Rethinking Retirement Readiness with Robert Powell

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What if the retirement “crisis” isn’t universal—and the real squeeze is in the middle? We sit down with Robert Powell (aka “Mr. Retirement”) to unpack who’s truly at risk and how to build a plan that survives markets and real life. We start with simple, strong foundations for early savers—why target date funds work when life is straightforward—and when to graduate to a personalized allocation that accounts for human capital, taxable assets, and Social Security as bond-like income.

From there, we get candid about product trends and incentives. Should your 401(k) hold private credit or private equity? If you can’t measure the risk, you can’t manage it. We also confront the crypto question: a small experimental slice might be fine for risk capital, but betting core retirement money on an asset with no earnings or valuation anchor is a leap. Along the way, we revisit the active vs passive debate and land on a practical truth: transparent costs and broad passive exposure often beat complex tilts once you factor fees, taxes, and behavior.

Behavior may be the biggest driver of outcomes. Overconfidence and recency bias lead investors to chase heat or bail at bottoms. Robert lays out how advisors can add real value with behavioral assessments and coaching that keep clients invested and calm. Then the conversation widens to what most plans miss: elder planning. We cover caregiving, housing decisions, legal documents, fraud risks, and the right time to prepare—ideally by the mid‑60s, before cognitive decline erodes decision quality.

Finally, we dig into the spending “smile,” why essential expenses should be covered by guaranteed income, and how to give yourself permission to spend earlier without fearing ruin. The most important lesson: don’t just retire from work—retire to purpose. Define the life you want, automate what you can, build your team, and review your plan annually. If this helped you think differently about retirement, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.


Straight Talk for All - Nonsense for None

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Disclaimer - These podcasts are not intended as investment advice. Individuals please consult your own investment, tax and legal advisors. They provide these insights for educational purposes only.