Welcome to This Week in Retirement

The promise of This Week in Retirement:​
If you only have 15–30 minutes per week to dedicate to learning more about retirement planning, I’ve got you covered.

Retirement planning is both my job and my hobby. Every week, I read dozens of articles and watch or listen to hours of podcasts and YouTube videos.
​Every Thursday, I’ll share the best options from each category.

Pick a few. Skip the rest. You’re covered.

📰 Best in Retirement News

​How Do Higher Oil Prices Impact Stock Market Returns? - A Wealth of Common Sense

This article looks at how rising oil prices impact stock market returns and finds the relationship isn’t as straightforward as people think. While spikes in oil can create short-term volatility and pressure certain sectors, the long-term effect on the overall market is mixed and often muted. The takeaway: oil prices matter, but they’re just one piece of a much bigger puzzle—and not a reliable signal to base investment decisions on.

​The Best Strategies for Consistent Retirement Spending - Morning Star​

This Morningstar article makes the case that consistent retirement spending doesn’t come from rigid rules like the 4% rule—it comes from flexibility. Instead of locking in a fixed withdrawal, the research supports using guardrails: spending a bit more in strong markets and pulling back in weaker ones. Pair that with a base layer of guaranteed income for essentials, and you get a plan that’s far more resilient—and realistic—over a 30-year retirement.

📺 Best in YouTube

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​9 SIGNS You’re Secretly A RICH Retiree (Even if you don't feel like it) Ben Brandt​

This video walks through why the traditional “set it and forget it” withdrawal strategy in retirement doesn’t hold up in the real world. Instead of sticking to a fixed percentage every year, the key takeaway is that flexibility is what actually protects a retirement plan. Markets don’t move in straight lines, and your spending shouldn’t either.

​$5M+? Collecting Social Security Early Will Mess Up Your Roth Conversion Strategy- Ari Taublieb

In this episode, Ari walks through a case study of a 57-year-old with about $5 million saved, planning to retire at 60 and spend roughly $20,000 per month. At first glance, the Social Security decision barely moves the needle—whether benefits start at 62, full retirement age, or 70, the portfolio is already doing most of the heavy lifting.

🎧 Best in Audio (Podcasts)

Why 59% of Stocks Destroy Wealth (And What Smart Retirees Do About It) - Stay Wealthy Retirement Podcast

This episode breaks down new research on where market returns really come from—and why a handful of familiar stocks may be riskier than they seem. It also covers three simple ways to better position your portfolio going forward.

​Spotify | Apple Podcasts​

How Your AI Data Could Be Used Against You - Big Picture Retirement ​
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This episode discusses how AI platforms handle user data, why you should be careful about what you share, and the simple mindset shift everyone should adopt when using AI tools.

​Spotify| Apple Podcasts ​​

🧭 Other Business

Starting this year, I’m adding a short segment to the end of the podcast:

Retire TO something, not FROM something.

Each week, I’ll spotlight:

• Volunteer opportunities
• Part-time “fun” jobs
• Creative or meaningful ways people stay engaged in retirement

​Click here to share your ideas!

Additional resources:

​Click here to order my book, Retirement Starts Today: Your non-financial guide to an even better retirement

​Click here to get started on your retirement plan

Have a link you'd like to share with our audience? Reply with your best links & you might see them featured in an upcoming issue.

We'll see you next week for issue #14 of This Week in Retirement,

Ben Brandt