Retirement Income School - Safe Money Solutions to Retire Financially Relaxed

Dr. Amanda Barrientez | PhD, RICP®, RSSA®, NPN #19460436
  • 4.2 (5)
  • Investing
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Retirement Income School™ podcast — where you'll get the retirement education you wish they had taught in school! This podcast is designed for people nearing retirement or already retired who want clear, trustworthy guidance on how to protect what they’ve built, reduce taxes, and create reliable income they can’t outlive — without speculation or guesswork. Hosted by Dr. Amanda Barrientez, PhD, RICP®, RSSA®, retirement income strategist and founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™, the show blends real-world planning experience with advanced retirement education. Dr. Amanda is a Member of the Ed Slott Elite Advisor Group, an IBC Practitioner, and a Court of the Table producer — credentials that reflect deep specialization in retirement income, tax strategy, and safe-money planning. Each episode breaks down complex retirement topics into plain English and practical strategies, so you can make confident decisions about your money and your future. 𝗜𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲𝘀, 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻: • How to protect your retirement savings from market volatility • The truth about annuities, whole life insurance, and long-term care planning • How to create a guaranteed lifetime income using safe-money strategies • Social Security timing strategies to help maximize lifetime benefits • Smart, legal ways to reduce taxes in retirement • How to plan for legacy, beneficiaries, and estate efficiency • The biggest threats to retirement income — and how to avoid them Subscribe now and start building the retirement you deserve! ////////// 📅 Schedule a 1:1 Retirement Income Consult with Dr. Amanda: https://calendly.com/rsf-dramanda/initial-consultation 💰 Join Us in the Retirement Income School™: www.RetirementIncome.School 📽️ Watch Retirement Income School™ Content on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool  💰 Watch The Guaranteed Income Blueprint™: www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/guaranteed-income-blueprint /////////// 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗗𝗿. 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮: Email: DrAmanda@RetirementSolutionsFinancial.com Phone: 1-866-444-2997 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/retirementincomeschool 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗗𝗿. 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘇 | 𝗣𝗵𝗗, 𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗣®, 𝗥𝗦𝗦𝗔®, 𝗡𝗣𝗡 #𝟭𝟵𝟰𝟲𝟬𝟰𝟯𝟲: Dr. Amanda is the founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™ and creator of the Retirement Income School™. After losing her father and helping her mom navigate retirement, she felt called to help others avoid the stress and confusion of planning alone. She specializes in safe money strategies using dividend-paying whole life insurance, fixed index annuities, long-term care coverage and social security claiming strategy. Her mission? To help you protect your wealth and enjoy a secure, stress-free retirement with confidence. ------------ DISCLAIMER: The information in this video is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Retirement Income School™ and Dr. Amanda Barrientez do not provide individual investment recommendations. Always consult with a licensed advisor or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed.

  1. Sep 24

    52. Mean Annuity Comments: What They Get Right—and Wrong

    Like what you heard in this episode? 🗓️ Schedule a Retirement Income Q&A call with Dr. Amanda: calendly.com/rsf-dramanda/initial-consultation🎥 The YouTube version of this video is here: www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool✍🏼 The Blog Version of this video is here: www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/blog //////// 52. Mean Annuity Comments: What They Get Right and Wrong Are annuities a scam, or can they serve a useful purpose in retirement? In this lesson of Retirement Income School™, I take common criticisms from viewer comments and look at the questions behind them. We’ll cover fees and tradeoffs, access to your money, how lifetime income riders work, inflation, and what backs an insurer’s guarantees. I’ll also compare MYGAs, fixed indexed annuities, and index funds so you can better understand where each might fit—and what to ask before making a decision. Other Videos Referenced in This Lesson:  Why the 4% Rule Falls Short  Are Insurance Companies Safe for Retirement Income?  Timestamps: 00:00 Why annuities draw strong opinions 02:49 What annuities really cost 07:15 Surrender charges and access to your money 08:10 Is annuity income just your own money? 10:15 Inflation and the 4% rule 12:40 Planning income for now, later, and ongoing needs 14:25 Who backs an annuity guarantee? 17:50 MYGAs, fixed indexed annuities, and index funds 19:34 Should you buy an annuity? 22:00 Questions to guide your decision 📅 Want to Find Out More?:Schedule a Q&A Call with Dr. Amanda 💰 Join Us in the Retirement Income School™:www.RetirementIncome.School 📽️ Watch Retirement Income School™ Content on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool 💰 Watch The Guaranteed Income Blueprint™:www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/guaranteed-income-blueprint 📬 Contact Dr. Amanda:Email: DrAmanda@RetirementSolutionsFinancial.comLinkedIn: @RetirementIncomeSchool About Dr. Amanda Amanda Barrientez | PhD, RICP®, RSSA®, NPN #19460436IBC Practitioner®, Ed Slott's IRA Advisor Group Member®Court of the Table Member MDRT®  Dr. Amanda is the founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™ and creator of the Retirement Income School™. After losing her father and helping her mom navigate retirement, she felt called to help others avoid the stress and confusion of planning alone. She specializes in safe money strategies using dividend-paying whole life insurance, fixed index annuities, long-term care coverage, and Social Security claiming strategy. Her mission? To help you protect your wealth and enjoy a secure, stress-free retirement with confidence. ⚠️ DISCLAIMER The information in this podcast is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Retirement Income School™ and Dr. Amanda Barrientez do not provide individual investment recommendations. Always consult with a licensed advisor or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed.

