Retirement Ready

The Services We Offer (That You Didn't Know You Needed)

Most people assume all financial advisors offer the same services, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. From taxes to Social Security, Medicare to estate planning, the depth and quality of your advisor’s services can make or break your retirement plan. In this episode, Eric walks through the often-overlooked services a true, holistic advisor should provide and why they matter.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🧾 Tax-smart withdrawal planning
📅 Social Security & pension timing guidance
🩺 Medicare plan support through trusted referrals
🏠 Estate planning connections that speak your language
💼 401k optimization and strategies
Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

How to Stay Calm When the Market Isn’t

Thanks to a variety of economic and geopolitical circumstances, many people are experiencing some form of financial anxiety right now. Whether it’s market volatility, inflation headlines, or fears about Social Security and global instability, the emotional impact of uncertainty is very real. In this episode, Eric addresses what’s behind that anxiety and how a solid retirement plan can keep you grounded, even when the news cycle suggests otherwise.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
📉 Why market drops feel more personal than they really are
📺 How headlines fuel a fear-based cycle
🛠️ The tools smart investors use to stay steady
💰 Income strategies that protect against volatility
🧠 Why your mindset is just as important as your money
Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

Mailbag: 4% Rule, Life Insurance, and Early Retirement Questions

In this episode, Eric opens the mailbag to answer three listener questions that hit on some of the most common—and often misunderstood—retirement topics. From how the 4% withdrawal rule really works, to whether life insurance is a smart legacy tool, Eric brings practical, experience-backed advice to each conversation.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
📉 What the 4% rule really means
🚨 Preparing for a forced early retirement
💬 Why confidence starts with knowing your numbers
📊 Retirement is all about discovering your options
Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

Beyond Stocks: The Problem-Solving Power of Financial Advisors

Most people think a financial advisor’s primary job is picking investments, but that’s just a small piece of the puzzle. In today’s episode, Eric explains that the real work happens in solving the complex, emotional, and unexpected problems that come with retirement: early job loss, tax challenges, the loss of a spouse, or even recovering from bad advice.
 
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
📉 Strategies for forced early retirement after age 55
🧠 How problem-solving is at the core of advising
🧾 What happens to your taxes after your last paycheck
📦 Using inherited accounts the right way
🛠️ Cleaning up bad financial advice from the past
 
Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

Mailbag – Roth IRA, Emergency Funds & Tax-Deferred vs. Tax-Free

Making more money is great, but what happens when it becomes a roadblock for contributing to a Roth IRA? And how can you make your emergency fund work smarter for you? In today’s episode, we pull from the mailbag and answer a mix of listener questions. Eric addresses concerns that reflect the real-life hurdles many face on the road to retirement.
 
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
💰 How to handle income limits and strategies with Roth IRA vs. Roth 401(k)
🏦 High-yield savings options vs. CDs – How to make your emergency fund work harder
📊 Understanding the difference and maximizing benefits with tax-deferred vs. tax-free accounts
💡 Non-deductible IRAs – A way to continue saving for retirement even when you exceed Roth income limits
🔄 Emergency fund strategies—Keeping cash liquid without losing growth opportunities
 
Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

How 2025 Tax Updates Can Impact Your Financial Plan

Although tax season has come to a close, the time for smart tax planning has just begun! In this episode, we unpack the upcoming tax updates that could affect your planning for the next few years, including changes to 401(k) contribution limits, tax deductions, and the potential benefits of using tax-advantaged accounts like HSAs.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
📊 401(k) Contribution Limits increase so you can boost your savings
💡 Catch-up Contributions may maximize your retirement savings
🏥 HSAs are a powerful tool for tax-free retirement healthcare savings
📝 Standard Deduction Updates for 2025
💼 How to make the most of tax-advantaged accounts
 
Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

Early Retirement: Dream Come True or Financial Trap?

Ever fantasize about leaving your 9-to-5 before traditional retirement age? You're not alone, but is early retirement even possible? In today’s episode, Eric explores what it really takes to retire early including how to tackle healthcare costs, how to make money last longer, and the importance of shifting your mindset from spender to saver.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
💼 Why many retirees return to part-time work (and love it!)
🏦 Retirement account rules—what you can access at age 55
💡 How to know if early retirement is truly realistic for you
📊 Why running the numbers is the first step to freedom
Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

What 400+ Advisors Say Really Keeps Retirees Up at Night

​What are Americans really concerned about when it comes to retirement? In this episode, we unpack the results of an insightful survey from Financial Advisor Magazine, which was completed by over 400 financial advisors. We’ll also compare these answers with the real-world concerns we hear every day from the clients in our own practice.
 
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
 💸 Outliving Your Money – Still the #1 concern for retirees
📈 Wealth Building vs. Income Planning
📉 Market Risk in Retirement
🏥 Healthcare Costs – A hidden challenge for early retirees
 
Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

Bracket Busters and Stock Flops: The Risky Game of Picking Winners

March Madness is here, and just like filling out a bracket, picking individual stocks can feel like a thrilling gamble. But the odds of winning big are slim. In fact, history shows that most stock picks, like most brackets, end up busted.
Many investors can’t resist chasing big wins, even though diversification is a smarter play. One economist, Hendrik Bessembinder, analyzed the returns of nearly a century of stock performance. Let’s compare what he found to March Madness history and uncover what March Madness can teach us about investing!
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🏆A perfect bracket has never happened
📉 The odds of sustainable success are slim
🏀The most familiar choice doesn’t mean victory
📊The importance of diversification in investments
 
Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

Are Hidden Fees Draining Your Retirement Savings?

Many investors focus on market performance but overlook one of the biggest threats to their long-term wealth: hidden fees. These costs—often buried within mutual funds, annuities, and trading expenses—can quietly erode your retirement savings over time. In this episode, Eric reveals the true cost of investing and how to protect yourself from unnecessary financial drains.
Here’s some of what we discuss:
💰 Mutual Fund Costs – Expense ratios are just the beginning. Learn how trading fees and taxes could be taking an extra 2.5% from your returns.
🏇 The Heavy Jockey Effect – Variable annuities may seem safe, but their high fees can weigh down your investments like a jockey too heavy for his horse.
📉 Market Downturns & Hidden Costs – How volatile markets can amplify the impact of these fees on your portfolio.
🛡️ Smart Strategies – Discover how tax-protected accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s can help mitigate unnecessary expenses.
 
Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/