Retire Early Podcast

Sam Benson & Linwood Fraher
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Weekly

Welcome to ”The Retire Early Podcast,” your essential guide to achieving the retirement you’ve always dreamed of—sooner rather than later! Hosted by Sam Benson and Linwood Fraher, this podcast is tailored specifically for individuals aged 50-65 who are passionate about retiring early and living their best lives. Each week, we’ll dive deep into essential retirement topics including tax-efficient strategies, smart investing, healthcare planning, income optimization, Social Security tips, estate planning, and actionable financial advice. We’ll feature expert insights, inspiring stories, and practical tools to empower you on your journey toward early retirement. Whether you’re planning to retire in 5 years or 15, ”The Retire Early Podcast” equips you with the knowledge and confidence to secure your financial future, maximize your wealth, and enjoy the retirement lifestyle you deserve. Subscribe today and join our community committed to retiring early and thriving in retirement!

  1. 20h ago

    Balancing Investments and Lifestyle Against Inflation

    After decades of careful retirement planning, a hidden danger could upend your entire strategy: underestimating inflation. Many retirees are shocked to realize their savings may not last as long as they hoped—simply because their plans didn't keep pace with rising costs. In this episode, Sam Benson and Linwood Fraher dig into why inflation is called the "silent tax," what it really means for your purchasing power, and how early retirees are especially vulnerable.   Episode Outline   04:16 Why a 3% inflation rate nearly doubles your spending needs in just 20 years   06:20 How your personal inflation rate can be very different from national averages, and why it's crucial to plan for your actual spending habits   07:43 The real risks of playing it too safe with ultra-conservative investments and how it can erode your retirement lifestyle   12:15 How to factor in Social Security's cost of living adjustment   12:57 Practical advice for building a flexible, resilient income plan that can grow with the cost of living   14:06 Proven ways to stress test your retirement plan against higher inflation, medical cost spikes, and market downturns Gain peace of mind by understanding the inflation risks that most retirement plans ignore, and learn how to create a strategy that gives you confidence, no matter what the future brings.   Contact Us   Learn more about working with Sam Benson and Linwood Fraher at www.martinwealth.com

  2. Oct 27

    Building a Roadmap for the Last Five Years Before Retiring

    Retirement can seem straightforward when it's decades away—you split your paycheck between living expenses and 401(k) contributions and throw money at the problem. But once you're five years out, you need to plan more intentionally. If you want to retire early and smoothly, your mindset and action list have to shift.   In this episode, Sam Benson and Linwood Fraher break down exactly what to solve for in the critical retirement “red zone”, the five years before and after you quit working. They explain why the biggest expense shock isn’t world travel, but health insurance, with premiums that can feel like a new mortgage payment for early retirees. They share strategies that let you road-test your budget and lifestyle before you pull the plug, plus the identity shifts many people miss.   Episode Outline:    03:08: How to bridge your income gap when your paycheck ends but Social Security or pensions haven’t started   05:13: The surprisingly high costs of healthcare before Medicare kicks in—and all the real options to cover them   09:49: Why a 12–24 month “retirement rehearsal” is critical for both your finances and sense of purpose 13:06: How tax planning in your 50s and 60s (like Roth conversions and multi-year projections) creates more freedom, family experiences, and even inheritance 16:47: The non-financial essentials—estate documents, conversations with loved ones, and property/casualty insurance—that protect your hard-earned security   With tested advice grounded in hundreds of pre-retirement conversations, this is your playbook for turning the last five working years into a confident transition (not a cliff dive) into retirement.   Contact Us   Learn more about working with Sam Benson and Linwood Fraher at www.martinwealth.com

  3. Oct 20

    Should You Change Financial Advisors Before Retirement?

    When John D. Rockefeller built his fortune, he created the first family office to navigate the complexities of great wealth—a team of experts to manage all the details that came with it. Retirement, as Sam Benson and Linwood Fraher discuss, is much the same: the strategies that served you while you were accumulating savings might not be enough anymore.   If you’re approaching retirement, you’re facing a new set of challenges: shifting from saving to spending, handling taxes, choosing the right time to claim Social Security and Medicare, and planning for long-term care and a legacy for your heirs. Many people consider whether they need a different advisor now that their needs are changing.    Episode Outline   00:00: Choosing the Right Financial Advisor   04:38: Basic investment strategies for beginners   07:57: Choosing a financial planner   10:31: Coordinating financial professionals   14:11: Financial planning and estate management   16:44: Evaluating your investment advisor   19:50: Evaluating Retirement Financial Strategies Connect with Us Learn more about working with Sam Benson and Linwood Fraher at www.martinwealth.com

