The Truth about Retirement Plans and IRAs

All the Strategies You Need to Build Savings, Select the Right Investments, and Receive the Retirement Income You Want

By: Ric Edelman

Narrated by: Keith Spengel

Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

From the #1 independent financial advisor in America, ranked three times by Barron’s: a guide to making the most of your retirement plans and assuring long-term financial security.

Everyone knows that saving for your retirement is important. Yet only half of all eligible Americans contribute to a retirement plan. That’s because all plans - including the 401(k), 403(b), 457, and even the IRA - are complicated, confusing, and costly. New York Times best-selling author and acclaimed financial advisor Ric Edelman has counseled thousands of savers and retirees and has accumulated his advice in this audiobook.

Edelman has created a step-by-step guide. With illuminating prose and simple explanations, he shares everything you need to know as a plan participant: how to contribute even when you think you can’t afford to, how to make wise choices among your investment options, and how to convert your 401(k) into income so you can provide yourself with the lifestyle you want in retirement. Along the way, he debunks the myths and clears up the confusion.

©2014 Ric Edelman (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved. Recorded by arrangement with Simon & Schuster, Inc

some very great info but be careful

i really learned a lot and despite annoying narration I will listen again. BUT there are some very biased and exagerrated examples in here. The author builds overblown examples that support HIS point of view which is absolute. There is some rehash, examples I've heard misused before in other financial books. Overall it is highly informative but dangerously doctrinaire for the casual listen. Round out your learning by renting a few other authors for balance.

Very Good Information, but the 2nd Half was Dry

If you could sum up The Truth about Retirement Plans and IRAs in three words, what would they be?

Dollar Cost Averaging

Any additional comments?

This was a good book and had some great information. But, the 2nd half has too many instances where he either says, "it depends" or goes into great detail about specific situations that I will never face or won't need to think about for a while.

I'm more of a simple investor and breaking things down into simple terms would help me. I realize there are situations where you need to hire an adviser, but in a book, he should stick to the basics.

Right ear 👂 no volume

The volume popped all over the place although I love the information I learned about my Roth IRA I will listen again to chapter 22 that all I needed

Excellent book on All the details of retirement.

Approaching that age, or that number, I've been studying and reading lots of material about retirement for the past few years. Ric Edelman has put together the best comprehensive look at all the details of all the considerations for someone approaching or in retirement that I've seen to date. If that's you, you need to read this book. it's entertaining with a light presentation style and an outstanding performance. you can't go wrong.

Book is hostile against pension plans and savers.

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Should have been more truthful about 401ks and Iras and that theirs risk involved in this financial tools. Author goes to great lengths to convince people that 401ks and Iras are safe bets and can yield great returns well into a persons retirement years with no mention of the dark pools of corruption that infect the stock exchange! The whole book paints a lalala world that people will retire with a million dollars if they invest heavily, which is a conniving way to fool people!!

What was most disappointing about Ric Edelman’s story?

He railed against Robert Reich ( Secretary Of Labor for Bill Clinton) and Nouriel Roubini (Dr.Doom) both of which are prominent economists and have vast knowledge of the financial sector, Read their books and have much sense than the con job this author created with this book.

What didn’t you like about Keith Spengel’s performance?

narrator was clear and did a good job.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

sarcasm, i felt i was listening to a fairy tale or some con man was trying to sell me magic dirt!!

Any additional comments?

If i known i had the option of returning this book i would have, We just experienced the worst financial crisis of our lifetimes and this con artist is trying to get people to invest their lifetime retirement earnings and gamble it all away into a corrupt rigged system!!

Fantastic book

This is the best book about saving for retirement I have come across. Tons of good info, well organized with a good explanation of concepts. It provides a thorough analysis of what/when/where/how much to invest in 401K and IRA.

As far as the narrator, he was great as well. I listened on 1.25x with no loss in quality.

My one knock on this is the self-promotion within the book. There could be some inherent bias in there so keep that in mind.

Great knowledge, insight and advice

This book gives a great background, insight and life lessons for all three phases of retirement. I wish I would have heard/read this book when I first started working. I have already had discussions with my children on the steps they need to take in life.

Good listen full of valuable long term info

Good listen, full of valuable long term info.
Covers a multitude of vast topics. I learned a lot.

Great book, but not for the self employed.

Book had amazing insight, but a lot of it was for your typical W2 employee. Still a great listen.

Great unbiased info based on sound principals

Great unbiased info based on sound principals, science and academics. I love all of Ric's books.