Retirement Ready

Hosted by Eric Peterson

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Episodes

299

Latest episode

Jun 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

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/

June 4, 2026Episode 40713 min

Retirement Lessons Hidden in Walt Disney Quotes

📞 Ready to take the next step? Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ Sometimes the best financial lessons come from the most unexpected places. Walt Disney built one of the most recognizable brands in history, but some of his most memorable quotes offer lessons that extend far beyond theme parks and animated characters. Today, Eric shares several famous Walt Disney quotes and explains how they relate to retirement planning, investing, income strategies, and long-term financial success. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🏰 Disney Memories: Childhood lessons and changing priorities 💵 Work Optional: Reaching the point where money isn't the goal 💡 Income First: Never losing sight of the foundation 📈 Stay Invested: Navigating market volatility with confidence 🚀 Take Action: Turning plans into progress Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

May 28, 2026Episode 40613 min

Mailbag: Working Forever, Safety Nets, and Target Date Funds

📞 Ready to take the next step? Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ A lot of people think they’ll work forever, until life changes the plan. In this special mailbag episode, Eric answers listener questions about retirement timing, backup planning, target date funds, and how to think about risk as retirement gets closer. Retirement confidence often comes less from having perfect investments and more from having a strategy that can adapt when life changes unexpectedly. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🐢 Jonathan the Tortoise: A surprisingly long perspective on life ⚠️ Early Retirement Reality: Many retire sooner than planned 🎯 Target Date Funds: Simpler doesn’t always mean better 📊 Risk & Allocation: Contributions and balances differ 🧭 Planning First: Investments should follow the plan Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

May 21, 2026Episode 40512 min

The Financial Impact of Losing a Spouse

📞 Ready to take the next step? Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ Losing a spouse is one of the hardest realities anyone can face, and it can create major financial changes that you may not see coming. In this episode, Eric walks through the potential financial impact of becoming suddenly single in retirement, including Social Security changes, tax surprises, IRA rules, beneficiary updates, and income planning challenges. It’s a practical conversation about preparing for the inevitable and making sure your spouse can still maintain stability and confidence if life takes an unexpected turn. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 💔 The potential financial impact of losing a spouse 📉 Why taxes can spike after widowhood 🧾 Critical IRA and beneficiary mistakes to avoid 🚨 Social Security rules that might take you by surprise 🛡️Planning ahead for long-term stability Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

May 14, 2026Episode 40415 min

Old Accounts Could Be Costing You

📞 Ready to take the next step? Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ Today, Eric discusses why old financial accounts deserve a second look. He explains how reviewing these accounts can uncover missed opportunities, improve efficiency, and help create a more coordinated financial plan. Tune in for a practical conversation about making sure old accounts are still working for your future, not just collecting dust. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🗂️ Old Accounts Matter: Forgotten accounts can create missed opportunities 💸 Idle Money Costs You: Some assets may no longer be working efficiently 🔄 Reviews Create Options: Small adjustments can improve flexibility and planning 📋 Old Policies Change: Life insurance and pensions should evolve with your life 🧭 Coordination Is Key: A stronger retirement plan connects everything Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

May 7, 2026Episode 40313 min

Good Intentions, Bad Advice: Well-Meaning Advice Can Cost You

📞 Ready to take the next step? Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ Not all bad financial advice comes from bad sources. Sometimes it comes from the people you trust the most. Eric breaks down how well-meaning input from family, friends, professionals, and even the media can lead to the wrong decisions. Learn how to filter advice and understand what actually applies to your situation, because good intentions don’t always lead to good outcomes. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Influence: Advice can be outdated 🗣️ Friends’ Opinions: Different situations = different outcomes 🧾 CPA Lens: Focus is often on short-term taxes 📺 Media Noise: Entertainment ≠ advice 🎯 Your Plan Matters: Decisions should fit your situation Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

April 30, 2026Episode 40214 min

When Life Happens, Your Plan Needs to Change

📞 Ready to take the next step? Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ Life doesn’t always go according to plan, and your finances need to be ready when things change. Eric walks through some of the biggest life events that can impact your financial future and why each one is a moment to revisit your plan. The goal isn’t to predict every twist and turn; it’s to be prepared when they happen. A solid plan gives you the flexibility to adjust without losing confidence. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 💼 Job Changes: A great time to review accounts and options ⚠️ Job Loss: Avoid knee-jerk decisions during uncertainty 💰 Inheritance: Understand tax rules before making moves 🏥 Medical Issues: Protect assets and prepare for the unexpected 💔 Loss of Spouse: Income drops while taxes often rise Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

April 23, 2026Episode 40113 min

Challenging What You “Know for Sure” About Retirement

📞 Ready to take the next step? Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ Mark Twain once said, “It’s not what you don’t know that gets you into trouble, it’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.” How can this wisdom apply to retirement planning? Eric exposes some of the most common misconceptions people have about retirement, including why rules of thumb often miss the mark. Tune in for a practical conversation about challenging what you “know for sure” about retirement. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 📉 Market Timing: Just like Twain’s advice, trying to time the market often leads to failure ⚖️ Risk Management: How to deal with uncertainty, drawing from Twain’s perspective on risk 🧠 Emotional Decisions: Twain’s insight into human nature helps avoid emotional mistakes in retirement 📝 Planning with Purpose: Planning ahead can set you up for success in retirement Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

April 16, 2026Episode 40012 min

Questions To Ask Your Advisor

📞 Ready to take the next step? Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ Not all financial advice is created equal, and sometimes the difference comes down to the questions being asked. Too often, conversations with advisors focus on performance and returns, while the bigger picture gets overlooked. Eric walks through the key questions that can reshape how you think about your plan and explains how the right questions can lead to better clarity, smarter decisions, and a more confident path into retirement. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🧭 Lifestyle First: Your plan should support how you actually want to live 💬 Real Conversations: Great advisors ask about your life, not just your returns 💰 Tax Efficiency: Where your income comes from matters just as much as how much 🧾 Spending Reality: Plans need to reflect how you’ll actually spend in retirement ⚖️ Risk Tolerance: Understanding volatility helps avoid emotional decisions 🤝 Advisor Relationship: Guidance and behavioral coaching are just as important as strategy Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

April 9, 2026Episode 39911 min

How the 24/7 News Cycle Hurts Your Portfolio

📞 Ready to take the next step? Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ In today’s 24/7 news cycle, financial headlines are designed to grab attention, not guide smart decisions. The result? Decisions driven more by noise than by strategy. In this episode, Eric explores how media influence, emotional reactions, and misunderstood risk tolerance can quietly derail a financial plan. It’s a reminder that long-term success isn’t about reacting faster, it’s about thinking more clearly and for the long-term gain. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 📺 Media Influence: Financial news is often entertainment, not strategy ⚠️ Emotional Decisions: Fear and urgency can lead to costly mistakes 📊 Risk Reality: Most people take more risk than they realize 📉 Market Volatility: Short-term swings are normal, not signals to panic 🤝 Advisor Value: A plan helps you avoid reacting at the wrong time Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/