All July long, we’re featuring a special replay series of standout episodes—and this week is no exception.
Join us for a special episode as we welcome Christine Benz to discuss her book, "How to Retire." In a captivating conversation in the Rock Retirement Club, we dive into topics like long-term care, the 4% rule, investing strategies, and simplification. Featuring insights from Fritz Gilbert, a member of the club and contributor to Christine's book, this episode offers a holistic view of retirement planning. Discover how to balance financial and non-financial aspects for a fulfilling retirement journey.
*Episode Originally Aired December 4, 2024*
OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF RETIREMENT ANSWER MAN
- (00:55) We are going to play some past impactful episodes for the whole month of July
INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTINE BENZ
- (01:28) Today we start off the month with a replay of our interview with Christine Benz.
- (03:17) Roger asks about the goal for the readers of this book.
- (04:48) Christine: The goal was to cover retirement in a really holistic way and include as much non-financial as financial information on retirement planning.
- (06:10) Roger thinks the interview style of the book helped make it more approachable.
- (08:13) Roger asks Christine about any big, unexpected insights that came up when she was writing her book.
- (11:12) Fritz Gilbert says I give Christine serious kudos for the approach she took and the amount of homework she did.
- (12:35) Christine tells Fritz that she loves his methodical approach to dealing with the years leading up to retirement.
- (14:16) Marla asks Christine if she would change anything if she was writing this book today to accommodate the 2024 election results and also asks about managing portfolios on Morningstar.
- (18:15) Roger says when it comes to portfolio construction, it's easy to overcomplicate things
- (21:14) Larry asks Christine what challenges her or confounds her most about her own retirement planning.
- (23:35) Larry asks “Are you concerned that we may not find people to provide long term care?”
- (31:08) Kevin Lyles asks Christine about asset allocation in retirement.
- (37:55) Laura asks: When talking about high quality bond portfolios, do bond funds work?
- (42:00) Roger asks about indexes and broad diversification.
- (44:37) Roger says someone had a comment related to some of the research on small cap value and asks Christine her view on having a more diversified small cap value tilt?
- (48:19) Eric asks “what is the argument for using TIPS (Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities) for retirees?”
- (51:28) Roger asks Fritz if he has been simplifying his portfolio or working more on optimization since retiring in 2018.
- (53:52) Roger says the optimization part of retirement sometimes dominates the conversation.
- (54:44) Roger asks Christine: Have you found in your own life a balance between making sure you don’t get too complicated in investments?
- (57:55) Brianna asks Christine what question she has been reflecting on after the 20 interviews?
- (58:45) Christine she’s been thinking more about whether the concept of retirement is flawed.
BONUS
- (01:01:26) Roger reads an excerpt from his grandfather's WWII journal
Resources Mentioned In This Episode
BOOKS
What is Retirement Answer Man?
A top retirement podcast. Roger Whitney, CFP®, CIMA®, CPWA®, RMA, guides you on how to actually do retirement well financially and personally. This retirement podcast isn't afraid to talk about the softer side of retirement. It will teach you how to retire with confidence. Two-time PLUTUS winner for best retirement podcast / blog and the 2019 winner for best financial planner blog. This retirement podcast covers how to create a paycheck, medicare, healthcare, Social Security, tax management in retirement as well as retirement travel and other non-financial issues you'll need to address to rock retirement. Retirement isn’t an age OR a financial number. It’s finding that balance between living well today and feeling confident about your retirement. It’s about gaining more freedom to pursue the life you want. Join the rock retirement community at www.rogerwhitney.com