The Retirement Solution

The host reminisces about Mr.

Financial advisor John Hicks discusses how market volatility and economic instability impact retirement planning and savings strategies.

This episode explains new tax breaks for people over 65 and discusses the importance of professional tax planning with CPAs and tax attorneys.

This episode discusses important but overlooked tax changes that listeners should be aware of for retirement planning in 2026.

Financial advisor John Hicks discusses how adopting a pessimistic approach to saving can transform retirement planning, while sharing personal New Year's resolution anecdotes about family and time perception.

This episode discusses the common feeling of being on a treadmill with Roth conversions due to strong market performance, explaining why it's actually a positive sign for retirement strategies.

Financial advisor John Hicks discusses why the first year of retirement is crucial for setting long-term financial and lifestyle patterns, highlighting common pitfalls like overspending or underspending.

Financial advisor John Hicks discusses the critical decisions people planning to retire in 2026 need to make now regarding inflation, taxes, and Medicare to ensure long-term comfort.

Financial advisor John Hicks discusses how retirement planning evolves over time, contrasting fashion trends with financial strategies that shouldn't rely on outdated models.

This episode discusses the difference between tax preparation and tax planning for retirees, emphasizing the importance of strategic tax management to maximize retirement savings.

Financial advisor John Hicks discusses how fear of missing out (FOMO) affects retirement planning across generations, emphasizing self-improvement and financial strategies.

Financial advisor John Hicks discusses the Louvre heist as a metaphor for retirement security, exploring how unexpected events can impact financial protection.

Financial advisor John Hicks discusses using time changes as reminders for household safety checks while sharing a personal anecdote about his ancestor's role in daylight savings.

This episode discusses signs that it might be time to replace your financial advisor, using football coaching changes as an analogy for evaluating professional relationships.

This episode discusses the recent surge in gold and silver prices and explores how these alternative assets might impact retirement savings and financial planning.

Financial advisor John Hicks discusses Kevin O'Leary's tough-love approach to teaching his son about trust funds and the importance of financial responsibility.

Financial advisor John Hicks discusses how small income increases can eliminate key tax advantages in retirement planning, including Roth contributions and Medicare premiums.

Financial advisor John Hicks discusses the timing and strategies for Roth conversions to reduce future tax obligations in retirement planning.

This episode discusses the complexities of retirement planning, including new 401k rules, alternative investments, and the daunting process of filing for Social Security.

Financial advisor John Hicks discusses how to navigate retirement planning during the holiday season, addressing recent layoffs at major companies and their impact on those nearing retirement.

Financial advisor John Hicks discusses three outdated retirement rules that listeners should reconsider for better financial planning.

This episode discusses learning from self-made billionaires like Sarah Blakely, founder of Spanx, to inspire retirement planning and personal investment strategies.

This episode discusses how professional athletes like RG3 face financial pitfalls with retirement savings and taxes, using his story to highlight outdated retirement rules that could cost listeners.

Financial advisor John Hicks discusses conflicting advice on when to scale back investment risk before retirement, comparing the traditional 3-5 year timeframe with a newer Kiplinger study suggesting 10-12 years, while considering current high interest rates.

Financial advisor John Hicks uses March Madness basketball tournament unpredictability as an analogy for retirement planning challenges and investment strategies.

Financial advisor John Hicks discusses two upcoming 401k rule changes for 2026, focusing on new access to alternative investments like hedge funds and private equity, with warnings about their risks and limitations.

Financial advisor John Hicks discusses why having a will is insufficient for estate planning and introduces the concept of wealth transfer through the five D's, using a client example to illustrate the importance of proactive planning.

This episode discusses how reacting to market volatility, rather than volatility itself, poses risks to retirement planning, with insights on current economic concerns like oil prices.

Financial advisor John Hicks discusses the biggest retirement planning mistakes people make, particularly focusing on not having a comprehensive plan for where retirement income comes from.

Financial advisor John Hicks discusses how to use your tax return as a diagnostic tool to improve financial planning and avoid mistakes, with insights on IRA contributions and tax season strategies.

This episode discusses the 1929 stock market crash and its lessons for today's investors, framed within a holiday-themed personal anecdote about family aging.

This episode discusses why people experience anxiety as they approach retirement and offers financial planning advice, while also including casual conversation about Super Bowl food traditions.

Financial advisor John Hicks discusses how geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly involving Iran, impact retirement plans and everyday costs like gas prices.

This episode discusses strategies to prevent retirement savings from becoming 'stuck' in 401k accounts due to market volatility and lack of portfolio adjustments.

Financial advisor John Hicks discusses retirement planning while digressing into spring cleaning rituals, dust accumulation in homes, and social media trends about marriage habits.

Financial advisor John Hicks discusses critical retirement savings windows of opportunity that occur years before retirement, starting at age 50 and extending into the 70s, which can be missed if not acted upon.

Financial advisor John Hicks discusses the unique challenges and risks faced by self-employed individuals approaching retirement after decades of running their own businesses.

This episode discusses how political factors and polarization are increasingly affecting retirement savings and investments, using personal travel planning as an example to illustrate broader financial risks.

Financial advisor John Hicks discusses why running out of money is more frightening than death, using personal anecdotes about seasonal allergies and family expenses to illustrate financial concerns.

This episode discusses the importance of tax planning for retirees, focusing on Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) and strategies to avoid overspending or inefficient tax management.

Financial advisor John Hicks discusses holiday spending shock and addresses a MarketWatch reader's retirement planning questions, emphasizing the importance of tax strategies for RMDs and 401k management.

This episode discusses why retirees are worried about 2026 market predictions and explores the disconnect between public fears and advisor optimism, emphasizing the importance of having a practical financial plan over seeking perfect predictions.

Financial advisor John Hicks discusses common mistaken assumptions about retirement planning, using personal anecdotes about parenting and small business ownership to illustrate how these assumptions can undermine financial futures.

This episode discusses overcoming 'spendophobia'—the fear of spending savings in retirement—with seven steps to help retirees spend confidently after decades of saving.

Financial advisor John Hicks discusses the top questions people ask retirement planners and what questions they should be asking instead, based on a Natixis survey.

Financial advisor John Hicks discusses how retirees are constantly chasing changing retirement income options, comparing it to a hamster wheel where the government and economic shifts keep moving the goalposts.

Financial advisor John Hicks discusses how to navigate economic predictions for 2026 and simplify retirement planning amidst constant news and market anxiety.

A Nationwide Retirement Institute study found only 40 percent of recent retirees said their spending plan was working, while 21 percent had cut back.

A $3.5 million property sale could send nearly $1.2 million to taxes without advance planning.

John Hicks introduces his retirement-focused podcast, discussing financial planning and debunking myths, while also sharing personal insights on step tracking and its potential health impacts.

John Hicks and Heather Branch explore why retirees fear spending their savings, revealing that psychological barriers—not financial lack—are often to blame.

John Hicks discusses how increasing longevity poses the greatest risk to retirement savings, exploring factors like market volatility and societal advances.

The Retirement Solution examines the Wall Street Journal's “retire richer” tax strategies for wealthy retirees, including Roth conversions and required minimum distributions.

John Hicks's five-part checklist starts with maximum drawdown, using a $500,000 portfolio and a 10% loss to quantify retirement risk.

John Hicks recommends fee-only fiduciary advisors after contrasting client outcomes with brokers’ luxury purchases.