In this episode, Jay Peroni, CFP tackles what they call the “Retirement Squeeze” — the mounting pressure retirees face from inflation, rising taxes, market volatility, and increasing life expectancy. With a direct, faith-centered tone, they warn that retirement today is no longer a coast — it’s a battlefield.

Jay explains longevity risk through real client stories, highlighting how many retirees plan for 15 years but live 25 or 30. Women, in particular, often face retirement alone and unprepared after losing a spouse. The message is clear: both spouses must understand the financial plan.

They expose hidden risks inside Target Date Funds and mainstream portfolios, revealing how many Christians unknowingly invest in companies funding causes that contradict their beliefs. Through Faith Investor Services’ Screen & Clean™ process, Jay emphasizes aligning investments with biblical convictions.

The episode also covers the silent erosion of purchasing power from a weak dollar, the dangers of mishandling inheritances, the impact of AI on jobs, and how wealthy families use tax strategies, insurance, and charitable planning to protect and multiply wealth. Churches and families alike are encouraged to review what they own and ensure stewardship reflects their faith.

In the second half, Jay shares stories of churches shocked to discover conflicting investments, families preserving businesses with strategic insurance planning, and retirees redirecting tax dollars toward ministry instead of government waste. He warns about national debt, bank instability, and delayed long-term care planning.

The episode closes with a strong call to action: if you’re within ten years of retirement—or already retired—don’t guess. Get clarity. Visit FaithAndRetirement.com for a free retirement second opinion.

This episode delivers a direct, faith-centered message to retirees who feel pressure from inflation, taxes, market volatility, and cultural shifts. Jay Peroni, CFP explains that many families are under financial strain as rising costs erode purchasing power while traditional retirement strategies fail to address today’s economic realities. He warns that many retirees rely on outdated assumptions about markets, Social Security, and taxes, leaving them vulnerable to sequence-of-returns risk, rising healthcare costs, and Required Minimum Distribution surprises.

A major theme of the episode is stewardship and alignment. Jay highlights that many investors unknowingly fund companies and causes that conflict with their values through traditional retirement accounts. He explains Faith Investor Services’ “Screen & Clean” approach, which seeks to align portfolios with biblical principles while focusing on businesses that produce real goods, services, and cash flow.

The show also emphasizes that Social Security should be viewed as a supplement—not a full retirement plan—and that taxes often become the largest lifetime expense if not proactively managed. Jay encourages retirees to think beyond simple “set it and forget it” portfolios and instead build comprehensive plans that address income, risk, taxes, values, and legacy.

Throughout the episode, listeners are urged to take action: stop assuming their plan is sufficient, discover what they truly own, and seek a professional second opinion. The core message is clear—retirement success requires intentional planning, protected income, and faith-aligned stewardship, not blind trust in Wall Street or government promises.

This episode explores why true retirement planning goes far beyond portfolios and income...it’s about stewardship, intention, and protecting the people and values that matter most!

This week, Jay Peroni, CFP, reframes estate planning as an act of love, not just paperwork. Jay explains that without clear direction, through wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations, the state decides for you, often leading to probate delays, unnecessary taxes, and outcomes families never intended.

Throughout the episode, Jay breaks down complex topics in plain English, including the purpose of wills, the protective power of trusts, and the practical differences between revocable and irrevocable trusts. He emphasizes that guardianship decisions, tax placement, and beneficiary choices are not minor details, they shape real outcomes for surviving spouses and children.

Listeners also learn why beneficiary forms often override wills, how failing to name contingent beneficiaries can undo even the best planning, and how inherited IRAs can create major tax surprises when structured incorrectly. Jay explains “per stirpes” versus “per capita,” highlights the importance of Special Needs Trusts, and shares real client stories that reveal how easily well-meaning families can stumble without coordinated planning.

The conversation then turns legacy beyond money. Jay introduces values-based investing through his “Screen & Clean” approach, removing companies that conflict with biblical principles and redirecting capital toward responsible, productive businesses. His message is clear: your portfolio communicates what you stand for, even when you’re not in the room.

The episode closes with a powerful reminder that money fades, but stories, letters, and faith-centered traditions endure. As Jay puts it, a lasting legacy doesn’t happen by accident, it happens by design.

Now is a great time to review your estate plan, beneficiaries, and investments to ensure everything aligns with your family, faith, and long-term vision. Go to faithandretirement.com today to book your estate review.