Podcast
Retire Sooner with Wes Moss
Hosted by Wes Moss · EN
Wes Moss is on a mission: help at least 1 million Americans of any age retire sooner and find joy along the way. A seasoned finance professional, best-selling author, broadcaster, and teacher, Wes has done extensive research on the habits of the happiest retirees. On this podcast, Wes shares key lifestyle and money habits you can implement now to prepare for a secure future while not depriving yourself of happiness in the present. In addition to leveraging his 20+ years of knowledge as an investment advisor, Wes brings in guests and specialists to teach you how to set and work towards your financial and lifestyle objectives. Refreshingly-free of mind-numbing financial jargon and unrealistic money goals, Retire Sooner with Wes Moss gives listeners the tools on how to retire sooner in the real world.
41episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Inside the Research: Happiness, Jobs Data, and Retirement Questions
Jan 100:35:29Tap to summarizeWhat actually shapes life in retirement—your finances, your relationships, or both? In this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase walk through new research on happiness in retirement and unpack several financial and economic topics that often come up in retirement planning conversations. • Share findings from a 2025 Money and Happiness in America study that looks at how social connection is commonly linked to reported retirement satisfaction. • Talk through research showing how the number of close personal relationships is often discussed when measuring happiness among retirees. • Reflect on how American friendships have changed over time and why staying socially connected is frequently part of retirement lifestyle discussions. • Put into context recent government jobs reports by explaining what unemployment and labor-market numbers generally indicate. • Walk through estate-planning considerations around life insurance, guardians, and trustees that many families review over time. • Cover the core factors people often look at when evaluating bond funds, including yield, duration, expenses, and benchmarks. • Discuss how Roth IRAs, traditional IRAs, brokerage accounts, and HELOCs are commonly weighed when addressing short-term cash needs during real-estate transitions. • Answer listener questions about Roth IRA contributions, in-plan conversions, account-funding priorities, and retirement-plan considerations when changing jobs. The episode keeps the focus on education, context, and real-world questions retirees and pre-retirees are already asking. Listen and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast for ongoing conversations that connect money, lifestyle, and long-term planning—without the hype. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Supercharge Your Retirement Savings and Outsmart Risk with These Game-Changing Strategies
Mar 27, 202500:37:06Tap to summarizeUnlock secrets to increase the probability of saving more for retirement, managing risk, and making more efficient financial moves. Learn how a simple mindset shift could potentially lead to a 14% increase in savings, why your risk tolerance evolves over time, and how to structure your investments for a more secure future. Explore strategies for dry powder reserves, Roth vs. traditional 403(b) contributions, and pension buyout decisions. Get helpful insights on dividend stocks, cybersecurity for retirement accounts, and creative legal ways to bridge income gaps before claiming Social Security. Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase break it all down on this episode of The Retire Sooner Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →American Army of Productivity: How to Overcome Tariff Fears and Secure Your Financial Future
Mar 20, 202500:44:28Tap to summarizeLearn how to optimize your retirement planning by utilizing essential financial tools. Discover strategies for leveraging a COLA-adjusted pension, navigating 403(b) withdrawals while contributing to a Roth IRA, and minimizing taxes. Explore rolling I bonds into a 529 plan without triggering taxable events.Analyze switching funds while managing a 401(k) or how Fidelity’s BrokerageLink might provide low-fee options without incurring taxes or penalties. Understand how to make the most of your retirement plan without worrying about tax implications.Enjoy all this and more as Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase take listener calls, help ease tariff fears, and marvel at the power of the American Army of Productivity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Retire Sooner, Retire Smarter: 6 Costly Mistakes to Avoid for Financial Freedom
Mar 13, 202500:35:58Tap to summarizeDive into the six biggest mistakes early retirees often make—and how to avoid them. Are you financially prepared to retire sooner than 67? See why a phased retirement strategy can be a game-changer, learn how to secure multiple streams of income, and examine why location matters when it comes to staying close to family. Tackle the real cost of healthcare, the Social Security timing trap, and the risks of over-supporting adult children at the expense of your own future. Packed with insights and real-life retirement planning scenarios, Wes and Christa chart a roadmap that seeks financial independence. Don't just dream of retiring early—take control of your retirement future, and start with this episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →10 Habits of the Happiest Retirees: Smart Money Moves & Fulfilling Lifestyles
