In this episode, Roger explains how to rebalance your portfolio before retirement and why it's important to align your investments with the changing purpose of your money. He discusses how guaranteed income, your retirement plan's fundedness, and your comfort with market volatility influence your approach. Roger also shares a practical framework for organizing your assets into three layers to provide financial flexibility, fund your retirement paycheck, and support long-term growth. Plus, he answers listener questions about finding a retirement planner and preparing for the nonfinancial aspects of retirement.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN

• (00:00) Roger introduces the episode and discusses why rebalancing your portfolio before retirement is important, particularly as the purpose of your money changes. He previews the discussion on retirement portfolio allocation, listener questions, and a Rockin' Retirement in the Wild story.

RETIREMENT TOOLKIT: HOW TO REBALANCE YOUR PORTFOLIO BEFORE RETIREMENT

• (01:29) Roger explains why having enough liquidity is essential to enjoying retirement without allowing market downturns to force you to defer your life. He discusses three factors that influence how important rebalancing is: guaranteed income, how funded your retirement plan is, and your psychological comfort with volatility.
• (08:55) Roger walks through his practical approach to rebalancing, starting with creating a retirement plan of record and defining your base great life and discretionary spending. He explains how to assign every dollar a job through three layers: a contingency fund for unexpected expenses, an income reserve to fund your retirement paycheck, and a long-term portfolio for future growth. He also discusses how to determine appropriate reserves and execute the rebalancing strategy.

LISTENER QUESTIONS

• (20:25) William asks how to find a retirement planner who can validate his DIY retirement plan, prepare tax returns, and serve as a trusted financial resource for his wife if he passes away.
• (25:12) An anonymous listener asks whether conventional retirement planning focuses too much on accumulating wealth and not enough on preparing for the loss of purpose, mission, structure, and identity that can come with leaving work.

ROCKIN' RETIREMENT IN THE WILD

• (27:45) Rebecca shares how listening to the podcast helped her discover Social Security survivor benefits after her husband's passing and find her path to retirement. Now retired since 2024, she shares how she's living her best life.

SMART SPRINT

• (29:30) Evaluate whether your current asset allocation is doing the job it's supposed to do for the stage of life you're in or approaching. Consider whether strong market returns have made you hesitant to make adjustments that better serve your future needs.

ON THE BOOKSHELF

• (30:37) Kevin Lyle reviews Better with Age: The Psychology of Successful Aging by Alan Castel, exploring how attitude, adaptation, curiosity, and finding personal meaning can contribute to successful aging.

REFERENCES

• Retirement Answer Man FREE Resource Page
• Roger Whitney on YouTube
• Submit a Question for Roger
• Rock Retirement Club
• Sign up for the Noodle!
• Better with Age: The Psychology of Successful Aging by Alan Castel
  
  

In this episode, Roger shares how to find the right retirement planner, what to look for when interviewing advisors, and how to evaluate the value they bring. Tanya Nichols joins him to answer listener questions about financial advisors, retirement income, investment accounts, and Social Security.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN

• (00:00) Roger shares his concerns about heart health after several friends experience cardiac issues and explains how consulting a specialist helped him determine the appropriate next steps. He connects the experience to the importance of finding a retirement planner who specializes in your needs.

RETIREMENT TOOLKIT: HOW TO CHOOSE A RETIREMENT PLANNER

• (05:30) Roger explains why working with a retirement planning specialist matters and how to evaluate potential advisors based on connection, competence, consistency, qualifications, and the value they provide.
• (14:41) Roger discusses what to look for when evaluating potential retirement planners, including their fee structure, planning process, and focus on clients’ life goals.
• (18:40) Roger shares questions to ask when interviewing potential retirement planners to assess their approach, experience, and fit for your needs.

LISTENER QUESTIONS

• (26:24) Kurt asks how to begin developing a retirement strategy, including deciding whether and how to hire a financial advisor.
• (32:44) Mike asks how to bridge the years between early retirement, Medicare, and Social Security while making tax-efficient financial decisions.
• (38:24) A listener asks whether to continue working with an advisor who manages individual stocks, Roth conversions, cash reserves, and tax planning or switch to a flat-fee planner.
• (43:12) Greg asks whether keeping retirement accounts at both Vanguard and Fidelity provides worthwhile protection or whether consolidating would simplify things.
• (45:20) Todd asks how Social Security benefit estimates account for inflation and COLAs, and whether the estimates reflect today's dollars.
• (49:40) Andrew asks about spousal Social Security benefits for a wife without her own earnings record and whether delaying his benefits until age 70 increases her benefit.

SMART SPRINT

• (52:18) Download the How to Choose a Retirement Planner worksheet and use it to evaluate your current advisor, review your own retirement plan, or interview potential planners.

ON THE BOOKSHELF

• (54:06) Kevin Lyles reviews Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman and explores how recognizing biases can improve decision-making.

REFERENCES

• Retirement Answer Man FREE Resource Page
• Roger Whitney on YouTube
• Submit a Question for Roger
• Rock Retirement Club
• Sign up for the Noodle!
• Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
  
  

Roger welcomes Danielle Roberts, co-founder of Boomer Benefits, to discuss Medicare in 2026, including rising Part D premiums, Medicare Advantage versus Medigap, and what to review during open enrollment. Then, Roger shares a Rock Retirement Club case study about building an income reserve before retirement and finding peace of mind by focusing on what matters most.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN

• 00:00 – Roger introduces the importance of time and attention and previews today's episode.

MEDICARE UPDATE WITH DANIELLE ROBERTS

• 01:25 – Navigating Medicare in 2026: Part D changes, Medicare Advantage, and Medigap.
• 25:15 – What to review during Medicare open enrollment and when to make changes.

RETIREMENT TOOLKIT- MINI CASE STUDY

• 33:55 – A retirement case study on rebalancing investments, creating an income reserve, and reducing anxiety before retirement.

SMART SPRINT

• 44:56 – Identify one challenge you're facing and ask someone who can offer a fresh perspective to help you see it differently.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

• 45:35- Roger reflects on getting back into routines, making space for deeper thinking, and the relaunched Rock Retirement with Roger Whitney YouTube channel.

RESOURCES

• Medicare.gov
• Boomer Benefits
• Rock Retirement with Roger Whitney on YouTube
• Submit a Question for Roger
• Rock Retirement Club
  
  

The opinions expressed in this podcast are for general informational purposes only and are not intended as specific advice or recommendations for any individual.