  4. Sep 29

    Why Your 401(k) Feels Like a Pair of Cuffs

    A 401(k) with its complex rules and withdrawal limits can often leave early retirees feeling restricted. Managing it unprepared means navigating strict government regulations, taxes, and penalties right when you want to access your funds for retirement.   In this episode of the Retire Early Podcast, Sam Benson and Lynwood Freyer discuss why 401(k) accounts have strict rules and how early retirees can navigate them. They break down three critical questions around 401(k) access, rolling over funds, and generating retirement income to help you avoid costly mistakes and unlock your savings.   Episode Outline 00:00 — Introduction: Why a 401(k) feels like wearing handcuffs 01:47 — Why 401(k) accounts are designed to restrict early access 03:45 — Accessing funds early: The Rule of 55, loans, and hardship withdrawals 05:10 — The cost of early withdrawals: Income taxes and the 10% penalty 06:28 — Should you leave your 401(k) or roll it over to an IRA? 07:13 — Analyzing plan fees, expense ratios, and fund quality 08:27 — Why rolling over can ruin Rule of 55 access or backdoor Roth strategies 11:42 — How to convert 401(k) funds into sustainable retirement income 13:42 — Tax planning considerations and managing withdrawal strategies 14:16 — Sequence of return risk and shifting from accumulation to decumulation Learn more about working with Sam Benson and Linwood Fraher at www.martinwealth.com

  5. Sep 22

    Expecting an Inheritance? Don’t Make These Mistakes

    Receiving a large inheritance can completely change your financial picture—but it can also create new risks, tax considerations, family complications, and emotional pressure. In this episode of Retire Early, Sam Benson and Linwood Frayer discuss how to prepare for a potential inheritance before it arrives and what to do after receiving it. They explain why you shouldn’t reduce your savings or increase your spending based on an expected inheritance, how different inherited assets can carry very different tax implications, and why major financial decisions are often best postponed while you’re grieving. They also cover some of the biggest mistakes people make with inherited wealth—including treating principal like income, becoming overly conservative with the money, and becoming too generous too quickly.   Topics Discussed: 00:00 — Preparing for a potential inheritance 01:00 — The emotional side of inherited wealth 03:00 — Planning for an inheritance without depending on it 05:00 — Why emotion can lead to costly decisions 05:30 — Don't save less or spend more because an inheritance is coming 06:15 — Why an inheritance doesn't automatically mean you can retire 07:00 — How long-term care can dramatically reduce an expected inheritance 08:00 — Understanding the tax implications of inherited assets 09:00 — Inherited IRAs and distribution planning 10:00 — Modeling different inheritance scenarios 11:00 — Wills, trusts, beneficiaries, and professional relationships 12:30 — Why you should keep an inheritance private 13:15 — Having inheritance conversations with your parents 15:00 — Creating an estate and asset checklist 16:00 — What to do once the inheritance arrives 17:00 — Avoiding major financial decisions while grieving 18:00 — What needs immediate attention—and what can wait 19:00 — Understanding exactly what you've inherited 20:00 — The risks and expenses of inherited real estate 21:00 — Build the financial plan before the investment portfolio 23:00 — Mistake #1: Treating principal like income 24:00 — Mistake #2: Becoming too conservative 25:00 — Mistake #3: Becoming too generous too quickly 26:00 — Assigning specific goals to inherited money 27:00 — Updating your own estate plan and slowing down   Connect with Sam and Linwood at www.martinwealth.com

  6. Sep 15

    Should I Wait One More Year to Retire?

    One of the most common and difficult questions anyone nearing their target retirement date faces is, “Should I wait just one more year to retire?” Retirement is a major life transition, and working an extra 12 months can profoundly affect both your financial security and your personal life.   In this episode of Retire Early, Sam Benson and Lynwood Freyer discuss the pros and cons of delaying retirement by just one year. They discuss how a final year of employment can boost your retirement savings, increase your Social Security benefits, and allow you to pay down remaining debt. On the flip side, they explore the non-financial trade-offs, explaining why spending your time on earth, avoiding workplace burnout, and enjoying your health while you still have it are compelling reasons to hang it up now.   Episode Outline 00:00 — Introduction: Should you work one more year before you retire? 01:15 — The financial pros: Maximizing your 401(k) and retirement savings 02:18 — How an extra year affects your Social Security calculations and monthly benefits 03:40 — Evaluating employer benefits: Keeping quality health insurance before Medicare 05:10 — Using a final working year to become completely debt-free 07:13 — Portfolio impacts: Reducing the timeline and size of your retirement withdrawals 09:04 — Treating your final year as a "practice year" to test your retirement budget 12:11 — The cons of working longer: Recognizing that time in retirement is finite 13:39 — Factoring in physical health, mental health, and unexpected life events 15:22 — Dealing with workplace burnout and high-stress environments 16:41 — Avoiding regrets and missed milestones with friends and family 19:53 — Final thoughts and how to weigh the data for your own retirement timeline   Connect With Martin Wealth Solutions Learn more about working with Sam Benson and Lynwood Freyer at martinwealth.com

