🎯 Not sure where you stand with your retirement plan? Schedule your Complete Planning Review: https://www.rwpaul.com/complete-planning-review

Did your Social Security check actually go up in 2026 or did Medicare quietly take some of it back? A new year brings new updates, and 2026 is no exception when it comes to Social Security.

Even small rule changes can have a meaningful impact on your retirement income. Today, we break down what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and why Social Security decisions should never be made in isolation. Whether you’re already collecting benefits or getting close to filing, this conversation helps you think through how these updates fit into a broader retirement strategy, not just a calendar date.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

💵 Cost-of-Living Adjustments vs. Medicare Premiums – Why raises don’t always feel like raises

🧾 Taxes & the New Senior Deduction – What it does (and doesn’t) mean for Social Security taxation

⏳ When to File for Benefits – Early, full retirement age, or delayed strategies

⚖️ Break-Even & Longevity Considerations – Why health and life expectancy matter

🔄 Spousal & Survivor Strategies – Coordinating benefits as a couple

Learn more about us: https://www.rwpaul.com/our-firm

Contact Matt & Steve: https://www.rwpaul.com/contact

Phone: 248-305-9911

Find us on YouTube: https://bit.ly/481OA51

🎯 Not sure where you stand with your retirement plan? Schedule your Complete Planning Review: https://www.rwpaul.com/complete-planning-review

Artificial Intelligence is transforming everything, but is the hype getting ahead of reality?

This video tackles one of the biggest investor questions of 2025: Are we in an AI bubble? With markets up 20% three years in a row and Nvidia now worth over $5 trillion, it’s easy to wonder if history is repeating itself.

The Pauls break down how today’s AI boom compares to past manias — from the dot-com era to railroad stocks in the 1800s — and why the fundamentals behind AI might make this time different. They also explain how they’re managing portfolios in this environment, why trimming oversized positions is smart, and how retirees can protect gains without missing future growth.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

💡 Defining a Bubble: What history teaches us from railroads to dot-coms.

📊 Fundamentals vs. Hype: Why AI may not be another Pets.com.

💸 Portfolio Strategy: How The Pauls are trimming risk and locking in gains.

🏦 Retiree Focus: Preserving income and capital in a euphoric market.

🌍 Diversify Smartly: Why international and value stocks may hold better opportunity.

🔮 Prediction Preview: What they’ll be watching as AI evolves into 2026.

Learn more about us: https://www.rwpaul.com/our-firm

Contact Matt & Steve: https://www.rwpaul.com/contact

Phone: 248-305-9911

Find us on YouTube: https://bit.ly/481OA51

🎯 Not sure where you stand with your retirement plan? Schedule your Complete Planning Review: https://www.rwpaul.com/complete-planning-review

When the market is strong, everyone feels like a confident investor—but true risk tolerance isn’t about how you feel when things are going well. In this episode of Retirement Approved, Matt and Steve dig into the emotional and mathematical sides of risk tolerance—how much risk you can handle versus how much you’re willing to handle. Managing emotions can be just as important as managing returns, and this video will help you understand investor behavior better.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

🎲 Risk changes with emotion – Market highs make investors fearless; downturns make them cautious.

💵 Think in dollars – A 20% loss feels different when your portfolio is much larger.

⚖️ Capacity vs. tolerance – Understand both your financial ability and emotional comfort with risk.

🔁 Rebalance regularly – Lock in gains during strong markets to protect against future dips.

🧠 Avoid recency bias – Past success doesn’t guarantee future results, especially after long bull runs.

Learn more about us: https://www.rwpaul.com/our-firm

Contact Matt & Steve: https://www.rwpaul.com/contact

Phone: 248-305-9911

Find us on YouTube: https://bit.ly/481OA51

🎯 Not sure where you stand with your retirement plan? Schedule your Complete Planning Review: https://www.rwpaul.com/complete-planning-review

Roth conversions can be one of the most effective ways to reduce taxes in retirement, but only if you use them strategically.

In this episode of Retirement Approved, Matt Dombrowski, CFP® joins the show to break down the Roth planning strategies retirees should use to manage taxes, avoid penalties, and maximize long-term wealth. From timing conversions based on tax brackets to utilizing the Roth IRA’s ability to grow tax-free for your beneficiaries, we will walk you through the steps to take before retirement to make the most of this powerful tool.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

🧮 Timing is key – The “tax valley” years are prime for conversions.

💼 Tax bracket management – Maximize conversions without bumping into higher brackets.

🏥 IRMAA avoidance – Avoid penalties and higher premiums by staying below Medicare income thresholds.

🏡 Roth for legacy – Leave tax-free money for your heirs with strategic planning.

