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What do retirees who are truly happy have in common — and what do those who aren't wish they'd done differently?

In this episode, Brandon digs into the latest research on retirement success and retirement regrets to build a clearer picture of what actually separates retirees who are thriving from those who are struggling. The data tells a nuanced story — one that goes well beyond savings balances and rate-of-return targets.

You'll get a ground-level look at the current state of retirement security in America, including some eye-opening numbers on how retirees are actually spending their money versus how they planned to. From there, Brandon walks through the attributes most commonly shared by retirees reporting the highest levels of retirement happiness — and at least one of them will likely catch you off guard.

Retirement income and income planning take center stage as Brandon explores why the type of income you build matters just as much as the amount — and why the gap between guaranteed and non-guaranteed income has a surprisingly powerful impact on how retirees feel day to day.

The episode closes with retirement insights drawn from what current retirees say they'd do differently, distilled into an actionable framework for those who still have time to course-correct.

If you're building a retirement portfolio and want to protect more than just your balance sheet, this one's worth your time.

📌 CHAPTERS
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[1:18] — The State of Retirees
[4:33] — The Emotional & Social Side of Retirement
[6:31] — Two Very Different Retirement Experiences
[9:16] — What Successful Retirees Have in Common
[14:12] — The Control Factor
[16:15] — The Four Big Regrets
[23:58] — What's Ahead for Pre-Retirees
[29:29] — Your Action Plan

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When research says "the market returned 10% over 80 years," what does that actually mean for your retirement? Most DIY investors make critical assumptions about expected returns that create serious retirement planning problems.

This episode breaks down the troubling gap between advertised fund performance and real investor results. We examine research from Dalbar and Morningstar showing retail investors consistently underperform stated returns by 1-2% annually—which can mean missing out on 15-50% of potential gains depending on the asset class.

You'll learn why compound annual growth rate (CAGR) calculations don't reflect your actual experience as a periodic investor, how behavioral mistakes like panic selling and performance chasing sabotage results, and why social media success stories create dangerously unrealistic expectations.

Most importantly, we explore practical solutions: understanding money-weighted returns, accepting realistic performance gaps, focusing on adequate savings over chasing returns, and why income-focused investing shifts the conversation from rates of return to sustainable retirement cash flow.

Chapters:

[00:00] Introduction: The Return Gap Problem
[01:10] The 15% Fund Paradox: Why Your Results Differ
[03:27] Dalbar Research: The Disappointing Truth
[06:18] Morningstar's Findings: Missing 15% of Returns
[07:58] CAGR vs Money-Weighted Returns Explained
[11:09] The Rebalancing Drag Effect
[15:25] Behavioral Mistakes: Fear & Performance Chasing
[24:31] Social Media's Distortion of Expectations
[25:53] Practical Solutions for Realistic Planning
[27:43] Income-Focused Investing: A Different Approach
[29:27] The "Saving Too Much" Question Answered

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Seven percent of American retirees are returning to work—not from boredom, but because they can't afford to stay retired. That's 550,000 more people than last year facing this harsh reality. This episode breaks down the data behind un-retirement and provides actionable strategies to build a portfolio that can withstand retirement's financial pressures.

The primary culprit? Insufficient guaranteed income. Retirees with the lowest levels of guaranteed income from Social Security, pensions, or annuities face the highest un-retirement risk. But you don't necessarily need an annuity to avoid this fate—you need a strategic approach to income-focused investing combined with smart growth allocation.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
• Cost of living drives 50% of un-retirements (vs. 15% from boredom)
• Retirees with highest guaranteed income rarely un-retire
• Income-focused portfolios can generate 6%+ yields vs. traditional 4% withdrawal rates
• A 6% yield requires only $850K for $50K annual income vs. $1.25M at 4%
• Early retirement equity allocation should be 20-40%, rising to 60-80% over time
• Starting income investing years before retirement compounds benefits significantly

CHAPTERS:

00:00:21 - Introduction: The Un-Retirement Crisis
The growing trend of retirees forced back to work and what the data reveals

00:01:11 - Why Retirees Return to Work
Breaking down the numbers: 50% can't afford retirement vs. 15% are bored

00:03:20 - The Growing Problem
7% of 55 million retirees planning to un-retire—that's Wyoming's entire population

00:04:39 - Who's At Risk?
Demographic factors and why guaranteed income matters most

00:06:10 - The Guaranteed Income Advantage
Social Security, pensions, and annuities: what the data shows about security

00:08:38 - Income-Focused Investing Strategy
Why traditional portfolios fail and how to build income-generating assets

00:23:21 - The Role of Growth Assets
Balancing sequence-of-returns risk with long-term portfolio growth (20-40% early, 60-80% later)

00:26:06 - Your Action Plan to Avoid Un-Retirement
Calculate realistic income needs, transition to income assets, consider timing advantages

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Learn to protect your retirement income by identifying vulnerable closed-end funds before they slash distributions. This episode breaks down five essential metrics every DIY investor should monitor to build a more resilient income portfolio.

