A Message For The Good Savers

Today’s Prep:

Maybe you are great at saving and putting away money toward retirement. Is that enough? Find out three areas where a bit more strategy and behavior modification may come into play with your savings and investments as you enter into retirement.

 

Equipping Points:

Let’s say you’ve done a good job saving, kept out of debt, and your investments have done decently. Your retirement should be good, right? Even if you’ve done well by saving, there may still be some pitfalls that can trip up even the best savers. On today’s episode of the Retirement Ready podcast, we talk through three primary areas you’ll want to make sure to keep in mind when it comes to how you save.

The closer you get to retirement, your need for money in savings diminishes. Why? Your accounts all end up being relatively liquid in retirement since you can now access your 401(k) and IRAs without penalty. After years of wanting to have money in your savings account, you may want to reassess where your money can best serve you.

Are you taking too much risk in the market? The closer you get to retirement, the more you may want to consider what kind of risk you can handle. One way Eric helps his clients keep this in check is by reviewing three things: capacity, attitude, and need (CAN).

Taxes might be a headache now, but in retirement they will actually have a bigger impact than when you are working. There are a few options on how to pay them (since they won’t be automatically coming out of your paycheck), and it’s important to make a plan on how you want to address taxes strategically.

Is your saving strategy serving you well in retirement? Make sure you go over your plan with an advisor to address your needs and direction, because those may change as you enter into retirement.

Listen to the full episode to hear more or click on the timestamps below for a specific concept.

1:26 – Be careful about keeping too much cash in savings.

2:52 – Why you need to implement behavior modification when it comes to a rainy day fund in retirement.

5:24 – Don’t overlook the risk of your investments.

6:38 – The math behind how much risk you’re willing to take.

8:21 – Taxes are going to impact you more in retirement than when you are working.

 

Related Resources:

7 Deadly Sins of Financial Planning

Can Financial Planning Be A DIY Job?

 

Today’s Takeaway:

[spp-tweet tweet=”Markets will correct, they always do. Why are you risking it if you don’t have to in retirement? How much risk or what return do you need to make your plan work? –Eric Peterson“]

More From Eric:

The host: Eric Peterson - Contact - Call: (515) 226-1500

Subscribe To The Podcast:

Apple Podcasts  -  Google Podcasts  -  Spotify  -  Stitcher  -  iHeartRadio  -  TuneIn

Check out some other recent episodes

The National Park Guide to Retirement Planning

July 16, 2026

Whether you’re visiting one of the 63 national parks this summer or just hitting a local trail, a lot of the best practices for a great hike apply just as well to your retirement plan. Today, Eric “walks” through a few.

Mailbag: Military Pension Mistakes & Retirement Decision Paralysis

July 9, 2026

What happens if you make a retirement decision you can’t undo? And how do you know when you’ve done enough research before making an important financial move? In this mailbag episode, Eric answers two listener questions—one from a military retiree looking to protect his spouse after declining a survivor pension benefit, and another from a listener who struggles with overthinking every financial decision.

Movie Quotes That Reveal the Truth About Retirement

July 2, 2026

Can classic movie quotes actually teach valuable retirement lessons? In this episode, Eric takes memorable lines from films like The Terminator, When Harry Met Sally, and The Wizard of Oz and uses them to explain key retirement-planning concepts. From preparing for inevitable market downturns to understanding why every retirement plan should be personalized, these famous quotes provide surprisingly practical financial insights.

Where Does Guaranteed Income in Retirement Really Come From?

June 18, 2026

What does “guaranteed income” really mean in retirement, and is it actually possible to create a paycheck you can count on for life? In this episode, Eric breaks down the different sources of retirement income, including Social Security, pensions, investments, rental properties, and insurance-based solutions. He explains the risks many retirees overlook when relying solely on portfolios, dividends, bonds, or rental income and discusses why predictable income streams can play an important role in a well-designed retirement strategy.

Mailbag: IRA Withdrawals, Whole Life Insurance & Cash on the Sidelines

June 11, 2026

In this mailbag episode, Eric tackles a variety of listener questions about retirement and financial planning.
He breaks down complex topics into clear, practical guidance to help you make more confident money decisions.

Retirement Lessons Hidden in Walt Disney Quotes

June 4, 2026

Sometimes the best financial lessons come from the most unexpected places. Walt Disney built one of the most recognizable brands in history, but some of his most memorable quotes offer lessons that extend far beyond theme parks and animated characters.

Mailbag: Working Forever, Safety Nets, and Target Date Funds

May 28, 2026

A lot of people think they’ll work forever, until life changes the plan. In this special mailbag episode, Eric answers listener questions about retirement timing, backup planning, target date funds, and how to think about risk as retirement gets closer.

The Financial Impact of Losing a Spouse

May 21, 2026

Losing a spouse is one of the hardest realities anyone can face, and it can create major financial changes that you may not see coming. In this episode, Eric walks through the potential financial impact of becoming suddenly single in retirement, including Social Security changes, tax surprises, IRA rules, beneficiary updates, and income planning challenges.

Leave a Comment