Markets have delivered strong returns, but retirement planning is about more than a good run in stocks. In this episode of Safer Retirement Radio, Brad Geddes, CFP® joins Brian Decker to break down what today’s retirees and near-retirees need to watch next—especially when you’re transitioning from saving to spending.

You’ll hear a practical discussion on:

Why strong markets can quietly encourage retirees to take more risk than they realize

The “sequence of returns” problem: why a downturn early in retirement can do outsized damage

Longevity and rising healthcare costs—and how to plan when you don’t know what life will bring

Inflation’s long-term impact, including why sitting in too much cash can be costly over time

The mindset shift from accumulation to distribution, and why income planning becomes the priority

How to think about “pulling risk back” without “getting out of the market”

Why flexibility and planning often matter more than predictions

If you’re within 5–7 years of retirement, recently retired, or wondering whether your current portfolio is built for income and resilience—this episode will help you think more clearly about the next phase.

To learn more or schedule a visit with our team: 833-707-3030 or visit DeckerRetirementPlanning.com.

The new year is the right time to take a clear look at how taxes, required withdrawals, and income decisions can quietly shape the rest of your retirement.

In this episode of Safer Retirement Radio, Brian Decker and Arrin Wray walk through the most common tax and planning issues retirees and near-retirees face—and why understanding them early can help you avoid unnecessary taxes, missed opportunities, and future stress.

In this conversation, you’ll hear about:

How required withdrawals work later in retirement—and why misunderstanding them can create avoidable tax pressure

Why the timing of tax decisions matters more than most people realize

How portfolio changes can unintentionally trigger taxes if handled without a plan

Ways charitable giving fits into an overall income and tax strategy

The difference between decisions that must be made during the year and those that can be adjusted later

What information your CPA and planning team actually need to help you make better decisions

If you’re within 5–10 years of retirement, or already retired, this episode provides clarity on how taxes, income, and planning decisions work together—and where many retirees unknowingly go wrong.

Learn more: DeckerRetirementPlanning.com

Schedule a conversation: 833-707-3030

This content is for informational purposes only and is not tax or legal advice. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal.

Year-end is one of the few windows where decisions—or inaction—can materially affect how much of your money you actually keep in retirement. In this episode, Brian Decker and Marc Knauss, CFP(R) discuss the real-world tax and estate challenges retirees and near-retirees face as the calendar closes—and why waiting can quietly cost you.

In this conversation, you’ll hear about:

How reallocating risk late in life can trigger unexpected tax bills if handled incorrectly

What happens when highly appreciated stocks or real estate are sold without a plan

Ways retirees get caught off guard by one-time income spikes that push them into higher tax brackets

Why some company retirement plans can create avoidable tax exposure when large positions are involved

How timing decisions today can dramatically affect lifetime taxes and what passes to heirs

Common estate planning oversights that lead to family tension, delays, or unnecessary costs

Why many people think they have a plan—until a tax event or health issue proves otherwise

If you’re within 5–10 years of retirement, or already retired, this episode will help you think differently about taxes, income, and legacy—before year-end decisions are locked in.

Learn more at DeckerRetirementPlanning.com or call 833-707-3030.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not individualized investment, tax, or legal advice. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Most retirees don’t realize that the strategies that served them well for 30–40 years of saving can work against them the moment they stop working. In this episode, Brian Decker and Arrin Wray break down why accumulation and distribution require two completely different approaches—and why misunderstanding that distinction can jeopardize your retirement.

Brian explains:

Why market losses in retirement are far more damaging than losses during your working years

How drawing income from fluctuating accounts accelerates losses and compromises long-term results

Why bond funds haven’t acted as “safe money” in today’s rate environment—and the interest-rate risk most retirees overlook

What makes the 4% rule unreliable in flat or volatile market cycles

How momentum strategies and dividend sleeves fit into a modern risk-reduction plan

Why your asset mix should flip at retirement—with only 25–35% of assets exposed to market risk

How a laddered, principal-guaranteed income plan provides stability, clarity, and true distribution discipline

You’ll also hear how Decker Retirement Planning builds math-based distribution plans, updates them annually, and helps retirees maximize net-of-tax income while minimizing exposure to unnecessary risk and fees.

If you’re within 5–10 years of retirement—or already retired—this episode will give you a clearer picture of what a real retirement plan should look like.

Have questions about your retirement readiness?

Schedule a visit at DeckerRetirementPlanning.com or call 833-707-3030.

In this episode of Safer Retirement Radio, Brian Decker and Brad Geddes, CFP(R) discuss one of the most important questions in retirement planning: “How much income can I safely draw?”

Rather than relying on rules of thumb or broad simulations, they explain how a math-based, distribution-first plan helps determine how much income a retiree may be able to take—year by year—while reducing the risk of running out too soon.

