Retirement Answers

Jacob Duke, CFP®

Retirement Answers is a podcast built to help you succeed in retirement. The thought of retirement can be overwhelming and downright scary for many... but it doesn't have to be!

The goal of this podcast is to provide thoughtful insights and strategies to give you the confidence you need to retire successfully. At the end of the day, my ultimate goal for my clients and podcast listeners is to live a fulfilling retirement.

Follow along as I publish a new episode each week covering everything from retirement income planning, tax planning, Social Security, insurance planning, investing, and much more.

Here's to learning everything you need to know to live out your dream retirement!

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164 episodes
Updated July 22

Episodes164

Newest first

Jun 27, 2025 · 16 min
5 Things to STOP Doing Before You Retire (And What To Do Instead)
Getting close to retirement? Here are 5 things you should stop doing before you get started. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.
Jun 17, 2025 · 27 min
18 Signs You Are Better Prepared for Retirement Than Most People
Wondering if you are behind on your retirement plan? You are probably more prepared than you think and these 18 signs are good indicators! 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.
Jun 11, 2025 · 16 min
Retire NOW If You Answer YES to These 5 Questions
Knowing the best time to retire is tough to figure out because of all the details involved, but if you can answer 'YES' to these 5 questions, it might be time to start thinking about it! 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.
Jun 3, 2025 · 16 min
Why This Account Changes Everything in Retirement
There is an account that can give you ultimate flexibility and help you reduce taxes in retirement... and no, it's not a Roth IRA. It gives you the flexibility you've dreamed of when it comes to retirement income planning and tax planning. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.
May 28, 2025 · 17 min
Why Converting Everything to Roth is a MISTAKE
Are you making this mistake with your Roth conversions? In this episode, I explain why having some money in your Traditional IRA could save you thousands in taxes. Video on Social Security Taxation: https://youtu.be/fvrpISbRVak?si=-tF8oULLC7t7GmD7 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.
May 20, 2025 · 25 min
What Most Retirees Don't Know About Social Security Survivor Benefits
Social Security survivor benefits are really confusing, but in this episode I break down everything you need to know about survivor benefits to help you make more informed decisions. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.
May 13, 2025 · 14 min
Social Security Spousal Benefits - Avoid These Common Mistakes
Most retirees assume they are entitled to 50% of their spouse's Social Security, but that is not true... In this episode, I outline the rules for Social Security spousal benefits, how it works, and why your decision to take Social Security impacts your spousal benefits. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.
May 9, 2025 · 8 min
What You Can Do To Avoid The IRA Pro-Rata Rule
Do you have after-tax money in your Traditional IRA? Well, when it comes time to make distributions or do Roth conversions, you could unknowingly pay more in tax that you otherwise have to if you aren't aware of the IRA Pro-Rata rule or how you can fix this issue before it becomes a problem. In this week's Friday Q&A, I answer James' question on this specific topic. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.
May 6, 2025 · 15 min
What The Top 1% of Retirees Do Differently From Everyone Else
The top retirees approach retirement completely different from everyone else. They have an abundance mindset and live with intentionally, and that's what I discuss in today's episode. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.
May 2, 2025 · 17 min
Why Your Roth Conversion Could Trigger Unexpected Tax Penalties
Roth conversions are a powerful tax planning opportunity for retirees, but the devil is in the details. Missing a couple small things could end up costing you. In this Friday Q&A, we answer the following questions: How are dividends taxed in different account types? If I do a Roth conversion, do I need to make estimated tax payments or can I just pay when I file my taxes? 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.
Apr 29, 2025 · 29 min
10 Retirement Hacks That Will Save You Money
There are a few simple ways to save money in retirement and keep more of your hard earned money in your pocket. In this episode, I share 10 hacks that will help you save money and reduce taxes in retirement. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.
Apr 25, 2025 · 11 min
Recession-Proof Your Portfolio By Doing THIS