    52. Mean Annuity Comments: What They Get Right—and Wrong

  2. Sep 17

    51. What Happens When You Work With Me? My 4-Step Process

    Like what you heard in this episode? 🗓️ Schedule a Retirement Income Q&A call with Dr. Amanda: calendly.com/rsf-dramanda/initial-consultation🎥 The YouTube version of this video is here: www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool✍🏼 The Blog Version of this video is here: www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/blog //////// 51. What Happens When You Work With Me? My 4-Step Process What does a retirement income planner actually do—and what should you expect when working with one? In this lesson of Retirement Income School, Dr. Amanda takes you behind the scenes of her retirement income planning process. You’ll see how she evaluates a client’s complete financial picture, identifies income gaps and risks, compares potential strategies, and helps clients make informed decisions. Dr. Amanda also explains the tools she uses—including Asset Map, Annuity Genius, and Roth conversion modeling software—and discusses implementation, ongoing support, annual reviews, and how she is compensated. If you’ve spent decades building your savings but aren’t sure how to turn those assets into reliable retirement income, this episode will help you understand what a retirement income planning relationship can look like. Timestamps: 00:00 What Does a Retirement Income Planner Do?00:49 Why Dr. Amanda Works With Retirees02:36 Retirement Planning Is More Than Investing03:02 Accumulation vs. Retirement Distribution04:38 Common Retirement Income Concerns06:43 The Four-Step Planning Process07:22 Step 1: Retirement Income Q&A Call09:05 Step 2: Discover and Analyze09:25 Building Your Financial Asset Map11:21 Step 3: Modeling Solutions and Recommendations12:04 Comparing Annuity Income Strategies13:42 Modeling Roth Conversions and IRMAA14:21 Step 4: Review and Make Decisions15:13 Implementation and Ongoing Support16:13 How Dr. Amanda Is Compensated16:58 Client Experiences and Reviews18:39 Planning Process Recap19:06 How to Book a Q&A Call   📅 Want to Find Out More?:Schedule a Q&A Call with Dr. Amanda 💰 Join Us in the Retirement Income School™:www.RetirementIncome.School 📽️ Watch Retirement Income School™ Content on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool 💰 Watch The Guaranteed Income Blueprint™:www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/guaranteed-income-blueprint 📬 Contact Dr. Amanda:Email: DrAmanda@RetirementSolutionsFinancial.comLinkedIn: @RetirementIncomeSchool About Dr. Amanda Amanda Barrientez | PhD, RICP®, RSSA®, NPN #19460436IBC Practitioner®, Ed Slott's IRA Advisor Group Member®Court of the Table Member MDRT®  Dr. Amanda is the founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™ and creator of the Retirement Income School™. After losing her father and helping her mom navigate retirement, she felt called to help others avoid the stress and confusion of planning alone. She specializes in safe money strategies using dividend-paying whole life insurance, fixed index annuities, long-term care coverage, and Social Security claiming strategy. Her mission? To help you protect your wealth and enjoy a secure, stress-free retirement with confidence. ⚠️ DISCLAIMER The information in this podcast is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Retirement Income School™ and Dr. Amanda Barrientez do not provide individual investment recommendations. Always consult with a licensed advisor or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed.

