50 and need retirement help?
Schedule a free consultation https://www.propathfinancial.com/get-started

Subscribe for all things retirement, investment, tax, & estate planning https://www.youtube.com/@functionalretirement

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DISCLAIMER: The information provided in these episodes is only to be considered helpful hints and education. Nothing said or shown is to be misconstrued as specific tax, legal, or investment advice. Consult with your tax, legal, or investment professional before acting on anything you see in these videos.

​​Investment Advisory Services are offered through ProPath Financial, a registered investment adviser authorized to do business in states where registered or otherwise exempt from registration. Nothing discussed in this podcast should be viewed as investment advice.

Where will your retirement income come from, and how will it be taxed? This is a crucial question every retiree needs to understand.

A client recently shared an intriguing Instagram post that highlighted how the average American retires at 64 and may only enjoy about 12 years of good health in retirement. This sparked a discussion about the importance of investing in health alongside financial assets.

Your health significantly impacts your retirement income strategy. A mix of taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free accounts allows you to control your taxable income each year, helping to manage expenses like Medicare surcharges and tax brackets.

Timestamps:

03:01- Invest in your health.

05:46- Retirement income sources and taxes.

10:36- Roth IRA tax benefits.

14:03- Tax-efficient withdrawal strategies.

18:01- Real estate and income taxation.

20:55- Managing retirement income taxes.

✅Contact Thatcher at [email protected] with comments and questions!

Are you over age 50 and need retirement help?
Schedule a free consultation https://www.propathfinancial.com/get-started

Subscribe for all things retirement, investment, tax, & estate planning https://www.youtube.com/@functionalretirement

Join The Newsletter For All Wealth Building Tactics
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DISCLAIMER: The information provided in these episodes is only to be considered helpful hints and education. Nothing said or shown is to be misconstrued as specific tax, legal, or investment advice. Consult with your tax, legal, or investment professional before acting on anything you see in these videos.

​​Investment Advisory Services are offered through ProPath Financial, a registered investment adviser authorized to do business in states where registered or otherwise exempt from registration. Nothing discussed in this podcast should be viewed as investment advice.

Retirement is Not Just One Thing: The traditional view of retirement—working until a certain age and then sailing off into the sunset—is just one of many paths. Whether you’re considering the FIRE movement (Financial Independence, Retire Early), semi-retirement, or even a career shift, it’s crucial to define what retirement means to you. Understanding your vision will help you create a tailored financial plan that aligns with your goals.

Timestamps:

• 02:15- Traditional retirement options explained.
• 5:47- FIRE movement challenges.
• 8:17- Semi-retirement and flexibility.
• 14:23- Work optional retirement.
• 16:10- Retirement planning and work.
• 19:06- Defining your retirement version.

✅Contact Thatcher at [email protected] with comments and questions!

Are you over age 50 and need retirement help?
Schedule a free consultation https://www.propathfinancial.com/get-started

Subscribe for all things retirement, investment, tax, & estate planning https://www.youtube.com/@functionalretirement

Join The Newsletter For All Wealth Building Tactics
https://propath.ck.page/60fab1df4d

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in these episodes is only to be considered helpful hints and education. Nothing said or shown is to be misconstrued as specific tax, legal, or investment advice. Consult with your tax, legal, or investment professional before acting on anything you see in these videos.

​​Investment Advisory Services are offered through ProPath Financial, a registered investment adviser authorized to do business in states where registered or otherwise exempt from registration. Nothing discussed in this podcast should be viewed as investment advice.

Welcome back to the Functional Retirement Classroom, where we trade boring lectures for laughs, spreadsheets, and slightly-too-real truths about your financial future. Today’s lesson? Longevity! (Yes, that thing where you live way longer than you thought—and your bank account wasn’t ready for it.)

Did you know there’s a 70% chance one half of a non-smoking couple aged 65 will make it to 90? That’s not a fun fact—it’s a financial wake-up call. In this episode, we dive into what it really means to plan for the long haul (like, potentially 30 years of retirement-long). Spoiler: if you treat your savings like a Vegas weekend, you might end up with a very quiet final act.

So grab your coffee, crack open that dusty life expectancy chart, and let's make sure your golden years don’t end in bronze.

