This week on Retirement Results, we discuss why retirement should never be a guessing game. Instead of hoping things work out, what if you could see your retirement results in advance?

In this episode, Ford Stokes & Sam Davis explain the importance of building a “results in advance” retirement plan — one that helps you understand your income, investments and overall financial picture before you step into retirement. By doing the work upfront, you can identify potential gaps, stress-test your plan, and make informed decisions with clarity and confidence.

The conversation highlights how coordinating your investments, income strategy and Social Security decisions creates a more predictable and measurable retirement outcome. Rather than reacting to surprises, you can proactively adjust your plan to align with your goals.

As fiduciaries, the Active Wealth team is committed to helping individuals, families and small business owners make data-driven decisions designed to support long-term retirement success.

Schedule your complimentary Social Security and retirement consultation:
www.activewealth.com/plan

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Call us now: (770) 685-1777
Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcasts
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults

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About Retirement Results:
Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money.

With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.

Recession talk is back for 2026—it may not be in every headline, but the odds aren’t at zero percent. You need to be prepared for the scenario of a possible recession.

Key Points Covered:

• Emergency Funds --- Start by building (or topping off) an emergency fund that covers three to six months of living expenses.
• Picking the Right Budgeting System – Whether old or new, using a budgeting system can help consolidate while keeping stress away.
• Configure your Financial Portfolio – Strategies to ensure your financial portfolio remains in a strong position.

Schedule your complimentary Social Security and retirement consultation:
www.activewealth.com/plan

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Call us now: (770) 685-1777
Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcasts
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults

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About Retirement Results:
Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money.

With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.

Retirement.Radio's Matt McClure sits down with Rod Griffin, Senior Director of Consumer Education and Advocacy at Experian, for a practical and timely conversation about emergency savings. With rising living costs, recent holiday spending, and ongoing debt repayment putting pressure on household budgets, many Americans struggle to set money aside for unexpected expenses.

Matt and Rod break down common emergency fund guidelines—ranging from three to six months of expenses or more—while emphasizing that the most important step is simply getting started. Rather than focusing on intimidating savings targets, the discussion highlights the value of small, consistent contributions that build momentum over time.

The conversation also explores actionable strategies for freeing up cash flow, including tracking expenses, reducing recurring bills, and using available tools to identify unused subscriptions or high-cost credit options. Matt and Rod wrap up by connecting emergency savings to long-term financial stability, stressing the importance of automation, protecting credit health, and taking full advantage of employer-matched retirement contributions.

Host: Retirement.Radio’s Matt McClure
Guest: Rod Griffin, Senior Director of Consumer Education and Advocacy at Experian

Schedule your complimentary Social Security and retirement consultation:
www.activewealth.com/plan

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Call us now: (770) 685-1777
Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcasts
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults

--

About Retirement Results:
Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money.

With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.

Retirement.Radio’s Matt McClure sits down with Mark Steber, Chief Tax Officer of Jackson Hewitt, to break down what taxpayers need to know heading into the 2026 tax season. They discuss some of the biggest changes on the horizon, including an estimated $300 billion in refunds expected for millions of Americans — and why filing early and accurately can make a real difference.

Steber walks through several new tax benefits, including deductions for tipped and overtime workers and a new tax break for seniors age 65 and older. The conversation also covers practical tips on getting organized, choosing a trusted tax professional, and avoiding common tax scams. It’s a timely, practical discussion designed to help listeners feel informed, prepared, and confident as tax season approaches.

Schedule your complimentary Social Security and retirement consultation:
www.activewealth.com/plan

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Call us now: (770) 685-1777
Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcasts
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults

--

About Retirement Results:
Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money.

With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.

This week on Retirement Results, Ford Stokes, a Registered Social Security Analyst, walks through everything pre-retirees need to understand about Social Security as we flip the calendar into 2026.

Ford explains how Social Security benefits are calculated, common mistakes people make when claiming, and why timing matters so much when it comes to maximizing your lifetime benefits. He also discusses strategies designed to help individuals and couples get the most out of what they have paid into the system over their working years.

The conversation highlights why Social Security should be coordinated with the rest of your retirement plan – considering your investments, taxes, and income needs – rather than treated as a standalone decision. Ford also explains how personalized Social Security maximization reports can help clarify your options and identify the claiming strategy that may be best for your specific situation.

If you are approaching retirement or thinking about when to claim Social Security, this episode provides practical insights to help you make informed decisions with confidence.

See the video with the presentation here: https://youtu.be/nDt7NlqtcCE

Schedule your complimentary Social Security and retirement consultation:
www.activewealth.com/plan

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Call us now: (770) 685-1777
Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcasts
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults

--

About Retirement Results:
Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money.

With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.

This week on Retirement Results, Ford and Sam focus on how to make 2026 your year by starting the new year on the right financial footing. As a new year approaches, many people are thinking about resolutions — but when it comes to retirement and long-term financial security, the most important step is understanding where you are today.

Ford and Sam walk through several simple, practical changes you can make to your portfolio and overall plan that can have a meaningful impact over time. They also discuss how better management of risk, fees, and taxes can help retirees and pre-retirees keep more of what they have worked so hard to save.

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Schedule your complimentary consultation with a fiduciary advisor: www.activewealth.com/plan
Call us now: (770) 685-1777
Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcasts
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults

--

About Retirement Results:
Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money.

With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.

This week on Retirement Results, Ford and Sam dive into the wave of layoffs hitting companies across the United States this year — from tech and manufacturing to financial services, retail, and transportation. With economic uncertainty lingering and several major employers reducing headcount this year, many Americans are wondering what they should do if they’ve already been laid off or fear they may be next.

Ford and Sam break down the latest economic data, explain why these layoffs are happening, and provide a clear set of steps workers can take immediately if they’ve recently lost their job. They also discuss how a smart financial plan can help shield families from financial shocks during uncertain times.

Whether you’re currently employed, recently laid off, or simply want a stronger plan in place, Ford and Sam share actionable guidance to help you stay confident, informed, and financially secure.

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Schedule your complimentary consultation with a fiduciary advisor: www.activewealth.com/plan
Call us now: (770) 685-1777
Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcasts
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults

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About Retirement Results:
Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money.

With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.

This week on Retirement Results, Ford and Sam share the story of Ed Bambas, an 88-year-old veteran who lost his pension, his wife, his home, and his financial security — forcing him back into the workforce at a local supermarket. Ed’s experience is a powerful reminder of why today’s retirees must take steps to protect their income and diversify their retirement plan.

Ford and Sam explain how personal pensions, income-producing assets, and modern annuity strategies can help prevent the kind of retirement disaster Ed experienced. They also discuss how pensions offered by highly rated insurance companies can provide benefits, guarantees, and flexibility that most corporate and government pensions do not.

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Schedule your complimentary consultation with a fiduciary advisor: www.activewealth.com/plan
Call us now: (770) 685-1777
Catch up on past episodes: retirementresults.com/podcasts
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetirementResults

--

About Retirement Results:
Welcome to Retirement Results! Each week, Ford Stokes and his team of fiduciary advisors help educate pre-retirees, retirees and business owners on ways to better protect and grow their hard-earned money.

With $37 trillion in national debt and counting, many economists believe that taxes are likely to increase in the future, affecting retirees for decades to come. Ford and his team will help you build a smart plan that is TAX-efficient, FEE-efficient and MARKET-efficient.