In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss one of the most common questions in Retirement Planning today: how much cash is too much cash? With Money market rates falling and Interest rates 2026 expected to continue shifting, many retirees are rethinking their cash reserves in retirement. What once felt safe and productive at 5% in a money market or CD now may be losing ground to inflation and creating unintended tax consequences.

Listen in to learn about how a proper Retirement financial plan helps determine the right balance between liquidity and long-term growth. Whether you're saving for retirement, saving for retirement at 50, or already focused on Retirement income planning, this episode will walk you through how the Three bucket strategy can help you protect your lifestyle, manage Taxes on interest income, avoid surprises with Medicare income and IRMAA income, and ultimately retire comfortably while maintaining flexibility and peace of mind.

In this episode, find out:

1. Why having too much in your Cash bucket could hurt your long-term Retirement investing strategy
2. How declining Money market rates and Interest rates 2026 impact your retirement savings
3. The hidden impact of Taxes on interest income and how excess cash can increase Medicare income and IRMAA income
4. How inflation erodes cash savings and affects Inflation savings over time
5. How the Three bucket strategy supports a balanced plan for retirement and helps secure your retirement

Tweetable Quotes:

“Cash feels safe, but too much cash in the wrong environment can quietly cost you millions over a 30-year retirement.” – Radon Stancil

“Your financial plan should drive how much cash you hold — not today’s money market rate.” – 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 evolution of investing—from individual stocks to mutual funds to Exchange Traded Funds—and why technology is changing how portfolios are built today. If you've ever wondered about Stocks vs ETFs, Stocks vs mutual funds, or ETFs vs mutual funds, this episode breaks down the differences in a way that connects directly to your long-term Retirement Planning goals and overall Investment portfolio strategy.

Listen in to learn about how reducing internal costs, understanding expense ratios explained, and improving portfolio efficiency can make a significant impact on your long-term results. Whether you're focused on Stock market investing, building an Index investing strategy, or refining your Retirement investing strategy, this episode will help you better understand how the right structure can help you plan for retirement, follow a smart retirement checklist, and ultimately secure your retirement.

In this episode, find out:

1. The real differences in Stocks vs ETFs, Stocks vs mutual funds, and ETFs vs mutual funds
2. How technology now allows for efficient Stock indexing without high internal fund costs
3. Why lowering expense ratios and reducing hidden fees leads to Lower investment fees and better long-term outcomes
4. How Portfolio rebalancing and index tracking improve your overall Investment portfolio strategy
5. When to use individual stocks, Exchange traded funds, or mutual funds inside a complete Retirement financial plan

Tweetable Quotes:

“Technology has now allowed us to replicate an index using individual stocks and eliminate layers of internal fund costs.” — Radon Stancil

“Our investment philosophy hasn’t changed — but the tools we use to make portfolios more efficient absolutely have.” — 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 why retirement stress, retirement anxiety, and fear around market volatility are rarely about the markets themselves—and almost always about unanswered questions. After years of uncertainty driven by inflation, interest rate changes, and economic shocks, many people approaching retirement realize that stress doesn’t come from short-term market swings, but from not having a clear retirement financial plan. Without a defined withdrawal strategy, retirement income planning, tax planning in retirement, and estate planning basics, even strong market years can still feel overwhelming.

Listen in to learn about how holistic financial planning creates true peace of mind in retirement. Radon and Murs break down how retirement risk management, income planning in retirement, Social Security planning, Medicare planning, long-term care planning, and tax planning strategies work together to reduce anxiety. By focusing on structure—rather than speculation—you can build retirement confidence, follow a clear retirement checklist, and move toward retiring comfortably with a plan designed to secure your retirement.

In this episode, find out:

1. Why retirement anxiety is driven more by unanswered questions than market volatility
2. How the Three Bucket Strategy supports income planning, withdrawal strategy, and retirement confidence
3. The five critical areas of retirement planning, including tax planning, Medicare planning, and estate planning
4. How holistic financial planning helps manage required minimum distributions and early retirement strategy
5. Why having a written retirement financial plan reduces stress and supports peace of mind in retirement

Tweetable Quotes:

1. “A bad market day won’t ruin your retirement, and a great market day won’t make it successful—it’s the plan that matters.” — Radon Stancil
2. “Retirement stress fades when every part of your retirement financial plan is being monitored, implemented, and nurtured.” — 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 launch of their new retirement planning book, The Peace of Mind Pathway, and why they felt compelled to create a clearer, more practical approach to Retirement Planning. After years of working with families approaching or already in Retirement, they saw a recurring challenge: people could be great savers yet still lack Retirement confidence. This episode explains how a truly holistic financial planning approach helps connect the dots between investments, income, taxes, healthcare, and legacy—so you can truly plan for retirement with clarity and purpose.

