The Red Zone Retirement Program

John Mears
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In football, the Red Zone is where a team has to make small adjustments to ensure victory. As you approach retirement, you also need to make small adjustments to ensure success. Join John Mears of Mears Money Management each episode as he helps you understand the most important strategies that will help lead you to financial and retirement success. John has more than 20 years of experience providing comprehensive planning services to families throughout the Santa Clarita, California area. On this show, he'll breakdown the essential facets of tax planning, investing, retirement concerns, and much more. If you have a 401(k), IRA, Roth, pension or any other type of retirement account or savings vehicle then this is the show for you. Understand your savings and have some fun along the way with John Mears! Contact John at http://mearsmoney.com or by calling 661-775-3704.

  1. JAN 29

    Would You Trade $600 a Month to Protect Your Spouse?

    🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net  John tackles a listener question that feels like a red-zone moment: trade $600 a month now or protect your spouse for life. Using real-world examples and a coach's perspective, John breaks down the tradeoffs, risks, and emotional weight behind pension elections. When the stakes are this high, understanding your options before you choose can make all the difference. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: ⚖️ Pension Tradeoffs: Income today versus certainty tomorrow 🏠 Survivor Reality: Why expenses don't drop as much as people assume 🛡️ Insurance Angle: Using life insurance as a possible planning tool 🔐 Locked-In Choices: Why pension elections often can't be changed ❤️ Emotional Factors: Balancing math, longevity, and peace of mind   Get in touch: Phone: 661-775-3704 Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net   Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/   Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

    16 min

  2. JAN 15

    What's Changing in 2026 (And Why It Matters To Your Money)

    🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net  What's new in 2026 for retirees & pre-retirees? John covers several updates that could quietly impact your cash flow, taxes, and savings strategy. A quick review now can help make sure changes in 2026 work with your plan, not against it. Discover actionable reminders and why your next steps matter more than ever. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🧭 2026 Overview – Key retirement-related changes for the year 📈 COLA & Medicare – Social Security increases offset by premiums 🧾 Social Security Taxes – Senior deduction impacts taxability 📊 Catch-Up Savings – Higher contribution limits for older workers 🔁 Secure Act 2.0 – Roth rules reshape contribution strategies   Get in touch: Phone: 661-775-3704 Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net   Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/   Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

    15 min

  3. 12/18/2025

    Year-End Mailbag: Your Biggest Retirement Questions Answered

    🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net  Join John as he wraps up the year and answers some of the biggest questions on listeners' minds. This episode dives into real-world financial concerns, practical strategies, and tips to help you keep your retirement game plan on track. John cuts through the noise with straightforward answers that help you think clearly about the retirement decisions that matter most. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🎁 Holiday Gifting: understanding limits and smart giving strategies 💰 Excess Cash: balancing comfort with inflation risk 🏡 Downsizing Moves: equity, mortgages, and retirement timing 📚 Resources: planning tools and helpful tips for the upcoming year   Get in touch: Phone: 661-775-3704 Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net   Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/   Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

    18 min

  4. 12/04/2025

    I'm 62... Should I Claim Social Security?

    🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net  Celebrate our 100th episode as John tackles the ever-important topic of Social Security and retirement planning. In this milestone show, we discuss key considerations for deciding when to claim Social Security benefits and the common mistakes to avoid. Tune in for expert insights and practical advice to help you make informed decisions about when to take Social Security. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🚫 Don't Rush at 62: the common arguments for claiming early 📊 Why Waiting Pays: the math behind delaying benefits ⚖️ Policy & Politics: how system changes may (or may not) impact you 🎯 Smart Claiming Strategies: building a personalized approach 💛 Feelings vs. Facts: balancing emotion with long-term financial impact   Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net  Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/  Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

