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 a Total Portfolio Approach Can Improve the 60/40 Portfolio​ - Morningstar

This article explains that instead of treating stocks and bonds as separate buckets, a “total portfolio” approach looks at all assets together and assigns each one a specific job—like growth, income, or stability. By coordinating how assets work together, investors can build a more resilient version of a traditional 60/40 portfolio. The result is often better diversification, more flexibility in withdrawals, and improved risk management, especially during market downturns.

​Why a Traditional Investment Portfolio is Better than Real Estate - Flow Financial Planning

This article argues that “passive income” is often misunderstood—especially when it comes to real estate, which typically requires significant time, effort, and ongoing management. It explains that truly passive income is rare and usually comes from financial assets like investments rather than hands-on ventures. The takeaway is that investors should focus less on chasing the idea of passive income and more on building a portfolio that supports their goals with the right balance of effort, risk, and return.

📺 Best in YouTube

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​The Only Tax Hack Video You'll Ever Need In Retirement - Ben Brandt​

This video explains that many retirees focus too much on average returns, but the real risk is when those returns happen—especially early in retirement. Poor market performance in the first few years (sequence of returns risk) can permanently damage a portfolio, even if long-term averages look fine. The key takeaway is that retirees need flexible withdrawal strategies and safeguards, rather than relying on a fixed rule like the 4% rule, to better adapt to changing market conditions.

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​9 Signs You’re Doing Better Than Most Retirees - Kevin Lum

Most people who are actually well-prepared for retirement still feel like they’re behind. This video break down nine signs you’re doing better than most retirees—even if it doesn’t feel that way.

🎧 Best in Audio (Podcasts)

Retirement Talk with Dr. Wade Pfau - Retirement Answer Man

Wade Pfau joins Roger to discuss key retirement income decisions, including why RISA is more useful than traditional risk tolerance, how to think about real estate and reverse mortgages, and what research says about annuities. This episode is a replay of a Rock Retirement Club meetup with live Q&A.

​Spotify | Apple Podcasts​

The Medicare Charge That's Taking a Bigger Bite Out of Social Security Checks - Retirement Starts Today

Your Social Security benefit may have increased this year—but higher Medicare premiums and IRMAA could be offsetting it. This episode covers that squeeze, a listener question about encouraging parents to spend their money, and wraps with a “Retire to Something” segment from Dave in Massachusetts.

​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 #13 of This Week in Retirement,

Ben Brandt