Retirement Starts Today

366
Investing #167

Do you want to spend more money in retirement, while paying less taxes? Great news, you're in the right place! I'll also teach you the benefits of retiring TO something, while most retirees only solve half the equation by retiring FROM something. Tune in every Monday morning - hosted by Benjamin Brandt CFP, RICP. Join my "Every Day is Saturday" weekly newsletter for show notes, free book giveaways and other great retirement content: www.retirementstartstodayradio.com/newsletter

Recent Episodes
  • When Does Sequence of Return Risk Go Away?
    Apr 21, 2025 – 16:24
  • What We’ve Learned From 150 Years of Stock Market Crashes
    Apr 14, 2025 – 18:44
  • How To Protect Your 401(k) from a Stock Market Crash
    Apr 7, 2025 – 23:35
  • Sneaky Retirement Taxes (The Tax Traps You Never Saw Coming), Ep #394
    Mar 31, 2025 – 19:51
  • Five Key Retirement Challenges (and Solutions), Ep #393
    Mar 24, 2025 – 18:46
  • Top 3 Retirement Mistakes - An Interview with Mr Retirement, Ep #392
    Mar 17, 2025 – 21:50
  • The 2% Trap: Why Retirees Spend Far Less Than They Could, Ep #391
    Mar 10, 2025 – 15:42
  • From Saver to Spender: How to Confidently Use Your Nest Egg, Ep 390
    Mar 3, 2025 – 16:32
  • 7 Inefficiencies on Rich Retirees' Tax Returns, Ep #389
    Feb 24, 2025 – 22:27
  • The 5 Pillars of a Fulfilling Retirement (That Nobody Talks About) with Dr. Daniel Crosby, Ep #388
    Feb 17, 2025 – 27:27
  • Are Retirement Income Worries Overblown? Ep 387
    Feb 10, 2025 – 22:09
  • For Canadian Eyes Only (bonus episode!)
    Feb 6, 2025 – 25:09
  • Joe Saul-Sehy Shares How to Get the Most from Your Employee Benefits, Ep 386
    Feb 3, 2025 – 30:14
  • Peter Lazaroff’s Options for Reducing Taxes on Deferred Gains Pre-Retirement, Ep #385
    Jan 27, 2025 – 22:39
  • Fired After Announcing Retirement? Ep # 384
    Jan 20, 2025 – 22:40
  • How to Spend More (or Less) in Retirement
    Jan 13, 2025 – 19:56
  • Purpose vs purpose: An interview with Doc G, Ep #382
    Jan 6, 2025 – 19:59
  • 5 Expenses Retirees Wish They Spent More Money On (Rebroadcast)
    Dec 30, 2024 – 23:24
  • 8 Ways to Become Poor in Retirement (Rebroadcast)
    Dec 23, 2024 – 21:31
  • The 4 Phases of Retirement (Rebroadcast)
    Dec 16, 2024 – 20:13
  • Using Guardrails For The 4% Rule [Rebroadcast]
    Dec 9, 2024 – 23:11
  • Is the 4% Rule Too Safe? [Rebroadcast]
    Dec 2, 2024 – 22:16
  • The Four Unique Risks in Decumulation [Rebroadcast]
    Nov 25, 2024 – 21:18
  • Navigating the Complex World of Inherited Wealth with Myra Salzer, Ep #375
    Nov 18, 2024 – 19:18
  • Veterans Day Special: Reflecting on Service and Lessons Learned, Ep # 374
    Nov 11, 2024 – 20:27
  • Investing in Health: The Steps to a Longer, Better Retirement, Ep #373
    Nov 4, 2024 – 22:07
  • Don’t be Rattled by RMDs, Ep #372
    Oct 28, 2024 – 22:48
  • Take Advantage of Your Peak Deduction Years, Ep #371
    Oct 21, 2024 – 24:58
  • Who Pays More when the Tax Cuts Expire? Ep 370
    Oct 14, 2024 – 18:43
  • Retirement Income Worries Often Overblown, Ep 369
    Oct 7, 2024 – 22:29
  • The Closest Thing to a Sure Thing, Ep 368
    Sep 30, 2024 – 26:42
  • Lessons From Another ‘Faux-tirement’, Ep #367
    Sep 23, 2024 – 22:15
  • Six Lessons From Six Years of Retirement (from Fritz Gilbert’s Retirement Manifesto), Ep # 366
    Sep 16, 2024 – 18:29
  • Freedom or Free-fall (Tom’s Story), Ep 365
    Sep 9, 2024 – 17:55
  • How Does Inflation Impact Retirement? Ep #364
    Sep 2, 2024 – 18:39
  • Permission to Spend in Retirement, Ep #363
    Aug 26, 2024 – 24:46
  • How Do You Know It’s Time to Retire? Ep #362
    Aug 21, 2024 – 20:54
  • Tightwads vs Spendthrifts, Ep #361
    Aug 12, 2024 – 18:32
  • 5 Common Portfolio Mistakes, Ep #360
    Aug 5, 2024 – 21:50
  • Super-Savers Confidence Score, Ep #349
    Jul 29, 2024 – 16:12
  • How to Avoid This IRS Penalty, Ep # 358
    Jul 22, 2024 – 15:40
  • My Ex Has Your Inheritance… Ep # 357
    Jul 15, 2024 – 17:45
