Straight Talk on Retirement with JBL Financial

5-9-26 20 Years of Retirement Coaching: Market Highs and Family Math

The Retirement Coaches celebrate 20 years on the air while sharing practical planning insights. Erin Lapidus, Jeff Lapidus, and Robert Markham discuss rising energy costs, REITs, tax-return planning opportunities, and how “family math” can help retirees make smarter decisions about income, savings, and taxes. They also address listener concerns about a rapidly rising market and explain why a disciplined, regularly reviewed retirement strategy matters through market highs, pullbacks, and headline-driven uncertainty.

5-2-26 Market Volatility, Smarter Planning, and What Really Matters in Retirement

Erin Lapidus and Robert Markham break down recent market volatility, what strong earnings may (and may not) mean for investors, and why long-term discipline matters more than reacting to headlines. They also explore rising energy costs, income strategies like REITs, and how to use your tax return as a planning tool. Plus, answers to listener questions on portfolio rebalancing and inherited IRAs.

4-25-26 RMD Planning, Dividend Income, P/E Ratios, and New Trump Accounts

On this episode, Jeff Lapidus, Erin Lapidus, and Robert Markham discuss several timely retirement planning topics, including how to think through required minimum distributions, creating cash flow from investment accounts, and using qualified charitable distributions as part of a tax-conscious retirement strategy. They also explain dividend income, price-to-earnings ratios, and what investors may want to know about the new Trump accounts for children.
Listeners will also hear practical reminders about coordinating withdrawals, taxes, portfolio rebalancing, and income needs with a financial professional.

4-18-26 529 Leftovers, Home Sale Taxes, and Inherited Roth IRA Rules

Erin Lapidus, Jeff Lapidus, and Robert Markham break down timely retirement and tax planning questions, including excess 529 funds, Roth conversion rules, home sale tax issues, IRMAA thresholds, inherited Roth IRA requirements, and charitable giving strategies. It’s a practical discussion focused on helping listeners make informed financial decisions.

4-11-26 Tax Refunds, Social Security Rules & Smart Retirement Decisions

The Retirement Coaches — Erin Lapidus, Jeff Lapidus, and Robert Markham — discuss how to handle tax refunds, manage withholding in retirement, and think through Social Security decisions.
 
They also answer listener questions on income limits, spousal benefits, and planning strategies as tax rules continue to evolve. Practical insights to help you make informed financial decisions.

4-4-26 Retirement Income, Market Swings & Your Game Plan

The Retirement Coaches discuss how to build a retirement income plan, respond to market volatility, and evaluate when you may be ready to retire. This episode focuses on practical strategies and real-world examples to help guide your decision-making process.

3-28-26 Smart Retirement Income Planning: Strategies to Manage Taxes and RMDs

The Retirement Coaches walk through a real-life case study showing how thoughtful income planning may help improve tax efficiency in retirement. They discuss required minimum distributions (RMDs), charitable giving strategies, and ways to evaluate where retirement income is sourced. Tune in for practical insights designed to help you make informed financial decisions.

3-21-26 Do You Really Need a Million Dollars to Retire?

How much do you actually need to retire with confidence? The Retirement Coaches break down a simple, practical approach to retirement planning—focusing on your real monthly expenses, income sources, and long-term goals. Learn why generic formulas and long-term projections may fall short, and how understanding your own numbers can help you make more informed decisions about your financial future.

3-14-26 Handling Market Volatility & Retirement Questions: What You Need to Know

On this week’s Straight Talk on Retirement, The Retirement Coaches answer listener questions and discuss how current market conditions may influence your retirement planning decisions. They cover how to approach market volatility, what to consider when reviewing your portfolio, and what to keep in mind if you have concerns about your financial accounts or provider.
 
The team also highlights key topics from their latest newsletter, including consumer spending trends, global market performance, and recent tax updates. This episode offers practical, easy-to-understand insights to help you stay informed as you consider decisions about your financial future.

3-7-26 Spousal Roth Contributions, Market Timing Challenges, and Understanding Investment Custodians

In this episode of Straight Talk on Retirement, Jeff takes listener questions while hosting the show solo and covers several practical retirement planning topics. The conversation includes how spousal Roth IRA contributions work when one partner is still employed, why timing investment changes inside retirement plans can be difficult, and what role a custodian plays in holding and reporting on retirement assets. Jeff also shares thoughts on managing cash reserves, evaluating portfolio adjustments during market uncertainty, and organizing retirement income distributions such as required minimum distributions and charitable giving.