
Hosted by Radon Stancil, CFP® & Murs Tariq, CFP® · EN

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss what really happens during an evaluation appointment, the first Financial Advisor Meeting most people have when they start exploring what it actually takes to plan for retirement. They break down the five critical areas that determine Retirement Success, known as the ROUTE to Retirement: Retirement Risk Management, Retirement Income Planning, Medicare Planning and Long-Term Care Planning under one unified healthcare umbrella, Retirement Tax Planning, and Estate Planning. If you've ever wondered what separates a real Retirement Financial Plan from a portfolio review with a nice title, this episode lays out exactly where most plans quietly fall short.Listen in to learn about why a simple one-to-ten risk question reveals more about your Retirement Readiness than any account statement ever could, how a written Retirement Investment Strategy and a real Social Security Planning conversation change decision making for the better, and why Retirement Tax Strategies put in place before the calendar year ends can outweigh almost any other move you make on the road to retiring comfortably.In this episode, find out:Why the risk scale used in every evaluation appointment skips the number seven, and what your honest answer reveals about your true Retirement ReadinessHow a written retirement income plan and clear Social Security Planning turn a stressful guessing game into a Retirement Financial Plan with actual data behind itWhy Medicare Planning and Long-Term Care Planning are treated as one Unified Healthcare conversation, and what a dedicated Medicare specialist changes about that experienceWhy most people's Retirement Tax Planning happens too late to matter, and how proactive Retirement Tax Strategies executed before December 31st can beat any adjustment to an investment strategyWhat a five-year-old estate plan gets wrong, and the real story of a client who needed updated documents in a single week before leaving for a cruiseTweetable Quotes:"Retirement planning is a bunch of knobs, and if you turn one, you're turning all the others." - Murs Tariq"It's something people don't want to talk about, and it's easy to procrastinate on it because, hey, I'm good, I'm healthy." - Murs TariqWhether you're years from retiring or already retired, this episode doubles as a retirement checklist for anyone planning retirement who wants a second look at whether their plan for retirement actually holds up across all five areas. Retirement isn't one decision; it's five connected ones, and this episode walks through exactly how those five come together to help you secure your retirement with real confidence instead of a guess.Resources:If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss retirement planning 2026 with returning guest Tom Siomades, chief market economist, for a mid-year Economic Check on everything that's shaped the markets so far. From the Iran conflict's effect on oil prices and inflation to a new Kevin Warsh Fed chair trying to find footing amid inflation and interest rates that refuse to cooperate, this Markets update covers the headlines retirees are hearing everywhere and translates them into what actually matters for your plan.Listen in to learn about why stock market volatility has made 2026 feel like a tale of two markets, with AI stocks 2026 and tech stock names like SpaceX carrying much of the S&P 500 outlook while the rest of the economy absorbs energy prices US pressure and shifting consumer spending trends. Tom shares his honest read on recession risk, why Federal Reserve rate cuts have stalled out, and where the market uncertainty of the SpaceX IPO and the AI rally could go from here.In this episode, find out:Why 2026 has followed a strikingly similar path to last year, and what that pattern means for retirement advice going forwardHow the Iran conflict pushed oil prices and inflation higher, and why gas prices don't fall as fast as oil doesWhat Kevin Warsh Fed chair is up against, and why Federal Reserve rate cuts have all but disappeared from this year's forecastsWhy Tom is cautious about chasing AI stocks 2026 and tech stock hype, including his candid take on the SpaceX IPOWhat Tom is watching for the rest of the year, and why he still sees a path to retiring comfortably despite the market uncertaintyTweetable Quotes:"We sit here in the middle of 2026, and it's amazing how quickly it's gone by, but there's also been a lot of bumps in the road." – Murs Tariq, Secure Your Retirement Podcast"It's amazing if you think about how important oil is to just making the world go round, not just gas, but manufacturing, shipping, and every cargo carrier out there." – Murs Tariq, Secure Your Retirement PodcastWhether you're actively working on your retirement checklist or still in the early stages of planning retirement, this Economic Check is a reminder that a real Retirement Planning strategy has to hold up no matter what the headlines say. Retirement isn't about predicting the next SpaceX IPO or timing the next rate cut. It's about building a plan for retirement sturdy enough to absorb inflation and interest rates, tech stock swings, and everything in between.Resources: If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement! To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