  • I Just Retired. Why Am I Unhappy? Ep #356
    Jul 8, 2024 – 23:05
  • Semi-Retire to Spend More $$$?! Ep #355
    Jul 1, 2024 – 15:08
  • How To Spend Your Money To Maximize Happiness, Ep # 354
    Jun 24, 2024 – 17:38
  • Your AI Retirement, Ep #353
    Jun 17, 2024 – 22:04
  • Social Security's 'Biggest Myth' & Jury Duty Scams, Ep # 352
    Jun 10, 2024 – 25:33
  • Is the 4% Rule Too Safe? Ep #351
    Jun 3, 2024 – 21:45
  • Gold and Groceries, Ep #350
    May 27, 2024 – 16:33
  • Risk Management: Spring Client Meetings, Ep #349
    May 20, 2024 – 29:13
Recent Reviews
  • Iluvpizza418
    Trusted Source
    Great show, very useful information and great advice. Benjamin is a common sense no frills professional. I Highly recommend this podcast.
  • SynthMan123
    Well-delivered Educational Podcast
    I look forward to Ben’s podcast weekly. Very informative and educational. A vital resource for my retirement journey!
  • DR8449
    Balanced and Informative Retirement Podcast!
    Ben does a great job of educating his audience on both financial and non-financial retirement topics. His podcast has helped me plan for and make better financial and tax decisions. His podcasts on finding your purpose in retirement have really helped me to focus on what’s important at this stage in life. Ben’s podcasts are full of valuable information - give them a listen!
  • Ikmnnbh
    Canadian only
    Fine you want me to keep scrolling fine with me stay in Canada I'm moving on
  • V65Mike
    Personal video responses was very helpful
    Benjamin recorded a personal response to our financial situation and we found it very helpful. This is a huge undertaking and shows that he loves what he does and cares about his listeners. This guy is a trusted source for financial information. Thank you Benjamin!!!
  • moving on-missu
    RMD episode test
    The perfect RMD episode isn’t advice you will hear everywhere. This is a solid podcast for every level of listener looking at retirement.
  • Loghound
    One of the best of this type
    I always look forward to Monday morning to get a new episode. They are concise that cover a variety of topics and have ‘just the right’ amount of nerdiness.
  • Interested bystander
    Bill Perkins
    Do a background check on him. Check his bet with Bilzerian. He could have used that money for a good cause.
  • Jmomhall
    good job Bret!
    Good job as always always great and useful information
  • Ttt111ttt
    Solid Information
    The show is data driven while taking human tendencies into consideration. Generally geared to those nearing or in retirement who are financially prepared. Keep up the good work!
  • The Big Guava
    Best Retirement Podcast
    There are several really good retirement podcasts, but I feel that Benjamin’s is the best of the lot. Every episode is chock full of actionable information and education. Add to it the consistent, easily digestible structure, and dash of unique humor, the Retirement Starts Today podcast delivers on every level. Thanks, Benjamin!!
  • Rbdiaz
    Great show, informative and practical host
    I have been listening to Benjamin’s podcast for several years and have recommended it to several other family and friends. There are several things I enjoy about his program, including his philosophy, content, communications style, and personality. PHILOSOPHY- I think Benjamin provides a nice balance of building/maintaining wealth and spending/enjoying retirement. He comes across as very common sense and not too academic. CONTENT - he chooses content which is meaningful and practical for his audience. He doesn’t overload on guests, but the ones he has are well worth it. STYLE and PERSONALITY - As mentioned in Philosophy point above, Ben seems to be practical and not overly academic. He covers academic topics in a very relatable fashion. Ben has a “midwestern” personality… friendly, down to earth, but very informative. Overall, I highly recommend this and his other podcast.
