In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon Stancil and Murs Tariq discuss a major Vanguard announcement that signals a meaningful shift in retirement planning. For years, annuities were often dismissed by large investment firms, yet today we are seeing industry leaders embrace their role in guaranteed income in retirement. Vanguard’s move to introduce a 401k annuity option inside the Vanguard retirement plan validates what many retirees already need—predictability, income, and risk control as they plan for retirement.

Listen in to learn about why annuities in 401k plans are gaining traction, how fixed annuities can serve as a bond alternative, and why firms like Fidelity retirement, BlackRock retirement, and Vanguard are acknowledging the importance of retirement income planning in the face of ongoing market volatility. Radon and Murs explain how this evolution helps investors create your own pension, supports retiring comfortably, and strengthens efforts to secure your retirement.

In this episode, find out:

1. Why the Vanguard announcement is a turning point for annuities retirement strategies
2. How guaranteed income in retirement helps offset market volatility
3. What a 401k annuity option really means for retirement planning
4. When IRA rollover options may provide more flexibility than a company 401k
5. How the Three Bucket Strategy simplifies planning retirement and managing risk

Tweetable Quotes:

1. “As you approach retirement, predictability and reliable income matter just as much as growth.” — Radon Stancil
2. “Annuities aren’t about giving up growth; they’re about creating confidence and peace of mind in retirement.” — Murs Tariq

By combining growth assets with income-focused strategies, retirees can follow a clearer retirement checklist, reduce stress during volatile markets, and build a customized retirement planning approach. Whether inside a Vanguard retirement plan or through broader IRA rollover options, the goal remains the same: thoughtful planning, smarter risk management, and a strategy designed to help you plan for retirement with confidence.

Resources:

If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!

To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss a comprehensive year-end tax checklist designed specifically for those in or nearing retirement. As the calendar winds down, it’s easy to overlook critical financial decisions that can significantly impact your retirement income tax and long-term retirement planning. This conversation walks through the most important year-end financial checklist items to help you avoid costly mistakes, missed deadlines, and unnecessary taxes as you plan for retirement.

Learn how a proactive retirement checklist can help you move from simply reacting at tax time to intentionally planning retirement with confidence. From required minimum distributions and the RMD deadline to charitable giving strategies and health savings account strategy, this episode reinforces why year-end planning is essential for retiring comfortably and helping to secure your retirement.

Listen in to learn about the practical steps you should take before December 31st to align your retirement planning with tax efficiency. Radon and Murs break down complex topics like capital gains tax planning, tax loss harvesting, and donor advised fund strategies into clear, actionable guidance. Whether you’re already retired or still planning retirement, this episode helps you connect year-end decisions to long-term retirement success.

1. How to avoid penalties by meeting the RMD deadline and properly handling required minimum distributions
2. Why tax loss harvesting and capital gains tax planning can play a major role in retirement income tax management
3. How charitable giving strategies, like a qualified charitable distribution and a donor advised fund can create powerful tax benefits
4. Why a health savings account strategy is one of the most overlooked tools in retirement planning
5. How a year-end financial checklist supports a smarter plan for retirement and long-term peace of mind

1. “If you wait until the end of the year to think about taxes, you’re already behind—retirement planning works best when it’s proactive.” — Radon Stancil
2. “A simple year-end tax checklist can be the difference between unnecessary penalties and retiring comfortably with confidence.” — Murs Tariq

Resources:

If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!

To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss the real-life complexities behind early retirement planning and what happens when couples don’t agree on retirement goals. Using a recent MarketWatch article as a springboard, they explore whether a couple with $2 million can truly retire early while juggling differences in spending expectations, lifestyle priorities, and retirement risk management. This episode offers valuable retirement planning tips for anyone asking “can I retire with 2 million?”, “can I retire at 55?”, or how to secure your retirement when spouses have competing visions for their future.

Listen in to learn about how emotions, career stress, financial planning for couples, and the FIRE movement retirement mindset affect early retirement decisions. Radon and Murs break down Medicare retirement considerations, Social Security timing challenges, retirement income strategy development, and the hidden dangers of day trading risks and options trading risks when someone tries to “make early retirement work” through high-risk investing. If you're navigating retirement planning at 50 or planning retirement with a partner who’s not on the same page, this conversation offers clarity, humor, and a practical retirement checklist to help you move forward confidently.

