The Retirement Show: Your Life, Your Money with Scott Sierens

Hosted by Scott Sierens

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166

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Jun 2025

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About the show

A top retirement podcast dedicated to helping you: Reduce Taxes | Make Work Optional | Maximize Retirement Income | Invest Confidently | Optimize Stock Compensation | Help Future Generations Scott Sierens, financial advisor at Sierens Financial Group, will provide thoughts, strategies, and ideas on each episode to help you thrive in life, wealth and retirement. The goal is to take complex financial subjects and make them simple and easy to understand so you can feel confident to take action, enjoy life, and eliminate financial stress and anxiety. Scott, along with guests from across various industries, will cover topics such as tax savings strategies, investments and wealth management, IRAs, 401(k)s, retirement planning, retirement income strategies, pensions, estate planning, social security, healthcare, and much more. Retirement isn't an age or number. It's finding the balance between living life today and feeling financially confident about YOUR tomorrow. Ask Scott your questions by calling 847-235-6989 or check out our podcast website at https://maxretirementshow.com for more resources.

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60 recent

June 2, 202512 min

3 Solid Reasons to Take Social Security at 62!

Are you thinking about taking Social Security at age 62? That's what many Americans consider when they approach Social Security age, but just because you can take it early doesn't always mean that you should. Claiming too soon could shrink your benefits for life so it's not a decision you want to rush to make. If you can check the box on one of the three situations we're going to discuss in this video, then claiming Social Security at age 62 might actually be the right move for you. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 📉 Why taking benefits early reduces your lifetime income 💰 Tax planning and Roth conversions — timing is everything 🧍‍♀️ Survivor benefits and spousal strategy insights 🧠 Why flexibility matters more than getting the "most" from Social Security Company website: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/ Podcast website and resources: https://maxretirementshow.com/ Phone: (847) 235-6989 Contact our team: office@sierensfinancialgroup.com Schedule your no-cost introductory call: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/schedule-a-meeting/ Join us for our next financial workshop: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/ Check out our free guides: Unlocking Hidden Tax Savings Guide: https://maxretirementshow.com/taxes/ Social Security Benefits Guide: https://maxretirementshow.com/socialsecurity/ Will Your Money Last As Long As You Do Guide: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/ Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPhQ-u12d60Z0HNCwwVubdQ

May 19, 202517 min

4 Important Accounts for Retirement (PLUS Ways to Use Them & Help Reduce Taxes)

As you save for retirement, it's not just about having a retirement account, it's about having the right types of accounts and knowing how to use them most effectively. So today's video will break down the four most important retirement accounts you should consider having and the strategies you can implement to get the amount of income in the most tax efficient way. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 📉 How to reduce taxes using account strategy 🔁 Why sequence matters when withdrawing income 💰 A flexible account most people overlook 🧾 Real-life example of using conversions to save money Company website: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/ Podcast website and resources: https://maxretirementshow.com/ Phone: (847) 235-6989 Contact our team: office@sierensfinancialgroup.com Schedule your no-cost introductory call: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/schedule-a-meeting/ Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPhQ-u12d60Z0HNCwwVubdQ

May 12, 202514 min

Before You Retire: Simplify These 3 Areas

Heading into retirement should feel like freedom, but too many people carry financial clutter into this next phase of life, creating confusion, missed opportunities, and unnecessary stress. In this week's show, Scott outlines three key areas to simplify before you retire: your bank accounts, your investment and retirement accounts, and your overall strategy. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🏦 Simplify your bank accounts for clearer budgeting 📂 Clean up old 401(k)s and scattered investment accounts 🧠 Stick to one clear investment strategy that works long-term 📉 Why having money in different places doesn't mean you're diversified See the chart of the week: https://www.hicapitalize.com/resources/the-true-cost-of-forgotten-401ks/ Company website: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/ Podcast website and resources: https://maxretirementshow.com/ Phone: (847) 235-6989 Contact our team: office@sierensfinancialgroup.com Schedule your no-cost introductory call: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/schedule-a-meeting/ Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPhQ-u12d60Z0HNCwwVubdQ

