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PODCAST

What The Wealth Retirement Podcast

Jonathan Bednar II, CFP

When it comes to financial planning and investing, many of us have more questions than answers. The “What the Wealth?!” Retirement Podcast offers sound financial information and guidance on numerous concerns to help Gen X and Y families and professionals as well as 50-Forward individuals create the lives they love. Jonathan P. Bednar, II, CFP, joined Paradigm Wealth Partners in January 2010, where he is in partnership with his father, Jon P. Bednar. As a Wealth Advisor, Jonathan enjoys guiding his

business investing

All Episodes

14:09

Six Retirement Regrets (122)

What The Wealth Retirement Podcast ·

2026/03/03

The hard truth: Most retirements don’t fail on spreadsheets. They fail in real life when emotions, freedom, and spending collide. After decades of doing everything right, it’s easy to feel like you’ve earned the luxury car, the bigger house, the nonstop trips, the generous gifts, the open tab for adult kids, or even the dream vacation home. I break down why those “deserved” purchases often carry long tails of cost—depreciation, insurance, utilities, maintenance, taxes, and expectations—...

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15:32

Retiring in the US with a Pension? How to Make it Fit...

What The Wealth Retirement Podcast ·

2026/01/29

Too many retirees make one pension decision they can’t undo and it reshapes their entire financial future. We break down the real trade-offs hiding behind payout options, survivor benefits, and the lure of a lump sum, then show you how to weave your pension together with Social Security and investments to build a calm, resilient retirement plan. We start by reframing the pension as a supercharged bond; steady, predictable income that can cover the must-haves and free your portfolio to fund t...

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11:28

Using Your Lower-Income Years to Convert IRAs and...

What The Wealth Retirement Podcast ·

2026/01/21

The years between your last paycheck and your first Social Security or RMD can be the most valuable tax planning window of your life. We call it the Golden Window, and it’s when your income is low, your tax brackets are flexible, and your choices can reshape your entire retirement. In this conversation I lay out the strategy that helped one couple save $180,000 in lifetime taxes without sacrificing lifestyle or taking more risk. We unpack how to use low-income years to your advantage: conver...

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25:08

A Big Inheritance: How to Successfully Pass Wealth (119)

What The Wealth Retirement Podcast ·

2026/01/05

In this episode, I explain how inheritances go wrong and lay out a plan to keep wealth private, tax-smart, and protective. We compare wills and trusts, share real examples, and detail tools that shield heirs from probate, overspending, taxes, and outside claims. • Hidden risks of probate, cost, delay, and publicity • Living trusts for privacy, speed, and control • Trust funding steps and trustee selection • Spendthrift structures to prevent blow-ups • Rules for age, milestones, and needs • R...

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6:04

The IRS is Calling: A Six-Figure Estate Planning...

What The Wealth Retirement Podcast ·

2025/12/12

We break down a costly estate planning mistake that can cost you six-figures with the IRS! A simple change in timing preserves the step-up in basis. A real client story and a simple change that can preserve your gift. • The risk of gifting appreciated real estate • What's the step-up in basis? • Probate, good or bad? • Simplify gifting • When and how to consult attorneys and advisors • Practical steps for rentals, equities, and businesses 🗓️ Meet with me: https://paradigmwealthpartners...

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11:51

Case Study: $1.4M, Early 50's – A Small Tweak Results...

What The Wealth Retirement Podcast ·

2025/11/25

In this episode I share a real-life example of how a couple with $1.4 million was feeling crushed by cash flow but found relief with a 5% contribution change and a focused debt reduction. Small, smart tweaks restored breathing room, protected retirement, and funded key home repairs without new loans. • How saving more can add stress when cash flow is tight • A small 5% 401(k) reduction created real breathing room • Setting up a debt snowball for quick wins • Rolling freed cash into essential...

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10:45

Three Retirement Questions That Can Shape Our Future...

What The Wealth Retirement Podcast ·

2025/10/29

In this episode I share three practical questions that can reshape retirement: Who you’ll have lunch with, Who will handle home tasks, andHow you’ll get an ice cream cone? The focus shifts from bucket lists to daily life, social health, safety, and mobility, with steps you can act on now. • Why day-to-day design beats bucket lists • Planning social routines to avoid loneliness • Right-sizing the home and safety upgrades • Protecting mobility and spontaneity with transport opti...

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10:49

"We're Tired of All the Statistics — You're Not...

What The Wealth Retirement Podcast ·

2025/10/14

A portfolio can grow while confidence shrinks—especially when every question gets answered with a statistic. In this episode I unpack a real case study of a retired couple who were told for 16 years to stay “70/30” and not touch their income because actuarial tables said they might live to 95. The returns looked fine on paper, but the plan didn’t feel like their life. So we rebuilt the conversation from the ground up: listen first, translate goals into cash flow, then design a structure that ...

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18:20

Bridging The Healthcare Gap: Planning For ACA Subsidy...

What The Wealth Retirement Podcast ·

2025/09/29

On episode 114 we lay out how the potential expiration of enhanced ACA subsidies after 2025 could affect early retirees and what can be done ahead of time to prepare. Practical planning moves to manage MAGI, use HSAs, shore up cash flow, and keep retirement on track without panic. • Expanded subsidies, what they did and why they matter • When the enhancements are set to expire and likely 2026 impact • How uncertainty creates budgeting stress for early retirees • Sti...

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20:21

The Million Dollar Retirement Myth, Holding You Back?...

