Retirement Answers

Hosted by Jacob Duke, CFP®

Business Investing Education

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Episodes

161

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Retirement Answers is a podcast built to help you succeed in retirement. The thought of retirement can be overwhelming and downright scary for many... but it doesn't have to be! The goal of this podcast is to provide thoughtful insights and strategies to give you the confidence you need to retire successfully. At the end of the day, my ultimate goal for my clients and podcast listeners is to live a fulfilling retirement. Follow along as I publish a new episode each week covering everything from retirement income planning, tax planning, Social Security, insurance planning, investing, and much more. Here's to learning everything you need to know to live out your dream retirement!

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60 recent

June 16, 2026Episode 15827 min

What Are the Best Strategies for Reducing RMDs?

Are you worried that required minimum distributions (RMDs) could force unnecessary taxable income and shrink your hard-earned retirement savings? In this episode of Retirement Answers, Jacob Duke explains when RMDs become a real problem, offers a quick rule of thumb based on how much you hold in tax-deferred accounts, and walks through five ways to reduce future RMDs.👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started✅ Get your Important Numbers 2025 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2025-important-numbersEmail: jacob@rivertreewealth.comWebsite: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdukeJacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast.DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.00:00 Retirement Rule Frustrations00:51 When RMDs Become a Problem03:10 Gap Years Tax Planning03:33 Asset Location Strategy08:40 Roth Conversions Explained13:32 Delay Social Security Benefits18:40 QCDs for Charitable Giving21:22 Spend More Before RMDs25:40 Wrap Up

May 29, 2026Episode 15713 min

The 4% Rule Is A Terrible Retirement Income Strategy (Here's Why)

Have you ever wondered if certain beliefs or rules of thumb about retirement could actually jeopardize your future instead of secure it? In this episode, Jacob breaks down the 4% and why it doesn't make sense in real life.👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started✅ Get your Important Numbers 2025 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2025-important-numbersEmail: jacob@rivertreewealth.comWebsite: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdukeJacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast.DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

May 22, 2026Episode 15613 min

The Lie That's Holding You Back From Retirement

You've got the savings, the spreadsheet, maybe even the perfect retirement date circled on your calendar, so what's actually holding you back? In this episode, I get honest about the real reason so many people delay retirement, and it's not the money. I share two personal stories and the mindset shift that can help you finally step forward.👉 Work With Us: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2026 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2026-important-numbers Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast.DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.Tune into this episode to find out:(0:00) Why are so many people delaying retirement?(0:45) Blaming finances when fear is the real issue(1:19) The comfort trap of sticking with what you know(2:21) How starting this podcast taught Jacob to begin anyway(4:44) Parenting parallels: you're never fully ready(8:32) Moving the goalposts on your retirement number(9:27) More money rarely fixes the emotional hang-up(10:33) You are what's holding yourself back, not money(11:06) Stepping into retirement unlocks real fulfillment

May 12, 2026Episode 15516 min

Avoid These 5 Retirement Mistakes Before It’s Too Late

You've spent decades saving for retirement, but are you about to make the same mistakes thousands of retirees only spot when it's too late? In this episode, I walk through the five biggest regrets I see in my work as a retirement planner, and exactly what you can do right now to avoid them.Tune into this episode to find out:(01:14) Regret #1 – Claiming Social Security too early costs you(01:44) Early claiming locks in a permanent 30% benefit cut(02:49) How claiming early closes your Roth conversion window(04:12) Regret #2 – Playing it too safe with your investments(06:43) Using the bucket system to balance safety and growth(08:37) Regret #3 – Not spending enough early on(11:06) Regret #4 – Putting off tax planning until it's too late(12:14) How RMDs, Social Security taxes, and IRMAA blindside you(13:46) Regret #5 – Juggling too many accounts and strategies(14:30) Why simplicity leads to clarity and lasting retirement confidence👉 Work With Us: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2026 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2026-important-numbers Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast.DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

