Your Financial EKG™ | Retirement Planning | Investment and Wealth Management | Financial Planning

Hosted by Drew Blackston, CRC®

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298

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Nov 2026

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About the show

Welcome to the Your Financial EKG™ Podcast, your go-to source for expert financial planning insights, retirement strategies, and wealth-building tips. Whether you're approaching retirement, already retired, or looking to maximize your investments, this podcast delivers actionable advice on retirement income planning, tax-efficient strategies, Social Security optimization, estate planning, and long-term wealth management. **Schedule your virtual consultation, click here: https://pearlwealthgroup.com/contact/ or use our calendar link: https://calendly.com/pearlwealthgroup/discoverycall **

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60 recent

November 11, 202626 min

Why Retiring Early Is Riskier Than You Think

Why Retiring Early Is Riskier Than You Think **Free Book 📕 Download: Can I Really Retire?!?:** 📊https://pearlwealthgroup.com/ ** Can you really retire early and make your savings last? In this case study, we, walks through a comprehensive Financial EKG for Mark and Charlene, a couple in their late 50s planning to retire early. We break down the biggest hurdles early retirees face—including sequence of return risk, closing the multi-year income gap before Social Security begins, and managing healthcare costs before Medicare. More importantly, we look at the specific strategic adjustments you can make so your retirement plan withstands market downturns. This content is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not individualized investment, tax, or legal advice and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security, insurance product, or investment strategy. Viewing this content does not create an advisory relationship with Pearl Wealth Group.

November 4, 202619 min

Claiming Social Security Early: Smart Move or Huge Trap?

Claiming Social Security Early: Smart Move or Huge Trap? Deciding when to take Social Security is one of the most critical choices you'll make in retirement, and claiming early at age 62 comes with permanent tradeoffs. While accessing monthly income right away can be tempting, filing early can permanently reduce your benefits by up to 30% for the rest of your life. In this video, we break down the real numbers, compare early claiming against waiting until Full Retirement Age or age 70, and explore when filing early makes strategic sense—and when it’s a costly trap. Watch to understand the math so you can make the most confident decision for your retirement roadmap. Be sure to subscribe for more straightforward retirement and financial planning insights. **Schedule your complimentary virtual consultation 😊 , click here: https://pearlwealthgroup.com/contact/ or use our calendar link: https://calendly.com/pearlwealthgroup/discoverycall ** This content is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not individualized investment, tax, or legal advice and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security, insurance product, or investment strategy. Viewing this content does not create an advisory relationship with Pearl Wealth Group.

October 28, 202630 min

Is $300,000 Really Enough to Retire at 66?

Is $300,000 Really Enough to Retire at 66? In this video, we walk through a real-world case study featuring Earl (age 65, truck driver) and Darlene (age 63, healthcare worker). With around $280,000 saved today—projected to grow to roughly $311,000 by the time they retire at ages 66 and 64—we break down whether their nest egg will actually last. **Schedule your complimentary virtual consultation 😊 , click here: https://pearlwealthgroup.com/contact/ or use our calendar link: https://calendly.com/pearlwealthgroup/discoverycall ** This content is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not individualized investment, tax, or legal advice and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security, insurance product, or investment strategy. Viewing this content does not create an advisory relationship with Pearl Wealth Group.

October 21, 202620 min

$600,000 at Age 61: Is It Actually Enough?

Can you comfortably retire at 61 with $600,000 saved, or are you at risk of running out of money too early? In this video, we break down the real numbers, withdrawal rates, and key challenges you'll face—like bridging the gap before Medicare kicks in at 65 and timing your Social Security benefits. We’ll look at realistic monthly spending scenarios so you can see whether this nest egg is truly enough to sustain a 30-year retirement. Watch until the end to discover the crucial adjustments that can make or break your early retirement plan. **Schedule your complimentary virtual consultation 😊 , click here: https://pearlwealthgroup.com/contact/ or use our calendar link: https://calendly.com/pearlwealthgroup/discoverycall ** This content is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not individualized investment, tax, or legal advice and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security, insurance product, or investment strategy. Viewing this content does not create an advisory relationship with Pearl Wealth Group.

October 14, 202617 min

Can I retire now and take Social Security at 62?

Can I retire now and take Social Security at 62? For a lot of people, that sounds like the simplest retirement plan. Stop working, turn on Social Security, and use your retirement savings to make up the difference. But whether that works depends on more than just your Social Security check. In this video, I walk through what you should think about before retiring early and claiming Social Security at 62, including: • Your monthly spending needs • How much you have saved for retirement • The impact of claiming Social Security early • How long your retirement savings may need to last • Healthcare costs before Medicare • Taxes and retirement income • The tradeoff between retiring sooner and waiting for a larger Social Security benefit There is no single right age to claim Social Security. The goal is to understand how the decision fits into your entire retirement plan. **Schedule your complimentary virtual consultation 😊 , click here: https://pearlwealthgroup.com/contact/ or use our calendar link: https://calendly.com/pearlwealthgroup/discoverycall ** This content is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not individualized investment, tax, or legal advice and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security, insurance product, or investment strategy. Viewing this content does not create an advisory relationship with Pearl Wealth Group.

