Your Retirement Planning Simplified

Joseph Curry, CFP Professional, CEPA
  • 4.0 (8)
  • Investing
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to the Retirement Planning Simplified Podcast. Join Joseph Curry, CFP Professional, Certified Exit Planning Advisor and retirement planning specialist, to learn how to simplify your retirement planning. If you're approaching retirement or have already entered your early retirement years, this podcast is designed to help you answer your big retirement questions like... Can I afford to retire? How do I create a paycheck in retirement? How do I pay less tax in retirement? And even big questions about life after work. Through Retirement Planning education, resources, and expert interviews, Joseph will help you get clear on your vision for retirement including what that looks like for you, how to simplify it, and what you will need specifically to achieve or maintain financial freedom, live out your dreams and create future opportunities for the ones you love. You can find more information, tools, and resources for your Retirement Planning at https://retirementplanningsimplified.ca.

  1. 23h ago

    EP # 201 | Underspending in Retirement: Why Running Out of Money Isn't Your Biggest Risk

    Most people worry about running out of money in retirement. But for many careful savers, the bigger risk is the opposite: reaching the end of life having never spent what you worked so hard to build. In this episode, Joe explains why the habits that made you a great saver can quietly stop you from enjoying your retirement income, and what it actually takes to give yourself permission to spend. Joe talks about a pattern he sees constantly with clients: disciplined savers who reach retirement financially secure, but who can't switch off the saving instinct that got them there. He walks through why "you'll be okay" isn't enough reassurance for a careful saver, what a real retirement plan needs to show to actually change behaviour, and how seeing a stress-tested plan is different from just being told everything will work out. This one is for anyone who has done the saving well but is struggling to enjoy the results. In this episode: Why running out of money is often not the biggest risk for disciplined savers, and underspending can be just as costly How decades of saving habits can persist into retirement even after they've stopped being useful Why vague reassurance from an advisor rarely changes a saver's behaviour, and what actually does What a real retirement plan should show you, including how it holds up to a market drop, higher inflation, or a long-term care need Why seeing a plan and stress-testing it is the first step, but genuinely owning it is what allows you to spend with confidence About the show: Your Retirement Planning Simplified is a weekly Canadian retirement planning podcast hosted by Joe Curry, CFP, CEPA, of Matthews and Associates, an independent wealth management firm. Each week, Joe breaks down retirement income, tax, and estate decisions in plain language for Canadians who are near or in retirement. Want more tips like this? Want tips like this in your inbox? Sign up for the Retirement Planning Simplified Newsletter and get updates plus our popular 60-Second Retirement Tip: https://bit.ly/RPSNewsletter Ready to take the next step? Ready to take the next step in your retirement planning? Watch a short overview of our True Wealth Roadmap and see if our process is a fit for you: https://www.matthewsandassociates.ca/vsl Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are those of Joseph Curry, a registrant of Aligned Capital Partners Inc. (ACPI), and may not necessarily be those of ACPI. This podcast is for informational purposes only and not intended to be personalized investment advice. The views expressed are opinions of Joseph Curry and may not necessarily be those of ACPI. Content is prepared for general circulation and information contained does not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any investment fund, security or other product or service.

    10 min

  2. Jul 2

    EP # 200 | What Good Planning Actually Looks Like, And Why We Made It Approachable