Medicare's new GLP-1 Bridge Program gives eligible retirees access to Wegovy and Zepbound for $50 a month — but there are three financial catches worth knowing before you enroll.In this episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss one of the biggest Medicare developments of 2026 — the new GLP-1 Bridge Program, launching July 1, which allows eligible Medicare beneficiaries to access popular GLP-1 weight loss medications like Wegovy and Zepbound for a flat $50 copay per month. Joined by Peace of Mind Wealth Management's in-house Medicare specialist Sean Southard, they break down exactly what this program is, who qualifies, how the approval process works, and what the financial implications look like for retirees on fixed incomes.Listen in to learn about the three financial angles every retiree needs to understand before enrolling in the GLP-1 Bridge Program, including why that $50 copay sits completely outside your normal Medicare Part D protections, what happens when the program ends in December 2027, and how GLP-1 medications and Medicare prescription drug coverage fit into a broader retirement planning conversation around healthcare costs, budgeting, and long-term affordability.In this episode, find out:What GLP-1 medications are, why Medicare historically excluded them for weight loss, and what changed in 2026 to make the GLP-1 Bridge Program possibleWho qualifies for the program based on BMI and health conditions, and how your doctor submits a prior authorization request through Medicare's centralized systemWhy the $50 flat copay does not count toward your Medicare Part D deductible or annual out-of-pocket maximum, and what that means for your retirement budgetWhat retirees need to plan for when the program's temporary status ends in December 2027 and costs could jump significantlyThe health considerations and side effects of GLP-1 medications that matter most for older adults, and why this conversation belongs with your doctor and your financial plannerTweetable Quotes:"Retirees need to avoid assuming that this benefit program is going to be permanent forever. Plan for what happens if that $50 copay jumps back up to several hundred dollars a month." — Murs Tariq"This is both a healthcare conversation and a financial planning conversation. Retirees should evaluate long-term affordability, potential future coverage changes, and how chronic disease management fits into an overall retirement plan." — Shawn SouthardResources:If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

In this episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Murs and Nick discuss why retirement stress and retirement anxiety don't disappear when the account balance hits a certain number, and what it actually takes to plan for retirement with real confidence. Joined by Senior Wealth Advisor and Certified Financial Planner Nick Hymanson, they walk through the fears and financial stress that show up most often in client meetings, from losing the paycheck to navigating market volatility, long-term care planning, and the weight of protecting a surviving spouse. Whether you are retiring comfortably or still working toward that goal, this conversation gets honest about the gap between having money and having a plan.Listen in to learn about the five critical areas of retirement income planning that form the foundation of a secure retirement, including tax strategy for retirement, healthcare costs in retirement, estate planning, and how to build a financial checklist that actually prepares you for what retirement looks like day to day. Radon, Murs, and Nick explain how financial planning strategies like Roth conversions in retirement and a structured bucket approach to market volatility can shift retirement planning from something that keeps you up at night to something you trust completely.In this episode, find out:Why retirement anxiety hits even high-net-worth retirees, and how the loss of a paycheck changes the entire structure of a retirement planHow market volatility creates sequence of returns risk in the early years of retirement, and what tax strategies for retirees can do to protect against itWhat long-term care planning and healthcare costs in retirement look like inside a complete financial checklist, and why waiting too long to address them is one of the costliest mistakes in planning retirementHow Roth conversions in retirement and other proactive tax strategy tools can reduce your lifetime tax bill, especially in the years between retirement and required minimum distributionsWhy estate planning and protecting the surviving spouse belongs inside every retirement plan, and how the Peace of Mind Pathway™ addresses all five critical areas under one team, one plan, one feeTweetable Quotes:"The only way you overcome these fears is you talk about them. And the only way you get comfortable and confident is there's a plan around it that you can reference and revisit." – Murs Tariq"How do we structure things so there's less risk in the plan and things go the way someone wants them to go? That's what retirement income planning is really about." – Nick HymansonResources:If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

In this episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss the SpaceX IPO and what retirement-age investors need to think about before making any decision with their savings. SpaceX began trading on June 12, 2026, at a $1.75 trillion valuation, the largest IPO in stock market history, and the questions from clients started pouring in almost immediately. Rather than telling you whether SpaceX is a good or bad investment, Radon and Murs walk through a clear, honest framework for making sure whatever you decide is driven by your retirement plan and not the noise of the moment.Listen in to learn about the real data behind how major IPOs have historically performed in their first year of trading, why your 401(k) or IRA may already be buying SpaceX without any action on your part, and the three questions every retiree should answer before putting retirement savings into any newly public company. Whether SpaceX is on your radar or you are simply trying to build better habits around big investment decisions, this episode gives you the tools to think clearly when the headlines get loud.In this episode, find out:What SpaceX actually is as a business, which of its three divisions is profitable today, and why the $1.75 