My Retirement Clarity with Lee Perkins

The 5 Retirement Questions Smart People Ask

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📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com
We've all heard the saying there is no such thing as a bad question, but in retirement planning, some questions are definitely better than others. In this episode, Lee explains the five questions smart investors ask and explains how reframing each one leads to better decisions, stronger strategies, and more confident planning. The smartest investors don’t just look for answers. They learn to ask better questions.
Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:
📰 Office News: team update and new advisor announcement
💰 How Much Do I Need? Reframing savings into income needs
🏥 Long-Term Care: exploring all coverage options instead of rolling the dice
💸 Fees vs. Value: understanding what you truly get for the price
🧾 Taxes: shifting the conversation from “this year” to lifetime tax savings
📉 Market Fear: building a portfolio that works in every market—not timing the chaos
 
Want to set up a meeting with us? Visit us here: http://talkwithjp.com
Get more financial education at http://myretirementclarity.com

Planning for Retirement When You Marry Later in Life

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📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com
Considering marriage in your 50s or 60s? While it's a time for new beginnings and happiness, it can also introduce unique financial challenges. In this episode, Lee shares expert insights on navigating retirement planning when two lives- and two sets of finances- come together. Discover how honest conversations today can strengthen your relationship and ensure your legacy for the future.
Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:
💍 Remarriage & Retirement: blending lives without merging finances
💬 Financial Transparency: why honesty builds long-term stability
💵 Cash Flow Planning: aligning income and spending in retirement
📊 Separate Accounts: managing assets while planning together
👨‍👩‍👧 Family Balance: protecting children and shared goals
⚖️ Ground Rules: setting expectations before you tie the knot
Check out our upcoming workshops:
https://jlperkinswealth.com/attend-an-event/

Mailbag: Income Boosts, Aging Parents, Social Security & Vacation Homes

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📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com
The mail’s here! Today, Lee answers listener questions about life, money, and retirement planning. Each scenario highlights the unique challenges people face as they approach or live through retirement, and the importance of making confident, well-coordinated decisions along the way. Most times, the best advice doesn’t come from Google, it comes from experience, wisdom, and planning.
Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:
💰 Income Boost: how to handle a sudden increase in earnings
👵 Parents’ Financial Health: addressing concerns and planning for their future
📆 Social Security Choices: deciding when and how to claim benefits
🏡 Vacation Home Dilemma: the pros and cons of buying property with family
Check out our upcoming workshops:
https://jlperkinswealth.com/attend-an-event/

Should You Have More Than One Financial Advisor?

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📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com
Think having two financial advisors gives you an edge? Think again. It might sound smart, but splitting your investments often leads to mixed messages, conflicting strategies, and costly mistakes. Today, Lee exposes the hidden dangers of a “too many cooks in the kitchen” approach to money, and why one clear, trusted voice can make all the difference in your financial future.
Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:
💸 Why People Split Money: common reasons investors divide their assets between firms
🗣️ Coordinating Advice: the challenge of getting everyone on the same page
📊 Returns Race: why chasing short-term performance hurts long-term goals
📉 Investment Overlap: certain strategies can double your risk instead of spreading it
Check out our upcoming workshops:
https://jlperkinswealth.com/attend-an-event/

Mailbag: RVs, Life Insurance, 401(k)s, Roth Options, Money Fears & Inheritances

Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com
📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com
The mailbag is open! In this episode, Lee tackles real-world listener questions that hit on some of the most common dilemmas retirees face. First up: should you buy that RV with debt, or withdraw from your IRA and take the tax hit? Then, how do you know if a life insurance “investment” pitch is a smart opportunity or just a sales tactic to avoid?
Next, Lee addresses a common concern: what should you do with a large 401(k) balance when you don’t fully understand investing? He explains why saving is great, but strategy is essential. He also breaks down when it makes sense to use a Roth 401(k) option at work. From there, the focus shifts to retirement psychology: what if you’re afraid of running out of money? Do you need to cut back or go back to work? Lee explains why neither is ideal and what to do instead. Finally, we hear from a listener who received a surprise inheritance and wants to know how to navigate IRAs, stocks, and property the right way.
Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:
🚐 RV dilemmas – buy with debt or tap your IRA?
🛡️ Life insurance sales – smart questions to ask before saying yes
📊 401(k) reality check – saving isn’t enough without a strategy
🔄 Roth 401(k) choices – when shifting contributions makes sense
💸 Running out of money – how to calm the fear of going back to work
🏡 Getting a surprise inheritance – how to manage it wisely
Check out our upcoming workshops:
https://jlperkinswealth.com/attend-an-event/

