The Pilot’s Advisor Podcast: Recent Episodes
Ryan Fleming
Financial and retirement planning guidance from pilot and financial advisor Ryan Fleming. The show will help you figure out how to take your financial plan from takeoff to landing with smooth sailing along the journey. We’ll teach both pilots and non-pilots what it takes to have a successful financial future. The Pilot’s Advisor Podcast will answer your questions about 401(k)s, IRAs, taxes in retirement, long term care needs and much more.
Ever felt like your advisor is speaking a different language? Ryan unpacks what to do when financial jargon gets in the way of understanding your money. He talks about why clear communication matters more than technical terminology and when it might be time to ask for clarification. or a second opinion. Tune in to find out if your advisor’s lingo is a red flag or just a translation issue.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
🗣️ Clear Communication: Good advisors adapt to their audience
🖍️ Running Joke: Ryan keeps explanations simple and memorable
🔍 Second Opinion: Ongoing confusion may signal concern
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
Ever wonder if your “safe” cash is actually holding you back? In this episode, Ryan answers a listener’s question from a pilot who has built up $150,000 in cash but is hesitant to move it because of the security it provides. He explains the difference between liquidity and leaving too much money idle. Stick around to find out if your cash strategy is helping, or quietly hurting, your future.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
💧 Liquid Security: Access matters without sacrificing growth
🏦 Checking Balance: Keep only monthly spending needs
📈 Emergency Funds: Long-term reserves may deserve investment
🔓 Liquid Accounts: Taxable investments remain easily accessible
🧰 Retirement Toolkit: Pilots can request planning resources
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Dave Ramsey has built one of the most recognized brands in personal finance. Millions of people have followed his advice out of debt and into savings. But when it comes to how much you should pull from your retirement accounts each year, Ramsey takes a position that some financial professionals find hard to get behind. Today, we break it down: what Dave says, what the research says, and what Ryan actually thinks.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
✈️ Pilot-Level Planning: Complex finances need tailored advice.
📉 Eight Percent Risk: Market averages ignore retirement volatility.
📊 Four Percent Rule: A conservative research-based starting point.
🎯 Custom Strategy: Pensions and spending needs matter.
🔥 Sequence Risk: Safe buckets protect during downturns
Ramsey’s 8% Retirement Rule Sounds Nuts At First
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Trump Accounts are here, but are they really the best way to jump-start your child’s financial future? Ryan explains what these new 530A Trump Accounts are and how they stack up against other options. While the concept of teaching kids to invest early is powerful, Ryan questions whether these accounts are truly the most efficient tool for long-term planning. Before you rush to open one, find out if this is a savvy move or just overhyped “free money.”
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
💰 Trump Accounts 101: What are they and how do they work?
🧾 Account Details: Rules, eligibility, and ownership
📈 Investment Choices: Comparing other savings vehicles
🛠️ Practical Steps: What parents should consider
Trump Accounts: The Pilot’s Preflight Briefing:
https://tinyurl.com/muwa6zrv
https://trumpaccounts.gov
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
This year's Fourth of July carries a little extra weight as we celebrate 250 years of American independence, and that's worth a moment. But between the hot dogs, the parades, and the fireworks, we started thinking about how many of our favorite holiday traditions have a pretty natural financial parallel. So that's what Ryan’s doing today… and the comparisons might surprise you.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
🎆 Market Volatility: Fireworks can be unpredictable
🌭 Emergency Funds: Be ready when life happens
🗽 Financial Freedom: Independence takes discipline
📈 Long-Term Investing: Avoid speculation and gambling
💰 Forced Savings: Consistency creates opportunity
🛫 Pilot Planning: Freedom through preparation
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
If you're a pilot, there's a good chance your retirement savings are sitting in a target date fund you selected years ago and haven't thought about since. The problem is that the fund doesn't know anything about your pension, your spouse's income, your retirement timeline, or the unique challenges pilots face. In this episode, Ryan explores a little-known feature inside many 401(k) plans and shares research that may change the way you think about retirement planning.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
📉 DIY Penalty: The cost of going alone
🧠 Behavior Gap: Emotions hurt investor returns
💧 Cost Leaks: Small expenses compound over time
✈️ SDBAs Explained: More options inside your 401(k)
📋 Case Study: Personalized planning in action
🚀 Pilot Advantage: Retirement planning beyond average
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
Many pilots assume that as retirement gets closer, they should automatically become more conservative with their investments. But according to Ryan, that's not always the right move. He explains why risk management has less to do with your age and more to do with your time horizon, income sources, and retirement goals. If you're trying to strike the right balance between growth, protection, and income planning, Ryan shares a valuable framework for thinking about risk.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
✈️ Risk Management: Matching risk to your situation
📅 Time Horizon: Why age isn't the deciding factor
⚖️ Asset Allocation: Finding the right balance
🚨 Common Mistakes: When being too conservative backfires
💰 Income Planning: Building retirement paychecks
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
Risk is unavoidable. The real question is whether the risk you're taking makes sense for where you are in life.
In this episode, Ryan explores three common financial personalities among people in their 30s and 40s, and the steady contributor quietly building wealth over time. If you're trying to figure out whether you're taking too much risk—or not enough—Ryan offers a practical framework for evaluating where you stand and where you want to go.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
🚀 Aggressive Investing: Why speculation isn't a strategy
💵 Playing It Too Safe: The hidden risk of cash
📈 Power of Compounding: Time is your greatest asset
⚖️ Finding Balance: Taking risk with a purpose
✈️ Pilot Perspective: Why discipline beats prediction
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
It's summer and nothing says summer quite like Tom Cruise as Maverick soaring across the sky in Top Gun. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the original film, and with Tom Cruise's birthday on July 3rd, Ryan figured it was the perfect excuse to revisit some of the most iconic quotes from the franchise and see what they have to say about your financial life. Because Maverick didn't become the best by flying blind and hoping for the best. He had a plan, a co-pilot, and enough self-awareness to know when the risk was worth it.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
🚀 Need for Speed: Avoiding get-rich-quick investing
😎 Ego & Mistakes: Keeping emotions in check
⚠️ Danger Zone: Understanding risk and volatility
📜 Future Planning: Preparing for life's uncertainties
🤝 Find a Co-Pilot: Why guidance matters in retirement
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
In this episode, Ryan is joined once again by CPA Zach Smith to unpack the FedEx TA 26 retirement choices, this time from a tax and long‑term planning angle. Instead of just chasing the biggest paycheck, they explore how pensions, 401(k)s, and new cash-balance options can create either freedom or a “ticking tax time bomb” in retirement. If you’re a FedEx pilot facing this decision, this conversation will challenge how you think about taxes, flexibility, and your family’s legacy.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
💰 Three Choices: Each leads to very different outcomes
🧨 Tax Pressure: Income stacking creates future problems
🛡️ Guaranteed Income: Stability comes with tradeoffs
🧾 Limited Control: Some plans restrict your flexibility
🚀 More Flexibility: After-tax dollars give you options
💡 Smarter Mix: Roth + brokerage create long-term advantages
FedEx TA26 Retirement Option Tool:
https://retirepilots.com/fedex-ta26-tool/
FedEx TA 2026: 3 Retirement Options That Could Change Everything
https://pilotsadvisor.podbean.com/e/fedex-ta-2026-3-retirement-options-that-could-change-everything/
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
USE THIS: FedEx TA26 Retirement Option Tool. Check out our educational modeler - https://retirepilots.com/fedex-ta26-tool/
FedEx pilots are facing a major decision with three very different retirement options, each with long-term implications for income, flexibility, and legacy in the 2026 tentative agreement. While the details are still evolving, the choice between a pension-style income, a hybrid approach, or a more flexible contribution-based plan could shape your financial future for decades. In this episode, Ryan breaks down each option in simple terms, highlighting the pros, cons, and key factors to consider.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
✈️ Three options offer very different retirement outcomes
💰 Taxes play a major role in long-term results
📊 Control vs. guarantees is a key tradeoff
⏳ Longevity impacts which option makes sense
🧠 Personal goals matter as much as the math
Get the Summary of Proposed FedEx Retirement Changes: https://retirepilots.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FedEx_TA_2026_Retirement_Plan_Options-PDF-Recap-for-Show-Notes.pdf
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
AI isn’t just a buzzword, it’s quickly becoming one of the biggest unknowns in retirement planning. Pilots in their 50s and 60s are actively searching for answers about how this technology could impact their future. Ryan tackles the most common AI-related questions pilots are Googling right now, and where human judgment still plays a critical role.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
📊 Portfolio Exposure: Many investors don’t realize how much AI exposure they already have
⚖️ Risk vs Opportunity: AI could drive growth, but also increased volatility
⏳ Early Retirement Thinking: Fear shouldn’t be the reason you retire early
🧠 AI Planning Tools: Helpful for information, but not a replacement for strategy
🚧 Human Element: Emotion, context, and experience still matter in decision-making
See the Morgan Stanley prediction: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/morgan-stanley-predicts-ai-won-073000488.html?guccounter=1
Invesco’s Winter 2026 DC Participant Pulse Survey: https://401kspecialistmag.com/dc-participants-open-to-private-markets-and-ai-with-guardrails-invesco-survey/
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
AI is changing everything right now, and aviation isn’t going to be immune to that. The question is… what does it actually mean for you as a pilot? Ryan breaks down what AI is really going to do to the cockpit, what parts of the job might change, and why he doesn’t see pilots going anywhere anytime soon. But there are some shifts coming, and they’re worth paying attention to. We also zoom out and talk about how AI is impacting the broader economy, what that could mean for your portfolio.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
🛫 AI in aviation: Enhancing systems, not replacing pilots anytime soon
👨✈️ Pilot demand: Shortage continues to drive pay and workload changes
🤖 AI in society: Creating winners and losers across industries
📈 Investing impact: Diversification matters more in uncertain environments
🧠 Human element: Judgment and experience still critical in flying and planning
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
We got a great question from a listener: “What’s better? Term life insurance, universal life, or whole life?” Straightforward question. Not a straightforward answer, especially if you’re in your 50s. In this episode, Ryan walks through how life insurance decisions evolve over time and why what worked earlier in your career may not hold up as retirement approaches. Tune in to hear the key differences between term, whole, and universal life, and how it may impact your retirement.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
🛡️ Protection focus: Protect family, retirement, and reduce sequence risk
🕒 Term vs. permanent: Term is cheap; permanent stays and builds value
💰 Why whole (not universal): Guarantees, tax advantages, safer structure
✈️ Retirement jet engine: Backup income source in down markets
📚 Pilot resources: Tools, books, and education for deeper planning
Resources for this episode:
IBC4Pilots.com
Becoming Your Own Banker: Unlock the Infinite Banking Concept by Nelson Nash: https://amzn.to/3NLTdfj
How we help eliminate Sequence of Returns Risk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSsR7Km5XRw
Permission to Spend: Maximize Your Retirement with the Best-Kept Secret in Personal Finance: https://amzn.to/4uIfXgG
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
When global conflict makes headlines, it’s natural to wonder what it means for your money. In this episode, Ryan breaks down how markets are reacting to the ongoing conflict in Iran and what investors should be paying attention to right now. While volatility and rising energy costs can create concern, the bigger picture often tells a very different story. Ryan reminds us that short-term headlines don’t always change long-term outcomes.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
🌍 Market Reaction: How the Iran conflict is impacting markets and energy prices
😬 Investor Emotions: Why fear and uncertainty lead to poor decisions
📈 Long-Term View: Markets historically recover—and often create opportunity
📉 Slow Decline: Why this “death by a thousand cuts” feels worse than it is
📊 War & Markets: What history shows about investing during conflict
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Nobody likes tax season, but for new retirees, the rules can feel completely different. Income changes, required withdrawals begin, and decisions that once lowered taxes can create bigger bills later. Ryan unpacks some of the most common retirement tax mistakes and how they show up in real life. A little forward planning can make a dramatic difference over the long run.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
💸 Retirement Taxes: Many retirees underestimate taxes in the distribution phase
🧾 Tax-Deferred Reality: 401(k) withdrawals count as taxable income
📉 Withdrawal Taxes: Large income needs can create major tax bills
🧠 Tax Planning Myth: Smart strategies aren’t just for the wealthy
🟣 Roth 401(k) Confusion: Many investors misunderstand contribution rules
Read The 5 Biggest Tax Mistakes New Retirees Make in the First 5 Years -
https://www.kiplinger.com/taxes/tax-planning/biggest-tax-mistakes-new-retirees-make-in-first-years
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
The Oscars celebrate the best performances in film, but what if we handed out awards for financial planning instead? Ryan takes inspiration from Hollywood’s biggest night and hands out a few “Academy Awards” of our own to the strategies and habits that make a retirement plan truly successful. You’ll hear how the best retirements, just like the best movies, don’t happen by accident.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
⭐ Leading Role: Consistent saving drives retirement success
💰 Supporting Role: Tax planning strengthens retirement outcomes
📝 Screenplay Strategy: Income planning maps retirement story
🎵 The Score (Advisor Guidance): Financial advisors guide planning journey
🏆 Best Picture: Written financial plan ties everything together
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Global tensions have escalated following the conflict in Iran, and investors are feeling the ripple effects. In this timely conversation, Ryan shares perspective on how markets typically respond to war, why uncertainty creates volatility, and why emotional decision-making can be costly. While headlines quickly shift from one crisis to the next, the core principles of investing remain the same: discipline, patience, and long-term thinking.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
🌍 Markets dislike uncertainty, but historically recover
📉 Corrections are normal (even 10–20% swings)
🧠 Emotional investing leads to costly mistakes
💵 Down markets can create opportunity
✈️ Perspective from a military and global standpoint
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
A new government-backed savings account for kids is on the way, and it’s already raising eyebrows. On the surface, Trump Accounts look like a win: free money for newborns, long-term investing, and a built-in head start toward adulthood. But as Ryan explains, the real story lives in the fine print. Taxes, flexibility, investment control, and long-term trade-offs all matter.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
📋 How Trump Accounts Work – Custodial structure, contribution limits, automatic investing
🎯 Problem It’s Trying to Solve – Early investing, retirement readiness, financial literacy
💸 Taxes & Criticisms – Ordinary income treatment and administrative complexity
⚖️ Better Alternatives? – Comparing custodial Roth IRAs and other strategies
📚 Financial Education Impact – Why early exposure to investing changes behavior
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
There’s something magical about a snow day. They slow everything down, and that’s exactly why they make such a powerful metaphor for money. Unexpected pauses, changing conditions, and the temptation to react emotionally all show up in both weather and finances. Ryan connects familiar winter moments to smarter long-term thinking, reminding us why preparation matters before the storm hits. Sometimes the best move isn’t doing more, it’s knowing when to stay put and let your plan work.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
☃️ Snow Day Perspective: Why unexpected pauses reveal how prepared you really are
🛷 Delayed Gratification: How patience and discipline pay off over time
🌨️ Financial Storms: Staying steady when conditions turn volatile
🧥 Layers of Protection: Building resilience through diversification
🏔️ Freedom & Flexibility: Enjoying the payoff after years of preparation
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Big paydays can feel like smooth air, until the next decision changes the flight path. In this episode, Ryan and Dave Befort talk through the money moments FedEx pilots face when contracts, pensions, and career milestones converge. Rather than focusing on tactics, the conversation zooms out to the bigger picture of balance, protection, and long-term direction.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
📦 FedEx employees have unique pension options that require personalized planning.