Timestamps:
1:06: Retirement planning principles.
4:06: Planning for a long life.
8:43: Social Security decision-making importance.
11:27: Rising Medicare costs with age.
16:27: Taxable accounts for investment flexibility.
18:22: Long-term investment strategies.

✅Contact Thatcher at [email protected] with comments and questions!

Are you over age 50 and need retirement help?
Schedule a free consultation https://www.propathfinancial.com/get-started

Subscribe for all things retirement, investment, tax, & estate planning https://www.youtube.com/@functionalretirement

Join The Newsletter For All Wealth Building Tactics
https://propath.ck.page/60fab1df4d

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in these episodes is only to be considered helpful hints and education. Nothing said or shown is to be misconstrued as specific tax, legal, or investment advice. Consult with your tax, legal, or investment professional before acting on anything you see in these videos.

​​Investment Advisory Services are offered through ProPath Financial, a registered investment adviser authorized to do business in states where registered or otherwise exempt from registration. Nothing discussed in this podcast should be viewed as investment advice.

 When you're getting advice—especially about your money or retirement—don’t just nod and smile like you’re at a grandkid’s school play. Ask questions! Stuff like, “How do you know that?” or “Why is this the right choice for me?” The goal isn’t to be rude, it’s to make sure the person advising you understands you. A good advisor won’t hand you a cookie-cutter answer—they’ll dig in, get to know your situation, and help you make decisions that fit your life, not someone else’s. So go ahead, ask away. You've earned the right. 

Timestamps: 
0:18 Trusting the wrong advice.
6:39 Retirement planning and bad advice.
10:15 Social Security Optimization Risks.
12:33 Evaluating financial advice credibility.
15:34 The cost of bad advice.
19:40  Finding a trustworthy financial advisor.

✅Contact Thatcher at [email protected] with comments and questions!

Are you over age 50 and need retirement help?
Schedule a free consultation https://www.propathfinancial.com/get-started

Subscribe for all things retirement, investment, tax, & estate planning https://www.youtube.com/@functionalretirement

Join The Newsletter For All Wealth Building Tactics
https://propath.ck.page/60fab1df4d

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in these episodes is only to be considered helpful hints and education. Nothing said or shown is to be misconstrued as specific tax, legal, or investment advice. Consult with your tax, legal, or investment professional before acting on anything you see in these videos.

​​Investment Advisory Services are offered through ProPath Financial, a registered investment adviser authorized to do business in states where registered or otherwise exempt from registration. Nothing discussed in this podcast should be viewed as investment advice.

 Retirement isn’t just about crunching numbers and counting down to your last paycheck—it’s about living your best life. Sure, savings and social security matter, but as we chat about in this episode, your physical, mental, and emotional well-being are the real VIPs of a happy retirement. Feeling good in your golden years? That’s the real return on investment. Let’s break down how staying sharp, strong, and centered can totally level up your retirement game.

         Timestamps:

• 1:12 Health impacts on retirement decisions.
• 6:14 Fitness affects financial future.
• 9:50 Longevity through cardiovascular fitness.
• 15:32 Mental health and retirement spending.
• 16:36 Mental and emotional fitness benefits.
• 20:31 Spending aligned with purpose.
• 24:36 Functional retirement lifestyle changes.

✅Contact Thatcher at [email protected] with comments and questions!

Are you over age 50 and need retirement help?
Schedule a free consultation https://www.propathfinancial.com/get-started

Subscribe for all things retirement, investment, tax, & estate planning https://www.youtube.com/@functionalretirement

Join The Newsletter For All Wealth Building Tactics
https://propath.ck.page/60fab1df4d

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in these episodes is only to be considered helpful hints and education. Nothing said or shown is to be misconstrued as specific tax, legal, or investment advice. Consult with your tax, legal, or investment professional before acting on anything you see in these videos.

​​Investment Advisory Services are offered through ProPath Financial, a registered investment adviser authorized to do business in states where registered or otherwise exempt from registration. Nothing discussed in this podcast should be viewed as investment advice.

