In this special episode of Money Matters, Ken Moraif welcomes longtime RPOA client to share his real-life retirement journey and the lessons he learned after living through the 2008 financial crisis. From sleepless nights during market downturns to finding peace of mind with a retirement strategy, Jeff offers honest insights every pre-retiree and retiree can learn from.

Ken also answers an important Social Security question about maximizing survivor benefits and explains how families can structure life insurance to help pass wealth to heirs’ estate tax-free.
This episode combines practical retirement advice, real client experience, and a reminder that retirement planning is about more than money. It’s about confidence, relationships, and peace of mind.

Visit: rpoa.com
Like, subscribe, and share with someone planning for retirement.


RPOA Advisors, Inc. (d/b/a Retirement Planners of America) (“RPOA”) is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser is not an endorsement by securities regulators and does not imply that RPOA has attained a certain level of skill or training.
This podcast has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, personalized investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. RPOA does not provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your own tax and legal advisors before engaging in any transaction or strategy.
Opinions expressed are those of RPOA as of the date of publication and are subject to change. Investing involves risks, including possible loss of principal. Diversification and asset allocation do not guarantee a profit, nor do they eliminate the risk of loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
The “Invest and Protect Strategy” (the “Strategy”) refers to a strategy that Retirement Planners of America fundamentally employs for its clients. Retirement Planners of America previously employed a similar strategy that it referred to as the “buy, hold, and sell” strategy or “buy hold, and protect” strategy. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Therefore, current or prospective clients should not assume that the future performance of the Strategy, any specific investment, or any other investment strategy that Retirement Planners of America recommends will be profitable or equal to past performance levels. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss. References to recommendations made under the Strategy that predate 2011; and statements such as and similar to: “we told our clients to be out of the market in 2007 and 2008,” “we told our clients to get back into the market in 2009,” and “clients that followed our advice were out of the market in 2008;” refer to strategies collectively employed and recommendations collectively made by Retirement Planners of America’s principals while employed at Eagle Strategies, LLC., and also at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc. Three of the five principals remain as principals today, including the Retirement Planners of America’s founder, Ken Moraif. Retirement Planners of America has been employing the Strategy since its inception in 2011. Therefore, any references to Retirement Planners of America’s performance or its investment advisory recommendations predating 2011 generally refer to recommendations made by Retirement Planners of America’s principals at the respective other firms described above. Like all investment strategies, the Strategy is not guaranteed. It is possible that it can incorrectly predict a bear market (generally accepted as a 20% drop in a market index), which has, in-fact, happened before at Retirement Planners of America and affected its clients accordingly. When the sell / “protect” portion of the Strategy is implemented, affected investors will incur transaction costs and taxable accounts will incur tax consequences. 
Jeff is a current client of MMWKM Advisors, LLC. Jeff received no cash or non-cash compensation in connection with his appearance on this episode. Jeff's experience may not be representative of the experience of other clients and is not a guarantee of future performance or results. Jeff has no material conflicts of interest in connection with his appearance.

In this episode of Money Matters, Ken Moraif breaks down one of the most important retirement questions: where should your retirement income come from first? He also explains the hidden danger of sequential risk and why market losses early in retirement can have a major impact on your financial future.

Plus, Ken answers key Social Security questions about Medicare enrollment, delaying benefits until 70, and whether you can repay benefits to receive a higher amount later. Finally, he shares smart estate planning strategies for helping children and grandchildren pay for college tax-free.

Visit: rpoa.com
Like, subscribe, and share with someone planning for retirement.

Financial Plannings Dynamic Implications of Sequence Risk : https://www.financialplanningassociat...

