How much of your retirement savings should be exposed to market risk—and how much should be positioned for greater stability?

In this episode of Ray Brown’s Wealth Strategies, Ray introduces one of his favorite retirement planning visuals: the “coffee can.” The concept represents a portion of a retiree’s money placed in fixed or guaranteed insurance-based products designed to protect principal while still offering the potential for interest growth.

Ray explains how this approach can work alongside a separate market-based investment “bucket,” giving retirees different sources of money to draw from depending on market conditions, income needs, and individual tolerance for risk.

He also discusses fixed annuities, tax-deferred growth, required minimum distributions, the importance of regularly reviewing your retirement strategy, and why a plan that made sense ten years ago may no longer reflect your circumstances today.

Throughout the episode, Ray emphasizes safety, security, diversification, and understanding your options before market volatility forces you to react.

Plus, in Ray’s Mailbox, he answers questions about client references and explains why he continues to encourage retirees and pre-retirees to approach their financial planning with a greater sense of urgency.

Every financial situation is different, but Ray’s message is consistent: understand your risk, know what you own, and make sure your retirement strategy still fits the life you are planning for.

Learn more at https://raybrownswealthstrategies.com/

Taxes can have a major impact on retirement, but good planning can help reduce surprises and give you more options.

In this episode of Ray Brown’s Wealth Strategies, Ray is joined by Andrew Lazzaro, an enrolled agent with D’Arcangelo & Company, to discuss the role tax professionals can play before, during, and after retirement. Andrew explains how proactive tax planning, projections, and trial tax returns can help clients understand potential tax obligations before April arrives—and why making major financial decisions without considering the tax consequences can be costly. Ray and Andrew also explore some of the biggest tax-related decisions retirees face, including when to begin taking Social Security, the pros and cons of Roth conversions, required minimum distributions, and the value of having financial and tax professionals working together as part of the same team. Andrew also explains how enrolled agents can represent taxpayers before the IRS, respond to tax notices, assist during audits, and help take some of the stress out of dealing with complicated tax issues.

The takeaway: retirement planning is about more than simply accumulating money. Understanding the tax consequences of your decisions—and planning for them before they happen—can help you move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

Your financial strategy should reflect your personal circumstances, not a cookie-cutter formula. In this episode, Ray discusses how spouses can have very different attitudes toward risk and why age, health, retirement income, and individual goals should all influence the way a portfolio is structured.

Ray examines underperforming accounts, ongoing advisory fees, and the importance of understanding whether the service you receive justifies what you are paying. He also explains why diversification may involve more than simply owning different stocks or mutual funds, introducing a two-bucket approach that combines market-based investments with insured or guaranteed assets.

The episode highlights one of the biggest risks facing recent retirees: withdrawing income from investments while the market is down. Ray explains why regularly reassessing your strategy may help ensure your investments continue to match your comfort level and retirement needs.

In Ray’s Mailbox, Ray answers questions about investment management fees and explains the value of conducting a meaningful annual financial review.