This week on Retirement Results, Ford and Sam focus on how to make 2026 your year by starting the new year on the right financial footing. As a new year approaches, many people are thinking about resolutions — but when it comes to retirement and long-term financial security, the most important step is understanding where you are today.

Ford and Sam walk through several simple, practical changes you can make to your portfolio and overall plan that can have a meaningful impact over time. They also discuss how better management of risk, fees, and taxes can help retirees and pre-retirees keep more of what they have worked so hard to save.

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Schedule your complimentary consultation with a fiduciary advisor: www.activewealth.com/plan
Call us now: (770) 685-1777
Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcasts
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults

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About Retirement Results:
Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money.

With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.

This week on Retirement Results, Ford and Sam dive into the wave of layoffs hitting companies across the United States this year — from tech and manufacturing to financial services, retail, and transportation. With economic uncertainty lingering and several major employers reducing headcount this year, many Americans are wondering what they should do if they’ve already been laid off or fear they may be next.

Ford and Sam break down the latest economic data, explain why these layoffs are happening, and provide a clear set of steps workers can take immediately if they’ve recently lost their job. They also discuss how a smart financial plan can help shield families from financial shocks during uncertain times.

Whether you’re currently employed, recently laid off, or simply want a stronger plan in place, Ford and Sam share actionable guidance to help you stay confident, informed, and financially secure.

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Schedule your complimentary consultation with a fiduciary advisor: www.activewealth.com/plan
Call us now: (770) 685-1777
Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcasts
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults

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About Retirement Results:
Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money.

With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.

This week on Retirement Results, Ford and Sam share the story of Ed Bambas, an 88-year-old veteran who lost his pension, his wife, his home, and his financial security — forcing him back into the workforce at a local supermarket. Ed’s experience is a powerful reminder of why today’s retirees must take steps to protect their income and diversify their retirement plan.

Ford and Sam explain how personal pensions, income-producing assets, and modern annuity strategies can help prevent the kind of retirement disaster Ed experienced. They also discuss how pensions offered by highly rated insurance companies can provide benefits, guarantees, and flexibility that most corporate and government pensions do not.

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Schedule your complimentary consultation with a fiduciary advisor: www.activewealth.com/plan
Call us now: (770) 685-1777
Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcasts
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults

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About Retirement Results:
Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money.

With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.

In this interview, Retirement.Radio’s Matt McClure speaks with Mary Hines Droesch, head of consumer and small business products at Bank of America, about holiday shopping trends. A major focus is how inflation and tariffs influence consumer behavior. The discussion also explores how dupe culture is emerging as a popular trend among younger generations who seek affordable alternatives to high-end branded items, while highlighting generational differences in gift-giving preferences and shopping habits. Mary emphasizes practical strategies for managing holiday expenses, including budgeting, using rewards cards, and taking advantage of bulk purchasing opportunities to maximize value during the holiday season.

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Schedule your complimentary consultation with a fiduciary advisor: www.activewealth.com/plan
Call us now: (770) 685-1777
Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcasts
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults

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About Retirement Results:
Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money.

With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.

• The importance of saving for retirement – NOW
• Balancing your investments – How a healthy mix of riskier investments can help weather the market’s uncertainty especially as you get closer to retirement.
• The importance of seeking professional guidance when planning financially for the future.

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Schedule your complimentary consultation with a fiduciary advisor: www.activewealth.com/plan
Call us now: (770) 685-1777
Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcasts
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults

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About Retirement Results:
Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money.

With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.

This week on Retirement Results, Ford and Sam address some of the most frightening financial mistakes retirees and pre-retirees make and how to avoid them. They discuss longevity risk and the real danger of outliving your money, why healthcare costs are one of the biggest threats to retirement security, and how planning for taxes and inflation can make all the difference.

✅ The biggest mistakes that can derail your retirement
✅ Strategies to minimize taxes and fight inflation
✅ Why a strong financial plan provides peace of mind

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Schedule your complimentary consultation with a fiduciary advisor: www.activewealth.com/plan
Call us now: (770) 685-1777
Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcasts
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults

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About Retirement Results:
Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money.

With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.

--

Schedule your complimentary consultation with a fiduciary advisor: www.activewealth.com/plan
Call us now: (770) 685-1777
Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcasts
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults

--

About Retirement Results:
Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money.

With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.

This week on Retirement Results, Ford & Sam tackle one of the most important and often overlooked questions facing pre-retirees today: are you taking too much risk as you approach retirement?

They explain why now – with markets at or near all-time highs – may be the perfect time to protect your gains, rebalance your portfolio, and focus on income stability. The conversation also covers what it really means to “keep more of what you earn,” and how a comprehensive retirement plan can help you transition smoothly and confidently into your next chapter.

✅ How to tell if your portfolio has too much risk and internal fees
✅ Why “it’s not what you make, it’s what you keep” truly matters for retirees
✅ The checklist for a smooth transition into your golden years

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Schedule your complimentary consultation with a fiduciary advisor: www.activewealth.com/plan
Call us now: (770) 685-1777
Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcasts
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults

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About Retirement Results:
Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money.

With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.