RPOA Advisors, Inc. (d/b/a Retirement Planners of America) (“RPOA”) is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser is not an endorsement by securities regulators and does not imply that RPOA has attained a certain level of skill or training.
This podcast has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, personalized investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. RPOA does not provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your own tax and legal advisors before engaging in any transaction or strategy.
Opinions expressed are those of RPOA as of the date of publication and are subject to change. Investing involves risks, including possible loss of principal. Diversification and asset allocation do not guarantee a profit, nor do they eliminate the risk of loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
The “Invest and Protect Strategy” (the “Strategy”) refers to a strategy that Retirement Planners of America fundamentally employs for its clients. Retirement Planners of America previously employed a similar strategy that it referred to as the “buy, hold, and sell” strategy or “buy hold, and protect” strategy. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Therefore, current or prospective clients should not assume that the future performance of the Strategy, any specific investment, or any other investment strategy that Retirement Planners of America recommends will be profitable or equal to past performance levels. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss. References to recommendations made under the Strategy that predate 2011; and statements such as and similar to: “we told our clients to be out of the market in 2007 and 2008,” “we told our clients to get back into the market in 2009,” and “clients that followed our advice were out of the market in 2008;” refer to strategies collectively employed and recommendations collectively made by Retirement Planners of America’s principals while employed at Eagle Strategies, LLC., and also at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc. Three of the five principals remain as principals today, including the Retirement Planners of America’s founder, Ken Moraif. Retirement Planners of America has been employing the Strategy since its inception in 2011. Therefore, any references to Retirement Planners of America’s performance or its investment advisory recommendations predating 2011 generally refer to recommendations made by Retirement Planners of America’s principals at the respective other firms described above. Like all investment strategies, the Strategy is not guaranteed. It is possible that it can incorrectly predict a bear market (generally accepted as a 20% drop in a market index), which has, in-fact, happened before at Retirement Planners of America and affected its clients accordingly. When the sell / “protect” portion of the Strategy is implemented, affected investors will incur transaction costs and taxable accounts will incur tax consequences.

If your child or loved one has special needs, how you leave them money matters. In this episode, Ken and Jeremy break down special needs trusts in plain English and why a direct inheritance can accidentally create problems with certain government benefits.

They also cover practical, real world considerations like who should serve as trustee, when a corporate trustee can help, and why this planning step is often more affordable and manageable than most families expect.

If you are over 50 and thinking through your family plan, this is a conversation worth hearing.

RPOA Advisors, Inc. (d/b/a Retirement Planners of America) (“RPOA”) is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser is not an endorsement by securities regulators and does not imply that RPOA has attained a certain level of skill or training.
This podcast has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, personalized investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. RPOA does not provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your own tax and legal advisors before engaging in any transaction or strategy.
Opinions expressed are those of RPOA as of the date of publication and are subject to change. Investing involves risks, including possible loss of principal. Diversification and asset allocation do not guarantee a profit, nor do they eliminate the risk of loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Most people think “inheritance” means money, property, or accounts. In this episode, Ken Moraif and Jeremy Thornton share why the most valuable legacy you can leave your children and grandchildren is something far more lasting: your values, your morals, your life lessons, and your wisdom.

If you’re over 50 and retired or retiring soon, this conversation will help you think differently about legacy and how to intentionally pass it forward, even in simple, practical ways.

Visit rpoa.com to explore more retirement planning resources and upcoming events.
Like, subscribe, and share this with someone who’s thinking about their legacy.

0:00 Intro and why this topic matters
0:52 The big misconception about “inheritance”
1:35 The #1 legacy: values, morals, and wisdom
3:05 Why money alone does not build a lasting legacy
4:18 Work ethic and character as the real “wealth”
6:12 Simple ways to pass down life lessons
8:02 Stories, family history, and documenting wisdom
10:08 Recording messages and preserving memories
12:28 Where to store and pass down digital memories
13:40 Wrap up and next steps

RPOA Advisors, Inc. (d/b/a Retirement Planners of America) (“RPOA”) is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser is not an endorsement by securities regulators and does not imply that RPOA has attained a certain level of skill or training.
This podcast has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, personalized investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. RPOA does not provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your own tax and legal advisors before engaging in any transaction or strategy.
Opinions expressed are those of RPOA as of the date of publication and are subject to change. Investing involves risks, including possible loss of principal. Diversification and asset allocation do not guarantee a profit, nor do they eliminate the risk of loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

What’s the most important inheritance you can leave your kids and grandkids? Ken Moraif says it probably isn’t money, a house, or “stuff.” In this episode, Ken and Jeremy talk about the values, lessons, and life stories that actually shape future generations, plus a simple way to preserve them using the phone you already carry every day.

If you’re over 50 and retired or retiring soon, check out more education and resources at rpoa.com.

