John H. Curry's Secure Retirement Podcast

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

On this week's episode of The Secure Retirement Podcast, April and I walk through the options for keeping more of your retirement income by paying less taxes—yes, we're talking tax diversification and the strategies you can employ so your retirement income doesn't get clobbered by taxes.As I say, “It's not what you get, it's what you keep.”Listen as we break down the three types of retirement investment accounts and walk you through: Why it's important not to put all of your retirement “eggs” in one basket—how to diversify using the different types of investments How to accomplish what you want with your money and leave it behind in a tax efficient manner How to easily find out which strategies might work for you, how to make them work for you, and when you should be using a different type of strategy And much more.

On this week's episode of The Secure Retirement Podcast, April and I break down my new book, “The Secure Retirement Method for Members of The Florida Retirement System.” This episode will benefit anyone who has a job or is looking to retire one day (even if you aren't from Florida).  As mentioned in this episode, “What we bring to the table is the ability to ask you questions you've never thought about and sometimes we question your answers. We all have a blind spot and need to be challenged sometimes.”Listen as we break down:  What's your baseline for retirement? The four sessions of the Secure Retirement Method The four options of the Florida Retirement System—and how to coordinate your option with everything else you have for retirement Tax considerations in retirement—how can you make decisions today to control your tax future The number one best (tax free) way to take care of those you love And much more

On this week's episode of The Secure Retirement Podcast, Ken Armstrong joins us. Ken is a lifetime learner who is passionate about seeking new horizons. Ken says, “I challenge my friends to seek new horizons every day whether retired or not… if we're not seeking new horizons we're standing in one place... not moving.”At 73, Ken is preparing to embark on the next big step in his quest to seek new horizons, the adventure of a lifetime. He's planning a trip that will take him across 6 continents, 45+ countries, 100+ cities, and 50,000 miles in 22 months. Listen as he shares:  Why now? He'll share why NOW is the right time for him to sell his “stuff” and head out on this adventure Where he's spending 10 weeks (hint: it's the best place in the world to learn or improve your Spanish) How a jigsaw puzzle played a role in helping him plan his itinerary How he's preparing mentally, physically, and financially  The place he's looking most forward to visiting And much more… including how you can follow Ken on his travels

Welcome to John H. Curry's Secure Retirement Podcast. In the last two episodes, Steve Gordon and I have talked about my health crisis, my mindset, and my journey back to work. Steve has nicknamed me “the most productive man in rehab,” but “...there is no “S” on my chest and no blue underwear. There were a couple of moments when I had some tough realizations. At those times I was glad I could step out of my own strength and into that of my team.”Today we're talking about how I set my business up to click along (and even grow) without me for four months. I'll give you an inside look at how I went from being a “rugged individualist” to surrounding myself with the most productive team I've ever had, as well as: The reciprocity of hiring people (hint: it's not just about freeing up your time) The number one way to step out of your own problems and into something BIGGER The “secret sauce” of a great team member And much more If you've missed the first two conversations in this series, be sure to go back and check them out.

On today's episode of the Secure Retirement Podcast, I sit down with Steve Gordon for part two of our conversation. Steve and I discuss how I kept both my business and my personal life moving forward from rehab, when complications occurred during my recovery that kept me mostly isolated for 49 days. How'd I do it? Listen as I share the mindset tools I used to press forward, including: The number one thing you need to determine before moving forward How to leverage the who and not the how for your business and personal life The 2 ways to reach your targets How not to get stuck in the dip on the path to your goals The one book I return to time and again  And much more

I'm Back! As you know, I've been out of pocket for four months. Today, in my first episode since returning to work, I sit down for a personal interview with my friend Steve Gordon to discuss the shocking health crisis that both sidelined me and required me to make a life-changing decision with no time to weigh my options. Steve and I go deep into facing adversity head on and how I made peace with my circumstances. I share the challenges I faced in my journey, as well as: My advice for accepting circumstances even when you don't like them How to make decisions without second guessing yourself The one thing that determines success or failure when faced with life-changing adversity The WIRM technique I use to remain positive when the heat is on The importance of building the right team And much more

On this week’s episode of The Secure Retirement Podcast, April Schoen talks about the importance of tax diversification in retirement.April discusses the three different types of retirement investments, offering examples of each type of account, how you can contribute to them, and their tax implications.Listen as she explains:  Tax-deferred accounts Taxable or tax as you go accounts Tax-favored accounts or tax-free accounts How spreading out your retirement investments can help you keep more income in your pocket How to use Roth IRAs in retirement tax planning Permanent life insurance as a financial tool And more

On this week’s episode of The Secure Retirement Podcast, April Schoen joins us to take a deep dive into the five financial risks you will face in retirement and how to overcome them. Additionally, April discusses retirement planning and what balance looks like in retirement.  Listen in to learn more about the retirement red zone as well as: Mitigating financial risks Retirement planning: what works and what doesn’t  Building a financially balanced retirement plan And more

