On this edition of the Wealth Guardians Radio Show, Garrett Ray and Brice Payne discuss six retirement planning topics retirees often misunderstand.

October 18, 2025 - Six Retirement Planning Topics Retirees Often Misunderstand

On this edition of the Wealth Guardians Radio Show, Doug Ray and Brice Payne discuss four things about Social Security you should know but probably don't. 

November 01, 2025 - Think You Know Social Security? Think Again.

Aaron Spitzner opens the show with a discussion on interest rates and borrowing costs, then touches on tax strategies for non-qualified annuities. Later Jeff Kowal joins the show to discuss Roth IRAs and their growing popularity among young people. And Aaron Spitzner wraps up the show with catch-up contributions limits and changes.

The Retirement Clinic-10-4-25 – Interest Rates, Taxes, Roth Accounts, and More!

The IRS will always take its share — unless you plan smarter. 
💡 In this episode of The Lord and Richards Show, CEO Colin Richards and Dylan Schoonover reveal how high savers can legally reduce lifetime taxes and protect their wealth through strategic Roth conversions, smart timing, and charitable planning.

We cover:
• The 3 tax buckets: taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free
• Why many retirees never drop tax brackets (and how to fix it)
• How to use Roth conversions before RMDs hit
• The “tax time bomb” and how to protect your heirs
• Donor-advised funds and other charitable strategies
• State tax moves and estate planning essentials

🎧 Tune in to learn how to move your money from forever taxed to never taxed again — and create a plan that keeps more of your income where it belongs: with you.

Learn more: https://lordandrichards.com/

Call for your complimentary Retirement Freedom Review: 720-372-0400

Investment Advisory Services offered through Lord and Richards Wealth Management, LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser


How to Build Tax-Free Retirement Income

In this episode of The Mindset Advantage with Jeffrey Wendel, Jeffrey explores how to create a retirement that’s not just financially secure—but deeply meaningful, healthy, and purpose-driven. Drawing from his book Grand Slam Retirement: A Winning Strategy for a Winning Lifestyle, Jeffrey reframes retirement as your grand slam moment—the culmination of everything you’ve built in your career, relationships, and personal growth. 

Through practical stories and real-life examples, Jeffrey introduces the Five Pillars of Grand Slam Retirement:
 1️⃣ Financial Security
 2️⃣ Healthcare and Legal Preparedness
 3️⃣ Physical Health and Fitness
 4️⃣ Purpose and Passion
 5️⃣ Relationships and Community

You’ll also take part in an interactive vision exercise to imagine your ideal retirement lifestyle and learn how to make that vision a reality. Whether you’re just starting your career or approaching retirement, this episode helps you prepare for a life filled with freedom, fulfillment, and lasting impact.

🌐 Learn more about Jeffrey’s coaching programs and leadership seminars at:
 jeffreywendel.com
 jeffreywendel.net
 jeffreywendel.org

Grand Slam Retirement: A Winning Strategy for a Winning Lifestyle

On this edition of the Wealth Guardians Radio Show, Doug Ray and Brice Payne review five signs that you're in better financial shape than you thought.

Investment advisory services offered through Alphastar Capital Management, LLC, a SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the SEC, nor does it indicate that the adviser has attained a particular level of skill or ability. Fixed insurance products are offered through The Wealth Guardians, and Alphastar Capital Management is not involved in the offer, recommendation, sale or management of commission-based fixed Insurance products. Alphastar Capital Management and The Wealth Guardians are separate and independent entities. This is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal, tax or investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, investment product or investment strategy.

November 15, 2025 - 5 Signs You're In Better Financial Shape Than You Thought

Retirement is a long-term financial goal that requires careful planning and disciplined investing. Without proper strategies, individuals risk running out of savings or facing unexpected expenses. Effective retirement planning integrates sound investment techniques, risk management, and goal-oriented strategies. Seeking professional retirement planning advice ensures that your approach is comprehensive, adaptable, and aligned with your financial objectives.

Understanding Retirement Planning  

Retirement planning is the process of determining your retirement income goals, assessing current financial resources, and implementing strategies to achieve those goals. It involves budgeting, investing, managing risk, and planning for taxes and healthcare costs. Key components include:

Income Forecasting: Estimating how much money you will need during retirement based on lifestyle, inflation, and potential medical expenses.
Savings Assessment: Evaluating current savings, retirement accounts, and other investments to determine gaps.
Investment Strategy: Selecting appropriate investment vehicles that match risk tolerance and time horizon.
Seeking retirement planning advice helps individuals make informed decisions, optimize their savings, and avoid common pitfalls.