    51. What Happens When You Work With Me? My 4-Step Process

  3. Sep 10

    50. The Roth Conversion Clock Is Ticking: Why 2026–2028 Matters

    Like what you heard in this episode? 🗓️ Schedule a Retirement Income Q&A call with Dr. Amanda: calendly.com/rsf-dramanda/initial-consultation🎥 The YouTube version of this video is here: www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool✍🏼 The Blog Version of this video is here: www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/blog //////// 50. The Roth Conversion Clock Is Ticking: Why 2026–2028 Matters Roth conversions are often described as a way to pay taxes today instead of tomorrow—but their value may extend well beyond tax rates alone. In this episode, Dr. Amanda explains why 2026 through 2028 may provide an important Roth-planning window, explores six ways required minimum distributions can affect retirement, and walks through a hypothetical $1 million Roth-conversion case study. You’ll also learn how a Roth-friendly fixed indexed annuity may be incorporated into a broader strategy for tax diversification, future flexibility, and legacy planning. Timestamps: 00:00 Why Roth conversions are receiving attention 01:01 Why 2026–2028 may be a planning opportunity 03:13 The broader purpose of Roth conversions 05:16 Six potential chain reactions of RMDs 09:06 The $1 million Roth-conversion case study 12:20 Building the Roth-conversion blueprint 16:44 Reviewing the five-year conversion strategy 18:35 What the strategy is designed to accomplish 20:10 Key Roth-planning takeaways 20:44 How to explore your own Roth blueprint 📅 Want to Find Out More?:Schedule a Q&A Call with Dr. Amanda 💰 Join Us in the Retirement Income School™:www.RetirementIncome.School 📽️ Watch Retirement Income School™ Content on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool 💰 Watch The Guaranteed Income Blueprint™:www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/guaranteed-income-blueprint 📬 Contact Dr. Amanda:Email: DrAmanda@RetirementSolutionsFinancial.comLinkedIn: @RetirementIncomeSchool About Dr. Amanda Amanda Barrientez | PhD, RICP®, RSSA®, NPN #19460436IBC Practitioner®, Ed Slott's IRA Advisor Group Member®Court of the Table Member MDRT®  Dr. Amanda is the founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™ and creator of the Retirement Income School™. After losing her father and helping her mom navigate retirement, she felt called to help others avoid the stress and confusion of planning alone. She specializes in safe money strategies using dividend-paying whole life insurance, fixed index annuities, long-term care coverage, and Social Security claiming strategy. Her mission? To help you protect your wealth and enjoy a secure, stress-free retirement with confidence. ⚠️ DISCLAIMER The information in this podcast is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Retirement Income School™ and Dr. Amanda Barrientez do not provide individual investment recommendations. Always consult with a licensed advisor or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed.

