Are you constantly worried about running out of money in retirement? You’re not alone—and the good news is, the truth might surprise you!

In this podcast, I reveal what most people get wrong about retirement spending, how rare it actually is to run out of money, and the real strategies that work—especially if you're retiring early. We’ll break down the 4% rule, portfolio withdrawal strategies, the guardrails approach, and real-world data that shows how most retirees end up with more money than they started with.

Whether you're planning for early retirement or already living it, this episode will help you stop worrying and start living! Learn how to make your money last, without the stress.

🔍 Topics covered:

✅ How to stop worrying about running out of money in retirement

✅What the 4% rule really means (and its limitations)

✅The truth about retirement portfolio longevity

✅How guardrails can give you more flexibility and confidence

✅Common mistakes retirees make with money

Resources Mentioned:

📊 Michael Kitces article on why most retirees will never spend their entire retirement portfolio: https://www.kitces.com/blog/consumption-gap-in-retirement-why-most-retirees-will-never-spend-down-their-portfolio/

📊Michael Kitches article regarding implementing retirement income guardrails: https://www.kitces.com/blog/implementing-retirement-income-guardrails-to-facilitate-the-right-spending-raises-and-spending-cuts/

📊Retirment Planning Tool I Use, Boldin.com: https://www.boldin.com/

❤️ Like, Subscribe, Follow, Share and leave a review if this helped!

📺 When you're not on the go, watch the Early Retirement Roadmap YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@EarlyRetirementRoadmap?sub_confirmation=1

🌐 Visit my website for all my media, including my blog or to contact me about sponsorship or other business opportunities: https://mikeupland.com/

☕ Support: [Buy me a coffee](https://buymeacoffee.com/mikeupland.com)

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only and reflects my personal experience and research. It is not financial, tax, legal, or investment advice. Always consult with qualified professionals before making major retirement or financial decisions. I am not responsible for any loss or damages resulting from reliance on this information. #retireearly #earlyretirement #retirementplanning #financialfreedom #financialindependence

Want to retire on $10K a month? This episode shows exactly how much you need saved in 2025 and beyond—factoring in taxes, healthcare, inflation, Social Security, and investment risk.

We’ll break down what it really takes to sustain $10,000 in monthly retirement income spending —whether you're aiming for early retirement, following the 4% rule (and why the 4% rule should really be used only as a very rough ballpark estimate), or just want a comfortable, worry-free lifestyle. You’ll also learn how to reduce your savings target without sacrificing your standard of living.

You’ll learn:

✅ How much you need to retire with $10K/month in spending

✅ Why withdrawal rate and account types can make or break your plan

✅ How Social Security and other income reduce your savings target

✅ What risks like sequence of returns and inflation really mean

✅ Strategies to optimize taxes and healthcare before Medicare

🔧 Tools Mentioned: Boldin.com – powerful retirement modeling: https://www.boldin.com/

Resources:

📊 Morningstar, 3.7% Starting Withdrawal Rate: https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/research/the-state-of-retirement-income

📊 Morningstar: Re-evaluating the 4% Withdrawal Rule: https://www.morningstar.com/retirement/morningstars-retirement-income-research-reevaluating-4-withdrawal-rule 📊Charles Scwaab – How Many Years of Cash Reserve: https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/market-volatility-retirement-what-if-you-havent-prepared

📊 More about bond tents: https://www.thegoodlifejourney.com/home/bond-tent-early-retirement-strategy? & https://www.kitces.com/blog/managing-portfolio-size-effect-with-bond-tent-in-retirement-red-zone/

❤️ Like, Subscribe, Follow, Leave a Review, and Share if this helped!

📺When you're not on the go, watch the Early Retirement Roadmap channel on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@EarlyRetirementRoadmap?sub_confirmation=1

🌐 Visit my website for all my media, including my blog or to contact me about sponsorship or other business opportunities: https://mikeupland.com/

☕ Support: [Buy me a coffee](https://buymeacoffee.com/mikeupland.com)

DISCLAIMER: This video is for educational purposes only and reflects my personal experience and research. It is not financial, tax, legal, or investment advice. Always consult with qualified professionals before making major retirement or financial decisions. I am not responsible for any loss or damages resulting from reliance on this information. #retireearly #earlyretirement #retirementplanning #financialplanning #retirement

⚠️ Are ACA subsidies really going away after 2025? If you're planning to retire early or already living off your investments, this could impact your healthcare costs in a big way. In this episode, I explain exactly what's happening with ACA subsidies in 2026—what's expiring, what's staying, and how you can still qualify for financial help through smart retirement planning and income strategies.

You’ll learn:

✅ What the “subsidy cliff” is and how to avoid it

✅ How to use MAGI planning to stay eligible for ACA tax credits

✅ What changes after the Inflation Reduction Act ends

✅ Why taxable brokerage accounts and Roth strategies are your secret weapons.

Even if the enhanced subsidies go away, you can still protect your early retirement plan—if you know how to plan ahead. 📉 Don’t get surprised by skyrocketing ACA healthcare premiums in 2026. This episode breaks it all down.

🎯 If you’re aiming to retire before Medicare kicks in, this is a must-watch.

