Retirement Answer Man Podcast By Roger Whitney CFP® CIMA® RMA CPWA® cover art

Retirement Answer Man

Retirement Answer Man

By: Roger Whitney CFP® CIMA® RMA CPWA®
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 A top retirement podcast. Roger Whitney, CFP®, CIMA®, CPWA®, RMA, guides you on how to actually do retirement well financially and personally. This retirement podcast isn't afraid to talk about the softer side of retirement. It will teach you how to retire with confidence. Two-time PLUTUS winner for best retirement podcast / blog and the 2019 winner for best financial planner blog. This retirement podcast covers how to create a paycheck, medicare, healthcare, Social Security, tax management in retirement as well as retirement travel and other non-financial issues you'll need to address to rock retirement. Retirement isn’t an age OR a financial number. It’s finding that balance between living well today and feeling confident about your retirement. It’s about gaining more freedom to pursue the life you want. Join the rock retirement community at www.rogerwhitney.comRoger Whitney, 2024 Economics Personal Development Personal Finance Personal Success
Episodes
  • Replay: The State of Retirement Planning with Michael Kitces

    Replay: The State of Retirement Planning with Michael Kitces
    Jul 9 2025


    All of July we will be replaying some of our popular past episodes. In this episode, we engage with retirement planning expert Michael Kitces as we explore the evolving landscape of retirement planning. Discover the importance of flexibility in retirement spending and how to select the right retirement planner for your needs. We also discuss the implications of dying with too much money and the critical questions you should ask when interviewing potential advisors. Tune in for insights that will empower you to not just survive, but truly rock your retirement!

    OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN

    • (0:00) The key to finding a retirement planner is to find someone that puts YOU and not your money in the center of everything.
    • (00:45) Today we have a replay of last year's interview with Michael Kitces.


    INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL KITCES

    • (02:11) Roger introduces Michael Kitces and chats about flexibility.
    • (13:30) Michael says as a professional, he does not want to have a client fail on his watch.
    • (19:21) Roger says the quote that comes to mind when he thinks about retirement planning is: “You’re never going to be exonerated from uncertainty, pain, or the need to do work” Stutz
    • (24:00) Most people understand that change is to be expected.
    • (29:05) Michael talks about risk tolerance.
    • (32:55) Michael reflects on the question “How do we help clients actually make better decisions?”
    • (33:51) Tips on how to choose a retirement planner.


    SMART SPRINT

    • (45:55) In the next seven days, evaluate the quality of your process for making decisions in retirement.


    RESOURCES

    • BOOK - Die with Zero by Bill Perkins
    • BOOK - It’s Not Complicated by Rick Nason
    • Kitces.com
    • BOOK - Rock Retirement by Roger Whitney
    • Roger’s Retirement Learning Center

    FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS

    • Follow Us on Facebook!
    • Follow Us on Instagram
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    49 mins
  • Replay: How to Retire with Christine Benz

    Replay: How to Retire with Christine Benz
    Jul 2 2025
    All July long, we’re featuring a special replay series of standout episodes—and this week is no exception.Join us for a special episode as we welcome Christine Benz to discuss her book, "How to Retire." In a captivating conversation in the Rock Retirement Club, we dive into topics like long-term care, the 4% rule, investing strategies, and simplification. Featuring insights from Fritz Gilbert, a member of the club and contributor to Christine's book, this episode offers a holistic view of retirement planning. Discover how to balance financial and non-financial aspects for a fulfilling retirement journey.*Episode Originally Aired December 4, 2024*OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN(00:55) We are going to play some past impactful episodes for the whole month of July INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTINE BENZ(01:28) Today we start off the month with a replay of our interview with Christine Benz.(03:17) Roger asks about the goal for the readers of this book.(04:48) Christine: The goal was to cover retirement in a really holistic way and include as much non-financial as financial information on retirement planning.(06:10) Roger thinks the interview style of the book helped make it more approachable.(08:13) Roger asks Christine about any big, unexpected insights that came up when she was writing her book.(11:12) Fritz Gilbert says I give Christine serious kudos for the approach she took and the amount of homework she did.(12:35) Christine tells Fritz that she loves his methodical approach to dealing with the years leading up to retirement.(14:16) Marla asks Christine if she would change anything if she was writing this book today to accommodate the 2024 election results and also asks about managing portfolios on Morningstar.(18:15) Roger says when it comes to portfolio construction, it's easy to overcomplicate things(21:14) Larry asks Christine what challenges her or confounds her most about her own retirement planning.(23:35) Larry asks “Are you concerned that we may not find people to provide long term care?”(31:08) Kevin Lyles asks Christine about asset allocation in retirement.(37:55) Laura asks: When talking about high quality bond portfolios, do bond funds work?(42:00) Roger asks about indexes and broad diversification. (44:37) Roger says someone had a comment related to some of the research on small cap value and asks Christine her view on having a more diversified small cap value tilt?(48:19) Eric asks “what is the argument for using TIPS (Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities) for retirees?” (51:28) Roger asks Fritz if he has been simplifying his portfolio or working more on optimization since retiring in 2018.(53:52) Roger says the optimization part of retirement sometimes dominates the conversation.(54:44) Roger asks Christine: Have you found in your own life a balance between making sure you don’t get too complicated in investments?(57:55) Brianna asks Christine what question she has been reflecting on after the 20 interviews?(58:45) Christine she’s been thinking more about whether the concept of retirement is flawed.BONUS(01:01:26) Roger reads an excerpt from his grandfather's WWII journalResources Mentioned In This EpisodeWade PfauMorningstar The Retirement Manifest- Fritz GilbertDaughterhood.orgChristine BenzSix Shot SaturdayBOOKSHow to Retire: 20 Lessons for a Happy, Successful, and Wealthy Retirement - Christine BenzBeing Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End - Atul GawandeKeys to a Successful Retirement: Staying Happy, Active, and Productive in Your Retired Years - Fritz GilbertRock Retirement: A Simple Guide to Help You Take Control and Be More Optimistic About the Future - Roger Whitney
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • I Just Lost My Job. Can I Retire Now?