· How couples can resolve conflicting retirement goals when one wants to retire early and the other wants to maintain lifestyle freedom.

· Why understanding the real reason behind wanting early retirement is essential to planning retirement effectively.

· The major financial risks of relying on day trading or options trading to fund retirement income.

· How to build a retirement income strategy that supports Medicare retirement costs, travel goals, and long-term financial security.

· Why the Peace of Mind Pathway helps couples retire comfortably and plan for retirement with less stress and more clarity.

“Retirement Planning isn’t just about math—it's also about emotions, goals, and making sure both spouses feel secure in the plan.” — Radon Stancil

“If early retirement adds more stress than your job does, then it’s not truly helping you secure your retirement.” — Murs Tariq

If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!

To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss how financial scams are coming from every direction—phone calls, email phishing scams, text message scams, social media, and even door-to-door encounters—and why a little healthy skepticism is now a key part of scam prevention. They share real-world scam alert examples hitting their community right now, especially senior scams, and explain how staying cautious can protect both your money and your mindset as you work to secure your retirement.

Listen in to learn about how to avoid scams by slowing down when urgency hits, verifying sources before clicking anything, and recognizing the red flags behind gift card scams, IRS scam calls, and the increasingly convincing threats of AI voice cloning scams and deepfake scam tactics. These practical cybersecurity tips also support smart identity theft prevention—an important part of retirement planning for anyone who wants to keep retiring comfortably on track.

·     How gift card scams exploit the holiday rush and why “pay with gift cards” is a major scam alert

·     Why IRS scam calls and “official” threats (like unpaid penalties) are designed to trigger fear and urgency

·     How a jury duty scam can use phone number spoofing to appear like it’s coming from a real sheriff’s department

·     The best ways to avoid clicking links in email phishing scams and text message scams, even when they look legitimate

·     How emerging tech (like AI voice cloning scams and deepfake scam videos) is changing the landscape of senior scams and financial scams

·     Radon Stancil: “If you ever get a call from a police department or sheriff’s department saying you have a warrant for your arrest or you missed jury duty—it’s a scam. Hang up.”

·     Murs Tariq: “If there’s urgency, weird payment methods like gift cards or crypto, or they want you to click right now—pause and ask why.”

Resources:

If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!

To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss the November market update and how recent events have shaped the stock market volatility investors have experienced. From a tense government shutdown to missing economic data, rising interest rates, and uncertainty around inflation and investing, November brought no shortage of challenges. Radon and Murs break down what happened—and why staying grounded in long-term strategy is crucial when navigating volatile markets. This episode sets the stage for understanding not just what moved the markets, but how to approach managing market risk with confidence.

Listen in to learn about the ripple effects November’s disruptions had on the economy, the rapid swings in AI stocks, and what the Federal Reserve is considering as we move toward year-end. You'll also hear how a well-structured retirement portfolio—especially one built on bucket strategy investing—can help you plan for retirement, stay calm, and retire comfortably even when volatility spikes. With long term retirement planning always top of mind, Radon and Murs share insights that promote clarity, stability, and a path to secure your retirement.

In this episode, find out:

• How the November market review was influenced by the extended government shutdown and delayed economic data.
• Why interest rates, inflation numbers, and Federal Reserve uncertainty added to stock market volatility.
• What drove turbulence in the technology sector—especially surrounding AI stocks and concerns over an AI bubble.
• How volatile markets can impact your retirement portfolio and why understanding retirement investing strategies is essential.
• The importance of a structured Bucket Strategy for managing market risk and creating predictable income in retirement.

Tweetable Quotes:

Radon Stancil: “One thing that ends up being good can lead us right back to something that causes worry—that’s why having a strategy matters, regardless of what the markets are doing.”

Murs Tariq: “Volatility is triggered by moments inside and outside the stock market, which is why a well-designed retirement plan must be built to withstand the unexpected.”

Resources:

If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!

