The Retirement Solution

What if the biggest retirement risk isn’t the market—but oversimplified assumptions about spending? In this episode, Jon Hicks challenges common retirement “rules of thumb” and explains why averages and generic withdrawal strategies often overlook what retirement really costs. The conversation breaks down why spending can look very different in the early, middle, and later years of retirement, and how even small overlooked expenses can add up over time. Jon emphasizes the importance of understanding personal spending patterns and approaching income planning with flexibility rather than one‑size‑fits‑all formulas.

 

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Roth conversions are everywhere right now—but few people slow down to ask why. In this episode, financial advisor Jon Hicks takes a step back to unpack what’s driving the Roth conversation and why tax structure, government debt, and long‑term planning are shaping the discussion. Jon walks through historical tax context, how changing tax brackets could affect retirees, and why timing and math matter when evaluating Roth conversions. The episode emphasizes understanding the broader tax landscape, not headlines, and explains why Roth strategies aren’t one‑size‑fits‑all. It’s a candid breakdown of the questions investors should be asking before making tax‑related decisions.

 

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When headlines are loud and uncertainty feels constant, how do you avoid letting fear drive financial decisions? In this episode from this past weekend’s radio show, Jon Hicks discusses how market volatility, global conflict, and emotional reactions can quietly influence choices as retirement approaches. The conversation explores lessons drawn from history, investor behavior, and even pop culture, highlighting why preparation matters more than prediction. Jon also touches on common traps like chasing fast gains, reacting to news cycles, and overlooking long‑term planning. The focus stays on understanding risk, staying disciplined, and thinking through both the financial and personal sides of retirement.

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A chance meeting at the Country Radio Seminar led to a powerful conversation. In this episode, Jon Hicks sits down with retired Army veteran Shilo Harris, who shares the day his vehicle was struck by an IED in Iraq and the long road that followed. Shilo reflects on why he joined the military later in life, how his injuries reshaped his perspective, and what drives his continued work supporting wounded veterans. It’s an honest discussion about service, resilience, and finding purpose through helping others.

To learn more about Shilo Harris, visit https://shiloharris.com/

 

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Most retirees think the hard part is saving—but the real challenge starts when it’s time to spend. In this episode, Jon Hicks breaks down why so many retirement spending plans fall apart in the first few years and how early missteps can ripple through the rest of retirement. The conversation explores income versus savings, common spending mistakes, and why retirement should be treated like a marathon instead of a sprint. Using real-life scenarios, this episode highlights the role of written income and spending plans in helping retirees navigate expenses, anxiety, and long-term sustainability.

 

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You might be a millionaire on paper—and still be unprepared for the tax bill that comes with it. In this episode of The Retirement Solution, Jon Hicks explains how large asset sales, real estate, and tax-deferred accounts can create unexpected tax exposure in retirement. The discussion focuses on “paper millionaires,” depreciation recapture, installment sales, trusts, and why timing and planning matter before cashing out a business, property, or retirement account. The episode highlights how taxes, not investment performance, often become the biggest hurdle when turning accumulated wealth into retirement income.

 

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What do baseball legends, paper millionaires, and retirement planning have in common? In this episode from this past weekend’s radio show, Jon Hicks uses sports analogies, real-life stories, and current market conversations to break down consistency, income planning, and knowing when “enough is enough.” From singles and doubles in baseball to tax surprises facing business owners and retirees, the discussion focuses on protection, income, and taxes as retirement approaches. The show also explores market volatility, risk timing, and the difference between transactions and true financial partnerships.

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The first year of retirement can shape everything that comes after it. In this episode, Jon Hicks explains why early retirement spending habits often swing to extremes—and how both overspending and underspending can create long‑term challenges. Using real‑life examples, the conversation explores why traditional “budgets” fall short in retirement, how spending plans differ, and why flexibility matters as life changes. The episode highlights the importance of balancing income needs, lifestyle goals, and timing decisions to avoid common missteps that retirees don’t always see coming.

 

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Headlines feel chaotic—but are they telling the whole story? In this past weekend’s radio show, Jon Hicks breaks down how market volatility, inflation fears, and rising oil prices can reshape opportunity rather than erase it. The conversation explores why volatility isn’t the real threat, how retirement spending habits can go wrong early, and what myths still trip people up around Social Security, healthcare costs, and withdrawal strategies. The episode also dives into tax planning concepts, including Roth conversions, and why flexibility and planning matter more than reacting to today’s news.

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Your tax return may reveal more about your financial picture than you realize. In this episode, Jon Hicks explains why a tax return shouldn’t be filed and forgotten, but instead reviewed like a report card that highlights missed opportunities and planning gaps. The conversation explores how income decisions, deferrals, and overlooked line items can quietly shape long‑term outcomes. Listeners will hear why looking beyond April 15th matters and how tax documents can be used to inform smarter conversations about retirement planning, income strategy, and future decisions.

 

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