Retirement Ready

Hosted by Eric Peterson

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Episodes

299

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Financial and retirement planning guidance from Des Moines’ Eric Peterson of Peterson Financial Group.

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60 recent

August 13, 2026Episode 41713 min

Retirement Lessons from Betty White

Betty White may never have officially retired, but her humor and outlook offer several valuable lessons for anyone planning the next stage of life. Today, Eric explores why retirement readiness involves more than building an investment portfolio. A fulfilling plan should help you prepare for change while continuing to support the people, purpose, and experiences that matter to you. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🌟 Betty White’s Impact: Her humor offers practical retirement lessons ❤️ Health and Lifestyle: Staying active can support greater independence 💼 Work and Purpose: Retirement does not require leaving meaningful work 🤝 Social Connections: Relationships and organization matter more with age 💰 Enjoying Retirement: A plan can make spending feel easier Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

August 6, 2026Episode 41611 min

Laid Off Near Retirement? What to Do Next

A layoff close to retirement can feel like a financial emergency, but it may not be as damaging as it first appears. Eric explains why layoffs are happening and walks through the key financial decisions that follow. He also shares a practical checklist for evaluating whether returning to work is necessary, or whether retirement may already be possible. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: ⚠️ Economic Uncertainty: Layoffs can quickly disrupt retirement timelines 🏢 Corporate Incentives: Compensation rules may influence workforce decisions 🤖 AI Adoption: Technology continues reshaping company staffing needs 🩺 Benefits Planning: Severance and health insurance require careful review 🧭 Next Steps: A written plan can reveal options Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

July 30, 2026Episode 41513 min

Mailbag: HELOCs, Trusts, and Family Money

📞 Ready to take the next step? Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ Should you open a HELOC before retirement? Is a revocable trust really necessary? And how can you support a financially irresponsible family member without jeopardizing your own future? In this mailbag episode, Eric answers listener questions about borrowing after retirement, avoiding unnecessary taxes on large IRA withdrawals, simplifying an estate, and setting healthy financial boundaries with loved ones. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🏠 Borrow Before Retirement: Secure credit while still working. 🚨 Withdrawal Consequences: Large IRA distributions can trigger taxes. 📜 Trust Decisions: Understand when probate protection matters. 👨‍👩‍👧 Family Boundaries: Help without enabling harmful habits. 🛡️ Protect Retirement: Do not sacrifice your own security. Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

July 23, 2026Episode 41412 min

Easy Ways to Ruin Retirement

📞 Ready to take the next step? Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ Retirement can be exciting, but it can also come with new challenges. In this episode, Eric discusses some of the most common ways people can accidentally ruin retirement. Some are mental, while others are mathematical. He also covers how a proactive planning strategy can help retirees avoid costly mistakes. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🧠 Mental Math: Balancing mindset and numbers ⚠️ New Problems: Retirement won’t fix everything 🐖 Spending Habits: Budget for real life 🚶 Stay Active: Health matters in retirement 📉 Market Risk: Don’t invest like you’re 35 🧾 Tax Planning: Use your choices wisely Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

July 16, 2026Episode 41312 min

The National Park Guide to Retirement Planning

📞 Ready to take the next step? Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ Whether you're visiting one of the 63 national parks this summer or just hitting a local trail, a lot of the best practices for a great hike apply just as well to your retirement plan. Today, Eric “walks” through a few. The people who get the most out of a national park trip aren't the ones who show up and figure it out at the gate. They've done the research, mapped the trails, and know what they want to see before they ever leave the driveway. Retirement works the same way. A little preparation goes a long way toward making sure you actually get everything out of it that you planned for. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🏞️ National Parks: Planning lessons from the trail 🗺️ Retirement Map: Why every plan needs direction 🧾 Financial Legacy: Leave clarity, not confusion 🎒 Pack Light: Streamline your retirement accounts 🥾 Personal Route: Build around your needs Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