    50. The Roth Conversion Clock Is Ticking: Why 2026–2028 Matters

  4. Sep 3

    49. The Old Annuity Is Gone. Here's What Retirees Buy Now.

    Like what you heard in this episode? 🗓️ Schedule a Retirement Income Q&A call with Dr. Amanda: calendly.com/rsf-dramanda/initial-consultation🎥 The YouTube version of this video is here: www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool✍🏼 The Blog Version of this video is here: www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/blog //////// 49. The Old Annuity Is Gone. Here's What Retirees Buy Now.  Annuities have changed significantly over the years, yet many opinions about them are still based on older products and outdated contract designs.  In this lesson, Dr. Amanda explains the evolution of annuities and compares variable annuities, multi-year guaranteed annuities (MYGAs), and fixed indexed annuities (FIAs). You’ll learn how their fees, growth methods, protections, liquidity features, and income options differ—and why the right question is not whether annuities are good or bad, but what specific role an annuity needs to serve in your retirement plan. Timestamps: 00:00 – Why not all annuities are the same 01:29 – The misconception that all annuities have high fees 02:16 – How annuities have evolved over time 03:24 – How modern MYGAs work 05:41 – Fixed indexed annuities and market-linked growth 07:01 – Variable annuities, fees, and market exposure 10:56 – Comparing variable annuities, MYGAs, and FIAs 12:33 – Understanding fees by annuity type 13:37 – How lifetime-income riders work 14:35 – Old annuitization versus modern flexibility 16:29 – The roles annuities can serve in retirement 18:35 – Choosing an annuity based on the job it needs to do 18:51 – How to explore your annuity options 19:32 – Closing and educational disclaimer 📅 Want to Find Out More?:Schedule a Q&A Call with Dr. Amanda 💰 Join Us in the Retirement Income School™:www.RetirementIncome.School 📽️ Watch Retirement Income School™ Content on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool 💰 Watch The Guaranteed Income Blueprint™:www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/guaranteed-income-blueprint 📬 Contact Dr. Amanda:Email: DrAmanda@RetirementSolutionsFinancial.comLinkedIn: @RetirementIncomeSchool About Dr. Amanda Amanda Barrientez | PhD, RICP®, RSSA®, NPN #19460436IBC Practitioner®, Ed Slott's IRA Advisor Group Member®Court of the Table Member MDRT®  Dr. Amanda is the founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™ and creator of the Retirement Income School™. After losing her father and helping her mom navigate retirement, she felt called to help others avoid the stress and confusion of planning alone. She specializes in safe money strategies using dividend-paying whole life insurance, fixed index annuities, long-term care coverage, and Social Security claiming strategy. Her mission? To help you protect your wealth and enjoy a secure, stress-free retirement with confidence. ⚠️ DISCLAIMER The information in this podcast is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Retirement Income School™ and Dr. Amanda Barrientez do not provide individual investment recommendations. Always consult with a licensed advisor or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed.

    49. The Old Annuity Is Gone. Here's What Retirees Buy Now.

  5. Aug 20

    48. Medicare IRMAA 2026: Should You Stop Your Roth Conversion?

    Like what you heard in this episode? 🗓️ Schedule a Retirement Income Q&A call with Dr. Amanda: calendly.com/rsf-dramanda/initial-consultation🎥 The YouTube version of this video is here: www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool✍🏼 The Blog Version of this video is here: www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/blog //////// 48. Medicare IRMAA 2026: Should You Stop Your Roth Conversion? Could Roth conversions raise your Medicare premiums—and should that stop you from converting? In this lesson of Retirement Income School, Dr. Amanda explains how the income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) affects Medicare Part B and Part D premiums, why exceeding an income threshold by even one cent can trigger higher costs, and how Medicare’s two-year lookback works. You’ll also see a Roth conversion demonstration using an IRMAA tier-cap strategy. Through a hypothetical case study, Dr. Amanda compares conversion timelines, explains the potential cost of waiting, and shows why strategically managing IRMAA may be more effective than abandoning Roth conversions altogether. Timestamps: 00:00 Should IRMAA stop your Roth conversions?01:09 What is IRMAA? 01:51 Understanding the 2026 IRMAA tiers 03:47 The IRMAA cliff explained 04:46 Three IRMAA rules that matter 06:08 How an IRMAA tier-cap strategy works 07:05 Roth conversion software demonstration 10:07 Sam and Sally’s five-year conversion plan 14:11 Comparing a no-surcharge strategy 16:06 Why every Roth conversion plan is different 16:54 The potential cost of waiting to convert 18:07 Key takeaway: Convert with the IRMAA cliff in mind 18:22 Building a personalized Roth conversion strategy 📅 Want to Find Out More?:Schedule a Q&A Call with Dr. Amanda 💰 Join Us in the Retirement Income School™:www.RetirementIncome.School 📽️ Watch Retirement Income School™ Content on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool 💰 Watch The Guaranteed Income Blueprint™:www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/guaranteed-income-blueprint 📬 Contact Dr. Amanda:Email: DrAmanda@RetirementSolutionsFinancial.comLinkedIn: @RetirementIncomeSchool About Dr. Amanda Amanda Barrientez | PhD, RICP®, RSSA®, NPN #19460436IBC Practitioner®, Ed Slott's IRA Advisor Group Member®Court of the Table Member MDRT®  Dr. Amanda is the founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™ and creator of the Retirement Income School™. After losing her father and helping her mom navigate retirement, she felt called to help others avoid the stress and confusion of planning alone. She specializes in safe money strategies using dividend-paying whole life insurance, fixed index annuities, long-term care coverage, and Social Security claiming strategy. Her mission? To help you protect your wealth and enjoy a secure, stress-free retirement with confidence. ⚠️ DISCLAIMER The information in this podcast is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Retirement Income School™ and Dr. Amanda Barrientez do not provide individual investment recommendations. Always consult with a licensed advisor or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed.

