Retire and Thrive

Fortress Financial Group
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Investing
  • Updated Weekly

Retire and Thrive is a podcast hosted by Dan and Kamie, offering real conversations about retirement planning, wealth building, and thriving in every season of life. New Episodes come out every Wednesday. Fortress Financial Group, LLC, is a registered investment adviser. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Fortress and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt for licensure. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

  1. 13h ago

    AI Voice Scams Are Targeting Retirees: How to Protect Yourself

    Could you recognize the voice of a family member if it had been recreated by artificial intelligence? In this episode of Retire and Thrive, Dan Langworthy and Kamie Blair examine the imposter calls, fake emergencies, suspicious bank requests, malicious email attachments, gift card demands, and wire-transfer schemes that can place retirees and their families at risk. Dan explains why scammers create urgency, how to slow the situation down, and which questions can help expose someone pretending to be a child or grandchild. He and Kamie also discuss creating a private family code word, protecting sensitive information, and independently contacting the person or institution involved before taking action. You will also hear what to do after money has been sent or a Social Security number has been disclosed, including contacting the financial institution immediately and considering additional identity-theft protections. The central lesson: never allow a stranger’s urgency to eliminate your verification process. Report suspected fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. For identity-theft recovery steps, visit IdentityTheft.gov. Fortress Financial Group, LLC is a registered investment adviser. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Fortress and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

  2. Jul 23

    Can AI Replace Your Financial Advisor?

    Can AI improve retirement planning without replacing the human relationship behind it? Dan Langworthy and Cody Schaefer share how they use ChatGPT for business decisions, workout and meal planning, and home projects, then examine the privacy, judgment, and behavioral-coaching limits that still matter when your financial life is involved. 00:00 Introduction00:29 Why We’re Talking About AI01:28 Building an AI Board of Directors05:20 Using AI to Generate Better Ideas06:44 AI for Workouts, Nutrition, and Recovery08:39 Can AI Replace a Financial Advisor?09:29 How AI Is Used Inside a Financial Firm11:55 The Risks of AI Financial Advice12:48 Why Human Financial Coaching Still Matters13:26 Why People Should Not Be Afraid of AI14:54 Using AI for Meal Planning15:29 Visualizing Home Projects With ChatGPT16:35 Final Thoughts

  3. Jul 16

    When Should You Take Social Security?

    Social Security can provide an important foundation for retirement income, but deciding when to claim it is rarely a simple calculation. In this episode of Retire and Thrive, Dan and Cody examine how health, life expectancy, lifestyle goals, taxes, market conditions, spousal benefits, and other sources of retirement income can influence a Social Security strategy. They also discuss whether delaying Social Security means missing cost-of-living adjustments, why some retirees prioritize income earlier in retirement, and why the largest possible monthly benefit is not automatically the best choice for every household. Fortress Financial Group LLC is a registered investment adviser. This material is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide individualized advice or recommendations. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal.

  4. Jul 13

    The Retirement Regrets We Hear Most: Social Security, Roth Conversions & Taxes

    When should you take Social Security? Should you consider Roth conversions in retirement? How do required minimum distributions affect your tax picture later in life?In this episode of Retire and Thrive, Dan Langworthy is joined by Cody Schaefer, CFP®, RICP®, to talk through some of the retirement planning decisions people often wish they had understood earlier. The conversation focuses on Social Security timing, tax planning, Roth conversions, RMDs, and how retirement income decisions can affect both retirees and their beneficiaries.This is not about finding one perfect answer. It is about understanding how each decision fits into the bigger retirement plan.In this episode, Dan and Cody discuss:• Why taking Social Security at 62 is not always the best fit• The difference between Social Security taxation and Social Security penalties• Why the higher-earning spouse’s Social Security decision can matter for couples• How Roth conversions may still be useful later in retirement• Why tax diversification matters in retirement planning• How required minimum distributions can affect future taxable income• Why inherited retirement accounts may create tax pressure for beneficiaries• Why retirement planning and tax planning often need to be discussed togetherEvery retirement plan is different. Social Security, Roth conversions, RMDs, and tax strategy should be evaluated in the context of your income needs, account types, age, spouse, beneficiaries, and long-term goals.Subscribe for more conversations about retirement planning, tax strategy, Social Security, income planning, and building your life with purpose, wealth, and confidence.

  5. Jun 25

    Are You Ready to Retire Together? 5 Conversations Couples Avoid

    Retirement is not just a financial decision. It is a relationship transition. Dan and Kamie discuss five conversations couples should have before retirement, including where to live, how to spend, how to handle time together, how kids and grandkids shape decisions, and why health and long-term care planning should not be avoided. This episode is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, legal, retirement, or investment advice.

  6. Jun 18

    The Retirement Bucket List No One Talks About

    Most retirement bucket lists focus on travel, hobbies, and big adventures, but the most meaningful parts of retirement may be the ones people rarely plan for.In this episode of Retire and Thrive, Dan Langworthy and Kamie talk about building a better retirement bucket list, one that includes relationships, health, personal growth, meaningful experiences, and purpose. They also discuss why retirees should ask what they are retiring to, not just what they are retiring from.This episode is for anyone approaching retirement, already retired, or trying to think more intentionally about how to use their time, money, and energy.Disclosure: This episode is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, legal, investment, or retirement planning advice for any individual.

  7. Jun 11

    Should You Downsize, Move, or Buy a Second Home in Retirement?

    Should you stay in your current home, downsize, move, or buy a second home in retirement? Dan and Kamie talk through the financial and emotional side of retirement housing decisions, including why downsizing is not always cheaper, when a cabin or snowbird property may make sense, and why modeling the decision inside your retirement plan matters. The information in this episode is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as financial, investment, tax, or legal advice.

  8. Jun 4

    The First Year of Retirement: Why the Honeymoon Phase Can Fade

    What happens after the excitement of retirement starts to fade? In this episode of Retire and Thrive, Dan Langworthy and Kamie Blair discuss the first year of retirement, including the “honeymoon phase” many retirees experience and why it does not always last. Dan shares what he has seen retirees struggle with most, including identity, purpose, financial confidence, and the shift from receiving a paycheck to relying on retirement income sources like savings, pensions, and Social Security. They also discuss why having money does not automatically create happiness in retirement, what the happiest retirees tend to have in common, and why entering retirement without a clear vision can lead to drifting instead of thriving. Topics covered: • Why the retirement honeymoon phase can fade • The emotional side of leaving work behind • How retirees can think about their portfolio as part of their paycheck • Why purpose and relationships matter in retirement • The biggest mistake new retirees often make • How to begin building a clearer vision for life after work Retirement is not just about having enough money. It is about knowing what you want your next chapter to look like and being intentional about how you live it. Investment advisory services offered through Fortress Financial Group, LLC, a registered investment adviser. This content is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered individualized financial advice. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.

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About

Retire and Thrive is a podcast hosted by Dan and Kamie, offering real conversations about retirement planning, wealth building, and thriving in every season of life. New Episodes come out every Wednesday. Fortress Financial Group, LLC, is a registered investment adviser. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Fortress and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt for licensure. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

Information

  • Creator
    Fortress Financial Group
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    74
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Fortress Financial Group
  • Show Website
    Retire and Thrive