Episodes

Steve Chen created a retirement planning calculator that anyone can use. The inspiration came from personal experience. His mom needed help at retirement - but she didn't have enough assets to work with most financial planners. Steve from...

Recessions and market declines are going to happen. What are the lessons we can learn from the Tech Bubble of 2000's and the Great Recession of 2008? Devin shares the 5 lessons he learned during the two most recent market declines while being a...

Non-Probate Transfers, Trusts, and how the Beneficiary Designation trumps any wishes you express in your Will. These are just a few of the things you NEED to understand so you can avoid making a major mistake with your estate planning. For more...

Linda and her husband have been raising their grandchildren since birth. Both of the children’s parents are alive. Do the grandchildren qualify for Social Security?   Clyde asks if there is any situation where you would roll an IRA into a 401k?...

Experience is a great teacher. David Waldrop has more than 15 years of experience, the same as John and I. He comes on to share stories from his history - and how human emotions come into play when making investing decisions. For more information on...

In Part 1 we covered credits, earnings limits, and more. In this episode we finish the series by talking about: Length of marriage rules Spousal Benefits vs Survivor Benefits How you are taxed on social security benefits and more. If you haven’t...

Part 1 in a 2-part series about what you need to know about Social Security. For more information, or to have a conversation with Devin Carroll or John Ross, visit

Wanda wrote in to ask why she shouldn’t add a child to her checking account? Brenda retired from a company that offers a pension. She asks if it would be better to take the pension in a stream of payments or as a lump sum. Have a question? Send them...

Can we expect 3 rate increases this year? What could that mean for the market - or our savings? Andrew Comstock, Chief Investment Officer for , joins us again to recap the market's performance from the first quarter of 2017. Market Snapshot: DOW (DJI)...

In the previous episode we talked about Wills: Why you need one and what to look out for so you do it right. But before you draft out your will, these are the things you need to consider: • Why you should never leave anyone $1. • Beneficiaries:...

According to a survey, 71% of Americans do not have a current Will - and half of Americans age 65 or older don't have a Will that is not up-to-date. ​In this episode we cover the common mistakes people make when drafting their final testaments and...

Devin and John answer a question from Mitch about why the Social Security Office would not recognize his Power of Attorney statement. Charlotte is asking about ABLE accounts - tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities and...

Roger Whitney, the Retirement Answerman, shares his approach to spending money on fun today while still being able to plan and save for tomorrow. He likens it to a teeter-totter, and reflects on things his mother taught before she passed away. Find...

7 doable steps for making it easier to be organized with your retirement finances. One of the biggest hurdles to a successful retirement is getting - and staying - organized. It’s easy for account statements, legal forms and other important...

What should you look for when hiring a legal advisor? In this episode we discuss the first question you need to ask a potential legal advisor, what to watch out for, and the benefits of paying a flat fee versus an hourly rate. For more information,...

Does an 18-year old need a Power of Attorney? You bet! We also discuss limitations for drawing Social Security benefits while working. If you have questions, email them to

Michael Kitces joins us to discuss the difference between Fiduciary and Suitability Standards and what is happening to the Department of Labor's Fiduciary Rule. Is your Financial Advisor a salesperson or fiduciary looking out for your best interest?...

The second type of advisor every retiree needs in their corner is a Financial Advisor. Not everyone needs a financial advisor. But those who are within 10 years of retirement, are too busy to do their own planning, or with complex financial situations...

Nobody can obtain the full range of knowledge a person needs to be fully prepared for retirement. Retirees, and those building a retirement portfolio, need an advisory council. Today's episode focuses on how to hire a Tax Advisor: Where to look, what...

The last part of 2016 was really good for the stock market and the new year didn’t stop the momentum. Now that the DOW has hit 20,000…what’s next? Joining us to discuss this is Andrew Comstock, the chief investment officer for Castlebar Asset...

What is truly behind the so-called "social security gun ban"? Also, John digs into the differences between a will and a trust. For more, visit http://bigpictureretirement.net

Who do you listen to for financial advice? Dave Ramsey? Sure Orman? Jim Kramer? Joe Saul-Sehy, a recovering Financial Planner and host of joins us to talk about when it's the right time to follow the gurus - and when it's not. He also shares...

John shares the story of Jacob and Esau from the Bible to describe one of the most common mistakes people make in retirement. Please subscribe to the show so you don't miss an episode. For more, visit

What are the Four Corners of Retirement Planning? I'll bet you know them - but do you have a grasp on all four? John and Devin explain each: Health, Taxes, Legal and Income For more information, or to contact us, visit