Can I Retire Now?

Nick J. Russell, CRPC® & Becky Wagoner

Welcome to the Can I Retire Now? Podcast!  Where savvy financial insights meet relatable wisdom. With almost two decades in the industry, Nick and his wife, Becky, bring a dynamic perspective to help you navigate your unique financial landscape.   Join us as we decode the intricacies of your financial world, offering tailored strategies for dream retirement plans and protection against life's storms.   Discover what truly matters in your financial life, gain insights on relationships and money, and maybe even share a good laugh.   Your journey to financial well-being starts here.  Hosted by: Nick J. Russell, CRPC®,  Investment Advisor Representative, and Becky Wagoner, Podcast Coordinator.  Securities and advisory services offered through Cetera Advisors LLC, member FINRA/SIPC, a broker/dealer, and a Registered Investment Adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. 6052 Turkey Lake Rd #101, Orlando, FL 32819. Main Telephone: (407) 351-3476.

  1. 3d ago

    Why Emergency Savings Are Your Retirement's Best Friend (Ep. 53)

    With market volatility and rising living costs making headlines, people often focus on chasing returns, leaving behind a foundational piece of their wealth: emergency savings. In this episode of Can I Retire Now?, Nick and Becky dive into the basics to explore why a cash reserve is your ultimate financial shock absorber. From breaking down the exact cash buffer you need at every stage of life to explaining how a cash waterfall protects your retirement income from down markets, we cover it all. Plus, Becky shares eye-opening stats from Vanguard on how hardship withdrawals have doubled since the pandemic, and ways to automate your savings so you never have to think about it. Whether you’re just starting your career or transitioning into retirement, find out why having cash on hand gives you the flexibility to handle life’s curveballs without dipping into your long-term nest egg! Key Takeaways:  The Financial Shock Absorber: Emergency savings aren't just for unexpected expenses like car repairs or medical bills. They protect you from having to sell investments during a market downturn.Savings By Age: Your cash buffer should scale as you get older. Whether its 3 months of expenses for ages 25–35, up to 12 to 24 months for pre-retirees and retirees aged 60+, your buffer should suit your stage in life.Automate Everything: Setting up automatic transfers from every paycheck takes the stress out of saving and builds your safety net effortlessly.Protecting Your Retirement Income: Structuring your retirement income like an assembly line means that your near-term cash needs are met without triggering taxes, penalties, or lost compounding momentum.Avoiding Hardship Withdrawals: With recent reports showing that hardship withdrawals from retirement accounts have doubled since pre-pandemic levels, proper cash reserves are more critical than ever to avoid high-interest debt or foreclosure.Connect with Sunrise Wealth Advisors:  LinkedIn: Nick RussellSunrise Wealth AdvisorsX: Nick Russell

  2. Oct 16

    AI and Retirement: Friend, Foe, or Financial Planner? (Ep. 52)

    With AI dominating conversations everywhere from schools to doctor's offices, it's no surprise that more people are turning to chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude for financial guidance. But should you really trust artificial intelligence to map out your retirement? In this episode of Can I Retire Now?, Nick and Becky dive into the good, the bad, and the risky side of using AI for personal finance and retirement planning. While generative AI acts as a powerful calculator and a super-powered search engine to simplify complex terminology, there can be hidden dangers. Nick and Becky break down why AI's absolute confidence can lead you straight into outdated tax laws, how it lacks the nuanced understanding of unique family dynamics, and the potential data privacy risks of feeding your personal financial data into the cloud. Plus, they explore how financial advisors actually use specialized, secure AI tools behind the scenes and look back at the very first cinematic representation of AI in film. Whether you've toyed with the idea of asking a chatbot about your 401(k) or you're wondering how technology impacts modern wealth management, pull up a chair and join us for this week’s episode! Key Takeaways:  The Perks of AI Tools: Generative AI excels as a sophisticated calculator and a friendly, accessible way to simplify complex financial concepts and test basic scenarios.Overconfidence Concerns: AI speaks with absolute authority, meaning it can easily feed you expired or outdated tax laws if you don't know how to verify the information.One Size Fits Most: AI assumes human behavior is linear and rational, failing to capture the unique, emotional, and evolving dynamics of a real family's financial plan.Privacy and Accountability Risks: Typing sensitive information like account balances or social security numbers into public chatbots creates data security risks and zero accountability if things go wrong.Behind-the-Scenes Professional Use: Financial professionals leverage secure, proprietary AI tools like automated tax return scanners and estate planning workflows to save time on administrative tasks, but they don’t replace human expertise.Connect with Sunrise Wealth Advisors:  LinkedIn: Nick RussellSunrise Wealth AdvisorsX: Nick Russell

  3. Oct 1

    Trump Accounts and The Secret Child Rollover Strategy for Retirement (Ep. 51)

