My Retirement Clarity with Lee Perkins

Hosted by Lee Perkins

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Episodes

198

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Financial and retirement planning with financial planner Lee Perkins, president of JL Perkins Wealth Management in the Macon, Georgia area. Get ready for a good dose of inspiration, simplicity, implementation and, of course, clarity on each and every show. Lee will explore the ways you can successfully prepare for retirement and how to grow and preserve your wealth.

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60 recent

October 7, 2026Episode 19619 min

Don't Wait Until April: Tax Moves Worth Making This Fall (Ep 196)

The best tax moves often happen before tax season begins. Lee explains why proactive, year-round planning can help you make more intentional decisions and keep your broader financial picture in view. By the time April arrives, many of the opportunities to change the outcome are already gone. Don’t wait until April to think ahead; the time to start is now. Here’s what we discuss in today’s show: ❤️ Charitable Giving: Consider donor-advised fund strategies 💵 Withholding: Avoid unnecessary overpayments or surprises 🏥 HSAs: Build tax-efficient healthcare savings 📅 RMDs: Plan ahead for required distributions 🔄 Roth Conversions: Evaluate multi-year tax opportunities 📉 Tax Losses: Offset gains when appropriate Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com 📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com

September 16, 2026Episode 19513 min

Is a Roth Conversion Worth It If You’re Close To Retirement? (Ep 195)

Roth conversions can sound straightforward, but the decision becomes much more complicated once taxes, retirement timing, and your broader financial picture enter the equation. In this episode, Lee explains why there isn’t a universal answer and why the years leading up to retirement can create an important planning opportunity. The real question isn’t simply whether Roth conversions are a good idea, it’s whether they make sense for you, and when. Here’s what we discuss in today’s show: 🔄 Conversion Basics: Moving tax-deferred money into a Roth IRA and paying taxes today 📊 Tax Brackets: Evaluating current income against what taxes may look like later ⏳ Retirement Window: Why the years around retirement can create planning opportunities 🧾 Future Taxes: Considering RMDs, Medicare premiums, and taxes on inherited retirement accounts 📅 Gradual Strategy: Spreading conversions across multiple years instead of doing everything at once Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com 📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com

September 2, 2026Episode 19421 min

Why Retiring In 2026 Is Different Than It Used To Be (Ep 194)

Retirement today looks very different from what previous generations experienced, and the old assumptions don’t always hold up anymore. Lee walks through five realities shaping retirement in 2026 and explains why flexibility, purpose, and thoughtful preparation have become increasingly important. If your retirement plan is still built around yesterday’s expectations, it may be time to take another look. Here’s what we discuss in today’s show: ⏳ Living Longer: Why retirement may need to last decades 🎯 Active Retirement: Planning for purpose and experiences 💼 Phased Retirement: Why more people are easing out of work 🕰️ Work Flexibility: Trading career stress for greater freedom ⚖️ Life Balance: Enjoy today while preparing for tomorrow 🏥 Long-Term Care: Planning for a potentially significant expense Want to set up a meeting with us? Visit us here: http://talkwithjp.com Get more financial education at http://myretirementclarity.com

August 19, 2026Episode 19322 min

Mailbag: Inheritance, Debt, College vs. Retirement & Downsizing (Ep 193)

Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com 📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com What should you do when extra money, competing priorities, or a major life transition creates a financial decision you weren’t expecting? In this mailbag episode, Lee answers listener questions covering several common situations that can affect families before and during retirement. The right answer often depends on much more than a single account or financial rule. Looking at each decision within the context of the bigger plan can help prevent an easy choice today from becoming a regret later. Here’s what we discuss in today’s show: 🏢 New Office: Lee shares an update on the new office and media room 🎓 Family Inheritance: Extra gifts can support college, retirement savings, or other family goals 💳 Managing Debt: Debt can be useful when the cost and overall strategy make sense 💵 Extra Cash: Bonuses can strengthen savings, investments, and future flexibility 🔄 401(k) Rollovers: Convenience isn’t always the best reason to combine retirement accounts 🎓 College vs. Retirement: Parents should be careful about sacrificing their own retirement 🏠 Downsizing: A smaller house doesn’t automatically mean a cheaper or better retirement option Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com 📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com

August 12, 2026Episode 19222 min

Our New Office: A New Chapter for J.L. Perkins Wealth Management (Ep 192)

We have an exciting episode for you today! Lee sits down with Brian Roper to share the vision behind J.L. Perkins Wealth Management’s new space and how it will reshape the client experience. From expanded educational opportunities to creating more ways for clients to connect, the team is building with the future in mind. They also discuss upcoming workshops, thoughtful growth, and why financial planning should ultimately help people make the most of their next phase. Here’s what we discuss in today’s show: 🏢 The vision behind the new office and what the expanded space makes possible 🎓 More opportunities for financial education through the new Summit Center 💰 Helping the next generation build stronger money habits earlier in life 🤝 Creating deeper client connections through education, events, and community 📈 Preparing for intentional growth while maintaining a comprehensive approach to planning Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com 📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com

