

Retirement Answer Man
Roger Whitney, CFP®, CIMA®, RMA, CPWA®
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.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

31 snips
Sep 3, 2025 • 41min
Navigating Medicare in 2025
Join Medicare expert Danielle Roberts from Boomer Benefits as she unveils the essentials of navigating Medicare in 2025. Danielle shares crucial updates on Medicare Advantage and Part D changes that could alter your options. She highlights the importance of reviewing these plans annually to ensure you make informed decisions. With personalized assessments in mind, listeners learn to weigh the differences between Medicare Advantage and original Medicare. Plus, hear inspiring stories of retirees embracing life beyond healthcare choices!

13 snips
Aug 27, 2025 • 40min
Should I Do a "Free" Retirement Analysis?
Delve into the complexities of accepting free retirement analyses and uncover the hidden costs behind seemingly free offers. Hear a heartfelt story from a listener embracing the excitement of retirement. Learn essential strategies for rolling over 401k accounts and optimizing Social Security benefits. Discover the implications of free services and how they can impact your retirement planning. Tune in for practical tips and insights that empower you to navigate your retirement journey with confidence!

Aug 20, 2025 • 46min
Direct Indexing vs. Mutual Fund or ETFs
Discover the nuances of direct indexing versus traditional investment options like mutual funds and ETFs. Learn how direct indexing can offer tax benefits and customization but may come with added complexity. Hear real-life experiences of retirees embracing e-bikes for exploration and connection. Navigate the emotional and financial waters of retirement with clarity, as different phases of planning—calm, choppy, and rough—are explored. Plus, gain insights into managing inherited money and the implications for your overall financial strategy.

13 snips
Aug 13, 2025 • 52min
Elder Care Options for Singles
Kathy McNair, an elder law attorney with over 20 years of experience, discusses vital elder care options for singles, focusing on legal preparedness. She clarifies the differences between guardianships and conservatorships, emphasizing the importance of documents like healthcare proxies. The conversation also touches on the unique challenges faced by solo retirees and the necessity of support systems. Roger adds insights on the significance of gratitude and contentment for a meaningful retirement, creating a well-rounded dialogue on planning for the future.

Aug 6, 2025 • 36min
How to Choose a Retirement Coach
💬 Show NotesIn this episode, Roger Whitney returns after a month off, ready to help you rock your retirement! He answers listener questions on a range of topics, including the benefits of choosing between Fidelity and Vanguard, the Rule of 55 for 401(k) withdrawals, and inherited IRA distributions. Roger also chats with discusses the importance of finding the right retirement coach. Join us for practical advice and insights to help you navigate your retirement journey!OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN(00:00) Roger Whitney answers your retirement questions on today's showROCKIN’ RETIREMENT IN THE WILD(01:08) Brian says he and his wife are playing pickleball during retirement.CHAT WITH KEVIN LYLES(03:30) Roger talks to Kevin Lyles about a financial advisor versus a retirement coach(06:29) How does someone determine if they need an advisor or a coach?(10:15) Define what you are looking for before finding a coach.(12:44) A good coach will listen and have good intuition about what is really going on.LISTENER QUESTIONS (14:47) Barb says she was thinking of moving her Fidelity assets to Vanguard.(21:44) Mark has a question about the Rule of 55.(25:53) Craig asks a question about an inherited IRA(27:54) Scott says he has discovered something about TSP withdrawals.(30:53) An audio question about my Switzerland interview with Scott from a few weeks backSMART SPRINT(32:05) In the next seven days, define something you would like to do and find one person who has done this thing.BONUS(35:00) Roger reflects on how he is going to spend the next 5 weeks.REFERENCESThe Retirement Collective- BookThe Retirement Coaches AssociationSubmit a Question for RogerSign up for The NoodleThe Retirement Answer ManFOLLOW US ON SOCIALS!Follow Us on Facebook!Follow Us on Instagram

4 snips
Jul 30, 2025 • 36min
Replay: How to Manage Your Scarcity Brain
In this episode, Roger Whitney welcomes Michael Easter, New York Times bestselling author of 'The Comfort Crisis' and 'Scarcity Brain.' They delve into the concept of overcoming frugality and the evolutionary mismatches that affect our resource management in retirement. Discover how short-term discomfort can lead to long-term growth, the importance of taking the stairs in life, and the psychological implications of our modern abundance. Tune in for insights that can help you not just survive retirement, but thrive in it!*Episode originally aired March 27, 2024OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN[01:04] Today we have Michael Easter, author of Scarcity Brain, on the show.PRACTICAL PLANNING SEGMENT WITH MICHAEL EASTER[02:20] Roger introduces Michael Easter to the show[03:14] The Comfort Crisis falls into the Energy Pillar- building energy so you can show up for your life.[04:30] Roger asks Michael what his objective was in exploring the Comfort Crisis[09:40] Why is it a bad thing to be comfortable?[12:40] How do we start being more uncomfortable?[16:11] The Scarcity Brain falls into the Vision Pillar.[18:00] Why do we have a constant feeling that we don’t have enough?[25:25] Quantifying goals is not always the best thing to do.[29:01] Michael defines what the scarcity loop is.TODAY’S SMART SPRINT SEGMENT[33:21] In the next seven days, take the stairs! Do something that most people don't do.RESOURCESBOOK - The Comfort Crisis by Michael EasterBOOK - Scarcity Brain by Michael EasterStutzRock Retirement ClubFOLLOW US ON SOCIALSFollow Us on Facebook!Follow Us on Instagram

11 snips
Jul 23, 2025 • 29min
Replay: Overcoming Frugality in Retirement with Dr. Dan Crosby
Dr. Daniel Crosby, Chief Behavioral Officer at Orion Advisory Services, delves into the psychological hurdles retirees face in shifting from saving to spending. He highlights the struggle many experience with frugality and provides practical strategies to embrace spending confidently. The conversation emphasizes the importance of experiences over accumulated wealth, urging listeners to prioritize meaningful moments with loved ones. Discover how to overcome regret aversion and transform your retirement into a fulfilling journey, rather than holding back out of fear.

Jul 16, 2025 • 24min
Replay: My Experience Moving to a Retirement Community
Discover the vibrant life in a Florida retirement community through Brad's eyes. He shares his journey from Iowa and the thought process behind moving to The Villages. Listeners learn about the energetic lifestyle, rich activities, and strong community ties that define retirement living. Brad offers valuable insights on making the leap to a 55+ community, highlighting both the joys and challenges. This engaging conversation encourages everyone to envision their ideal retirement living arrangements.

14 snips
Jul 9, 2025 • 49min
Replay: The State of Retirement Planning with Michael Kitces
In this insightful discussion, Michael Kitces, Chief Financial Nerd at Kitces.com, shares his expertise on retirement planning. He emphasizes the necessity of flexibility in financial strategies, steering away from rigid models. Kitces also explains how to choose a planner that prioritizes your unique goals over mere finances. Plus, he evaluates the risks of having excess wealth as you age and the importance of proper decision-making processes. Tune in for practical tips that can transform your retirement journey!

11 snips
Jul 2, 2025 • 1h 3min
Replay: How to Retire with Christine Benz
Christine Benz, a seasoned retirement planning journalist from Morningstar and author of 'How to Retire,' shares her invaluable insights about retirement. She discusses the significance of combining financial and emotional elements in planning. Topics include the complexities of long-term care, the practicalities of the 4% rule, and custom investment strategies. Benz emphasizes the need for simplification and the importance of personal stories in retirement, making it clear that a holistic approach is key to a rewarding retirement experience.