Listen in to learn about how Peace of Mind Wealth Management designed a comprehensive Retirement financial plan that goes beyond investments and focuses on real-life decision-making. From Income planning in retirement and Tax planning strategies to Medicare planning, Long term care planning, Estate planning, and Social Security planning, Radon and Murs break down the Peace of Mind Pathway framework that helps families retiring comfortably and working toward a goal to secure your retirement.

In this episode, find out:

1. Why a retirement planning book focused on holistic planning is critical for today’s retirees
2. How the Peace of Mind Pathway ties together risk management, income, taxes, healthcare, and legacy
3. What role Required minimum distributions play in your overall Retirement financial plan
4. How to think through early retirement strategy decisions, including healthcare before Medicare
5. Why having a connected team matters when planning retirement and following a retirement checklist

Tweetable Quotes:

1. “Retirement isn’t just about having money—it’s about having clarity, confidence, and a plan that works together.” — Radon Stancil
2. “Good savers often feel the most anxiety because they don’t know what questions to ask when planning 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 a comprehensive portfolio update, economic update, and market update designed to help retirees and pre-retirees stay grounded during uncertain times. With headlines driving fear and optimism in equal measure, they break down how a disciplined retirement portfolio strategy and long-term investment strategy can help investors navigate volatility while staying positioned for growth. From geopolitical uncertainty to inflation pressures, this episode reinforces why planning—not prediction—is essential to secure your retirement.

Listen in to learn about how today’s economic environment connects directly to your retirement income planning and overall retirement planning process. Radon and Murs revisit the Three Bucket Strategy, explaining how a well-structured core portfolio strategy, tactical investing strategy, and exposure to alternative investments can work together to manage risk. As they explore the stock market outlook 2026, inflation and retirement concerns, and market volatility planning, you’ll gain clarity on how to plan for retirement, follow a practical retirement checklist, and ultimately focus on retiring comfortably.

1. How the Three Bucket Strategy supports risk management investing and predictable retirement income
2. Why market headlines don’t always align with long-term market update realities
3. How tactical investing and alternative investments can reduce portfolio volatility
4. What inflation and retirement trends mean for planning retirement in 2026
5. Why sticking to a disciplined retirement investment strategy matters more than ever

1. “You can’t control headlines or politics, but you can control your retirement plan and how much risk you take.” — Radon Stancil
2. “When different parts of your portfolio have different jobs, market volatility becomes much easier to live with.” — 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 one of the biggest fears retirees face: How people run out of money in retirement—and more importantly, how to avoid it. Drawing from a widely shared Investopedia article, they break down five common mistakes that can derail even the best-laid plans and apply the Peace of Mind Wealth Management perspective to help you never run out of money in retirement. Whether you’re just beginning to plan for retirement or already retired, this conversation highlights why a thoughtful retirement spending plan and proactive retirement income planning are essential.

Listen in to learn about practical retirement planning tips that go beyond generic advice and focus on real-world retirement challenges like managing taxes, building a smart retirement withdrawal strategy, and revisiting your plan as life changes. Radon and Murs explain how knowing your spending, understanding IRA withdrawal rules, and implementing strategies like the Three Bucket Strategy and Roth conversion strategy can help you retire comfortably and secure your retirement for decades to come.

In this episode, find out:

1. Why knowing your spending is the foundation of a sustainable retirement spending plan
2. How retiring too early without a plan for retirement can increase the risk of running out of money
3. How tax planning in retirement, including Roth conversions and IRA withdrawal rules, impacts long-term success
4. How Medicare IRMAA and the IRMAA surcharge can surprise retirees without proper planning
5. Why revisiting your retirement checklist regularly is critical to retiring comfortably

Tweetable Quotes:

1. “It doesn’t matter how much money you have—if your spending isn’t aligned with your plan, you can still run out of money in retirement.” — Radon Stancil
2. “A successful retirement income plan isn’t set it and forget it; it’s something you nurture year after year.” — Murs Tariq

This episode reinforces why comprehensive retirement planning, thoughtful tax planning in retirement, and ongoing adjustments are key to planning retirement with confidence. By focusing on retirement income planning, balancing growth and protection, and understanding how taxes affect your withdrawals, you can reduce anxiety and move closer to truly retiring comfortably.

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 why the beginning of the year is one of the most important times for smart tax decisions and how early planning can prevent costly mistakes later. With the help of their Director of Financial Planning and Tax Strategy, Taylor Wolverton, they walk through practical smart tax strategies designed to support effective tax planning in retirement and help you stay ahead with a proactive tax planning checklist. From contribution rules to charitable strategies, this episode focuses on building a strong foundation for retirement tax planning that supports long-term confidence.

