Straight Talk on Retirement with JBL Financial

1-10-26 - Staying the Course in Volatile Markets and Understanding Required Minimum Distributions

This episode takes a closer look at market pullbacks and why long-term planning decisions shouldn’t be driven by short-term headlines. Jeff, Erin, and Robert also break down required minimum distributions, including how taxes are handled and what first-time RMD recipients should know. The team answers listener questions and discusses how to approach retirement decisions with a written game plan.

1-3-26 - New Year Planning: AI Trends, Market Volatility, RMD Basics, and Tax Scam Alerts

The first show of 2026 covers highlights from the January newsletter, including how artificial intelligence may reshape the workplace and what investors can learn from recent market volatility. The Retirement Coaches also revisit required minimum distribution basics and discuss common tax scams to watch for this filing season. Listener questions help kick off the year with practical retirement planning guidance.

12-27-25 - Five Money Lessons for Families, Year-End Reflections, and Preparing for 2026

Closing out the year, Jeff shares an article outlining five financial lessons families can teach the next generation — from thinking like an owner to saving early and understanding real estate’s long-term role. The team reflects on key themes from 2025, answers listener questions, and discusses how to approach the coming year with a clear retirement game plan.
 

12-20-25 - Holiday Edition: Smart Giving, Tipping Etiquette, and Year-End Retirement Checkpoints

In this holiday-season show, The Retirement Coaches revisit strategies for charitable giving, including appreciated assets and donor-advised funds. They also discuss tipping etiquette, year-end financial housekeeping, and ways to approach retirement planning conversations before the new year. As always, listener questions help bring real-life context to the discussion.

12-13-25 - Mobile Payments, Tariff Updates, and Qualified Charitable Distributions Explained

This episode explores generational differences in banking habits, including the growing use of mobile payment apps. Jeff, Erin, and Robert discuss online shopping considerations as tariff policies evolve and review how qualified charitable distributions may fit into retirement income planning. They also answer a listener question about what happens when a financial advisor changes firms.
 

12-6-25 - Family Lending Questions, Smarter Giving Strategies, and Holiday Planning Conversations

The Retirement Coaches open the show with a listener question about helping a parent purchase a home and the tax considerations involved in intra-family lending. They also highlight December newsletter topics, including charitable giving strategies, donor-advised funds, and year-end planning reminders. The conversation wraps with practical holiday insights and thoughtful ways to approach financial decisions before the calendar turns.

11-29-25 - Thanksgiving Reflections, Beneficiary Mistakes, Savings Strategies, and Real-Life Retirement Coaching

Jeff leads a post-Thanksgiving show covering highlights from the Coach’s Corner newsletter, including beneficiary designations, sandwich-generation challenges, and end-of-life cost considerations. He also answers listener questions about savings habits, vault-size guidelines, and how employer plans, COBRA, and ACA coverage fit into retirement timing. The episode features two in-depth case studies that show how real families navigate pension timing, Social Security decisions, cash-flow gaps, health-care transitions, and long-term income planning.

11-22-25 - Year-End Tax Questions, Medicare Appeals, Dividend Investing, and the November Newsletter Breakdown

In this episode, The Retirement Coaches walk through highlights from their November newsletter, including generational differences in traditional vs. Roth IRA preferences and the financial pressures facing the sandwich generation. The conversation then moves into year-end topics such as Medicare IRMAA appeals, 2026 premium changes, required minimum distribution considerations, and how dividend-focused investing fits into a broader retirement strategy. Jeff, Erin, and Robert also take listener questions on spousal IRA transfers, Social Security timing, and preparing for property tax updates in St. Louis County.

11-15-25 - Medicare Questions, ACA Changes, Roth Conversion Pitfalls, and Year-End Planning Insights

In this wide-ranging episode, The Retirement Coaches take listener questions on ACA marketplace coverage, how Medicare compares for adults nearing 65, and what to know about Medicare Advantage options for 2026. Jeff, Erin, and Robert also break down common misconceptions around Roth conversions, including tax-bracket considerations and the impact of the SECURE Act on beneficiaries. The episode wraps with practical guidance on enrollment timelines, evaluating supplemental benefits, and getting organized before year-end.

11-8-25 - Inside the November Newsletter: Roth Trends, the Sandwich Generation, and Listener Q&A

The Retirement Coaches highlight articles from their November newsletter, including generational differences in Roth vs. traditional IRA preferences and the challenges facing the sandwich generation. They also discuss lifestyle choices in retirement—from long cruises to RV living—and answer listener questions on retirement saving options for young adults.