To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss how to approach retirement income planning with confidence so you can retire comfortably and secure your retirement. With people living longer, dealing with market volatility, navigating retirement income and taxes, and planning around retirement and inflation, creating a strategy that works for decades is more essential than ever. They break down how to create retirement income that can last 30–40+ years while maintaining peace of mind in retirement.

Listen in to learn about the simple yet powerful Retirement Bucket Strategy—cash, income safety, and growth—and how each piece works together to help you plan for retirement at 50, retirement planning at 55, or retirement planning at 60. You’ll also learn how different tax buckets (pre-tax, taxable, and tax-free) impact your retirement withdrawal strategy and long-term retirement planning strategies so you can build an income in retirement that keeps up with life, goals, and inflation.

In this episode, find out:

• How to structure your money using the Retirement Bucket Strategy to create retirement income that lasts.
• Why market volatility, taxes, inflation, and longevity must be factored into every retirement income plan.
• The difference between pre-tax, taxable, and tax-free retirement buckets—and how each impacts your long-term plan for retirement.
• How fixed index annuities, cash reserves, and growth investments can work together within a retirement income planning framework.
• A real-life scenario showing how to build a retirement withdrawal strategy across multiple buckets for long-term stability.

Tweetable Quotes:

“When you structure your retirement income the right way, you remove anxiety and gain true peace of mind in retirement.” — Radon Stancil

“Diversifying across investment buckets and tax buckets is what makes a retirement income plan strong, flexible, and built to last.” — Murs Tariq

Resources:

If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!

To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss four powerful tax strategies you can start looking at now to lower your 2025 tax bill and create more long-term flexibility in retirement. They unpack the difference between simple tax filing and true tax planning, walking through how proactive tax projections, IRA tax planning, and coordinated strategies can help reduce taxes over your lifetime—not just this year. You’ll hear how their team uses a comprehensive tax checklist and planning process to help you secure your retirement and avoid costly surprises.

Listen in to learn about practical ways to reduce taxes, from Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) and Donor Advised Funds to Tax Loss Harvesting inside a Direct Indexing strategy, and long-term Roth conversion planning. Whether you’re focused on charitable giving strategies, concerned about Medicare IRMAA surcharges, or just looking for tax savings tips and ideas on how to save on taxes in retirement, this episode will help you think beyond April 15 and build a smarter, more intentional retirement tax plan.

·     The key difference between tax filing and true tax strategy—and why tax moves to lower your 2025 bill must be done before December 31.

·     How Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) can lower your taxable income, satisfy Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), and help you avoid Medicare IRMAA surcharges.

·     Ways a Donor Advised Fund can “bunch” charitable giving, turn what you were already going to give into a bigger deduction, and enhance your overall charitable giving strategies.

·     How a Direct Indexing strategy with ongoing Tax Loss Harvesting can create “tax alpha,” making your brokerage account more tax-efficient and reducing capital gains over time.

·     Why a multi-year Roth conversion plan—guided by tax projections—can dramatically lower lifetime retirement taxes for you and your heirs, and support a more confident retirement planning and retiring comfortably strategy.

“Real tax planning is not about what happened last year—it’s about using tax projections and tax strategies today so you can decide how and when you want to pay taxes over your lifetime.” — Murs Tariq

“When you combine tools like Qualified Charitable Distributions, Donor Advised Funds, tax loss harvesting, and Roth conversions, you’re not just checking a tax box—you’re building a coordinated tax plan that can help you save on taxes and truly secure your retirement.” — Murs Tariq

If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!"

To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

In this episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss how alternative investments can play a valuable role in portfolio management and retirement investing. They’re joined by Brooke Garcia, a Certified Financial Planner™, Chartered Financial Analyst®, and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst®, who brings deep expertise in private markets investing, risk management for investors, and portfolio diversification strategies. 

They explore how adding non-correlated assets such as private equity or private credit investing can help improve portfolio balance and reduce portfolio risk—especially when the traditional 60/40 portfolio approach no longer provides the same stability. This insightful discussion dives into how alternative investments can create a more tax efficient portfolio and contribute to a smoother investment experience during volatile market cycles. 