trillion valuation is priced on the future rather than current earningsWhat the last 30 major IPOs over the past 15 years reveal about first-year performance, including an average maximum drawdown of 50% to 55% and why it happens around the six-month markWhy index rule changes mean millions of Americans may already be picking up SpaceX exposure through their existing 401(k) and IRA index fundsThe critical difference between making a trade and making a long-term investment, and why that distinction should shape the entire decision for anyone nearing or already in retirementThree questions to ask before buying any IPO, starting with the one that eliminates most bad decisions before they happenTweetable Quotes:"You can believe in a company and still decide that buying it at IPO price in week one isn't where your retirement money belongs." - Radon Stancil"Waiting twelve months to buy a stock you plan to hold for fifteen years is not missing out. It is just a longer on-ramp, and it might come with a significantly better price." - Murs TariqResources: If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss some of the most effective ways to lower taxes in retirement before the end of taxes 2026. Drawing from more than 150 client tax strategy meetings conducted by Peace of Mind Wealth Management, they break down the Retirement tax planning strategies that delivered the greatest benefits to retirees. From charitable giving opportunities to Roth conversion strategy analysis, this episode provides actionable insights designed to help retirees make smarter decisions about their future tax liability.Listen in to learn about proven tax strategies including Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), Donor Advised Funds, Tax Efficient Investing, Tax Loss Harvesting, and RMD planning. Whether you're focused on reducing retirement income tax, preparing for future Required Minimum Distributions, creating a comprehensive retirement checklist, or looking for ways to secure your retirement, this episode offers valuable guidance to help you maximize your wealth and keep more of what you've worked so hard to save.In this episode, find out:How a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) can help charitably inclined retirees reduce taxes in retirement while supporting causes they care about.Why a Donor Advised Fund may allow you to maximize charitable deductions and improve your overall tax planning strategy.How Tax Efficient Investing and Tax Loss Harvesting can potentially reduce taxes and improve after-tax portfolio returns.Why Roth conversion analysis can help lower future retirement income tax and reduce the impact of future Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).How proactive Retirement Planning and annual tax strategy reviews can help you plan for retirement, optimize your finances, and retire more confidently.Tweetable Quotes:"A Qualified Charitable Distribution is one of the few opportunities where you can put money into an IRA, receive the tax deduction, experience growth, and then ultimately distribute those dollars completely tax-free to charity." — Murs Tariq"Everyone should not do a Roth conversion, but everyone should do a Roth conversion analysis because the impact on lifetime tax savings can be substantial." — Radon StancilResources:If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon Stancil and Murs Tariq discuss the difficult but essential topic of what happens financially when a spouse passes away. From understanding Social Security survivor benefits and the widow penalty to navigating Medicare changes, tax planning, and inherited IRA decisions, this conversation highlights why proactive financial planning and estate planning are so important for every surviving spouse. The death of a spouse can create emotional stress and financial confusion, especially when retirement income planning, account access, and beneficiary updates have not been organized ahead of time.Listen in to learn about the most important steps couples should take before tragedy strikes, including creating a financial checklist, organizing documents, simplifying advisors, and preparing a letter to heirs. Radon and Murs explain how a proper retirement checklist and planning retirement strategy can help families avoid unnecessary stress while protecting the surviving spouse financially. If you want to plan for retirement, retire comfortably, and secure your retirement, this episode offers practical guidance for what to do when a spouse dies and how to prepare for life’s most difficult transitions.In this episode, find out:How Social Security survivor benefits work when a spouse passes awayWhy the widow penalty can increase taxes and Medicare costs for a surviving spouseThe importance of beneficiary reviews, inherited IRA options, and estate planningHow a letter to heirs and financial checklist can simplify the transition processWhy retirement income planning and organizing financial accounts are critical for a surviving spouseTweetable Quotes:“The last thing you want is for the event to happen, and then you've got someone trying to figure it all out through files and folders during one of the hardest moments of their life.” – Murs Tariq“Both spouses don’t have to be the financial gurus, but they both need to see the roadmap.” – Radon StancilResources:If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss the critical importance of reviewing your Beneficiary Designations and how one simple oversight could create major complications for your loved ones. From 401k Beneficiary forms to IRA Beneficiary rules, they break down real-world examples showing how outdated or incomplete beneficiaries can derail even the best Estate Planning intentions. They also explain why beneficiary forms override wills and trusts and how failing to verify your beneficiaries could unintentionally send your assets to the wrong