What The Wealth Retirement Podcast ·

2025/08/25

I discuss the long-held myth that $1 million is the universal retirement target and explore why your personal number depends on your unique circumstances and goals. • The million-dollar retirement target originated from the 4% rule but does it account for today's economics? • What's the impact of Inflation, healthcare costs, increased longevity, and market volatility on the million-dollar benchmark? • Your retirement number depends on lifestyle, debt, location, family obligations, and income...

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15:37

The One Big Beautiful Bill: Are There New...

What The Wealth Retirement Podcast ·

2025/08/18

Tax laws have changed dramatically with the passage of the "One Big Beautiful Bill," and your retirement planning strategy likely needs to adapt. This sweeping legislation extends several tax cuts and Jobs Act provisions while adding several powerful new deductions specifically targeting seniors and retirees. Take a listen and to hear how these changes may affect your retirement. 🗓️ Meet with me: https://paradigmwealthpartners.com/begin-your-journey/#calendly ↔️ Connect with me on...

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12:54

Nine Accounts, No Plan: Planning a Real Tennessee...

What The Wealth Retirement Podcast ·

2025/07/24

We recently worked with clients who had nine different financial accounts at nine different institutions with no coherent strategy, including around $450,000 sitting in cash earning nothing. After moving from California to Tennessee, they were struggling with both lifestyle adjustments and financial disarray while approaching retirement within five years. How we helped: • Consolidated nine accounts into fewer, more strategic "buckets" for better clarity and purpose • Created a plan to systema...

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14:53

Beyond Market Dips: Why Your Long-Term Portfolio...

What The Wealth Retirement Podcast ·

2025/07/07

Market downturns naturally trigger anxiety for investors, but having a better understanding of your investment strategy can provide peace of mind during market turbulence. • Broad-based market ETFs diversification vs individual stocks • Creating the fixed income "war chest" • Laddered bond strategies—what are they? • Applying at least a 5-year perspective • "Anchor bias" • Taking breaks from the news If you enjoyed today's episode, please subscribe to What the Wealth and share it with someo...

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22:00

Retirement on $625K: A Real-World Case Study (109)

What The Wealth Retirement Podcast ·

2025/06/30

In this episode I'll walk you through a detailed retirement case study for David (73) and Tammy (65) who have $625,000 in retirement savings plus a $180,000 business stake to sell, examining if they can retire comfortably with these assets. • Will their combined SS benefits of approximately $61,000 annually cover their basic annual expenses? • Monte Carlo simulation shows an 81-83% probability of retirement plan success, even with a $30,000 European trip and $50,000 home repairs—will that wo...

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16:17

The 6-5-4 Strategy: Creating Your Retirement Paycheck...

What The Wealth Retirement Podcast ·

2025/06/13

The 6-5-4 bucket strategy can transform your retirement savings into a sustainable income stream while maintaining long-term growth potential. In today's epsiode I dive into this on more detail: A simple yet powerful approach that creates a clear withdrawal plan that provides both financial security and peace of mind during market volatility. • Calculate your retirement income needs • Set aside living expenses in an emergency fund • Five years (60 months) of income needs in a second bu...

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6:26

Transforming an Inherited IRA into Tax-Free...

What The Wealth Retirement Podcast ·

2025/04/07

We unpack a strategy to transform an inherited IRA into tax-free retirement wealth through a strategic Roth conversion. A client recently inherited $52,000 from his mother and was taking RMDs without a clear plan until we implemented this approach. What you'll learn: • Inherited IRAs become "beneficiary IRAs" when passed down to non-spouses • Beneficiary IRAs must be fully depleted within 10 years • RMDs are calculated based on prior year account value and IRS tables • Taking RMDs without a...

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18:09

Market Volatility: When Half "Want Out" and Half...

What The Wealth Retirement Podcast ·

2025/03/25

Market uncertainty triggers two distinctly opposite responses from investors. We see some frantically call ready to cash out, while others eagerly seek opportunities to deploy additional capital. The CNN Fear and Greed Index currently sits around 20 (out of 100), indicating fear among investors. For investors wrestling with uncertainty, several critical points deserve consideration. Let's remember, successful investing requires adherence to long-term planning rather than emotion...

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18:25

Stock Market Turmoil: When to Worry and What to Do?...

What The Wealth Retirement Podcast ·

2025/03/12

Market volatility triggers panic, but historical data reveals why staying calm and sticking to your financial strategy is the smartest approach during turbulent times. • Every time CNBC has aired a "Markets in Turmoil" special since 2010, the S&P 500 was higher one year later by an average of 40% • Market fluctuations are natural and expected parts of long-term investing • Panic selling locks in losses and typically causes investors to miss the subsequent rebounds • Market value is funda...

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6:38

Home Value: Do We Have Enough Property Coverage?...

What The Wealth Retirement Podcast ·

2025/02/27

Are you confident that your home insurance will cover you in times of crisis? When disaster strikes, many homeowners discover they lack sufficient protection. In this episode, I dive into the world of property and casualty insurance, especially as it relates to rising 📈 home values and recent catastrophic events across the country. The importance of maintaining accurate insurance levels for your home and this conversation underscores the urgency of reevaluating your current policy to r...

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12:31

Weathering the Storms: Long-Term Success Amid Market...

What The Wealth Retirement Podcast ·

2025/02/18

The recent sell-off in NVIDIA's stock highlights the fears surrounding market volatility. Past events quickly emphasizes the importance of maintaining a robust financial plan and understanding emotional market reactions. On this episode: • The emotional impact of market headlines • Significance of NVIDIA's decline in the context of market stability • Historical perspectives on market downturns and recoveries • The necessity of a diversified investment portfolio • Impo...

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122 results

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