Is your retirement strategy resting on a "Magnificent Seven" house of cards, or is it built for the long haul? Jay Kirkwood breaks down the shifting market breadth of 2026 and why the 4% rule might be a recipe for disaster in volatile cycles. From the emotional "memory dividends" of family time to the logistical hurdles of downsizing in a high-cost housing market, this episode explores what money is actually for. Discover how to prioritize health over headers and why a flexible "stair-step" spending plan beats rigid, outdated formulas every time.

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What if the "tried and true" 4% rule is actually a fast track to running out of money in retirement? In this episode of Clear Skies Retirement, Jay Kirkwood breaks down why traditional math often fails when it meets the reality of market volatility and shifting economic trends. We explore the transition from a tech-heavy market to a broader economy, the hidden costs of downsizing your home, and why "memory dividends" should be your new favorite investment. Join us to discover how to build a plan that prioritizes your time, health, and legacy over simple spreadsheets.

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You’ve climbed the retirement mountain and saved your millions, but is the IRS waiting at the peak to take a massive cut? In this episode of Clear Skies Retirement, Jay Kirkwood of Secure Financial Management explores the "two-sided coin" of income and tax management. Learn why high savings can lead to higher Medicare premiums and taxed Social Security if not handled with precision. From the risks of using 401ks for home down payments to the truth about target date funds and annuities, Jay reveals how to navigate complex distribution rules before time runs out.

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Your retirement spending isn't a straight line—it’s a smile. Join Jay Kirkwood from Secure Financial Management as he reveals why your expenses may peak at the start and end of retirement, creating a unique "spending smile" that requires strategic planning. We tackle the anxiety of outliving your money, the "whack-a-mole" complexity of Social Security timing, and the rising reality of "emergency retirements" triggered by AI and downsizing. Learn how to bridge the healthcare gap before Medicare and balance growth with risk to ensure your financial plan survives the bumps in the air.

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To learn more about Jay and the team at Secure Financial Management, including their "Get Me to Retirement" 5-Step Process, go to www.retire210.com

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On this episode:

• Should you push off your retirement due to the economy?
• There are over 4 million people retiring every year. Whenever there are a lot of people needing help sometimes bad actors will take advantage. What do you need to watch out for?

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Check out our YouTube page for more retirement tips from Jay!

To learn more about Jay and the team at Secure Financial Management, including their "Get Me to Retirement" 5-Step Process, go to www.retire210.com

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On this episode:

• Vanguard is offering a Target Date Fund with an annuity option. What could go wrong?
• Turns out, retirees want more stability than the stock market provides.

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Check out our YouTube page for more retirement tips from Jay!

To learn more about Jay and the team at Secure Financial Management, including their "Get Me to Retirement" 5-Step Process, go to www.retire210.com

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On this episode:

• 75% of investors are pairing back their risk in the stock market. Are you?
• Paying off your house in retirement might make you feel good but is it the best financial move?
• A retirement lesson from AI and Hertz.

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Check out our YouTube page for more retirement tips from Jay!

To learn more about Jay and the team at Secure Financial Management, including their "Get Me to Retirement" 5-Step Process, go to www.retire210.com

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode:

• Are you pushing money into this market or pulling back?
• People with annuities spend more money in retirement.
• Will you use YOUR plan or Uncle Sam’s Plan for your 401(k)?

Subscribe or follow so you never miss an episode!

Check out our YouTube page for more retirement tips from Jay!

To learn more about Jay and the team at Secure Financial Management, including their "Get Me to Retirement" 5-Step Process, go to www.retire210.com

Follow us on Facebook!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.