Key Retirement Investment Tools  

Retirement Accounts: Traditional and Roth IRAs, 401(k)s, and other employer-sponsored plans are essential for building a tax-efficient retirement portfolio. These accounts offer growth potential and, in some cases, tax benefits that maximize savings.
Mutual Funds and ETFs: Diversified funds provide exposure to multiple asset classes, reducing risk while pursuing growth. They are ideal for individuals seeking professional management and broad market coverage.
Bonds and Fixed-Income Securities: Bonds provide steady income and help stabilize a portfolio. They are particularly useful for conservative investors or those nearing retirement who want to preserve capital.
Real Estate and Alternative Investments: Real estate, REITs, and commodities diversify portfolios and act as a hedge against inflation.
Techniques for Successful Retirement Investing  

1. Asset Allocation:
Distributing investments across asset classes based on your risk tolerance and retirement timeline is critical. Equities offer growth potential for long-term investors, while bonds and cash equivalents provide stability and liquidity. Periodic adjustments, or rebalancing, maintain the desired risk-reward balance.

2. Dollar-Cost Averaging:
Investing a fixed amount regularly reduces the impact of market volatility. Dollar-cost averaging ensures consistent contributions and can smooth returns over time, helping investors avoid the pitfalls of market timing.

3. Tax-Efficient Investing:
Minimizing taxes enhances net returns. Strategies include placing tax-inefficient investments in retirement accounts, harvesting tax losses in taxable accounts, and strategically planning withdrawals to manage tax liability.

4. Risk Management:
Diversification, insurance coverage, and emergency funds protect against unforeseen events, market downturns, and healthcare costs. Managing risk ensures that retirement savings are resilient and sustainable.

Strategic Retirement Planning Advice  

Seeking professional guidance is crucial to navigate the complexities of retirement investing. A financial advisor provides personalized retirement planning advice, including:

Evaluating income needs and lifestyle expectations.
Creating a diversified investment portfolio aligned with risk tolerance.
Planning for inflation, taxes, and healthcare costs.
Developing strategies for withdrawals and required minimum distributions (RMDs).
Advisors also help monitor and adjust strategies based on market changes or life events, keeping retirement plans on track.


Retirement Planning and Investing Tools and Techniques for Success

On this edition of the Wealth Guardians Radio Show, Garrett Ray and Brice Payne discuss the eight warning signs you may have missed when choosing your financial advisor. 

November 22, 2025 - 8 Warning Signs You May Have Picked the Wrong Financial Advisor

 In this episode of The Capitalized Life and Retirement Show, Matthew Johnson, president of Johnson Wealth and Income Management, explains why not all income is created equal — and why understanding the difference could change the course of your retirement.

From dividends and interest to taxable, guaranteed, and lifetime income, Matthew breaks down the key distinctions that can determine how long your money lasts and how much tax you pay along the way.

🎯 In this video, you’ll learn:

The major types of retirement income and which offer the most stability
The difference between earned, passive, and contractual income
How taxes and dividends impact your retirement paycheck
Why spendable income beats sellable income in helping protecting your savings

👉 Website: https://www.johnsonwim.com/   

Matthew P. Johnson is president and owner of Johnson Wealth and Income Management, a third-generation company that has been serving clients for over 75 years. Matthew has been advising clients in the financial services industry since 1999. He strives to educate clients on how to invest for income, how to help avoid loss by utilizing more conservative investment options, and is dedicated to helping them achieve a well-planned retirement.  

Johnson Wealth and Income Management is committed to educating their clients and the community through workshops on topics related to more conservative investment alternatives.

  Investment Advisory Services offered through Sound Income Strategies, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisory Firm. Johnson Wealth and Income Management and Sound Income Strategies, LLC are not associated entities. Johnson Wealth and Income Management is a franchisee of Retirement Income Source, LLC. Retirement Income Source, LLC and Sound Income Strategies, LLC are associated entities.

Not All Income is Created Equal

On this edition of the Wealth Guardians Radio Show, Garrett Ray and Brice Payne discuss how fuzzy math could be sabotaging your financial future.

November 29, 2025 - Is Fuzzy Math Sabotaging Your Financial Future?

Jeffrey L. Wendel, CEO of Wendel Retirement Planning and author of Grand Slam Retirement: A Winning Strategy for a Winning Lifestyle.

Lord and Richards is a firm dedicated to helping people become more financially independent and better able to cope with the changing world around them from a biblical point of view.

The Wealth Guardians Radio Show focuses on all things retirement planning and is hosted by Doug Ray, Brice Payne, and Garrett Ray. The show airs each Saturday morning at 9:30 on Greensboro, NC’s 94.5 WPTI FM and Winston Salem, NC's 96.7 WTOB FM/1470 AM.

Disclaimer: “Investment Advisory Services offered through Alphastar Capital Management, LLC a SEC registered Investment Advisor. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the Commission nor does it indicate that the adviser has attained a particular level of skill or ability. Alphastar Capital Management, LLC and Wealth Guardians are independent entities. The firm only transacts business in states where it is properly registered, or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Insurance products and services offered through individually licensed and appointed agent in various jurisdictions.”

With retirement just around the corner, you need a partner you can trust to help navigate the ins and outs of retirement planning.  Whether you’re looking for a final push heading into your retirement, retirement asset management and consolidation, or assistance in transferring business assets to retirement assets, our team’s focus is on helping you realize your vision.

You can listen to the Kowal Investment Group - now Creative Planning, "Retirement Clinic" podcasts, with retirement and investment planning tips and news right here on Soundcloud. **This is a previously recorded show.**

New tracks tagged #retirement planning