💬 Show Notes

In this episode, we wrap up our series on Process Over Panic by focusing on what truly deserves your attention in retirement planning. Plans change, life surprises us, and retirement is unpredictable. But a solid planning process — one you revisit and refine — will help you rock retirement. Join us for an insightful discussion that includes practical advice, personal anecdotes, and answers to listener questions.

SUMMARY OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN

• (00:00) In this episode, we wrap up our Process Over Panic series by focusing on what truly deserves your attention in retirement planning. Inspired by Eisenhower’s quote — “Plans are worthless, but planning is everything” — we explore why your process, not your plan, is what will carry you through retirement with confidence.

ROCKIN’ RETIREMENT IN THE WILD

• (01:50) Roger shares a heartfelt retirement message through a set of creative prompts sent by a client

PRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT

• (03:40) What should you pay attention to?
• (04:50) When you are doing retirement planning, you are planning for the future- something totally unpredictable.
• (06:31) What deserves your attention in retirement planning?
• (08:04) What is the intent of retirement planning?
• (09:13) What are the obstacles to achieving our intent?
• (13:10) Roger talks about how his experience in retirement planning gives him confidence.
• (13:50) The Four Pillars of Retirement Planning help to build a flexible map for retirement.
• (17:58) Roger explores the concept of the “Retirement Plan of Record” as a living document—not a one-time decision. Just like in relationships, decisions made once can lose their relevance over time if not revisited and reinforced.
• (19:25) Roger goes back through the Four Pillars to talk about how often you should revisit them.
• (24:10) Real-life reactions can reveal mismatches between theory and reality.
• (25:06) Roger recommends compartmentalizing your retirement planning.

LISTENER QUESTIONS

• (27:30) John says he didn’t like how Roger said “don't follow your retirement plan” in a recent episode.
• (29:07) Steve asks a question about asset allocation.
• (31:03) Steven asks which retirement certification to look for in a retirement advisor or coach.
• (33:02) Anonymous listener says they're looking to purchase financial management software that is secure and does good analysis.
• (34:41) Susan asks about Medicare penalties and health insurance while still employed after age 65.

SMART SPRINT

• (37:30) In the next seven days, I want you to schedule your retirement planning meetings for the rest of the year.

BONUS

• (38:33) Roger reads from his grandfather’s WWII journal.

REFERENCES

• Register for my LIVE Webinars
• Submit a Question for Roger
• Sign up for The Noodle
• The Retirement Answer Man

BOOKS

• The Retirement Collective: Shared Wisdom From Top Retirement Coaches- Retirement Coaches Association

FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS

• Follow Us on Facebook!
• Follow Us on Instagram

Show notes created by https://headliner.app

💬 Show Notes

In this episode, Roger sits down with renowned investment expert Charles Ellis to explore what truly matters in retirement investing. Together, they focus on the key elements investors can actually control, the importance of maintaining cash reserves in retirement, and practical strategies to manage inflation risk.

Roger and Charles also revisit timeless lessons from Ellis’s classic book, Winning the Loser’s Game, drawing on his decades of experience in investment management. The episode wraps up with thoughtful answers to listener questions on asset allocation, indexing, and rebalancing.

SUMMARY OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN

• (00:00) Today the show is going to focus on investing.
• (01:15) Roger explains the pie-cake and says there will be a video in The Noodle this week.
• (02:38) What can we control and what can we not control in regards to investing?
• (04:55) Let’s talk about building a retirement portfolio.
• (06:52) What can you NOT control when building out a portfolio?
• (09:40) What can you control in retirement planning?

INTERVIEW WITH CHARLES ELLIS

• (13:24) Roger introduces Dr. Charles Ellis, author of Winning the Loser’s Game.
• (18:54) Roger asks Charlie about indexing and passive investing.
• (24:32) Dr Ellis talks about behavioral economics and recommends the book Thinking Fast and Thinking Slow.
• (27:20) Roger talks to Dr. Ellis about minimizing unforced errors
• (30:30) How do things change when you're in retirement and need to draw from assets?
• (35:32) Roger says for an average person, the concept of having all of their financial assets in equities would be unnerving. What advice would you give to someone who doesn’t understand the financial concepts and the kind of volatility comes with this kind of account?
• (38:43) Dr. Ellis talks about the current administration and the economy and how difficult times don’t last.
• (42:02) Roger asks Dr. Ellis about his choice to not retire.
• (46:34) Roger asks a question: What advice would you give me so I don’t look back with regret when I’m your age?
• (51:34) Dr. Ellis answers a question about fear and worry regarding the future.
• (54:22) Roger thanks Dr. Ellis for writing his books and helping so many.