April 28, 202517 min

Near Retirement? 3 Strategies to Consider In a Market Downturn

When the market is down, it can make you feel pretty uneasy. Emotions can rise and panic can feel like the natural response, especially when you're nearing retirement. You spent decades just saving to get to this point, and now you're watching your retirement savings drop in value. You might be wondering what changes you should make. Should you move to cash? What action should you be taking with your accounts as you watch your accounts drop in value and you're getting closer to your retirement date? We want to focus on strategies that can help our plan during these high emotions versus letting emotions potentially hurt our plan. This video is going to draw out some simple and practical strategies you can utilize during a market downturn that can actually help your retirement plan instead of hurting it. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: ⚖️ Strategy #1: Rebalance your portfolio to take advantage of market shifts 💵 Strategy #2: Increase contributions when prices are low 🔁 Strategy #3: Use Roth conversions to lock in tax-free growth 📉 What happens if you miss the market's best days 🧾 Roth alternatives when your income is too high Look at the chart we referenced: https://www.hartfordfunds.com/practice-management/client-conversations/managing-volatility/timing-the-market-is-impossible.html Company website: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/ Podcast website and resources: https://maxretirementshow.com/ Phone: (847) 235-6989 Contact our team: office@sierensfinancialgroup.com Schedule your no-cost introductory call: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/schedule-a-meeting/ Join us for our next financial workshop: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/ Check out our free guides: Unlocking Hidden Tax Savings Guide: https://maxretirementshow.com/taxes/ Social Security Benefits Guide: https://maxretirementshow.com/socialsecurity/ Will Your Money Last As Long As You Do Guide: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/ Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPhQ-u12d60Z0HNCwwVubdQ

April 21, 202526 min

$2.5 Million in Retirement Savings – Can You Afford a Vacation Home? (Case Study)

You've saved up $2.5 million and you're wondering whether you can buy a vacation home or whether you should just do a long-term rental. Maybe you should just scratch the idea altogether. This is a conversation we have with clients and today's show is going to walk you through how we help determine if the vacation home is going to work with a hypothetical case study. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 💵 Comparing buy vs. rent scenarios in retirement 📊 How large purchases affect long-term income and taxes 💬 Why your "retirement paycheck" must align with your goals 🧾 Is it smart to get a mortgage pre-retirement? Company website: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/ Podcast website and resources: https://maxretirementshow.com/ Phone: (847) 235-6989 Contact our team: office@sierensfinancialgroup.com Schedule your no-cost introductory call: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/schedule-a-meeting/ Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPhQ-u12d60Z0HNCwwVubdQ

April 14, 202515 min

When NOT to Do a Roth Conversion: 5 Critical Red Flags

We talk a lot about taxes because they're going to be a huge expense for you in retirement, which is why many people ask about Roth conversions. It's a strategy that could potentially save you money in retirement, but the truth is that Roth conversions aren't for everyone and could actually cost you money. In today's show, we'll walk you through the five reasons why it might not make sense for you to do a Roth conversion. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 📊 Consider future tax rates and income projections before making the move ⏳ The timing of a conversion could make or break your strategy 💸 Understand the impact of RMDs and how they affect your retirement income 🧑‍⚖️ Medicare premiums can be higher if your conversion pushes you into a higher bracket See the chart we discussed here: https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/history-us-income-tax Company website: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/ Podcast website and resources: https://maxretirementshow.com/ Phone: (847) 235-6989 Contact our team: office@sierensfinancialgroup.com Schedule your no-cost introductory call: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/schedule-a-meeting/ Join us for our next financial workshop: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/ Check out our free guides: Unlocking Hidden Tax Savings Guide: https://maxretirementshow.com/taxes/ 10:!8 Social Security Benefits Guide: https://maxretirementshow.com/socialsecurity/ Will Your Money Last As Long As You Do Guide: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/ Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPhQ-u12d60Z0HNCwwVubdQ

April 7, 202516 min

Retiring Soon? 3 Costly Mistakes People Make in Their Early 60s (And How to Avoid Them)

Once you reach your early 60s, you're in a window of time where the moves you make will drastically shape the next 30 or 40 years of your financial life and taxes. The right decisions can put you in a great position for retirement but the wrong decisions can leave you playing catch-up. In this video, we're going to walk you through the three most common (and costly) mistakes people make during this pivotal stage and tell you how to avoid them. With rising costs for goods and services, it's vital to factor inflation into your financial strategy. Our retirement chart of the week provides insights into historical inflation rates, emphasizing the importance of having your investments structured for growth to maintain your lifestyle in retirement. We'll close out the show with a listener question regarding how to manage a lump sum inheritance. The advice is simple: take your time to evaluate your options. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 📉 Going too conservative too soon can kill long-term growth 🧾 Use tax strategies before RMDs and Medicare hit 🧠 Retirement age should be based on planning—not assumptions 💰 Inheritances require calm thinking and smart allocation strategy Check out the chart we discussed: https://am.jpmorgan.com/us/en/asset-management/adv/insights/market-insights/guide-to-the-markets/ Want to get in touch? Company website: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/ Podcast website and resources: https://maxretirementshow.com/ Phone: (847) 235-6989 Contact our team: office@sierensfinancialgroup.com Schedule your no-cost introductory call: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/schedule-a-meeting/ Join us for our next financial workshop: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/ Check out our free guides: Unlocking Hidden Tax Savings Guide: https://maxretirementshow.com/taxes/ Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPhQ-u12d60Z0HNCwwVubdQ