💰 Choosing between lump sum or annuity isn’t one-size-fits-all — and mistakes can be costly.
🧩 Many FedEx professionals are underutilizing their 401(k) and employer match benefits.
✈️ Pilots have different timelines and flight-hour restrictions that impact retirement strategy.
🚨 Beware of advisors who don’t specialize in aviation or FedEx-specific retirement plans.
Learn more about Dave: http://ibc4pilots.com
The Wealth Warehouse Podcast: https://www.thewealthwarehousepodcast.com
Watch The Infinite Banking Concept Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fSMlg4i7pk
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Ryan is joined by Zach Smith of Pilot Tax to discuss why many high-income pilots run into Roth limitations and what that means for long-term planning. While backdoor Roth IRAs can be a powerful tool for high-income earners to achieve tax-free retirement growth, it’s essential to understand the rules, potential pitfalls, and seek professional advice to ensure the strategy aligns with your specific financial situation.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
🛫 Backdoor Roth Basics: The workaround when income caps apply
🚧 Roth Eligibility Limits: Why pilots often exceed IRS thresholds
🧮 Joint Income Rules: How household earnings affect access
🔄 Conversion Process: Moving money without turbulence
⚠️ Pro Rata Rule: The hidden tax trap many pilots miss
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Turning 62 doesn’t feel like a big deal until Social Security enters the conversation. Filing now could put money in your pocket sooner, or it could quietly cost you tens of thousands over a lifetime. Ryan breaks down how to think through the decision to make sure your choice supports your retirement strategy, not just the birthday on the calendar.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
🧭 Claiming Decisions: How to think through when to start Social Security
⚖️ Personal Factors: Income needs, work plans, and lifestyle considerations
⏳ Waiting Strategies: Pros and cons of filing at full retirement age
📊 Real Examples: Hypotheticals that show how strategies play out
🚀 Planning Ahead: Why earlier conversations lead to better outcomes
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Nothing wrecks financial confidence faster than comparing your savings to coworkers, siblings, or someone bragging online. Ryan unpacks why comparison is not a retirement plan, and how it can distort what “behind” really means. You’ll also hear about what actually determines your retirement readiness.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
🚨 Comparison Trap – Why measuring yourself against others backfires
🧭 What “Enough” Means – Retirement readiness is lifestyle-driven
📊 The Real Math – Income needs matter more than account size
🧠 Emotional Confidence – Why even good savers feel behind
🎯 Action Steps – What to do if you truly are behind
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Having two financial advisors might seem like you’re getting twice the wisdom, but it often creates confusion instead of clarity. In this episode, Ryan explains why splitting assets between multiple advisors leads to conflicting strategies, inefficient portfolios, and what he calls the “financial junk drawer.” If you want confidence instead of crossed signals, this episode helps clarify who should really be in control.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
⚖️ Pros & Cons: Why multiple advisors often backfire
🗄️ Financial Junk Drawer: Accounts scattered everywhere
🧩 Consolidation: Getting assets aligned and working together
🧭 Advisor Roles: One pilot vs. too many hands on the controls
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Southwest pilots were hit with a major retirement change and fast. With little advance notice, Southwest rolled out a new NEC Roth option that allows company contributions to flow into a Roth 401(k), creating a powerful opportunity for long-term tax-free growth. Today we’re reacting to this big retirement news with the help of pilot tax specialist Zach Smith and breaking down exactly what this change means.
This video explains why this option is so unique: for the first time, pilots can potentially have most of their 401(k) contributions—both employee and employer—go into Roth accounts. That’s a massive shift for pilots facing growing tax problems in retirement due to large tax-deferred balances. Ryan and Zach walk through how Secure Act 2.0 made this possible, where to find the election on the Schwab site, and why pilots should double-check their investment elections if they’ve never used Roth before.
We answer all the FAQs on this here: https://retirepilots.com/2026/01/southwests-new-nec-roth-option-what-pilots-must-know/
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
✈️ What the New NEC Roth Option Is
💸 Why This Is a Big Deal for Pilots
⚠️ The Biggest Gotcha: No Tax Withholding
🖥️ How to Actually Elect the Option
🧠 Roth vs. Deferred: Distribution-Phase Reality
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
2025 was loud… tariffs, market swings, tax headlines, and nonstop uncertainty. But not everything that made the news actually mattered for your long-term plan. In this year-end conversation, Ryan reflects on what truly impacted investors, what tested discipline, and why staying unemotional proved more valuable than reacting to headlines. Listen in to separate the noise from the lessons and head into 2026 with clarity and confidence.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
🌍 Tariffs & Markets: Uncertainty and volatility in the market
🧾 Big Beautiful Bill: Real financial implications
📉 Market Lessons: Having discipline during turbulence
🔮 Looking Ahead: Positioning for 2026
🎄 Year-End Note: Perspective and gratitude
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
United pilots are being asked to make a major retirement election by the end of the year and the plan hasn’t even received IRS approval. The election window for 2027 Pilot Contributions is open until December 31 for the proposed United Airlines Pilot Cash Balance Plan (the ‘CBP’). To help you better understand your options and what it could mean for your retirement, we’ve invited pilot tax specialist Zach Smith to unpack what’s happening, why it’s happening, and what pilots should understand before making a decision that could impact their long-term financial flexibility.
As airline compensation has increased and employer contributions have grown, more pilots are running into IRS limits on 401(k) contributions. To address the “spillover,” airlines like Delta and American introduced cash balance plans and alternative retirement vehicles. United is now following suit, but without full clarity, final plan details, or an opt-out option.
Ryan and Zach walk through the two primary options United pilots are facing: the CBP or HRA, along with the trade-offs of each.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
✈️ Why Pilots Are Hitting 401(k) Contribution Limits
📉 Cash Balance Plans Explained
🏥 HRAs and Medical-Only Dollars
⚠️ The Risk of Forced Decisions Without Full Details
🧠 A Practical Approach in an Uncertain Situation
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
In this episode, Ryan continues last week’s discussion on elevating the retirement planning conversation for pilots. Find out how asking smarter, planning-focused questions about taxes, Social Security, debt, risk, and investing can empower you to make more confident retirement decisions. Move past surface-level concerns and learn how to structure your thinking for long-term results.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
🧾 Tax Strategy: planning beyond this year’s bill
🎂 Social Security: fitting benefits into income plan
🏠 Mortgage Strategy: managing debt instead of rushing payoff
⚖️ Risk Management: matching risk to time horizon
📉 Market Timing: avoiding emotional, short-term reactions
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Most people think the key to better retirement planning is getting better answers, but Ryan argues it really starts with asking better questions. In this episode, he talks about how reframing the basics leads to clearer thinking, better decisions, and a plan that fits your life. Discover the crucial shifts in mindset and the specific questions that can transform not just your retirement strategy, but your entire approach to financial planning.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
📘 Financial Literacy Matters: why most people were never taught the basics
🔁 Reframing Retirement Questions: better questions = better outcomes
🏥 Long-Term Care Reality: what to ask before choosing insurance
💸 Value Over Fees: how to measure real advisor worth
⚖️ Cost vs. Benefit: knowing when paying for help pays off
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/ Getting married in your 50s often means you’re combining lives, but not necessarily combining finances. How do you build a retirement plan together when you’ve both already built your own? In this episode, Ryan answers a listener’s question about navigating financial and emotional security in later-life marriages. Financial independence and emotional connection aren’t opposites, you can keep your accounts separate, but your retirement plan should still be built together.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
🎖️ Veterans Day Greetings: honoring service and sharing personal updates
🧠 Emotional & Financial Security: balancing independence with connection
💬 Open Communication: why honesty about money is essential for trust
💵 Retirement Readiness: aligning income, savings, and lifestyle goals
👨👩👧 Family Dynamics: protecting children and legacy from previous marriages
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
This week, Thanksgiving takes center stage and your finances get a seat at the table! Ryan serves up a fun, insightful discussion where holiday favorites like parades, turkey carving, and football run parallel with the keys to successful retirement planning. Discover why consistency in investing is like the annual parade, how carving the turkey mirrors smart distribution in retirement, and why it pays to plan for plenty of financial leftovers.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
🦃 Thanksgiving Plans & Traditions: how holiday rhythms mirror financial habits
🎈 Parades & Planning: staying focused on direction in your financial life
🍽️ Feast Prep & Market Timing: why timing the market is as tricky as timing the turkey
🏈 Football & Investing: understanding strategy, patience, and long-term plays
😴 Post-Meal Nap: the peace of a financial plan you can relax into
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
If you’re an American Airlines pilot, you’re facing a major decision: whether to participate in the newly announced Market-Based Cash Balance Plan. Ryan is joined once again by Zach Smith from Pilot Tax to break down how the plan actually works, what AA pilots need to know, and the long-term tax consequences many pilots aren’t thinking about. Most importantly, we explore how this decision affects retirement flexibility, future RMDs, and your ability to control your own investment strategy.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
🛩️ What AA’s new plan really is: how the Market-Based Cash Balance Plan works behind the scenes
📉 Lack of control & conservative investing: why the pooled structure limits growth
💥 The tax time-bomb problem: how spillover contributions worsen future RMDs
💰Roth vs. spillover strategy: why many AA pilots should consider opting out
📊 A better long-term approach: controlling taxes, liquidity, and retirement flexibility
Get in touch with Zach: https://pilot-tax.com
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
This Veterans Day episode of The Pilot’s Advisor features Zach Smith from Pilot Tax for a deep dive into one of the biggest challenges facing airline professionals: retirement tax planning. Ryan and Zach explain why airline contracts that fund 18–19% of pay into 401(k)s create future RMD headaches, how Roth strategies can help you gain long-term control, and why taxable brokerage accounts can be a powerful, flexible alternative to overfunded retirement plans.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
💰 The unique tax challenges that pilots face
🧾 Why deferring taxes isn’t always smart
🚀 Roth accounts = long-term freedom
📊 Taxable brokerage accounts offer flexibility
⚖️ True tax diversification = balance + control
Get in touch with Zach:
info@pilot-tax.com
317-984-7666
https://pilot-tax.com/
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
As mortgage rates fluctuate and the real estate market adjusts, pilots and investors alike are wondering, what’s next? In this episode, Ryan sits down with Christopher Zarnik, a fellow FedEx pilot and mortgage broker, to unpack today’s housing and lending landscape. Christopher also shares practical advice on navigating today’s market and invites listeners to reach out with their mortgage or homebuying questions.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
📈 Inflation Reality: how rate hikes and cuts shape the housing market
💰 Refinancing Rules: when it makes financial sense (and when it doesn’t)
🏦 Mortgage Fees 101: which costs are negotiable and how to lower them
🔒 Lock It In: why waiting for lower rates can backfire
💸 Borrow Smart: use the bank’s money and keep your assets working
Positive Rate Mortgage: https://www.positiveratemortgage.com
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
You’ve probably said it before: “I ran the numbers; I should be fine.” But what if your math is lying to you? Today, Ryan exposes the “fuzzy math” that can quietly sabotage your financial future. Drawing on lessons from aviation and decades of experience helping pilots plan for retirement, he shows how to balance big-picture thinking with precise financial navigation. Don’t settle for “it should be fine,” learn how to make sure your math actually adds up.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
✈️ Fuzzy Math & Flying Lessons: why “winging it” doesn’t work in retirement
💸 The 4% Rule Debate: why it’s more complicated than it looks