WHY THIS MATTERS FOR YOUR RETIREMENT

Distribution cuts in CEFs trigger price drops, creating double trouble: lost income AND capital losses. Understanding these warning signs helps you avoid funds at risk and select more sustainable income investments for your retirement years.

THE 5-METRIC FRAMEWORK

1. COVERAGE RATIO - Does the fund earn enough to pay what it promises? Above 100% means net investment income covers distributions. Below 100% isn't automatic panic, but demands investigation. Equity funds may show lower coverage due to capital gains not counted in NII. Fixed-income funds need tighter coverage. Quick proxy: rising NAV suggests healthy coverage.

2. LEVERAGE - Industry average is 33%. Moderate leverage amplifies returns; excessive leverage amplifies risk. Monitor trends—increasing leverage under pressure signals trouble ahead.

3. RETURN OF CAPITAL - Not inherently bad, but context matters. Equity funds may use ROC strategically. Fixed-income funds returning capital regularly face sustainability questions. Watch for persistent ROC trends.

4. UNDISTRIBUTED NET INVESTMENT INCOME - Cash reserves matter. Positive reserves provide distribution cushion. Negative reserves mean the fund lives paycheck-to-paycheck, vulnerable to any income disruption.

5. NAV PERFORMANCE vs DISTRIBUTIONS - Compare NAV growth to yield over multi-year periods. Fixed-income funds need NAV growth near or exceeding distributions. Equity funds have more flexibility due to unrealized gains. Red flag: distributions persistently outpacing NAV growth.

THE BIG PICTURE

No single metric screams "sell now." Analyze trends over 12-24+ months. Combine multiple deteriorating metrics to identify genuine risk. Your goal: spot problems early and build an income stream that survives market turbulence.

CHAPTERS

00:00:20 - Introduction: CEF Analysis Framework
00:01:19 - Why Distribution Cuts Equal Capital Losses
00:02:23 - Metric #1: Coverage Ratio Explained
00:08:32 - Metric #2: Leverage and Industry Averages
00:12:46 - Metric #3: Return of Capital
00:21:56 - Metric #4: Undistributed Net Investment Income
00:23:03 - Metric #5: NAV Performance vs Distributions
00:24:13 - Fixed Income vs Equity Fund Differences
00:27:05 - Time Frames for Effective Analysis
00:29:25 - Putting All Five Metrics Together
00:30:25 - Closing Thoughts

For more retirement income strategies, visit yieldtoreason.com or subscribe on YouTube.

Remember: Real wealth doesn't just add up—it writes checks.

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"When More Isn't Better: The Hidden Dangers of Chasing Yield"

Episode Overview

Does higher yield always mean better returns? In this episode, we tackle one of the most seductive—and dangerous—assumptions in income investing: that if a little yield is good, more must be better. The research tells a different story. We explore why chasing yield can become your financial undoing and provide practical frameworks to help you identify when a distribution is sustainable versus when it's a red flag signaling trouble ahead.

For DIY investors building resilient retirement portfolios, understanding the difference between attractive yield and risky yield is essential. This episode gives you the analytical tools to evaluate income investments beyond the headline number, focusing on what really matters: sustainable, reliable cash flow that won't disappear when you need it most.

Key Topics Covered

The Risk Landscape Beyond Principal Loss (02:04)

Understanding Yield Risk and Income Risk (04:15)

Critical Yield Thresholds by Asset Class (09:22)

REITs: The 5.5% Warning Line (11:55)

Closed-End Funds: Leverage, NAV, and the 8% Ceiling (14:55)

Covered Call ETFs: The 10% Reality Check (18:37)

Master Limited Partnerships: Energy Infrastructure Complexity (21:46)

Coverage Ratios: The Universal Metric (25:25)

Terminal Funds: A Special Consideration (27:01)

Critical Takeaways for DIY Investors

The allure of high yield can override careful analysis, but sustainable retirement income demands discipline. Higher yields generally indicate higher risk, and understanding where yield crosses from attractive to dangerous is essential for building a portfolio that won't fail you in retirement.