    48. Medicare IRMAA 2026: Should You Stop Your Roth Conversion?

  6. Aug 6

    47. Can an FIA (Fixed Indexed Annuity) Protect You from Market Losses?

    Like what you heard in this episode? 🗓️ Schedule a Retirement Income Q&A call with Dr. Amanda: calendly.com/rsf-dramanda/initial-consultation🎥 The YouTube version of this video is here: www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool✍🏼 The Blog Version of this video is here: www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/blog //////// Can an FIA (Fixed Indexed Annuity) Protect You from Market Losses? Can a fixed indexed annuity provide market-linked growth without exposing your principal to market losses? In this episode of Retirement Income School, Dr. Amanda explains how FIA downside protection works and the trade-offs that come with it. You’ll learn about 0% floors, caps, participation rates, rate locks, fees, surrender periods, and renewal rate integrity. Dr. Amanda also walks through FIA software examples to illustrate available crediting strategies, hypothetical contract values, liquidity provisions, and the role an FIA may play as the protected portion of a retirement portfolio. Timestamps: 00:00 Can an FIA protect you from market losses? 01:15 Why market downturns matter in retirement 02:28 Sequence-of-returns risk 04:36 How predictable income may support retirement 05:11 How a fixed indexed annuity works 05:40 FIA software walkthrough 07:16 Fixed accounts and index allocation options 12:30 Roth-friendly FIA considerations 15:00 Guaranteed and hypothetical contract values 17:23 Three potential downsides of FIAs 20:31 Who may be a good fit for an FIA 21:00 Final considerations and next steps 📅 Want to Find Out More?:Schedule a Q&A Call with Dr. Amanda 💰 Join Us in the Retirement Income School™:www.RetirementIncome.School 📽️ Watch Retirement Income School™ Content on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool 💰 Watch The Guaranteed Income Blueprint™:www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/guaranteed-income-blueprint 📬 Contact Dr. Amanda:Email: DrAmanda@RetirementSolutionsFinancial.comLinkedIn: @RetirementIncomeSchool About Dr. Amanda Amanda Barrientez | PhD, RICP®, RSSA®, NPN #19460436IBC Practitioner®, Ed Slott's IRA Advisor Group Member®Court of the Table Member MDRT®  Dr. Amanda is the founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™ and creator of the Retirement Income School™. After losing her father and helping her mom navigate retirement, she felt called to help others avoid the stress and confusion of planning alone. She specializes in safe money strategies using dividend-paying whole life insurance, fixed index annuities, long-term care coverage, and Social Security claiming strategy. Her mission? To help you protect your wealth and enjoy a secure, stress-free retirement with confidence. ⚠️ DISCLAIMER The information in this podcast is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Retirement Income School™ and Dr. Amanda Barrientez do not provide individual investment recommendations. Always consult with a licensed advisor or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed.

    47. Can an FIA (Fixed Indexed Annuity) Protect You from Market Losses?

  7. Jul 23

    46. The Future of Social Security: What Retirees Need to Know | Martha Shedden

    Like what you heard in this episode? 🗓️ Schedule a Retirement Income Q&A call with Dr. Amanda: calendly.com/rsf-dramanda/initial-consultation🎥 The YouTube version of this video is here: www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool✍🏼 The Blog Version of this video is here: www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/blog Social Security is one of the most important sources of retirement income, yet it's also one of the most misunderstood. In this special Retirement Income School™ interview, I sit down with Martha Shedden, co-founder and president of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts (NARSSA), to discuss how Social Security really works and why your claiming decisions can have a lasting impact on your retirement income.  We cover the history and purpose of Social Security, claiming strategies, spousal and survivor benefits, taxation of benefits, and the biggest misconceptions retirees face today. Most importantly, we address the question that's on everyone's mind: What does the future of Social Security really look like, and should retirees be worried? Whether you're approaching retirement or already collecting benefits, this conversation will help you make more informed Social Security decisions. SHOWNOTE LINK: https://actuary.org/socialsecurity/  Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 01:10 – Meet Martha Shedden & NARSSA 02:05 – The History of Social Security 04:10 – Why Social Security Is Your Retirement Income Floor 06:15 – Full Retirement Age & How Benefits Are Calculated 09:30 – Spousal Benefits Explained 15:45 – Survivor Benefits & Divorced Spouse Rules 20:10 – Real-Life Claiming Strategy Example 22:50 – How Social Security Benefits Are Taxed 25:35 – How I Use RSSA Software With Clients 26:20 – The Future of Social Security 27:20 – Will Social Security Run Out of Money? 29:15 – Potential Changes Congress Could Make 33:20 – Should You Claim Early Because You're Worried? 34:00 – Martha's Final Advice for Retirees 34:45 – Closing & Retirement Income School™ 📅 Want to Find Out More?:Schedule a Q&A Call with Dr. Amanda 💰 Join Us in the Retirement Income School™:www.RetirementIncome.School 📽️ Watch Retirement Income School™ Content on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool 💰 Watch The Guaranteed Income Blueprint™:www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/guaranteed-income-blueprint 📬 Contact Dr. Amanda:Email: DrAmanda@RetirementSolutionsFinancial.comLinkedIn: @RetirementIncomeSchool About Dr. Amanda Amanda Barrientez | PhD, RICP®, RSSA®, NPN #19460436IBC Practitioner®, Ed Slott's IRA Advisor Group Member®Court of the Table Member MDRT®  Dr. Amanda is the founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™ and creator of the Retirement Income School™. After losing her father and helping her mom navigate retirement, she felt called to help others avoid the stress and confusion of planning alone. She specializes in safe money strategies using dividend-paying whole life insurance, fixed index annuities, long-term care coverage, and Social Security claiming strategy. Her mission? To help you protect your wealth and enjoy a secure, stress-free retirement with confidence. ⚠️ DISCLAIMER The information in this podcast is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Retirement Income School™ and Dr. Amanda Barrientez do not provide individual investment recommendations. Always consult with a licensed advisor or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed.

    46. The Future of Social Security: What Retirees Need to Know | Martha Shedden

  8. Jul 16

    45. Why the 4% Rule Falls Short (Dr. Wade Pfau Explains)

    Like what you heard in this episode? 🗓️ Schedule a Retirement Income Q&A call with Dr. Amanda: calendly.com/rsf-dramanda/initial-consultation🎥 The YouTube version of this video is here: www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool✍🏼 The Blog Version of this video is here: www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/blog The 4% rule has been the cornerstone of retirement income planning for decades—but is it still the best strategy for today's retirees?  In this lesson, I'm joined by retirement income expert and bestselling author Dr. Wade Pfau, one of the world's leading researchers on safe withdrawal strategies and the safety-first approach to retirement planning. Together, we discuss the history of the 4% rule, why it may leave retirees feeling financially stressed, and how guaranteed lifetime income can create greater confidence throughout retirement. We also explore sequence of returns risk, risk pooling, spending shocks, the surprising research linking guaranteed income to greater retirement happiness, and why building an income floor may be one of the most important decisions you make before retiring. If you're looking for a smarter way to turn your savings into reliable retirement income, this conversation is one you won't want to miss. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to the Retirement Income School 01:18 Meet Dr. Wade Pfau 02:20 The History Behind the 4% Rule 05:45 Why the 4% Rule Falls Short Today 09:40 Understanding Safety-First Retirement Planning 14:30 Building a Guaranteed Income Floor 18:15 How Risk Pooling Makes Annuities Different 24:10 Planning for Spending Shocks in Retirement 28:45 The Research on Happiness and Guaranteed Income 33:20 Why So Many People Hesitate to Use Annuities 37:45 A Simple Retirement Income Action Plan 40:30 Final Thoughts 🔗Dr. Wade Pfau Links:Retire with Style Podcast: https://retirewithstyle.com/Retirement Researcher: https://retirementresearcher.com/Retirement Planning Guidebook: https://amzn.to/4vBVU3rSafety First Retirement Planning: https://amzn.to/4vBVU3r 📅 Want to Find Out More?:Schedule a Q&A Call with Dr. Amanda 💰 Join Us in the Retirement Income School™:www.RetirementIncome.School 📽️ Watch Retirement Income School™ Content on YouTube:www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool 💰 Watch The Guaranteed Income Blueprint™:www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/guaranteed-income-blueprint 📬 Contact Dr. Amanda:Email: DrAmanda@RetirementSolutionsFinancial.comLinkedIn: @RetirementIncomeSchool About Dr. Amanda Amanda Barrientez | PhD, RICP®, RSSA®, NPN #19460436IBC Practitioner®, Ed Slott's IRA Advisor Group Member®Court of the Table Member MDRT®  Dr. Amanda is the founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™ and creator of the Retirement Income School™. After losing her father and helping her mom navigate retirement, she felt called to help others avoid the stress and confusion of planning alone. She specializes in safe money strategies using dividend-paying whole life insurance, fixed index annuities, long-term care coverage, and Social Security claiming strategy. Her mission? To help you protect your wealth and enjoy a secure, stress-free retirement with confidence. ⚠️ DISCLAIMER The information in this podcast is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Retirement Income School™ and Dr. Amanda Barrientez do not provide individual investment recommendations. Always consult with a licensed advisor or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed.