March 31, 202515 min

3 Social Security Tax Mistakes (Potentially Costing You Thousands!)

Social Security is a key part of maximizing your retirement story. The decisions you make about when and how to claim it can have a big impact on how much you keep versus how much goes to the IRS. In today's show, we'll break down 3 common Social Security tax mistakes- some of which could cost you big- and how to avoid them. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 1:51 – Mistake 1: Believing Social Security Is Tax-Free 3:20 – Mistake 2: Not Planning For Medicare Impacts 4:12 – Mistake 3: Timing Social Security with Roth Conversions 7:12 – Retirement Chart Of The Week 9:49 – Diversification In Investing 10:30 – Listener Question Periodic Table of Investment Returns https://www.callan.com/periodic-table/ Want to get in touch? Company website: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/ Podcast website and resources: https://maxretirementshow.com/ Phone: (847) 235-6989 Contact our team: office@sierensfinancialgroup.com Schedule your no-cost introductory call: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/schedule-a-meeting/ Join us for our next financial workshop: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/ Check out our free guides: Unlocking Hidden Tax Savings Guide: https://maxretirementshow.com/taxes/ Social Security Benefits Guide: https://maxretirementshow.com/socialsecurity/ Will Your Money Last As Long As You Do Guide: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/ Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPhQ-u12d60Z0HNCwwVubdQ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SierensFinancial/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-sierens-sfg/

March 24, 202519 min

3 Costly Retirement Tax Traps (And Ways to Avoid Them)

Are you prepared for hidden tax traps in retirement? Many retirees assume their tax rates will go down, but for those with significant savings, unexpected tax burdens could cost them thousands of dollars each year. Today, Scott Sierens, CFP®, uncovers three major retirement tax traps that could push you into a higher tax bracket, increase your Medicare premiums, and reduce your Social Security benefits. We'll also address trending news about the potential elimination of taxes on Social Security benefits and answer a listener's question about the timing of claiming Social Security. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: ⚠️ RMD Shock – How required minimum distributions can spike your taxes 💰 Medicare IRMAA Surcharges – Why higher income can increase your healthcare costs 📉 Social Security Taxation – How much of your benefits could be taxed? 0:00 – What's coming up 2:10 – 1st Tax Trap 5:24 – 2nd Tax Trap 8:25 – Social Security in the news 12:34 – Listener question on SS claiming Resources for this show: https://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/articles/what-to-know-about-the-bill-to-repeal-social-security-taxes https://budgetmodel.wharton.upenn.edu/issues/2025/2/10/eliminating-income-taxes-on-social-security-benefits Want to get in touch? Company website: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/ Podcast website and resources: https://maxretirementshow.com/ Phone: (847) 235-6989 Contact our team: office@sierensfinancialgroup.com Schedule your no-cost introductory call: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/schedule-a-meeting/ Join us for our next financial workshop: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/ Check out our free guides: Unlocking Hidden Tax Savings Guide: https://maxretirementshow.com/taxes/ Social Security Benefits Guide: https://maxretirementshow.com/socialsecurity/ Will Your Money Last As Long As You Do Guide: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/ Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPhQ-u12d60Z0HNCwwVubdQ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SierensFinancial/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-sierens-sfg/

March 17, 202517 min

Retirement Spending Secrets: A Smarter Strategy Than the 4% Rule

How much can you really spend in retirement without running out of money? In this debut episode of The Max Retirement Show, Scott breaks down the biggest retirement spending mistakes, why the 4% rule might not work for you, and how to create a dynamic spending plan that adapts to market conditions, taxes, and life changes. Plus, Scott answers a listener question about annuities vs. brokerage accounts for legacy planning and shares his Retirement Chart of the Week, helping you navigate market volatility. Here's what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Big updates and intro 2:25 – The 4% rule 4:11 – 3 Key Factors 8:28 – A smarter withdrawal strategy 10:55 – Chart of the week 13:22 – Listener question Want to get in touch? Company website: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/ Podcast website and resources: https://maxretirementshow.com/ Phone: (847) 235-6989 Contact our team: office@sierensfinancialgroup.com Schedule your no-cost introductory call: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/schedule-a-meeting/ Join us for our next financial workshop: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/ Check out our free guides: Unlocking Hidden Tax Savings Guide: https://maxretirementshow.com/taxes/ Social Security Benefits Guide: https://maxretirementshow.com/socialsecurity/ Will Your Money Last As Long As You Do Guide: https://sierensfinancialgroup.com/ Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPhQ-u12d60Z0HNCwwVubdQ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SierensFinancial/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-sierens-sfg/