  7. Sep 8

    How to Pay for Health Insurance If You Retire Early

    One of the biggest questions facing anyone who wants to retire before age 65 is simple: What do you do about health insurance? Leaving your job often means leaving employer-sponsored health coverage behind — but Medicare may still be years away. That gap can become one of the largest expenses in an early retirement plan. In this episode of Retire Early, Sam Benson and Linwood Fraher break down three major ways to cover healthcare before Medicare: ACA Marketplace insurance, COBRA, and employer-sponsored coverage. They discuss the tradeoffs between premiums and benefits, why your income and healthcare needs matter, and why simply choosing the cheapest option can expose your retirement plan to significant risk. Episode Outline 00:00 — The healthcare challenge when retiring before Medicare 01:00 — Why healthcare can become a major early-retirement expense 02:34 — Option #1: ACA and Marketplace health insurance 04:00 — Who Marketplace plans may work well for 05:00 — Getting professional help choosing a health plan 05:40 — Why an independent insurance broker may be preferable 07:15 — Option #2: Using COBRA after leaving your employer 08:00 — The potentially surprising cost of COBRA 09:00 — Comparing COBRA with ACA coverage 10:00 — The danger of simply choosing the cheapest plan 11:40 — Option #3: Employer-sponsored coverage 12:00 — Using transitional or part-time employment for health insurance 13:50 — Joining a working spouse’s health plan 15:00 — Planning for healthcare costs before retiring early 16:00 — Final thoughts Connect With Martin Wealth Solutions Learn more about working with Sam Benson and Lindood Fraher at martinwealth.com.

  8. Sep 1

    The 3 Worst Investment Decisions to Make Before Retirement

    The decisions you make with your investments as you approach retirement can have consequences that last for decades. In this episode of the Retire Early Podcast, Certified Financial Planners Sam Benson and Linwood Fraher discuss three of the biggest investment mistakes they see people make heading into retirement, and how planning ahead can help you avoid them. The conversation begins with the story of an investor who watched the market fall during COVID while preparing for retirement. Fear took over, and he moved his investments into CDs. Years later, he regretted the decision. Sam and Linwood explain why retirement investing isn't simply about avoiding market losses. You need a strategy for turning your portfolio into a paycheck, managing taxes, maintaining enough long-term growth to keep pace with inflation, and preparing your plan for the unexpected. Mistake #1: Retiring Without an Income Distribution Plan For decades, your employer provides a paycheck. In retirement, that responsibility shifts to you and your portfolio. Without an income distribution strategy, retirees can end up taking money from the wrong accounts at the wrong time, overspending, or unexpectedly increasing their tax bill. Sam explains how something as simple as taking a large IRA distribution for a vehicle could potentially push someone into a higher tax bracket. The goal is to understand how much you'll need, where the money will come from, and how your different accounts can work together to recreate a dependable retirement paycheck. Mistake #2: Getting Completely Out of the Market Market volatility becomes much more intimidating when retirement is close. That fear can lead investors to abandon the market entirely for CDs, Treasuries, savings accounts, and other conservative investments. While those assets can have an appropriate role in a retirement strategy, moving everything to short-term investments creates another risk: your money may fail to keep pace with inflation and your long-term spending needs. Sam and Linwood discuss investors who sold during major downturns—including the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID crash, and then remained on the sidelines during the recovery. Mistake #3: Failing to Stress-Test Your Retirement A retirement plan shouldn't only work when everything goes right. What happens if investment returns are lower than expected? Inflation runs higher? Social Security benefits change? Spending increases? A major home repair arrives? Or one spouse dies earlier than anticipated? Stress-testing a retirement plan means deliberately modeling difficult scenarios to identify its weak points before those problems actually happen. The goal isn't to predict the future. It's to build enough flexibility into the plan that unexpected events don't automatically derail your retirement. In This Episode 00:00 — A Retirement Decision He Regretted 01:00 — The 3 Biggest Investment Mistakes Near Retirement 02:00 — Mistake #1: No Retirement Paycheck Plan 03:00 — Taking Money From the Wrong Accounts 04:00 — How Much Can You Actually Spend? 05:00 — Mistake #2: Getting Out of the Market 06:00 — The Hidden Problem With "Safe" Investments 07:00 — Spend Your Retirement While You Can Enjoy It 08:00 — Recovering From Emotional Investment Decisions 10:00 — Why COVID Felt Different 11:00 — Mistake #3: Failing to Stress-Test Your Portfolio 12:00 — Preparing for Major Retirement Expenses 13:00 — What Happens When the Plan Goes Wrong? 14:00 — The 3 Mistakes to Avoid 15:00 — Where to Start

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About

Welcome to ”The Retire Early Podcast,” your essential guide to achieving the retirement you’ve always dreamed of—sooner rather than later! Hosted by Sam Benson and Linwood Fraher, this podcast is tailored specifically for individuals aged 50-65 who are passionate about retiring early and living their best lives. Each week, we’ll dive deep into essential retirement topics including tax-efficient strategies, smart investing, healthcare planning, income optimization, Social Security tips, estate planning, and actionable financial advice. We’ll feature expert insights, inspiring stories, and practical tools to empower you on your journey toward early retirement. Whether you’re planning to retire in 5 years or 15, ”The Retire Early Podcast” equips you with the knowledge and confidence to secure your financial future, maximize your wealth, and enjoy the retirement lifestyle you deserve. Subscribe today and join our community committed to retiring early and thriving in retirement!

Information

  • Creator
    Sam Benson & Linwood Fraher
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    85
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Retire Early Podcast

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