Retirement Made Simple

Kevin Lum, CFP®
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Investing
  • Updated Weekly

Retirement Made Simple is a retirement podcast for frugal savers who've done the hard work — and now want permission to actually enjoy it. Host Kevin Lum, CFP®, cuts through the noise of the financial world to give you straight answers on the stuff that actually matters: when you can really retire, how to draw down your portfolio without running out (or leaving too much on the table), Social Security timing, Roth conversions, IRMAA, tax-smart withdrawals, and the dozens of decisions no one prepared you for. No jargon. No fear-mongering. No products to sell you.

  1. 3d ago

    He Made the 'Wrong' Financial Decision. It Turned Out to Be the Best One of His Life

    A Reddit post from a grandfather stopped me mid-scroll, and I couldn't stop thinking about it.Three years into retirement, he described a moment in his man cave: his grandson asleep beside him, no emails, no meetings, no mental noise. Just presence. For the first time in 45 years, he was fully there.That post captures something I see constantly in my work with pre-retirees, and it comes down to three things most people aren't talking about enough:First, fear drives more financial decisions than math does. This grandfather claimed Social Security early, not because a calculator told him to, but because peace of mind has a value no spreadsheet can capture. Some decisions aren't about optimization.Second, retirement often costs less than people expect. He said spending smoothed out and came in lower than anticipated. The Federal Reserve's own data shows that retirees between 65 and 74, the supposed go-go years, are actually growing their wealth, not drawing it down.Third, you need something to retire to, not just something to retire from. His man cave, his grandson, his presence: that was his answer. Yours might look completely different. But if you haven't thought about what's waiting for you on the other side, the transition gets a lot harder.If you're within five years of retirement, this is the conversation that deserves more of your attention.

    13 min

  2. Apr 10

    Why Smart Retirees Still Run Out of Money (It's Not What You Think)

    Most people think they'll run out of money in retirement because they didn't save enough. The research says otherwise. In this video, I break down the 5 hidden factors that actually determine whether your retirement succeeds or fails — and most of them never show up in an online calculator. We cover sequence of returns risk (and why retiring in the wrong year can wreck even a well-funded portfolio), spending shocks, tax drag, inflation's slow burn on your purchasing power, and the one risk nobody talks about: the psychology of spending too little. I also walk through my Sequence of Returns calculator live, showing real data from four different portfolio types — the results might surprise you.

    22 min

  3. Apr 4

    The Coming Market Crash and Why I'm Not Worried

    Since 1928, the market has returned over 10% annually — but the average investor only earns about 5%. In this video, I break down the data on market crashes, intra-year drawdowns, and why we're almost guaranteed to see another crash — and why that shouldn't change your retirement plan. I'll show you the real numbers behind all-time highs, the Peter Lynch paradox, and the emotional mistakes that cost retirees the most money.

    14 min

  4. Mar 21

    Five Simple Ways to Increase Social Security

    ✅Free Strategy Session ✅ https://www.foundryfinancial.org/retirement-assessmentMost people glance at their Social Security statement, assume the number is fixed, and move on. It's not. In this episode, Kevin breaks down exactly how your Social Security benefit is calculated — including the earnings indexing formula, the bend point system, and why having fewer than 35 working years can quietly cost you thousands. More importantly, he walks through five specific strategies you can use to increase your benefit before you claim. What's covered: Why zeros in your earnings record hurt more than you thinkHow married couples can coordinate benefits to maximize both spousal and survivor incomeThe one government error that could be silently reducing your benefit right nowWhy delaying to 70 can mean $1,400+ more per month — for lifeSocial Security is the only source of retirement income that's guaranteed, inflation-protected, and lasts as long as you live. Getting this decision right matters.

    26 min

  5. Mar 14

    Are You in the Top Tier of Retirees? (9 Ways to Tell)

    Most people who are well-prepared for retirement have convinced themselves they're behind. In this video, I walk through 9 signs you're actually doing better than most American retirees — even if it doesn't feel that way. If you know what you spend, carry no debt, and have multiple income streams, there's a good chance your biggest retirement risk isn't running out of money. It's holding back from actually living it.

    18 min

  6. Mar 7

    How to "Stupid-Proof" Your Retirement Before It's Too Late

    Kevin explains research showing financial decision-making peaks around age 53, financial literacy declines about 2% per year after 60, and confidence often doesn’t decline—creating risk in retirement as financial complexity increases and scams become more sophisticated.

    21 min

  7. Feb 28

    The Hidden $1M Most Retirees Forget to Count

    Most people calculate their net worth by adding up their 401(k), IRA, and home equity, then subtracting debt. But that number is incomplete — and it might be causing you to spend less, worry more, and make worse retirement decisions than you need to. In this video, I walk you through a better way to calculate your net worth that includes the portfolio equivalency of your Social Security and pension benefits. For the couple in this example, that "hidden" wealth added up to over $1 million — a 72% increase over their traditional net worth.

    10 min

  8. Feb 21

    Six Levels of Retirement Wealth -- How to Plan

    Someone with $250,000 and someone with $5 million are both watching this video — but their biggest financial risks couldn't be more different. In this video, I break down the 6 levels of retirement wealth (based on Federal Reserve data) and walk through the specific planning priorities at each level. Because the truth is, most retirement advice on YouTube is a scattershot. What works for someone with $500K might be completely wrong for someone with $5 million. Your playbook should match your level. No matter where you sit, ask yourself: Do I have a real income plan? Do I understand my tax picture? Do I have a strategy for long-term care? Is my estate plan current?

    20 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Retirement Made Simple is a retirement podcast for frugal savers who've done the hard work — and now want permission to actually enjoy it. Host Kevin Lum, CFP®, cuts through the noise of the financial world to give you straight answers on the stuff that actually matters: when you can really retire, how to draw down your portfolio without running out (or leaving too much on the table), Social Security timing, Roth conversions, IRMAA, tax-smart withdrawals, and the dozens of decisions no one prepared you for. No jargon. No fear-mongering. No products to sell you.

Information

  • Creator
    Kevin Lum, CFP®
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Kevin Lum, CFP®
  • Show Website
    Retirement Made Simple

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