Mar 6, 202500:39:13Tap to summarizeBreak down the five financial habits of the happiest retirees—including how much money you really need, the power of multiple income streams, and why paying off your mortgage faster might boost happiness. Learn how rational optimism can fuel effective investing and how the 4% Plus Rule of thumb can typically keep you from running out of money. Then, discover the five lifestyle habits that make retirement fulfilling, from core pursuits (hobbies on steroids!) to the importance of independent kids, strong social connections, and travel with friends. Plus, Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase answer listener questions to tackle TSP (Thrift Savings Plan) rollovers, tax-efficient investing, RSU (Restricted Stock Units) strategies, and Medicare-friendly portfolio rebalancing. Your roadmap to financial freedom and a joyful retirement starts here on The Retire Sooner Podcast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →How Much Do You Need To Retire? Break It Down And Fill The Gap
Feb 27, 202500:37:51Tap to summarizeTackle the million-dollar retirement question: How much is enough? Use Wes’s "Fill the Gap" (FTG) method to simplify retirement math—subtract guaranteed income like Social Security from your monthly spending goal and multiply the shortfall by 25 to calculate target savings. Explore other early retirement strategies, including the debate about lump sum buyouts vs. pensions, and weigh real estate against dividend-yielding ETFs for passive income. Finally, join Wes and Christa for a candid discussion about financial media scare tactics and why staying the course typically beats chasing headlines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Millionaire Mindset Unlocked: Hard Work, Thoughtful Investing, and Bogle’s Playbook Might Fast-Track Your Retirement
Feb 20, 202500:39:12Tap to summarizeProbe America’s "mini-millionaires"—how they earn, invest, and build wealth through hard work, not luck. Dive into the potential for owning stocks and buying a home with a focus on financial independence, not flash.Wes and Christa take listener questions to tackle substantial inheritance management, debate bonds vs. money markets for long-term gains, examine Robo-advisors hoarding cash, and the idea of doubling down on security to thwart hackers.Wes wraps with John Bogle’s playbook: invest rather than speculate, slash expenses, and don’t let perfectionism ruin a solid financial plan. By taking action and investing with purpose, you may be able to retire sooner than you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Lump Sum Or Pension? Crack the 6% Code + Market Highs & Retirement Power Moves
Feb 13, 202500:39:36Tap to summarizeShould you take a lump sum or pension payout? Use the 6% Test to help you decide. With markets hitting record highs, is it the right time to invest, or should you wait? History suggests some clues that retirement planning should not be left to chance. Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase provide crucial context by answering listener questions about 401(k) target date funds, beta vs. volatility, selling a business for retirement, mega backdoor Roth IRAs, and inherited IRAs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →5 Powerful Portfolio Diversification Strategies to Reduce Market Anxiety + The Army Of American Productivity
Feb 6, 202500:45:00Tap to summarizeDiscover 5 powerful portfolio diversification strategies to help reduce market anxiety and boost financial security. Learn how these strategies can apply to kids, retirees, and folks in between, with actionable ways to set up a custodial Roth IRA for young entrepreneurs, maximize retirement savings, and choose an investment approach that fits your needs.Find out why kids earning money from small businesses, like selling roadside squash, could qualify for a Roth IRA. Avoid common mistakes like investing in a target date fund too soon. Looking for a fee-only fiduciary? Learn the real costs of hourly financial planning and how some people find trusted guidance.Thinking of ditching bonds for cash? Wes and Christa explain why bonds have historically outperformed money markets and why a balanced portfolio is key for long-term growth. Plus, dive into the Army of American productivity and how it impacts financial strategies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →It's Never Too Late To Start Saving For Retirement + Q&A
Jan 30, 202500:40:20Tap to summarizeNew changes in Social Security policies, particularly the elimination of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), may have significant implications for roughly 3 million Americans. Teachers, nurses, firefighters, police officers, and other public-sector workers who previously saw their Social Security benefits slashed may now receive the full benefits they’ve earned. This shift is reshaping retirement planning for many Americans, making it more critical than ever to have a solid financial strategy and for couples to be on the same page to help avoid future stress and regret.On today’s episode, Wes is joined again by Christa DiBiase, the COO of Clark Howard, Inc. By answering listener questions and sharing informed analysis, Wes points out the essential distinctions between fiduciaries vs. non-fiduciary advisors, reminds listeners about diversifying portfolios into broad market indices to help to minimize risk, and explains how a money market account is typically a higher-yield alternative to a standard low-interest savings account. Finally, he examines the power of starting to save for retirement at any age, even in your 50s, emphasizing that consistent saving and wise investing can lead to more financial flexibility than many might think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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