The Financial Junk Drawer: What’s Hiding in Your Retirement Plan?

Equipping Points:

Most of us have a junk drawer stuffed with random odds and ends we forgot about. But what about your financial junk drawer? Old insurance policies, dusty 401(k) statements, outdated wills, or savings bonds from decades ago could be sitting forgotten, and they might be costing you money or missing opportunities. In this episode, Eric opens the drawer on common financial items people stash away and forget to revisit.

From old life insurance policies that could be upgraded, to 30-year-old wills written before your kids were grown, to unclaimed Social Security estimates and orphaned retirement accounts, he explains how getting these things in order now could lead to serious benefits later. It’s time to stop avoiding that pile of paperwork and start organizing your financial life. If you’re preparing for retirement, this episode is your guide to clearing the clutter that could be holding you back.

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

🗂️ Old life insurance policies that might still have value

📜 Wills and estate documents that need updating (or replacing!)

🧾 Forgotten 401(k)s and missing Social Security records

💸 Unclaimed savings bonds and lost checks hiding in plain sight

📋 How cleaning your “financial junk drawer” helps prep for retirement planning

If you have any questions about what we discussed on the show or want to follow up with any financial planning questions of your own, get in touch with us and schedule a visit here. 

 

Today’s Takeaway:

Related Episodes:

Spending With Confidence in Retirement

The Stress That Comes With Retirement

Retirement Planning Today Is Harder Than It Used To Be

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

Mailbag: Affording Disney, Retirement Income & Leaving Job Benefits

July 17, 2025

In this mailbag episode, Eric answers real questions from listeners navigating big life transitions. First up, a soon-to-be retiree wants to take the whole family to Disney World, but how do you plan a big trip like that without derailing your retirement timeline?

Read More

DIY Planning: Where It Works and Where It Can Go Wrong

July 10, 2025

DIY works great for fixing up the house or building a bookshelf, but does it hold up when you’re planning your retire-ment? In this episode, Eric unpacks the pros and pitfalls of do-it-yourself financial planning, especially as you transition from the “saving” years to the “spending” years.

Read More

Age 62: An Important Retirement Milestone

July 3, 2025

Turning 62 isn’t just another birthday, it’s a milestone that kicks off some big retirement decisions. In this episode, Eric breaks down what reaching this age really means, from deciding when (or if) to claim Social Security to navigating income limits that could reduce your benefits. We’ll also explore how your health, family longevity, and lifestyle goals should influence that decision.

Read More

Too Much Financial Info? How to Filter the Good from the Bad

June 19, 2025

Retirement isn’t just about financial spreadsheets, it’s about preparing your whole life for a new chapter

Read More

Five People You Meet In Retirement

June 12, 2025

Retirement isn’t just about financial spreadsheets, it’s about preparing your whole life for a new chapter

Read More

The Gray Zone of Retirement Planning

June 5, 2025

When it comes to retirement, some decisions aren’t as clear-cut as they seem. Should you pay off your mortgage early? Convert to a Roth IRA? Claim Social Security at 62 or wait until 70? The math might say one thing, but your emotions, goals, and personal circumstances often pull you in another direction. In this episode, Eric tackles the “gray areas” of retirement planning, those tricky crossroads where logic and lifestyle collide.

Read More

What The Psychology of Money Reveals About Retirement

May 29, 2025

We all like to believe we’re rational when it comes to money, but our emotions often tell a different story. In this episode, Eric unpacks key insights from Morgan Housel’s The Psychology of Money and explains how our upbringing, fears, and life experiences shape how we save and spend. From the fear of running out to the trap of always wanting more, Eric explores why logic alone isn’t enough to build a solid retirement plan.

Read More

The Services We Offer (That You Didn’t Know You Needed)

May 22, 2025

Most people assume all financial advisors offer the same services, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. From taxes to Social Security, Medicare to estate planning, the depth and quality of your advisor’s services can make or break your retirement plan. In this episode, Eric walks through the often-overlooked services a true, holistic advisor should provide and why they matter.

Read More

How to Stay Calm When the Market Isn’t

May 15, 2025

Thanks to a variety of economic and geopolitical circumstances, many people are experiencing some form of financial anxiety right now.

Read More

Mailbag: 4% Rule, Life Insurance, and Early Retirement Questions

May 8, 2025

In this episode, Eric opens the mailbag to answer three listener questions that hit on some of the most common—and often misunderstood—retirement topics.

Read More

Leave a Comment