🧾 Fees & Value: how advisors can add 3%+ net benefit even after costs
🚨 Sequence of Returns Risk: understanding timing and volatility impact
🪂 Pilot Principles Applied: discipline, big-picture awareness, and staying calm
0:00 – Fuzzy Math in Financial Planning
1:24 – Pilots Are Trained To See the Big Picture
4:19 – Fuzzy Math in Mutual Funds
6:24 – The 4% Safe Withdrawal Rate
12:20 – Tax Concerns in Retirement
14:10 – Capital Gains Tax and Investment Returns
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
If your parents passed away relatively young, it’s natural to wonder whether you’ll face the same fate, and whether that should change how you claim Social Security. In this episode, Ryan discusses how life expectancy, health, pensions, and even your trust in the system can shape the right decision. He breaks down the opportunity costs of claiming early versus waiting, real pilot scenarios, and why the best answer usually requires looking at your full financial picture. If you’ve ever wrestled with whether to take Social Security now or later, this episode will give you clarity and perspective.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
📉 How family history influences Social Security timing
✈️ Why pilots face unique health and longevity challenges
⏰ The pros and cons of claiming early
🛡️ The role of pensions in deciding when to claim
🏛️ Concerns about Social Security cuts or changes
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Delta Airlines has rolled out a new non-qualified deferred compensation plan for pilots, and it’s raising big questions across the flight deck. To help us all better understand what this means, we’ve invited Zach Smith of Pilot Tax to break down how it works and whether it’s a smart financial move. Before you opt in, make sure you understand the risks, rewards, and long-term implications of this new Delta offering.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
✈️ The details about Delta’s new deferred comp plan
💵 Potential tax benefit by deferring income into lower-tax years
⚠️ The risk of overloading your pre-tax retirement bucket
💰 How fixed income in retirement affects Medicare
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Most people don’t feel wealthy. But what if your day-to-day habits are quietly building serious financial strength? A recent article from Kiplinger outlined five surprising signs that you might be richer than you think. And none of them involve yachts or private jets. Let’s analyze the habits that signal real, lasting wealth, and what to do if you are (or aren’t) on the right track.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
💵 Emergency fund strength: why liquidity is a sign of wealth
🚫 Living below your means: the “millionaire next door” mindset
📈 Strategic investing: the power of systematic savings
🛫 Long-term focus: ignoring short-term turbulence for lasting success
Kiplinger Article: 7 Signs You’re Secretly Getting Rich (and Don’t Even Know It)
https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/signs-youre-secretly-getting-rich-and-dont-even-know-it
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
So, you’re retired. Now what? The “First Year Rule” suggests that many of your best retirement months will happen in the first year. It’s a pivotal time to set the tone for a fulfilling retirement, emotionally, physically, and financially for the years ahead. Today, Ryan explores how to navigate this critical phase, offering practical insights to help you create a strong foundation for a retirement that’s rewarding, balanced, and full of purpose.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
💰 Understand your income needs for retirement
✈️ How travel and new experiences can impact your finances
🏠 Test out your long-term plans before committing
💡 Build routines and purpose to thrive in retirement
💬 Have a conversation with your advisor about the first year
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Markets are unpredictable—sometimes rallying on bad news, other times tumbling for no clear reason. So how do you stay focused when headlines scream about rate cuts, job reports, and volatility?
In this market update, Ryan weighs in on the Fed’s expected rate cut, why September and October are historically tricky months for markets, and why short-term noise shouldn’t derail your long-term strategy. What are the possible outcomes of different rate cut scenarios and what will the lasting impact of artificial intelligence and automation be on the market?
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
📉 Fed rate cut watch – 50 bps could boost markets; no cut may trigger declines.
📆 Seasonal volatility – September/October historically shaky, but context matters.
🤖 AI and automation – Long-term bullish trends, but potential job disruption.
🕒 Time horizon > age – Investment allocation should match when you’ll actually need the money.
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Dave Ramsey is one of the most recognized voices in personal finance. His 9-step retirement plan is simple, direct, and built for mass appeal. But is it really the best path for your retirement? On today’s show, Ryan digs into where he agrees, where he disagrees, and what he thinks is missing from Dave Ramsey’s approach entirely.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
📋 Ramsey’s 9-step plan: simple but limited
🛫 Pilots need strategies beyond “one-size-fits-all”
⛽ “Always take more gas than you need” — Ryan’s analogy for oversaving to build flexibility
🔑 Sometimes liquidity beats paying off your mortgage
🏥 Healthcare and Social Security require nuance, not broad strokes
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Cue the mixtape of Nirvana, Madonna, and Prince… Gen X, it’s your turn to get ready for retirement. And the stakes are high. You were the first 401(k) generation, hit by two major market crashes, and now you’re entering retirement with more financial uncertainty than the Boomers before you. But you also have something else: resilience. If you're a pilot between your mid-40s and early 60s, it’s time to get serious about what retirement will look like for your generation.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
🛫 Gen X pilots are the first true 401(k) generation
📉 Market crashes and inflation have reshaped retirement confidence
💡 Taxes & Inflation: the hidden forces that can drain your nest egg
🔑 Control comes from preparation, not last-minute scrambling
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
What if the safest part of your portfolio wasn’t bonds, but something with guarantees, liquidity, and tax advantages? In this special episode, we’re sharing Ryan’s recent appearance on the Wealth Warehouse podcast, where he sat down with David Befort and Paul Fugere to talk about whole life insurance, infinite banking, and why these strategies deserve a second look.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
💡 Whole life insurance as a fixed-income alternative
🔑 Infinite banking and the “and asset” concept
📉 Protecting against sequence of returns risk
✈️ Pilots’ unique retirement planning challenges
🏦 Why premiums aren’t bills but wealth-building deposits
Check out the Wealth Warehouse YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Thewealthwarehousepodcast
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Why do today’s mortgage rates feel worse than they really are? When it comes to real estate and mortgages, timing and perspective make all the difference. In this episode, Ryan sits down with Kelly Phillips, Mortgage Expert and Branch Manager at Fairway Mortgage, who brings more than 25 years of experience to the conversation. With a front-row seat to the shifting housing market, Kelly shares her insights on today’s rates, buyer hesitation, and what really determines the best time to buy.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
📉 Why rates feel high (but aren’t historically)
🏠 How inventory keeps today’s market a seller’s game
⏳ Why waiting could cost more than buying now
🔄 The refinance conversation: when it does and doesn’t make sense
📊 Lessons from 2008, 2020, and today’s market
Contact Kelly Phillips, Mortgage Expert & Branch Manager at Fairway Home Mortgage
843-209-8805
kelly.phillips@fairwaymc.com
www.yourfairwaylender.com
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Target-date funds just passed $4 trillion in assets. They’re now the default investment in many 401(k)s, and millions of Americans are using them without really understanding how they work. So, are they a smart choice… or just the easiest one? In this episode, Ryan breaks down why target-date funds, despite their popularity, might not be the best fit for pilots navigating toward retirement.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
🛫 Why target-date funds are now the default, but not always the best
🧾 What’s inside a target-date fund (and what’s missing)
🚨 The major risks of a “one-size-fits-all” retirement plan
💸 How layering target-date funds leads to lack of diversification
🔍 Why pilots need a customized investment and distribution strategy
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
What if you could get a tax refund from 2022, using a move you make in 2025? In this episode, Ryan sits down with one of the biggest names in tax strategy: Ed Lyon. You may have seen him on CNN, Fox News, CNBC, or MSNBC, or read one of his books. Dubbed “America’s Funniest Tax Guy,” Ed has trained thousands of CPAs and advisors to help clients legally pay less, and now he’s revealing a little-known solar tax strategy that many pilots could benefit from, but only if they act before the window closes.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
⚡️ Solar Hack = Instant Refunds?
💰 Tax Credits from Thin Air?
🕵️♂️ 2025’s Legal Loophole Revealed
✈️ Why Pilots Have the Edge
🔥 Act Before This Window Slams Shut
If you want to follow up with Ed, you can email him directly here: edwardalyon@gmail.com
Learn more about what he does here:
https://edwardalyon.com/
https://taxmasternetwork.com/
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
As a pilot, you're trained to anticipate risk and build backup systems, but are you applying that same mindset to your financial future? In this episode, Ryan answers a smart listener question about legacy planning, life insurance, and tax-efficient wealth transfer. Ryan explains why many pilots overlook permanent life insurance, like an overfunded whole life policy, until later in life, and how that delay can limit its full potential.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
🛩️ Why pilots think differently about risk and how to use that to your advantage
💵 Overfunded whole life: a powerful (but underused) strategy
🧾 When insurance becomes a tax planning tool
🚫 Why waiting too long makes it more expensive
More on Overfunded Whole Life: www.IBC4Pilots.com
How We Help Eliminate Sequence of Returns Risk:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSsR7Km5XRw
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way! 🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
What makes one person obsess over saving for the future while another spends freely, and sometimes recklessly, in the moment? Today, Ryan explores how personal wiring, background, and mindset influence financial behavior. Drawing from personal experience, client stories, and even conversations with his teenage daughter, Ryan explains why small, consistent choices lead to real freedom later in life. This episode will help you better understand your financial habits, and how to shift them for long-term peace and purpose.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
✈️ How pilot culture shapes financial habits
💰 Starbucks or stock? The decision that compounds
📈 What over-savers and over-spenders miss
🧾 Taking care of legacy planning matters before it's too late
🎯 The secret power of forced discipline
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way! 🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Today’s story is all too familiar: a pilot nearing retirement, intrigued by a cockpit conversation about options trading, only to watch his portfolio nosedive.
In this episode, Ryan gets candid about why jumping into options (especially in your 50s) might not be the best option for a secure retirement. With decades of experience guiding pilots, Ryan explains how speculation, stock picking, and chasing “hot tips” can wreck even the best-laid glide paths.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
🚫 Why options trading is playing with fire
📉 A cautionary tale: one pilot’s 60% loss
🧠 The psychology behind poor investing choices
✈️ “Don’t take financial advice from a pilot”
🛑 How to avoid sabotaging your own retirement
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Raising kids used to follow a predictable pattern: they grow up, move out, and you finally get the house to yourself. But for many pilots today, that “empty nest” moment keeps getting delayed. In this episode, Ryan dives into the emotional and financial turbulence of raising adult children while planning for retirement. If your kids are still living at home, boomeranging back, or needing long-term financial help, Ryan shares what that really means for your retirement runway.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
🏡 Why adult kids are staying home longer
💸 How to support without sabotaging your plan
🛫 Retirement prep when your “nest” is full
🚧 Setting healthy financial boundaries
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way!
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
In this episode, Ryan answers a thoughtful listener question from Shirley, a pilot who recently inherited a parcel of land from her uncle. With a mortgage still on her home and retirement a few years away, Shirley wonders: should she sell the land to become debt-free or hold on to it and explore other options?
Ryan shares the key considerations when deciding what to do with inherited real estate, especially when it’s not an income-producing asset.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
🏡 Land vs. liquidity? (It depends on your goals)
💸 Should you rush to pay off your mortgage?