Each asset class has different risk characteristics and different sustainable yield ranges. A REIT paying 7% isn't the same as a covered call ETF paying 7%—the underlying mechanics are entirely different, and the sustainability implications vary dramatically. Context and asset class understanding matter more than the headline number.

Return of capital isn't automatically disqualifying, but it demands investigation. For MLPs, some ROC is normal and expected. For REITs and CEFs, consistent high ROC percentages signal distributions exceeding what the investment actually earns, which is unsustainable. Your brokerage platform provides distribution breakdown information—use it to understand what you're actually receiving.

Coverage ratios reveal the truth about distribution sustainability. If an investment consistently pays out more than it earns, the math inevitably catches up through distribution cuts or principal erosion. Temporary shortfalls in a single payment period might be manageable, but year-over-year patterns of distributions exceeding results should raise serious concerns.

The income investor's primary risk isn't share price volatility—it's distribution cuts. While declining share values create reinvestment challenges, as long as your income stream remains intact and covers your expenses, short-term price movements matter less. However, a distribution cut hits you twice: reduced income and typically declining share prices, creating compounding problems that can undermine your entire retirement strategy.

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Why the 4% Rule Failed (And What Actually Works)

Episode Description:

The 4% withdrawal rule has become retirement planning gospel—but here's the problem: almost nobody actually follows it. In this episode, we unpack why retirees consistently withdraw only 2% of their portfolios annually, despite decades of research validating higher withdrawal rates. More importantly, we reveal what the data shows does work: building portfolios with reliable income streams that give you permission to actually enjoy your retirement wealth.

This episode delivers actionable strategies backed by real research.

Key Topics Covered

The 4% Rule: Origins and Evolution

• William Bengen's 1994 research establishing the "safe max" withdrawal rate
• How the rule actually works (initial withdrawal + annual inflation adjustments)
• The critical distinction: 4% was the minimum worst-case scenario, not a ceiling
• Subsequent research validation (Trinity Study, Wade Pfau's international analysis)
• Morningstar's annual updates (ranging from 3.3% to 4% over the past five years)
• Bengen's own upward revisions over time

The Decumulation Paradox

• Why retirees average only 2% withdrawal rates when 4%+ is considered safe
• The psychology of loss aversion in retirement spending
• Real-world behavior vs. theoretical models
• The emotional weight of "spending down" versus "living on income"

What the Data Actually Shows

• Research revealing retirees with guaranteed income sources withdraw and spend significantly more
• The psychological difference between "withdrawing principal" and "spending income"
• How income-producing assets change spending behavior and retirement satisfaction
• Social Security as a foundational guaranteed income layer

Building a Resilient Income Portfolio

Multiple asset classes for generating reliable retirement income:

• Annuities - Guaranteed income contracts
• Closed-End Funds (CEFs) - Consistent distribution vehicles
• Covered Call ETFs - Systematic income generation from broad market indices
• Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) - Higher complexity, substantial income potential
• Bonds - Municipal bonds for taxable accounts, corporate bonds for tax-deferred
• Strategic allocation: balancing income-producing assets with growth investments

Key Timestamps

00:00:57 - Introduction: The 4% rule's surprising failure
00:01:31 - Why Americans ignore proven withdrawal rate research
00:02:11 - William Bengen's original 1994 research explained
00:03:09 - How the 4% rule actually works (with inflation adjustments)
00:05:53 - Scientific validation and replication studies
00:06:59 - International market considerations (Wade Pfau's research)
00:08:07 - Morningstar's annual safe withdrawal rate updates
00:12:37 - The decumulation paradox: Why retirees withdraw only 2%
00:14:32 - Research on actual retirement spending behaviors
00:18:53 - The guaranteed income advantage: spending 3x more
00:23:51 - Actionable strategies: Building your income portfolio
00:26:50 - What to do if your income exceeds your needs
00:29:00 - Tax considerations across different account types

The research is clear: Building resilient retirement portfolios isn't just about maximizing returns—it's about creating sustainable income streams that give you both financial security and psychological permission to enjoy what you've built.

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Episode Description:

Before you hire someone to help with your retirement portfolio, you need to know what you're actually hiring. This episode breaks down the four main categories of financial professionals—investment advisors, financial planners, brokers, and insurance agents—and explains what each one actually does, how they get paid, and which standard of care they follow.