LISTENER QUESTIONS

• (54:52) Today's show will focus on investing questions.
• (55:11) Kevin says he doesn’t understand Roger’s concept of pie-cake- how to allocate your resources to fund your life.
• (56:28) Vince submitted an audio question about the retirement floor.
• (59:42) John asks for Roger’s thoughts on investing in multiple index funds versus all-in-one funds. And what is the difference between a mutual fund and an index?
• (01:08:07) Ben asks about rebalancing and current market conditions.

SMART SPRINT

• (01:12:30) In the next seven days, take an assessment of the process you use when investing your assets for retirement.

  
  

BONUS

• (01:13:28) Roger thanks listeners for their positive feedback.
• (01:14:13) Roger reads from his grandfather’s WWII journal.

REFERENCES

• Retirement Answer Man
• Sign up for The Noodle (previously known as Six Shot Saturday)

Books

• Thinking Fast and Thinking Slow- Daniel Kahneman
• Rethinking Investing- Dr. Charles Ellis
• Winning the Loser’s Game- Dr. Charles Ellis

Show notes created by https://headliner.app

It’s a super-sized episode today—and for good reason. We spend the bulk of the show in a deep, insightful conversation with Dr. Meir Statman, a leading voice in behavioral finance. I also walk you through the four non-financial pillars of retirement: mindset, energy, passions, and relationships. We'll talk about how to manage what you can control—and how to respond when life throws you the stuff you can’t. Plus, we answer a few of your questions. There’s a lot here, but it’s worth every minute. Let’s get to it.

SUMMARY OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN

• (00:00) This podcast is dedicated to helping you survive retirement with confidence
• (00:34) Today on the show we are going to focus on the non-financial realm as we continue talking about process and things we can control versus what we can’t control.

ROCKIN RETIREMENT IN THE WILD

• (02:14) Roger shares an anonymous message from a listener about her husband retiring and the confidence they have built in their retirement.

PRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT

• (04:50) Sometimes in retirement planning, we tend to overemphasize the financial side of things and forget about the rest of our lives.
• (06:23) Roger identifies controllables and non-controllables within the non-financial pillars of retirement.
• (14:50) Roger talks about some examples of people who focused on things that they could control and found success.
• (16:19) Roger says that the Rock Retirement Club has been a source of inspiration for him.

INTERVIEW WITH MEIR STATMAN

• (18:13) Roger introduces Meir Statman, author of A Wealth of Wellbeing.
• (19:34) Roger asks what motivated Dr. Statman to write his latest book.
• (22:10) Dr. Statman talks about his relationship with Nobel Prize winner, Harry Markowitz
• (25:57) Roger talks about behavioral finance and what it means from his perspective.
• (30:02) We talk about financial wellbeing but you also need to focus on life wellbeing.
• (31:06) Dr. Statman discusses a u-curve in life wellbeing.
• (37:25) Roger and Dr. Statman talk about accepting who you are.
• (39:30) Dr. Statman talks about the components of wellbeing.
• (41:49) Roger asks about social capital in retirement.
• (49:00) Starting a conversation is really important, Meir says
• (51:19) What is cultural capital?
• (57:32) Developing social, cultural, and personal capital becomes harder as you get older.
• (01:01:38) What is personal capital?

LISTENER QUESTIONS

• (01:04:42) Listener Brian sends a question about generating his retirement paycheck.
• (01:17:52) Another listener named Brian asks about investing in annuities.

SMART SPRINT

• (01:22:20) In the next seven days, before you get out of bed, smile and tell yourself it is going to be a great day!

BONUS

• (01:22:48) Roger reads from his grandfather’s WWII journal.

REFERENCES

• Nick Vujicic- Motivational Speaker
• Nelson Mandela
• Mier Statman
• Retirement Answer Man
• Sign up for The Noodle (previously known as Six Shot Saturday)

BOOKS

• Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
• A Wealth of Well-Being: A Holistic Approach to Behavioral Finance by Meir Statman
• The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life by David Brooks
• Bowling Alone: Revised and Updated: The Collapse and Revival of American Community by Robert Putnam
• The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want by Sonja Lyubomirsky
• Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don't Have All the Facts by Annie Duke