    45. Why the 4% Rule Falls Short (Dr. Wade Pfau Explains)
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Welcome to Retirement Income School™ podcast — where you'll get the retirement education you wish they had taught in school! This podcast is designed for people nearing retirement or already retired who want clear, trustworthy guidance on how to protect what they’ve built, reduce taxes, and create reliable income they can’t outlive — without speculation or guesswork. Hosted by Dr. Amanda Barrientez, PhD, RICP®, RSSA®, retirement income strategist and founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™, the show blends real-world planning experience with advanced retirement education. Dr. Amanda is a Member of the Ed Slott Elite Advisor Group, an IBC Practitioner, and a Court of the Table producer — credentials that reflect deep specialization in retirement income, tax strategy, and safe-money planning. Each episode breaks down complex retirement topics into plain English and practical strategies, so you can make confident decisions about your money and your future. 𝗜𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲𝘀, 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻: • How to protect your retirement savings from market volatility • The truth about annuities, whole life insurance, and long-term care planning • How to create a guaranteed lifetime income using safe-money strategies • Social Security timing strategies to help maximize lifetime benefits • Smart, legal ways to reduce taxes in retirement • How to plan for legacy, beneficiaries, and estate efficiency • The biggest threats to retirement income — and how to avoid them Subscribe now and start building the retirement you deserve! ////////// 📅 Schedule a 1:1 Retirement Income Consult with Dr. Amanda: https://calendly.com/rsf-dramanda/initial-consultation 💰 Join Us in the Retirement Income School™: www.RetirementIncome.School 📽️ Watch Retirement Income School™ Content on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@RetirementIncomeSchool  💰 Watch The Guaranteed Income Blueprint™: www.retirementsolutionsfinancial.com/guaranteed-income-blueprint /////////// 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗗𝗿. 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮: Email: DrAmanda@RetirementSolutionsFinancial.com Phone: 1-866-444-2997 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/retirementincomeschool 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗗𝗿. 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘇 | 𝗣𝗵𝗗, 𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗣®, 𝗥𝗦𝗦𝗔®, 𝗡𝗣𝗡 #𝟭𝟵𝟰𝟲𝟬𝟰𝟯𝟲: Dr. Amanda is the founder of Retirement Solutions Financial™ and creator of the Retirement Income School™. After losing her father and helping her mom navigate retirement, she felt called to help others avoid the stress and confusion of planning alone. She specializes in safe money strategies using dividend-paying whole life insurance, fixed index annuities, long-term care coverage and social security claiming strategy. Her mission? To help you protect your wealth and enjoy a secure, stress-free retirement with confidence. ------------ DISCLAIMER: The information in this video is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Retirement Income School™ and Dr. Amanda Barrientez do not provide individual investment recommendations. Always consult with a licensed advisor or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed.

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