Retirement Ready

Hosted by Eric Peterson

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Episodes

299

Latest episode

Oct 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

November 5, 2026Episode 42915 min

May the Force Be With Your Retirement Plan

📞 Ready to take the next step? Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ A retirement plan should do more than sit on a shelf collecting dust, even if Yoda would probably approve of the paperwork. In this episode, Eric uses a few familiar Star Wars lessons to explain why a good plan should bring everything together, evolve as life changes, and help you stay steady when markets get uncomfortable. It’s a fun way to look at some serious planning principles without making retirement feel like a trip to the dark side. Because when the plan is working, you shouldn’t need the Force to know what comes next. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🌌 The Big Picture: Bring every planning piece together ✅ Work the Plan: Review and update it regularly 📉 Market Volatility: Protect income during downturns 🧺 Diversification: Avoid relying on one investment Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

October 29, 2026Episode 42813 min

4 Financial “Laws” That Could Affect Your Retirement

📞 Ready to take the next step? Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ Some forces in retirement are simply bigger than you are, which means the goal isn’t to outsmart them; it’s to plan around them. In this episode, Eric looks at several “laws” that can shape retirement, including the expectations people bring into their plans. A strong retirement strategy should be built to handle uncertainty rather than depend on everything going perfectly. Because the better you understand the rules of the game, the easier it is to build a plan that can actually hold up. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🏦 The Behemoths: Understand who moves the market 📈 Rising Taxes: Plan for future tax pressure 🔥 Inflation Risk: Keep purchasing power in mind ⚖️ Risk Balance: Protect income without standing still 🎯 Expectations: Stress-test the retirement plan Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

October 22, 2026Episode 42712 min

The Einstein Approach to Retirement Planning

📞 Ready to take the next step? Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ Retirement planning can feel complicated, but the best strategies should still make sense when they’re explained clearly. In this episode, Eric uses a few lessons inspired by Albert Einstein to show why retirees may need to think differently about income, risk, and the strategies that carried them through their working years. The tools that helped you build wealth aren’t always the same ones you’ll need to turn that wealth into a lasting retirement plan. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🧠 Keep It Simple: Understand what your strategy does 📝 Income Gaps: Plan for missing income 🔄 Strategy Shift: Retirement requires different tools 📉 Market Lessons: Learn from past changes 🧺 Diversification: Avoid relying on one winner Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

October 15, 2026Episode 42612 min

Mailbag: Downsizing, Roths & Home Equity

📞 Ready to take the next step? Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ Confused about whether to downsize, go Roth, or tap your home equity in retirement? In this mailbag episode, Eric tackles real listener questions about retirement communities, Roth 401(k) contributions, and using home equity wisely. You’ll hear how lifestyle, taxes, and flexibility all factor into these big decisions, without getting lost in the weeds. Stay tuned to find out which trade-offs could quietly make or break your retirement. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🏡 Retirement Communities: Weighing lifestyle against ownership 📦 Downsizing: Comparing costs, freedom, and convenience 🐷 Roth 401(k): Building more tax-free flexibility ⚖️ Tax Buckets: Balancing taxable and tax-free money 🏠 Home Equity: Deciding how much to unlock ♟️ Mortgage Strategy: Comparing debt with liquidity needs Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

October 8, 2026Episode 42513 min

Advisor Pet Peeves: Fees, Bias & Bad Advice

📞 Ready to take the next step? Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ Are you working with a true fiduciary… or just a well‑paid salesman? Financial advice should feel clear, personal, and aligned with your goals, but that isn’t always the experience people get. Eric shares a few of his biggest industry pet peeves and explains why individualized planning matters so much. If you’re paying for advice, it’s fair to ask exactly what kind of value you’re getting in return. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 📄 Advisor Fees: Understanding what you actually pay 🔍 Hidden Costs: Looking beyond the stated fee 🤝 Client First: Why alignment really matters 📦 Generic Advice: Avoiding one-size-fits-all recommendations ⚖️ Fiduciary Duty: Putting client interests first 🗣️ Honest Advice: Hearing what you need Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

