Your Retirement Elevated Podcast with Scott Dougan

Scott Dougan
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Financial and retirement planning guidance from Kansas City‘s Scott Dougan of Elevated Retirement Group. Scott Dougan founded Elevated Retirement Group in 2003 in order to fill a niche he felt was not being addressed properly in the retirement planning environment – helping retirees and pre-retirees in the Kansas City metro area find answers to issues that may affect the quality of life during their retirement. Scott is a Registered Financial Consultant (RFC) and holds a Series 65 Investment Adviser Representative license, which holds him to the fiduciary standard. He also holds insurance licenses in Kansas, Missouri and other states.

  1. 21H AGO

    Why People With “Enough” Money Still Struggle in Retirement

    You can have plenty of money on paper and still feel unsettled in retirement. After decades of saving and doing everything right, many people expect confidence to come automatically. Instead, they hesitate to spend, second-guess their decisions, and worry about the future. Today, Scott explains why retirement isn’t just a math problem- and why feeling secure takes more than simply having “enough.” Here’s what we cover in this episode: 💸 Why Enough Is Never “Enough”: Confidence doesn’t come from a number alone 🔄 Saver to Spender: Shifting habits is harder than expected 💵 Income Drives Confidence: Reliable income changes how you feel 📉 Market Feels Personal: Volatility hits differently without a paycheck 🔓 Unlock Permission to Enjoy: A plan gives you confidence to actually spend   💼 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Apply for a consultation here 👉 https://calendly.com/erg-kc/introductory-phone-call-with-erg   📞 Call us: 913-393-4724   🌐 Visit our podcast website:  https://listentoscott.com/   📚🛠️ Check out Scott's book, Exceptional Retirement, and Retirement Toolkit Download here 👉 https://keap.page/bu413/exceptional-retirement-youtube.html   🎥 Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more retirement insights! 🔔 http://youtube.com/@erg-kc?sub_confirmation=1

    23 min

  2. APR 30

    The Mistakes That Quietly Cost Retirees: The Tax Side of Retirement

    This is Part 2 of our Hidden Risks series, and we’re shifting focus to one of the biggest long-term threats to your retirement: taxes. Some risks don’t hit all at once, they slowly wear down your plan over time. Scott breaks down how tax decisions shape your income, flexibility, and long-term outcomes. If Part 1 was about protecting your plan, this one is about keeping more of what you’ve built. Here’s what we cover in this episode: 💸 Tax Drag: Small inefficiencies add up over time 🪣 Tax Buckets: Where your money sits matters 📉 RMD Pressure: Forced withdrawals can raise taxes 🏥 IRMAA Risk: Income can increase Medicare costs 👥 Survivor Impact: Taxes can rise after a spouse passes   Watch Part 1: The Hidden Risks That Could Derail Your Retirement: What Most People Forget to Protect - https://youtu.be/BY0UpdmV5cg    💼 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Apply for a consultation here 👉 https://calendly.com/erg-kc/introductory-phone-call-with-erg   📞 Call us: 913-393-4724   🌐 Visit our podcast website:  https://listentoscott.com/   📚🛠️ Check out Scott's book, Exceptional Retirement, and Retirement Toolkit Download here 👉 https://keap.page/bu413/exceptional-retirement-youtube.html   🎥 Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more retirement insights! 🔔 http://youtube.com/@erg-kc?sub_confirmation=1   📰 Read our latest articles on Kiplinger: https://www.kiplinger.com/author/scott-m-dougan-rfc-investment-adviser   📌 Follow us for expert retirement planning tips! https://www.facebook.com/elevatedretirementgroupkc/   #retirement #retirementplanning

    22 min

  3. APR 23

    The Hidden Risks That Could Derail Your Retirement: What Most People Forget to Protect

    This is Part 1 of our Hidden Risks series, where we’re looking at the issues that can quietly derail a retirement plan if they’re not addressed. Most people focus on investments, but that’s only part of the picture. In this episode, Scott walks through the risks that don’t show up on a statement but can still have a major impact. It’s all about making sure your plan is built for real life, not just market performance. Here’s what we cover in this episode: ⚠️ Beyond Markets: Real risks go beyond investment performance 🛡️ Insurance Gaps: Life and care coverage can be overlooked 📄 Asset Titling: Ownership structure impacts outcomes 📉 Risk & Age: Mistakes matter more later in life 💸 Tax Exposure: Planning gaps can create long-term drag   💼 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Apply for a consultation here 👉 https://calendly.com/erg-kc/introductory-phone-call-with-erg   📞 Call us: 913-393-4724   🌐 Visit our podcast website:  https://listentoscott.com/   📚🛠️ Check out Scott's book, Exceptional Retirement, and Retirement Toolkit Download here 👉 https://keap.page/bu413/exceptional-retirement-youtube.html   🎥 Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more retirement insights! 🔔 http://youtube.com/@erg-kc?sub_confirmation=1   📰 Read our latest articles on Kiplinger: https://www.kiplinger.com/author/scott-m-dougan-rfc-investment-adviser   📌 Follow us for expert retirement planning tips! https://www.facebook.com/elevatedretirementgroupkc/   #retirement #retirementplanning