    20 min

  5. 11/20/2025

    Why Better Questions Build Better Retirements

    🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net  You've heard the saying, "There's no such thing as a bad question." But in retirement planning,  some questions are definitely better than others. The way you frame a question often determines the quality of the answer, and sometimes the quality of your entire retirement. Today, John goes through some of the most asked questions and how to reframe them to get clearer, more useful answers. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 🦃 Thanksgiving Traditions: John's holiday traditions and favorite Thanksgiving meal 📉 Volatility Reality: understanding sequence-of-returns risk in retirement 💼 Advisor Value: what you pay for vs. what you get ⚖️ Risk Management: adjusting portfolios to match real-life goals 💵 Cash Decisions: avoiding emotional market timing and poor allocation choices 🏛️ Social Security: framing smarter questions around timing and strategy   Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net  Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/  Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

    19 min

  6. 11/06/2025

    The Giving Playbook: Smart Moves for Lasting Impact

    🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net  In football, every great play starts with a solid game plan, and generosity works the same way. Giving feels good, but giving wisely wins championships. Today, John breaks down the playbook for smart, purposeful generosity and shows you how to make every dollar count. Because when it comes to giving, it's not just about moving the ball, it's about leaving a lasting legacy on and off the field. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 📅 When to Give: Timing your donations for both impact and efficiency 🎁 Non-Cash Giving: Donating appreciated stocks, property, or other assets 💵 How Much to Give: Setting intentional goals without losing flexibility 💰 Tax Efficiency: Making the most of deductions and donation timing 🏦 Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs): A tax-smart way to give from your IRA   Get in touch: Phone: 661-775-3704 Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net   Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/   Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

    16 min

  7. 10/23/2025

    Fidelity's 2025 Report: Health Care Costs Just Jumped Again

    🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net  Fidelity just released their 2025 Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate. The number is staggering: $172,500 for a 65-year-old retiring today. The bigger problem? One in five Americans hasn't even thought about health care costs in retirement. Today, John breaks down exactly what this means, why it matters, and how to prepare. With the right planning, you can make health care just another line item in your retirement budget, not a financial shock. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: 📈 Fidelity's 2025 Report Takeaways: retiree health care costs climb again ⚠️ Gen X Wake-Up Call: many still unprepared for medical expenses 🏥 Medicare Misconceptions: understanding what's covered and what's not 💰 HSA Power Move: using Health Savings Accounts as a retirement tool 🧭 Smart Strategies: how to plan ahead and reduce health care costs   Fidelity Releases 2025 Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate: https://newsroom.fidelity.com/pressreleases/fidelity-investments--releases-2025-retiree-health-care-cost-estimate--a-timely-reminder-for-all-gen/s/3c62e988-12e2-4dc8-afb4-f44b06c6d52e Learn more about Medicare: https://boomerbenefits.com/     Get in touch: Phone: 661-775-3704 Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net   Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/   Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

    20 min

  8. 10/09/2025

    Year-End Strategic & Tactical Planning Meetings

    🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net  Retirement isn't just about saving money—it's about strategically planning your withdrawals. In this episode of Red Zone Retirement, we'll take you through our annual "strategic and tactical" fall meetings, showing how smart planning now can prevent massive surprises later. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: ✅ How to make Roth conversions work in your favor ✅ The hidden Medicare penalty most people miss ✅ Guardrails that protect your income when the market dips ✅ How strategic meetings can save you $100K+ Get in touch: Phone: 661-775-3704 Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net   Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/   Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

    19 min
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About

In football, the Red Zone is where a team has to make small adjustments to ensure victory. As you approach retirement, you also need to make small adjustments to ensure success. Join John Mears of Mears Money Management each episode as he helps you understand the most important strategies that will help lead you to financial and retirement success. John has more than 20 years of experience providing comprehensive planning services to families throughout the Santa Clarita, California area. On this show, he'll breakdown the essential facets of tax planning, investing, retirement concerns, and much more. If you have a 401(k), IRA, Roth, pension or any other type of retirement account or savings vehicle then this is the show for you. Understand your savings and have some fun along the way with John Mears! Contact John at http://mearsmoney.com or by calling 661-775-3704.

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