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Retirement Income School - Safe Money Solutions to Retire Financially Relaxed

Retirement Income School - Safe Money Solutions to Retire Financially Relaxed

Written by: Dr. Amanda Barrientez | PhD RSSA® Agent NPN #19460436
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 Welcome to the Retirement Income School™ podcast — your go-to source for the retirement planning education you wish you’d learned in school. Whether you're approaching retirement or already there, this show delivers clear, actionable strategies to protect your wealth, minimize taxes, and create guaranteed income for life. Hosted by Dr. Amanda, a retirement income strategist and founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™, each episode helps you confidently navigate retirement with safe money solutions, lifetime income planning, and smart Social Security, tax, and legacy strategies — so you can retire financially relaxed. 𝗜𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲𝘀, 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿: ➾ How to protect your money from market volatility ➾ The truth about annuities, whole life insurance, and long-term care ➾ How to create a Lifetime Retirement Paycheck™ using safe money strategies ➾ Social Security timing tips to maximize benefits ➾ Estate planning and legacy-building with wills, trusts, and life insurance ➾ How to reduce taxes in retirement — legally and efficiently ➾ The biggest risks to your retirement income (and how to beat them) Subscribe now and start building the retirement you deserve! ////////// 📅 Schedule a 1:1 Retirement Income Consult with Dr. Amanda: https://calendly.com/rsf-dramanda/initial-consultation 💰 Join Us in the Retirement Income School™: www.RetirementIncome.School 📽️ Watch Retirement Income School™ Content on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool 💰 Watch The Guaranteed Income Blueprint™: www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/guaranteed-income-blueprint /////////// 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗗𝗿. 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮: Email: DrAmanda@RetirementSolutionsFinancial.com Phone: 1-866-444-2997 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/retirementincomeschool 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗗𝗿. 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮: Dr. Amanda is the founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™ and creator of the Retirement Income School™ and Guaranteed Income Blueprint™. After losing her father and helping her mom navigate retirement, she felt called to help others avoid the stress and confusion of planning alone. She specializes in safe money strategies using dividend-paying whole life insurance, fixed index annuities, long-term care coverage and social security claiming strategy. Her mission? To help you protect your wealth and enjoy a secure, stress-free retirement with confidence.© 2025 Build Your Wealth Solutions LLC | Retirement Solutions Financial™ | All Rights Reserved Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Personal Finance Self-Help Success
Episodes
  • 28. Ed Slott on Roth Conversions, IRAs & RMDs | Retirement Savings Time Bomb

    28. Ed Slott on Roth Conversions, IRAs & RMDs | Retirement Savings Time Bomb
    Jan 8 2026
    Like what you heard in this episode? 🗓️ Schedule a Retirement Income Q&A call with Dr. Amanda:calendly.com/rsf-dramanda/initial-consultation🎥 The YouTube version of this video is here: www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool✍🏼 The Blog Version of this video is here: www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/blog/////////////// 28. Ed Slott on Roth Conversions, IRAs & RMDs | Retirement Savings Time Bomb 📕 LINK TO ED SLOTT'S BOOKThe Retirement Savings Time Bomb Ticks Louder: How to Avoid Unnecessary Tax Landmines, Defuse the Latest Threats to Your Retirement Savings, and Ignite Your Financial Freedom In this lesson from the Retirement Income School™, Dr. Amanda welcomes one of the most respected voices in retirement tax planning — Ed Slott, CPA, author of The Retirement Savings Time Bomb Ticks Louder and founder of the Ed Slott IRA Elite Advisor Group, of which Dr. Amanda is a proud member. Together, they break down the critical retirement tax traps that catch most retirees off guard — including why the Retirement Savings Time Bomb is ticking louder, how smart Roth conversions can dramatically reduce future tax bills, the RMD chain reaction that can push retirees into higher brackets, and the costly Widow’s Penalty that can blindside surviving spouses. They also explore how safe-money tools — such as annuities, whole life insurance, and Roth-friendly strategies — help people protect their wealth, create guaranteed lifetime income, and make their money last.This is one of the most important “classes” you’ll ever take on how to keep more of the money you’ve saved for retirement. Timestamps 00:00 — Welcome + Why Ed Slott’s expertise matters01:00 — Breaking down the Retirement Savings Time Bomb03:00 — Why future taxes may rise (and backdoor tax increases)04:30 — How Roth conversions protect retirees from tax uncertainty06:30 — Delayed gratification: The tax strategy mindset09:00 — Real stories of retirees shocked by high taxes10:30 — The real difference between tax prep vs. tax planning12:00 — How high historical tax rates shape today’s decisions13:30 — Understanding how RMDs and Widow’s Penalty combine16:00 — Why your 60s are the “sweet spot” for Roth conversions18:00 — Government Plan vs. Your Plan for RMDs19:30 — Using annuities as a Roth-conversion safe-money bucket21:00 — Ed’s personal family story on guaranteed income23:00 — How annuities create peace of mind in retirement25:00 — The risk of sequence-of-returns and retirees running out of time26:30 — The ONLY thing better than guaranteed income for life27:00 — Why Ed uses annuities inside his own Roth IRA29:00 — Tax-free legacy planning under the 10-year rule31:00 — The Widow’s Penalty explained: a tax chain reaction34:00 — Why proactive planning affects spouses, heirs & lifestyle35:30 — The mindset behind wealth protection36:00 — Why most advisors never mention RMD tax traps37:00 — Why taking more than the RMD may be smart39:00 — The greatest retirement lesson Ed wishes everyone knew41:00 — The importance of Roth contributions for younger savers42:00 — Why people who own life insurance always wish they had more43:00 — Closing thoughts + How to get help with your retirement plan 📅 Want to Find Out More?:Schedule a Q&A Call with Dr. Amanda 💰 Join Us in the Retirement Income School™:www.RetirementIncome.School 📽️ Watch Retirement Income School™ Content on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool 💰 Watch The Guaranteed Income Blueprint™:www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/guaranteed-income-blueprint 📬 Contact Dr. Amanda:Email: DrAmanda@RetirementSolutionsFinancial.comPhone: 1-866-444-2997LinkedIn: @RetirementIncomeSchool 👩‍🏫 About Dr. Amanda Dr. Amanda is the founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™ and creator of the Retirement Income School™ and Guaranteed Income Blueprint™. After losing her father and helping her mom navigate retirement, she felt called to help others avoid the stress and confusion of planning alone. She specializes in safe money strategies using dividend-paying whole life insurance, fixed index annuities, long-term care coverage, and Social Security claiming strategy. Her mission? To help you protect your wealth and enjoy a secure, stress-free retirement with confidence. ⚠️ DISCLAIMER The information in this podcast is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Retirement Income School™ and Dr. Amanda Barrientez do not provide individual investment recommendations. Always consult with a licensed advisor or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed.
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    44 mins
  • 27. Annuity Q&A 2025: Fees, Caps, LTC Riders, Bonuses & Roth Conversions Explained