    For Episode 200, Joe pulls back the curtain on how Matthews and Associates actually works with clients, and more importantly, why they built their process the way they did. If you've ever felt nervous about talking to a financial advisor, or put off getting advice because you weren't sure what to expect, this episode is worth your time. One of the most common things Joe hears from new clients is some version of "I almost didn't come in." People put off getting advice for years because they're worried about being judged, sold something, or made to feel like they've done everything wrong. In this milestone episode, Joe names that pattern directly, offers a plain-language yardstick for evaluating any financial planner, and walks through exactly how the Retirement Planning Simplified process was built to fix it.   In This Episode If a planner can't explain something to you in plain language, that's a flaw in how they work - not a gap in your knowledge. Complexity is not the same as value. A good planner teaches before they recommend: they show you the why behind an idea, act as a fiduciary, are transparent about fees upfront, and look at your whole picture - income, tax, risk, family, and estate - not just your investment portfolio. Watch out for early pitches on permanent life insurance and the portfolio comparison trick, where an advisor shows you what you "could have earned" using the best-performing funds in hindsight. It may feel impressive, but it tells you nothing useful about what happens next. Investment returns are often one of the lowest-value things an advisor can offer. The real value is in income design, tax coordination, estate planning, behavioural coaching, and what Joe calls big-mistake insurance. The Retirement Planning Simplified process is built around one core value: approachability. Transparency before commitment, value before a long-term relationship, and your life before any product.   About: Your Retirement Planning Simplified is a weekly Canadian retirement planning podcast hosted by Joe Curry, CFP, CEPA, of Matthews and Associates, an independent wealth management firm. Each week, Joe breaks down retirement income, tax, and estate decisions in plain language for Canadians who are near or in retirement.   Newsletter: Want tips like this in your inbox? Sign up for the Retirement Planning Simplified Newsletter and get updates plus our popular 60-Second Retirement Tip: https://bit.ly/RPSNewsletter   Next Step: Ready to take the next step in your retirement planning? Watch a short overview of our True Wealth Roadmap and see if our process is a fit for you: https://www.matthewsandassociates.ca/vsl   Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are those of Joseph Curry, a registrant of Aligned Capital Partners Inc. (ACPI), and may not necessarily be those of ACPI. This podcast is for informational purposes only and not intended to be personalized investment advice. The views expressed are opinions of Joseph Curry and may not necessarily be those of ACPI. Content is prepared for general circulation and information contained does not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any investment fund, security or other product or service.

    14 min

  3. Jun 25

    EP # 199 | Can You Spend Too Little in Retirement? The Underspending Trap Explained

    You saved carefully for decades, but what if that same caution is quietly costing you your best years in retirement? Many Canadians retire with more than enough and still can't bring themselves to spend it. In this episode, Joe names the pattern nobody talks about: the underspending trap, and how to break free from it. The same discipline that builds a healthy retirement nest egg can quietly prevent you from ever enjoying it. Joe walks through why underspending happens (it's a psychology problem, not a money problem), what it actually costs you in real life, and how the research on retirement spending behaviour points to a practical solution. If you've ever felt a quiet resistance to spending even when the numbers look fine, this episode is for you.   In This Episode Retirees who are most reluctant to spend tend to be the ones with the most money saved -- this is well-documented in the research, and it means the problem isn't about having enough. Retirement spending typically follows a smile curve: higher in the active early years, naturally easing in the middle, then rising again at the end as healthcare costs increase -- which means the window to enjoy your money closes sooner than most people plan for. People spend most comfortably when income arrives automatically as a paycheck -- from sources like a workplace pension, Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), or an annuity -- rather than when they have to pull money from a portfolio they're watching. Whether you prefer guaranteed income or a portfolio-based approach, having a solid income floor or a near-term defense bucket gives you the confidence to spend from the rest -- because you know the essentials are covered. A retirement plan gives you permission to spend, but only if it stays current -- when life shifts and the plan goes stale, most people quietly default back to underspending.   About: Your Retirement Planning Simplified is a weekly Canadian retirement planning podcast hosted by Joe Curry, CFP, CEPA, of Matthews and Associates, an independent wealth management firm. Each week, Joe breaks down retirement income, tax, and estate decisions in plain language for Canadians who are near or in retirement.   Newsletter: Want tips like this in your inbox? Sign up for the Retirement Planning Simplified Newsletter and get updates plus our popular 60-Second Retirement Tip: https://bit.ly/RPSNewsletter   Next Step: Ready to take the next step in your retirement planning? Watch a short overview of our True Wealth Roadmap and see if our process is a fit for you: https://www.matthewsandassociates.ca/vsl   Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are those of Joseph Curry, a registrant of Aligned Capital Partners Inc. (ACPI), and may not necessarily be those of ACPI. This podcast is for informational purposes only and not intended to be personalized investment advice. The views expressed are opinions of Joseph Curry and may not necessarily be those of ACPI. Content is prepared for general circulation and information contained does not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any investment fund, security or other product or service.