📉 When “dead assets” slow your growth
🧾 Why details matter in inheritance decisions
📊 Why timing and interest rates make all the difference
💸 Home Equity & Mortgage YouTube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j37WkBP0Yd4
The 4% rule gets talked about like gospel in retirement planning. But let’s be honest, it’s always been more of a rough guess than a golden rule. Now, its original creator is revising it to 4.7%. So, does that mean your retirement paycheck just got a raise, or is this just another headline that oversimplifies a complex decision? In this episode, Ryan explores the implications of the updated withdrawal rate, highlighting the crucial caveats that may make or break your retirement strategy.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
🧐 What the 4% Rule Really Meant (and Why It’s Shifting)
💣 How Inflation, Taxes & Risk Impact Your Withdrawal Rate
⚖️ Pros & Cons of Fixed-Income-Heavy Portfolios
🪣 How bucket strategies and guardrails protect your plan
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
In this episode, Ryan delivers a “pilot report,” offering a timely look at today’s economic turbulence. From global conflict and rising interest rates to inflation pressure and a shifting housing market, Ryan explains how these forces are shaping your financial flight path, and what adjustments you might need to stay on course. Ryan also shares practical, down-to-earth financial advice, especially geared toward young adults, recent grads, or anyone feeling a bit behind.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
📉 How high interest rates are freezing upgrades and first-time buyers
💵 Start small: $50 a month + compound interest can work magic
🔁 Why consistent investing beats stock-picking and market timing
⚠️ What new grads often get wrong and how to avoid it
🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
Today we’re talking about Type A personalities. If you’re driven, competitive, and goal-oriented then you’re part of the club that often struggles during difficult markets. When things get tough, your instinct is to work harder, push more, and fix the problem. But in investing, that instinct can sometimes backfire. In this episode, Ryan explains why Type A pilots, used to control, precision, and quick decisions, can be their own worst enemies when markets get volatile.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
🧠 When doing less is actually doing more
🧮 Risk vs. reward: are you overcorrecting?
✈️ What pilots get wrong about control and timing
🧍♂️ Why solo investors may need a wingman
📉 Turn bear markets into long-term opportunity
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
Today, Ryan’s taking us through some of the key concepts of The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel. This book isn’t just about money strategies. It’s about why we make the choices we make, even when they don’t seem to make sense. You might find that your mindset is a bigger advantage than any investment tip.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
📘 What Housel gets right about money behavior
🧠 The role of your mindset when it comes to money
🛑 The danger of “never enough” thinking
🧮 Reasonable vs. rational financial decisions
🚨 Why planning with a margin of error is non-negotiable
The Psychology of Money: Timeless lessons on wealth, greed, and happiness by Morgan Housel: https://shorturl.at/W8FEJ
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
If you've recently changed jobs, chances are your old 401(k) is still sitting right where you left it – out of sight and out of mind – and it could potentially cost you. In this episode, Ryan answers a question from a pilot who recently made the jump to a major airline and wants to know if he should roll over his old 401(k) or leave it where it is.
Ryan breaks down the pros and cons of keeping the 401(k) with a former employer versus moving it into an IRA, and what smart investors should consider before making the call.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
📂 What happens when you leave an old 401(k) behind
🔁 Why a direct rollover is usually better than a transfer
⚠️ Common mistakes that trigger taxes or penalties
✈️ What pilots need to know about retirement account strategy
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
The market’s been shaky and pilots are wondering how the volatility impacts their retirement and investment decisions. In this special mailbag edition of the show, we’ll answer real questions from aviators facing turbulence in their retirement plans. Whether they’re near retirement, sitting on cash, or watching everything dip at once, today’s questions all circle one theme: how do I respond when markets get rocky? Join us for guidance on how to chart a steady course.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
💡 The truth about timing the market
✈️ Diversification myths: are you as protected as you think?
📊 Rebalancing during downturns: risk or opportunity?
🧠 Emotional decisions vs. system-driven strategies
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
Spring is in the air and for some, that means it’s time for spring cleaning. Marie Kondo is considered an expert in tidying and decluttering, and wrote the book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.” In today’s episode, Ryan brings a Marie Kondo-inspired approach to finances, helping you declutter, get organized, and let go of what no longer “sparks joy.”
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
💸 Why emotional attachment to stocks could be holding you back
📦 Organizing investments by category, not location
🗑️ Letting go of fear of the future
⏰ One of the most valuable assets in retirement planning
Marie Kondo Netflix Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvyeapVBLWY
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
Ryan just got back from the New York Stock Exchange, and he’s sharing what it was like to stand on the floor during the iconic closing bell. Go behind the scenes to learn more about the modern trading environment, one that’s quieter, more high-tech, and dominated by algorithms. Ryan discusses what percentage of trades are now executed by computers, and what that means for volatility, investor behavior, and long-term planning.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
📈 What advisors on the floor think about 2025’s market outlook
🎯 Why clarity and coaching matter more than timing
🧭 Why old-school investing strategies may no longer apply
⚡ How algorithmic trading is accelerating market volatility
0:00 – Intro
0:51 – AI & High Frequency Trading
3:09 – Is Volatility Is Here to Stay?
7:20 – Principles for the New Market
8:25 – Stops & Pivot Point Planning
9:41 – Being On The Floor on the NYSE
12:03 – Final Thoughts
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
When the market is crashing, it's easy to feel like you're the only one who's ever felt this anxious. But the truth is, some of the greatest investors in history have lived through chaos, and they left behind wisdom that still applies today. In this episode, Ryan responds to wisdom from experts like Warren Buffett, Benjamin Graham, and Jack Bogle to remind us how to think, act, and stay grounded when everything feels uncertain.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
📉 Buffett’s “greedy when others are fearful” lesson
🧠 We can be our own worst enemy
📊 Jack Bogle’s ultimate advice: “Stay the course”
⚠️ Why timing the market usually backfires
📚 An expert’s advice on handling unseen risk
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
April Fool’s Day is all about jokes and pranks, but when it comes to retirement planning, getting fooled can cost you real money. Today, we’re uncovering the beliefs that fool retirees and pre-retirees into making bad financial moves. Ryan unpacks the financial “pranks” people may fall for—from too-good-to-be-true returns to myths about Social Security, taxes, and healthcare in retirement.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
💸 Healthcare costs are no joke in retirement
📉 How taxes fool more people than they realize
🧠 Why “guaranteed returns” are a red flag
🪙 Dividend chasing can backfire
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
When it comes to investing, are you picking winners or just playing favorites? In this episode, Ryan breaks down how our emotional biases, gut instincts, and misplaced confidence can sabotage even the best financial intentions.
Using bracket-building and sports betting as a metaphor, Ryan explores how chasing individual stocks is a lot like guessing tournament upsets: unpredictable, addictive, and often disappointing.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
🧠 Why emotional investing leads to poor decisions
📉 The surprising odds of stock-picking success
📈 Why diversification still beats “gut feeling”
⚠️ The hidden risks of being loyal to one stock
📚 How real market data can reframe your mindset
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
What does Augusta National have in common with your retirement plan? A lot more than you think. Ryan uses the game of golf—and the iconic Masters Tournament—as a powerful metaphor for achieving retirement success. We drive into key takeaways, like why consistency leads to better retirement results as opposed to risking it all for a “hole-in-one” and how diversification is just like using a full set of clubs.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
🏌️♂️ Chasing “hole-in-one” hot stocks won’t win retirement
🧰 You need a full set of clubs – Diversify your investments & tax strategies
⚠️ Avoid the hazards – Taxes, inflation, and healthcare costs can derail your plan
🧠 Your advisor is your caddy guiding you through tough shots with clarity
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
If there’s ever been a great example of why you stay invested and avoid trying to time the market, it would be these recent market movements from tariff news. After days of sharp declines, the announcement that there will be a 90-day pause on tariffs for 75 countries and increased pressure on China led to an instantaneous pop upwards.
In this quick update, we’ll discuss how emotional decision-making can derail a portfolio and the hidden risks of going to cash. Every day of big gains or sharp losses is a reminder of the power of discipline and the cost of hesitation.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
💸 Why going to cash too early can cost you big
🧭 Lessons from COVID, 2008, and other major downturns
📆 Why 2025 might finish stronger than you think
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
The news of Trump’s tariffs has caused global markets to go into a tailspin, and that means panic has started to set in for many investors. Seeing red numbers across your portfolio is never easy, but what if you saw this as an incredible opportunity rather than a time to get out of the market?
Today we’ll talk about how long-term investors can use these dips as a chance to increase contributions and take advantage of short-term volatility.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
📉 Market downturns = buying opportunities for the long-term
💰 Increase contributions during market dips to maximize growth
🛑 Don’t let panic lead to rash decisions
🧳 Plan for sequence of returns risk and the impact of market volatility on retirement
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
Is 2025 a bad year to retire? With headlines swirling about market volatility, federal layoffs, and a possible recession, it’s a question many pre-retirees—especially pilots—are asking. If you were targeting this year for a retirement date, let’s find out if Ryan thinks pilots should still retire or put their plans on hold.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
💼 Retirement plans should include built-in protection for volatility
🔁 Diversification and risk alignment are critical pre-retirement steps
🧠 Don’t make emotional decisions—stick to the plan
📊 A good plan works whether the market is up, down, or sideways
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
With markets off to a volatile start in 2025, many investors are feeling uneasy. But should you be worried? Ryan took a break during a recent trip to an advisor conference to share some thoughts on the recent market pullback, explaining why it’s normal, healthy, and even an opportunity for long-term investors.
If you’re concerned about the latest market turbulence, please reach out and let’s have a discussion.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 - Intro
1:00 – Fear and greed
3:27 – Buying opportunity
5:51 – It’s like flying
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
The thought of a market crash will often make investors rethink their portfolio and move into cash. That’s what one American Airlines pilot reached out to us about recently. He has concerns about the market so half of his 401K is in cash, but now he wants to know when he should start investing it again. Today we’re going to answer that question and have a broader discussion about the risks of trying to time the market.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 - Intro
0:32 – Today’s question
2:50 – Changes as you approach retirement
7:22 – How investing has evolved
8:45 – Conservative doesn’t equal safe
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
We haven’t lacking headlines over the past six months but the craziness can provide some valuable lessons for investors. In this episode, we take a closer look at the recent fluctuations in the financial markets and the emotional responses of investors during turbulent times.
Understanding the purpose of your investments is crucial. Many investors fall into the trap of reacting impulsively to headlines, often overlooking the bigger picture of their financial goals. By focusing on long-term strategies, you can mitigate the emotional turmoil that often accompanies market fluctuations.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 – Looking back on 2024
1:00 – Bumpy start to 2025
2:12 – Emotional reactions
4:30 – Maintaining a long-term view
6:29 – The best investors
8:58 – Understanding the market
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
In an era where retirement depends on an individual’s ability to save, the statistics tell us that America has a real problem. Ryan saw a few stats on tv recently that raised some major concerns, and it’s time to address the root of the issues. Today we’ll share the numbers that caught our attention and talk about the steps pilots need to be taking to ensure they aren’t falling behind.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 - Intro
1:30 – Are pilots in better shape?
3:58 – Savings tools
8:13 – Forced discipline
11:15 – Getting help
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
Fresh off another Super Bowl appearance, Andy Reid is a legendary head coach known for his strategic brilliance and leadership in the NFL. But what if we told you that his insights could also apply to financial planning and retirement strategies? In our latest podcast episode, we’ll share four bits of wisdom from Andy Reid draw parallels between his coaching philosophy and essential financial lessons.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 - Intro
2:20 – Quote 1
3:49 – Quote 2
4:58 – Quote 3
7:23 – Quote 4
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
This video explains why trying to time the market is a risky and often costly strategy for investors. It highlights how emotional decision-making, fear, and greed lead to buying high and selling low—hurting long-term returns. Historical data shows that missing just a few of the market’s best-performing days can drastically reduce overall gains. Instead of market timing, experts emphasize the benefits of a disciplined, long-term investing approach focused on diversification and staying invested.
The key takeaway: time in the market beats timing the market.
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
The stock market saw a huge pullback in the technology sector with the arrival of DeepSeek, a new Chinese AI platform. What lessons should we be learning from what’s happening in the market and how does this change investment strategies?
Today we’re joined by Lee Hyder of Lee Hyder & Associates to discuss the emotional reactions that often accompany such news and how they can lead to impulsive decisions among investors.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 – DeepSeek market pullback
3:00 – What did we learn?
7:12 – One powerful lesson to remember
10:38 – Strategies for 2025
12:37 – Emotional decisions
18:08 – DIY investors
23:09 – Are you aggressive enough?
26:47 – Evolving with technology
32:21 – Fees vs Returns
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
Ryan Fleming, The Pilot’s Advisor, shares the #1 lesson he learned about investors in 2024: successful investing isn’t sexy or flashy.
Forget stock picking, market timing, or chasing the next big thing. Ryan explains why disciplined, diversified investing is the real key to long-term wealth—and how trying to “get rich quick” often leads to losing it all.
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
Imagine you could read your financial advisor’s mind before you even walked through the door for the first time. What would they want you to know? In this episode, we bring you the game-changing insights financial pros wish every saver and investor understood.
