The Red Zone Retirement Program

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

In honor of National Volunteer Week (April 19-25), let's talk about why volunteering is an important part of life, especially in retirement. Retirement isn't just about stepping away from work. It's an opportunity to step toward the things you've always cared about, with more time and freedom than you've had in decades.

Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

🌟 Finding purpose after retirement through volunteering

⛹️‍♂️ Opportunities in sports (e.g., coaching, equipment management, and more)

🏠 Volunteering with organizations supporting youth aging out of foster care

🛠️ How you can use your talents, such as teaching or event planning, to give back

💰 Using your financial resources to support charitable causes

Get in touch:

Phone: 661-775-3704

Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

AI headlines are everywhere right now, mostly bold predictions about how artificial intelligence will reshape the economy. Instead of reacting to the noise, John steps back and looks at what the data actually suggests about AI and the workforce. He also walks through the top questions people in their 50s and 60s are Googling about AI and retirement, giving clear, practical answers. The searches reveal what you're worried about, but John shares what you should actually do about it.

Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

🏈 Don't Panic: Headlines aren't a game plan

⚠️ Job Disruption Reality: Change is coming, but not overnight

📊 Portfolio Exposure: AI is already baked into markets

🧠 AI As A Tool: Great for data, not decisions

🎯 Planning Wins: Strategy beats fear every time

Get in touch:

Phone: 661-775-3704

Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Nobody likes tax season. But for new retirees, it can come with a few unwelcome surprises. The rules have changed, the income sources have shifted, and strategies that made sense during your working years may no longer apply. Today, John looks at some of the biggest tax mistakes retirees make as discussed in a recent Kiplinger article and whether these match what we see in the real world.

Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

📊 RMD Rules: Required distributions can raise taxable income

🔁 Roth Conversions: Timing conversions can reduce future taxes

📈 Tax Bracket Strategy: Conversions must consider bracket thresholds

💰 Social Security Taxes: Benefits can become partially taxable

👫 Spousal Tax Planning: Surviving spouses often face higher taxes

Get in touch:

Phone: 661-775-3704

Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Selling a business is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make. It's not just about finding a buyer, it's about structuring the deal correctly, minimizing taxes, and making sure the sale supports your next chapter of life. John coaches us through major considerations business owners need to think about before signing anything. A business sale can create tremendous opportunity, but only if it's handled with intention and strategy.

Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

📊 Installment Strategies

📈 Investing the Proceeds

🏠 Income & Lifestyle Planning

🤝 Using a Broker

📚 Final Takeaways

Get in touch:

Phone: 661-775-3704

Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Inheriting a home can feel like a blessing, until the tax questions start piling up. John walks through the playbook for handling inherited property the smart way. This big financial decision deserves careful thought and consideration, not quick reactions. When it comes to inherited real estate, you don't want to move without a game plan.

Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

📈 Step-Up in Basis: Resetting value at inheritance

💵 Fair Market Value: Why timing matters

🧾 Capital Gains Impact: Selling without surprises

🏘️ Rental Considerations: Income vs liability trade-offs

❤️ Emotional Attachments: Sentiment versus strategy

Get in touch:

Phone: 661-775-3704

Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

John tackles a listener question that feels like a red-zone moment: trade $600 a month now or protect your spouse for life. Using real-world examples and a coach's perspective, John breaks down the tradeoffs, risks, and emotional weight behind pension elections. When the stakes are this high, understanding your options before you choose can make all the difference.

Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

⚖️ Pension Tradeoffs: Income today versus certainty tomorrow

🏠 Survivor Reality: Why expenses don't drop as much as people assume

🛡️ Insurance Angle: Using life insurance as a possible planning tool

🔐 Locked-In Choices: Why pension elections often can't be changed

❤️ Emotional Factors: Balancing math, longevity, and peace of mind

Get in touch:

Phone: 661-775-3704

Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

What's new in 2026 for retirees & pre-retirees? John covers several updates that could quietly impact your cash flow, taxes, and savings strategy. A quick review now can help make sure changes in 2026 work with your plan, not against it. Discover actionable reminders and why your next steps matter more than ever.

Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

🧭 2026 Overview – Key retirement-related changes for the year

📈 COLA & Medicare – Social Security increases offset by premiums

🧾 Social Security Taxes – Senior deduction impacts taxability

📊 Catch-Up Savings – Higher contribution limits for older workers

🔁 Secure Act 2.0 – Roth rules reshape contribution strategies

Get in touch:

Phone: 661-775-3704

Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Join John as he wraps up the year and answers some of the biggest questions on listeners' minds. This episode dives into real-world financial concerns, practical strategies, and tips to help you keep your retirement game plan on track. John cuts through the noise with straightforward answers that help you think clearly about the retirement decisions that matter most.

Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

🎁 Holiday Gifting: understanding limits and smart giving strategies

💰 Excess Cash: balancing comfort with inflation risk

🏡 Downsizing Moves: equity, mortgages, and retirement timing

📚 Resources: planning tools and helpful tips for the upcoming year

Get in touch:

Phone: 661-775-3704

Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Celebrate our 100th episode as John tackles the ever-important topic of Social Security and retirement planning. In this milestone show, we discuss key considerations for deciding when to claim Social Security benefits and the common mistakes to avoid. Tune in for expert insights and practical advice to help you make informed decisions about when to take Social Security.

Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

🚫 Don't Rush at 62: the common arguments for claiming early

📊 Why Waiting Pays: the math behind delaying benefits

⚖️ Policy & Politics: how system changes may (or may not) impact you

🎯 Smart Claiming Strategies: building a personalized approach

💛 Feelings vs. Facts: balancing emotion with long-term financial impact

Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

You've heard the saying, "There's no such thing as a bad question." But in retirement planning, some questions are definitely better than others. The way you frame a question often determines the quality of the answer, and sometimes the quality of your entire retirement. Today, John goes through some of the most asked questions and how to reframe them to get clearer, more useful answers.

Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

🦃 Thanksgiving Traditions: John's holiday traditions and favorite Thanksgiving meal

📉 Volatility Reality: understanding sequence-of-returns risk in retirement

💼 Advisor Value: what you pay for vs. what you get

⚖️ Risk Management: adjusting portfolios to match real-life goals

💵 Cash Decisions: avoiding emotional market timing and poor allocation choices

🏛️ Social Security: framing smarter questions around timing and strategy

Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/