    15 min

  4. Jun 18

    EP # 198 | Is the OAS Clawback Worth Avoiding? A Canadian Retirement Reality Check

    Most people treat the Old Age Security (OAS) clawback like a cliff you fall off the moment your income crosses the line. It isn't. In this episode we reframe the clawback as one number among many, and look at when fighting to avoid it quietly costs you more than it saves. A listener wrote in about friends who organize their whole retirement around protecting OAS. Joe walks through what the clawback actually is, the math that makes avoiding it backfire, and the bigger cost most people never see. This one is for Canadian couples near or in retirement who want their income, tax, and estate decisions working together, not one line on a tax form running the show.   In this episode: Understand how the OAS recovery tax really works. It is a marginal cost of fifteen cents on each dollar above the threshold, not an all-or-nothing cliff. See how starving your Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) to protect OAS can create larger forced withdrawals later and a painful tax bill at the second death. Weigh the behaviour cost: the trips, the help to your kids, and the generosity you postpone to protect a benefit that may be small against a large portfolio. Learn the two camps. For households near the income threshold, protecting OAS is genuinely smart. For those with a large portfolio, it may be a rounding error. Follow the right order of questions: what your ideal life costs, your projected lifetime tax bill, and what happens to the RRIF at the second death, before the clawback gets a vote.   About: Your Retirement Planning Simplified is a weekly Canadian retirement planning podcast hosted by Joe Curry, CFP, CEPA, of Matthews and Associates, an independent wealth management firm. Each week, Joe breaks down retirement income, tax, and estate decisions in plain language for Canadians who are near or in retirement.   Newsletter: Want tips like this in your inbox? Sign up for the Retirement Planning Simplified Newsletter and get updates plus our popular 60-Second Retirement Tip: https://bit.ly/RPSNewsletter   Next step: Ready to take the next step in your retirement planning? Watch a short overview of our True Wealth Roadmap and see if our process is a fit for you: https://www.matthewsandassociates.ca/vsl   Resources and sources: OAS clawback (OAS recovery tax) thresholds, Canada.ca: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/old-age-security/recovery-tax.html (the minimum income recovery threshold and full-recovery ceiling are indexed annually, so confirm the current figures for the tax year before relying on them) RRIF minimum withdrawal rules, Canada.ca: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/registered-plans-administrators/specimen-plans/registered-retirement-income-fund-rrif.html   Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are those of Joseph Curry, a registrant of Aligned Capital Partners Inc. (ACPI), and may not necessarily be those of ACPI. This podcast is for informational purposes only and not intended to be personalized investment advice. The views expressed are opinions of Joseph Curry and may not necessarily be those of ACPI. Content is prepared for general circulation and information contained does not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any investment fund, security or other product or service.

    11 min

  5. Jun 11

    EP # 197 | The Honest Truth About One-Time Retirement Plans

    In this episode of Your Retirement Planning Simplified, Joe Curry explains the real value of a one-time retirement plan and why retirement planning should never be viewed as a one-and-done exercise. Learn how retirement income planning, tax-efficient withdrawal strategies, CPP and OAS decisions, and ongoing financial guidance work together to help Canadians adapt to life's inevitable changes.   Thank you for listening! You can get a full breakdown of each episode on the Your Retirement Planning Simplified Blog Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more simplified retirement planning insights!    Ready to take the next step?  Identify your retirement income style with the RISA Questionnaire   Want a retirement plan that adapts as your life evolves? Discover our True Wealth Roadmap. A step-by-step process to align your finances with your ideal retirement.  Learn more here: https://matthewsandassociates.ca/vsl/    About Joe Curry Joe Curry is the host of Your Retirement Planning Simplified, Canada's fastest-growing retirement planning podcast, where he provides accessible, in-depth financial advice. As the owner and lead financial planner at Matthews + Associates in Peterborough, Ontario, Joe and his team are committed to helping people secure both financial stability and purpose in retirement. His mission is to ensure people can sleep soundly knowing they have a solid plan in place, covering both financial and lifestyle aspects of retirement. A Certified Financial Planner and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, he values true wealth as more than money—it's about creating meaningful experiences with loved ones and fostering opportunities for the future.    About Retirement Planning Simplified Founded in 2022, it is our mission is to empower people to plan for retirement confidently, focusing not only on finances but also on a meaningful life. YRPS wants everyone to have access to simple, reliable tools that reflect their values and priorities. This ultimately helps create True Wealth, defined by the freedom to do what you love with those you love. By simplifying retirement planning and aligning it with the retiree's purpose, YRPS aims to support building a retirement that feels fulfilling and secure. To know more about RPS you can visit the links below: ●      LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retirement-planning-simplified/ ●      Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retirement_planning_simplified ●      Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@retirementplanningsimplified       Disclaimer Opinions expressed are those of Joseph Curry, a registrant of Aligned Capital Partners Inc. (ACPI), and may not necessarily be those of ACPI. This video is for informational purposes only and not intended to be personalized investment advice. The views expressed are opinions of Joseph Curry and may not necessarily be those of ACPI. Content is prepared for general circulation and information contained does not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any investment fund, security or other product or service.

