Retire SMART Podcast

If my mother, who has a couple annuities, passes away, will those annuities be taxable to me? Will I be taxed heavily when I cash in savings bonds I inherited from my parents? And at 50 years old and with 22 years left on my mortgage, should I pay off the house with the after-tax-account money from my divorce? David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q&A episode.

In this episode, David is joined by senior advisor Sean Swanson to share some exciting Retire Smart news, including the addition of a new advisor to the team. The conversation then walks through the SMART planning process and how having a clear, written plan can bring confidence through every stage of retirement.

We open today with a powerful reminder of impact—how a simple shoebox gift can change lives in ways no one expects. From there, David breaks down the business of sports, major shifts in college athletics, and what booming program valuations tell us about money, markets, and momentum heading into the new year.

In the final preview segment as we head into the new year, David takes a hard look at the economic forces shaping retirement planning. From inflation, housing, and interest rates to AI, wages, and the massive wealth transfer underway, the discussion focuses on what really matters for households as conditions continue to shift.

Today David shifts the focus to what’s ahead for Retire Smart in 2026. From continued hiring and expanded internships to deeper community involvement and a full year partnering with Husker Athletics, the discussion highlights how the firm plans to keep growing while staying rooted in education and service.

In this year-end review, David looks back on a milestone year for Retire Smart, marked by rapid growth, new team members, and nearly 1,000 households served. The conversation highlights the opening of the Lincoln office, expanded community partnerships, and deeper involvement with Husker Athletics. It’s a snapshot of how education, service, and planning drove the firm’s momentum in 2025.

Looking back into 2025, we’re breaking down the year that was. From Trump’s return to office and market volatility to AI’s rapid growth, interest rates, and the widening gap between asset owners and everyone else, we unpack the biggest forces that shaped the economy.

Big changes are coming at Berkshire Hathaway as Warren Buffett’s long-standing leadership era winds down. We also dig into farm subsidies, small-town affordability, and why more Americans are becoming 401(k) millionaires. And finally, we ask the big year-end question: will the market deliver a Santa rally?

What strategies should I look for from financial advisors who focus on retirees, rather than everyone else? Is there a good rule of thumb for how much of my IRA should be invested in safe investments at age 60? And what are stock options and how do I get compensated for them? David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q&A episode.

We welcome back financial advisor, Brad Starken, who is here to talk about what’s been happening in the world of digital assets, including Bitcoin’s recent price swings and why volatility is part of the crypto space. They also discuss the growing role of stablecoins, how they could lower transaction costs, and what widespread adoption might mean for businesses, accounting, and everyday transactions in the years ahead.