The Retirement and IRA Show

Jim Saulnier, CFP® & Chris Stein, CFP®

Retirement Planning

Social Security

Annuities

Financial Planning

Roth IRA

IRMAA

Medicare

Roth Conversions

Tax Planning

Minimum Dignity Floor

Estate Planning

Pensions

Required Minimum Distributions

Long-Term Care

Iras

Buffered Etfs

Investment Strategies

Social Security Benefits

Secure Act 2.0

Registered Index Linked Annuities

What do you get when you combine two knowledgeable CFP® PROFESSIONALS (one also a well-informed COLLEGE FINANCE INSTRUCTOR)? If you mix in relevant financial information and a healthy dose of humor you get the Retirement and IRA Radio Show! JIM SAULNIER, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional with Jim Saulnier and Associates who specializes in retirement planning for clients across the countr... more

819 ratings

Publishes	Twice weekly	Episodes	101	Founded	13 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	InvestingBusiness

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Guests Hosts Reviews Charts Talking Points

Latest Episodes

Social Security, Annuities for LTC Planning: Q&A #2624

Jim and Chris discuss listener emails on Social Security earnings limits, and two emails relating to using annuities for LTC planning.

(13:00) — A listener asks whether income from selling NSO stock counts as earned income for Social Security, pote... more

13 Jun 2026 • 1 hr 15 min • Most popular

Understanding Forced Annuitization: EDU #2623

Chris’s Summary:

Jim and I continue our discussion on annuity basics before turning to a listener’s email centered on forced annuitization, a maturity date built into every annuity contract requiring annuitization or full distribution by a set age. ... more

10 Jun 2026 • 1 hr 9 min • Popular

Social Security, Rule of 55, QLAC Timing, SPIAs: Q&A #2623

Jim and Chris discuss listener emails on whether Social Security should be compared to an annuity, Rule of 55 distribution rules, using period-certain annuities during the delay period, QLAC timing and taxes, and using a SPIA for Minimum Dignity Floo... more

6 Jun 2026 • 1 hr 25 min • Popular

Annuity Basics: EDU #2622

Chris’s Summary

Jim and I tackle annuity basics to start off another National Annuity Awareness Month. We cover what annuities are as insurance contracts, the four parties to a contract, the accumulation and distribution phases, and the key differen... more

3 Jun 2026 • 1 hr 38 min

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Recent Guests

Dr. Philip Snyder

Assistant Professor and Department Chair for Primary Care and General Medicine at Edward Villa College of Osteopathic Medicine

Edward-Vaya College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM)

Episode: Enjoying a Healthy Retirement: EDU #2619

Jersey Jake

Enrolled agent and CFP® professional, visiting from New Jersey

Episode: Tax Rules and Mistakes: EDU #2615

Jake Turner

Planner on the team and Enrolled Agent, specializing in taxes

Jim Saulnier and Associates

Episode: Tax Special – Conversions, Contributions, HSAs, Tax Returns, Tax Software PSA: Q&A #2608

Steve Sansone

Authority in cash balance plan design with significant industry recognition

Episode: Cash Balance Plans Explained: EDU #2552

Brian Luther

Retired Rear Admiral and President/CEO of Navy Mutual

Navy Mutual

Episode: Military Retirement Planning: EDU #2541

Kevin Sebesta

Retirement coach and member of the Rock Retirement Club

Rock Retirement Club

Episode: Exploring the Retirement Mindset with Kevin Sebesta: EDU #2520

Shelley Thompson

Estate planning attorney out of the Denver area

Episode: Common Estate Planning Mistakes: EDU #2449

Shelly Thompson

Practicing estate planning attorney and educator

University of Colorado in Boulder

Episode: Estate Planning Special Edition: EDU #2439

Matt Kaufman

Guest from Calamose Investments specializing in structured products

Calamose Investments

Episode: In-Depth Principal Protected Structured ETFs: EDU #2430

Hosts

Jim Saulnier

CFP with a retirement-planning focus; long-running host with Jim Saulnier and Associates.

Chris Stein

Finance instructor at CSU; CFP with retirement planning expertise.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 819 ratings

the 4% rule episode - ok... i like the point made but also take into consideration that these people are retiring at 35 not 65.
Podcast Addict
4
kj9999999
a month ago
Taking a Break
After Jim’s two show rant about Bill Bengen’s Four Percent rule of thumb, I need a break. So much pontificating from a guy who admitted that he has not read Bengen’s new book. Maybe I’ll come back when Jim reads the book and can discuss the new content intelligently.
Apple Podcasts
1
XriverSkier
United Statesa month ago
Most Advanced Retirement Process
This show is LONG and very in depth. Consistently delivers the most advanced retirement insights on Social Security and they have a pretty ingenious method of planning for retirement. It might not be your cup of tea but you will learn a ton over time. Not as much value for young listeners.
Apple Podcasts
5
mike2me17
United States2 months ago
Unfortunately insurance salesman who also talk about investments
Their defense of annuities showed their hand. They are insurance shills who also talk about investing. Interesting information and some good insight, but zero credibility if you are not a 100% fee only fiduciary.
Apple Podcasts
1
Steeler Craig
United States3 months ago
This show grows on you, except ...
The rabbit discussion is very bizarre. And the comments about Illinois. That was a funny comment about Jim being a pithy speaker.
Apple Podcasts
5
Interested bystander
United States4 months ago

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Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The banter and host chemistry are frequently highlighted as engaging and making complex topics accessible.