Episodes to listen to next:

🎧 This episode about health insurance options for early retirement, title of: Health Insurance Options for Early Retirement: What You NEED to Know -- Click here to listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3lxFC-ob2E4

🎧 This episode about slashing ACA premiums by strategically funding your retirement income to reduce MAGI, where a taxable brokerage account in particular is the big hero, title of: The $12,900 Health Insurance Loophole for Early Retirees! Click here to listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rvbxNVaW3iM

🎧This episode where I talk thru the results I achieved on the actual ACA Estimator Tool on heatlhcare.gov, using the strategy, with 3 case scenarios, from the episode directly above!, title of: How Early Retirees Can Pay WAY Less for Health Insurance! Click here to listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2QqresmHRCg

Resources Mentioned/Further Reading:

📊 Commonwealth Fund Article: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/explainer/2025/feb/enhanced-premium-tax-credits-aca-health-plans

📊 Kaiser Family Foundation Articles - lots of current articles/happenings pertaining to the ACA: https://www.kff.org/tag/marketplaces/

📊Medicare Rights Center Article: https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2025/04/17/congress-must-act-to-continue-affordable-care-acts-enhanced-premium-tax-credits

❤️ Like, Follow, Comment, Subscribe, and Share if this episode helped you!

📺 When you're not on the go, watch the Early Retirement Roadmap Channel on YouTube and subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@EarlyRetirementRoadmap?sub_confirmation=1

🌐 Visit my website for all my media, including my blog or to contact me about sponsorship or other business opportunities: https://mikeupland.com/

☕ Support: [Buy me a coffee](https://buymeacoffee.com/mikeupland.com)

DISCLAIMER:

This podcast is for educational purposes only and reflects my personal experience and research. It is not financial, tax, legal, or investment advice. Always consult with qualified professionals before making major retirement or financial decisions. I am not responsible for any loss or damages resulting from reliance on this information.

#earlyretirement #retireearly #healthinsurance #financialplanning #retirementplanning

If you're in your 40s, 50s, or 60s, listen to this! In this podcast, I share 25 life lessons from people over 70 — timeless wisdom for navigating midlife, retirement planning, relationships, purpose, and happiness.

These life lessons are based on the powerful research of Dr. Karl Pillemer, author of 30 Lessons for Living, who interviewed over 1,000 older adults to uncover the most important advice they would pass on. I’ve distilled those insights into 25 practical lessons tailored especially for those of us between ages 45 and 65.

Whether you’re thinking about retirement, already retired, or simply looking to make the most of your next chapter, this episode is packed with real-world advice from those who’ve been there.

👉 Watch now to learn how to:

• Worry less and enjoy more
• Nurture relationships before it’s too late
• Prioritize time over things
• Age with purpose, clarity, and peace
• And much, much more!

🧠 Don’t miss these life-changing insights from 70+ year-olds — especially if you’re in your 40s, 50s, or 60s!

📊See more about Dr. Karl Pillemer's book, read reviews and purchase here: https://amzn.to/45g8ziF

Disclosure: The link above is an affiliate link, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel!

❤️ Like, Subscribe, Follow and Share if you found this episode meaningful.

📺When you're not on the go, watch the Early Retirement Roadmap channel on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@EarlyRetirementRoadmap?sub_confirmation=1

🌐 Visit my website for all my media, including my blog or to contact me about sponsorship or other business opportunities: https://mikeupland.com/

☕ Support: [Buy me a coffee](https://buymeacoffee.com/mikeupland.com)

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only and reflects my personal experience and research. It is not financial, tax, legal, or investment advice. Always consult with qualified professionals before making major retirement or financial decisions. I am not responsible for any loss or damages resulting from reliance on this information.

#lifelessons #advicefromoldpeople #midlifewisdom #retireearly #retirementplanning

Many early retirees forget to factor in their adult children when planning retirement. From weddings and tuition to ongoing support, the financial impact can be substantial—especially when you no longer have a paycheck coming in. In this episode, I’ll walk you through how to plan for potential financial support, set healthy boundaries, and protect your own future—without guilt. Learn why planning ahead can be the difference between peace and pressure in retirement.

👇 Comment Below: Have you had to set boundaries with adult kids or struggled with it? I’d love to hear how you handled it!

📊 Resources Mentioned: • CNBC 50% of parents support adult children: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/25/half-of-parents-financially-support-adult-children-report-finds.html • 2025 Zola average wedding cost: https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/whats-the-average-cost-of-a-wedding

❤️ Like, Subscribe, Follow and Share if this helped!

🌐 Visit: [mikeupland.com](https://mikeupland.com/)

DISCLAIMER: The information presented is for educational purposes only and is based upon my personal experience and research. Before making any major retirement decisions, please consult with qualified financial, tax, investment and legal professionals.

#retireearly #earlyretirement #retirementplanning #adultchildren #financialboundaries

Should you claim Social Security early, wait until full retirement age, or delay until 70?

In this podcast, we walk through a real retirement case study and run the numbers to show how your claiming age affects your investments, taxes, and even your health insurance premiums.

📊 See why delaying may not always be the best choice—and how opportunity cost could erode your nest egg more than you realize.

💡 You’ll learn:

✅The real math behind claiming at 62, 67, or 70

✅Why investment returns matter more than you think

✅How taxes and ACA premiums are impacted

✅What most people overlook in Social Security planning

👉 Don’t make a decision until you understand these trade-offs!

📊 Resources: • Social Security Benefit Reduction Chart by Claiming Age: https://smartasset.com/retirement/social-security-early-retirement-penalty-chart

❤️ Like, Follow, Subscribe, and Share if this helped! 🎧

📘 Join us: [Facebook Page](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573959929092)

🌐 Visit: [mikeupland.com](https://mikeupland.com/)

☕ Support: [Buy me a coffee](https://buymeacoffee.com/mikeupland.com)

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is based upon my personal experience and research. Before making any major retirement decisions, please consult with qualified financial, tax, investment and legal professionals.

#socialsecurity #socialsecuritybenefit #retirementplanning #retireearly #financialfreedom