Discover the four crucial insights that can transform your retirement planning and investment strategy. From understanding real risk potential and the motivations behind financial information to the value of long-term planning and the comprehensive nature of financial planning beyond just investments, this episode can benefit pilots at any stage of their career.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
1:17 – Real risk potential
3:20 – Understanding the motivation of information
5:56 – The value of long-term planning
7:05 – More than just investments
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
In this episode, we dive into the question of timing 401k contributions and whether it’s as risky as timing the market. The discussion explores strategies for maximizing contributions, including the pros and cons of contributing early versus waiting for market conditions to improve. Key topics include the impact of market volatility, the importance of long-term investing, and why dollar-cost averaging can be a smart approach. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure you’re consistently maximizing your 401k to take full advantage of retirement savings, regardless of market fluctuations.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 - Intro
0:32 – Investing is for the long-term
1:12 – Maxing out your 401k
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
When we start talking about Generation X and Millennials and how their planning is going to be different from Baby Boomers, we have some pretty significant adjustments to make. If you haven’t evolved with the changing financial world we live in, then you need to check out this video with Ryan.
Join us to learn about the critical need for embracing technology and AI in managing investments. The days of passive strategies and simply building a diversified portfolio are being challenged by the rapid advancements in trading technologies and the increasing complexity of financial markets. If you’re a Gen X pilot who wants to be as prepared as possible, check out today’s show.
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
People are often told not to worry about a market crash when they’re younger because time is on their side, but what happens when you no longer have the benefit of a long time horizon? Should you take the threat of a market correction or crash differently?
In today’s episode, Ryan shares insights on the importance of understanding time horizons over age and highlights the common pitfalls pilots face, such as over-reliance on the S&P 500.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 - Intro
1:41 – At what age do you need to worry about a market crash?
3:45 – The average employee vs. pilots.
7:15 – Closing thoughts
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
Money market funds have been a go-to option for many pilots, especially during periods of rising interest rates. They offered a seemingly safe haven with attractive returns compared to traditional savings accounts. However, as the Fed begins to cut rates, the allure of these funds is being questioned.
Today we’ll share insights on whether these funds still hold value in today's economic landscape.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 - Intro
1:04 – Will money market funds lose popularity?
3:08 – Outpacing inflation
4:05 – Retirement toolkit
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
Let’s tackle a question that many retirees ponder: Is living off dividends a viable retirement income strategy? Investors will often look to dividends as a source of income in retirement so let’s talk about the potential pitfalls and benefits of relying solely on dividend-paying stocks.
Tune in as Ryan explains the role of dividend investing in his eyes and shares other strategies to consider when it comes to funding your retirement. Dividends are just one tool you can utilize to reach your income goals so understanding the various strategies is essential in planning.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 - Intro
1:56 – Other strategies to consider
2:48 – Closing thoughts
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
This is a special edition of the Pilots Advisor podcast with Ryan Fleming. He had a recent guest appearance on the Wealth Warehouse podcast where Ryan shared essential insights for pilots nearing retirement or planning for the future.
In the episode, he breaks down effective strategies for building stability through tools like dividend-paying whole life insurance. And he discusses the critical concept of seeing sequence of returns risk, a factor that can significantly impact retirement savings if not managed properly.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 - Intro
1:17 – Accumulation phase
5:06 – Whole life policies
9:07 – Insurance costs
15:14 – Be your own banker
Watch the full interview on Wealth Warehouse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzGH5wXPDXQ
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
As a pilot, you've spent countless hours navigating the skies, managing complex flight systems, and ensuring the safety of your passengers. But when it comes to navigating your retirement, there’s often more questions than answers. In this episode, Ryan answers a critical question from a listener about flying until 65 or whether there is flexibility to retire earlier?
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 - Intro
0:28 – Practice retirement.
2:21 – Social Security.
4:13 – Planning for the unexpected.
5:31 – Taking the first step.
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
As a pilot, you've spent years mastering the complexities of flight. But when it comes to planning for retirement, do you find yourself asking, "How do I know?" Understanding the right questions to ask and finding the answers is crucial for securing your financial future. In this episode, we dive deep into the essential retirement planning questions every pilot should be asking.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 - Intro
6:49 – Figuring out how much income you’ll need for retirement.
9:17 – How much should you have in savings?
12:40 – Determining your risk tolerance.
15:28 – Fees.
17:35 – Finding the right advisor.
19:53 – What is Ryan looking for in a client?
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
Today we have a special edition of the show where we’re going to share Ryan’s recent appearance on the Wealth Warehouse show with David Befort and Paul Fugere. David is the Founder/CEO of Max Performance Financial. He founded the company with the mission of educating people on the truths about money. Paul, on the other hand, is an Active Duty U.S. Army officer who graduated from Norwich University in 2002 with a B.A. in History and again in 2012 with a MA in Diplomacy and International Terrorism.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 - Intro
2:37 – Your 401k custodian
5:23 – What drew Ryan to infinite banking?
9:32 – Life insurance considerations
14:13 – Planning for retirement
18:32 – The retirement toolkit
22:15 – Setting up your children for financial success
27:53 – Getting the government out of your finances when possible.
Check out the Wealth Warehouse YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Thewealthwarehousepodcast
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3ZmZsaX
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
Pilots are always looking for investing strategies that can help them grow their money and we’ve introduced quite a few people to Howard Capital Management. Today we are going to share our experience with their investments and why it might be worth considering if you want something a little different than the traditional funds.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
1:35 – Howard Capital
4:17 – A different approach
7:59 – Managing expectations
15:11 – Equities vs real estate
17:11 – Embracing volatility
Connect with Lee: https://www.leehyder.com/
Learn more about Howard Capital: https://howardcmfunds.com/
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3ZmZsaX
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
As we move past Memorial Day and into the summer, we’re excited to welcome back Lee Hyder of Lee Hyder & Associates today to reflect on where the market currently stands and the investing strategies pilots should be focused on for long-term success.
We always appreciate the perspective Lee brings to the show and wanted to get his deep thoughts on a few different topics. During this episode, he shares his insights on diversification, the importance of staying in the market, and the pitfalls of emotional investing. Plus, we dive into some amusing personal anecdotes and Lee's take on Bitcoin.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
1:17 – Memorial Day recap
7:41 – What’s going on with the market
11:17 – Investing inefficiencies
15:13 – Recent flight experience
19:13 – Secrets to building long-term wealth
27:26 – What makes investors unhappy?
31:40 – Bitcoin
Connect with Lee: https://www.leehyder.com/
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3ZmZsaX
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
Retirement planning doesn’t have to be overwhelmingly complicated. In fact, it doesn’t have to be as complicated as most people tend to make it. In this episode, we’re going to unravel some of the unnecessary complexities that are often woven into the fabric of retirement advice.
Ryan will debunk some of the myths, simplify some strategies for us, and uncover the beauty of simplicity and straightforward planning. Pilots need to create redundant systems in retirement planning like they do when flying, and that's what we want to highlight today.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 - Intro
0:55 – Update on Ryan’s mom
2:57 – Who is responsible for complicating things?
6:54 – Traits that pilots possess
8:50 – Where pilots trip up the most
14:55 – Steps to simplify things
20:32 – How we help pilots simplify
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3ZmZsaX
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
Some people just need a reality check when it comes to understanding their retirement. Today, we'll explore why a realistic approach to retirement, inclusive of financial planning and the potential for unexpected challenges, is crucial.
We’ll take a look at four different examples of times when expectations don’t match up with reality for pilots, and Ryan will share his expertise to help you get a better understanding of the complexities that we address in planning.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 – Intro and personal up
2:06 – Manage your expectations
6:02 – Changing expenses
12:05 – Making adjustments
14:04 – Don’t be too proud to get help
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3ZmZsaX
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
Every generation likes to talk about how much harder things used to be when they were kids. Like all of the people who used to have to walk five miles to school, in the snow, uphill both ways. But they had at least one thing that was EASIER…and that was retirement planning.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
2:21 – Change from generation to generation
3:30 – Company loyalty
4:51 – Housing market
6:30 – Reliance on personal savings
8:58 – Investment options
10:07 – Interest rates
15:03 – Healthcare costs
18:00 – Sandwich generation
24:11 – Education
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3ZmZsaX
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
Are you planning for your retirement with the confidence that you're making all the right moves? In today's episode, we'll unveil the crucial income planning mistakes that could jeopardize your retirement. Tune in to ensure your retirement strategy is foolproof against common pitfalls and ready to secure your financial future.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
4:38 – Planning to be retired for years instead of decades
6:39 – Starting Social Security too early
11:59 – Assuming bonds will be your main source of income
14:06 – Ignoring the impact of inflation
17:19 – Forgetting to create lifetime income streams outside of Social Security
17:19 – Failing to review and adjust your plan regularly
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3ZmZsaX
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
Being a better investor doesn’t require you to spend hours and hours researching the latest trends and market data. The most important change people can make is taking emotions out of their decision-making. It’s much easier said than done, which is why we see people make these same emotional mistakes time and time again.
We’re excited to bring on Lee Hyder of Lee Hyder & Associates today to discuss this common challenge that pilots and other investors face when managing their finances. Why do we repeat these mistakes and what can we do to remove emotions from our investing? We’ll explore that in this video and provide you with some guidance on how to overcome this emotional pitfall.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
0:22 – Emotional investing
2:32 – Being active doesn’t mean more success
6:30 – Advice for pilots
9:00 – Watching someone make mistakes
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3ZmZsaX
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
Today we’re going to catch up with Coach Fedora to reflect on a successful career in the sport. We want to hear some of his best stories about Air Force and other stops, but we’ll also talk about life off the field as well. From a social media picture that went viral to a weightlifting scare, this show will cover a lot of ground with someone we respect highly. Plus, we’ll get his opinion on the state of college football and whether he’s happy to be enjoying retirement rather than being back on the grind in this new landscape.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
0:50 – Championship team at Air Force
4:34 – Position coach vs Head coach
7:45 – Demar Dotson story
10:26 – Managing different personalities
12:46 – Differences coaching at Air Force
14:09 – Favorite recruiting stories
16:36 – Enjoying retirement
21:02 – Social media photo
22:53 – How he met his wife
27:10 – Handling adversity
30:21 – Turning 60 and the workout accident
36:05 – Where he draws motivation from
40:39 – Meeting Michael Jordan
46:12 – Red Bull
48:14 – Current landscape of college football
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3ZmZsaX
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
Delta paid out a large profit-sharing bonus this month, which is great for those pilots who received a check on Valentine’s Day. The question we get a lot when these bonuses get paid is what should you be doing with it?
We wanted to shoot this short video to provide some general guidance for pilots who have some extra money to invest or save. It might not be specific advice but it should give you some ideas for how you’ll use the bonus. We’d love to talk to you more about your investment strategies if you have additional questions.
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3ZmZsaX
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
We’re excited to bring on Lee Hyder of Lee Hyder & Associates today to share insights and stories from 30+ years of experience. Join us as we go back and forth on the highs and lows investors face, underscoring the need for resilience and a long-term outlook when building a portfolio for retirement.
We spend the first part of the how discussing fees and how you should approach them with your investment portfolio. Who wouldn’t pay a percent or two to get an extra three or four percent return? That’s part of what you should be evaluating and we’ll get Lee’s insight on how he evaluates investments for clients. Plus, let’s take a look at the S&P 500 and why it isn’t the way to get true diversification in your portfolio.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
0:49 – Howard Capital portfolios
7:21 – S&P 500
10:33 – Educating pilots
12:27 – Distribution phase
14:23 – Final wisdom from Lee
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3ZmZsaX
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
Everyone wants to know. Will the economy boom or bust in 2024? Join us as we explore a range of expert predictions, from the shifting trends in housing prices to the looming question of a potential recession or stock market crash.
We'll balance our discussion with both optimistic and pessimistic perspectives from an array of sources to give you a comprehensive view. Ryan will also weigh in with his own perspective on each of the financial topics so tune in to navigate the uncertainties and opportunities of 2024's economic landscape and equip yourself with knowledge for the year ahead.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
2:55 – The stock market in 2024
13:04 – The economy in 2024
15:32 – Housing in 2024
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3ZmZsaX
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
We’re excited to bring on Lee Hyder of Lee Hyder & Associates today to share insights and stories from 30+ years of experience. Join us as we go back and forth on the highs and lows investors face, underscoring the need for resilience and a long-term outlook.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
2:41 – Keeping up with change in the industry
4:07 – Using technology to trade
6:58 – Returns
13:26 – Managing expectations
16:56 – Greed vs Fear
About our guest: https://www.leehyder.com/
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3ZmZsaX
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
This episode is going to delve into the significant new Tentative Agreement for Southwest Airlines pilots and break it all down so you know the most important details. By the end of the show, you should be up-to-date on the impact and the implications of the TA.
