Michigan's Retirement Coach Podcast With Mike Douglas

Hosted by Mike Douglas

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Episodes

233

Latest episode

Nov 2026

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About the show

Retire with confidence! Introducing "Michigan's Retirement Coach," podcast- one of Feedspot's " Top Retirement Podcasts You Must Follow !" Join Mike Douglas and his engaging series as he draws upon insights from real clients and their stories to help you make the most of a fulfilling retirement. Mike and the whole team at LifePlan Financial Design can help you navigate the complexities of retirement planning in Michigan. Click for your personalized Retirement Roadmap here ! Follow on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , YouTube and X (formerly known as Twitter) About Mike Douglas, President and Advisor at LifePlan Wealth Design: Mike Douglas specializes in wealth management and retirement planning at LifePlan Financial Design. Previously, he spent many years in the service industry, focusing on account management and business-to-business relationships. His CFP® professional and financial planner certification and MBA round out his unique insight. He combines those experiences with his life, health, and Series 65 securities licenses and training to help families pursue their financial goals. Mike and his wife, Kimberly, live in Howell, Michigan, with their four young children: Gavin, Zachary, Kaleb, and Emmalyn, along with one Shorkie (Shih Tzu/Yorkie), Satchmo. He enjoys doing anything with his family – sports, gardening, cooking, fishing, and more. Mike plays the piano and several other instruments at church and also enjoys golf and running. A former college football and tennis athlete, he completed his first marathon in 2017 at Walt Disney World.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

November 10, 202610 min

Is the 60/40 Portfolio Losing Its Retirement Edge?

Is the traditional 60/40 portfolio still built for today’s retirement challenges? Mike Douglas examines how changing interest rates, market volatility, and bond performance may affect conventional portfolio strategies. He discusses why retirement planning should look beyond a one-size-fits-all mix of stocks and bonds and considers alternatives such as annuities, structured notes, and dividend strategies. Find out why aligning investments with income needs, taxes, risk, and personal retirement goals may be more important than simply following an old investing rule. Schedule your complimentary appointment today: MichigansRetirementCoach.com Follow us on social media: YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

November 3, 202610 min

What If Your Retirement Lasts 40 Years?

What happens when retirement lasts 30 or even 40 years? Mike Douglas explores how longevity can reshape retirement planning, from finding purpose after leaving the workforce to creating an income strategy designed around a longer retirement. He discusses balancing Social Security and investments, considering different income sources, and accounting for taxes, healthcare, long-term care, estate planning, and market risk. It’s a look at the many moving pieces that can come with preparing for a retirement that may last decades. Schedule your complimentary appointment today: MichigansRetirementCoach.com Follow us on social media: YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 27, 202612 min

What Financial Moves Need to Happen Before December 31st?

What financial opportunities disappear once the calendar flips to January? In this episode, Mike Douglas discusses key year-end retirement planning considerations, including Roth conversions, required minimum distributions (RMDs), retirement account contributions, and tax strategies. He explains important deadlines retirees should know and why decisions made before year-end can affect taxes, retirement income, and future planning. The conversation also highlights the value of coordinating tax, investment, Medicare, and retirement strategies as part of a comprehensive financial plan. Schedule your complimentary appointment today: MichigansRetirementCoach.com Follow us on social media: YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 20, 202613 min

Taxes in Retirement – Surprise Tax Bombs

Could the biggest tax surprise in retirement be one you never saw coming? In this episode of Michigan’s Retirement Coach, Mike Douglas discusses several common retirement tax "bombs," including Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), Social Security taxation, and Medicare IRMAA surcharges. He explains how these rules can affect retirement income, why taxes may not decrease as much as some retirees expect, and how proactive planning can help retirees better understand the long-term impact of taxes throughout retirement. Schedule your complimentary appointment today: MichigansRetirementCoach.com Follow us on social media: YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 13, 202621 min

5 Common Retirement Fears That Often Don’t Come True

Are your biggest retirement fears based on reality, or on headlines designed to grab your attention? In this episode, Mike Douglas breaks down five common retirement worries, including running out of money, market crashes, healthcare costs, boredom, and becoming a burden on family members. He explores how income planning, risk management, long-term care considerations, community involvement, and family conversations can help retirees evaluate these concerns from a different perspective. Learn why understanding your spending habits, preparing for uncertainty, and focusing on what you can control may be just as important as investment performance in retirement. Schedule your complimentary appointment today: MichigansRetirementCoach.com Follow us on social media: YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 11, 202630 min

Are Your Retirement Dollars Working on the Right Timeline?

What if retirement planning has less to do with chasing market returns and more to do with giving every dollar a purpose? In this episode from this past weekend’s radio show, Mike Douglas discusses how retirees can balance growth, income, and protection while preparing for market uncertainty. He explains why organizing assets by timeline can help support retirement goals, how tax-deferred accounts may create challenges later in retirement, and why a comprehensive plan should address income, taxes, Medicare, estate planning, long-term care, and legacy considerations. Schedule your complimentary appointment today: MichigansRetirementCoach.com Follow us on social media: YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 6, 202615 min

Taxes in Retirement – Strategies to Potentially Lower Taxes

Are you giving the government a bigger raise every time your retirement account grows? In this episode of Michigan’s Retirement Coach, Mike Douglas explores why tax planning can be just as important as investment planning in retirement. He breaks down Roth conversions, common tax mistakes retirees make, and lesser-known strategies for managing wealth across multiple generations. The conversation also covers how taxes, estate planning, long-term care considerations, and regular financial reviews can work together as part of a broader retirement strategy. Schedule your complimentary appointment today: MichigansRetirementCoach.com Follow us on social media: YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 4, 202621 min

What Happens to Your Retirement When the Market Finally Drops?

Is the real risk to your retirement a market downturn, or not having a plan when one happens? In this episode from this past weekend's radio show, Mike Douglas discusses why investors remain nervous despite strong markets, how to prepare for market corrections, and the importance of building a retirement plan around income, taxes, investments, and long-term goals. He also explains why tax-smart planning matters more than ever as retirees face growing IRA balances, Medicare considerations, and future tax liabilities. Schedule your complimentary appointment today: MichigansRetirementCoach.com Follow us on social media: YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 29, 202617 min

Taxes in Retirement – Roth Conversions Explained Simply

Could today's tax rates make a bigger difference to your retirement than you realize? In this episode, Mike Douglas breaks down the basics of Roth conversions, why they’ve gained attention in recent years, and how changes in tax law have influenced retirement planning conversations. Learn the difference between Roth conversions and Roth IRA contributions, common mistakes people make, and why timing, tax brackets, and long-term planning all play important roles in the decision-making process. Schedule your complimentary appointment today: MichigansRetirementCoach.com Follow us on social media: YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 27, 202631 min

Are Higher Interest Rates Changing Your Retirement Strategy?

What if rising interest rates are creating opportunities and risks for your retirement at the same time? In this episode from this past weekend’s radio show, Mike Douglas explains how recent interest rate changes can affect retirement income, investments, and planning decisions. He discusses strategies for managing cash, annuities, taxes, Medicare costs, and long-term care considerations, while also exploring how retirement priorities often evolve in your 70s. Plus, Mike shares insights on creating a retirement plan that goes beyond investments and addresses income, legacy goals, survivorship, and multi-generational wealth planning. Schedule your complimentary appointment today: MichigansRetirementCoach.com Follow us on social media: YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.