Retirement Ready

Mailbag: Affording Disney, Retirement Income & Leaving Job Benefits

In this mailbag episode, Eric answers real questions from listeners navigating big life transitions. First up, a soon-to-be retiree wants to take the whole family to Disney World, but how do you plan a big trip like that without derailing your retirement timeline? Eric breaks down how to stress-test your retirement plan for one-time expenses and offers tips for budgeting a major vacation while keeping your future goals intact.
Next, Eric tackles two more questions that hit close to home for many: how to turn a $500,000 nest egg into reliable retirement income, and what to do when you're leaving a job with benefits to go full-time self-employed.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🎢 Budgeting for a big Disney trip without derailing retirement
💸 Creating reliable monthly income after retirement
📉 The role of annuities and CDs in income planning
🏥 Navigating health coverage when leaving a job with benefits
💻 Where to explore affordable individual insurance options
Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

DIY Planning: Where It Works and Where It Can Go Wrong

DIY works great for fixing up the house or building a bookshelf, but does it hold up when you're planning your retirement? In this episode, Eric unpacks the pros and pitfalls of do-it-yourself financial planning, especially as you transition from the "saving" years to the "spending" years. It's one thing to manage your portfolio when you're working and have time to bounce back from a mistake. But once that paycheck stops, the financial game changes fast.
 
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🛠️ Why DIY works during the accumulation phase
⚠️ The hidden risks of doing it alone in retirement
📉 How poor timing and emotion can wreck a solid plan
📊 What most DIYers miss when it comes to taxes
🎯 The importance of a Retirement Readiness Review
 
Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

Age 62: An Important Retirement Milestone

Turning 62 isn’t just another birthday, it’s a milestone that kicks off some big retirement decisions. In this episode, Eric breaks down what reaching this age really means, from deciding when (or if) to claim Social Security to navigating income limits that could reduce your benefits. We’ll also explore how your health, family longevity, and lifestyle goals should influence that decision.
Beyond Social Security, you’ll hear strategies for covering the tricky gap before Medicare kicks in at 65, why this is the perfect time to review your legal documents, and more!
 
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
⏳ Should you claim Social Security at 62 or wait?
💼 How working in retirement impacts your Social Security benefits
🩺 Bridging the gap to Medicare with affordable health insurance
📜 Why updating legal documents and beneficiaries is critical at this stage
🧠 Using early retirement as a chance to reduce future tax burdens
 
Resources for this episode:
Ehealth Calculator: https://www.ehealthinsurance.com/resources/affordable-care-act/subsidy-calculator
 
Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

The Financial Junk Drawer: What’s Hiding in Your Retirement Plan?

Most of us have a junk drawer stuffed with random odds and ends we forgot about. But what about your financial junk drawer? Old insurance policies, dusty 401(k) statements, outdated wills, or savings bonds from decades ago could be sitting forgotten, and they might be costing you money or missing opportunities. In this episode, Eric opens the drawer on common financial items people stash away and forget to revisit.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
 🗂️ Old life insurance policies that might still have value
📜 Wills and estate documents that need updating (or replacing!)
🧾 Forgotten 401(k)s and missing Social Security records
💸 Unclaimed savings bonds and lost checks hiding in plain sight
📋 How cleaning your “financial junk drawer” helps prep for retirement planning
Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

Too Much Financial Info? How to Filter the Good from the Bad

In today’s world, information is everywhere, but not all of it is helpful. When it comes to financial planning, too much research or the wrong kind of advice can do more harm than good. In this episode, Eric tackles the overwhelming flood of financial content people consume through news articles, websites, AI tools, and so-called “money experts.” While it feels empowering to Google your way to a decision, Eric warns that many of these sources use emotional triggers to sell products instead of offering real guidance.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
 🧠 The illusion of empowerment: When research creates confusion
💻 The internet’s hidden agendas
🚨 Why financial “entertainers” are rarely fiduciaries
📉 Real risks of falling for viral advice and newsletters
🤝 How a personalized, transparent process beats online noise
Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

Five People You Meet In Retirement

Retirement isn’t just about financial spreadsheets, it’s about preparing your whole life for a new chapter. In this episode, Eric uses the clever framework of The Five People You Meet in Heaven to explore the five types of professionals and relationships that can shape your retirement journey. From legal guidance to physical wellness, these people can help protect what you've built and ensure you're actually able to enjoy it.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🔒 The importance of protecting assets
📜 The surprising benefits of speaking with an estate planner
💊 Medicare, insurance brokers, and avoiding one-size-fits-all advice
🪴 Personal growth and mentorship still matter after you retire
Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

The Gray Zone of Retirement Planning

When it comes to retirement, some decisions aren’t as clear-cut as they seem. Should you pay off your mortgage early? Convert to a Roth IRA? Claim Social Security at 62 or wait until 70? The math might say one thing, but your emotions, goals, and personal circumstances often pull you in another direction. In this episode, Eric tackles the “gray areas” of retirement planning, those tricky crossroads where logic and lifestyle collide.
 
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🏠 To pay off the mortgage or to not pay off the mortgage
🧠 The psychological side of claiming Social Security
🔄 Roth conversions: long-term gain or short-term tax pain?
🧮 When your retirement plan needs more than just math
 
Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

What The Psychology of Money Reveals About Retirement

We all like to believe we're rational when it comes to money, but our emotions often tell a different story. In this episode, Eric unpacks key insights from Morgan Housel’s The Psychology of Money and explains how our upbringing, fears, and life experiences shape how we save and spend. From the fear of running out to the trap of always wanting more, Eric explores why logic alone isn't enough to build a solid retirement plan.
 
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🔍 Why "no one is crazy" when it comes to money
💰 The danger of the “never enough” mindset/constant pursuit of more
🧠 Why being reasonable is more important than rational in financial planning
🛡️ Building a plan that allows for the unexpected  
 
Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

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/