America's Retirement Headquarters

Hosted by Nolan Baker

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Episodes

258

Latest episode

Jun 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.

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60 recent

June 16, 202650 min

The Social Security Move That Changes Everything

The wrong Social Security decision could quietly cost more than your portfolio ever earns. This episode breaks down when to claim benefits, why timing matters, and how taxes, spousal coordination, and healthcare costs shape your retirement income. You’ll also hear a practical five-step checklist to calculate what you actually need, without relying on guesswork, and uncover the most common retirement mistakes that derail otherwise solid plans. From income gaps to withdrawal strategies and hidden tax traps, this discussion focuses on building a coordinated approach that aligns income, risk, and long-term needs so your retirement plan works as intended.     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. Visit Us: 1700 Woodlands Drive, Maumee, OH 43537 Call Us: 419-794-3030See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

June 9, 202649 min

Why Even Millionaires Fear Retirement

Think a million dollars solves retirement worries? Think again. This episode breaks down the top seven concerns keeping even high net worth savers up at night, from market volatility and inflation to healthcare costs, debt, and rising housing expenses. The conversation explores how planning, not just wealth, plays a central role in navigating uncertainty, including strategies for managing risk, preparing for unexpected life events, and maintaining income stability. You’ll also hear how overlooked tax details, like after tax IRA contributions, can create costly surprises, and why a “spring cleaning” approach to your portfolio may uncover hidden inefficiencies. It’s a practical look at aligning your financial pieces into a clearer, more intentional 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. Visit Us: 1700 Woodlands Drive, Maumee, OH 43537 Call Us: 419-794-3030See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

June 2, 202653 min

Income Over Balance: Rethinking Your Retirement Strategy

Do you really need a million dollars to retire, or is that number misleading you? This episode explores why focusing on income, not account balance, reshapes retirement planning. The conversation breaks down how to build reliable monthly cash flow, uncover hidden investment fees that can quietly erode savings, and recognize key red flags when choosing a financial advisor. It also looks at how interest rate changes impact retirement income strategies and the risks of chasing yield in uncertain markets. With practical insights on structuring income, managing risk, and evaluating costs, this discussion highlights what matters most when turning savings into a sustainable retirement plan.   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. Visit Us: 1700 Woodlands Drive, Maumee, OH 43537 Call Us: 419-794-3030See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 26, 202650 min

The Retirement Mistake That Could Cost You $100K+

What if one simple decision in your early 60s could quietly cost you tens, or even hundreds, of thousands in retirement income? This episode breaks down how Social Security timing, tax strategy, and income planning can shape your financial future more than your account balance alone. The conversation explores common claiming mistakes, why “magic numbers” can mislead retirees, and how to calculate what you actually need. You’ll also hear a five-step retirement clarity checklist and the hidden risks that can derail even well, funded plans, from taxes to healthcare and beyond. It’s a closer look at how different pieces of retirement planning connect and why treating them separately can create costly gaps.   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. Visit Us: 1700 Woodlands Drive, Maumee, OH 43537 Call Us: 419-794-3030See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 12, 202653 min

The Million-Dollar Myth and What Retirement Really Runs On

The idea that you need a million dollars to retire comfortably might be one of the most misunderstood headlines in personal finance. In this episode, the conversation shifts away from chasing a big number and toward understanding income, cash flow, and how retirement actually works day to day. The discussion breaks down why most retirees succeed with far less than they expect, how small investment fees can quietly erode savings, and what happens to income when interest rates change. You’ll also hear how to think differently about Social Security, portfolio structure, and the difference between being sold products versus receiving guidance. The focus is on clarity, perspective, and building confidence around retirement income decisions.   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. Visit Us: 1700 Woodlands Drive, Maumee, OH 43537 Call Us: 419-794-3030See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 5, 202651 min

Retirement Rarely Goes as Planned, Now What?

Retirement rarely follows a straight line, and the biggest threats often arrive without warning. This episode explores common retirement disruptions, including health changes, loss of a spouse, market volatility, and rising healthcare costs. The conversation breaks down why planning for a single, best-case scenario can leave gaps and how stress testing different possibilities can reveal blind spots. The hosts also examine alternatives to traditional long‑term care insurance, the trade‑offs of hybrid solutions, and what the NFL Draft can teach us about avoiding small decisions that create long‑term consequences. It’s a wide-ranging discussion focused on preparing for change and understanding how retirement plans need to adapt as life evolves.   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. Visit Us: 1700 Woodlands Drive, Maumee, OH 43537 Call Us: 419-794-3030See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 28, 202651 min

The Costly Retirement Mistake That Happens After Tax Day

  The biggest mistake retirees make often happens after the taxes are filed, and that’s just the beginning of this conversation. In this episode, the team breaks down why filing your return isn’t the finish line, how today’s high interest, rate environment is reshaping retirement income decisions, and what it really takes to spend with confidence once the paychecks stop. You’ll hear insights on building reliable income years before retirement, navigating market volatility without guessing, avoiding common Medicare and tax traps, and why having a flexible spending system matters more than sticking to rigid rules. It’s a wide-ranging discussion focused on turning complexity into clarity.   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. Visit Us: 1700 Woodlands Drive, Maumee, OH 43537 Call Us: 419-794-3030See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 21, 202649 min

The Five-Year Window That Can Redefine Retirement

Ready to take control of your retirement? Start your Retirement TEAM Action Plan at ARHQ.com or call 419-794-3030 to speak with a retirement planning specialist today! What if the biggest risk to retirement isn’t the market, but the decisions made right before leaving work? This episode breaks down why the five years leading up to retirement can quietly shape decades of income, taxes, and healthcare costs. Nolan Baker and Scott Kerschner walk through key planning topics, including identifying income gaps, Social Security timing, managing taxes across different accounts, and protecting against early market downturns. The conversation also covers Medicare enrollment pitfalls, lifelong penalties, and why a written retirement income strategy brings clarity to an otherwise complex transition. A practical discussion for anyone approaching retirement and trying to make sense of how the pieces fit together. 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. Visit Us: 1700 Woodlands Drive, Maumee, OH 43537 Call Us: 419-794-3030See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 14, 202630 min

The Retirement Number Most People Never Write Down

Ready to take control of your retirement? Start your Retirement TEAM Action Plan at ARHQ.com or call 419-794-3030 to speak with a retirement planning specialist today! What does retirement actually cost you, and do you know the number, or just a guess? In this episode of America’s Retirement Headquarters, the conversation starts with a simple but often overlooked step: defining real retirement expenses. The show walks through a practical framework for separating essentials from lifestyle spending, creating clarity around monthly income needs, and turning vague assumptions into something concrete. From understanding income gaps to thinking differently about Social Security timing and dependable income sources, this discussion focuses on building awareness around how paychecks replace paychecks in retirement, one decision at a time. 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. Visit Us: 1700 Woodlands Drive, Maumee, OH 43537 Call Us: 419-794-3030 Learn More: ARHQ.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

April 7, 202651 min

What Happens When Markets, Emotions, and Retirement Collide

Ready to take control of your retirement? Start your Retirement TEAM Action Plan at ARHQ.com or call 419-794-3030 to speak with a retirement planning specialist today! Bond decisions made today can feel simple—until interest rates move and retirement income questions get complicated.   The rules that worked while saving for retirement don’t always apply once withdrawals begin. This episode of How to Retire explores how investing strategies can shift in retirement, why early market losses matter more than many realize, and how emotions like fear and greed influence financial decisions. The conversation also covers bonds in a changing interest-rate environment, planning for unexpected retirement “shocks,” and practical ways retirees can think about income, risk, and flexibility. Along the way, the discussion highlights how structure and discipline can play a role in navigating volatility, protecting lifestyle choices, and adapting plans as conditions change.   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. Visit Us: 1700 Woodlands Drive, Maumee, OH 43537 Call Us: 419-794-3030 Learn More: ARHQ.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.