Safer Retirement Radio

Hosted by Brian Decker - Owner and Founder - Decker Retirement Planning

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119

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Safer Retirement Radio is where you can get the transparency you deserve®. Whether you are currently retired or plan to retire soon, this show is full of retirement tips that can help you get thousands of extra dollars in and out of your retirement. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the CFP®️ certification mark, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™️ certification mark, and the CFP®️ certification mark (with plaque design) logo in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

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60 recent

November 7, 202655 min

One Decision, Two Lifetimes: Social Security for Married Couples | Episode 159

For a married couple, the higher earner’s Social Security claiming age is one of the most important decisions in retirement. It affects household income while both spouses are alive, and it can shape the surviving spouse’s income for the rest of their life. On this episode of Safer Retirement Radio, Owner and Founder Brian Decker and Bradley Geddes, CFP® of Decker Retirement Planning walk through how they weigh claiming at 62, at full retirement age, or at 70, and how spousal and survivor benefits work. Brian and Bradley also talk about what the annual cost-of-living adjustment means once Medicare premiums are factored in, and how rental income and a long-term risk bucket fit into planning for inflation. Brad explains how some retirees draw from savings to bridge the years before they claim, so the start of Social Security doesn’t have to decide when they retire. In the final segment, they cover how Social Security benefits are taxed, why the years between retirement and claiming can open a window for Roth conversions, and the common claiming mistakes they see. Learn more at deckerretirementplanning.com. Investment advisory and insurance services offered through Decker Retirement Planning, Inc., a registered investment advisor. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. This show is for informational purposes only and is not tax or legal advice.

October 31, 202655 min

Stop, Hang Up and Verify: Retirement Scams and Inflation | Episode 158

Scammers count on urgency. Whether it’s a text claiming to be the IRS or a grandchild’s voice cloned with AI, the goal is to get you to send money before you stop to think. On this episode of Safer Retirement Radio, Brian Decker and Advisor Arrin Wray of Decker Retirement Planning walk through the scams aimed at people near or in retirement, from romance and tech support schemes to investment offers that sound too good to be true. Brian and Arrin cover simple safeguards, starting with one rule: stop, hang up and verify. They explain how a credit freeze works with the three credit bureaus and why every family should agree on a code word for emergency calls. Arrin also points listeners to IC3.gov, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, for current scam alerts and a place to report fraud. In the second half, the conversation turns to inflation. Brian and Arrin talk through how a cost of living adjustment is built into a retirement income plan, including how some couples choose more income in the early go-go years. They also cover why Social Security claiming decisions for married couples matter for the surviving spouse, and why healthcare costs and the coverage gap before Medicare deserve their own place in the plan. Learn more at deckerretirementplanning.com. Investment advisory and insurance services offered through Decker Retirement Planning, Inc., a registered investment advisor. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. This show is for informational purposes only and is not tax or legal advice.

October 16, 202655 min

Year-End Retirement Planning: Roth Conversions, RMDs and QCD Deadlines | Episode 157

Year-end retirement planning starts in October, well before the December rush. Filling in for Brian Decker, Decker Retirement Planning Advisors Brad Geddes, CFP® and Arrin Wray walk through the deadlines that matter before December 31: Roth conversions, required minimum distributions (RMDs), qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) and Medicare open enrollment. Brad and Arrin explain why Roth conversions must be completed by December 31 even though IRA contributions can wait until tax day, and why custodian processing times make the second week of December a practical cutoff. They cover how your birth year sets an RMD age of 73 or 75, the first-year April 1 option and the double RMD it can create, and how one RMD can come from any mix of pre-tax accounts. The conversation also covers why there is no age cutoff for Roth conversions, how the two-year IRMAA lookback affects Medicare premiums, giving appreciated stock to charity, and QCDs from age 70½. Arrin shares the documents worth gathering now, from last year's tax return to a beneficiary review. Questions about your own year-end plan? Call 833-707-3030 or visit deckerretirementplanning.com to download The Decker Approach® and other no-cost resources. Chapters 0:00 Safer Retirement Radio intro 1:48 Why year-end planning starts in October 6:39 What goes wrong when you wait until December 9:34 The most common last-minute scrambles 15:42 Documents to gather now 20:11 RMD rules, ages and first-year timing 28:59 Roth conversions after RMDs begin 43:01 Charitable giving and QCDs 50:06 Medicare open enrollment and IRMAA Investment advisory and insurance services offered through Decker Retirement Planning, Inc., a registered investment advisor. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. This show is for informational purposes only and is not tax or legal advice. This radio show is a paid placement.