    12 min

  6. Jun 4

    EP # 196 | What Should You Do With Your Money at 60? The Canadian Retirement Plan I'd Use

    What should Canadians do when they turn 60 and start thinking seriously about retirement? In this episode, Joe Curry walks through the exact retirement income planning framework he would use if he were turning 60 today, covering CPP timing, RRSP and RRIF withdrawal strategies, tax-efficient investing, and portfolio design. Learn how to use your 60s as a powerful planning decade to reduce lifetime taxes, maximize retirement income, and create more financial freedom throughout retirement.   Thank you for listening! You can get a full breakdown of each episode on the Your Retirement Planning Simplified Blog Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more simplified retirement planning insights!   Ready to take the next step? \ Identify your retirement income style with the RISA Questionnaire   Want a retirement plan that adapts as your life evolves? Discover our True Wealth Roadmap. A step-by-step process to align your finances with your ideal retirement.  Learn more here: https://matthewsandassociates.ca/vsl/    About Joe Curry Joe Curry is the host of Your Retirement Planning Simplified, Canada's fastest-growing retirement planning podcast, where he provides accessible, in-depth financial advice. As the owner and lead financial planner at Matthews + Associates in Peterborough, Ontario, Joe and his team are committed to helping people secure both financial stability and purpose in retirement. His mission is to ensure people can sleep soundly knowing they have a solid plan in place, covering both financial and lifestyle aspects of retirement. A Certified Financial Planner and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, he values true wealth as more than money—it's about creating meaningful experiences with loved ones and fostering opportunities for the future.    About Retirement Planning Simplified Founded in 2022, it is our mission is to empower people to plan for retirement confidently, focusing not only on finances but also on a meaningful life. YRPS wants everyone to have access to simple, reliable tools that reflect their values and priorities. This ultimately helps create True Wealth, defined by the freedom to do what you love with those you love. By simplifying retirement planning and aligning it with the retiree's purpose, YRPS aims to support building a retirement that feels fulfilling and secure. To know more about RPS you can visit the links below: ●      LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retirement-planning-simplified/ ●      Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retirement_planning_simplified ●      Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@retirementplanningsimplified   Disclaimer Opinions expressed are those of Joseph Curry, a registrant of Aligned Capital Partners Inc. (ACPI), and may not necessarily be those of ACPI. This video is for informational purposes only and not intended to be personalized investment advice. The views expressed are opinions of Joseph Curry and may not necessarily be those of ACPI. Content is prepared for general circulation and information contained does not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any investment fund, security or other product or service.

    15 min

  7. May 28

    EP # 195 | How Pension Income Splitting Works for Couples

    In this episode of Your Retirement Planning Simplified, Joe Curry explains how pension income splitting works in Canada and why it can be one of the most effective tax-saving strategies for retirees. Learn how RRIF withdrawals, defined benefit pensions, and strategic retirement income planning can help couples reduce taxes, protect OAS benefits, and create more tax-efficient retirement income.   Resources CRA Form T1032 – Joint Election to Split Pension Income Government of Canada – Pension Income Splitting Overview   Thank you for listening! You can get a full breakdown of each episode on the Your Retirement Planning Simplified Blog Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more simplified retirement planning insights!    Ready to take the next step?  Identify your retirement income style with the RISA Questionnaire   Want a retirement plan that adapts as your life evolves? Discover our True Wealth Roadmap. A step-by-step process to align your finances with your ideal retirement.  Learn more here: https://matthewsandassociates.ca/vsl/    About Joe Curry Joe Curry is the host of Your Retirement Planning Simplified, Canada's fastest-growing retirement planning podcast, where he provides accessible, in-depth financial advice. As the owner and lead financial planner at Matthews + Associates in Peterborough, Ontario, Joe and his team are committed to helping people secure both financial stability and purpose in retirement. His mission is to ensure people can sleep soundly knowing they have a solid plan in place, covering both financial and lifestyle aspects of retirement. A Certified Financial Planner and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, he values true wealth as more than money—it's about creating meaningful experiences with loved ones and fostering opportunities for the future.    About Retirement Planning Simplified Founded in 2022, it is our mission is to empower people to plan for retirement confidently, focusing not only on finances but also on a meaningful life. YRPS wants everyone to have access to simple, reliable tools that reflect their values and priorities. This ultimately helps create True Wealth, defined by the freedom to do what you love with those you love. By simplifying retirement planning and aligning it with the retiree's purpose, YRPS aims to support building a retirement that feels fulfilling and secure. To know more about RPS you can visit the links below: ●      LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retirement-planning-simplified/ ●      Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retirement_planning_simplified ●      Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@retirementplanningsimplified   Disclaimer Opinions expressed are those of Joseph Curry, a registrant of Aligned Capital Partners Inc. (ACPI), and may not necessarily be those of ACPI. This video is for informational purposes only and not intended to be personalized investment advice. The views expressed are opinions of Joseph Curry and may not necessarily be those of ACPI. Content is prepared for general circulation and information contained does not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any investment fund, security or other product or service.

