John H. Curry's Secure Retirement Podcast

In this episode, April and John dive into the critical financial risks that individuals face as they approach or navigate through retirement, and share valuable strategies to avoid these pitfalls and enjoy a secure retirement.Listen to learn:The top five financial risks individuals face in retirementThe problem with traditional retirement planning methodsEffective strategies to mitigate risks associated with market volatility, inflation, taxes, healthcare costs, and longevityHow to build a balanced financial structureAnd more

Navigate through retirement with confidence as April Schoen addresses the silent thief, inflation, revealing strategies to protect your financial future.In this episode, we’ll dive deep into understanding inflation and its impact on your retirement dreams.Unpack the essentials of inflation and its direct impact on your retirement savings.Discover historical perspectives on inflation to better understand its cyclical nature.Explore strategic ways to combat inflation, from guaranteed income streams to growth assets.Gain insights into personalized inflation rates and how to calculate yours for precise retirement planning.Ready to secure your retirement against the eroding effects of inflation? Join April Schoen for invaluable insights and strategies on the Secure Retirement podcast. Available now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Feeling overwhelmed by Social Security decisions for your retirement? Unravel the complexities of this critical component of retirement planning in today's episode.Join me, your guide in the maze of retirement planning, as I illuminate the often puzzling world of Social Security. From timing your benefits to understanding the system's history and strategizing for maximum returns, I offer a wealth of knowledge to help secure your financial future.Discover when to ideally start your Social Security benefits to maximize your retirement income.Dive into the fascinating history of Social Security with the story of Ida May Fuller, the first recipient.Learn about the critical role of work credits and average indexed monthly earnings in determining your Social Security benefits.Understand the unique strategies couples can employ to boost their combined Social Security benefits.Hear real-life stories of retirees who navigated Social Security decisions to enhance their financial stability.And moreReady to master the ar

How do you weather the storm during a financial crisis?—and not just weather the storm, but come out stronger?In this podcast, we show you how to prepare for a financial crisis, with actionable steps that allow you to face whatever comes your way.We’ll cover:The essential elements of financial resilienceThe early warning signs of a financial crisisCreating a comprehensive financial planEmergency fund essentialsProtecting your investments and retirement accountsAnd more

It’s the New Year Financial Kickoff…In this edition of Ask April, I will help you launch your financial year and set you on a path toward your goals.I’ll cover: Setting your financial aspirations for 2024 Building this year’s spending plan Debt paydown strategies Why your investments should align with your dreams And more

What can you do at the end of the year to set yourself up for financial success in 2024?In this edition of Ask April, I share a year-end checklist to help you start the new year on track toward your financial goals.I’ll cover: Why is an end-of-year financial review important? Setting goals for the next 3 years Assessing your spending plan Evaluating your investments Building a financial safety net And more

“How much should I save for retirement?” “When should I go into DROP?” “What about inflation?”If you’re preparing for retirement, chances are these questions have been swirling around your head…In this episode, guest host Steve Gordon asks us the most common questions about the Florida Retirement System.With decades of combined expertise, we have helped countless people answer these questions and plan for secure retirements.We cover: Is there a “magic number” to save for retirement? Recent changes to DROP Choosing a pension option The “retirement rehearsal” Inflation And more

We’ve been getting a lot of questions about what’s going on with the economy…Many people are wondering if we’re headed for a recession—and what they can do to prepare if we are.The good news is that even if we face economic uncertainty, it won’t be anything new…In this episode, we cover what past economic crises can teach us about how to weather difficult economic times.

“How much should I be saving for retirement?”We get this question all the time…In this episode, April will cover the basics of saving for retirement, including: Savings goals for different stages of life A helpful rule of thumb Saving in the right places How to make saving systematic And more This episode marks the first edition of “Ask April,” a new segment in which April will answer the most common financial questions from clients, share practical advice, and help listeners become aligned with their financial goals and dreams. Whether you’re starting out on your financial journey or looking to fine tune your existing strategies, April is here to help.

How can you deal with adversity?In this episode, we feature a recording of John’s inspiring Rotary talk, “Sweetheart, It’s Just Your Leg, Not Your Life.”John tells his incredible story of overcoming adversity after his amputation and shares his wisdom on: How to plan for unplanned life events Building support groups Creating an unbeatable mindset to get through anything And more

In this episode, I interview John about his fifty-year career helping clients and what he’s learned throughout his journey.It turns out that not much has changed in fifty years—people then and now share the desire to build a secure financial future for themselves and their families.John has seen thousands of clients’ stories unfold, and today he’ll share that wealth of experience with you.He’ll cover: What he’s learned about understanding clients’ unique needs and goals The importance of planning for mortality Helping clients get through tough times Getting confidence and clarity around a financial decision  How to balance short-term and long-term goals And more

We’re excited to announce that we’re relaunching the podcast…It’s our intention to share our knowledge on the world of financial planning so we can help others, and this next phase of the podcast will be focused on doing just that.In this episode, we’ll let you know what to expect from the show going forward and get new listeners up to speed on who we are and what we do.We’ll also tackle the question on everyone’s minds: “What’s happening with the economy?”—and share how you can make a plan for when times get tough.