What if the market tanks right after you retire? It's important to be prepared and have a plan in place for the 'what-ifs' that could happen. In this weeks Friday Q&A, I answer Carolina's question and share how I like to build portfolios that are recession-proof. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.
Apr 22, 2025 · 14 min
Why You Should STOP Doing Roth Conversions
Roth conversions might be causing you to pay more in taxes compared to simply not doing any Roth conversions. In this episode, I explain how RMDs and your future tax rate could be much lower than the tax rate you would pay today on any Roth conversions you do. Roth is great, but it isn't always better. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.
Apr 18, 2025 · 9 min
Planning for Travel Expenses in Retirement? Ask Yourself These Questions
Trying to figure out how to plan for travel expenses in retirement? That's the question that I address on this week's Friday Q&A. I share a few things to consider as you plan how much you are going to spend on travel in retirement. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.
Apr 15, 2025 · 14 min
This is the BEST Way To Do Roth Conversions
What if you could do a Roth conversion completely tax-free? Would you even believe me if I said this was possible? In this episode, I share how you can use a charitable gifting strategy in tandem with your Roth conversions to eliminate the taxes on the conversion. It's like magic, but it's not... It's just strategy! 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.
Apr 11, 2025 · 12 min
How To Plan For Long-Term Care in Retirement
Long-term care planning is difficult to figure out. There is no "right" way to do it because some prefer to self insure while others prefer to purchase insurance. In this Friday Q&A, I address Theresa's question about long-term care planning and how I think about it. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.
Apr 8, 2025 · 18 min
Stock Market Crash? Take Advantage of These 3 Opportunities
The stock market might be taking a hit, but that doesn't mean there aren't opportunities out there. In fact, it's times like these the top 1% make the smartest moves. In this episode, I share 3 opportunities that you can take advantage of during market crashes. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.
Apr 1, 2025 · 21 min
How To Invest AFTER You Retire
You've been investing throughout your entire career and trying to grow your portfolio so you are ready for retirement. But what happens to your investments when get to retirement? Should you make a bunch of changes? Should you be more conservative? Join me as I discuss how to approach investing during retirement and a few different things you need to consider. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.
Mar 25, 2025 · 15 min
DO THIS To Spend Confidently in Retirement
The fear and unknowns of retirement make it hard for most retirees to spend confidently. In fact, I think spending with confidence in retirement might be the hardest thing to do. Will you run out of money? Are you spending too much? What if the market crashes and you never recover? All of the "what ifs" lead to under spending in the prime retirement years and dying with more money than you started retirement with. So, in this episode, I share tips on how you can overcome your worries about spending too much in retirement. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.
Mar 19, 2025 · 19 min
Sequence of Returns Risk: Should You Retire During a Recession?
What happens if the market goes down dramatically right when I retire? That's a big question on most retirees & pre-retirees minds, so in this episode, I walk through how you can combat this risk and what you should do to be prepared. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

Retirement Answers

5 Things to STOP Doing Before You Retire (And What To Do Instead)

18 Signs You Are Better Prepared for Retirement Than Most People

Retire NOW If You Answer YES to These 5 Questions

Why This Account Changes Everything in Retirement

Why Converting Everything to Roth is a MISTAKE

What Most Retirees Don't Know About Social Security Survivor Benefits

Social Security Spousal Benefits - Avoid These Common Mistakes

What You Can Do To Avoid The IRA Pro-Rata Rule

What The Top 1% of Retirees Do Differently From Everyone Else

Why Your Roth Conversion Could Trigger Unexpected Tax Penalties

10 Retirement Hacks That Will Save You Money

Recession-Proof Your Portfolio By Doing THIS

Why You Should STOP Doing Roth Conversions

Planning for Travel Expenses in Retirement? Ask Yourself These Questions

This is the BEST Way To Do Roth Conversions

How To Plan For Long-Term Care in Retirement

Stock Market Crash? Take Advantage of These 3 Opportunities

How To Invest AFTER You Retire

DO THIS To Spend Confidently in Retirement

Sequence of Returns Risk: Should You Retire During a Recession?