October 1, 2026Episode 42413 min

Your Biggest IRA Questions Answered

📞 Ready to take the next step? Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ In this episode, Eric answers some of the most pressing questions that come up when people are trying to make sense of their IRAs and 401(k)s. The goal is to understand what choices are available and how those choices may fit into the bigger retirement picture. Retirement accounts can get complicated, but a little clarity now can help prevent expensive surprises later. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 📈 Investment Options: What can sit inside an IRA 💰 Tax Treatment: How withdrawals may be taxed ⚖️ Contribution Choices: Traditional versus Roth decisions 🔄 Roth Conversions: Weighing taxes before converting 🏥 Medicare Impact: Watching income-related premium adjustments 📦 Old 401(k)s: Options for orphaned workplace accounts 📜 SECURE Act: Understanding newer retirement account rules Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

September 24, 2026Episode 42312 min

Mailbag: Retirement, Family & Special Needs Planning

📞 Ready to take the next step? Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ Retirement questions aren’t always just about account balances or investment returns. In this mailbag episode, Eric tackles several real-life situations where family, uncertainty, and long-term responsibilities can make the financial picture more complicated. He explains why good planning often means looking beyond what seems obvious on paper and thinking through how today’s decisions could affect the years ahead. Sometimes the most important retirement questions begin with the people you’re trying to protect. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🧩 Special Needs: Planning for lifelong financial support 💪Retirement Readiness: Turning savings into real confidence 📊 Stress Testing: Testing plans against tougher scenarios 👶 Grandparent Support: Balancing generosity with healthy boundaries ❤️ Family Priorities: Helping without neglecting yourself 📜 Estate Planning: Coordinating beneficiaries with legal guidance 🤝 Professional Help: Bringing specialists into complex planning Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

September 17, 2026Episode 42212 min

What Does Your Net Worth Really Tell You?

📞 Ready to take the next step? Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ Net worth can be a useful snapshot, but it doesn’t always tell you how prepared you are for retirement. In this episode, Eric explains why the number people are proudest of may not be the same number that actually drives retirement income planning. He also looks at the emotional side of wealth and why having more money doesn’t automatically make someone more confident about spending it. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: ❌ Net Worth Myths: The difference between total net worth and investable net worth 🏠 Retirement Assets: Why home equity and earmarked accounts may be treated differently in income planning 🧠 Money Mindset: How fear can keep wealthy retirees from enjoying what they’ve accumulated 📈 Compounding: Why wealth can accelerate dramatically later in your working years 🛡️ Income Strategy: Balancing protection, growth, taxes, and retirement income needs Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

September 10, 2026Episode 42112 min

Who Really Needs a Financial Advisor?

📞 Ready to take the next step? Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ Ever wondered who truly needs a financial advisor, and who might be fine doing it alone? Eric looks at the different ways people approach retirement planning and how professional guidance can fit alongside a hands-on investing style. The real question is whether your current approach gives you the clarity and confidence you need for retirement. Tune in to discover whether you’re the kind of retiree who really benefits from guidance, or one of the rare exceptions. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🧮 DIY Limits: Spreadsheets can miss risks 🧠 Behavioral Help: Retirement gets emotional 💵 Income Planning: Retirement changes the challenge ⚖️ Shared Control: DIY and advice can coexist 🤝 Advisor Fit: Find help that matches needs Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/

September 3, 2026Episode 42012 min

4 Financial Commandments for Retirement

📞 Ready to take the next step? Connect with the Peterson Financial team here 👉 https://petersonfg.com/ You might be breaking some key “financial commandments” without even knowing it. In this episode, Eric shares a few simple rules that could change how you think about retirement and investing. You’ll hear why small mindset shifts can make a big difference in long-term outcomes. Tune in to find out which commandments may hit a little too close to home. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: ⏳ Strategy Patience: Give plans time 🚫 Avoid Greed: Don’t chase unnecessary returns 🎯 Required Return: Know what you need 💸 Investment Fees: Costs quietly reduce returns 🧠 Better Decisions: Let the plan lead Get in touch with the Peterson Financial team: https://petersonfg.com/