    16 min

  4. APR 16

    How Kansas City Homeowners Can Profit From The World Cup - But Don’t Mess It Up

    Kansas City is about to take center stage as it hosts one of the biggest global events with the World Cup, and that spotlight brings a surge of opportunity. Homeowners are asking a simple but powerful question: can you rent out your home during the event and keep the income tax-free? It all points back to a little-known strategy called the Augusta Rule, a tax provision that sounds almost too good to be true, but isn’t as simple as it seems. In this episode, Scott breaks down what the Augusta Rule actually is, where it came from, and how it applies to real-world situations like the World Cup. Here’s what we cover in this episode: ⚽ Major events create real financial opportunities 🧾 The Augusta Rule allows limited tax-free rental income ⏱️ 14-day limit is critical—go over and rules change 💸 Pricing must be realistic and defensible ⚠️ The “hassle tax” can outweigh the upside   💼 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Apply for a consultation here 👉 https://calendly.com/erg-kc/introductory-phone-call-with-erg   📞 Call us: 913-393-4724   🌐 Visit our podcast website:  https://listentoscott.com/   📚🛠️ Check out Scott's book, Exceptional Retirement, and Retirement Toolkit Download here 👉 https://keap.page/bu413/exceptional-retirement-youtube.html   🎥 Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more retirement insights! 🔔 http://youtube.com/@erg-kc?sub_confirmation=1   📰 Read our latest articles on Kiplinger: https://www.kiplinger.com/author/scott-m-dougan-rfc-investment-adviser   📌 Follow us for expert retirement planning tips! https://www.facebook.com/elevatedretirementgroupkc/   #retirement #retirementplanning

    18 min

  5. APR 9

    Term, Whole, or Universal Life Insurance? What Actually Matters After 50

    💼 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Apply for a consultation here 👉 https://calendly.com/erg-kc/introductory-phone-call-with-erg Most people buy life insurance once and never think about it again. But by the time you reach your 50s, the real question isn’t just what type you have, it’s whether you still need it at all. As your financial picture evolves, so should your approach to protection, coverage, and long-term planning. Today, Scott breaks down breaks down term, whole, and universal life insurance, and more importantly, how to think about them at this stage of life. Here’s what we cover in this episode: 🎯 Life Insurance Needs: Your 50s bring a completely different set of priorities 🧩 Understanding Coverage: Start with the problem you’re solving—not the product 🏠 Whole Life Basics: Permanent coverage with specific, limited use cases 🔄 Universal Life: Flexible, but requires ongoing management 💰 Cash Value Reality: Not always the best place for growth 🔍 Review Matters: Most issues come from never revisiting your policy   📞 Call us: 913-393-4724   🌐 Visit our podcast website:  https://listentoscott.com/   📚🛠️ Check out Scott's book, Exceptional Retirement, and Retirement Toolkit Download here 👉 https://keap.page/bu413/exceptional-retirement-youtube.html   🎥 Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more retirement insights! 🔔 http://youtube.com/@erg-kc?sub_confirmation=1   📰 Read our latest articles on Kiplinger: https://www.kiplinger.com/author/scott-m-dougan-rfc-investment-adviser   📌 Follow us for expert retirement planning tips! https://www.facebook.com/elevatedretirementgroupkc/   #retirement #retirementplanning

    19 min

  6. APR 2

    The Retirement Chart That’s Fooling Millions of People

    See the chart here: https://listentoscott.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GRAPHIC-Retirement-Age-vs-Death-scaled.png A viral chart is making a bold claim: the later you retire, the shorter you live. It’s eye-catching, easy to share, and—at first glance—convincing. But like a lot of financial content online, it blends real-looking data with misleading conclusions designed to grab attention, not tell the full story. Today, Scott breaks down what the chart gets wrong and why the bigger issue isn’t retiring “too late,” it’s being unprepared for a retirement that could last decades. Here’s what we cover in this episode: 📊 Viral Chart Myth: Eye-catching data doesn’t always mean accurate conclusions 🔍 Data Breakdown: The chart mixes correlation with misleading assumptions 📉 Real vs Viral: Actual life expectancy data tells a very different story 🧠 Planning Matters: The real risk is not being prepared for a long retirement ⚠️ Study Flaws: Old data and bad interpretations drive viral misinformation   💼 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Apply for a consultation here 👉 https://calendly.com/erg-kc/introductory-phone-call-with-erg 📞 Call us: 913-393-4724 🌐 Visit our podcast website:  https://listentoscott.com/   📚🛠️ Check out Scott's book, Exceptional Retirement, and Retirement Toolkit Download here 👉 https://keap.page/bu413/exceptional-retirement-youtube.html   🎥 Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more retirement insights! 🔔 http://youtube.com/@erg-kc?sub_confirmation=1   📰 Read our latest articles on Kiplinger: https://www.kiplinger.com/author/scott-m-dougan-rfc-investment-adviser   📌 Follow us for expert retirement planning tips! https://www.facebook.com/elevatedretirementgroupkc/   #retirement #retirementplanning

    14 min

  7. MAR 26

    Will AI Take Your Job Before You Retire in 5 Years?

    Today, Scott’s going through the top things people are Googling about AI and retirement and giving you straight answers. The search bar doesn't lie. People are nervous, curious, and trying to figure out what AI means for the life they've spent decades building. Most of the answers are less dramatic than the questions suggest. But those questions are still worth working through with someone who understands your full financial picture. Here’s what we cover in this episode: 🤖 AI & Job Security: What’s Actually at Risk 📊 AI in Your Portfolio: Hidden Exposure Explained 🧠 Retiring Out of Fear?: The Emotional Side of AI Fear 🔍 AI Financial Advisor: Can You Trust AI with Your Investments?   Resources for this episode:  The AI Headlines Are Scary. Do Retirees Need To Worry? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vqwyDjAdj8   Fortune article: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/morgan-stanley-predicts-ai-won-073000488.html    Invesco’s Winter 2026 DC Participant Pulse Survey:  https://401kspecialistmag.com/dc-participants-open-to-private-markets-and-ai-with-guardrails-invesco-survey/    💼 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Apply for a consultation here 👉 https://calendly.com/erg-kc/introductory-phone-call-with-erg   📞 Call us: 913-393-4724   🌐 Visit our podcast website:  https://listentoscott.com/   📚🛠️ Check out Scott's book, Exceptional Retirement, and Retirement Toolkit Download here 👉 https://keap.page/bu413/exceptional-retirement-youtube.html   🎥 Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more retirement insights! 🔔 http://youtube.com/@erg-kc?sub_confirmation=1   📰 Read our latest articles on Kiplinger: https://www.kiplinger.com/author/scott-m-dougan-rfc-investment-adviser   📌 Follow us for expert retirement planning tips! https://www.facebook.com/elevatedretirementgroupkc/

    21 min

  8. MAR 19

    Retirement Tax Traps Nobody Warned You About

    When most people picture retirement, they imagine fewer deadlines, fewer worries and hopefully fewer taxes. But many retirees are surprised to learn their tax bill can actually increase once they stop working. Scott walks through four retirement tax traps that catch people off guard and how proactive tax planning can help reduce lifetime taxes and protect retirement income. Here’s what we cover in this episode: ⏳ RMD Surprises: Required withdrawals can increase taxable income 🔁 Roth Conversion Timing: Poor timing can trigger higher tax brackets 💰 Social Security Taxes: Benefits can become partially taxable 👫 Widow’s Tax Risk: Surviving spouses often face higher tax rates 📊 Proactive Planning: Early retirement years create tax opportunities 🧠 Coordinated Strategy: Taxes, withdrawals, and Medicare are connected   💼 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Apply for a consultation here 👉 https://calendly.com/erg-kc/introductory-phone-call-with-erg   📞 Call us: 913-393-4724   🌐 Visit our podcast website:  https://listentoscott.com/   📚🛠️ Check out Scott's book, Exceptional Retirement, and Retirement Toolkit Download here 👉 https://keap.page/bu413/exceptional-retirement-youtube.html   🎥 Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more retirement insights! 🔔 http://youtube.com/@erg-kc?sub_confirmation=1   📰 Read our latest articles on Kiplinger: https://www.kiplinger.com/author/scott-m-dougan-rfc-investment-adviser   📌 Follow us for expert retirement planning tips! https://www.facebook.com/elevatedretirementgroupkc/   #retirement #retirementplanning

    18 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Financial and retirement planning guidance from Kansas City‘s Scott Dougan of Elevated Retirement Group. Scott Dougan founded Elevated Retirement Group in 2003 in order to fill a niche he felt was not being addressed properly in the retirement planning environment – helping retirees and pre-retirees in the Kansas City metro area find answers to issues that may affect the quality of life during their retirement. Scott is a Registered Financial Consultant (RFC) and holds a Series 65 Investment Adviser Representative license, which holds him to the fiduciary standard. He also holds insurance licenses in Kansas, Missouri and other states.

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