Perfect Game Retirement

When it comes to retirement planning, it's often the threats you don't see coming that do the most damage. In this episode, Ryan uncovers five silent "assassins" that can quietly erode your financial future, including market crashes, inflation and some surprises along the way! More importantly, he explains how proper planning can defend your wealth against these hidden risks. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 📉 How market crashes hit when you least expect 📈 Why inflation is a "silent killer" of wealth 🏥 The overlooked cost of long-term care 🛡️ Smart defenses to protect your financial future Visit us online: https://blackoakam.com/ Phone: (470) 508-0508 Get in touch with the Black Oak team: https://blackoakam.com/contact-us/ Schedule a call with Ryan: https://speakwithryan.com/ Get your tax-free retirement toolkit: https://toolkit.blackoakam.com/podcast-toolkit.html Get more financial education on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/45kJlwI

The headlines are loud, the markets are messy, and your gut might be telling you to do something - anything -right now. But what should you actually do when your portfolio takes a hit? In this episode, Ryan walks through the four key questions every investor should ask during a downturn, offering clear and practical steps to block out the noise and get some clarity on today’s market situation. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 📉 Gut-checking your financial plan when markets dip 📊 Risk tolerance: percentages vs. real dollars 🔁 Rebalancing and tax-loss harvesting in a down market 🧠 Why your “personal economy” is what really matters 📈 Using volatility as a buying opportunity (if it fits your plan) Visit us online: https://blackoakam.com/ Phone: (470) 508-0508 Get in touch with the Black Oak team: https://blackoakam.com/contact-us/ Schedule a call with Ryan: https://speakwithryan.com/ Get your tax-free retirement toolkit: https://bit.ly/3PMjKqc Get more financial education on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/45kJlwI

The Masters is a beautiful reminder of just how much strategy, patience, and long-term focus goes into a great round of golf. Turns out, retirement works a lot like the game. Today, Ryan is teeing up a few key lessons from the course and how they translate into smarter planning for your financial future. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: ⛳ Why chasing a “hole-in-one” rarely pays off 📆 Why timing matters more than you think in retirement 🕓 The “back nine” of retirement is critical 📉 Recovering from financial setbacks with strategy, not emotion Visit us online: https://blackoakam.com/ Phone: (470) 508-0508 Get in touch with the Black Oak team: https://blackoakam.com/contact-us/ Schedule a call with Ryan: https://speakwithryan.com/ Get your tax-free retirement toolkit: https://bit.ly/3PMjKqc Get more financial education on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/45kJlwI

Tax season is here, but filing your 2024 return is just one piece of the puzzle. Now is also the perfect time to take advantage of new tax rules for 2025 before the year gets away from you. With higher standard deductions, increased retirement contribution limits, and updated HSA rules, there are plenty of opportunities to potentially lower your tax bill and boost your savings. In this episode, we’ll break down the key changes and how you can start planning now to make the most of them. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 📄 New standard deduction for 2025: what you need to know 📈 401(k) limits increase 🏥 HSA: The triple tax threat 💡 Tools and tips to get ahead before 2026 Visit us online: https://blackoakam.com/ Phone: (470) 508-0508 Get in touch with the Black Oak team: https://blackoakam.com/contact-us/ Schedule a call with Ryan: https://speakwithryan.com/ Get your tax-free retirement toolkit: https://bit.ly/3PMjKqc Get more financial education on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/45kJlwI

In this episode, Ryan unpacks a listener question that’s becoming increasingly common: What should I do about my RMDs if I’m still working at 74 and contributing to my 401(k)? Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), and the tax penalties for missing them, can catch even the most financially prepared retirees off guard, especially those still working into their 70s. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 📆 Working past RMD age can delay required distributions (in some cases) 💸 IRAs and 401(k)s follow different rules, you need to know the difference 🏦 Moving IRAs into a 401(k) may buy you some extra time 🎁 QCDs may offer a tax-savvy way to satisfy your RMDs ⚠️ Missing an RMD can trigger steep penalties, so planning ahead is key Visit us online: https://blackoakam.com/ Phone: (470) 508-0508 Get in touch with the Black Oak team: https://blackoakam.com/contact-us/ Schedule a call with Ryan: https://speakwithryan.com/ Get your tax-free retirement toolkit: https://bit.ly/3PMjKqc Get more financial education on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/45kJlwI

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 unpacking five retirement myths that often trick retirees into making decisions based on fear or flawed assumptions. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 🧠 Don’t let fear rush your Social Security decisions 💸 Tax planning is essential, not optional ⚠️ The 4% rule isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution 📉 Dividend stocks alone won’t fund your retirement 🔄 Retirement planning isn’t “set it and forget it”—adjustments are key Visit us online: https://blackoakam.com/ Phone: (470) 508-0508 Get in touch with the Black Oak team: https://blackoakam.com/contact-us/ Schedule a call with Ryan: https://speakwithryan.com/ Get your tax-free retirement toolkit: https://bit.ly/3PMjKqc Get more financial education on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/45kJlwI