We’ve invited Captain Robert Ecklund of Southwest Airlines to talk about some of the key aspects of the contract that's coming out, including compensation, disability benefits, retirement plans, and the implementation schedule. We’ll focus on some of the intricacies of the cash balance plan, the exceptional disability benefits and that compensation increase.
Stay tuned after our conversation with Rob because we’ll bring on Zach Smith, Managing Partner, CPA to dive into all the tax details so you’ll have a better idea of what this could mean on your bottom line.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
1:45 – Guest intro
5:36 – Overview of the TA
7:03 – Cash balance plan
11:35 – Changes in disability
17:30 – Company contributions
21:55 – Tax rates
26:22 – Compensation details
33:30 – TA Tax implications with Zach Smith from Pilot-Tax
Connect with Pilot-Tax: https://pilot-tax.com/
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3ZmZsaX
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
Sometimes it’s hard to make financial sacrifices when the reward might not be seen until several years in the future, but the idea of delayed gratification is at the core of retirement planning.
In this episode we’ll talk about some of the situations where you might be inclined to take the immediate benefit when you should really consider the delayed rewards.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
3:55 – A lesson instilled
4:32 – Passing up the company match
7:01 – Saving in tax-deferred accounts
9:33 – Emergency fund
11:55 – Pulling out of retirement account early
15:15 – Home maintenance and upgrades
17:38 – Social Security
20:36 – Health check-ups
23:16 – Working with an advisor
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3ZmZsaX
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
The goal for the show today is to provide you with a broad picture of being offered and share some things from our research that Delta pilots should be aware of and think through. Plus, we’ll offer some alternative options to this GVUL policy for pilots looking for a safe asset. If you’re just looking for a quick cliff notes version of what we discuss, skip to the final few minutes to hear us summarize all of our thoughts.
Also, make sure you check out this sequence of returns explanation Ryan recorded to understand this risk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSsR7Km5XRw
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
2:15 – What is this new policy and what is it replacing?
4:50 – The difference between term life and permanent life?
7:38 – 3 reasons why a Delta pilot might want to do this.
12:42 – The cons for this specific GVUL option that you need to be aware of.
21:52 – What could cause a policy like this blow up?
23:59 – Alternative options
33:02 – Structuring the policy for someone that isn’t concerned about the death benefit.
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3ZmZsaX
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
The idea we’ve been exposed to about investing is that our money can only be in one place at a time, right? That’s all we’ve ever heard, but that’s not exactly true. Your money can work for you in two different places thanks to the Infinite Banking Concept. It’s a strategy that we’ve previously discussed with today’s guest, Dave Befort, but today we want to dive into how to truly harness the power of being your own bank.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
4:24 – The Infinite Banking Concept
7:59 – Why Dave does this
14:45 – The amount the average person pays towards debt
18:52 – Using this vehicle to replace a Roth
21:46 – Having access to your money
25:13 – Why should a pilot consider this?
32:49 – Why Ryan won’t invest in any fixed income again
35:57 – How do you get to a point where you’re putting all your money in here?
Learn more about Dave: https://maxperformancefinancial.com/about/
Read ‘Becoming Your Own Banker’ by Nelson Nash: https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Your-Own-Banker-Infinite/dp/B001NZO1DS
Resources for Pilots:
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3ZmZsaX
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
Many of the FedEx and UPS pilots still have a pension and they often ask what to do about the survivor benefits. Many of them are inclined to lean towards the 50% survivor benefit, but that’s not typically the best option.
To help us explore some of these other options, we’ve invited Dave Befort onto the podcast today. He’s an expert in the Infinite Banking Concept for pilots as well as many other aspects of retirement, and we’re going to talk today about different survivor benefit options and how they play into your overall retirement strategy. Dave believes strongly in using life insurance to help you control your money and he’ll explain some of these strategies in this video.
pilotlife #infinitebanking #survivorbenefits
Here are some of the highlights from this episode:
0:00 – Intro
2:06 – The math behind the 50% survivor benefit
6:02 – The questions you need to be asking
12:02 – Another option: permanent life insurance
19:35 – The benefits of the Infinite Banking Concept
22:49 – Tax strategies
29:24 – Sequence of return risk
Learn more about Dave: https://maxperformancefinancial.com/about/
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3ZmZsaX
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
We’ve talked about it some already on the show, but the South Carolina Coaches for Charity event has become a passion of ours. The money raised goes to help some outstanding charities, including the Fisher DeBerry Foundation started by Ryan’s former head coach.
Our goal for the 2023 event was to pour our time and effort into helping the organizers continue to grow the event and build on the success they’ve already seen. To help us do that, we brought in Steve Sharp of Sharp Digital Marketing. He’s the man behind everything we do at The Pilot’s Advisor and his expertise made a huge impact on results for this year’s Coaches for Charity event.
We spent a little time with Steve after the event to talk more about what we were able to do and what we thought about the way everything turned out. Plus, we wanted to introduce him so you could learn more about someone who has been a big part of our growth here on the show.
Here are some of the highlights from this episode:
0:00 – Intro
3:11 – Background on South Carolina Coaches for Charity
8:08 – Feeling of being a part of a team again
13:26 – The kids meeting Steve
17:01 – The work Steve did with the coaches' event
21:40 – The Community MVP we honored
24:45 – An emotional night for Coach DeBerry
Learn more about Steve: https://sharpdigitalmarketing.com/
Learn more about Coaches for Charity: https://southcarolinacoaches.com/
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3ZmZsaX
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
Imagine being addicted to meth and leading an organized crime ring, only to be arrested and sentenced to life in prison. That was the reality for our guest today, the best-selling author and motivational speaker Damon West.
His story of transformation is unlike any other, filled with tales of resilience, hope, and a unique perspective on life that only prison walls could provide. He went from being a college quarterback with a bright professional future in business to a life sentence in a matter of years. But a prison mentor named Mr. Jackson changed his life with the coffee bean message.
We met Damon during the South Carolina Coaches for Charity event this summer and were blown away by his remarkable story. That’s why we wanted to bring it hear and share it with you. Since leaving prison in 2015, he’s spoken to college football teams like Clemson, Alabama, Oklahoma and expanded in a way that requires him to travel 24 days out of each month.
His life-altering insights are a testament to the power of change, and the strength of the human spirit to rise above adversity and we’re excited to share that with you today.
Here are some of the highlights from this episode:
0:00 – Intro
1:50 – His life of drugs and crime 15 years ago
3:47 – How ‘be a coffee bean’ started
8:09 – Success since being paroled
12:41 – His first encounter with Dabo Swinney
17:42 – Talking to the Clemson football team
19:24 – How the coffee bean message exploded
Learn more about Damon: https://damonwest.org/
Check out some of his appearances here: https://damonwest.org/resources/
South Carolina Coaches for Charity: https://bit.ly/3Ro0Dog
Resources:
Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com
Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://bit.ly/3ZmZsaX
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2
In this episode, we construct a helpful conversation about the role of real estate in a retirement strategy, exploring everything from rental income to reverse mortgages. Whether you're a pre-retiree with a portfolio of properties or just curious about leveraging your home equity, this discussion offers thoughtful insights for anyone navigating the crossroads of real estate and retirement.
Home Equity Video:
https://vimeo.com/848469893
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
Are you nearing “retirement age”? If so, let’s explore that pivotal question you’ll soon face: Should you retire or continue working? We’ll unravel the intricacies of this decision, addressing both financial and emotional aspects, and help you find out if you’re truly ready to retire.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
Legendary football coach Fisher DeBerry joins Ryan to discuss the South Carolina Coaches for Charity Event. This year might be the biggest event yet. Listen to learn about their mission. You can also learn more online at https://southcarolinacoaches.com and if you're nearby, consider attending the annual gala on Monday, July 17, 2023.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
Are you a golfer? Even if you're not, the game of golf can teach us valuable lessons about retirement planning. For example, hitting a hole-in-one might be thrilling, but it won't necessarily guarantee your overall success. And just like you need different clubs in your golf bag to play a round, you need a well-balanced approach to your investments in retirement. But perhaps the most important lesson from golf is the value of having a caddy. In retirement planning, a financial advisor can help you navigate the hazards and make the most of your financial "clubs." Tune in to this episode to learn more about how the game of golf can help you plan for a successful retirement.
Here's a link to the "golf" Dude Perfect battle video we mention during the show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heIKaaamvdc
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
Today we are joined by Dave Befort, CEO of Max Performance Financial and IBC practitioner. In this episode, Dave will explain how utilizing IBC can enhance retirement planning by eliminating the risk associated with a sequence of returns and offering a volatility buffer. Learn how borrowing tax-free income from the insurance policy can protect your retirement portfolio during market downturns, the advantages of building a tax-free jet engine for retirement, and the flexibility it provides in controlling your tax bracket.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
Today we are back with David Befort, the CEO of Max Performance Financial. We find that many of our clients are using 529 plans to prepare for their children's future, but is this the best option? In this episode, we'll highlight the limitations of 529 college savings plans and the potential issues pilots face when using them. We'll then discuss some advantages of IBC, or the infinite banking concept, such as flexibility, penalty-free access to funds, an absence of market volatility, guaranteed growth, and the ability to use the money for any purpose. Stay tuned to learn more about the IBC and how it could benefit you!
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
David Befort joins us on today's show. David is the CEO of Max Performance Financial where his mission is to help his clients control their own money. We will be discussing what strategies David uses in his practice and why these can potentially give you more freedom than a typical banking system.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
Are you tired of one-size-fits-all financial advice that doesn't quite fit your unique needs and goals? In this episode, we'll tackle the question of whether an advisor should tailor a plan to fit your personality. We'll discuss the pros and cons of different approaches and explore how understanding your financial personality can help you make more informed decisions.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
Are you preparing for retirement but feeling confident that you have covered all the expenses? Well, think again… It turns out that many retirees overlook some crucial expenses that can leave them financially vulnerable. In this episode, we explore the retirement expenses that most people tend to forget, including skyrocketing medical bills, unexpected travel costs, taxes, and much more. We'll discuss practical tips and strategies to help you plan for these expenses and ensure a secure and comfortable retirement.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
For many people, their house is the largest asset they own. Many people wonder if they should pay off their house before they go into retirement, or if it's okay to still carry a mortgage in this phase of life. Ryan will give us some considerations when making this important decision and some common situations he sees with his clients.
Show Notes & Info:
Home Equity PDF: https://bit.ly/42PZJo2
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
It’s tax season once again and that means Zach Smith of Pilot Tax is back for another episode to help break down some of the tax moves we should be considering for this year and beyond. Join Zach and Ryan as they analyze what future tax rates might look like, how the Secure Act 2.0 legislation could impact your bottom line, and whether it’s wise to over fund a 529 plan.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
Do you ever feel like your retirement planning goals are always moving? You're not alone. We’ve found that people often move the goalposts in their own retirement planning, often to their detriment. In this episode, we're diving deep into the psychology of retirement planning and the dangers of moving the goalposts.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
We took an informal poll of listeners to find out what their biggest financial fears are. On this episode, we’ll explore the most common fears and talk about how they should be addressed in a retirement plan.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
After being discussed in Congress for nearly a year and a half, the SECURE Act 2.0 passed in January. Listen to today’s episode to see what you need to know and learn four ways the new changes might impact you.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
Another year is upon us and it’s a great time to ask yourself 10 questions to assess how ready you are for retirement to kick off 2023. If you’re retiring this year, it’s essential to have some concrete answers to these questions. If you’re still a few years from the milestone, tune in so you can start thinking about these critical conversations. In a non-financial topic, Ryan shares his thoughts as a former football player on what it was like to watch Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin suffer cardiac arrest on the field.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
As we turn the page to a new year, Ryan looks back at lessons learned from 2022 and analyzes predictions for what 2023 will bring. We'll touch on taxes, inflation, the stock market and topics specific to the airline industry.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
If you’ve ever wanted to just learn a little more about investing in the stock market, this episode is for you. We’re going to cover some of those terms you’ve probably heard before, but perhaps never truly knew what they meant.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
Sometimes you need to find a new financial advisor. Other times, you might think you need a new advisor, but really, you’re just guilty of thinking that the grass is greener on the other side. Let’s discuss some common scenarios and whether they’re legitimate reasons for leaving your advisor…
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
Getting through retirement can be a lot like running a marathon. Let’s talk about some of the similarities between getting to the finish line in racing and retirement.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
We’re bombarded with ads each day in all forms of media. But have you ever taken a closer look at these messages? If we unpack some of these headlines and ads a little bit more, we’re able to clearly understand what emotions they’re trying to elicit. More importantly, we can figure out what companies are trying to sell us. For this episode, we just perused the internet for a couple of hours and kept track of various financial planning, investing and retirement ads we came across. Let’s pick apart these messages that popped up and see if it helps us become savvier savers.
