Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com

📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com

Well, you’re retired. Now what? Some people follow the “first year rule,” believing the majority of your best retirement months will happen in those first twelve. But if you don’t approach this season with intentionality, you could set the wrong tone emotionally and financially. In this episode, Lee shares the five essential steps every new retiree should take during year one.

You’ll hear real stories and practical advice, like how to stay healthy, find purpose, and even test-drive big lifestyle changes before making them permanent. The habits, routines, and choices you make early in retirement will echo through the years ahead. Be intentional now, and you’ll set yourself up for a retirement that’s not only financially sustainable but also deeply fulfilling.

Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:

💸 Adjusting to spending when “every day is Saturday”

📊 Building a tax-smart withdrawal strategy

🎯 Establishing routines and finding purpose beyond hobbies

🏃‍♂️ Prioritizing health and preventative habits early

🚗 Testing driving your long-term plans

Check out our upcoming workshops:

https://jlperkinswealth.com/attend-an-event/

Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com

📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com

If your parents or grandparents passed away young, it’s natural to wonder: Should I grab Social Security as early as possible? It sounds simple, but the truth is far more nuanced. In this episode, Lee unpacks why longevity isn’t just about family history. Advances in medicine, modern lifestyles, and the kind of retirement you envision all play a huge role in when (and how) you should claim benefits.

Lee explains what early filing actually does to your benefits, why spousal considerations matter, and how delaying benefits can increase overall lifetime income for you and potentially for a surviving spouse. Instead of making this decision in a vacuum, Lee shows how Social Security fits into your broader financial plan alongside pensions, savings, and other income sources.

Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:

🧬 Family history vs. actual longevity factors

💵 How delayed credits can boost your benefit

❤️ ‍What happens to Social Security if a spouse passes away first

🔄 Trade-offs of using your own assets vs. claiming early

📊 Using Social Security in a comprehensive plan

Check out our upcoming workshops:

https://jlperkinswealth.com/attend-an-event/

Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com

📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com

You’ve probably said it before. ‘I ran the numbers, and I should be fine.’ But what if the math you're relying on isn’t telling the whole story? Today, we’re unpacking some of the most common examples of fuzzy retirement math- rules of thumb and assumptions that sound good on paper but can derail your plan if you take them at face value.

Lee breaks down why average returns don’t tell the full story, why the 4% withdrawal rule isn’t a guarantee, and why relying only on dividends or assuming you’ll spend less in retirement can backfire. He also explains how taxes and Social Security decisions are often misunderstood, and why flexibility- not formulas- is the real key to retirement success.

Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:

📉 Average returns don’t guarantee consistent growth 💸 The 4% rule isn’t always reliable for withdrawals 📊 Dividends and interest alone can create unstable income 🛍️ Retirees often spend more, not less 💰 Many people stay in the same tax bracket in retirement ⏳ Waiting until 70 for Social Security isn’t always best

Check out our upcoming workshops:

https://jlperkinswealth.com/attend-an-event/