🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Celebrate our 100th episode as John tackles the ever-important topic of Social Security and retirement planning. In this milestone show, we discuss key considerations for deciding when to claim Social Security benefits and the common mistakes to avoid. Tune in for expert insights and practical advice to help you make informed decisions about when to take Social Security.

Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

🚫 Don't Rush at 62: the common arguments for claiming early

📊 Why Waiting Pays: the math behind delaying benefits

⚖️ Policy & Politics: how system changes may (or may not) impact you

🎯 Smart Claiming Strategies: building a personalized approach

💛 Feelings vs. Facts: balancing emotion with long-term financial impact

Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

You've heard the saying, "There's no such thing as a bad question." But in retirement planning, some questions are definitely better than others. The way you frame a question often determines the quality of the answer, and sometimes the quality of your entire retirement. Today, John goes through some of the most asked questions and how to reframe them to get clearer, more useful answers.

Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

🦃 Thanksgiving Traditions: John's holiday traditions and favorite Thanksgiving meal

📉 Volatility Reality: understanding sequence-of-returns risk in retirement

💼 Advisor Value: what you pay for vs. what you get

⚖️ Risk Management: adjusting portfolios to match real-life goals

💵 Cash Decisions: avoiding emotional market timing and poor allocation choices

🏛️ Social Security: framing smarter questions around timing and strategy

Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

In football, every great play starts with a solid game plan, and generosity works the same way. Giving feels good, but giving wisely wins championships. Today, John breaks down the playbook for smart, purposeful generosity and shows you how to make every dollar count. Because when it comes to giving, it's not just about moving the ball, it's about leaving a lasting legacy on and off the field.

Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

📅 When to Give: Timing your donations for both impact and efficiency

🎁 Non-Cash Giving: Donating appreciated stocks, property, or other assets

💵 How Much to Give: Setting intentional goals without losing flexibility

💰 Tax Efficiency: Making the most of deductions and donation timing

🏦 Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs): A tax-smart way to give from your IRA

Get in touch:

Phone: 661-775-3704

Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Fidelity just released their 2025 Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate. The number is staggering: $172,500 for a 65-year-old retiring today. The bigger problem? One in five Americans hasn't even thought about health care costs in retirement. Today, John breaks down exactly what this means, why it matters, and how to prepare. With the right planning, you can make health care just another line item in your retirement budget, not a financial shock.

Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

📈 Fidelity's 2025 Report Takeaways: retiree health care costs climb again

⚠️ Gen X Wake-Up Call: many still unprepared for medical expenses

🏥 Medicare Misconceptions: understanding what's covered and what's not

💰 HSA Power Move: using Health Savings Accounts as a retirement tool

🧭 Smart Strategies: how to plan ahead and reduce health care costs

Fidelity Releases 2025 Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate:

https://newsroom.fidelity.com/pressreleases/fidelity-investments--releases-2025-retiree-health-care-cost-estimate--a-timely-reminder-for-all-gen/s/3c62e988-12e2-4dc8-afb4-f44b06c6d52e

Learn more about Medicare: https://boomerbenefits.com/

Get in touch:

Phone: 661-775-3704

Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Retirement isn't just about saving money—it's about strategically planning your withdrawals. In this episode of Red Zone Retirement, we'll take you through our annual "strategic and tactical" fall meetings, showing how smart planning now can prevent massive surprises later.

Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

✅ How to make Roth conversions work in your favor
✅ The hidden Medicare penalty most people miss
✅ Guardrails that protect your income when the market dips
✅ How strategic meetings can save you $100K+

Get in touch:

Phone: 661-775-3704

Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

In this episode, John steps onto the field and reacts to unfiltered takes from viewers, everything from taking Social Security at 62 to the hidden penalty of healthcare costs before Medicare kicks in. These "back of the napkin" plays may look good in the huddle, but we'll break down where the blocking is weak, what gaps are being missed, and how early mistakes can leave you taking a permanent loss on retirement income and survivor benefits.

Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

🧾 Taking Social Security early means a permanent cut, not a temporary fix

💊 Healthcare costs before Medicare can derail early retirement dreams

🧠 Retirement planning is 95% psychology and only 5% math

🏠 Singles face unique tax and caregiving challenges

📊 Research shows an advisor's value outweighs the 1% fee

Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Think Medicare is free once you hit 65? Not quite. If your income's too high, there's a hidden surcharge that can quietly shrink your Social Security check by thousands a year. It's called IRMAA. And most people don't see it coming. Let's break down who's impacted and how to avoid it.

Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

💰 IRMAA is a Medicare penalty based on income—not assets

🔙 It looks 2 years backward to determine your premiums

💥 One-time income events like property sales or Roth conversions can trigger IRMA

🧾 You can appeal the penalty with a simple SSA-44 form

🎯 Strategies like QCDs and tax-aware conversions help reduce exposured

Get in touch:

Phone: 661-775-3704

Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

In football, one bad play doesn't decide the outcome. A fumble, interception, or blown coverage can rattle a team, but the best players stay calm, adjust, and keep running their game plan. The same lesson applies to your finances. In this episode, John uses football stories from the field to show how to handle financial fumbles without panicking. Setbacks are part of the game. What matters is responding with discipline and perspective so you can stay on track toward your long-term goals.

Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

🏈 Lessons from turnovers and comebacks

💰 Why emergency funds are essential

📉 Market drops vs. panic selling

📰 Ignoring scary financial headlines

📊 Diversification as your defensive line

Get in touch:

Phone: 661-775-3704

Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/