If you're a DIY investor considering professional guidance, or if you need specific products that require working with a licensed professional, this primer will help you understand who does what and avoid costly confusion.

Episode Highlights

[00:00 - 02:21] Welcome Back to Season 2

• Introduction to the topic: hiring professionals for retirement planning
• Why this matters even for DIY-minded investors
• Some retirement income strategies require working with licensed professionals

[02:21 - 05:14] What Is a Financial Advisor, Really?

• The confusion around the term "financial advisor"
• Four categories of financial professionals: investment advisors, financial planners, brokers, and insurance agents
• Warning signs: titles like "financial professional," "financial representative," or "financial consultant" often aren't true financial advisors

[05:14 - 08:25] Investment Advisors: The True Financial Advisors

• Legal definition and licensing requirements
• How they're compensated (typically 1-1.25% annual fee charged quarterly)
• Discretionary portfolio management authority
• The Fiduciary Standard: Must act in your best interest
• The Suitability Standard: Only needs to be "suitable," not optimal (used by non-fiduciary professionals)

[08:25 - 11:16] Financial Planners: Big Picture Guidance

• Focus on broader financial advice, not just investments
• Services include budgeting, debt management, major financial decisions
• Comprehensive planning using specialized software
• May or may not hold investment licenses
• Often compensated through flat fees, hourly rates, or retainer arrangements

[11:16 - 17:45] Brokers/Registered Representatives

• Transaction-based compensation model
• Follow suitability standard, not fiduciary standard
• Load mutual funds and commissioned products
• Increasingly being replaced by self-directed platforms
• Often work with employer 401(k) plans and prospect through workplace seminars

[17:45 - 21:50] Insurance Agents: The Product Specialists

• Specialize in life insurance (term and permanent) and annuities
• Commission-based compensation
• Follow suitability standard
• Products you can't easily buy on your own—you need a licensed agent
• Generally lack deep investment or broader financial planning expertise

[21:50 - 29:32] How to Choose the Right Professional

• Why one person rarely does everything well
• Financial advisors excel at portfolio management but may lack insurance expertise
• Financial planners excel at comprehensive planning but may not actively manage investments
• Insurance agents are product specialists but typically don't handle investments
• Look for teams of professionals or strong referral networks
• Understanding these distinctions prevents mismatched expectations

Host: Brandon Roberts, with nearly 20 years of experience in retirement and financial planning

Subscribe: Available on all major podcast platforms YouTube: Yield to Reason YouTube channel Website: yieldtoreason.com

"Real wealth doesn't just add up. It writes checks."

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Episode Description

In this eye-opening episode, Brandon challenges everything you thought you knew about retirement in America. Through historical context and current data, he reveals why the concept of "American Retirement" is actually a myth – and what that means for your financial planning strategy.

Key Takeaways

• The average American retires at age 62 – not 65, 67, or 70 as commonly suggested by financial planners
• Nearly 40% of retirees return to work in some capacity, with 50% odds if you retire in your 50s
• 30% of retirements are triggered by health issues rather than financial readiness
• Retirement income sources vary dramatically across Americans, with no single "correct" approach
• Most Americans have no formal retirement plan – they simply work with whatever resources they've accumulated

Episode Outline

Introduction

Why we think of retirement as a single, defined life event when the data suggests otherwise

Part 1: The Retirement Origin Story

• How retirement systems were created for political control, not individual benefit
• Roman military pensions to prevent soldier rebellions
• Otto von Bismarck's 1889 German pension system to manage workforce transitions
• The rise and fall of the American pension system
• The shift to 401(k) plans and individual responsibility

Part 2: The Age Retirement Begins

• Why Americans retire at 62 despite optimal ages being later
• Historical trend of retirement age increasing from 57 (1991) to 62 (today)
• The disconnect between financial planning advice and reality

Part 3: Return to Work

• 40% of retirees eventually return to work
• Equal split between financial necessity and desire for social/intellectual stimulation
• 16% of retirees find retirement more boring than anticipated

Part 4: The "Typical" Retirement

• Massive variation in retirement timing, activities, and income sources
• TV watching as the dominant retirement activity (4+ hours daily)
• Social Security as the only near-universal income source
• Even split between traditional retirement accounts, general savings, real estate, and annuities
• Most Americans have no formal plan – "things just worked out that way"

Conclusion: What This Means for You

• Focus on income replacement capability, not arbitrary savings targets
• Build flexibility rather than following rigid retirement templates
• Develop multiple income streams instead of relying on single sources