May 6, 2026Episode 15421 min

Why Your 401(k) Isn’t Enough - The Ideal Retirement Mix

You're saving for retirement, but are you saving too much into the wrong accounts? Most retirees don't realize this common issue until it's too late.In this episode, I explain why having all of your retirement savings in pre-tax accounts is major risk and how you can begin to fix things.👉 Work With Us: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started✅ Get your Important Numbers 2026 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2026-important-numbersEmail: jacob@rivertreewealth.comWebsite: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdukeJacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast.DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.01:00 Early Retirement Access Trap02:31 Risk One: Future Taxes04:03 Risk Two: RMD Time Bomb06:50 Risk Three: Income Control09:37 Risk Four: Psychological Barriers11:51 Risk Five: Lack of Flexibility12:51 Tax Diversification16:28 How To Fix The Problem19:12 Conclusion

April 24, 2026Episode 15314 min

The Mental Trap That's Sabotaging Your Retirement

Have you ever wondered if chasing “more” could actually make retirement harder instead of better? In this episode of Retirement Answers, Jacob is sharing how “more is not better, better is better” applies to retirement... More money can create fear, over-optimizing can steal joy, more stuff adds complexity and decision fatigue, and more time without purpose can lead to dissatisfaction. Tune in to rethink what “enough” means for you and focus on using your money, lifestyle, and time in a better way that supports a meaningful retirement.👉 Work With Us: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started✅ Get your Important Numbers 2026 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2026-important-numbersEmail: jacob@rivertreewealth.comWebsite: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdukeJacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast.DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.00:00 Welcome00:56 More Is Not Better01:37 Defining Enough02:27 Money Can Add Fear05:43 Stop Over Optimizing08:40 More Stuff Adds Complexity10:34 Time Needs Purpose12:43 Final Takeaways

April 1, 2026Episode 15226 min

Avoid These 8 Retirement Mistakes (They Look Harmless… But Aren’t)

Some of the biggest retirement mistakes don’t show up until it’s too late to fix them. Today, I’m breaking down 8 costly mistakes I see over and over again and how to avoid them before they impact your income, taxes, and long-term freedom. A few small adjustments here can make a massive difference later.👉 Work With Us: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started✅ Get your Important Numbers 2026 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2026-important-numbersEmail: jacob@rivertreewealth.comWebsite: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdukeJacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast.DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

March 21, 2026Episode 15115 min

5 Reasons NOT To Claim Social Security Early

Not sure when to take Social Security? Well, in today's episode, I am sharing 5 reasons you shouldn't take your benefits early and the hidden risks of doing so.👉 Work With Us: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started✅ Get your Important Numbers 2026 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2026-important-numbersEmail: jacob@rivertreewealth.comWebsite: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdukeJacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast.DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

March 13, 2026Episode 15015 min

These Are The Most Important Years of Retirement

If you don't get things right during this important window of time, your retirement likely won't be what you hoped... This 10 year period of time will determine the trajectory of your entire retirement. Prepare correctly and you will enjoy a fulfilling life without worry. Little preparation and poor execution and you will be wishing you could get a do over... Only problem is, you get one shot at retiring right the first time.👉 Work With Us: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started✅ Get your Important Numbers 2026 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2026-important-numbersEmail: jacob@rivertreewealth.comWebsite: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdukeJacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast.DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.00:00 Intro01:40 Last 5 Years of Work11:44 First 5 Years of Retirement14:16 Book a Call

March 3, 2026Episode 14916 min

The Roth IRA 5-Year Rule Explained (Ultimate Guide)

Confused by the Roth IRA 5-year rule? Did you know there are two different 5-year rules? Well, it can get quite confusing, so this episode is meant to be your complete guide for everything around the Roth 5-year rules.👉 Work With Us: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started✅ Get your Important Numbers 2026 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2026-important-numbersEmail: jacob@rivertreewealth.comWebsite: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdukeJacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast.DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.