  • Philip Heard
    Helpful Retirement Show
    Helpful and informative, and the little movie title joke intros are clever.
  • KH in LB
    Grateful
    Thank you for the informative and easy to understand subject matter . I appreciate your efforts and am grateful for your podcast
  • csoul62
    Dump the interstitials
    Good content, concisely delivered, but I despise your voice-acted interstitials. They are truly cringe-worthy.
  • Patar91
    Quick Hits
    I love that this podcast is just a quick review of a topic and then a listener question. As a plus, Brett, who comes on to help answer a listener question, sounds like Adam Carolla.
  • Sandi808
    Just what I needed to hear!!
    Hi Benjamin, I just listened to episode 300, and it was just perfect! I saved and planned for retirement. I just recently retired, knowing that I have more than enough to allow me the splurges I was reluctant to take while working. This episode was perfect to get me into that mindset, and will heed your wise advice. Thanks so much for your excellent podcast!!
  • 3rd Chapter
    Informative Retirement Podcast
    I have been listening to this podcast weekly for 2 years. I find the topics to be interesting and informative. I like the shift to the non financial aspects of retirement. Keep up the good work.
  • Joejoedfb
    Retirement topics
    Benjamin hits so many different retirement topics that others fail to talk about! I always look forward to his next podcast.
  • DRSKIER
    Great retirement podcast
    Benjamin does a wonderful job addressing pertinent topics for retirees who are also DIY investors. His communication style is very easy to listen to and learn from. Thanks Benjamin for your contribution to the retirement community!
  • Pops Frost
    Job well done!!
    Love the down to earth information and advice you provide. As a fiduciary financial advisor, I tend to agree with most all your viewpoints as well as learn new things. I wish you continued success on this and your other podcast with the CPA. Job well done! Also, thanks for the book, it was great!
  • Jem of a find
    This is a jem
    While there seems to be a thousand retirement advice podcasts, this one stands out. Drops early every Monday and is about 15 minutes. He tackles one point and some listener questions. Therefore, you really get the point I look forward to this podcast each and every week. Give it a try!
  • AshevilleintheFall
    Succinct and helpful
    This is one of my favorite retirement planning/navigation podcasts. The length is better (shorter than most others), with succinct tips and things to think about. Newsletter is also helpful and saves the trouble of tracking them down.
  • 05051955
    Easy bites of information
    This is one of my favorite retirement podcasts. The information is always interesting, usually useful to me personally, and the length is perfect. I can absorb, digest, and apply what I learn and am not overwhelmed by a flood of words. I never miss an episode. Highly recommended!
  • BCMusicLover
    Great practical advice
    This podcast gives great easy to understand practical information in a very interesting in plain speaking manner.
  • C Hasson
    Consistently Helpful
    I really enjoy this podcast. I am fully retired and my husband will retire in a few years. Every show provides super helpful and interesting discussions. I listen the day it posts every week now.
  • free market maniac
    Knowledge, Cogent, Topical
    Very good weekly show. Benjamin presents valuable personal finance information in a non abrasive or judgemental manner. I like the compact 20 minute allocation. Hour long shows tend to meander. Benjamin has a pleasing radio voice that also adds to the experience -a calming affect. He kind of reminds me of the Michal Prince character on Billions.
  • Sarita7981
    Great short show
    Over the last couple years I’ve kept listening to this show. Upbeat and relatively short, it’s very helpful and also enjoyable. Thank you
  • Ima listener
    AWESOME!
    Ben is a great host and wealth of knowledge! Highly recommend the listen!
  • xklgh/slkgj
    One of the best
    I really look forward to this podcast among the group of retirement related podcasts that I regularly listen to. Benjamin has a straight forward delivery of great information without seeming to be subtly steering you to a paid group like some other podcasts. Of course he is using the podcast to grow his advisory business. Nothing wrong with that. The way he presents information is clear and upfront and helpful. No hard sell or scare tactics to motivate you. I am not a customer of his but if I was looking for an advisor I’d look for someone like Benjamin.
  • multi's man
    All shows
    Excellent job with the show notes. It’s hard to capture and retain everything said in the podcast so the notes and background are very much appreciated!
  • Murrame
    Engaging and Informative!
