Planning Matters Radio

Hosted by Richon Planning

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100

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Aug 2026

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About the show

An independent financial, investment, and retirement planner. Identifying opportunities and protecting what's important. We help you protect your paycheck through all walks of life and manage assets to help you achieve your retirement goals.

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60 recent

August 29, 2026Episode 82916 min

🚨 7 Retirement Myths… BUSTED! 🚨

When it comes to retirement planning, some of the biggest mistakes aren't caused by market volatility... they're caused by assumptions that sound true, but aren't always. To make sure you're not surprised, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy break down these myths : Will Social Security really disappear? Can you skip long-term care planning if you want to stay home? Will Medicaid or Medicare cover all your long-term care costs? Do investment returns stop mattering once you retire ? Should you avoid spending your principal? Will your taxes automatically be lower in retirement ? And do you really need to hit a magic number like $1 million before you can retire ? In this interview, we're separating retirement fact from fiction and breaking down what these myths could mean for your financial plan. To create a retirement plan based on facts, not myths , please call Peter at 919-300-5886 or visit www.RichonPlanning.com

August 22, 2026Episode 82216 min

Are Bonds Still the Best Way to Manage Risk?

📊 For decades, bonds have been the go-to investment for managing risk. But is that still true in today's market? 📈 With inflation remaining elevated and interest rates potentially moving higher, many investors are asking whether the traditional 60/40 portfolio is enough. In this interview, Peter Richon with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy discuss: ✅ Why bonds may not provide the same stability they once did 📉 What 2022 taught investors about diversification 🛡️ How fixed indexed annuities, structured notes, and buffered ETFs may fit into a risk management strategy 🤔 The questions to ask before making changes to your portfolio Every investor's goals and risk tolerance are different, which is why it's important to understand all of your options before making investment decisions. To learn more about how to balance growth, income, and protection in today's market, give Peter a call at 919-300-5886 or visit www.RichonPlanning.com

August 15, 2026Episode 81513 min

⏳ 6 Things To Do if Retirement is 6 Years Away

Six years may sound like plenty of time, but the choices you make today can have a major impact on your retirement lifestyle tomorrow. 🌴💰 In this video, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy cover 6 important steps to take before you retire, including: 🏖️ Test-drive your dream retirement destination before you commit. 🏡 Complete home repairs and renovations while you're still earning. 🤝 Start volunteering now to build purpose and community beyond your career. 🏥 Prepare for rising healthcare costs—even with Medicare. 📈 Develop a smart Social Security claiming strategy to help maximize your lifetime benefits. 👨‍💼 Work with a financial advisor to create a personalized retirement income plan. A little planning today can help you retire with greater confidence tomorrow. ✅ If you'd like to start checking these important items off your retirement checklist, give Peter a call at 919-300-5886 or visit www.RichonPlanning.com

August 8, 2026Episode 80814 min

💰 Are you and your spouse accidentally leaving free money on the table?

A new study from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College found that nearly 1 in 5 married couples aren't coordinating their retirement savings, and it could be costing them about $760 every year. 😳 So how does this happen… even when both spouses are contributing? In this interview, Peter Richon with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy break down: ✔️ What it really means to coordinate retirement savings as a couple ✔️ How employer matches can slip through the cracks ✔️ Smart strategies when one spouse has better benefits ✔️ The key conversations every couple should be having 📊 Bottom line: Retirement planning isn't just personal... it's a team sport. To ensure you're not leaving money on the table, give Peter a call at 919-300-5886 or visit www.401kdistributions.com

August 1, 2026Episode 80113 min

🔍 Should You Surrender or Replace That Old Annuity?

What worked for your retirement plan years ago… might not be the best fit today. And making the wrong move could cost you. ⚠️ In this interview, Peter Richon with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy break down: ✔️ The difference between surrendering vs. replacing an annuity ✔️ When it actually makes sense to consider a change ✔️ Common (and costly) mistakes to avoid ✔️ Tips to make the process smooth and efficient ✔️ Where to start if you're feeling unsure 💡 The key? Don't make a move without understanding the full picture. If you'd like to talk through whether surrendering or replacing an annuity makes sense, or if you'd like a second opinion, please give Peter a call at 919-300-5886 or visit www.TopAnnuityIncome.com