Listeners praise depth and practical retirement insights, with some noting long episodes feel worthwhile due to rich content.

Some reviews push back on lengthy personal chatter or chats about trends like AI, but still cite strong educational value.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts	#56	United States/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts	#179	United States/Business

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Social Security, Withdrawal Strategy, HSAs, 4% Rule, Roths, Retirement Trust: Q&A #2621

Q: Is it advisable to convert a large traditional IRA to a Roth given high current income but planned retirement in 10+ years, and what about diversification rules for taxes later in retirement?

Roth conversions and contributions can be part of tax diversification, but timing matters. In higher-earning years, converting into Roth may incur substantial taxes now, whereas delaying conversions until retirement (or during years with lower brackets) can be beneficial. The advisor suggests balancing a mix of always taxable, never taxable, and maybe taxable accounts, and warns against over-optimizing Roths without considering future tax law changes and retirement needs.

Social Security, Withdrawal Strategy, HSAs, 4% Rule, Roths, Retirement Trust: Q&A #2621

Q: If my husband takes his Social Security before he reaches 67, will it reduce his spousal benefit, and what about taking it at 62 or 67?

If he claims before 67, his own benefit is reduced, but the spousal benefit is affected only by the timing relative to when she files; waiting to 67 to claim the spousal offset can allow the full spousal amount if his own benefit is not reduced at that time. If he claims at 62, his own reduced benefit reduces the combined total, and the spousal portion then adds on top but starts from a lower base.

Social Security, Rule of 55, QLAC Timing, SPIAs: Q&A #2623

Q: Does my company 401k allow for Rule of 55 distributions in the year I turn 55 and separate from my employer?

The Rule of 55 is an IRS provision, not an employer-specific offering; as long as you separate from service in the year you turn 55 and the distribution is from that employer's plan, you can avoid the 10% early withdrawal penalty. The custodian's position is correct that it's tax-code based and applies to the employer's plan you separate from, not to other prior plans. You should verify with your plan and the custodian, as some plans may have administrative quirks that could affect eligibility.

Social Security, Annuity RMDs, Annuity Laddering: Q&A #2622

Q: If a listener's cousin turned 62 and never remarried, what are the survivor-benefit options on an ex-spouse's record, and how should they decide between survivor and own retirement benefits?

The guidance is to evaluate which benefit will be larger in the long run: the survivor benefit from the ex-spouse's record versus delaying the listener's own retirement benefit to age 70 to maximize its value. If the survivor benefit at 67 or 70 beats the own benefit's growth, start with the survivor and switch later; if the own benefit delayed to 70 would be larger, claim the survivor first and then switch to the own benefit at 70. Also consider earnings tests if the individual is still working; if earnings test applies, delaying may be constrained.

Enjoying a Healthy Retirement: EDU #2619

Q: What is healthspan and why does it matter for retirement planning?

Healthspan is the period of life during which a person is vibrant, independent, and capable of enjoying activities. It matters for retirement planning because it determines how much of the fund should be spent on activities and experiences during the go-go years, rather than simply calculating a fixed 30-year horizon. A longer healthspan means more enjoyable years and potentially different long-term care needs.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Retirement and IRA Show

What is The Retirement and IRA Show about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two CFP professionals deliver in-depth retirement planning guidance with a practical, banter-filled style. Episodes commonly tackle Social Security claiming, tax diversification, Roth conversions, healthspan versus lifespan, and practical income strategies like lifetime income and annuities, all framed around real client scenarios. A notable angle is the emphasis on a flexible, lifecycle-based spending plan that prioritizes a stable “minimum dignity floor” and uses tools like QLACs, HSA, and strategic asset placement to optimize retirement income. The show is known for clear explanations, long-form, actionable content, and a mix of personal anecdotes and local flavor that keeps complex topics approachable for serious planners and early reti... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Retirement and IRA Show?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Retirement and IRA Show:

1. Retirement Planning Education, with Andy Panko
2. Big Picture Retirement®
3. Retirement Answer Man
4. Retirement Starts Today
5. Stay Wealthy Retirement Podcast

How many episodes of The Retirement and IRA Show are there?

The Retirement and IRA Show launched 13 years ago and published 101 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Retirement and IRA Show?

Recent guests on The Retirement and IRA Show include:

1. Dr. Philip Snyder
2. Jersey Jake
3. Jake Turner
4. Steve Sansone
5. Brian Luther
6. Kevin Sebesta
7. Shelley Thompson
8. Shelly Thompson

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