    Benjamin knows his stuff - and his audience. I look forward each week to listening and learning. The pod is reliable, timely, and one comes away with the clear impression that the host is an honest broker of information that will help guide you toward smarter financial decision making.
  • kategroton
    My favorite retirement podcast
    Practical thoughtful help for about the to be and newly retired. I’m a do it yourself investor and I so appreciate Benjamin sharing his knowledge and ways he thinks about retirement topics. Love that he covers topics from the news and listener questions.
  • Statman_ng
    20 minutes of great information
    This podcast is great if you’re nearing retirement (or have already retired). In a focused 20 minutes, Benjamin talks about the news of the day and will go deeper on a particular topic as he answers listener questions. He never tries to sell you anything and offers relevant, independent knowledge.
  • the deal hunter
    I love the deep dive series
    I’m excited that Benjamin is is doing deep dive series. I’m especially happy with the series on Medicare with Danielle Roberts. I can’t wait for the next three episodes.
  • Season Ticketholder
    Retirement Starts Today
    Benjamin is one of my favorite retirement podcasters. He knows the difference between accumulation and distribution.
  • Mark Sha
    Retirement Starts Today
    I really like this podcast, it doesn’t waste time on too much talk. He has a subject, sometimes with a guest and usually gives you all in pertinent information within 30 minutes. I also like when he answers listener questions. Mark S.
  • TKBurns
    Love this podcast!
    I recently stumbled across this amazing podcast and it’s one of my favorites! The episodes and contents are very informative. I especially love that Benjamin addresses users questions as I can relate to the user real life questions/situations. Highly recommend!
  • retirement geek
    Insightful topics
    This podcast efficiently covers many topics with useful info and includes links to additional resources in the very well written show notes.
  • Xinhua Jiang
    Great Lecture
    Very helpful and easy to follow advice, thanks,
  • Juan Peso
    Humble and Helpful
    The self described humble host is just that...and very much on point and informative. One of the best yet underrated podcasts in this “space”. Great content...
  • MatthewPE
    No fluff
    Just found this podcast and have really enjoyed it. No fluff, plenty of substance. Thank you Benjamin!
  • Historic Ton
    Thanks for solid information!
    Benjamin provides great information - one of my favorite financial planning podcast
  • whatreviews
    Great podcast
    A lot of valuable information
  • Pa-Mick
    Smart and Personal Podcast!!!
    Listen to this podcast if you want to feel like you have your own personal financial expert talking just to you. You don’t have to listen long to understand that Benjamin feels a connection to his listeners and has a special dedication to educating. I sent in a listener question that was probably too specific to make the podcast. Benjamin still took the time away from his business and his family to send me a personal response to my question even though it wasn’t going to make it on the air . There was nothing to be gained by Benjamin except the personal satisfaction of helping someone. Now that’s dedication to your audience and your mission!!! Keep up the great work! ~MS from PA
  • 16374829493
    Fantastic Podcast!
    I have learned so much listening to Benjamin’s podcast. He is knowledgeable, interesting, genuine, and easy to understand. I’m grateful for his expertise and the variety of topics he covers. When I submitted a listener question, he responded on-air promptly and thoroughly. I hope that one day he will do daily podcasts. I’m looking forward to learning so much more through Benjamin’s future podcasts!
  • cslif2
    Excellent
    Love the show. Clear presentation of topics and material. A pleasure to listen to!
  • obacker19
    Entertaining, insightful and actionable!
    Whether you’re just starting out on your retirement journey, looking to level up your investing game or just want to broaden your mindset around wealth creation - this is a must-listen podcast for you! Benjamin does an incredible job leading conversations that cover a huge breadth of topics related to the ins and outs of creating (and sustaining!) a retirement that matches your values. Each conversation is empowering, easy to dive into and levels you up no matter where you are in your journey. Highly recommend listening and subscribing!
  • Biz World
    Learning Experience
    Benjamin does a really good job breaking down concepts and guidelines with a simple easy to understand manner. Sometimes Benjamin goes over a lot of numbers and figures in his podcast which I like, but some may get lost and fast forward through that portion. Benjamin voice is very monotonous...can you say “Bueller”! You can truly tell he wants to help and make a positive difference in the listener’s financial life. Keep up the good work. Thx, M
  • robnR
    Clear info
    I enjoy listening to Benjamin’s podcast. He provides straightforward information in an easy to understand manner. Appreciate his answers to listener questions. Very good podcast!
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