Link to article: https://bit.ly/3SfMNBG
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
We always talk about the money side of financial and retirement planning. But what about the mental aspect of that big life change? Today we’ll break down an article written by a Licensed Professional Counselor (Kate Schroeder) for Psychology Today, titled The Psychological Investment In Retirement.
Link to article: https://bit.ly/3SfMNBG
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
Going through a divorce at any age is difficult, but doing it near or in retirement adds all sorts of additional complications. On this episode, we’ll talk about some of the financial mistakes we see people make in the midst of a divorce.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
Are you feeling worried or experiencing any sense of panic as you watch the stock market go up and (mostly) down these days? Does the state of the economy add to your personal stress? These could all be signs you don't have a great financial plan in place that's built to weather the kinds of storms we're in at this moment. On this episode, Ryan shares a helpful perspective aimed to limit any anxiety you feel during market downturns and times of uncertainty.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
Don’t dread this as much as you hated hearing these words as a kid, but it’s time for a pop quiz! We’re putting retirement planning preparedness under the microscope with 5 critical questions to which you need to know the answers. So sharpen those pencils and let’s see how ready you are for retirement.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
In some ways, retirement planning was easier for past generations. Let’s explore how a good financial advisor helps people overcome the additional challenges of today. Our parents and grandparents may not have had to face these things, so just relying on the experiences of family members might not be enough to help us achieve our own financial success…
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
Let’s see if your tolerance for risk matches your financial plan. What should you do if that balance is out of whack? What if you’re a natural risk taker, but you really shouldn’t be when it comes to your finances? We’ll explore all of these angles as we break down the role of risk in your financial and retirement plan.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
We have a bit of a different show for you today. Ryan is currently on a cruise in the Mediterranean and Walter is on a beach in South Carolina, but they carved out some time to provide an update on what's going on in the market.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
On this episode, we’ll try to pick sides of some important financial debates. From bonds to life insurance, credit card debt to starting Social Security, we’ll propose several different topics to see which sides of the debates you and your advisor should probably fall on.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
Do you know what red flags, but also some good signs, to be on the lookout for when you’re searching for an advisor to work with as you prepare for retirement? On this episode, we’ll give you some red flags to be aware of, teach you how to spot them and illustrate the difference between an advisor who does the bare minimum versus one who goes above and beyond to work in your best interests.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
On this episode, Ryan will discuss the bear market we have been experiencing this year and why now is not the time to panic.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
Ryan brings on a special guest, Jesse "Two Cow" Barnes, to swap some flight stories and to share Two Cow's weight loss journey.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
Two Cow on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fatsalmon123/
Times are turbulent in the market right now and many people feel panicked about their portfolios. We bring on Lee Hyder to discuss why volatile times are not as big of a deal as they seem and the importance of thinking logically in these rough patches.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
Ryan breaks down the recent downturn in the stock market to look historically at bear markets, when they lead to recessions, and how to digest all of this as it relates to your own financial plan.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
Let's face it. Nobody wants to be boring. We all want a little excitement in our lives. But what about when it comes to investing? In this episode, Ryan ponders if this is the one area where it's OK to be bored.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
The prospect of timing the market is so tempting. But so many people forget that you have to be right twice to do it properly. And being right twice is harder to accomplish than you think. On this episode, Ryan takes a hard look at timing the stock market to analyze whether it's a legitimate strategy for pilots to build wealth.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
We all know some of the basic secrets of eating healthier to lose weight, limit disease, and live longer. Avoid empty calories, try to limit your added sugar, and lower those pesky trans fats are just some examples. But how can we spot similar unhealthy habits in the financial world? We’ll talk about it on this episode and help you fix some of your unhealthy financial habits.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
Housing is a really important topic for a lot of retirees because, for many of us, it’s the biggest asset we’ll ever own or manage. We want to get that part of our financial equation correct, so it’s no surprise it takes up a nice slice of the retirement planning conversation. On this episode, we’ll cover some common housing questions from retirees and hopefully hit on an issue that might also be on your mind.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
Sure, life insurance is one of the more boring topics to cover on a podcast. And a lot of what you hear is going to warn you why you should NOT get various types of life insurance. But our goal on this episode is to focus on the positive and analyze the reasons why you should get life insurance, or at least consider it. Many people think that once the kids are out of the house, you don’t need insurance anymore. But there are some other reasons why life insurance can be a useful part of your retirement plan.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
This USA Today article points out 3 murky issues that increase retirement planning’s degree of difficulty, especially in today’s economic climate. On this episode, we’ll breakdown the article to see if it’s worthwhile advice, if the murky issues are actually that threatening, and what you can do about all of it if you’re concerned.
Show Notes & Info:
USA Today Article: https://bit.ly/3tdWyqs
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
We all should realize that planning for retirement is relatively complex. There are a lot of different moving parts and factors to consider. Adjusting any of these variables can impact the end result. But is there one part of the retirement planning process that’s most important? We’ve assembled several opinions on the topic from across the internet. Let’s see if the advice hits the mark or needs further exploration.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
Some people feel that they’ll save money by handling their investments themselves instead of working with an advisor. Others may like the challenge of doing it themselves. Still others just don’t know who to trust so they end up not working with anyone. Let’s talk about some reasons that you might need an advisor…
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://retirepilots.com/toolkit-2/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
We've been here before. For the third straight year, the first quarter of the year is seeing all sorts of market turbulence. We'll catch up with Ryan to find out how he's helping clients navigate through the market volatility, dealing with inflation, and what else he has his eye on in 2022.
Show Notes & Info:
Retire Pilots Website - https://retirepilots.com/
Retirement Toolkit - https://3mvamj4f.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/
We see a lot of people who aren’t getting the kind of advice and service from their financial advisor that they should be. In a lot of cases, the advisor is only “managing the investments,” but not providing guidance in other areas. Let’s talk about some of the things that your advisor should be doing…
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Pilot-Tax Website: https://pilot-tax.com/
Pilot-Tax Phone Number: 317-984-7666
Check out Episode 56 and Episode 57 with Zach Smith, as mentioned on today's episode.
To successfully complete a jigsaw puzzle, there are some strategies that you’ll want to keep in mind. And many of those same strategies apply to retirement planning.
Show Notes & Info:
Website: https://retirepilots.com/
Free Webinar: https://retirepilots.com/videos/
Toolkit: https://3mvamj4f.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Certainly, none of our podcast listeners would be guilty of making unreasonable requests, but let’s talk about some of the unreasonable requests we hear from others in the financial world. We’ll explore what makes them unreasonable and what proper expectations look like instead.
Show Notes & Info:
Website: https://retirepilots.com/
Free Webinar: https://retirepilots.com/videos/
Toolkit: https://3mvamj4f.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Before you can live the retirement dream, you have to figure out what the dream looks like in the first place. Let’s talk about some of the things you need to dream about… Walter will also teach Ryan about the joys of "noodling around" when on vacation.
Show Notes & Info:
Website: https://retirepilots.com/
Free Webinar: https://retirepilots.com/videos/
Toolkit: https://3mvamj4f.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Ryan and Walter discuss a recent article that says listeners of Dave Ramsey should disregard some of his tips and tricks. The two look at each point and Ryan offer his insight into what tips he believes may or may not be beneficial.
Show Notes & Info:
Website: https://retirepilots.com/
Free Webinar: https://retirepilots.com/videos/
Toolkit: https://3mvamj4f.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Ryan answers questions submitted by listeners on an assortment of financial planning topics.
Show Notes & Info:
Website: https://retirepilots.com/
Free Webinar: https://retirepilots.com/videos/
Toolkit: https://3mvamj4f.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Depending on your answers, the questions we cover on today’s show might raise red flags about your finances… Also, Ryan shares with us a big change in his life.
Show Notes & Info:
Website: https://retirepilots.com/
Free Webinar: https://retirepilots.com/videos/
Toolkit: https://3mvamj4f.pages.infusionsoft.net/
If you’re of the age that your mom and dad retired 20 or 30 years ago, the world was a much different place when they walked away from their paychecks. Let’s talk about how things are different now.
Show Notes & Info:
Website: https://retirepilots.com/
Free Webinar: https://retirepilots.com/videos/
Toolkit: https://3mvamj4f.pages.infusionsoft.net/
At first glance, each of these statements seem like basic common sense that everyone agrees with. But when we look at the way people actually behave with their money, it seems that common sense is actually a bit uncommon.
Show Notes & Info:
Website: https://retirepilots.com/
Free Webinar: https://retirepilots.com/videos/
Toolkit: https://3mvamj4f.pages.infusionsoft.net/
Many financial circumstances that you’ll find yourself in have both positive and negative aspects. Decisions that you can make have both good and bad consequences. Or as Sir Isaac Newton put it: ”For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” Let’s talk about the way that an advisor should walk people through the thought processes that go along with various predicaments.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Sometimes the easiest way to learn about something is make it really simple. Like some of the first true/false tests you might have taken in school, let’s play a round of fact or fiction to test your financial planning acuity.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
If you understand some of the dirty little secrets of the financial world, it’ll help you cut through the clutter and allow you to focus on what’s most important. So, let’s reveal some of those secrets on this episode.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
To write the Chinese word for “crisis,” you combine elements of two different Chinese characters. One character means “danger” while the other one means “opportunity.” Translated into English, it means “opportunity riding on a dangerous wind.” Let’s discuss how some of these crises might actually be opportunities, depending on your situation and perspective.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Are pension plans truly disappearing across the country? Let’s take a look at the status of pension plans in America and how changes in that space impact you when planning for retirement.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
On this week's show, we invite Jan "Tav" Tavrytzky to talk about his organization, Kids Playing For Kids. He initially started this organization to be more involved with his own children, but very quickly found that he had a passion in mentoring and coaching young kids. Tav talks to Ryan about some of the goals of the organization and how a program like this aids in teaching life lessons that the kids can use on and off the field.
Show Notes & Info:
Kids Playing For Kids Website: https://bit.ly/3m0TfNY
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
In March of 2020, the market took a huge downturn with the news of the Coronavirus. Since the massive drop, the market has been performing very well since that time, which has made some people feel overconfident in their investing skills. Ryan invites Lee Hyder back to the show to help explain some of the more dangerous investing methods they have recently seen.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Let’s look at some of the richest people in the music industry and see what lessons we can learn from them that we can apply to our own retirement planning.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
After his introduction last week, Zach Smith joins us again to answer some common questions people have about their taxes this year.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Pilot-Tax Website: https://pilot-tax.com/
Pilot-Tax Phone Number: 317-984-7666
Ryan introduces his new partnership with Zach Smith and his firm, Pilot-Tax. They discuss their new partnership together, and Zach gives insight into how his firm serves clients and will work alongside the Pilot's Advisor.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Pilot-Tax Website: https://pilot-tax.com/
Pilot-Tax Phone Number: 317-984-7666
We often see people making certain assumptions about retirement that just aren’t correct. Let’s explore some of those.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Most billionaires aren’t shy about doling out advice, quipping about what makes them successful, or trying to inspire those who seek to be like them. But with Billionaires on such a different universe when it comes to financial status, can we really take what they say and apply it to our “normal” situations?
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Let’s see what lessons can be learned from the most famous market crashes in United States history. From Black Tuesday to the Coronavirus pandemic, we'll take a look back to see what the past can tell us about how to prepare for the next market crash.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
You’ve probably never heard anyone make these statements that we’ll provide on today’s episode. And there are some great reasons why…
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Have you thought about what life is going to be like for you in retirement? Is there a particular lifestyle you’re seeking? Not all retirement planning is about the finances. Let’s look at some of the lifestyles that are popular among retirees and discuss some of the financial things to consider if you’re going to try to live out one of these particular living situations. Ryan will also share his personal memories of the late NFL Hall of Famer Kevin Greene. And we'll welcome in a new year... sort of.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Kevin's Hall Of Fame Speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TWuwKd6Aio
As 2020 winds down, it might be a good time to take an inventory of your financial life to make sure everything is running smoothly to set you up for success for the new year. Many people forget about thier 401(k) accounts once they leave that employer. Ryan talks to us today about the opportunity you may have to rollover these accounts as well as telling us a story on saving taxes.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Is the place where you’d like to retire on the Top 15 list? On this episode, we’ll review the US News & World Report’s top 15 retirement locations and share stories of past clients who made the decision to move somewhere else for retirement and what went into those decisions from an emotional and financial standpoint.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
There are plenty of financial lessons to be learned from almost every area of life. And since the Weather Channel is everyone’s favorite station to let play in the background for hours at a time, let’s see what we can learn about retirement planning from the world of weather.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Just like any decision in life, making financial choices would be a lot easier with the benefit of hindsight. Let’s talk about some of the things we might hear from people who wish they’d done things differently after looking in the rear view mirror.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Ryan checks in from Belgium as the election nears and coronavirus cases increase. And the lessons being learned right now relate well to that old saying in the retail world, “the customer is always right.” But when it comes to financial planning, it’s probably not wise to subscribe to that mentality 100 percent of the time. What’s the point of having a financial coach if your advice is better than your coach’s advice? We're going to talk about some statements Ryan might hear from clients that require him to push back.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
This year's election is on the horizon and many people have strong emotions and opinions going into it. Emotions can take over during this time and cause people to make unwise financial decisions. Ryan discusses why we shouldn't sweat the upcoming election and the importance of recognizing recency bias.