    16 min

  8. May 21

    EP # 194 | RRSP to RRIF - When Should You Make the Switch?

    When should you convert your RRSP to a RRIF? In this episode of Your Retirement Planning Simplified, Joe Curry explains the key differences between RRSPs and RRIFs, how RRIF minimum withdrawals work, and why the right timing depends on your retirement income plan, tax strategy, and estate goals. Learn how RRSP meltdown strategies, pension income splitting, and OAS clawback planning can impact your retirement income in Canada.   Resources Government of Canada - RRIF Minimum Withdrawal Rules Government of Canada - Old Age Security (OAS) Recovery Tax   Thank you for listening! You can get a full breakdown of each episode on the Your Retirement Planning Simplified Blog Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more simplified retirement planning insights!    Ready to take the next step?  Identify your retirement income style with the RISA Questionnaire   Want a retirement plan that adapts as your life evolves? Discover our True Wealth Roadmap. A step-by-step process to align your finances with your ideal retirement.  Learn more here: https://matthewsandassociates.ca/vsl/    About Joe Curry Joe Curry is the host of Your Retirement Planning Simplified, Canada's fastest-growing retirement planning podcast, where he provides accessible, in-depth financial advice. As the owner and lead financial planner at Matthews + Associates in Peterborough, Ontario, Joe and his team are committed to helping people secure both financial stability and purpose in retirement. His mission is to ensure people can sleep soundly knowing they have a solid plan in place, covering both financial and lifestyle aspects of retirement. A Certified Financial Planner and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, he values true wealth as more than money—it's about creating meaningful experiences with loved ones and fostering opportunities for the future.    About Retirement Planning Simplified Founded in 2022, it is our mission is to empower people to plan for retirement confidently, focusing not only on finances but also on a meaningful life. YRPS wants everyone to have access to simple, reliable tools that reflect their values and priorities. This ultimately helps create True Wealth, defined by the freedom to do what you love with those you love. By simplifying retirement planning and aligning it with the retiree's purpose, YRPS aims to support building a retirement that feels fulfilling and secure. To know more about RPS you can visit the links below: ●      LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/retirement-planning-simplified/ ●      Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retirement_planning_simplified ●      Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@retirementplanningsimplified       Disclaimer Opinions expressed are those of Joseph Curry, a registrant of Aligned Capital Partners Inc. (ACPI), and may not necessarily be those of ACPI. This video is for informational purposes only and not intended to be personalized investment advice. The views expressed are opinions of Joseph Curry and may not necessarily be those of ACPI. Content is prepared for general circulation and information contained does not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any investment fund, security or other product or service.

    17 min
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About

Welcome to the Retirement Planning Simplified Podcast. Join Joseph Curry, CFP Professional, Certified Exit Planning Advisor and retirement planning specialist, to learn how to simplify your retirement planning. If you're approaching retirement or have already entered your early retirement years, this podcast is designed to help you answer your big retirement questions like... Can I afford to retire? How do I create a paycheck in retirement? How do I pay less tax in retirement? And even big questions about life after work. Through Retirement Planning education, resources, and expert interviews, Joseph will help you get clear on your vision for retirement including what that looks like for you, how to simplify it, and what you will need specifically to achieve or maintain financial freedom, live out your dreams and create future opportunities for the ones you love. You can find more information, tools, and resources for your Retirement Planning at https://retirementplanningsimplified.ca.

Information

  • Creator
    Joseph Curry, CFP Professional, CEPA
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    232
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Retirement Planning Simplified, all rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Your Retirement Planning Simplified

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