My Retirement Clarity with Lee Perkins

Retirement Mailbag: Bonds, Long-Term Care, Inheritance & Tax-Free Income

Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com
📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com
Retirement planning rarely follows a straight line, and today’s listener questions prove it. In this special mailbag episode, Lee tackles real questions that reflect the decisions and uncertainties people face in retirement. Along the way, he addresses common retirement myths and shares his perspective on managing risk, keeping things simple, and enjoying life while you’re still healthy.
Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:
💰 Retirement Income Sources: Where bonds fit and where they don’t
👩 Single at 62: Prioritizing income, health, and simplicity
🛡️ Long-Term Care Planning: Why inheritances aren’t a strategy
🏢 Unexpected Job Loss: Options when work ends earlier than planned
⏰ Retirement Timing: Navigating different comfort levels between spouses
 
Want to set up a meeting with us? Visit us here: http://talkwithjp.com
Get more financial education at http://myretirementclarity.com

10 Retirement Myths Too Many People Still Believe

Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com
📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com
There’s no shortage of financial advice out there, and unfortunately, not all of it is good. Some of the most damaging retirement mistakes don’t come from reckless behavior, but from ideas that sound reasonable and get repeated often enough to feel true. Today, we’re busting some of the most common retirement planning myths and explaining why believing them can quietly derail an otherwise solid plan.
Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:
📄 Why bigger financial plans aren’t better
🏠 The limits of “just having a will”
💍 The real income needs of a surviving spouse
📉 Why stopping spending in a downturn doesn’t work
💰 Common myths around Social Security and taxes
 
Want to set up a meeting with us? Visit us here: http://talkwithjp.com
Get more financial education at http://myretirementclarity.com

I’m 62: Should I File For Social Security Or Wait?

 Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com
📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com
Turning 62 might not feel like a milestone birthday… until you realize the Social Security clock just started ticking. Filing now could put money in your pocket sooner or cost you tens of thousands over a lifetime. How do you pick the right strategy? Let’s break down how to think through one of the biggest retirement decisions you’ll ever make.
Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:
🕒 Why many retirees choose to claim Social Security at 62
📊 The trade-offs between early filing and full retirement age
💼 How working impacts Social Security through the earnings test
💍 Spousal and survivor benefit considerations
💡 Using Social Security strategically to enhance your retirement lifestyle
 
Want to set up a meeting with us? Visit us here: http://talkwithjp.com
Get more financial education at http://myretirementclarity.com

What If I Retire With ‘Only’ $1M?

 Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com
📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com
Nothing will mess with your financial confidence faster than comparing your savings to your brother, your coworkers, or that guy on YouTube who claims he retired at 35. Your retirement number isn’t a competition. Today, Lee talks about what really matters when you’re trying to figure out if you’re behind on your savings goals…and what to do if you actually are. Everyone’s financial story is different. Once you stop comparing and start planning, you’ll know exactly what steps to take next.
Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:
🔍 Comparison steals joy and creates unnecessary retirement stress
💰 Your retirement number is personal, not a competition
📉 Expenses, not savings, determine how much you truly need
📈 Comparing investment returns is misleading and unhelpful
🛠️ Focus on controllable actions like saving and budgeting
 
Want to set up a meeting with us? Visit us here: http://talkwithjp.com
Get more financial education at http://myretirementclarity.com

The 5 Retirement Questions Smart People Ask

 Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com
📚 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

Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com
📚 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

Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com
📚 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?

Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com
📚 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

Meet with us: http://talkwithjlp.com
📚 Looking for more financial education? Check out 👉 http://myretirementclarity.com
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/