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

​Death, disability, lawsuits: The 8 life events financial advisers say clients are least prepared for​​

Many people are financially unprepared for major life disruptions like disability, death of a spouse, job loss, divorce, lawsuits, or caregiving responsibilities. These events often cause financial stress because of missing insurance, inadequate savings, or outdated legal documents. Advisers stress that proactive planning — including insurance, estate planning, and emergency funds — can reduce the damage when life doesn’t go as planned.

​The war is over. Human advisors won. ​

This article argues that human financial advisors aren’t being replaced by AI or robo-advisors — they’re being reinforced by them. Technology has automated basic tasks and information access, but clients still value judgment, behavioral coaching, and trust, especially during uncertainty and emotional decision-making. The takeaway is that the “war” is over because advisors who combine human insight with technology are more valuable than ever, not less.

📺 Best in YouTube

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​What Happens When You Delay Social Security And Claim Medicare? - Ben Brandt

The video explains that delaying Social Security can increase your future monthly benefit, but Medicare has its own strict enrollment timeline. Turning 65 triggers Medicare eligibility, and waiting too long to enroll—while delaying Social Security—can lead to lifelong penalties or coverage gaps. The key takeaway is that Social Security and Medicare decisions must be coordinated, because delaying one without properly enrolling in the other can be costly.

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​Could RMDs Be Worse Than You Think? - Devin Carroll

Devin explains that required minimum distributions (RMDs) from retirement accounts can end up being much larger and more impactful than many retirees expect. In one case, projected RMDs were millions higher than planned, which could significantly increase taxable income and taxes in retirement. The key point is that without careful planning, RMDs can create unexpected tax burdens and affect overall retirement outcomes.

🎧 Best in Audio (Podcasts)

What Happens to Your Taxes When a Spouse Dies (And How to Plan Ahead)-Stay Healthy Retirement Podcast

Many couples assume their retirement plan won’t change much after a spouse passes away, but survivors are often surprised by higher taxes — even if income stays similar. This episode explains how shrinking tax brackets and steady retirement income can quietly increase taxes over time. More importantly, it outlines a planning framework couples can use during the “married window” to avoid common mistakes and protect the surviving spouse through proactive, intentional decisions.

​Spotify | Apple Podcasts​

Retire on FIRE: Rocking an Early Retirement- The Challenges of Retiring Early- Retirement Answer Man​

As the Retirement Plan Live series wraps up, Roger Whitney shares insights from retirees further along the journey to help Henry and Lucy think beyond the numbers. Listeners in their 50s, 60s, and 70s reflect on purpose, work, health, money, and joy—offering perspective on what truly matters when retiring early. Roger closes with his own observations from decades of coaching, a Smart Sprint focused on learning from others, and listener-submitted words for the year.

​​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 #6 of This Week in Retirement,

Ben Brandt