September 4, 202655 min

Helping Grandkids Pay for College the Right Way | 529s, Gifting, and Distribution Planning | Episode 156

You want to help your grandkids get through college. But how much can you give without putting your own retirement income at risk? On this episode of Safer Retirement Radio, Brian Decker and Marc Knauss, CFP® of Decker Retirement Planning start with the question that comes first: how much income can you draw for the rest of your life? From there, they get into the mechanics of giving. In this episode: Why distribution planning is different from the accumulation rules you used in your 40s and 50s, and the two assumptions behind the 4% rule that deserve a second look. How 529 accounts work, including the five-year lump sum contribution grandparents can make, what happens on the FAFSA when a grandparent owns the account, and the newer rule that lets unused 529 dollars move into a Roth IRA. The annual gift limit, the lifetime exemption, and Form 709. Where UTMA accounts fit and where they can backfire. Upstream gifting and the step-up in basis. And a look at trust structures, from living trusts to the dynasty trust, plus how some families use a private family foundation to pass down more than money. Questions about your own situation? Call 833-707-3030 for a no-cost, no-obligation conversation, or visit DeckerRetirementPlanning.com and download Brian's book, The Decker Approach, under Safer Retirement Education. Investment advisory and insurance services offered through Decker Retirement Planning, Inc., a registered investment adviser. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. This program is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax or legal advice.

July 31, 202655 min

Mid-Year Market Check: Valuations, Interest Rates, and Retirement Income | Episode 155

Brian Decker and Marc Knauss, CFP®, open the second half of 2026 with a look at what a strong market means for people at or near retirement. They cover the difference between accumulation planning and distribution planning, why trailing price-to-earnings valuations matter historically, and how momentum and dividend strategies have behaved in past flat market cycles. The conversation moves through interest rate risk and why Decker Retirement Planning does not use bond funds in client portfolios, then walks through how short-term, medium-term, and long-term dollars can be structured differently based on when the money is needed. The second half turns to taxes: 401(k) and catch-up contributions, health savings accounts, 529 plans funded by grandparents, estate tax exposure in states like Washington, and depreciation on rental real estate. The episode closes with the math behind drawing retirement income from fluctuating accounts, including a look at the history of the 4% rule. Learn more at DeckerRetirementPlanning.com or call 833-707-3030. Investment advisory and insurance services offered through Decker Retirement Planning, Inc., a registered investment adviser. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Any references to protection, safety, or lifetime income refer to fixed insurance products, never securities or investments. Insurance guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing carrier. This episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or individualized investment advice.

June 13, 202655 min

The Mid-Year Retirement Review: Income, Spending, and a Different Take on Rebalancing | Episode 154

It's the halfway point of 2026. Do you know if your retirement plan is on track? In this episode of Safer Retirement Radio, Brian Decker and Arrin Wray of Decker Retirement Planning walk through their mid-year review process: what to check, what to question, and where the common blind spots are. What this episode covers: • The mid-year checklist: portfolio allocation, spending versus budget, and whether your 401(k), IRA, Roth, and HSA contributions are still on pace • Why set-percentage withdrawal rules like the 4% approach can fall short in a flat market cycle, and how Decker structures income across emergency cash, principal-protected accounts, and a separate risk bucket • Brian's case against traditional quarterly rebalancing, and how relative strength, sector rotation, and momentum strategies shape what Decker clients own right now • What history shows about market valuations above 30 times trailing earnings, and the two ways portfolios have historically generated returns in flat market cycles • The disconnect between record stock prices and a squeezed economy: layoffs, flat unemployment, and why half the country feels it differently than the other half • The mindset shift from saving to spending, including how retirees can think about emergency cash and permission to actually use the money they spent decades building If you're within a few years of retirement, or already there, this episode lays out the questions worth asking before the second half of the year. Schedule a no-cost conversation: 833-707-3030 Free resources, including Brian's book The Decker Approach and a sample income plan, are available at DeckerRetirementPlanning.com under Safer Retirement Education. Serving families in Salt Lake City, Seattle/Bellevue, and the Bay Area, and virtually nationwide. Investment advisory and insurance services offered through Decker Retirement Planning, Inc., a registered investment advisor. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Any references to protection or safety generally refer to fixed insurance products, never securities or investments. Insurance guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing carrier. This show is for informational purposes only and is not tax or legal advice. This radio show is a paid placement.

May 23, 202655 min

Diversified Retirement Income: Buckets, Social Security Timing & Pensions | Episode 153

Running out of money is a top fear in retirement, and it almost always traces back to one question: where will your monthly income actually come from? In this episode of Safer Retirement Radio, Brian Decker and Arrin Wray walk through how Decker Retirement Planning builds a diversified retirement income plan. The same math-based, fiduciary process they use with clients every day. What this episode covers: • The bucket strategy: structuring emergency cash, principal-guaranteed income accounts, and a separate growth "risk bucket" so every dollar in your portfolio has a job • Annuities, demystified: why Decker steers clear of income and variable annuities, and where fixed indexed annuities (FIAs) and MIGAs actually fit • Social Security timing: spousal benefits, the 8% delayed-retirement credit, and how to coordinate two spouses for the most lifetime income • Pension decisions: lump sum vs. income stream, the real break-even math, and counterparty risk • Tax-smart withdrawals: Roth conversions, account placement, and keeping more of your money out of Uncle Sam's hands If you're within 5–10 years of retirement and you want a clear, structured plan that balances safety and growth, this episode is for you. Schedule a no-cost retirement review: 833-707-3030 Free resources, including The Decker Approach book and a sample income plan: DeckerRetirementPlanning.com Serving families in Salt Lake City, Seattle/Bellevue, the Bay Area, and virtually nationwide. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Decker Retirement Planning, Inc. is a registered investment advisor. This show is for informational purposes only and is not tax or legal advice.