    When planning for a child or grandchild’s future, most people naturally jump straight to 529 college plans or standard custodial accounts. But a newly created tool, the Trump Account, is introducing a whole new way to build generational wealth long before a child ever enters the workforce. In this episode of Can I Retire Now?, Nick and Becky break down how these new government-backed custodial accounts work, from the $1,000 federal match for eligible newborns to their $5,000 annual contribution limits. Beyond the basics, Nick reveals a little-known rollover strategy that leverages the time value of money to set a minor up with an IRA seed fund by their early twenties. Plus, Becky dives into historical trivia to highlight Benjamin Franklin’s famous 200-year compound interest experiment and uncovers a surprising historical mix-up along the way. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, or relative looking to give the next generation a massive head start, pull up a chair and join the conversation! Key Takeaways:  Understanding Trump Accounts: These new government-backed custodial accounts allow up to $5,000 per year in tax-advantaged contributions for minors, featuring a $1,000 government seed grant for children born between 2025 and 2028.The Hidden Rollover Strategy: Account funds can be strategically rolled over annually into a traditional IRA once the child reaches college age, building a massive retirement foundation early in life.Independent Contribution Limits: Rolling funds from a Trump Account into an IRA does not restrict or reduce the child's ability to make their own independent Roth or traditional IRA contributions from earned income.The Power of Time and Compounding: Starting an investment strategy during early childhood dramatically lowers the total capital required to reach multi-million dollar retirement milestones thanks to decades of compound growth.Safe Account Setup: Trump Accounts must be opened directly through official channels using the child's Social Security number to verify age and eligibility.Connect with Sunrise Wealth Advisors:  LinkedIn: Nick RussellSunrise Wealth AdvisorsX: Nick Russell

  4. Sep 17

    Is That Really Your Bank? Personalized Scams and AI Imposters (Ep. 50)

    With AI getting smarter by the day, financial scams are no longer just obvious emails from international princes. Today, bad actors are using personalized and sophisticated voice cloning, DocuSign spoofs, and hidden crypto links to target everyday savers and pre-retirees. In this episode of Can I Retire Now?, Nick and Becky dive into the updated landscape of modern financial fraud. From imposter calls that mimic your family members to "smishing" text scams and long-con romance fraud, we break down how current scammers exploit technology and your emotions to steal over $120 billion a year in the U.S. alone. We also share practical, real-world strategies to protect your hard-earned wealth. Plus, Becky takes us back to 300 BC to share a wild story about the world's oldest documented instance of insurance fraud (and how it went terribly wrong). Whether you’ve been a recipient of a recent suspicious text or just want to double down on your retirement account security, pull up a chair and join the conversation! Key Takeaways:  Recognizing AI Imposters: Scammers are now using AI voice cloning and convincingSpotting Red Flags: Manufactured urgency is the #1 signal that a request is fraudulent; legitimate financial institutions will never demand immediate action under pressure.Implementing Simple Safeguards: Creating a family keyword, freezing your credit across all three bureaus, and using verbal verification before moving money provide immediate protection.Understanding Un-traceable Channels: Scammers heavily leverage cryptocurrency wallets and wire transfers specifically because they are nearly impossible to trace or reverse.Staying Intentional: Practicing basic digital hygiene, like regularly updating complex passwords and verifying links before signing electronic documents, keeps bad actors out.Connect with Sunrise Wealth Advisors:  LinkedIn: Nick RussellSunrise Wealth AdvisorsX: Nick Russell

  5. Sep 3

    Emergency Savings and Student Loan Matches in Your 401(k) (Ep. 49)

    Government legislation might not sound like standard weekend listening, but the latest changes could reshape how you save and spend your money. Today’s episode of Can I Retire Now?, dives into Part 2 of Nick and Becky’s breakdown of the SECURE 2.0 Act. Employers can now match your student loan payments with 401(k) contributions and the new $2,500 emergency savings accounts are built right into workplace plans. With auto-enrollment and auto-escalation these options can set up future savers for success. We debate whether easier access to your retirement money is a helpful safety net or a dangerous habit, and Becky drops a surprising fun fact about America’s most secure location (and its exclusive visitor list). Whether you're looking to leverage your student loan payments into retirement dollars or just curious about how these rule changes affect your savings strategy, join us for a chat! Key Takeaways:  Balancing Retirement Accounts: Utilizing 401(k) emergency savings accounts and student loan matches helps younger workers build wealth without sacrificing short-term stability.Leveraging Automation: Auto-enrollment and auto-escalation features remove friction, naturally increasing retirement contributions as salaries grow.Navigating Penalty-Free Access: New Secure 2.0 provisions offer strategic flexibility for specific hardships, disaster relief, and long-term care premiums.Protecting Long-Term Growth: Maintaining traditional cash reserves prevents disruptive early withdrawals that can negatively impact ultimate retirement readiness.Planning Ahead: Evaluating new ways to access retirement funds highlights the importance of balancing near-term accessibility with long-term financial security.Connect with Sunrise Wealth Advisors:  LinkedIn: Nick RussellSunrise Wealth AdvisorsX: Nick Russell

