America's Retirement Headquarters

Hosted by Nolan Baker

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Episodes

274

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

Nolan Baker and Scott Kerschner know that retirement investing is inherently different from pre-retirement investing. It's all about preserving your life's work and collecting income. Join them as they discuss strategies to make your retirement dreams into retirement reality. Learn more about America's Retirement Headquarters online . Follow us on Facebook , YouTube and LinkedIn for even more helpful insights you can use for retirement.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 20, 202648 min

Are You Planning for the Retirement You Actually Want?

Turning 70 changes the retirement playbook, and the moves you make now can shape the years ahead. Nolan Baker discusses key planning considerations around qualified charitable distributions, required minimum distributions, Roth conversions, and Medicare costs. He also explores how to define the retirement lifestyle you actually want, why Social Security planning matters for a surviving spouse, and the risks of becoming too conservative with investments. Plus, learn why coordinating income, taxes, healthcare, estate planning, and portfolio risk can help create a more thoughtful retirement strategy About America's Retirement Headquarters: We are dedicated to helping retirees achieve the retirement they deserve. From crafting personalized retirement income strategies to providing a single location for all your retirement solutions, our goal is to guide you every step of the way. Let us help you navigate the complexities of retirement so that you can enjoy financial confidence and peace of mind. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 13, 202650 min

Can AI Really Help You Retire Smarter?

Can AI answer your retirement questions, or could it miss the details that matter most? This episode explores the growing role of artificial intelligence in retirement planning, where it can help, and where human guidance still plays a critical role. Nolan Baker also discusses how investors can avoid emotional stock market decisions by using rules-based strategies instead of reacting to headlines. Plus, learn why many retirees underestimate the cost of travel, entertainment, and experiences, and how to build those goals into a retirement income plan. The conversation also covers interest rates, market volatility, and practical ways to stress-test your retirement strategy before challenges arise. About America's Retirement Headquarters: We are dedicated to helping retirees achieve the retirement they deserve. From crafting personalized retirement income strategies to providing a single location for all your retirement solutions, our goal is to guide you every step of the way. Let us help you navigate the complexities of retirement so that you can enjoy financial confidence and peace of mind. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 6, 202648 min

The Retirement Moves to Make Before Turning 70

Turning 70 can unlock opportunities and deadlines that many retirees overlook. Nolan Baker explains three key financial moves to consider before age 73, including qualified charitable distributions, preparing for required minimum distributions, and making the most of Roth conversion opportunities. He also breaks down how much income may be needed to support different retirement lifestyles, from lean to affluent, and why planning around lifestyle goals matters more than chasing a savings target. Plus, learn why Social Security affects women differently, how survivor benefits can shape long-term retirement security, and what investors should know about finding the right balance between growth and risk in today’s market. About America's Retirement Headquarters: We are dedicated to helping retirees achieve the retirement they deserve. From crafting personalized retirement income strategies to providing a single location for all your retirement solutions, our goal is to guide you every step of the way. Let us help you navigate the complexities of retirement so that you can enjoy financial confidence and peace of mind. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 29, 202650 min

Are Your Emotions Costing You Money in Retirement?

What if the biggest threat to your retirement plan isn’t the market, but your own emotions? Nolan Baker explains why rules-based investing can help remove fear and greed from financial decisions, shares how disciplined strategies may respond to market volatility, and discusses concerns around stock valuations, interest rates, and geopolitical uncertainty. He also explores where AI can be a useful retirement planning tool and where human guidance still matters. Plus, learn why many retirees underestimate the cost of travel, entertainment, and lifestyle goals, and how building those experiences into a retirement income plan can help create a more meaningful retirement. About America's Retirement Headquarters: We are dedicated to helping retirees achieve the retirement they deserve. From crafting personalized retirement income strategies to providing a single location for all your retirement solutions, our goal is to guide you every step of the way. Let us help you navigate the complexities of retirement so that you can enjoy financial confidence and peace of mind. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 22, 202653 min

The Retirement Mistakes Elections Can Trigger

What if the biggest threat to your retirement isn’t the election, the market, or inflation, but the decisions you make because of them? In this episode, Nolan Baker discusses how investors can navigate political uncertainty without making emotional portfolio moves. He explains why “dead money” can quietly erode purchasing power, how tax planning differs from tax filing, and why many retirees struggle to spend from investment accounts but feel comfortable spending guaranteed income. The conversation also explores stress-testing retirement plans, managing tax-deferred accounts, Roth conversion opportunities, and building reliable income streams designed to support retirement goals. About America's Retirement Headquarters: We are dedicated to helping retirees achieve the retirement they deserve. From crafting personalized retirement income strategies to providing a single location for all your retirement solutions, our goal is to guide you every step of the way. Let us help you navigate the complexities of retirement so that you can enjoy financial confidence and peace of mind. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 8, 202649 min