Show Notes & Info:
Watch Ryan's Presentation: https://financeinsights.net/qdruw2VhxAm7TOJvYugneY?email=ryanfleming5%40gmail.com
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
This episode won’t be all about financial stuff. Sometimes it’s nice just to step back and listen to the experience of those who have come before us. We gathered some of the top life advice from those who have lived through most of their retirement already to see what we might be able to learn from their experiences.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Vanguard’s “How America Saves 2020” report is packed with lots of intriguing stats and findings about Americans and how they save for retirement in the crazy year that is 2020 (most of the recent data is technically from 2019 although some figures are current through the Spring of 2020). Let’s look at some of the top takeaways from the study and how you might compare to the “normal” savings behaviors of Americans.
Show Notes & Info:
Vanguard Article: https://institutional.vanguard.com/ngiam/assets/pdf/has/how-america-saves-report-2020.pdf
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Today Kelly Phillips joins Ryan for this week's episode. Kelly works with Fairway Independent Mortgage as a broker and she has more than 20 years of experience in this industry. We discuss different considerations for refinancing and how she helps her clients meet their goals and objectives.
Show Notes & Info:
Kelly's Email: kelly.phillips@fairwaymc.com
Kelly's Phone Number: 843-209-8805
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Just like your iPhone or your computer can become obsolete and need to be replaced, the way that some people think about retirement is obsolete and needs to be replaced. Let’s talk about some outdated ideas that people still cling to… We'll explore the idea of moving from stocks to bonds as you get older, aiming for $1 million in your portfolio, and whether it's true you'll need less income in retirement than in your working years.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
We get a lot of questions about how the house (or houses) fit into retirement plans. From downsizing to rental properties to interest rates, let’s explore some of the top retirement questions as it relates to all things housing.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
This episode is a throwback to the original audio recording that helped eventually launch the Pilot's Advisor Podcast. But the message is still applicable today, if not even more critical. In just 10 minutes, Ryan will lay out the reasons why you likely have a ticking tax time bomb in your portfolio and what you can do about it.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
The financial world can be difficult to navigate, especially during tough times like we are in right now. Ryan has made a list of do's and don'ts to help guide us and to aid in safeguarding our retirement.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
When it comes to finances and couples, we often see that one spouse handles the money, while the other one is left in the dark. Today Ryan and Lee talk about why this can be detrimental to any financial plan and some ways to get both spouses up to speed in their financial life.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Living a long time isn’t supposed to be a bad thing and it almost seems counterintuitive to categorize it as a risk. But it is. Let’s take a look at how longevity plays a role in a financial plan and have an honest conversation about how deal with the “problem” of living too long. We will also take a look at a few retirement rules and decide if they are legit, or full of it.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Rocky times in the stock market sparks a lot of fear in many investors. Ryan and Lee will discuss why remaining calm and committing to a plan is the key to get through some of the tougher times in the market.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
We often find that people are clinging to certain ideas or beliefs that end up giving them a sense of false hope about their retirement. It’s a dangerous position to be in. Let’s explore some of the faulty thinking that ultimately leaves people underprepared for retirement. We will also discuss a few headlines that we've seen in the news recently and a couple important financial buzzwords you should be aware of.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Today Lee and Ryan talk about some of the common mistakes that they see pre-retirees make. They discuss how these mistakes may impact someone's ability to retire and a few solutions to consider instead.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Call: (843) 475-3038
Lee Hyder returns to the show today to talk about getting through volatile times in the market. We discuss Lee's investment philosophy and how he educates his clients to stay calm throughout the ups and downs of the market.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Call: (843) 475-3038
We invite special guest Lee Hyder to the show today! Lee is a financial advisor who works out of the Akron, Ohio area. We talk to Lee about the differences between the accumulation and distribution phases of retirement. We also discuss the perspective Lee has gained through this pandemic and what he has found important to him.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Call: (843) 475-3038
On today's podcast, we give a special shoutout to all the dads for fathers day! We will also dive into finding out your "why" for your money. Are you spending your money to keep up with the Joneses, or is there a greater purpose?
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Call: (843) 475-3038
This week we dive into the mailbag to answer some listener questions. We discuss online retirement calculators, 401(k) contributions, and diversification in mutual funds. Ryan will also give us a glimpse into a future episode. This future podcast revolves around the children of pilots and the importance of maintaining a work-life balance.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Call: (843) 475-3038
We have a little bit different flavor for today's episode. Ryan recorded a series of stories during a recent layover in Alaska. Hear his thoughts on supporting local businesses, stock picking, market timing and more.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Call: (843) 475-3038
Today Ryan sits down with good friend and fellow pilot, Sean Burke. Sean discusses his thoughts on enjoying the down time right now, instead of trying to start a business that you are not passionate about. Ryan also gets Sean's perspective on the market and components he would advise against.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Call: (843) 475-3038
Ryan flies solo on today's show and has some words to share about "bear" markets. What are they? Are we in one right now? How long is it going to last? Will the economy ever recover? He'll answer those questions and more on this episode.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Call: (843) 475-3038
Today's show is a treat. Aaron Hagan of Emerald Coast Interview Consulting joins Ryan to talk about the Coronavirus pandemic and how it's impacting pilots across the world. "Albie" will put this most recent market crash into perspective and share many personal and professional stories from his many years as a pilot and interview consultant. You won't want to miss this wide-ranging interview. And a heads up, this episode does contain a little "colorful" language.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Call: (843) 475-3038
A quick promo to tell you about our next guest on The Pilot's Advisor, Aaron Hagan of Emerald Coast Interview Consulting.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Call: (843) 475-3038
Ryan has continued to fly during the Coronavirus pandemic and his international travels have provided him with a unique perspective on how different nations and areas are responding to the virus. We'll discuss his travels, how pilots are impacted by the virus and the economic fallout, and we'll look ahead to what's next for us all and how we should react.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Call: (843) 475-3038
Friend of the show Lee Hyder drops in to talk about the reasons why it's so critical to work with a financial advisor. Lee brings a lot of years of financial advising experience to the table and shares with us some great stories to illustrate why it's not wise for most people to take the DIY approach to investing and retirement planning.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Call: (843) 475-3038
If you've worked for a couple of different companies in your career then you probably have left a few 401(k)s or retirement accounts behind with the old employer. We call those "Dead 401(k)s" and it's a major problem roadblock to solid financial planning these days. You could and should be doing a lot more with those dollars. We'll tell you why on this episode and we'll also answer some listener questions related to 401(k) accounts.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Call: (843) 475-3038
Many countries across the world are debating changes to official (and unofficial) retirement ages that will have wide-ranging impacts to pensions, 401(k)s, and other accounts and benefits. Ryan takes a look at those issues and how they apply to pilots across the flight industry.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Call: (843) 475-3038
We have a myriad of questions to answer on this episode from listeners. From retiring early to having way too much invested in company stock, we'll cover a lot of ground.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Call: (843) 475-3038
Ryan has done a lot of traveling lately and catches us up on where he's been and the lessons he's learned. Speaking of "recent" items, we'll also dive into a conversation about recency bias in investing and how it impacts many savers and puts financial plans at risk.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Call: (843) 475-3038
On the first show of 2020, we're spending the whole show answering your questions from the "mailbag". We'll touch on how frequently your financial advisor should communicate with you, whether it's smart to move out of a paid-off house at the start of retirement, and retiring early at the age of 57.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Call: (843) 475-3038
While there are some factors that are different for everyone in retirement planning (variables), there are also constants that affect everyone, no matter the specifics of your situation. How do we plan around these constants?
Show Notes & Info:
Power Of Zero: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Zero-Revised-Updated-Retirement/dp/1984823078/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=power+of+zero&qid=1574796906&sr=8-1
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Call: (843) 475-3038
There are some people who don’t care at all about leaving a financial legacy, but for those who do, it’s important to eliminate some of the common estate planning mistakes.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Call: (843) 475-3038
Ryan takes a look at the political healthcare debate. We also explore a how a recent case of identify theft involves a space station. And a listener is tired of the market roller coaster. Ryan will take a look to see if it's time for her to get off the ride.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Call: (843) 475-3038
Have you ever wondered how elections impact the stock market? We'll take a look at what past data tells us about the volatility of the market during election cycles. We'll also explore whether or not the impending 2020 presidential election is impacting current investor psyche and behavior. Plus, in completely unrelated news, Ryan escorts some important items for the Backstreet Boys.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Call: (843) 475-3038
There are a lot of financial advising firms out there - so many that it can be easy to think that they're all the same. That idea could not be further from the truth. Choosing a financial advising firm can have a tremendous impact in how your portfolio is structured and invested. Let's take a look at how Fleming Financial Group stands out from the crowd.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Call: (843) 475-3038
If you don't know what a Roth IRA is or if your employer plan offers a Roth option, then this is the podcast for you. Despite its flexibility, tax savings and other benefits, Roth investment options are commonly overlooked by many savers and investors. On today's show, Ryan breaks down the comparison between Roth and traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, etc... and gives you some reasons to consider why paying tax on your money now might be better than deferring it to the future.
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Call: (843) 475-3038
Even for people who have been very responsible with their money over the years, entering retirement can still be a challenge because it’s such a different stage of life. Let’s talk about some of the missteps that even responsible savers can make…
Show Notes & Info:
Fleming FG Website: https://www.flemingfg.com/
Free Webinar: http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
Call: (843) 475-3038
Most people have a junk drawer at home. It usually contains things like rubber bands, clothespins, highlighters, glue sticks, a tape measure, a label maker, and a pair of scissors. But most people have a financial junk drawer too. Let’s talk about some of the things that end up there and how they might be put to better use…
http://www.flemingfg.com/watch-ryan-pick-apart-a-pilots-401k
We cover a lot on today's show. We'll delve into how to create your own financial plan as if you were walking through your usual flight plan. We'll also tackle the RMD age increase that's been proposed and walk through the impacts it might have on your financial situation.
A lot of people think they have a solid understanding of the stock market from the news or conversations with friends, family, and coworkers. But when it comes right down to it, there are oftentimes some fundamental concepts about the market that most people don't fully understand. Ryan's here to clear the air.
When it comes to financial decisions, it can be overwhelming to try and make the right decision and stall out the process. Sometimes you just need to decide and move forward. Fish or cut bait. One way or another, you need to keep going. We’ll highlight a few of the areas where people get stuck most often when making financial decisions and how to prevent that.
The term “fake news” has become synonymous with the political climate of the past few years. But the phenomenon has spread to other parts of our culture as well. What about fake news in the financial space? We’ll look at some recent news headlines to see if they qualify to be labeled as “fake news”.
There are plenty of proverbs and axioms that aren’t meant to be about money, but we can easily learn a financial lesson from them anyway. We’ll show you the hidden money meanings behind some of these popular sayings… Plus, Roberta is putting all her money in her company's stock. Is that a bad idea? All that and more covered on this week's show.
If you're properly diversified and investing for the long-term, your portfolio should actually be pretty boring. So this week, we'll discuss the difference between active management and passive investing, and how you can find out where you're losing efficiency in your portfolio.
For most of us, personal finance was not something we were taught in school, and so saving for retirement and basic money management skills oftentimes fell by the wayside. Ryan talks about some impactful experiences he's had related to personal finance, and why the lessons he's learned have been so crucial.
The realities of retirement planning are different than they were even a decade ago. Let’s talk about some of the realities that affect how you need to plan.
Click here to view a short webinar where Ryan discusses common 401(k) mistakes that pilots make.
On this first epsiode of "The Pilot's Advisor", we'll get to know Ryan a bit better. We'll find out how he got into the industry, as well as how his passions for flying and finances have come together to shape his investing philosophies.
Click here to view a short webinar where Ryan discusses common 401(k) mistakes that pilots make.
If you're looking for an advisor who will bring you an honest and straightforward approach to investing and financial planning, then you're in the right place... Each podcast, we'll walk you through some of the most important topics, ideas and things to consider when it comes to your financial preparedness. The advice is for everyone, but as a Pilot himself, Ryan Fleming's diverse background will prove particularly helpful for pilots navigating the range of financial questions and retirement nuances facing those in the industry. Ryan is a financial advisor with Fleming Financial Group. The first episode launches in April!