00:00 The “most important inheritance” surprise
00:45 If it’s not money, what is it?
01:20 Values, morals, and life lessons as true legacy
02:20 Why “values” beat money long term
03:20 The simple phone method to preserve your story
04:25 “Sweep the corners” and the power of sayings
05:35 Why this matters across generations
06:20 Letters, recipes, and how families used to pass wisdom down
07:15 Imagine hearing from your great grandparents
08:10 Hardships, resilience, and why stories help most
09:15 What to do with the recording next
09:45 Wrap up and next topic tease: digital assets

RPOA Advisors, Inc. (d/b/a Retirement Planners of America) (“RPOA”) is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser is not an endorsement by securities regulators and does not imply that RPOA has attained a certain level of skill or training.
This podcast has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, personalized investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. RPOA does not provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your own tax and legal advisors before engaging in any transaction or strategy.
Opinions expressed are those of RPOA as of the date of publication and are subject to change. Investing involves risks, including possible loss of principal. Diversification and asset allocation do not guarantee a profit, nor do they eliminate the risk of loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Can you leave a child out of your will, and if so, how do you do it without creating a family war later? In this segment, Ken and Jeremy break down the practical reality behind disinheriting a child, why communication matters, and what can trigger contestation after you are gone. They also explain why some families use trusts instead of relying only on a will, and why state rules can change the strategy.

If you are reviewing your estate plan or thinking about changes, this is a must watch before you update beneficiaries, rewrite documents, or make an emotional decision you may regret later.

Explore more retirement and planning resources at rpoa.com.

00:00 Why communication matters before you make changes
01:05 A real example of how not to handle it
02:05 Is it legal to disinherit a child
03:05 The big risk: contestation and court fights
04:05 How to reduce ambiguity if you do it
05:15 Why a trust can be harder to contest than a will alone
06:35 State law issues and forced heirship
07:55 Emotional fallout: guilt, conflict, and family dynamics
09:20 How to frame the conversation so it is clear, not a debate
10:40 The goal: avoid surprises and prevent a blowup later
12:05 Wrap up and next steps in the series

RPOA Advisors, Inc. (d/b/a Retirement Planners of America) (“RPOA”) is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser is not an endorsement by securities regulators and does not imply that RPOA has attained a certain level of skill or training.
This podcast has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, personalized investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. RPOA does not provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your own tax and legal advisors before engaging in any transaction or strategy.
Opinions expressed are those of RPOA as of the date of publication and are subject to change. Investing involves risks, including possible loss of principal. Diversification and asset allocation do not guarantee a profit, nor do they eliminate the risk of loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Getting ready for retirement is a lot easier when you use a checklist. In this episode, Ken Moraif walks through a practical retirement planning checklist that helps you organize the big decisions before you stop working, so the transition feels smoother and your plan is built around real life costs.

You’ll hear why where you live can be the biggest driver of your cost of living, how to think about what you’ll do after you retire, why many retirees aim to reduce debt and review investment risk, and how to avoid gaps in healthcare coverage. Ken also explains a simple way to think about budgeting without turning it into a household argument, plus timing tips for Social Security and an overview of when a 401(k) rollover to an IRA may be worth considering - and when staying in an employer plan might make more sense.

If you’re over 50 and planning your next chapter, share this with a friend who’s also getting close to retirement.

0:00 Retirement checklist intro, why checklists work
0:40 Step 1: Decide where you plan to live
2:10 Step 2: Plan what you’ll do in retirement
3:35 Step 3: Pay off your mortgage and reduce debt
4:55 Step 4: Consider reducing investment risk near retirement
6:05 Step 5: Know your retirement income sources
7:25 Step 6: Healthcare planning, avoid gaps in coverage
8:45 Step 7: Budgeting without the household argument
10:10 Shark story: why expenses adapt to the “pool size”
11:25 Step 8: Apply for Social Security three months early
11:55 Step 9: Consider a 401(k) rollover to an IRA, case by case
12:25 Wrap-up and next steps

RPOA Advisors, Inc. (d/b/a Retirement Planners of America) (“RPOA”) is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser is not an endorsement by securities regulators and does not imply that RPOA has attained a certain level of skill or training.
This podcast has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, personalized investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. RPOA does not provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your own tax and legal advisors before engaging in any transaction or strategy.
Opinions expressed are those of RPOA as of the date of publication and are subject to change. Investing involves risks, including possible loss of principal. Diversification and asset allocation do not guarantee a profit, nor do they eliminate the risk of loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

If you own an IRA, a few simple mistakes can quietly create bigger problems later, including unnecessary taxes, penalties, and outdated beneficiary choices. In this episode, Ken Moraif and Jeremy Thornton walk through seven common IRA mistakes they see over and over and explain how to avoid them with better habits and better planning.

They cover the mistakes retirees and pre-retirees make most often, including missing contribution limit increases, forgetting spousal IRA contributions, taking early withdrawals without understanding your options, leaving beneficiary designations outdated, mishandling trusts as IRA beneficiaries, missing required minimum distributions (RMDs), and not planning for how an IRA may affect heirs.