The 5 Must-Do’s in Year One of Retirement

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Well, you’re retired. Now what? Some people follow the “first year rule,” believing the majority of your best retirement months will happen in those first twelve. But if you don’t approach this season with intentionality, you could set the wrong tone emotionally and financially. In this episode, Lee shares the five essential steps every new retiree should take during year one.
You’ll hear real stories and practical advice, like how to stay healthy, find purpose, and even test-drive big lifestyle changes before making them permanent. The habits, routines, and choices you make early in retirement will echo through the years ahead. Be intentional now, and you’ll set yourself up for a retirement that’s not only financially sustainable but also deeply fulfilling.
Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:
💸 Adjusting to spending when “every day is Saturday”
📊 Building a tax-smart withdrawal strategy
🎯 Establishing routines and finding purpose beyond hobbies
🏃‍♂️ Prioritizing health and preventative habits early
🚗 Testing driving your long-term plans
Check out our upcoming workshops:
https://jlperkinswealth.com/attend-an-event/

If I Won’t Live to 90, Should I Claim Social Security Early?

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📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com
If your parents or grandparents passed away young, it’s natural to wonder: Should I grab Social Security as early as possible? It sounds simple, but the truth is far more nuanced. In this episode, Lee unpacks why longevity isn’t just about family history. Advances in medicine, modern lifestyles, and the kind of retirement you envision all play a huge role in when (and how) you should claim benefits.
Lee explains what early filing actually does to your benefits, why spousal considerations matter, and how delaying benefits can increase overall lifetime income for you and potentially for a surviving spouse. Instead of making this decision in a vacuum, Lee shows how Social Security fits into your broader financial plan alongside pensions, savings, and other income sources.
Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:
🧬 Family history vs. actual longevity factors
💵 How delayed credits can boost your benefit
❤️ ‍What happens to Social Security if a spouse passes away first
🔄 Trade-offs of using your own assets vs. claiming early
📊 Using Social Security in a comprehensive plan
 
Check out our upcoming workshops:
https://jlperkinswealth.com/attend-an-event/
 

Fuzzy Math Is Sabotaging Your Financial Future

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📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com
 
You’ve probably said it before. ‘I ran the numbers, and I should be fine.’ But what if the math you're relying on isn’t telling the whole story? Today, we’re unpacking some of the most common examples of fuzzy retirement math- rules of thumb and assumptions that sound good on paper but can derail your plan if you take them at face value.
Lee breaks down why average returns don’t tell the full story, why the 4% withdrawal rule isn’t a guarantee, and why relying only on dividends or assuming you’ll spend less in retirement can backfire. He also explains how taxes and Social Security decisions are often misunderstood, and why flexibility- not formulas- is the real key to retirement success.
 
Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:
📉 Average returns don’t guarantee consistent growth💸 The 4% rule isn’t always reliable for withdrawals📊 Dividends and interest alone can create unstable income🛍️ Retirees often spend more, not less💰 Many people stay in the same tax bracket in retirement⏳ Waiting until 70 for Social Security isn’t always best
 
Check out our upcoming workshops:
https://jlperkinswealth.com/attend-an-event/
 

The TSP Trap: Great for Saving, Limiting for Retirement

Today, Lee dives into an important topic for federal employees: the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). While the TSP is a powerful accumulation tool, it may lack the flexibility needed in retirement. Lee explains why reaching age 59½ is a critical turning point and how rolling over TSP funds into an IRA can provide greater control, investment options, and tax planning strategies.
He highlights both the strengths of the TSP- like low fees, simplicity, and automatic payroll deductions- and its limitations in terms of withdrawal rules and lack of integration with broader financial planning. Lee also shares a client story to illustrate how a personalized plan can make a big difference. If you’re approaching retirement and want to make smart, strategic decisions with your TSP, this episode is a must-listen.
 
Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:
💼 TSP has ultra-low fees, but few options
🎯 Age 59½ opens rollover opportunities
🔄 How rolling over to an IRA offers flexibility and options
🧾The benefits of a personalized tax strategy
 
Want to set up a meeting with us? Visit us here: http://talkwithjlp.com
Get more financial education at http://myretirementclarity.com

Don’t Waste Your Most Valuable Resource: Time

When it comes to planning for retirement, we often obsess over dollars and cents. But what if the most valuable resource isn’t money at all, but your time? In this episode, Lee shares two compelling client stories that illustrate just how differently people approach time and wealth. One couple clung tightly to their growing nest egg, postponing their dreams until it was too late. Another took a leap of faith, prioritized experiences, and now lives a life full of travel, generosity, and joy.
Are you stuck in the mindset of saving for someday, or are you prepared to start living now? Today, Lee challenges what you might think it means to be “ready” for retirement. He unpacks the emotional weight of financial decision-making and offers a clear call to action: use your resources while you still have time to enjoy them.
 
Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:
🏔️ The sad story of a dream mountain house that never got built
💸 How over-saving can rob you of the joy you already earned
🎉 A couple with less money, but more memories, thanks to confident planning
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Why giving money to grandkids now might be more rewarding than leaving an inheritance
 
Want to set up a meeting with us? Visit us here: http://talkwithjp.com
Get more financial education at http://myretirementclarity.com