October 7, 202610 min

Can I Retire at 60 With $500,000? What If My Spouse Dies?

Can I Retire at 60 With $500,000? What If My Spouse Dies? Can you retire at 60 with $500,000 saved? In this retirement scenario, we look at a couple with about $586,000 and walk through whether their income, Social Security, and savings may be enough to support retirement. But the bigger question is what happens if one spouse dies. We look at how losing one Social Security benefit, changes in income, and ongoing expenses can affect the surviving spouse’s retirement plan. If you are asking, “Can I retire at 60 with $500,000?” this example shows why retirement planning has to look beyond just the starting balance. **Schedule your complimentary virtual consultation 😊 , click here: https://pearlwealthgroup.com/contact/ or use our calendar link: https://calendly.com/pearlwealthgroup/discoverycall ** Pearl Wealth Group, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.This content is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not individualized investment, tax, or legal advice and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security, insurance product, or investment strategy. Viewing this content does not create an advisory relationship with Pearl Wealth Group.

September 30, 202617 min

Can You Retire at 64 With Only $100,000 Saved?

Can You Retire at 64 With Only $100,000 Saved? It may be possible, but the answer depends on far more than your retirement investment balance. Social Security, monthly retirement expenses, debt, taxes and how much retirement income you actually need in retirement all matter. **Free Book 📕 Download: Can I Really Retire?!?:** 📊https://pearlwealthgroup.com/ ** **Pearl Wealth Group, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.This content is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not individualized investment, tax, or legal advice and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security, insurance product, or investment strategy. Viewing this content does not create an advisory relationship with Pearl Wealth Group.

September 23, 202613 min

Can I Still Retire With Inflation This High?

Can you still retire with high inflation, or should you keep working? In this video, Drew Blackston of Pearl Wealth Group explores how rising costs can affect your retirement budget, purchasing power, and how long your savings may last. We discuss what to consider when planning for Social Security, withdrawals from your 401(k) or IRA, and higher living expenses throughout retirement. Before you push back your retirement date, learn how to evaluate whether your savings and income can support the retirement you want. 📊 Wondering if you're on track for retirement? Our free Can I Retire? tool gives you a high-level look at your retirement readiness and helps identify potential gaps. Start here 👉 https://pearlwealthgroup.com/can-i-retire/ 😊 **Pearl Wealth Group, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.This content is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not individualized investment, tax, or legal advice and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security, insurance product, or investment strategy. Viewing this content does not create an advisory relationship with Pearl Wealth Group.

September 16, 20268 min

Can You Retire With $250K and $100K? A 5 Minute Retirement Plan

Can You Retire With $250K and $100K? A 5 Minute Retirement Plan **Schedule your complimentary virtual consultation 😊 , click here: https://pearlwealthgroup.com/contact/ or use our calendar link: https://calendly.com/pearlwealthgroup/discoverycall ** Retiring with $250,000 or even $100,000 saved for retirement may be possible with the right retirement plan. In this retirement video, we build a simple 5 minute retirement plan and look at retirement income, Social Security, retirement investment withdrawals, and how long your retirement savings could last. If you are wondering how much money you need to retire or whether you can retire with less than $1 million, this video will help you understand the numbers. Learn how a retirement income strategy can help you make more confident decisions about your financial future. **Pearl Wealth Group, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.This content is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not individualized investment, tax, or legal advice and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security, insurance product, or investment strategy. Viewing this content does not create an advisory relationship with Pearl Wealth Group.Unless expressly stated otherwise, any people, account values, retirement projections, and financial scenarios presented are hypothetical and for illustrative purposes only. They do not represent actual clients and are not guarantees of future results. Financial rules, tax laws, and other information may change after a video is published.Before making financial decisions, consider your individual circumstances and consult the appropriate financial, tax, or legal professional. To discuss your retirement plan with Pearl Wealth Group, visit https://pearlwealthgroup.com or call (616) 726-2090.**

September 9, 202646 min

What Rate of Return Will Make Your Retirement Money Last?

What rate of return do you really need to make your retirement money last? In this video, we compare 4%, 5%, and 6% investment returns to show how each assumption can affect retirement income, portfolio longevity, and the risk of running out of money. You will learn why a higher return is not always better if it requires taking more investment risk than your retirement plan can handle. We also discuss inflation, withdrawal rates, market volatility, and how conservative retirement projections can help you prepare for uncertainty. If you are approaching retirement and wondering how your retirement savings should be invested, this comparison will help you choose a realistic rate of return for your financial plan. **Free Book 📕 Download: Can I Really Retire?!?:** 📊https://pearlwealthgroup.com/ ** ❌ **Please make sure you talk with your CPA, Financial Advisor, Retirement Planner, or Investment Advisor Representative, before implementing any content from this channel. All videos are for informational and educational purposes only. None of the content, comments, responses, information, or any other item on this channel constitutes financial advice or recommendations. Please call Pearl Wealth Group at 813-807-5060 to go through your Retirement Income, Retirement Investments, or Retirement Plan in more detail.** ❌