Like what you heard in this episode? 🗓️ Schedule a Retirement Income Q&A call with Dr. Amanda:
calendly.com/rsf-dramanda/initial-consultation

🎥 The YouTube version of this video is here: www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool
✍🏼 The Blog Version of this video is here: www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/blog

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30. Why Retirement Is Emotional — Not Just Financial

In this special lesson of Retirement Income School™, Dr. Amanda shares a more personal side of her journey and explains why retirement planning is about more than numbers on a spreadsheet.

From being a single-mom in grad school with financial stress, to helping her mom navigate retirement after losing her father, Dr. Amanda reveals how those experiences shaped her inspiration for retirement income planning and safe money strategies. You’ll learn why even retirees with millions saved often feel anxious, what truly creates peace of mind in retirement, and why guaranteed income can change how retirement feels.

This episode connects real-life experience with powerful research showing that retirement confidence is built on certainty, income, and trust — not just asset size.

If you’ve ever wondered why retirement still feels stressful even when “the math works,” this lesson is for you.

Timestamps

00:00 – Why this lesson is different & welcome to Retirement Income School™
01:00 – Dr. Amanda’s personal backstory and why security matters
02:15 – From food stamps to financial planning: why income became the focus
03:30 – Why “retire financially relaxed” is the real goal
05:15 – Common fears retirees experience (even with large portfolios)
06:30 – The real problem: lack of certainty, not lack of assets
08:10 – Why retirees struggle with spending and decumulation
09:30 – Why annuities and pensions change retirement behavior
10:15 – BlackRock research on guaranteed lifetime income
BlackRock Article Link
12:00 – Market volatility, sequence of returns, and retirement stress
13:45 – Longevity risk and why income matters more as we age
15:30 – How guaranteed income reduces fear, stress, and bad decisions
17:00 – The real goals of retirement income planning
18:15 – Retirement planning as a relationship, not a transaction
19:15 – Why Retirement Income School™ exists
20:00 – Invitation to book a Retirement Income Q&A Call
20:45 – Final thoughts & subscribe reminder

About Dr. Amanda

Amanda Barrientez | PhD, RICP®, RSSA®, NPN #19460436
IBC Practitioner®, Ed Slott's IRA Advisor Group Member®
Court of the Table Member MDRT®

Dr. Amanda is the founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™ and creator of the Retirement Income School™. After losing her father and helping her mom navigate retirement, she felt called to help others avoid the stress and confusion of planning alone.

She specializes in safe money strategies using dividend-paying whole life insurance, fixed index annuities, long-term care coverage, and Social Security claiming strategy. Her mission? To help you protect your wealth and enjoy a secure, stress-free retirement with confidence.

⚠️ DISCLAIMER

The information in this podcast is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Retirement Income School™ and Dr. Amanda Barrientez do not provide individual investment recommendations. Always consult with a licensed advisor or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed.