The Atomic Retirement Podcast

Ryan Kilkenny
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The Atomic Retirement is the go-to podcast for smart, tax-savvy retirement planning. Hosted by Marine Corps veteran and financial planner Ryan Kilkenny, this show helps people over 50 navigate the complex world of retirement, Social Security, Medicare, and tax-efficient investing. Whether you're wondering when to claim Social Security, how to lower taxes in retirement, or how to create a reliable income stream, this podcast gives you clear, actionable advice to help you retire with confidence. Each episode covers topics like: ✔️ Tax-saving retirement strategies to keep more of your money✔️ Smart investment moves for a secure financial future✔️ Medicare and Social Security tips to maximize your benefits✔️ Retirement income planning so you never run out of money✔️ Common mistakes to avoid when transitioning to retirement Your retirement shouldn’t be a guessing game.  Subscribe now and start building your Atomic Retirement!

  1. 04/12/2025

    38. Your Downmarket Playbook: Six Things Smart Investors Do When Markets Crash

    The market is falling—again. So what should you actually do when things get rocky? In this episode, you'll hear a simple, practical playbook for staying calm, staying invested, and making smart moves during market downturns. Backed by 150+ years of market history and real investor behavior, you’ll learn why crashes aren’t as rare (or as scary) as they seem—and six proactive things you can do to come out stronger on the other side. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Should I be doing something right now?”—this episode is for you. Episode Resources What We've Learned From 150 Years of Stock Market Crashes Fear & Greed Index S&P 500 Price Return and Dividends Since 1960 Don't Miss Out: Smart Retirement Savers Read Atomic Ideas Want weekly tips to make smarter financial decisions? Subscribe to Atomic Ideas, a free newsletter packed with timely market insights, helpful visuals, and proven retirement strategies. Get Atomic Ideas Ready to Create Your Atomic Retirement? Take the next step! Schedule your FREE 20-minute Atomic Retirement Roadmap appointment today. What's included?  Tax Return ReviewInvestment Check-UpRetirement Income AnalysisGet Your Free Atomic Retirement Roadmap Share Your Thoughts Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a review and share it with someone who's planning for retirement.

    19 min

  2. 03/15/2025

    37. Is Your IRA an IOU to the IRS?

    Most people think they've done everything right by saving in a traditional IRA or 401(k). But what if I told you that a big portion of your retirement savings actually belongs to the IRS? In this episode, we'll break down a recent CNBC article featuring insights from IRA expert Ed Slott, who calls traditional IRAs "the worst possible asset" for retirement. Here’s what you’ll learn:  ✔️ Why your IRA is an IOU to the IRS ✔️ How Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) can push you into higher tax brackets ✔️ When a Roth conversion makes sense ✔️ The importance of building tax diversification with Roth accounts and brokerage accounts If you want to keep more of your hard-earned wealth and pay less in taxes in retirement, this is one episode you don’t want to miss. Episode Resources CNBC Article  Don't Miss Out: Smart Retirement Savers Read Atomic Ideas Want weekly tips to make smarter financial decisions? Subscribe to Atomic Ideas, a free newsletter packed with timely market insights, helpful visuals, and proven retirement strategies. Get Atomic Ideas Ready to Create Your Atomic Retirement? Take the next step! Schedule your FREE 20-minute Atomic Retirement Roadmap appointment today. What's included?  Tax Return ReviewInvestment Check-UpRetirement Income AnalysisGet Your Free Atomic Retirement Roadmap Share Your Thoughts Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a review and share it with someone who's planning for retirement.

    14 min

  3. 03/08/2025

    36. 10 Tax Myths That Could Be Costing You Thousands

    Think you know how taxes work? Some of the most common tax "facts" people believe are actually costing them money. In this episode, we’re diving into 10 of the biggest tax myths to set the record straight. We’ll cover: ✅ Why being in a higher tax bracket doesn’t mean all your income is taxed at that rate ✅ The reason many retirees end up paying more in taxes than expected ✅ The truth about Social Security taxes, inheritance taxes, and tax refunds ✅ How simple tax misunderstandings can lead to big penalties and missed savings ✅ What you can do right now to avoid common tax traps If you want to keep more of your hard-earned money and avoid unnecessary tax surprises, this episode is for you.  Episode Resources 10 Common Tax Myths Debunked Better Business Bureau Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers How to Detect and Block Spam Callers on an iPhone Don't Miss Out: Smart Retirement Savers Read Atomic Ideas Want weekly tips to make smarter financial decisions? Subscribe to Atomic Ideas, a free newsletter packed with timely market insights, helpful visuals, and proven retirement strategies. Get Atomic Ideas Ready to Create Your Atomic Retirement? Take the next step! Schedule your FREE 20-minute Atomic Retirement Roadmap appointment today. What's included?  Tax Return ReviewInvestment Check-UpRetirement Income AnalysisGet Your Free Atomic Retirement Roadmap Share Your Thoughts Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a review and share it with someone who's planning for retirement!

    18 min

  4. 03/01/2025

    35. Collecting Over $2 Million in Social Security Benefits (And How to Calculate Yours)

    Most retirees don’t realize just how valuable Social Security can be—or how much strategy goes into maximizing those benefits. In this episode, we break down a real-life case study of a couple I work with, let's call them James and Elizabeth. Thanks to a smart claiming strategy, they’re projected to collect over $2.4 million in lifetime Social Security benefits. We’ll walk through: ✔️ Why the higher-earning spouse should consider delaying benefits ✔️ How spousal and survivor benefits can significantly boost lifetime income ✔️ The impact of cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) on long-term benefits ✔️ How to check your Social Security statement and calculate your own benefits Are you making the most of your Social Security? Learn how to run your own numbers and avoid leaving money on the table. Episode Resources Social Security Administration Don't Miss Out: Smart Retirement Savers Read Atomic Ideas Want weekly tips to make smarter financial decisions? Subscribe to Atomic Ideas, a free newsletter packed with timely market insights, helpful visuals, and proven retirement strategies. Get Atomic Ideas Ready to Create Your Atomic Retirement? Take the next step! Schedule your FREE 20-minute Atomic Retirement Roadmap appointment today. What's included?  Tax Return ReviewInvestment Check-UpRetirement Income AnalysisGet Your Free Atomic Retirement Roadmap Share Your Thoughts Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a review and share it with someone who's planning for retirement!

    13 min

  5. 02/15/2025

    34. Why You Should Freeze Your Credit Today (And How To Do It In 15 Minutes)

    Freezing your credit is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect yourself from fraud and identity theft, and the best part? It’s free and only takes 15 minutes.  In this episode of The Atomic Retirement Podcast, you'll learn: ✅ What a credit freeze is and how it helps protect you from fraud ✅ Step-by-step instructions on how to freeze your credit at all three major bureaus ✅ Additional ways to protect yourself from fraud, scams, and data breaches With data breaches happening daily and identity theft on the rise, taking a few minutes today can save you months or years of financial headaches. Episode Resources Experian Credit Freeze Experian's number (888) 397-3742 Equifax Credit Freeze Equifax's number (888) 298-0045 TransUnion Credit Freeze TransUnion's number (800) 916-8800 Identify Theft Resource Center's 2024 Annual Data Breach Report AnnualCreditReport.com Lastpass 1Password CreditKarma ProtonVPN Don't Miss Out: Smart Retirement Savers Read Atomic Ideas Want weekly tips to make smarter financial decisions? Subscribe to Atomic Ideas, a free newsletter packed with timely market insights, helpful visuals, and proven retirement strategies. Get Atomic Ideas Ready to Create Your Atomic Retirement? Take the next step! Schedule your FREE 20-minute Atomic Retirement Roadmap appointment today. What's included?  Tax Return ReviewInvestment Check-UpRetirement Income AnalysisGet Your Free Atomic Retirement Roadmap Share Your Thoughts Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a review and share it with someone who's planning for retirement!

    14 min

  6. 02/08/2025

    33. 7 Reasons Why a Roth Conversion Might Be a Bad Idea

    Roth conversions are often touted as a smart tax move—but are they always the right choice? Not necessarily. In this episode, we’re breaking down 7 situations where a Roth conversion might actually cost you more in taxes than it saves you. You’ll learn: ✅ Why a partial Roth conversion is probably smarter than going all in ✅ How your income two years ago impacts your Medicare premiums ✅ Why you might regret converting if you plan to donate to charity ✅ How future medical and long-term care expenses could make keeping IRA dollars more tax-efficient ✅ The tax trap of converting before moving to a no-tax state Before you convert your IRA, make sure you’re not making a costly mistake. Tune in to find out how to make the best decision for your retirement. Episode Resources When Roth Conversions Make No Sense Form SSA-44, Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjusted Amount Life-Changing Events Don't Miss Out: Smart Retirement Savers Read Atomic Ideas Want weekly tips to make smarter financial decisions? Subscribe to Atomic Ideas, a free newsletter packed with timely market insights, helpful visuals, and proven retirement strategies. Get Atomic Ideas Ready to Create Your Atomic Retirement? Take the next step! Schedule your FREE 20-minute Atomic Retirement Roadmap appointment today. What's included?  Tax Return ReviewInvestment Check-UpRetirement Income AnalysisGet Your Free Atomic Retirement Roadmap Share Your Thoughts Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a review and share it with someone who's planning for retirement!

    23 min

  7. 02/01/2025

    32. Warren Buffett’s Estate Plan: 10 Lessons You Need to Know

    Warren Buffett has spent a lifetime building wealth—but his greatest financial lesson isn’t about investing. It’s about what happens after you’re gone. In a recent letter, Buffett revealed key details about his estate plan, why he’s giving most of his fortune to charity, and the steps he’s taken to prevent confusion and conflict for his family. His biggest lesson? Estate planning isn’t just about money—it’s about protecting the people you love. In this episode, we break down 10 estate planning lessons from Buffett’s letter, including: ✔ Why your will should never be a surprise to your family ✔ The importance of naming a successor trustee to avoid legal headaches ✔ How Buffett’s “unanimous vote” rule protects his heirs from pressure and bad decisions ✔ Why trying to control your wealth from the grave can backfire ✔ How to create an estate plan that strengthens family bonds instead of tearing them apart Whether you have millions to pass down or just want to avoid family stress, this episode will help you take action and create a plan that works. Tune in to learn how to protect your legacy—and your loved ones. Episode Resources Warren Buffett's Gifting Letter to Shareholders Don't Miss Out: Smart Retirement Savers Read Atomic Ideas Want weekly tips to make smarter financial decisions? Subscribe to Atomic Ideas, a free newsletter packed with timely market insights, helpful visuals, and proven retirement strategies. Get Atomic Ideas Ready to Create Your Atomic Retirement? Take the next step! Schedule your FREE 20-minute Atomic Retirement Roadmap appointment today. What's included?  Tax Return ReviewInvestment Check-UpRetirement Income AnalysisGet Your Free Atomic Retirement Roadmap Share Your Thoughts Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a review and share it with someone who's planning for retirement!

    15 min

  8. 01/25/2025

    31. Should You Claim Social Security Early to Invest It?

    Should you claim Social Security early and invest the money, or wait for a higher monthly benefit? What about using annuities to supplement your income? In this episode, we break down the numbers, risks, and real-life considerations to help you make the best decision for your retirement. Plus, learn about an exciting new Social Security change that benefits millions of Americans—especially retirees like firefighters, teachers, and police officers. What You’ll Learn: The pros and cons of claiming Social Security early.How to decide if waiting for a higher benefit is worth it.Why annuities might (or might not) be part of your strategy.If you’re planning for retirement, this episode is packed with practical tips and actionable advice you won’t want to miss. Episode Resources Delay Social Security, Invest More or Buy an Annuity: What's Best for Retirement Income? Breakeven Returns For Delayed Social Security Claiming Social Security Fairness Act Signed Into Law by Biden, Enhancing Retirement Benefits for Millions Don't Miss Out: Smart Retirement Savers Read Atomic Ideas Want weekly tips to make smarter financial decisions? Subscribe to Atomic Ideas, a free newsletter packed with timely market insights, helpful visuals, and proven retirement strategies. Get Atomic Ideas Ready to Create Your Atomic Retirement? Take the next step! Schedule your FREE 20-minute Atomic Retirement Roadmap appointment today. What's included?  Tax Return ReviewInvestment Check-UpRetirement Income AnalysisGet Your Free Atomic Retirement Roadmap Share Your Thoughts Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a review and share it with someone who's planning for retirement!

    15 min
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5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

The Atomic Retirement is the go-to podcast for smart, tax-savvy retirement planning. Hosted by Marine Corps veteran and financial planner Ryan Kilkenny, this show helps people over 50 navigate the complex world of retirement, Social Security, Medicare, and tax-efficient investing. Whether you're wondering when to claim Social Security, how to lower taxes in retirement, or how to create a reliable income stream, this podcast gives you clear, actionable advice to help you retire with confidence. Each episode covers topics like: ✔️ Tax-saving retirement strategies to keep more of your money✔️ Smart investment moves for a secure financial future✔️ Medicare and Social Security tips to maximize your benefits✔️ Retirement income planning so you never run out of money✔️ Common mistakes to avoid when transitioning to retirement Your retirement shouldn’t be a guessing game.  Subscribe now and start building your Atomic Retirement!

Information

  • Creator
    Ryan Kilkenny
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Atomic Retirement Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Atomic Retirement Podcast