Learn more about us: https://www.rwpaul.com/our-firm

Contact Matt & Steve: https://www.rwpaul.com/contact

Phone: 248-305-9911

Find us on YouTube: https://bit.ly/481OA51

🎯 Not sure where you stand with your retirement plan? Schedule your Complete Planning Review: https://www.rwpaul.com/complete-planning-review

Your cash has been working overtime these past two years—but that high-yield honeymoon might be ending soon. With the Fed widely expected to start cutting interest rates in the coming months, now is the time to act.

In this episode of Retirement Approved, Matt Paul, Steve Paul, and Marc Killian share five smart moves to consider before rates drop.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

📦 BOXX strategy – Convert bank interest into long-term capital gains for tax efficiency.

📉 Bonds are back – Rates and risk/reward profiles are improving after a tough decade.

🛡 MYGAs – Lock in 4–6% guaranteed rates for multiple years before they drop.

📈 Fixed index annuities – Participate in market upside without downside risk.

⏳ Don’t wait – Opportunities may be gone by the time rates fall below your “trigger” level.

Learn more about us: https://www.rwpaul.com/our-firm

Contact Matt & Steve: https://www.rwpaul.com/contact

Phone: 248-305-9911

Find us on YouTube: https://bit.ly/481OA51

Is the U.S. dollar about to go digital? In this episode of Retirement Approved, Matt and Steve explore the rise of stablecoins- what they are, how they work, and why they could play a major role in the future of global finance. From Chuck E. Cheese tokens to casino chips, they use smart analogies to explain why stablecoins are grabbing headlines and how they’re not a threat to the U.S. dollar but could actually strengthen it globally.

You’ll learn how this tech is already transforming cross-border payments, the implications of the Genius Act working its way through Congress, and why institutions like J.P. Morgan, Visa, and PayPal are already taking steps- or preparing- to enter the stablecoin space. The guys also explain how clients might already have exposure to this booming trend through investments in Ethereum or companies like Coinbase and Circle.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

💡What are stablecoins and how do they work?

🌎 How stablecoins support the U.S. dollar globally

🏦 How regulation could open the door for banks and Big Tech to enter stablecoins

📈 How investors may already hold indirect exposure via crypto infrastructure

🔮 Don’t ignore new tech just because it’s unfamiliar

Stablecoins in 2025 Article:

https://www.rwpaul.com/blog/stablecoins-in-2025

Learn more about us: https://www.rwpaul.com/our-firm

Contact Matt & Steve: https://www.rwpaul.com/contact

Phone: 248-305-9911

Find us on YouTube: https://bit.ly/481OA51

Retirement isn’t just a financial decision. The transition can come with unexpected emotional challenges that many are not prepared for. Today we’re going to dive into the psychology of retirement by outlining five key psychological shifts retirees face and discuss how to prepare for them.

From the fear of spending your life savings to the loss of identity after leaving your career, we’re going to provide you with real client experiences, mindset strategies, and practical advice on navigating this new chapter. No matter how comfortable you feel about retirement, the facts we’ll highlight in this video will give you some things to think about and plan for.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
📊 49% of retirees don’t have a withdrawal strategy
🚪 The Go-Go, Slow-Go, and No-Go phases of retirement spending
💸 Gifting vs. hoarding: how to enjoy your money before it's too late
📺 47 hours of weekly TV — and how boredom can sneak into retirement

Learn more about us: https://www.rwpaul.com/our-firm

Contact Matt & Steve: https://www.rwpaul.com/contact

Phone: 248-305-9911

Find us on YouTube: https://bit.ly/481OA51

With headlines dominated by tariffs, inflation fears, and wild market swings, it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos. In this episode of Retirement Approved, Matt and Steve break down the ongoing tariff situation, how markets have reacted, and what it means for your financial future.

They unpack the rollercoaster of conflicting government messages, fake news headlines, and sudden reversals that have sent markets on a wild ride in recent weeks. From a record-setting 10% market rebound to panic-fueled selloffs, this episode explores why emotional reactions can lead to long-term mistakes and why staying calm and strategic is key. The Pauls also dig into rising interest in gold, its historical performance, and how it compares to the stock market and even Bitcoin.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

⚠️ Why timing the market off headlines is risky

📉 What to do (and what not to do) during volatility

🧠 The power of staying invested through uncertainty

📊 How diversification protects you from chaos

💰 Gold’s hype vs. actual historical performance

Learn more about us: https://www.rwpaul.com/our-firm

Contact Matt & Steve: https://www.rwpaul.com/contact

Phone: 248-305-9911

Find us on YouTube: https://bit.ly/481OA51