Last week, the SECURE Act 2.0 was signed into law. What does this mean for you and your retirement? In this episode, we cover the most important changes from the SECURE Act 2.0 that you need to be aware of. These changes include: Age for required minimum distributions Effects on retirement accounts Automatic enrollment Treatment of student loan payments Distributions from 529 plans to Roth IRAs And more

What are the 5 financial risks you will face in retirement (& how do you avoid them)? With the right planning, you can create your own secure retirement… That means having the money for the life you want… But traditional planning doesn’t work for retirement… Wealth distribution is very different from wealth accumulation… In this podcast, we show you how to prepare for the top 5 financial risks in retirement and achieve financial balance.

Medicare is a complicated topic with a lot of moving parts… But as you reach retirement age, you’ll need to make decisions about Medicare. We all need to cover healthcare costs as we get older—there’s no avoiding it. In this webinar, we’ll cover everything you need to know to get started with Medicare planning so you can prepare for a secure retirement.  We’ll answer common questions about Medicare, such as: What does Medicare cover? When & how do I enroll in Medicare? Which Medicare option is best for me? What is a special enrollment period? And more

Many people make decisions about taxes in a vacuum… But taxes have a significant impact on your finances in retirement. The good news is that there are proven strategies to optimize your income so you can minimize your taxes. In this podcast, we’ll show you how tax diversification can help you build a secure retirement. Listen to learn: How tax rates will change in the future Why it’s a myth that you’ll have less income in retirement How different types of investments are taxed The difference between tax-deferred accounts, tax-favored accounts, and taxable accounts How to achieve tax diversification The impact taxes will have on your income The essential facts about Roth IRAs How you can use cash value life insurance as tax-free income in retirement And more

Planning when you’ll take Social Security might be the most important decision you make for your retirement… It impacts your income for the rest of your life (and your spouse’s income, too)… The decision you make determines your destiny… You need to make the decision that leads to your secure retirement—you’ll have the money to do the things you want and live worry-free. In this episode, we’ll cover the basics of Social Security and help you understand this important decision. Listen to learn: What factors determine when you should take Social Security? The pros and cons of delaying Social Security How to find your full retirement age What is the cost of living adjustment? What spousal benefits will you receive? Will Social Security change in the coming decades? Is a strategy session right for you?

When it comes to planning for retirement, the decisions you make today determine your destiny tomorrow. And no matter what stage of life you’re at, making a plan now will ensure that you can retire with maximum freedom, security, and enjoyment. If you wait any longer, your time and money are on the line. In this webinar, we answer the most common questions about retirement and show you how to plan for a secure future. Listen to learn: How to get the most out of FRS benefits When is the best time to retire If going into DROP is right for you When you should start taking Social Security Why you should retire TO something—not FROM something What you may not know about required minimum distributions And more

What’s the most important thing you can do today for yourself and your family? Plan for life insurance--before it’s too late. But what type of life insurance should you buy? When should you buy it? And who should you buy it from? How can you create wealth for yourself today AND leave a legacy behind when you die? This podcast episode breaks down life insurance fundamentals and shows you how to get the most out of this essential financial tool. Listen to learn: Why you can’t wait any longer to plan for life insurance The common life insurance mistakes to avoid Which life insurance strategy is right for you How to use life insurance to grow wealth while you’re alive And more

In today’s episode, I sit down with my friend Steve Gordon to talk about overcoming adversity, or how to deal with life's ambushes. You may already know my story, but if you haven’t listened lately, we’ll catch you up on one of those life changing ambushes I faced earlier this year. What I went through was by far the most difficult, life changing, game changing event I’ve ever faced, yet it's given me insight and wisdom I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.Listen as Steve and I walk through what happened, and how I got to the milestone where I am today, as well as:  The first thing you need to do when a life-changing event drops into your life How to quickly get past agonizing and into action mode when presented with a problem—I share the two things that helped me remain calm in the face of such adversity Breakthrough solutions to reset and refocus your mindset The real reason we don’t get what we want and how to change your focus so you do And much more