Valentine’s season is all about love, but let’s be honest, money plays a huge role in any relationship. Whether you’ve been together for decades or just starting out, financial stress can put a strain on even the strongest partnerships. So, how do you talk about money without killing the romance? In today’s episode, looking at the questions every couple should ask about finances and retirement. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 💰 Spenders vs. Savers – Finding common ground on financial decisions 📊 Merging Finances in Retirement – Should couples combine or keep things separate? 🏡 Estate Planning Conversations – How to talk about wills, inheritances & legacy planning 👥 Supporting Family Without Sacrificing Retirement – Setting boundaries with kids & loved ones ⚠️ Why Both Spouses Need to Be Involved in Financial Planning Get in touch with the Black Oak team: https://blackoakam.com/contact-us/ Schedule a call with Ryan: https://speakwithryan.com/ Get your tax-free retirement toolkit: https://bit.ly/3PMjKqc Get more financial education on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/45kJlwI

You’ve built a successful business, but now the big question is, how do you turn that into a retirement plan? If you’re like many entrepreneurs, you’ve spent years reinvesting in your business, but what happens when it’s time to step away? Can you sell it? Can you create passive income from it? Or should you start saving in other ways right now? In this episode, we’re breaking down strategies for business owners who need to turn years of hard work into long-term financial security. Here are some of the highlights in this episode: 💼 Your Business is NOT Your Retirement Plan – Why you need additional savings 💰 Cash Flow to Retirement Savings ⚖️ Tax-Efficient Exit Strategies – Lump sum vs. phased buyouts 🏡 Selling, Passing Down, or Passive Ownership – 📊 When to Start Planning? 0:00 – Intro 2:20 – Today’s question 5:22 – Turning business into an asset 8:03 – Saving options 9:59 – Balancing the business and saving 12:28 – When to start thinking about this Get in touch with the Black Oak team: https://blackoakam.com/contact-us/ Schedule a call with Ryan: https://speakwithryan.com/ Get your tax-free retirement toolkit: https://bit.ly/3PMjKqc Get more financial education on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/45kJlwI

If you've successfully managed your own investments for years, do you really need a financial advisor? Many DIY investors see it as an unnecessary expense, but as you approach retirement, it might be time to enlist the help of someone to help you with the other areas of retirement? Today we’ll tackle this common question and explains how advisors add value beyond investment returns. Here are some of the things we discuss: 💰 Investing is just one piece – Advisors offer much more than stock picking ⚖️ Tax efficiency matters – The right strategy can save you thousands 📜 Estate planning gaps – Avoid common DIY mistakes 🚀 Behavior & coaching – Why even experienced investors benefit from guidance 🔄 New laws & market shifts – Stay ahead of tax law changes & economic trends 0:00 – Intro 2:09 – Everything an advisor helps with 5:06 – Investing is just one piece 6:05 – DIY blind spots 9:50 – Addressing the skeptics Visit us online: https://blackoakam.com/ Phone: (470) 508-0508 Get in touch with the Black Oak team: https://blackoakam.com/contact-us/ Schedule a call with Ryan: https://speakwithryan.com/ Get your tax-free retirement toolkit: https://bit.ly/3PMjKqc Get more financial education on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/45kJlwI

The Super Bowl may be over, but there’s still a lot to learn from one of the best coaches in the game, Andy Reid. Whether you’re planning the perfect play on the field or preparing for retirement, success comes down to strategy, discipline, and knowing when to adjust. Today, we’re breaking down some of Coach Reid’s best quotes and how they apply to building a winning retirement plan. As a former professional athlete and teacher, this is a topic that hits close to home. The conversation covers how focusing on the "next play" instead of getting distracted by daily market fluctuations can help create a more strategic financial plan. They also discuss the idea that setbacks, whether in sports or finance, provide valuable learning experiences, and that making adjustments to your strategy is key to long-term success. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 1:21 – Ryan’s memorable coach 2:52 – Quote 1 5:56 – Quote 2 8:07 – Quote 3 10:36 – Quote 4 12:40 – How we coach our clients Schedule a call with Ryan: https://speakwithryan.com/ Get your tax-free retirement toolkit: https://bit.ly/3PMjKqc Get more financial education on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/45kJlwI

There’s a real mindset shift when someone gets to retirement and has to start taking money out of their accounts after saving for years. It gets even more difficult to figure out where to pull your money from when you have multiple types of accounts with different tax considerations. So which should you pull from first and does it really matter the order you choose? That’s the question we’re tackling today and it’s an important one because income planning is the foundation of a retirement plan. Join us to discover how to navigate your 401k, IRA, Roth IRA, and individual accounts to create a sustainable income plan that minimizes tax liabilities and enhances your financial legacy. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 0:30 – Today’s question 0:48 – Mindset shift in retirement 2:05 – Which account first? 5:05 – Does the order truly matter? 7:13 – When to start income planning Visit us online: https://blackoakam.com/ Phone: (470) 508-0508 Get in touch with the Black Oak team: https://blackoakam.com/contact-us/ Schedule a call with Ryan: https://speakwithryan.com/ Get your tax-free retirement toolkit: https://bit.ly/3PMjKqc Get more financial education on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/45kJlwI