July 8, 2026Episode 19116 min

Gratitude: The Secret to a Better Retirement (Ep 191)

This week's episode is a little different. Rather than discussing investments or retirement strategies, Lee takes a moment to reflect on gratitude, opportunity, and the perspective that shapes the way we experience life. Recording from his new office for the first time, he shares what the building truly represents: another opportunity to serve others and continue building something meaningful. Lee also explores how gratitude can transform the way we view our circumstances and what makes America so unique despite its imperfections. As Independence Day approaches, this conversation serves as a reminder to appreciate the freedoms we enjoy, the people who sacrificed to protect them, and the countless opportunities available to each of us. Here’s what we discuss in today’s show: 🏢 New Beginnings: Reflecting on growth and purpose 🙏 Gratitude: Perspective shapes your reality 🌟 Opportunity: The freedom to pursue your dreams 🇺🇸 American Freedom: Appreciating what we often overlook 🎖️ Those Who Serve: Honoring sacrifices for our freedom Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com 📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com

June 24, 2026Episode 19020 min

The Danger of Being Well-Informed in the Financial World (Ep 190)

Financial information has never been more accessible, yet many people are more confused than ever about what to do with their money. Lee explores why having access to endless opinions, headlines, podcasts, videos, and AI tools doesn't necessarily lead to better financial decisions. He also explains how retirees can cut through the noise and avoid getting stuck in a cycle of constant research without action. Here’s what we discuss in today’s show: 💡 Information Overload: Knowledge doesn't equal wisdom 📱 Social Advice: Bad information spreads fast 🤖 AI Reality: Helpful tool, imperfect guide 🧠 Bias Bubbles: Algorithms reinforce beliefs 🧊 Analysis Paralysis: Research delaying decisions 🚫 DIY Danger: Don't do it alone 🎯 Stay Focused: Prioritize goals over headlines Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com 📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com

June 10, 2026Episode 18916 min

Beach, Budgets, and Balance: What Vacation Planning Really Looks Like in Retirement (Ep 189)

Summer's here. And somewhere between the excitement of planning a big trip and the anxiety of what it costs, a lot of retirees end up doing something that surprises us… they feel guilty about it. They worked hard, they saved, they planned for decades, and then they second-guess a beach vacation. Today, let's talk about how travel fits into a real retirement plan and how to enjoy it without guilt. Here’s what we discuss in today’s show: ✈️ Retirement is the time to enjoy the experiences you've spent decades planning for. 💰 Creating a dedicated travel fund can make spending feel intentional instead of stressful. 🧠 The psychology of spending often becomes more challenging once the paycheck stops. 🌎 Most retirees travel more in the early years of retirement and gradually slow down over time. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Many retirees are choosing experiences and family travel over simply leaving larger inheritances. Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com 📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com

May 27, 2026Episode 18815 min

Three Questions From People Thinking About Retiring In 2026 (Ep 188)

Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com 📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com We're doing something a little different today. Three listeners wrote in with variations of the same question- am I ready to retire in 2026? Same question, three very different situations, three very different answers. Here’s what we discuss in today’s show: 📉 Why scary headlines can derail smart retirement decisions 🧠 The emotional side of retirement most people ignore 🏥 Medicare gaps and pension timing considerations 📺 How media fear impacts investor behavior 📋 Why a retirement plan helps prevent costly mistakes Want to set up a meeting with us? Visit us here: http://talkwithjp.com Get more financial education at http://myretirementclarity.com

May 21, 2026Episode 18720 min

“I Wish I Knew This at 25” — Young Adult Money Mistakes (Ep 187)

Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com 📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com If you want unfiltered financial advice, don’t just read a book, scroll the comments. Spend five minutes on Reddit or YouTube, and you’ll find people being brutally honest about what they wish they had done differently with money. Today, Lee breaks down some of the biggest financial regrets younger adults face and why small decisions early in life can quietly shape your future. The earlier you recognize these habits, the easier it becomes to build confidence, flexibility, and long-term financial stability. Here’s what we discuss in today’s show: 💸 Start Early: Compounding rewards consistency 💳 Credit Card Trap: Minimum payments create long-term debt 🏦 Too Much “Safety”: Inflation quietly erodes cash 🎁 401(k) Match: Free money gets ignored 🧭 No Real Plan: Lifestyle creep steals opportunity Want to set up a meeting with us? Visit us here: http://talkwithjp.com Get more financial education at http://myretirementclarity.com