Brian and Brad walk through:

Why many retirees under-spend out of uncertainty

The potential risks of drawing income from fluctuating accounts, especially during down markets

How laddered principal-guaranteed accounts can help provide stability in income planning

Why the traditional 4% rule may fall short during flat or volatile market cycles

How pensions, Social Security timing, and rental income can be analyzed mathematically

How inflation considerations (COLAs, real estate, conservative return assumptions, and the risk bucket) may be incorporated into a retirement income plan

What retirees can do when markets drop, and how planning in advance helps reduce the impact

This episode is designed to help pre-retirees and retirees understand the key inputs of a durable income plan—and how math-based distribution strategies may provide greater clarity and confidence.

📞 To request your personalized income analysis, call 833-707-3030 or visit

DeckerRetirementPlanning.com

In Episode 140 of Safer Retirement Radio, Brian Decker and Arrin Wray reveal the critical distinction between accumulation and distribution strategies—and why using the same approach in both phases of life can be financially devastating in retirement.

They unpack:

Why traditional pie chart portfolios are not retirement plans

The danger of using the 4% rule without accounting for sequence of returns risk

How a distribution-first strategy helps ensure reliable income—even in volatile or flat markets

Why Decker Retirement Planning uses laddered principal-guaranteed accounts instead of bond funds

How momentum and dividend strategies provide growth potential in flat or declining markets

Real tax strategies to reduce future liabilities, enhance Roth conversion efficiency, and preserve more of your wealth

You’ll also learn how Decker’s math-based planning integrates real returns, tax minimization, and fee transparency to help you retire with clarity—not guesswork.

📞 Have questions about your own retirement income plan? Call 833-707-3030 or visit

👉 DeckerRetirementPlanning.com

In this episode of Safer Retirement Radio, Brian Decker and Mark Knauss, CFP(R) walk through five essential strategies to help protect your retirement income from inflation—without exposing your portfolio to unnecessary risk. From laddered income accounts to hard assets and tactical stock exposure, they outline a disciplined approach built for today’s uncertain environment.

You’ll also learn:

Why COLAs (Cost of Living Adjustments) must be handled carefully in retirement income planning

How traditional bond funds are vulnerable in a rising rate world

What “real returns” mean—and why they matter more than nominal performance

How Decker’s Two-Sided Model uses momentum and stop-loss rules to reduce risk in volatile or flat markets

If inflation and future market returns are keeping you up at night, this episode gives you the education—and the options—you need.

📞 Ready to build a retirement plan that actually adjusts for inflation? Call 833-707-3030 or visit DeckerRetirementPlanning.com

What really happens when one spouse passes away? In this episode of Safer Retirement Radio, Brian Decker and Arrin Wray break down one of retirement’s most difficult—but essential—topics: preparing financially and legally for the loss of a spouse.

You’ll learn:

- The must-have estate documents (wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives)

- The “pour-over” provision that helps families avoid probate nightmares

- How Social Security, pensions, and taxes change for a surviving spouse

- Why compensation clauses and unclear distribution instructions can tear families apart

- Steps to protect income, minimize taxes, and create a smooth transition

Planning ahead means your spouse and children are cared for—and your legacy is preserved without unnecessary stress or conflict.

👉 Listen now and discover how math-based planning can give you and your loved ones peace of mind.

Learn more at https://deckerretirementplanning.com/

We are financial advisors, not attorneys. Always speak to a qualified attorney for legal advice.

As the Fed flirts with rate cuts, many retirees face shrinking savings and money-market yields. In this episode, Brian Decker and Brad Geddes, CFP(R) break down DRP’s Cash Plus portfolio—built for 0–5 year dollars that need liquidity and low volatility, yet can aim higher than plain cash. They also cover how AI is changing principal-guaranteed indexes and the timing inside momentum models, plus a simple checklist for a rock-solid retirement plan.

What you’ll learn

Why falling rates can punish “safe” cash—and what to do about it

How a diversified cash sleeve (short-term Treasuries, market-neutral, dividend equities) targets steadier yield with 100% liquidity

“Upside/Downside capture”: keeping more of the good, less of the bad

Where AI already fits: principal-guaranteed index designs and trade-timing in momentum strategies

Six keys to a resilient retirement plan (taxes, risk control, income optimization, fees, and more)

Call us: 833-707-3030

More resources: DeckerRetirementPlanning.com → Safer Retirement Education (free downloads)

In this week’s episode of Safer Retirement Radio, Brian Decker and Bradley Geddes, CFP(R) break down one of the most overlooked threats to retirement success—sequence of returns risk. What happens if you retire right before a market downturn? What if your portfolio strategy doesn’t account for market flatness or volatility?

You’ll learn:

Why traditional 60/40 portfolios fall short in today’s environment

How drawing from laddered principal-guaranteed accounts can help stabilize income

What Monte Carlo simulations get wrong—and how to avoid becoming a statistic

Strategic updates from the new One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), including major tax credits for retirees

Don't let bad timing derail decades of hard work. Tune in to hear how a math-based distribution plan can help you retire with confidence—regardless of what the market does next.

🎧 Listen now and take control of your retirement strategy.