July 25, 2026Episode 72514 min

Retirement Spending Peaks Earlier Than You Think

Here's a number that should change how you think about retirement: 12 . That's about how long a healthy 60-year-old has before mobility, energy, and independence begin to decline. Let that sink in. Too many financial plans are built around steady, flat income over 25–30 years. But real life doesn't work that way. As Peter Richon with Richon Planning explains to Erin Kennedy, spending tends to follow a pattern: "Go-Go" years: Travel, experiences, living fully "Slow-Go" years: Less activity, more time at home "No-Go" years: Healthcare and essentials take priority In fact, research shows spending on travel and leisure often peaks around age 75, then declines… not because the money is gone, but because the ability to enjoy it changes. And here's the challenge: Most people are wired to save and be cautious… so they underspend in the years that matter most. The takeaway: Retirement planning isn't just about how much you save… …it's about when you spend it. To create a retirement plan and spending plan that supports the life you actually want to live, please give Peter a call at 919-300-5886 or visit www.RichonPlanning.com

July 18, 2026Episode 71814 min

Should You Tap Your Retirement Savings to Pay off Your Mortgage?

Thinking about paying off your mortgage before retirement ? Not so fast… Going into retirement debt-free sounds like the dream, but should you tap your retirement savings to make it happen? In this interview, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy break it down When it does make sense to pay off your mortgage How to balance the numbers vs. peace of mind Why pulling from retirement accounts could backfire The hidden risks: taxes, reduced liquidity, and even higher Medicare premiums Bottom line: A paid- off house feels great… but the strategy behind it matters even more. Before you write that final check, give Peter a call at (919) 300-5886 or visit www.RichonPlanning.com

July 11, 202619 min

🚨 Nearing retirement? You're in the retirement red zone... and every decision counts.

The good news? A smart strategy now can make a BIG difference later. In this video, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy lay out your 4-step action plan to retire with confidence: Max out tax-advantaged accounts (don't forget catch-up contributions!) Open & fully fund an IRA — and consider going Roth for tax-free growth Leverage HSAs (triple tax advantage + future healthcare funding!) Understand RMDs — because taxes in retirement may NOT be lower BONUS: Work with a financial advisor to tie it all together and avoid costly missteps Your future income, taxes, and lifestyle depend on the moves you make today. To put together your unique action plan, please call Peter at (919) 300-5886 or visit www.RichonPlanning.com Act now to get ahead of the curve.

July 4, 2026Episode 70315 min

💡 IRMAA Explained: The Hidden Medicare Cost That Could Catch You Off Guard

When it comes to Medicare, most people focus on coverage… but not enough attention is paid to what you'll actually pay. As Peter with Richon Planning explains to Erin Kennedy, if you're considered a "high-income beneficiary" by the Social Security Administration, you could be hit with an extra charge called IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount)… and it can significantly increase your Medicare Part B premiums. Here's what you need to know 👇 ✔️ How high is "high-income"? Even a modest increase in income can push you into a higher bracket. ✔️ It's a cliff, not a slope Go just $1 over the threshold, and you could pay hundreds more per year in premiums. ✔️ One-time events can trigger it Selling a home, taking an RMD, Roth conversions, or realizing large capital gains can unexpectedly spike your income. ✔️ Planning is everything Strategies like Roth conversions, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) can help reduce or even avoid IRMAA. The bottom line: Without careful planning, you could end up paying more for Medicare than necessary. 📞 Want to make sure IRMAA doesn't catch you off guard? Call Peter at (919) 300-5886 or visit www.RichonPlanning.com to put a plan together that could save you thousands in health insurance.

June 29, 2026Episode 62913 min

Social Security Insolvency Now Projected for 2032!

🚨 Social Security is facing a major deadline. A new report projects the trust fund could be depleted by 2032… which may mean benefit cuts of up to 22%. 📉 So what does that actually mean for you? In this conversation, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy break down: 👉 Is Social Security really "going away"? 👉 Should you claim early at 62? 👉 What changes could be coming from Washington 👉 How to plan now so you're not caught off guard The bottom line: Social Security isn't disappearing, but relying on it alone could leave a gap in your retirement income. To understand what's ahead, and how to prepare, give Peter a call at (919) 300-5886 or visit www.RichonPlanning.com