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📚 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/

Today, Lee dives into an important topic for federal employees: the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). While the TSP is a powerful accumulation tool, it may lack the flexibility needed in retirement. Lee explains why reaching age 59½ is a critical turning point and how rolling over TSP funds into an IRA can provide greater control, investment options, and tax planning strategies.

He highlights both the strengths of the TSP- like low fees, simplicity, and automatic payroll deductions- and its limitations in terms of withdrawal rules and lack of integration with broader financial planning. Lee also shares a client story to illustrate how a personalized plan can make a big difference. If you’re approaching retirement and want to make smart, strategic decisions with your TSP, this episode is a must-listen.

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

💼 TSP has ultra-low fees, but few options

🎯 Age 59½ opens rollover opportunities

🔄 How rolling over to an IRA offers flexibility and options

🧾The benefits of a personalized tax strategy

Want to set up a meeting with us? Visit us here: http://talkwithjlp.com

Get more financial education at http://myretirementclarity.com

When it comes to planning for retirement, we often obsess over dollars and cents. But what if the most valuable resource isn’t money at all, but your time? In this episode, Lee shares two compelling client stories that illustrate just how differently people approach time and wealth. One couple clung tightly to their growing nest egg, postponing their dreams until it was too late. Another took a leap of faith, prioritized experiences, and now lives a life full of travel, generosity, and joy.

Are you stuck in the mindset of saving for someday, or are you prepared to start living now? Today, Lee challenges what you might think it means to be “ready” for retirement. He unpacks the emotional weight of financial decision-making and offers a clear call to action: use your resources while you still have time to enjoy them.

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

🏔️ The sad story of a dream mountain house that never got built

💸 How over-saving can rob you of the joy you already earned

🎉 A couple with less money, but more memories, thanks to confident planning

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Why giving money to grandkids now might be more rewarding than leaving an inheritance

Want to set up a meeting with us? Visit us here: http://talkwithjp.com

Get more financial education at http://myretirementclarity.com

In a world filled with so much uncertainty, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by what you can’t control. Volatile markets, shifting tax laws, and political noise don’t seem to be going away anytime soon. But when it comes to retirement planning, there are things you can control, and they’re far more powerful than most people realize. In this episode, Lee walks through the four key areas retirees should focus on to build clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.

He shares how his “financial house” model helps retirees decide how much risk they’re comfortable with, and why flexibility is the key to effective income planning. You’ll also hear why it’s worth paying attention to future tax exposure and how to plan around Social Security instead of depending on it. Rather than obsessing over political gridlock or looming program changes, Lee shows how to reduce reliance on government promises and build a retirement plan that stands strong regardless of what’s happening in Washington or on Wall Street.

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

📉 Managing how much risk you take

💰 Designing income streams in retirement

💼 Avoid future tax-time surprises

🚫 Not letting Social Security be your only plan

🧠 Why obsessing over headlines can undermine your retirement confidence

Want to set up a meeting with us? Visit us here: http://talkwithjp.com

Get more financial education at http://myretirementclarity.com

The 4% rule gets talked about like gospel in retirement planning. But let’s be honest, it’s always been more of a rough guess than a golden rule. Now, its original creator is revising it to 4.7%. So, does that mean your retirement paycheck just got a raise, or is this just another headline that oversimplifies a complex decision? In this episode, Lee explores the deeper reality behind this rule change and why your withdrawal rate should depend on more than just a headline number.

While a higher number might feel like a green light to spend more, Lee emphasizes that real retirement planning requires a personalized approach, not just a rule of thumb. From sequence-of-returns risk to changing needs over time, this conversation helps unpack why no single rule fits everyone.

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

📢 What the new 4.7% rule actually means

🧩 How your spending needs shift across retirement phases

💬 What to consider before adjusting your retirement income

🛠️ How Lee’s team stress-tests your plan for long-term success

Resources for this episode:

Read the full Investor’s Business Daily article here: https://www.investors.com/etfs-and-funds/retirement/four-percent-rule-for-retirement-new-withdrawal-rate/

Want to set up a meeting with us? Visit us here: http://talkwithjp.com

Get more financial education at http://myretirementclarity.com

You’ve always been told to save for retirement, but can you go too far? Is it actually possible to over-save for the future? In this insightful episode, Lee answers a compelling listener question about what happens when saving becomes so aggressive that it starts to limit your lifestyle today. He dives into the emotional and practical downsides of over-saving, the dangers of comparing yourself to others, and how to strike a balance for long-term fulfillment.

If you’re maxing out your retirement accounts and feel like you’re living paycheck to paycheck, this conversation is for you. Lee offers practical insights for building a financial plan that includes your bucket list, not just your retirement date. Financial security isn’t just about having enough money later, it’s also about making the most of your life now. Life is short. Let’s make sure your plan reflects that truth.

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

💸 Why “saving more” isn’t always the right answer

📅 The emotional cost of deferring joy until retirement

📉 Warning signs you might be sacrificing too much today

🏖️ How to build a plan that supports both now and later

📊 Why financial planning should include your bucket list

Want to set up a meeting with us? Visit us here: http://talkwithjp.com

Get more financial education at http://myretirementclarity.com