    I Just Lost My Job. Can I Retire Now?
    Jun 25 2025

    💬 Show Notes


    This week on the Retirement Answer Man show, we kick things off with a couple of Rockin’ Retirement in the Wild stories from listeners living out their retirement dreams. Then we dive into a mini case study from a listener recently laid off who’s wondering if early retirement is on the table, we’ll walk through the numbers and stress test his plan. We wrap up our month of travel talk with a fun chat with Chris and Cathy about their retirement adventures and how they’re making the most of their freedom to explore.


    OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN

    • (00:00) In this episode, we wrap up our travel reflections and explore a listener's question about the pros and cons of retiring at age 59.
    • (01:40) Looking ahead, July will feature 'Best of' episodes of the Retirement Answer Man podcast and August will focus on listener questions.


    ROCKIN’ RETIREMENT IN THE WILD

    • (02:50) Rock Retirement Club member, Pete, has a podcast called Retiring with Enough and that podcast just hit episode 150.
    • (04:04) Listener, Adrianne, sent in a letter about rocking retirement.


    LISTENER CASE STUDY

    • (04:45) An anonymous listener reached out to share that he’s considering early retirement after a job loss caused by the downturn in the automotive industry. Today, we explore whether he can make it work.
    • (09:20) A breakdown of the listener’s financial situation.
    • (13:35) We have to make some assumptions about investment and will use software to simulate different scenarios.
    • (17:00) Let’s look at the results- a feasible plan is not necessarily resilient.
    • (19:40) Let’s do some basic stress testing to see how your plan holds up when life throws curveballs.


    TRAVEL STORIES WITH CHRIS AND CATHY

    • (24:52) Two recent retirees, Chris and Cathy, have focused on domestic travel now that work is out of the way.
    • (29:10) Roger: What was one moment that stood out from your entire trip that stands out for each of you?
    • (31:45) Roger: Do you two talk when you're on road trips or do you audiobook or something?
    • (32:23) Chris and Cathy said they retired together and knew they wanted to go back to Jersey.
    • (33:21) Roger: How did you adjust to being together 24/7?
    • (34:55) Chris and Cathy discuss how they will approach travel in retirement.
    • (36:17) Roger: Over a twelve month period, what percentage of time do you travel? And what is the pull to travel so much?
    • (39:36) Roger: Do you think this three months a year travel cycle is a season or do you think this is a new identity as explorers?
    • (42:05) Roger: What tips or suggestions would you give to others who have never traveled internationally or have never planned a big road trip?
    • (46:55) Roger: What is it internally that travel you feel adds to your life?


    SMART SPRINT

    • (48:19) In the next 7 days, confirm that you have at least two years of safe assets, cash or short-term reserves, to cover your lifestyle expenses not covered by income. Even if your plan looks feasible on paper, test its resiliency. Would it hold up if the market took a hit tomorrow?


    BONUS

    • (48:55) Now that we’ve finished my grandfather’s journal, to end the show I will share things I’m geeking out on. Today: electric bikes.


    REFERENCES

    • Submit a Question for Roger
    • Sign up for The Noodle
    • The Retirement Answer Man
    • Retiring with Enough Podcast with Dr. Peter Guidry

    TRAVEL WEBSITES

    • Free Range Fun Hogs- Travel Blog

    FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS

    • Follow Us on Facebook!
    • Follow Us on Instagram
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    51 mins
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I really like the format of the show and how questions are thoroughly answered. I’ve listened to at least two dozen of the podcasts, picking out a variety of topics. This is great information for me, heading into my retirement years. I intend on listening to all of the past podcasts and not missing any of the upcoming ones.

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