person.Listen in to learn about key Estate Planning tips that can help Protect Your Family, preserve Family Wealth Planning goals, and reduce unnecessary taxes for future generations. Radon and Murs explain concepts like Spousal Consent, Inherited IRA distribution rules, Per Stirpes, Per Capita, and disclaimer strategies that can dramatically impact your Retirement Beneficiaries. Whether you are building your retirement checklist, planning retirement, or trying to secure your retirement for the next generation, this episode provides practical guidance to help protect your assets and ensure your beneficiary wishes are carried out properly.In this episode, find out:Why Beneficiary Designations override wills and trusts in Estate PlanningThe difference between a 401k Beneficiary and an IRA Beneficiary when it comes to Spousal ConsentHow Inherited IRA rules under the SECURE Act can impact your family’s taxesThe difference between Per Stirpes and Per Capita beneficiary designationsWhy reviewing beneficiaries regularly is essential for Retirement Planning and protecting family wealthTweetable Quotes:“The beneficiary form trumps everything. You could have anything you want in your will, but if the beneficiary designation says something different, the beneficiary designation wins.” – Radon Stancil“It’s not just about getting the money to the right person. It’s about getting it to them in the most tax-efficient way possible.” – Murs TariqResources:If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss the often-confusing world of taxes on sale of home and how different tax rules apply when selling your home versus selling rental property investments. Joined by Director of Financial Planning and Tax Strategist Taylor Wolverton, the conversation breaks down capital gains tax explained in a simple and practical way so retirees and pre-retirees can better understand how home sale taxes may impact their financial future. Whether you are downsizing, relocating, or considering selling rental property as part of your retirement planning strategy, this episode highlights the importance of understanding real estate taxes before making a major financial move.Listen in to learn about home sale exclusion rules, depreciation recapture, capital improvements, and how Tax on home sale calculations can dramatically affect your retirement income and long-term financial security. Taylor explains how proper tax planning retirement strategies can help reduce unnecessary taxes and support your goals for retiring comfortably and helping to secure your retirement. If you are focused on financial planning for retirement, creating a retirement checklist, or trying to plan for retirement with confidence, this episode offers valuable insights into Retirement Planning and planning retirement around real estate decisions.In this episode, find out:How the IRS determines whether a property qualifies for the home sale exclusionThe difference between home sale taxes for a primary residence versus Rental property taxesWhy Capital improvements can help reduce your Capital gains tax when selling your homeHow Depreciation recapture works when selling rental propertyImportant Retirement tax planning strategies to consider before selling real estate in RetirementTweetable Quotes:“The IRS allows married couples filing jointly to exclude up to $500,000 of gain when selling a primary home if they meet the ownership and use tests.” — Radon Stancil“Depreciation on rental property is a tremendous tax benefit while you own the property, but many people forget about depreciation recapture when they sell.” — Taylor WolvertonResources:If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss the importance of choosing the right Self-Employed Retirement Accounts after transitioning from W-2 employment into the world of consulting, freelancing, or independent contracting. If you are earning 1099 income and wondering how to handle tax planning, build long-term wealth, and create a strategy for retiring comfortably, this episode breaks down the most effective small business retirement plans available today. From understanding tax deductible retirement contributions to comparing a Solo 401k, SEP IRA, Simple IRA, and even a Defined Benefit Plan, this episode helps self-employed professionals take control of their financial future and secure your retirement.Listen in to learn about the different retirement savings options available for entrepreneurs, consultants, and independent contractors who want to maximize savings while reducing taxes. Radon and Murs explain how proper tax strategies for self employed individuals can dramatically impact long-term wealth accumulation and why creating a solid Retirement Planning strategy is essential when managing 1099 retirement income. Whether you are new to self-employment or already generating significant income, this conversation provides practical insights into Financial planning for retirement, minimizing taxes through the self employment tax deduction, and creating a smart path to planning retirement successfully.In this episode, find out:How a Solo 401k, SEP IRA, and Simple IRA compare for self-employed professionalsWhy tax planning is critical when transitioning from W-2 income to 1099 consulting incomeThe benefits of Tax deductible retirement contributions and reducing taxable incomeWhen a Defined Benefit Plan may make sense for high-income business ownersKey strategies to help you plan for retirement and build long-term financial independenceTweetable Quotes:“When you flip over into the 1099 world, while you are receiving income from someone else, you’re also your own employer.” – Radon Stancil“The benefit of retirement contributions for self-employed individuals is that you’re not paying tax on those dollars today while building wealth for the future.” – Murs TariqResources:If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.