On this week’s episode of The Secure Retirement Podcast, April Schoen joins us to discuss the best ways to pay for health care in retirement. We detail the key considerations you need to remember when it comes to Medicare, and go over how to create your detailed plan for what is usually the number one concern for anyone approaching retirement. We have an episode packed with valuable information to have at hand when you enroll in Medicare.  We chat about transitioning to Medicare, as well as: Exactly how to enroll in Medicare Common mistakes people make with Parts A and B of Medicare Who needs to enroll in Medicare and when How private insurance works with Medicare And more

This week, I’m joined by fellow North Florida Financial advisor, April Schoen, for a live seminar on Social Security. Over the course of the seminar, we're going to be talking about how social security works, what you need to know around the program, different payment scenarios, and also issues that surround the program. April and I have over 50 years of combined experience in retirement planning and we’ll be using that knowledge today to discuss Social Security with retirement in mind.We dive deep into how to claim Social Security benefits, as well as: How and why Social Security was formed How Social Security is funded today Where to see your statement to view your current benefits and earnings history Spousal, widow, and widower benefits The big changes made in 2015, including restricted application And more

On this week’s episode of the Secure Retirement Podcast, we speak with Bonnie Bevis, a retiree with 35 years of work with Highway Safety under her belt. She began her career as a license examiner, and shares with us how she spent her years in public service while raising three children, as well as how she occupies her retirement time now.

Our special guest on this week’s episode of the Secure Retirement Podcast is Helen Livingston. Helen was a teacher, a high school counselor, and a principal in Alabama, and earned both her Master’s and PhD, all while raising four children. She was also an integral part of opening the Medical School at Florida State University. Helen has had an extensive career in education and continues to stay busy and active in her version of retirement.

In our ninth and final episode of our series for members of the Florida Retirement System, Steve Gordon once again hosts our very own John Curry. We discuss an aspect of retirement that is necessary for absolutely everyone approaching this stage of their life to consider, mindset, and dive into how to successfully execute John’s Secure Retirement Method.

On this week’s episode of The Secure Retirement Podcast, we approach the end of our Florida Retirement System series. The information in this episode will be valuable to our viewers nationally, even if you are not a member of the Florida Retirement System, as these laws apply across the country. We address the universal Required Minimum Distributions and offer ways to prepare for them so you aren’t caught by surprise.

On this week’s episode of The Secure Retirement Podcast, we focus on healthcare coverage, particularly Medicare Parts A - D, as we continue to address the key issues that affect members of the Florida Retirement System. With Medicare available from coast to coast, the information in this episode will be valuable to our listeners nationally, even for those outside of the Florida Retirement System.

On this week’s episode of The Secure Retirement Podcast, we continue addressing the key issues that affect members of the Florida Retirement System with a special focus on Social Security. Even if you are not a member of the Florida Retirement System, this episode will be particularly useful because Social Security touches everyone nationally.

On this week’s episode of The Secure Retirement Podcast, we continue our special series focused on the specific concerns of members of the Florida Retirement System.

On this week’s episode of the Secure Retirement Podcast, we continue our series on the concerns of members of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), focusing this week on the mindset of retirement and what that means for your planning process. And, if you’re not a member of the FRS, stay tuned because the information provided in this series is still applicable to any recent retirees, or those in the planning stages.

On this week’s episode of the Secure Retirement Podcast, we dive into the third episode in our series on the Florida Retirement System. Today we talk about an important topic that many people choose to avoid— factors to consider while thinking about tax deferral. We also ask the important questions you need answers to before making your final decision.

On this week's episode, we speak about properly planning your secure retirement based on your personal financial situation. John explains the four FRS options, what they mean, and how each is designed to suit a specific situation.The discussion, while aimed specifically at members of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), gives valuable insights to anyone in the process of planning their retirement.

This week’s episode of The Secure Retirement Podcast marks the beginning of a special series focused on the specific concerns of members of the Florida Retirement System. However, the key topics covered in this series will still relate, in principle, to any retiree, regardless of whether they are a member of the FRS.

We don’t know with any kind of certainty what tax rates will be in the future, which means that planning your finances into retirement can be both stressful and intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. This week, John and April discuss tax diversification and how a wide range of investments now will afford you more choices later in life.

Retirement can come with an amount of financial uncertainty attached, even for people who have taken the time to plan. This week, John and April aim to alleviate some of the stress that comes along with retirement planning by discussing the five biggest financial risks in retirement and how best to avoid them. Together, they have over 50 years of combined experience in helping clients plan for retirement and use that practical knowledge to illuminate what works and doesn’t work during the planning process.

On this week’s episode of the Secure Retirement Podcast, we speak with my good friend, Bill Landing, a retired professor from Florida State University who is currently studying environmental chemistry and chemical oceanography. Bill has over 50 years of experience as a scientist and joins us to talk about the facts and fictions surrounding the pandemic.

COVID-19 is the hot topic in the news right now, and in this special episode we give our own take on the situation. There’s no special guest today, but we do think this episode is needed amid the chaos out there in the world. Specifically, we take time to reflect on other hard times in the past and discuss how we got through them, along with speculating what the future may hold.

In today’s episode, we chat with retired teacher Elizabeth Gladden. After grieving the death of her husband, Elizabeth was inspired to go back to teaching as she craved the normalcy and routine of going back to school. “There were some days when you think ‘I just can’t face the world.’ And I think that’s perfectly normal to have days like that,’” says Elizabeth while remembering what it was like in the months after her husband’s death while she was trying to get back to living her life.

For something so important for our retirement, it’s a shame that there is so much confusion and misinformation about social security out there. As a result, many people are sabotaging their social security benefit… and receiving much less than they could… because they make bad decisions during their retirement planning process.

John Dunwoody returns for a preview of his upcoming boating adventure on the Down East Loop and shares highlights of his eight-month trip on the Great Loop, which traverses some of the country’s most iconic inland waterways. Journeys of this length take some real planning and preparation, and John shares how he gets himself and his boat in shape for long voyages. He also talks about the places he’ll visit on the way… and how he chooses where he docks for the night.

Everybody’s idea of a dream retirement is different. It could include cruises and vacations, volunteer work, more time with the grandkids… But whatever you’re looking forward to… you have to take some precautions now to make sure your golden years are protected from things like inflation, taxes, healthcare costs, and more. We outline some solid strategies to make sure your financial and personal freedom stays secure.

They say that there are two certain things in life: death and taxes. And when it comes to your retirement accounts, taxes definitely come into play. You may have thought you were saving big-time on taxes with this method. But here’s the thing: required minimum distributions mean you really only deferred those taxes. And when it comes time to pay, the amount could be surprisingly high.

Like any government program, especially one involving millions of people, Medicare is complicated. What’s covered? What will it cost? When should you sign up? Which “part” should you join? Where can you seek medical care? Those are just some of the questions those reaching eligibility age are asking. And the thing is, the answers are different for each individual. But there are some guidelines to consider as you make your decisions.

There is so much wrong and misguided information – not to mention confusion – out there about social security. As a result, people make bad decisions that sometimes can be very hard to recover from. We tackled the most common questions about social security, how it affects retirement planning, and what you should be doing now to prepare for a happy and healthy future with a steady income that meets your needs.

It started with a segment on a TV show many years ago… and Becky Hollis was hooked. Since then she’s been crazy about bears. Yes, those furry woodland creatures. What does that have to do with retirement? Well, in your Golden Years you’re not working – so what do you do instead? If you don’t have a good answer – an activity you truly enjoy – you’ll be worse than bored… it can actually negatively impact your mental and physical well-being.

As its president, Dominic Calabro, puts it, Florida Tax Watch has been the watchdog for the state’s taxpayers for the last 40 years. A lot has happened in that time, including the transformation of Florida into one of the most important states in the union.

In the retirement planning world, Moshe Milevsky, author, professor at Toronto’s York University, and consultant, is known as someone who takes some stances that go against the grain, to put it mildly. But it’s not just for the sake of being controversial. He thinks deeply about ways people can live their best lives when they retire. And he says the current system, not to mention conventional wisdom, actually makes it more difficult than it has to be to reach that goal… and he says the problem is getting worse.

Robert and Sonia Koudelka have a philosophy that guided them in their careers, second careers (you read that right), and what they do in retirement: “Get off your butt and do it.” Whether it’s playing golf five times a week, cruising through the Caribbean, making memories with the grandkids, or taking up a new hobby later in life, Robert and Sonia are enjoying their Golden Years to the fullest.

If you have a special needs child or even a relative, this is a can’t-miss episode. Lou and Cal Ogburn share the story of their daughter and how she has been able to live a fulfilling and independent life. It’s thanks to their love and determination to secure her the federal and state benefits she qualified for – not to mention her great attitude and friendly personality.

We put John Curry in the hot seat and have business consultant - and longtime friend - Steve Gordon grill him on how attitudes towards retirement are changing and how it could impact your plans. Most people don’t have a real vision of their retirement, says John. And that can be very dangerous to their physical and mental health. We unpack what “vision” really means and how you can find fulfillment in your Golden Years – and it’s definitely not just about financial security.

Lynda Dickens had worked 43 years for the State of Florida. But she wasn’t ready to retire until a fateful trip changed her mind. And a new hobby she picked up soon after her retirement convinced her to never go back to work. In fact, she says it’s become an addiction. Now she’s more active than ever with lunches out with friends, card games, and all sorts of hobbies.

During their many years together, Bruce and Judi Irvin have always viewed their marriage as a partnership… and that extends to how they manage their money. As a result, they set themselves up for a comfortable retirement that allows plenty of funds for adventurous travels around the world.

There are no ideal retirement plans that work for everybody. Every couple has different needs and desires. That goes for how they split day-to-day financial responsibilities as well. That was certainly the case for Carlton Ingram and his late wife, Nancy.

Alzheimer’s and dementia has to be part of your retirement planning, whether it affects you, your spouse, or a relative. It could take away your secure retirement if you don’t plan for it… and everyone who listens to this episode will be impacted in some way by this issue. As a caregiver, John Beck’s passion has become to educate people about how, as a community, we can be caring and accommodating to people with this common condition.