A recent article on Fortune highlights a growing trend among baby boomers: continuing to work well into their 60s and 70s, not out of necessity, but for the mental stimulation, social connections, and fulfillment that work provides. With nearly 20% of Americans over 65 still employed, this shift is challenging traditional views of retirement and sparking important conversations about what it means to truly retire. Join Ryan as we discuss the reasons behind this phenomenon, from the desire for social interaction to the fulfillment of staying engaged in meaningful work. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 3:29 – Finding fulfillment 5:48 – Financial impact in retirement 8:06 – How it changes long-term planning 9:55 – Are younger generations different? Read the Fortune story here: https://fortune.com/article/the-new-retirement-is-no-retirement-baby-boomers-are-keeping-jobs-well-into-their-sixties-and-seventies-because-they-like-going-to-work/ Visit us online: https://blackoakam.com/ Phone: (470) 508-0508 Get in touch with the Black Oak team: https://blackoakam.com/contact-us/ Schedule a call with Ryan: https://speakwithryan.com/ Get your tax-free retirement toolkit: https://bit.ly/3PMjKqc Get more financial education on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/45kJlwI

In recent years, inflation has become a significant concern for many individuals, especially those planning for retirement. While rates have returned to more normal levels, Americans still can’t ignore the profound impact it can have on your financial future. Today’s show will discuss ways to inflation-proof your retirement, particularly looking ahead to 2025 and beyond. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 2:03 – How high inflation changes planning 5:37 – What rate do we typically use? 6:54 – Strategies to outpace inflation 9:02 – Client story Visit us online: https://blackoakam.com/ Phone: (470) 508-0508 Schedule a call with Ryan: https://speakwithryan.com/ Get your tax-free retirement toolkit: https://bit.ly/3PMjKqc Get more financial education on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/45kJlwI

Financial mistakes can happen at any age, but they can have a particularly significant impact in your 60s. This episode offers five common financial blunders to avoid during this pivotal decade. As you approach retirement, it's essential to navigate these pitfalls to secure your financial future. We’ll be discussing the importance of retirement planning, managing healthcare costs, protecting your assets, understanding longevity, and the necessity of having an estate plan. All of these items are part of our planning process at Black Oak Asset Management and we want to make sure they’re a priority for you as well. Here’s what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 1:44 – Retirement planning 3:26 – Healthcare costs 6:47 – Protecting assets 8:08 – Longevity 9:43 – Estate planning Visit us online: https://blackoakam.com/ Get in touch with the Black Oak team: https://blackoakam.com/contact-us/ Get more financial education on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/45kJlwI

It’s the beginning of a new year – a time when many of us make resolutions to improve our lives. But how often do we resolve to improve the way we feel about our finances? Today, we’re talking about spending with confidence, a surprising challenge for many retirees. Visit us online: https://blackoakam.com/ Get in touch with the Black Oak team: https://blackoakam.com/contact-us/ Get more financial education on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/45kJlwI

Today, we’re unveiling the 2025 Method to transform your money mindset in just 30 days. Whether you’re overwhelmed by debt, stuck in a savings rut, or simply stressed about money, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you think differently and achieve financial comfort. Visit us online: https://blackoakam.com/ Get in touch with the Black Oak team: https://blackoakam.com/contact-us/ Get more financial education on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/45kJlwI

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. Visit us online: https://blackoakam.com/ Get in touch with the Black Oak team: https://blackoakam.com/contact-us/ Get more financial education on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/45kJlwI

Are you making decisions about your money with a clear mind? Or are you financially ‘impaired’? December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, so we’re exploring the surprising parallels between dangerous driving habits and risky financial choices. In this episode, learn how to stay financially ‘sober,’ avoid costly mistakes, and keep your money on the road to success. Visit us online: https://blackoakam.com/ Get in touch with the Black Oak team: https://blackoakam.com/contact-us/ Get more financial education on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/45kJlwI

We're diving into the mailbag today on the show. Tune in as Ryan answers a variety of financial and retirement planning questions. Ruth asks if her husband should get more involved in managing their household finances as retirement approaches. Rachel wonders what investment options make the most sense for someone in her high-income position. Let's jump in! Visit us online: https://blackoakam.com/ Get in touch with the Black Oak team: https://blackoakam.com/contact-us/ Get more financial education on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/45kJlwI

Social Security is the backbone of retirement for millions of Americans, but big changes may be coming. On this episode, we dive into the recently released proposal to raise the full retirement age to 69 and what it means for your benefits, your future, and your financial security. Visit us online: https://blackoakam.com/ Get in touch with the Black Oak team: https://blackoakam.com/contact-us/ Get more financial education on our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/45kJlwI