  6. Aug 21

    What the New RMD and Roth Rules Mean for Your Money (Ep. 48)

    Navigating government legislation shouldn't feel like decoding a foreign language. In this episode of Can I Retire Now?, Nick and Becky sit down to break down the actual, real-world impact of the Secure 2.0 Act. The Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) ages have shifted, moving out to 73 and 75 depending on when you were born. That extra runway gives you a massive window for strategic Roth conversions. We dive into the new rules around high-earner catch-up contributions and why today's historical tax laws change the game. Plus, a surprisingly passionate debate over America's favorite condiments. Whether you're aggressively planning your exit strategy or just trying to make sense of your retirement accounts, we've got you covered. Grab a seat, and let's talk it over! Connect with Sunrise Wealth Advisors:  LinkedIn: Nick RussellSunrise Wealth AdvisorsX: Nick Russell

  7. Jul 15

    How to Use the 0% Capital Gains Tax Rate in Retirement (Ep. 47)

    Could you be paying taxes in retirement that you didn't actually have to pay? Many retirees spend years focusing on saving money, only to discover that how they withdraw it can be just as important. Understanding the difference between taxable income and cash available to spend can open planning opportunities that many people never realize exist. In this episode, Nick Russell and Becky Wagoner explain how the 0% long-term capital gains tax rate can create opportunities for recently retired couples who plan ahead. Through practical examples, they show how taxable income differs from spending money, why building cash reserves before retirement matters, how tax-gain harvesting can reduce future risk, and why retirement planning is just as much about tax planning as investment management. Key takeaways: Understanding taxable income can create opportunities to realize long-term capital gains at a 0% tax rateBuilding cash reserves before retirement may provide more flexibility during the first retirement yearsCoordinating withdrawals, investments, and taxable income helps create more planning options over timeSelling appreciated investments can reduce concentration risk while potentially limiting capital gains taxesLooking several years ahead often creates retirement tax opportunities that yearly planning can missAnd more!Connect with Sunrise Wealth Advisors:  LinkedIn: Nick RussellSunrise Wealth AdvisorsX: Nick Russell

  8. Jun 24

    The Retirement Readiness Checklist You Shouldn’t Ignore (Ep. 46)

    Retirement gets a lot more real when the calendar starts counting down. Questions around healthcare, taxes, income, routines, and timing can suddenly feel overwhelming. What happens if you miss Medicare deadlines? How do you avoid tax surprises? And what does life actually look like once the work routine disappears? In this episode, Nick Russell and Becky Wagoner walk through a retirement readiness checklist covering the final 12 months before retirement. They discuss Social Security timing, Medicare enrollment deadlines, tax planning opportunities, Roth conversions, investment income strategies, beneficiary reviews, and how to prepare emotionally for life after work. They also explain why retirement is more of a strategy game than a finish line and why planning early can help reduce stress during the transition. Key takeaways: Medicare enrollment deadlines can affect premium costs for the rest of your retirement yearsRetirement tax planning may create opportunities for Roth conversions and lower taxable incomeBuilding cash reserves before retirement can help stabilize income during market downturnsWeekly routines and lifestyle planning matter just as much as investment preparation before retiringPTO payouts, pensions, and retirement timing can all impact taxes during your first retirement yearAnd more!Connect with Sunrise Wealth Advisors:  LinkedIn: Nick RussellSunrise Wealth AdvisorsX: Nick Russell

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Ratings & Reviews

4.5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Can I Retire Now? Podcast!  Where savvy financial insights meet relatable wisdom. With almost two decades in the industry, Nick and his wife, Becky, bring a dynamic perspective to help you navigate your unique financial landscape.   Join us as we decode the intricacies of your financial world, offering tailored strategies for dream retirement plans and protection against life's storms.   Discover what truly matters in your financial life, gain insights on relationships and money, and maybe even share a good laugh.   Your journey to financial well-being starts here.  Hosted by: Nick J. Russell, CRPC®,  Investment Advisor Representative, and Becky Wagoner, Podcast Coordinator.  Securities and advisory services offered through Cetera Advisors LLC, member FINRA/SIPC, a broker/dealer, and a Registered Investment Adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. 6052 Turkey Lake Rd #101, Orlando, FL 32819. Main Telephone: (407) 351-3476.

Information

  • Creator
    Nick J. Russell, CRPC® & Becky Wagoner
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    53
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Can I Retire Now?
  • Show Website
    Can I Retire Now?

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