If you are over 50, retired, or retiring soon, this is a practical checklist episode to help you stay organized and avoid costly errors. 
Like and subscribe for more retirement planning episodes.

0:00 Intro: Why avoiding mistakes matters
0:55 The “tennis” mindset: win by making fewer errors
2:10 Mistake 1: Not tracking IRA contribution limit increases
4:05 Mistake 2: Forgetting spousal IRA contributions
6:00 Mistake 3: Early withdrawals and avoidable penalties
8:05 Mistake 4: Outdated IRA beneficiary designations
11:10 Mistake 5: Naming a trust incorrectly as IRA beneficiary
14:30 Mistake 6: Missing RMDs and penalty risk
18:00 Mistake 7: Not planning for heirs and inherited IRA strategy
22:10 Wrap-up: Simple habits to prevent costly IRA mistakes

RPOA Advisors, Inc. (d/b/a Retirement Planners of America) (“RPOA”) is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser is not an endorsement by securities regulators and does not imply that RPOA has attained a certain level of skill or training.
This podcast has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, personalized investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. RPOA does not provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your own tax and legal advisors before engaging in any transaction or strategy.
Opinions expressed are those of RPOA as of the date of publication and are subject to change. Investing involves risks, including possible loss of principal. Diversification and asset allocation do not guarantee a profit, nor do they eliminate the risk of loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

If you are considering retiring early or you need income before age 59½, the IRS 72(t) rule (also called SEPP, Substantially Equal Periodic Payments) may allow you to take distributions from a traditional IRA without the 10% early withdrawal penalty.

In this episode, Ken and Jeremy break down what an IRA is, who 72(t) can help, the three calculation methods, and the most common pitfalls that can trigger penalties if you change or break the plan. You will also hear an example using a $1,000,000 IRA and a planning strategy that may help you match the income you need.

00:00 Intro: the 10% early withdrawal penalty problem
01:10 What an IRA is (traditional vs Roth)
03:05 What is 72(t) SEPP and who it is for
05:00 The big rule: duration and no changes allowed
07:10 Method 1: RMD method (flexible, recalculates)
10:20 Methods 2 and 3: amortization vs annuitization
13:40 Example, interest rate limits, and top mistakes to avoid

At Retirement Planners of America, we help people retire when they want to and stay retired.

Visit us at rpoa.com to learn more.

Like, subscribe, and share for more retirement and investing insights from Ken Moraif and the RPOA team.

RPOA Advisors, Inc. (d/b/a Retirement Planners of America) (“RPOA”) is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser is not an endorsement by securities regulators and does not imply that RPOA has attained a certain level of skill or training.
This podcast has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, personalized investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. RPOA does not provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your own tax and legal advisors before engaging in any transaction or strategy.
Opinions expressed are those of RPOA as of the date of publication and are subject to change. Investing involves risks, including possible loss of principal. Diversification and asset allocation do not guarantee a profit, nor do they eliminate the risk of loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Are you accidentally sabotaging your investments?

In this episode, Ken Moraif breaks down the 7 Deadly Sins of Investing and explains how common behaviors like emotion, greed, impatience, disorganization, and fear can hurt your long term financial outcomes.

If you are retired, retiring soon, or planning for retirement, this is a must watch conversation about how to make smarter investment decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

0:00 Intro: The 7 Deadly Sins of Investing
0:34 Sin 1: Emotion
1:20 Sin 2: Disorganization
2:08 Sin 3: Myopia (missing the big picture)
3:06 Sin 4: Impatience and FOMO
4:02 Sin 5: Greed
5:05 Sin 6: Arrogance
6:12 Sin 7: Cowardice
7:35 Why working with an advisor can help
8:10 Closing thoughts

At Retirement Planners of America, we help people retire when they want to and stay retired.

Visit us at rpoa.com to learn more.

Like, subscribe, and share for more retirement and investing insights from Ken Moraif and the RPOA team.

RPOA Advisors, Inc. (d/b/a Retirement Planners of America) (“RPOA”) is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser is not an endorsement by securities regulators and does not imply that RPOA has attained a certain level of skill or training.
This podcast has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, personalized investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. RPOA does not provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your own tax and legal advisors before engaging in any transaction or strategy.
Opinions expressed are those of RPOA as of the date of publication and are subject to change. Investing involves risks, including possible loss of principal. Diversification and asset allocation do not guarantee a profit, nor do they eliminate the risk of loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.