    27. Annuity Q&A 2025: Fees, Caps, LTC Riders, Bonuses & Roth Conversions Explained
    Dec 3 2025
    Like what you heard in this episode? 🗓️ Schedule a Retirement Income Q&A call with Dr. Amanda:calendly.com/rsf-dramanda/initial-consultation🎥 The YouTube version of this video is here: www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool✍🏼 The Blog Version of this video is here: www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/blog/////////////// Links to the TOP 3 EPISODES of the year:🎙️16. Roth Conversion Deadline: Why 2025–2028 Could Save You Thousands 🎥 Roth Conversion Deadline: Why 2025–2028 Could Save You Thousands🎙️19. Roth Conversion Case Study for IRA Millionaires🎥 IRA Millionaire? Watch This Live Roth Conversion Walkthrough 🎙️12. Annuities Explained: Rates, Fees & Why More Retirees Are Saying Yes🎥 Annuities: Scam or Solution? 27. Annuity Q&A 2025: Fees, Caps, LTC Riders, Bonuses & Roth Conversions ExplainedBefore you buy an annuity in 2026, watch this lesson. I’m answering the seven most common annuity questions I received all year — and most people get at least three of them wrong. We’re covering fees, caps, bonuses, LTC riders, Roth-friendly carriers, and how annuity timelines actually work when you’re funding with cash, IRAs, 401(k)s, or TSPs. I also recap the three most-watched Retirement Income School™ videos of 2025 — including Roth conversion strategies and the “Scam or Solution?” annuity breakdown — and I want to thank you for helping the channel hit 5,000 subscribers in under a year. This is the final full-length lesson of 2025, and I’ll be back in 2026 with brand new lessons to help you protect your money, generate guaranteed income, and retire financially relaxed. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 — Why this episode matters before you buy an annuity in 2026 00:27 — Welcome to Retirement Income School™ + milestone: 5,000 subscribers 00:56 — Top 3 most-watched videos of 2025 (Roth deadlines, IRA millionaires, annuity myths) 02:10 — Q1: How do annuity fees actually work? (FIA, MYGA, income riders, variable annuities) 04:45 — Q2: What makes a carrier “Roth-friendly” for partial conversions? 07:00 — Q3: Do I have to move my entire IRA into an annuity? Why partial transfers & ladders work 08:25 — Q4: How long does an annuity contract take to start? (Cash vs IRA/401k/TSP timelines) 11:50 — Q5: How do cap rates & participation rates work on annuities? (Bonus tradeoffs explained) 14:55 — Q6: How does the long-term care rider work in an annuity? (Penalty-free access & income doubler) 16:40 — Q7: How does the annuity death benefit work? (FIA, MYGA, income riders, probate avoidance) 18:45 — Why annuities are misunderstood & how to vet your advisor 19:40 — How to get personalized help with your retirement income strategy 20:15 — Final lesson of 2025 + what’s coming in 2026 📅 Want to Find Out More?:Schedule a Q&A Call with Dr. Amanda 💰 Join Us in the Retirement Income School™:www.RetirementIncome.School 📽️ Watch Retirement Income School™ Content on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool 💰 Watch The Guaranteed Income Blueprint™:www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/guaranteed-income-blueprint 📬 Contact Dr. Amanda:Email: DrAmanda@RetirementSolutionsFinancial.comPhone: 1-866-444-2997LinkedIn: @RetirementIncomeSchool 👩‍🏫 About Dr. Amanda Dr. Amanda is the founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™ and creator of the Retirement Income School™ and Guaranteed Income Blueprint™. After losing her father and helping her mom navigate retirement, she felt called to help others avoid the stress and confusion of planning alone. She specializes in safe money strategies using dividend-paying whole life insurance, fixed index annuities, long-term care coverage, and Social Security claiming strategy. Her mission? To help you protect your wealth and enjoy a secure, stress-free retirement with confidence. ⚠️ DISCLAIMER The information in this podcast is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Retirement Income School™ and Dr. Amanda Barrientez do not provide individual investment recommendations. Always consult with a licensed advisor or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed.
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    21 mins
  • 26. 3 IRA Tax Rules From Ed Slott Every Retiree Must Know