Listen in to learn about how alternative investments explained by Brooke can reshape the way you think about diversification and retirement planning strategies. You’ll discover how these vehicles can provide access to opportunities outside of the public markets, deliver potential capital gains strategy benefits, and offer unique tools for investment risk management. If you’re exploring ways to plan for retirement, retiring comfortably, and secure your retirement, this episode is packed with insights that connect tax planning, index replication, and tax loss harvesting into a broader tax strategy that enhances long-term wealth management. 

In this episode, find out: 

• What alternative investments are and how they differ from traditional stocks and bonds. 
• Why private markets investing may provide higher returns and smoother volatility. 
• How to use non-correlated assets to build a more diversified portfolio and improve portfolio balance. 
• Key considerations about liquidity, manager due diligence, and position sizing in alternative investments. 
• How a well-designed diversification strategy supports long-term retirement planning and tax efficiency. 

Tweetable Quotes: 

“When bonds and stocks fall together, that’s when investors start to realize the importance of alternative investments in balancing risk.” 

— Radon Stancil 

“Alternative investments aren’t perfect for everyone, but everyone should evaluate whether they can play a role in their plan for retirement.” 

— Murs Tariq 

Resources: 

If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement! 

To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast. 

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss how today’s market update ties directly into smarter portfolio management and building a Tax Efficient Portfolio for your non-IRA accounts. From headlines about new highs to rate cuts and tariffs, they translate noise into strategy—focusing on tax planning, tax strategy, and tax efficiency so you can secure your retirement with confidence.

Listen in to learn about using Direct indexing with Tax loss harvesting to mirror an index while managing investment taxes, handling concentrated stock positions, and customizing holdings (think: Index replication without the positions you don’t want). You’ll also hear practical retirement planning strategies to stay diversified, manage risk, and plan for retirement so you’re retiring comfortably with a clear retirement checklist and a resilient approach to Retirement Investing and Investment risk management.

·     How recent Fed moves and headlines factor into a pragmatic market update and what that means for Retirement Planning and risk management.

·     The core–tactical–bonds/alternatives blend that creates a Diversified portfolio beyond just stocks to smooth volatility.

·     What Direct indexing is, how Index replication works with 50–75 stocks, and why Tax loss harvesting can add meaningful tax alpha.

·     Ways to unwind a concentrated position (e.g., long-held company stock) using harvested losses and a phased Capital gains strategy.

·     How to tailor portfolios (even in IRAs) to exclude specific stocks while still tracking an index—supporting your personalized planning retirement goals.

·     “We’re not stock-picking heroes—we’re replicating the index and using tax efficiency to your advantage.” — Radon Stancil

·     “With Direct indexing, you can make money and harvest losses at the same time—powerful for investment taxes in non-IRA accounts.” — Murs Tariq

Resources:

If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!"

To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss the key themes shaping the 2025 economic outlook — from the Federal Reserve outlook and potential Fed rate cuts in 2025 to ongoing tariffs, inflation, and the evolving role of AI and the economy. Joined by returning guest Tom Siomades, they break down what retirees and investors need to know as we head toward the end of the year. This conversation goes beyond headlines, providing real perspective on what’s happening with the economy, stock market outlook, and how global events—like China trade tariffs and the race for rare earth metals—could influence your retirement investing in 2025.

the trends behind money market rates, the S&P 500 outlook, and how market volatility in 2025 could shape retirement planning strategies. You’ll also hear how shifts in AI, international trade, and interest rates may impact your ability to plan for retirement, stay on your retirement checklist, and continue retiring comfortably with confidence.

·     Why ongoing China trade tariffs and access to rare earth metals are creating ripple effects across global markets.

·     How the Federal Reserve outlook and potential Fed rate cuts in 2025 could affect money market rates and long-term investing strategies.

·     Why Inflation in 2025 still lingers above target and how it’s influencing both spending and retirement portfolios.

·     The growing connection between AI and the economy, and whether the market might be in an “AI bubble.”

·     What retirees can do now to balance safety and growth in a world of market volatility and changing stock market outlooks.

“The most important thing you can do is have a plan—and have people you trust to help you stick with it, especially in turbulent times.”

 — Radon Stancil

“If rates come down, that’s good for the economy, but it also means retirees need to rethink how they generate income.”

 — Murs Tariq

If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!

To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.