Why a Financial Plan Matters More Than Ever for Retirement Readiness
Release Date: 09/06/2025
💡 3 Reasons Young Adults Should Consider Life Insurance
Planning Matters Radio
Life insurance is often seen as something you set up later in life... after marriage, kids, or buying a home. But waiting could mean missing out on some key benefits. In this interview, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy break down three important reasons young adults may want to consider life insurance sooner rather than later: ✔️ Lower costs: Policies are often significantly cheaper when you’re younger. In fact, term life insurance can be 50–70% less expensive in your 20s versus your 40s, according to NerdWallet. ✔️ Peace of mind during major life milestones: Starting a...
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💡 In-Service Rollovers at 59½: Is Moving Your 401(k) a Smarter Move?
Planning Matters Radio
Turning 59½ can unlock a powerful (and often misunderstood) retirement planning option: the in-service rollover. Many workplace plans allow you to move part of your 401(k) into an IRA while you’re still working, under rules set by the Internal Revenue Service. But is it actually better than staying in your employer plan? In this video, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy break down: 👉 What an in-service rollover really is 👉 When it makes sense — and when it doesn’t 👉 What to compare before making a move (hint: fees, investments, advice, and protections) If you’re...
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📱 FinTok Makes Investing Look Easy, but Is It Putting Investors at Risk?
Planning Matters Radio
Social media platforms like TikTok are changing how people learn about money, but not always for the better. According to the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, 25% of adults now turn to social media for investing advice, and that number jumps to 61% for people age 35 and under. In this interview, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy break down why short, viral money tips can oversimplify risk and blur the line between education and advertising. Keep in mind, building wealth and disciplined investing rarely isn't all that exciting; it’s built on discipline, diversification, and...
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📉 Markets & Geopolitics: When Will Stocks Recover?
Planning Matters Radio
Global tensions can rattle markets, but history shows the impact is often temporary. In this video, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy take a closer look at decades of data to put current headlines into context. Even though the conflict in Iran has pushed oil prices higher and caused short-term volatility, historically, the market has shown remarkable resilience after geopolitical shocks. In this interview, we break down: ✔️ Why stocks often drop first when global tensions rise ✔️ What past geopolitical events can teach us about market recoveries ✔️ Why emotional investing...
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🏠📄 Is a Trust a Must? What Every Family Should Know About Estate Planning
Planning Matters Radio
Trusts can feel complicated, and for many families, unnecessary. But in the right situation, a trust can be a powerful tool to protect your assets, avoid probate, and keep control in the right hands. In this conversation, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy break down when a trust makes sense, when it doesn’t, and why beneficiary designations can be just as important as the estate plan itself. If you'd like to sit down with Peter to talk through whether a trust makes sense for you and your family, please call (919) 300 - 5886 or schedule a complimentary appointment by visiting...
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🛡️💼 How Do You Know If Your Advisor Is Really Working for You?
Planning Matters Radio
A recent case involving a Georgia advisor who pleaded guilty to a $380 million Ponzi scheme is a scary reminder: trust matters... and so does transparency. ⚠️ In this interview, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy walk through how investors can evaluate whether their advisor is truly acting in their best interest, what red flags to watch for 🚩, and what questions every client should feel comfortable asking. Because protecting your financial future starts with choosing the right advisor. 🔐If you'd like a second opinion, or if you'd simply like to work with an advisor who...
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Retirement Milestones: The Ages That Trigger Big Financial Decisions
Planning Matters Radio
There are a few birthdays that matter a lot more than the candles on the cake 🎂 Certain ages can unlock benefits, or create costly mistakes, if you don’t plan ahead. In this interview, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy break down the key ages every investor and retiree should know, including: • 62 – When Social Security becomes available… but should you claim? • 59½ – Penalty-free withdrawals and in-service rollovers • 65 – Medicare eligibility (and why missing this can be expensive) • 70½ – A powerful opportunity for charitable giving with QCDs • 73 –...
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Five Financial Blind Spots That Can Burden a Grieving Spouse
Planning Matters Radio
The loss of a spouse is emotionally overwhelming, and for many families, it also brings unexpected financial stress. In this interview, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy walk through five common financial blind spots that often surface after a spouse’s death... and the proactive steps couples can take now to protect each other later: • Surprise Debt – Financial obligations that catch surviving spouses off guard • Being Locked Out of Accounts – When assets are frozen or tied up in probate...
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4 Ways to Improve Your Investment Performance
Planning Matters Radio
Improving your investment performance doesn’t always mean taking more risk... or chasing the latest trend. In this video, Peter with Richon Planning and Erin Kennedy break down 4 simple, fundamentals-based ways to improve results without adding complexity: ✔️ Automate and get out of your own way ✔️ Consolidate old accounts ✔️ Define your time horizon before investing ✔️ Save a little more each year Sometimes the biggest gains come from doing the basics consistently, and avoiding the mistakes that could derail long-term plans. If you'd like to make sure your fundamentals are...
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⚖️ 3 Signs You’re Invested Too Conservatively
Planning Matters Radio
You've heard a lot about the stress of taking on too much risk in retirement. But as Peter with Richon Planning talks through with Erin Kennedy, playing it too safe can create just as much financial pressure. In this interview, we walk through three warning signs your portfolio may be holding you back: 🔹 You constantly worry about running out of money Being overly conservative can limit growth—especially during a long retirement. 🔹 Your money isn’t working for you If your portfolio barely moves while inflation keeps rising, your purchasing power may be shrinking. 🔹 You...
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Why are fewer Americans saving for retirement? How can a financial plan help you stay ahead of inflation and debt?
Source: New York Life Wealth Watch 2025