July 9, 2026Episode 4129 min

Mailbag: Military Pension Mistakes & Retirement Decision Paralysis

📞 Ready to take the next step? Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ What happens if you make a retirement decision you can't undo? And how do you know when you've done enough research before making an important financial move? In this mailbag episode, Eric answers two listener questions—one from a military retiree looking to protect his spouse after declining a survivor pension benefit, and another from a listener who struggles with overthinking every financial decision. Eric offers practical solutions to protect your retirement income and move forward with greater confidence. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🎖️ Military Pension Choices – Replacing lost survivor income after retirement 🧩 Creative Planning – Finding solutions for difficult situations 🧠 Decision Paralysis – Breaking the cycle of overthinking 📊 Retirement Reviews – Understanding the planning process ✅ Move Forward – Why action beats indecision Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

July 2, 2026Episode 41112 min

Movie Quotes That Reveal the Truth About Retirement

📞 Ready to take the next step? Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ Can classic movie quotes actually teach valuable retirement lessons? In this episode, Eric takes memorable lines from films like The Terminator, When Harry Met Sally, and The Wizard of Oz and uses them to explain key retirement-planning concepts. From preparing for inevitable market downturns to understanding why every retirement plan should be personalized, these famous quotes provide surprisingly practical financial insights. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🎬 "I'll Be Back": Bear markets are temporary, but your retirement plan should always be prepared 🍽️ "I'll Have What She's Having": Copying someone else's retirement strategy can lead you in the wrong direction 📋 Custom Retirement Plans: Your income and goals create a retirement plan that's uniquely yours 🌪️ "We're Not in Kansas Anymore": The mindset shift that comes with retirement ✅ Retirement Confidence: Having a written income strategy can make it easier to enjoy retirement Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

June 25, 2026Episode 41012 min

Mailbag: Simplify Your Retirement Accounts

📞 Ready to take the next step? Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ Sometimes, the most valuable retirement lessons come from the questions people are asking every day. In this mailbag episode, Eric tackles listener questions covering investment organization, diversification, and pursuing new opportunities later in life. Along the way, he shares practical insights on making smarter financial decisions without losing sight of what matters most. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 💼 One Login: Simplify investment management 🌍 Global Reach: International exposure may surprise you 📊 Stay Diversified: Avoid concentration risk 🏦 Consolidate Accounts: Keep everything organized 📈 Long-Term View: Build around your goals 💡 Smart Decisions: Match strategy to your situation Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

June 18, 2026Episode 40912 min

Where Does Guaranteed Income in Retirement Really Come From?

📞 Ready to take the next step? Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ What does "guaranteed income" really mean in retirement, and is it actually possible to create a paycheck you can count on for life? In this episode, Eric breaks down the different sources of retirement income, including Social Security, pensions, investments, rental properties, and insurance-based solutions. He explains the risks many retirees overlook when relying solely on portfolios, dividends, bonds, or rental income and discusses why predictable income streams can play an important role in a well-designed retirement strategy. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: ❓What "guaranteed income" actually means in retirement 📊 Why the 4% withdrawal rule isn't always predictable 🏠 The hidden risks of relying on rental property income 📉 How dividends and bonds can disappoint retirees 🛡️ The role insurance products can play in income planning 📋 Building a retirement income strategy that survives market volatility Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

June 11, 2026Episode 40813 min

Mailbag: IRA Withdrawals, Whole Life Insurance & Cash on the Sidelines

📞 Ready to take the next step? Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ In this mailbag episode, Eric tackles a variety of listener questions about retirement and financial planning. He breaks down complex topics into clear, practical guidance to help you make more confident money decisions. You’ll hear discussion around balancing risk, managing income needs, and aligning your strategy with your long-term goals. It’s a helpful listen if you’re looking for straightforward answers to common retirement concerns. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 💸 Weighing the real cost of pulling retirement funds to pay off debt 🛡️ Understanding term vs. permanent life insurance in retirement 🧮 Seeing taxes as a “silent partner” in your accounts 🧊 Breaking free from cash-only paralysis with a clear plan Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/