Mailbag: What to Focus on When You’re Nearing Retirement

Retirement planning can feel like a whirlwind, flooded with choices, tight timelines, and the pressure to “get it right.” In this special mailbag episode, David answers real questions from listeners who are navigating this very moment. One is preparing to retire and feeling overwhelmed; the other is already retired and sorting through the complexities of Roth conversions.

David cuts through the noise with three essential priorities every soon-to-be retiree should focus on, offering a practical roadmap to help bring order and clarity to the process. He also breaks down often-misunderstood topics like budgeting in retirement and the IRS’s five-year rule for Roth conversions, explaining what’s actually required and how to avoid common pitfalls. Tune in for practical, real-world guidance on how to simplify your retirement planning, avoid costly missteps, and make choices that support the life you want to live.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

💸 Structuring reliable retirement income from Social Security, pensions, and withdrawals

📆 Why it’s critical to have a retirement plan before you stop working

🚫 The IRS’s 5-year rule for Roth conversions  

💡 The importance of budgeting in retirement