    26. 3 IRA Tax Rules From Ed Slott Every Retiree Must Know
    Nov 19 2025
    Like what you heard in this episode? 🗓️ Schedule a Retirement Income Q&A call with Dr. Amanda:calendly.com/rsf-dramanda/initial-consultation🎥 The YouTube version of this video is here: www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool✍🏼 The Blog Version of this video is here: www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/blog/////////////// 26. 3 IRA Tax Rules From Ed Slott Every Retiree Must Know In today’s episode of the Retirement Income School™, I’m sharing the three biggest rules I learned at Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group training — using Ed’s exact quotes and simple, practical steps you can use to reduce your lifetime tax bill. I just returned from a multi-day intensive workshop with financial planners, CPAs, estate attorneys, and insurance professionals like me — all focused on helping YOU avoid the biggest retirement tax traps. You’ll learn: Why delaying taxes can cost you more later Why your IRA is really an IOU to the IRS And why long-term planning is the key to avoiding RMD surprises, IRMAA surcharges, the widow’s penalty, and inherited IRA taxes Plus, exciting news: Ed Slott himself will be joining us early next year for a conversation you won’t want to miss! If you want to retire financially relaxed with a plan that protects your wealth and creates predictable, guaranteed income, this episode is for you.📕 Link to Ed Slott's Book: The Retirement Savings Time Bomb Ticks Louder 00:00 — Ed Slott Elite IRA Advisor Training Recap | Why Dr. Amanda attends this high-level tax workshop 01:15 — What You’ll Learn Today | Ed Slott’s 3 core rules for lowering lifetime retirement taxes 02:00 — Retirement Tax Strategy: Pay at the Lowest Rates | Why delaying taxes can cost you more later 03:00 — Roth Conversion Timing in Your 60s | Using low-tax years to reduce future RMDs 04:30 — RMD Planning in Your 70s | How forced withdrawals increase your tax bill 05:00 — Annuities for Roth Conversions | How to convert safely using Roth-friendly annuity contracts 06:00 — IRA Tax Truth: “Your IRA Is an IOU to the IRS” | Understanding how much of your IRA is really yours 06:45 — Hidden Tax Triggers: IRMAA, Social Security Taxation, Widow’s Penalty | The chain reaction retirees miss 07:30 — Reducing Your IOU | Moving money from tax later to tax never with Roth conversions + QCDs 08:00 — Long-Term Retirement Tax Planning | Why year-by-year decisions create 30-year tax problems 09:00 — Multi-Year Planning Across Your 40s–80s | Mapping RMDs, Medicare, survivor income, and inheritance taxes 10:30 — Recap of Ed Slott’s 3 Rules | Pay early, understand your IOU, and plan long-term 11:00 — Work With Dr. Amanda | How to schedule a Retirement Income Q&A Call 12:00 — Final Thoughts | Learn safe money strategies so you can retire financially relaxed 📅 Want to Find Out More?:Schedule a Q&A Call with Dr. Amanda 💰 Join Us in the Retirement Income School™:www.RetirementIncome.School 📽️ Watch Retirement Income School™ Content on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool 💰 Watch The Guaranteed Income Blueprint™:www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/guaranteed-income-blueprint 📬 Contact Dr. Amanda:Email: DrAmanda@RetirementSolutionsFinancial.comPhone: 1-866-444-2997LinkedIn: @RetirementIncomeSchool 👩‍🏫 About Dr. Amanda Dr. Amanda is the founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™ and creator of the Retirement Income School™ and Guaranteed Income Blueprint™. After losing her father and helping her mom navigate retirement, she felt called to help others avoid the stress and confusion of planning alone. She specializes in safe money strategies using dividend-paying whole life insurance, fixed index annuities, long-term care coverage, and Social Security claiming strategy. Her mission? To help you protect your wealth and enjoy a secure, stress-free retirement with confidence. ⚠️ DISCLAIMER The information in this podcast is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Retirement Income School™ and Dr. Amanda Barrientez do not provide individual investment recommendations. Always consult with a licensed advisor or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed.
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    12 mins
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