Listen in to learn about key decisions that impact your ability to plan for retirement, reduce unnecessary taxes, and ultimately secure your retirement. Whether you are still working, transitioning into Retirement, or already planning retirement income, these insights can help you align your retirement checklist with current rules, deadlines, and opportunities—so you can focus on retiring comfortably without last-minute surprises.

1. How the 401k catch up rule works, including 401k catch up contributions and updated 2026 401k contribution limits
2. Why the IRA contribution deadline matters and how a Roth IRA contribution can still be made after year-end
3. How qualified charitable distribution strategies work, including important QCD rules
4. When it may make sense to donate stock to charity versus giving cash and how this affects your charitable deduction
5. How income choices impact a long-term Roth conversion strategy and overall retirement tax planning

1. “The beginning of the year is where smart tax planning really starts—what you do now determines how much flexibility you’ll have later.” — Radon Stancil
2. “Tax planning in retirement isn’t just about deductions; it’s about choosing the right accounts at the right time.” — Murs Tariq

Understanding how the standard deduction, charitable strategies, and income planning work together is a critical part of Retirement Planning. From managing distributions to timing conversions, early awareness helps avoid mistakes that can limit your ability to secure your retirement and maintain tax efficiency throughout the year.

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 why Medicare 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most impactful years for retirees and those approaching retirement. With major Medicare updates, rising Medicare costs 2026, and several Medicare new rules taking effect, understanding how these changes affect your overall Retirement Planning is more important than ever. From prescription drug reforms to premium increases and income-based adjustments, Medicare is not something you can afford to “set and forget” when you’re planning retirement and working to secure your retirement.

Listen in to learn about how Medicare Part B premium 2026 increases, IRMAA surcharges, and Medicare income limits 2026 can directly impact your cash flow in retirement. Radon and Murs also explore how Medicare planning fits into a comprehensive strategy to help you retire comfortably, avoid costly surprises, and align your healthcare decisions with your long-term retirement checklist and broader financial plan.

In this episode, find out:

1. How Medicare drug price negotiations and Medicare Part D changes 2026 are lowering costs for certain prescriptions
2. What the new Medicare out of pocket cap means for retirees with high prescription drug expenses
3. Why the increase in Medicare Part B premium 2026 matters for your monthly retirement income
4. How IRMAA surcharges and income from strategies like Roth conversions can affect your Medicare premiums
5. What Medicare does not cover, including the difference between a Medicare wellness visit and a traditional physical, plus updates on Telehealth Medicare

Tweetable Quotes:

1. “Medicare isn’t separate from your financial plan—it’s interconnected with your taxes, income, and investment strategy.” — Radon Stancil
2. “One decision, like a Roth conversion, can trigger higher Medicare premiums if you don’t account for IRMAA.” — Murs Tariq

Understanding Medicare 2026 is a critical part of Retirement Planning, whether you’re already enrolled or just beginning to plan for retirement. Staying informed about Medicare updates, knowing your coverage gaps, and proactively planning can make a meaningful difference in how confidently you approach Retirement.

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 market update 2025 recap and how lessons from last year can help investors confidently plan for retirement as we move into 2026. They reflect on policy changes, inflation trends, interest rate shifts, and how thoughtful portfolio risk management and managing market volatility can turn uncertainty into opportunity—especially for those focused on retiring comfortably and achieving true peace of mind.

Listen in to learn about how disciplined retirement investment strategies, including diversification, the three bucket strategy, and proactive tax planning, help create a resilient retirement portfolio. Radon and Murs break down how peace of mind investing isn’t about chasing returns, but about building systems that support income, growth, and stability—no matter what the markets bring—so you can confidently secure your retirement.

In this episode, find out:

1. How the Market update 2025 sets the stage for smarter investment strategies in 2026
2. Why managing market volatility matters more than chasing high returns in retirement
3. How the three bucket strategy balances income, safety, and growth bucket investing
4. The role of tax efficient investing, including direct indexing strategy, tax loss harvesting, and capital gains planning
5. How alternative investments can reduce volatility and strengthen a long-term retirement portfolio

Tweetable Quotes:

1. “If your portfolio is designed correctly, you don’t have to sweat market corrections—you can still sleep at night and enjoy retirement.” — Radon Stancil
2. “Peace of mind investing comes from managing risk and taxes, not swinging for home runs.” — Murs Tariq

From retirement planning basics and a practical retirement checklist to advanced strategies like direct indexing strategy and alternative investments, this episode ties together everything needed for effective planning retirement. Whether you’re years away or already retired, these insights help you build confidence, reduce stress, and move closer to secure your retirement.

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 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.