May 9, 202655 min

All-Time Highs, College Costs, and the Estate Documents Most People Get Wrong | Episode 152

Markets are at all-time highs while the economy flashes warning signs. Brian Decker and Arrin Wray break down three ways we lower client risk, how to use 529 plans for kids and grandkids, and the estate mistakes that quietly tear families apart. In this episode: Why the S&P keeps hitting records while job growth slows — and what's really driving the rally (earnings, rate-cut expectations, and stock buybacks) The three ways we lower client risk: quantitatively (25–30% market exposure, not 60–70%), by removing interest-rate risk, and through momentum-based strategies designed to work in up or down markets 529 plans for kids and grandkids: what actually qualifies (tuition, room and board, K–12, trade schools, apprenticeships), 2026 contribution limits, the "super-funding" five-year front-load, and the new 529-to-Roth IRA rollover Wills, pour-over provisions, and how to avoid probate Power of attorney: the activation clause that protects you, and why "reasonable compensation" language causes family problems Healthcare directives: comfort measures, and how to spare your kids the guilt of pulling the plug Trusts: the four liquidation clauses that keep siblings on speaking terms — and why 80%+ of trusts are never properly funded Schedule a no-cost retirement review with Brian and the team: call 833-707-3030 or visit DeckerRetirementPlanning.com. Offices in Salt Lake City, Lehi, Seattle/Bellevue, and the Bay Area — virtual reviews available nationwide.

April 18, 202655 min

Is Your Retirement Plan Missing These 6 Critical Elements? | Episode 151

Is your retirement plan truly complete, or is it missing something critical? In honor of Financial Literacy Month, Brian Decker and Arrin Wray walk through the six elements every successful retirement plan must include. Whether you're interviewing a new advisor or evaluating your current one, this episode serves as your checklist. In this episode, you'll learn: Why a pie chart is not a retirement plan—and what a real income distribution plan looks like The three buckets every retiree needs: emergency cash, principal-guaranteed accounts, and a risk bucket Tax minimization strategies, including IRA-to-Roth conversions and charitable giving techniques Why having 60-70% of your portfolio in the market during retirement may be too risky How momentum, dividends, and stop losses can help protect your money in flat or declining markets The difference between the accumulation phase and the distribution phase of your financial life Why bond funds may not be the "safe" option you think they are in a rising rate environment How fee structures differ—and why you may be paying more than you need to Brian and Arrin also explain why the strategies that got you to retirement are not the same ones that will carry you through it, and how to build a mathematically-based plan designed to provide consistent income for life. If you'd like to talk with the Decker Retirement Planning team about your own situation, call 833-707-3030 or visit DeckerRetirementPlanning.com.

April 10, 202655 min

What Your Tax Return Reveals About Your Retirement Plan | Episode 150

Most people file their taxes and move on. But if that's all you're doing, you're leaving serious money on the table — and walking into retirement blind. In this episode of Safer Retirement Radio, Brad Geddes, CFP(R) of Decker Retirement Planning breaks down why your tax return is one of the most powerful forward-looking planning tools you have — and how to actually use it. Here's what we cover: The difference between effective tax rate and marginal tax rate — and why most people don't know their real number (hint: if you can't answer it quickly, you're flying blind in retirement). The IRA tax time bomb — why deferring, deferring, deferring into your 70s could force you into a higher tax bracket right when you can least afford it. Roth conversion strategy — who should be doing them, when to start, and why waiting too long is one of the most common (and costly) mistakes we see. Social Security taxation — yes, up to 85% of your benefit can be taxed. The thresholds haven't changed since 1983 and 1993. We'll show you how to plan around them. IRMAA surcharges — the Medicare premium trap that blindsides retirees who had a high-income year two years prior. Tax planning vs. tax preparation — your CPA is a tax historian. What you need going into retirement is a tax strategist. The bottom line: retirement is the first time in your life you actually get to decide what tax bracket you live in. The question is — are you taking advantage of it? If your tax return didn't lead to a conversation about the taxes you'll pay in the future, you're doing it wrong. Call 833-707-3030 for a no-cost, no-obligation conversation with the Decker Retirement Planning team. Download Brian's book, The Decker Approach, and other free retirement resources at DeckerRetirementPlanning.com under Safer Retirement Education. Investment advisory and insurance services offered through Decker Retirement Planning Inc., a registered investment advisor. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal.