Wealth Creator Radio

We've experienced a series of unprecedented events in recent years. From a global pandemic to a historic market crash, to increasing interest rates, inflation, and global unrest – you might be feeling like you have less control over your future than ever before.  Here's the good news: There are things you can do today to take control of your financial future. Eric Heckman, a certified financial planner with over 30 years of experience, is sharing what you can do today for a better retirement tomorrow. In this episode of Wealth Creator Radio, he's covering the top 5 most commonly asked questions about retirement, how we got to a place of economic uncertainty, and actionable tips to take control of your retirement in uncertain times. Check out the show notes for this episode!

Do you worry that you'll outlive your retirement savings? You're not alone. The fear of running out of money in retirement is a top concern for retirees. On this episode of Wealth Creator Radio, Eric Heckman, president of Heckman Financial, is sharing the biggest money challenges people face in retirement, the pillars of a secure retirement, and how to take action to build your retirement foundation today. If you want to retire with worry-less wealth, tune in to this one!

Will your money last as long as you do? Will you be able to have fun and enjoy your retirement? These are the big questions people approaching retirement need to consider. So many Americans worry about running out of money in retirement, and for good reason. The truth is, if you don't have money during retirement, then you're not retired… you're just unemployed.   If you're worried about running out of money in retirement, the solution is to plan now for your retirement income. In this episode, Eric Heckman, veteran financial planner and president of Heckman Financial, explains the biggest risks to your retirement income, and how to make sure your money lasts as long as you do.  

In this episode, Eric emphasizes the importance of having a personalized income plan and tackling the complexities of retirement planning, which include navigating confusing products, changing tax laws, and volatile markets. The episode also features listener questions, where Eric provides expert advice on crucial topics like determining how much to save, estimating taxes, and transitioning from saving to generating income in retirement.   Eric shares a ‘Wealth Success Story' about the financial transitions faced by retirees in Silicon Valley, highlighting the importance of being prepared for unexpected career changes. This episode is packed with actionable advice!

Retirement is a time to relax, travel, and enjoy your favorite hobbies… but that can't happen if you don't have protected income. So the question is: How do you make sure your money lasts as long as you do?  This week on Wealth Creator Radio, veteran financial planner Eric Heckman is sharing how to plan for protected income, so you can enjoy worry-less wealth in retirement. Tune in to learn why protected income is essential to any retirement plan, where your retirement money might lack protection, and how to plan for a financially secure future. Plus, as a fun bonus, Eric is sharing how he got into financial services and how he taught his kids to understand and be responsible with money!

Could our country be facing a retirement savings crisis? This week on Wealth Creator Radio, veteran financial planner Eric Heckman is taking us through a new study from the AARP that seems to paint a bleak picture of retirement savings right here in America: Most Americans used to retire with a pension, but today, 20% of adults over 50 have no retirement savings.    But don't worry, it's not all doom and gloom. He's also sharing what you can do about it today to make sure you have enough retirement savings to worry less. Tune in for actionable tips to take control of your financial future.  

Today on Wealth Creator Radio, Eric Heckman is stepping into the role of “Retirement Santa” to help you understand what's naughty or nice when it comes to planning for retirement. Eric is looking at common retirement scenarios, like waiting until age 50 or 60 to start saving, making a big move and downsizing in retirement, and dipping into your retirement to help your kids with their college tuition. Tune in to find out if these common financial situations belong on the naughty or nice list!

Cryptocurrency has been a hot topic in recent years, especially Bitcoin. As its value has increased lately, many retirees are now wondering: Should I invest in Bitcoin? Should Bitcoin play a role in my retirement strategy? Eric Heckman is a certified financial planner with over 30 years of experience, and in this episode of Wealth Creator Radio, he's sharing what you need to know about Bitcoin, its recent rise in popularity, and whether it aligns with your retirement goals.

Are you comfortable talking about money with your family? Money is one of those taboo topics along with politics and religion that you're supposed to avoid, but as you plan for retirement, these discussions with family are more important than ever – both for your kids' financial literacy and for your family to understand your financial wishes. Eric Heckman is a certified financial planner with over 30 years of experience, and in this episode of Wealth Creator Radio, he's here to share why talking about money with your loved ones is essential to making sure your retirement money lasts. He's sharing the benefits of talking about money with family, the biggest issues retirees face when planning for retirement, and how to account for taxes, inflation, and a volatile stock market in your retirement plans. Tune in to get actionable tips to make sure your money lasts as long as you do!

As the year wraps up, it's time to start year-end financial planning for a great 2025. While tax reporting happens in the new year, tax planning has to happen now—so you only have a few short weeks to make the most of your financial planning to set yourself up for success in 2025. And with the cost of living rising and healthcare expenses only going up each year, strategic year-end planning can make a huge difference for anyone preparing for retirement.  In this episode of Wealth Creator Radio, veteran certified financial planner Eric Heckman shares actionable tips to set yourself up for a financially secure new year. Tune in to learn the best age to start planning, common planning mistakes and how to avoid them, and how to plan for long-term care in retirement now.

Now that we've reached the end of another marathon election cycle, many Americans are wondering what this means for their finances – especially if they're nearing retirement. Today, certified financial planner of over 30 years Eric Heckman is explaining why taking control of your retirement and financial future is still within reach, even in the uncertainty of the day. In this episode of Wealth Creator Radio, Eric Heckman will break down what the results of this election mean for your finances, and practical steps to secure your retirement for the future.

According to Investopedia, living the American Dream over a lifetime could cost $4.4 million. That doesn't mean lavish wealth and luxury living, but simply owning a home, having a couple of kids, a new car, and a vacation once a year. So is the American Dream still within reach?     In this episode of Wealth Creator Radio, certified financial planner Eric Heckman is sharing  what it really costs to achieve the American Dream, and his insights to not only get there, but create a lasting legacy for your family. Tune in to learn everything you need for a legacy plan to ensure wealth that lasts for your loved ones!  

With interest rates on the decline, retirement planning has become more complex than ever. Many retirees find themselves facing an uncertain financial landscape. If you want to make sure your money lasts as long as you do, you need to take falling interest rates into account in your retirement income plan.   In this episode of Wealth Creator Radio, certified financial planner Eric Heckman shares how to handle falling interest rates and avoid costly mistakes. Eric shares about the common trap of rolling over your 401K into an IRA, what to do to combat falling interest rates, and tips to create a retirement income plan. If you want to retire with less worry and more wealth, this is a must-listen!  

When it comes to retirement, one of the most common questions is, "How can I ensure my income lasts throughout my retirement?" After all, the last thing you want is to run out of money in the years when you should be enjoying retirement.   Many people debate whether to start their Social Security benefits at 65 or wait until 67 or even 70. While delaying benefits increases the monthly payment, the question becomes: What are you living on in the meantime? If you're tapping into your savings, that money is being spent down and won't be replaced. In this episode of Wealth Creator Radio, certified financial planner Eric Heckman is sharing factors that can cause you to spend down your savings faster than anticipated, common Social Security mistakes, and strategies to ensure your money lasts as long as you do.

A major poll says that Americans today feel like they're struggling more financially than previous generations, especially when it comes to retirement planning. But is it really true? Are they actually worse off than their parents, or have times simply changed?   In this episode of Wealth Creator Radio, certified financial planner Eric Heckman is looking at the implications of this poll and talking through actionable steps to help you secure your financial future.  

As we approach the end of the year, it's time to take a closer look at changes in Medicare that will affect retirees in 2025. From changing rates to caps on expenses, the Inflation Reduction Act has the potential to impact retirees. Today, we're looking at these changes and how you can better prepare for retirement.   In this episode of Wealth Creator Radio, veteran financial strategist Eric Heckman shares the details of what's changing in 2025, how you plan for long-term care and health costs in retirement, and how to budget and create a “fun fund” for your retirement years. Tune in for the best resources on planning for retirement with less worry!  

As we approach retirement and look back on our financial decisions, many of us wish we could have done things differently. Maybe we didn't save enough for retirement, or we didn't put away enough money for emergencies. The good news is that it's never too late to make changes and turn things around – and veteran financial strategist Eric Heckman is giving you your first steps to retiring worry-less.   In this episode of Wealth Creator Radio, Eric discusses the most common financial regrets around retirement and what you can do to get ahead of them. Tune in to hear actionable steps to start saving for retirement now, different income sources in retirement, how to combat market fluctuations, and Eric's best advice if you're about to transition into retirement.  

11,000 boomers retire every day right now. That changes a lot of things in the US. What do you need to know about this huge shift. Plus we will go over probate issues and how to avoid them

Annuities have been around for over 2000 years in the form of pensions. Should you get one on your own. We will cover that and more.

When people say, "This isn't your grandpa's retirement!", they aren't kidding! This generation isn't as lucky to be able to rely on generous pensions; With the unreliability of Social Security benefits,  how are you to make your retirement savings last at least as long as you do? Listen to this podcast and get some answers to this crucial question and more!

When you were 20, whether you knew it or not, you were already laying the groundwork toward your financial future later in life. We talk a lot on this show about the stages of retirement, but financial planners say there are 5 financial stages of life. You don't want to miss this podcast!

When it comes to financial matters, everyone behaves quite differently; Some make financial decisions rationally and thoughtfully, while others make their financial decisions emotionally, and it can cost them in the end. Do you know what your financial behaviors are? Do you understand how one wrong financial decision can cost you years of retirement savings? This crucial episode covers why understanding behavioral finance is important and how to make better financial decisions during economic turbulence. You don't want to miss this one. Be sure to forward this podcast to anyone you can think of who could use sound financial advice. Thank you for listening!

Volatility isn't good or bad; It's just reality!  The best way to take advantage of that instability is to plan for it, but do you know where to start? Listen to this crucial, can't-miss episode, with special guest speaker, Tom Siomades-Chief Market Economist of AE Wealth Management,  and learn how to take advantage of the ups AND downs of the market woes. Be sure to share this with your loved ones, as you never know who needs to hear messages like this and when! You could be saving them from some serious financial mistakes. Thanks for listening!

When it comes to high prices, they are anything but funny. That being said, it is fun to take a look back and see what the history of inflation is. Sure, 39¢ bread isn't making a comeback in our lifetimes, but you do need to know how to protect your current standard of living in retirement in the future. This episode will have a bit of fun, and of course a lot of truth about how to make your retirement work for you! Be sure to listen to this episode and learn what "public enemy number one" used to be and probably should be again (and don't forget to share with your loved ones!)!

The number one fear of most retired Americans is running out of money. With proper preparation, you can avoid this and many other risks to your retirement! This episode highlights some of the biggest risks to your retirement and how to address and plan for them. Stop everything and listen to this episode (and don't forget to share with your friends and family, too!).

When it comes to your retirement, there are some big risks..or "potholes" that you want to be sure you plan for. If you don't plan for them, your entire retirement could be derailed! This episode will help you better understand what can pose a risk to your retirement plan and how to avoid it or better yet, how to properly plan for it if it is unavoidable! Cheers to another "can't miss" episode of Wealth Creator Radio!

Several retirement "unknowns" exist, but four in particular are essential to pay attention to. In this special show, we will review the four "unknowns" and more! You do not want to miss this important episode!

Today, we've been focusing on legacy planning, but it's also important to think about those other areas of your retirement finances. I want to invite you to think about where you are right now. I'm going to go through a few questions. As I do that, I want you to take a moment to mentally rate how confident and prepared you are on a scale from one to 10. This won't take long, and I want you to be honest with yourself because this is your future we're talking about now. Listen to my podcast and learn how to protect your legacy.

For years, annuities have gotten a bum rap. Too expensive. Too many strings attached. Your money is locked up forever. You've heard all the “cons” of annuities for years. But with private company pensions dying out, the tide is starting to turn. Annuities sales have had record years lately! Tune in to this podcast and learn more about one of the most powerful financial tools in the industry, why and how to use it! Thanks for listening! Eric

Now that all of the Baby Boomers are starting to retire, it's time for the Generation X to start thinking more seriously about their retirement income planning. Have you given any thought to your retirement income plan?? Listen to this podcast and learn what the key areas are that you need to focus on!  Happy Listening! Eric

We all know there are multiple stages of life, from birth to death and everything in between, but did you know that there are also multiple financial stages of life that are important to pay attention to? Listen to this week's show and learn more!

I know many of you are worried that you haven't saved enough. Or that you won't even be able to retire. I know that most of you don't have a written financial plan. A written financial plan can help you feel more financially stable so you don't have to worry if your money will last or if you can even afford to retire. We have a process for helping you create an income strategy, and we start with what we call our Blueprint to Worry Less Wealth®. Listen to this episode and learn more about my process and how we treat our clients.  

There's a line that bears repeating as we start putting together our summer travel plans again … most of the time, people spend more time planning their vacations than their retirement. Why do you think so many of us are guilty of this? Eric Heckman, CFP is here with some helpful insight to this and other topics on this episode of Wealth Creator Radio!

We can't prevent bad things from happening. But we can plan for the worst so if there is a debilitating accident or a terminal medical diagnosis, we have a financial strategy in place to deal with it. And even though we've been focusing on some scary scenarios … you might end up living a long, healthy life but just get to the point when you really can't live on your own anymore. Eric Heckman, CFP is here to give some helpful information! You won't want to miss this episode!

Many people I work with have done a good job saving for retirement. They know they may want to consider taxes, strategies to preserve their income, and creating a legacy plan for their heirs and loved ones. And when you work with someone who focuses on retirement, you can address all those different areas in one place.

You can't control what kind of economy you'll retire into. You can't control what will happen with taxes, or inflation, or healthcare costs, or the stock market. But you can take steps to preserve your wealth and help ensure you'll have income as long as you need it in retirement. Eric Heckman, CFP is here to tell you ways to plan!