Retirement is often perceived as a definitive endpoint in one’s career—a time when individuals stop working altogether. However, as discussed in the 50th episode of the Functional Retirement Podcast, retirement is much more nuanced than simply ceasing to work. It represents a significant life transition, fundamentally about gaining control over your time and life, allowing you to pursue what you truly want to do.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and Podcast Focus
00:00:49 - Defining Retirement
00:02:24 - Host’s Fitness Background
00:02:46 - Traditional vs. Modern Retirement
00:05:05 - Transitioning in Retirement
00:06:10 - Financial Independence and Control
00:08:07 - Challenges and Planning for Retirement
00:10:07 - Sources of Retirement Income
00:14:05 - Health and Wellness in Retirement
00:17:00 - Full Control and Lifestyle Choices
00:18:27 - Conclusion and Next Steps

✅Contact Thatcher at [email protected] with comments and questions!

Are you over age 50 and need retirement help?
Schedule a free consultation https://www.propathfinancial.com/get-started

Subscribe for all things retirement, investment, tax, & estate planning https://www.youtube.com/@functionalretirement

Join The Newsletter For All Wealth Building Tactics
https://propath.ck.page/60fab1df4d

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in these episodes is only to be considered helpful hints and education. Nothing said or shown is to be misconstrued as specific tax, legal, or investment advice. Consult with your tax, legal, or investment professional before acting on anything you see in these videos.

​​Investment Advisory Services are offered through ProPath Financial, a registered investment adviser authorized to do business in states where registered or otherwise exempt from registration. Nothing discussed in this podcast should be viewed as investment advice.

In this episode of the The Functional Retirement Podcast, host Thatcher Taylor discusses the importance of understanding market volatility and its impact on retirement planning. He reflects on the 2008-2009 market crash, emphasizing that many investors who panicked and sold during downturns often locked in losses, while those who stayed invested saw significant recovery. 

Thatcher advocates for a bucketing approach to investing, where assets are segmented based on when they will be needed, allowing retirees to weather market fluctuations without jeopardizing their financial security. He encourages listeners to focus on controllable factors, such as spending habits and mindset, and highlights the long-term benefits of remaining invested, even during market downturns.

• 0:22 - 0:32 – Investment Analogy: 2008-2009
• 2:23 - 3:06 – Paper Losses vs. Real Losses
• 4:19 - 4:54 – Investment Management in Retirement
• 7:15 - 7:38 – Dynamic Spending Strategy
• 8:55 - 9:22 – Long-Term Investment Opportunities
• 13:31 - 13:53 – Impact of Missing Best Market Days

✅Contact Thatcher at [email protected] with comments and questions!

Are you over age 50 and need retirement help?
Schedule a free consultation https://www.propathfinancial.com/get-started

Subscribe for all things retirement, investment, tax, & estate planning https://www.youtube.com/@functionalretirement

Join The Newsletter For All Wealth Building Tactics
https://propath.ck.page/60fab1df4d

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in these episodes is only to be considered helpful hints and education. Nothing said or shown is to be misconstrued as specific tax, legal, or investment advice. Consult with your tax, legal, or investment professional before acting on anything you see in these videos.

​​Investment Advisory Services are offered through ProPath Financial, a registered investment adviser authorized to do business in states where registered or otherwise exempt from registration. Nothing discussed in this podcast should be viewed as investment advice.

Understanding Social Security: Is It Really Running Out of Money?

In recent years, the topic of Social Security has become a significant source of anxiety and confusion for many Americans. With headlines suggesting that Social Security is running out of money, it's essential to separate fact from fiction and understand the realities of the system.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
03:30 No Money In Trust Fund
05:10 Two SS Views
07:38 Will Benefits Be Cut?
12:15 What Should We Do?
14:10 Final Thoughts

✅Contact Thatcher at [email protected] with comments and questions!

Are you over age 50 and need retirement help?
Schedule a free consultation https://www.propathfinancial.com/get-started

Subscribe for all things retirement, investment, tax, & estate planning https://www.youtube.com/@functionalretirement

Join The Newsletter For All Wealth Building Tactics
https://propath.ck.page/60fab1df4d

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in these episodes is only to be considered helpful hints and education. Nothing said or shown is to be misconstrued as specific tax, legal, or investment advice. Consult with your tax, legal, or investment professional before acting on anything you see in these videos.

​​Investment Advisory Services are offered through ProPath Financial, a registered investment adviser authorized to do business in states where registered or otherwise exempt from registration. Nothing discussed in this podcast should be viewed as investment advice.