In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, financial advisor Stewart Willis and host Spike Spengel dig into why so many Americans are delaying retirement and what it really means to be ready. Stewart talks about clients who keep working long after they can afford to, the difference between financial readiness and emotional readiness, and why losing the community of coworkers can make retirement feel harder than the math suggests. He also shares stories from the office, from engineers with complicated spreadsheets to retirees who suddenly realize they actually made it.

You will hear how purpose, social connection and an active mind matter just as much as your account balance, along with ideas for working or volunteering by choice instead of necessity. Then Stewart shifts to the rising importance of required minimum distributions, what really happens when Uncle Sam comes for his share of your tax deferred accounts, and why waiting and only spending down bank cash can backfire later in retirement.

Stewart breaks down how RMDs work with multiple accounts, why spouses each have their own separate RMD rules, and how easy it can be to make costly mistakes if you try to manage it alone. He explains how a thoughtful tax plan, including strategic Roth conversions while taxes are still on sale, can help you use today’s brackets more efficiently and avoid surprise taxes and penalties in the future. If you are in or near retirement and feeling uncertain about when to stop working or how RMDs fit into your plan, this episode will give you clarity and a path forward.

📞 Call 877-5-RETIRE or visit AssetPreservationWealth.com to schedule your complimentary tax and RMD review and portfolio analysis.