The $42,000 Retirement Tax Surprise Few Savers See Coming

A $42,000 tax surprise from a retirement account sounds extreme, but it can happen faster than many retirees realize. This episode explores how required minimum distributions (RMDs) can trigger higher taxes, taxable Social Security, and increased Medicare premiums through IRMAA. Nolan Baker discusses strategies that may help reduce retirement tax exposure, including Roth conversions, qualified charitable distributions, and proactive tax planning. He also breaks down Medicare coverage gaps, rising healthcare costs in retirement, long-term care considerations, and the importance of stress-testing a retirement plan for unexpected events. Learn how taxes, healthcare, and income planning work together to shape retirement outcomes. About America's Retirement Headquarters: We are dedicated to helping retirees achieve the retirement they deserve. From crafting personalized retirement income strategies to providing a single location for all your retirement solutions, our goal is to guide you every step of the way. Let us help you navigate the complexities of retirement so that you can enjoy financial confidence and peace of mind. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 1, 202651 min

The Retirement Tax Domino Effect Most People Never See Coming

One overlooked tax decision could trigger a chain reaction that impacts your Social Security, Medicare premiums, and retirement income. Nolan Baker breaks down seven retirement tax strategies that many retirees miss, including Roth conversions, Social Security timing, tax-loss harvesting, zero-percent capital gains opportunities, and qualified charitable distributions. He also explores retirement planning challenges for those without children, smart ways to handle a financial windfall, and why investors should prepare their retirement plans for election-year uncertainty. Learn how taxes, healthcare costs, investment decisions, and long-term planning connect, and why a proactive tax strategy may help keep more of your retirement savings working for you. About America's Retirement Headquarters: We are dedicated to helping retirees achieve the retirement they deserve. From crafting personalized retirement income strategies to providing a single location for all your retirement solutions, our goal is to guide you every step of the way. Let us help you navigate the complexities of retirement so that you can enjoy financial confidence and peace of mind. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 25, 202653 min

The Retirement Risks Most People Don't See Coming

Could a market downturn, an unexpected inheritance, or rising healthcare costs derail your retirement plans faster than you think? This week on the How to Retire Radio Show, the team from America’s Retirement Headquarters explores why retirees need more than investment growth to stay on track. Learn how a two-bucket income strategy may help manage market volatility, why healthcare costs before and after Medicare deserve close attention, how inherited assets can create tax and insurance surprises, and what changes when you join the “millionaire club.” The conversation highlights the importance of coordinating income, taxes, healthcare, and legacy planning as retirement approaches. About America's Retirement Headquarters: We are dedicated to helping retirees achieve the retirement they deserve. From crafting personalized retirement income strategies to providing a single location for all your retirement solutions, our goal is to guide you every step of the way. Let us help you navigate the complexities of retirement so that you can enjoy financial confidence and peace of mind. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 18, 202651 min

How Much of Your IRA Actually Belongs to the IRS?

Your IRA may not be as much yours as you think. This episode explores the hidden tax liability inside 401(k)s and IRAs, why the IRS can become a silent partner in your retirement, and how expiring tax laws could impact your future income. Nolan Baker and Danny Schauber break down Roth conversions, required minimum distributions (RMDs), Medicare IRMAA surcharges, Social Security taxation, and strategies designed to reduce lifetime taxes. They also discuss how recent SECURE Act changes affect inherited IRAs and why proactive tax planning may help preserve more wealth for your family. Learn why a tax "what-if" analysis can uncover opportunities before today's tax landscape changes. About America's Retirement Headquarters: We are dedicated to helping retirees achieve the retirement they deserve. From crafting personalized retirement income strategies to providing a single location for all your retirement solutions, our goal is to guide you every step of the way. Let us help you navigate the complexities of retirement so that you can enjoy financial confidence and peace of mind. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 11, 202653 min

Forced Into Retirement? The Decisions That Matter Most

What happens if retirement arrives years earlier than planned? This episode explores the financial decisions that can follow an unexpected job loss, including how to bridge income gaps, evaluate Social Security timing, and navigate healthcare options. Nolan Baker also breaks down the backdoor Roth IRA strategy and the tax pitfalls that can catch investors off guard. Plus, learn why more retirees and advisors are considering annuities for dependable income, and why a simple buy-and-hold approach may create risks during retirement. The discussion focuses on coordinating income, taxes, investments, and retirement planning decisions when timing and strategy matter most. About America's Retirement Headquarters: We are dedicated to helping retirees achieve the retirement they deserve. From crafting personalized retirement income strategies to providing a single location for all your retirement solutions, our goal is to guide you every step of the way. Let us help you navigate the complexities of retirement so that you can enjoy financial confidence and peace of mind. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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