Save your Retirement with Pat Strubbe

With the news of a federal Medicare subsidy program ending after 2026, the frightening headlines have been non-stop. However, for most retirees – especially those with a strong financial plan – this is a far less dramatic change than the media is saying. In this episode, Pat cuts through the noise, put the real numbers in perspective, and make the case for why a strong retirement plan shouldn't flinch at policy headlines like these.

With rising costs and longer lifespans, the old rules for retirement income no longer apply.

The key to a secure retirement in 2025 isn't just about how much you've saved –

it's about creating reliable, monthly income.

Americans now believe they need $1.46 million to retire comfortably — a jump of more than 15% from last year’s estimate. Nearly half of Americans don't feel ready to retire, and almost half fear they'll outlive their savings. In this episode, Pat explains why chasing a single "magic number" can leave you exposed, and how an income-focused plan can help outlast whatever figure the headlines throw at you next.

The finish line is in sight, but one of the most dangerous parts of your financial journey may have just begun. During this critical ten-year window surrounding your retirement date, a single market crash can permanently impact your life savings. In this episode, Melissa & Pat expose the reality of sequence-of-returns risk. They reveal why the five years before and the five years after you stop working may be some of the most vulnerable of your entire life, and ways to help build a fortress around your money before the next economic storm hits.

In a time when growing government debt is almost certainly paving the way for higher taxes, helping ensure the protection of your retirement savings is more important than ever. How you manage the potential taxation of your nest egg could define the reality of your retirement years.

Imagine a master carpenter showing up to a job site with the most expensive tools money can buy—titanium hammers, high-end saws—but no blueprints. Without a plan, those tools are useless. Many people approach retirement the same way: they have financial "tools" like 401(k)s and IRAs, but no actual strategy to build a confident future.

We have a special guest today, Mission Lexington! We'll highlight their 48-year commitment to holistic community support and share an example of purposeful giving in retirement, along with our usual financial guidance. Enjoy!

Legacy planning can be a tough conversation, but necessary. No one wants to think about death or what happens after they’re gone. This episode discusses ways you can help ensure your wishes are carried out.

With more and more uncertainty about where tax rates are headed in the future, people are taking a hard look at Roth conversions to provide tax-free growth and eventual income. The issue is that you have to pay taxes on that money now instead of putting it into tax-deferred accounts. Pat takes a look at this strategy and how you can determine if a Roth is right for you.

For high-net-worth retirees and pre-retirees, a mid-year financial review isn’t just a good habit. It’s a critical checkpoint. This is the time to make sure your income, taxes, legacy plan and more are all working together the way they should. In this episode, Pat walks us through some of the essential aspects a retirement plan should have – because, for those with significant assets, small oversights can carry a very large price tag.