Is 2026 Your Year to Retire? | AMA #12 - E126

On Jesse’s 12th “Ask Me Anything” episode, he opens the year by tackling the questions that tend to surface when calendars turn and retirement feels closer than ever. He begins with a thoughtful exploration of whether “this is the year to retire,” unpacking how sequence-of-returns risk, market valuations, spending accuracy, and portfolio construction matter far more than trying to guess the next market move, and why building flexibility—not perfect timing—is the real defense against early-retirement risk. From there, Jesse shifts to a practical and surprisingly nuanced discussion on getting kids and grandkids started in investing, weighing Roth IRAs, custodial accounts, and taxable strategies while emphasizing the twin lessons of earned money and compounding—and how to balance long-term discipline with making investing engaging and educational. He then addresses how portfolios should evolve as investors age and as assets grow, explaining why the glide path toward retirement is as much about risk capacity, risk need, and behavioral fit as it is about age, and why excess capital fundamentally changes how—and why—you take risk. He closes with a comprehensive walk through the key ages and milestones that shape a financial plan, from early adulthood to Social Security, Medicare, and required minimum distributions, giving listeners a clear mental map of when critical doors open and close. Throughout, Jesse blends technical insight with behavioral clarity, helping listeners not just answer financial questions, but build a durable way of thinking about decisions that will compound for decades.

Key Takeaways:
• The decision to retire is less about predicting markets and more about understanding cash flow, spending flexibility, and downside protection in the early years.
• Writing down the rationale behind major investment decisions helps reduce future regret and emotional reactions.
• Many retirees underestimate their spending, which can create false confidence in retirement readiness.
• Teaching kids about investing works best when it combines earned income, parental matching, and simple, long-term strategies.
• Excess capital changes the nature of investment decisions, allowing greater freedom without jeopardizing core goals.
• Knowing the key financial ages—Social Security, Medicare, Roth rules, and required minimum distributions—helps investors anticipate decisions rather than react under pressure.

Links:
https://bestinterest.blog/should-retirees-sell-stocks-move-to-cash/
https://bestinterest.blog/great-investors-little-secret/
https://bestinterest.blog/rmds-sequence-risk-retirement-destruction/
https://bestinterest.blog/e87/
Wade Pfau’s SRR Chart: https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=461168
https://bestinterest.blog/when-not-to-rebalance/

Key Timestamps:
(03:51) – Smart and Dumb Reasons to Move to Cash
(16:46) – Sequence of Returns Risk
(20:47) – Spending and Lifestyle in Early Retirement
(23:30) – Getting Kids Involved in Investing
(26:10) – Tax Implications and Control of UGMA Accounts
(30:38) – Investment Strategies for Financial Independence
(36:44) – Rebalancing in Retirement
(43:57) – Important Ages and Events in Retirement Planning

Key Topics Discussed:
The Best Interest, Jesse Cramer, Wealth Management Rochester NY, Financial Planning for Families, Fiduciary Financial Advisor, Comprehensive Financial Planning, Retirement Planning Advice, Tax-Efficient Investing, Risk Management for Investors, Generational Wealth Transfer Planning, Financial Strategies for High Earners, Personal Finance for Entrepreneurs, Behavioral Finance Insights, Asset Allocation Strategies, Advanced Estate Planning Techniques

More of The Best Interest:
Check out the Best Interest Blog at https://bestinterest.blog/
Contact me at [e-mail]
Consider working with me at https://bestinterest.blog/work/

The Best Interest Podcast is a personal podcast meant for education and entertainment. It should not be taken as financial advice, and is not prescriptive of your financial situation.