✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way! 🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/  2025 was loud… tariffs, market swings, tax headlines, and nonstop uncertainty. But not everything that made the news actually mattered for your long-term plan. In this year-end conversation, Ryan reflects on what truly impacted investors, what tested discipline, and why staying unemotional proved more valuable than reacting to headlines. Listen in to separate the noise from the lessons and head into 2026 with clarity and confidence. Here’s what we cover in this episode: 🌍 Tariffs & Markets: Uncertainty and volatility in the market 🧾 Big Beautiful Bill: Real financial implications 📉 Market Lessons: Having discipline during turbulence 🔮 Looking Ahead: Positioning for 2026 🎄 Year-End Note: Perspective and gratitude   Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/ Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/ The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2

✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way! 🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/  United pilots are being asked to make a major retirement election by the end of the year and the plan hasn’t even received IRS approval. The election window for 2027 Pilot Contributions is open until December 31 for the proposed United Airlines Pilot Cash Balance Plan (the ‘CBP’). To help you better understand your options and what it could mean for your retirement, we’ve invited pilot tax specialist Zach Smith to unpack what’s happening, why it’s happening, and what pilots should understand before making a decision that could impact their long-term financial flexibility. As airline compensation has increased and employer contributions have grown, more pilots are running into IRS limits on 401(k) contributions. To address the “spillover,” airlines like Delta and American introduced cash balance plans and alternative retirement vehicles. United is now following suit, but without full clarity, final plan details, or an opt-out option. Ryan and Zach walk through the two primary options United pilots are facing: the CBP or HRA, along with the trade-offs of each. Here’s what we cover in this episode: ✈️ Why Pilots Are Hitting 401(k) Contribution Limits 📉 Cash Balance Plans Explained 🏥 HRAs and Medical-Only Dollars ⚠️ The Risk of Forced Decisions Without Full Details 🧠 A Practical Approach in an Uncertain Situation   Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/ Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/ The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2

✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way! 🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/  In this episode, Ryan continues last week’s discussion on elevating the retirement planning conversation for pilots. Find out how asking smarter, planning-focused questions about taxes, Social Security, debt, risk, and investing can empower you to make more confident retirement decisions. Move past surface-level concerns and learn how to structure your thinking for long-term results. Here’s what we cover in this episode: 🧾 Tax Strategy: planning beyond this year’s bill 🎂 Social Security: fitting benefits into income plan 🏠 Mortgage Strategy: managing debt instead of rushing payoff ⚖️ Risk Management: matching risk to time horizon 📉 Market Timing: avoiding emotional, short-term reactions   Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/ Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/ The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2

✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way! 🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/  Most people think the key to better retirement planning is getting better answers, but Ryan argues it really starts with asking better questions. In this episode, he talks about how reframing the basics leads to clearer thinking, better decisions, and a plan that fits your life. Discover the crucial shifts in mindset and the specific questions that can transform not just your retirement strategy, but your entire approach to financial planning. Here’s what we cover in this episode: 📘 Financial Literacy Matters: why most people were never taught the basics 🔁 Reframing Retirement Questions: better questions = better outcomes 🏥 Long-Term Care Reality: what to ask before choosing insurance 💸 Value Over Fees: how to measure real advisor worth ⚖️ Cost vs. Benefit: knowing when paying for help pays off   Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/ Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/ The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2

✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way! 🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/ Getting married in your 50s often means you’re combining lives, but not necessarily combining finances. How do you build a retirement plan together when you’ve both already built your own? In this episode, Ryan answers a listener’s question about navigating financial and emotional security in later-life marriages. Financial independence and emotional connection aren’t opposites, you can keep your accounts separate, but your retirement plan should still be built together. Here’s what we cover in this episode: 🎖️ Veterans Day Greetings: honoring service and sharing personal updates 🧠 Emotional & Financial Security: balancing independence with connection 💬 Open Communication: why honesty about money is essential for trust 💵 Retirement Readiness: aligning income, savings, and lifestyle goals 👨‍👩‍👧 Family Dynamics: protecting children and legacy from previous marriages   Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/ Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/ The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2

✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way! 🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/  This week, Thanksgiving takes center stage and your finances get a seat at the table! Ryan serves up a fun, insightful discussion where holiday favorites like parades, turkey carving, and football run parallel with the keys to successful retirement planning. Discover why consistency in investing is like the annual parade, how carving the turkey mirrors smart distribution in retirement, and why it pays to plan for plenty of financial leftovers. Here’s what we cover in this episode: 🦃 Thanksgiving Plans & Traditions: how holiday rhythms mirror financial habits 🎈 Parades & Planning: staying focused on direction in your financial life 🍽️ Feast Prep & Market Timing: why timing the market is as tricky as timing the turkey 🏈 Football & Investing: understanding strategy, patience, and long-term plays 😴 Post-Meal Nap: the peace of a financial plan you can relax into   Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/ Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/ The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2

✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way! 🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/  If you’re an American Airlines pilot, you’re facing a major decision: whether to participate in the newly announced Market-Based Cash Balance Plan. Ryan is joined once again by Zach Smith from Pilot Tax to break down how the plan actually works, what AA pilots need to know, and the long-term tax consequences many pilots aren’t thinking about. Most importantly, we explore how this decision affects retirement flexibility, future RMDs, and your ability to control your own investment strategy. Here’s what we cover in this episode: 🛩️ What AA’s new plan really is: how the Market-Based Cash Balance Plan works behind the scenes 📉 Lack of control & conservative investing: why the pooled structure limits growth 💥 The tax time-bomb problem: how spillover contributions worsen future RMDs 💰Roth vs. spillover strategy: why many AA pilots should consider opting out 📊 A better long-term approach: controlling taxes, liquidity, and retirement flexibility   Get in touch with Zach: https://pilot-tax.com Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/ Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/ The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2

✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way! 🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/  This Veterans Day episode of The Pilot’s Advisor features Zach Smith from Pilot Tax for a deep dive into one of the biggest challenges facing airline professionals: retirement tax planning. Ryan and Zach explain why airline contracts that fund 18–19% of pay into 401(k)s create future RMD headaches, how Roth strategies can help you gain long-term control, and why taxable brokerage accounts can be a powerful, flexible alternative to overfunded retirement plans. Here’s what we cover in this episode: 💰 The unique tax challenges that pilots face 🧾 Why deferring taxes isn’t always smart🚀 Roth accounts = long-term freedom📊 Taxable brokerage accounts offer flexibility⚖️ True tax diversification = balance + control   Get in touch with Zach: info@pilot-tax.com 317-984-7666 https://pilot-tax.com/   Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/ Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/ The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2

✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way! 🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/  As mortgage rates fluctuate and the real estate market adjusts, pilots and investors alike are wondering, what’s next? In this episode, Ryan sits down with Christopher Zarnik, a fellow FedEx pilot and mortgage broker, to unpack today’s housing and lending landscape. Christopher also shares practical advice on navigating today’s market and invites listeners to reach out with their mortgage or homebuying questions. Here’s what we cover in this episode: 📈 Inflation Reality: how rate hikes and cuts shape the housing market 💰 Refinancing Rules: when it makes financial sense (and when it doesn’t) 🏦 Mortgage Fees 101: which costs are negotiable and how to lower them 🔒 Lock It In: why waiting for lower rates can backfire 💸 Borrow Smart: use the bank’s money and keep your assets working   Positive Rate Mortgage: https://www.positiveratemortgage.com Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/ Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/ The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2

✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way! 🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/  You’ve probably said it before: “I ran the numbers; I should be fine.” But what if your math is lying to you? Today, Ryan exposes the “fuzzy math” that can quietly sabotage your financial future. Drawing on lessons from aviation and decades of experience helping pilots plan for retirement, he shows how to balance big-picture thinking with precise financial navigation. Don’t settle for “it should be fine,” learn how to make sure your math actually adds up. Here’s what we cover in this episode: ✈️ Fuzzy Math & Flying Lessons: why “winging it” doesn’t work in retirement 💸 The 4% Rule Debate: why it’s more complicated than it looks 🧾 Fees & Value: how advisors can add 3%+ net benefit even after costs 🚨 Sequence of Returns Risk: understanding timing and volatility impact 🪂 Pilot Principles Applied: discipline, big-picture awareness, and staying calm 0:00 – Fuzzy Math in Financial Planning 1:24 – Pilots Are Trained To See the Big Picture 4:19 – Fuzzy Math in Mutual Funds 6:24 – The 4% Safe Withdrawal Rate 12:20 – Tax Concerns in Retirement 14:10 – Capital Gains Tax and Investment Returns   Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/ Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/ The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2

✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way! 🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/  If your parents passed away relatively young, it’s natural to wonder whether you’ll face the same fate, and whether that should change how you claim Social Security. In this episode, Ryan discusses how life expectancy, health, pensions, and even your trust in the system can shape the right decision. He breaks down the opportunity costs of claiming early versus waiting, real pilot scenarios, and why the best answer usually requires looking at your full financial picture. If you’ve ever wrestled with whether to take Social Security now or later, this episode will give you clarity and perspective. Here’s what we cover in this episode: 📉 How family history influences Social Security timing ✈️ Why pilots face unique health and longevity challenges ⏰ The pros and cons of claiming early 🛡️ The role of pensions in deciding when to claim 🏛️ Concerns about Social Security cuts or changes   Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/ Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/ The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2

✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way! 🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/  Delta Airlines has rolled out a new non-qualified deferred compensation plan for pilots, and it’s raising big questions across the flight deck. To help us all better understand what this means, we’ve invited Zach Smith of Pilot Tax to break down how it works and whether it’s a smart financial move. Before you opt in, make sure you understand the risks, rewards, and long-term implications of this new Delta offering. Here’s what we cover in this episode: ✈️ The details about Delta’s new deferred comp plan 💵 Potential tax benefit by deferring income into lower-tax years ⚠️ The risk of overloading your pre-tax retirement bucket 💰 How fixed income in retirement affects Medicare   Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/ Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/ The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2

✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way! 🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/  Most people don’t feel wealthy. But what if your day-to-day habits are quietly building serious financial strength? A recent article from Kiplinger outlined five surprising signs that you might be richer than you think. And none of them involve yachts or private jets. Let’s analyze the habits that signal real, lasting wealth, and what to do if you are (or aren’t) on the right track. Here’s what we cover in this episode: 💵 Emergency fund strength: why liquidity is a sign of wealth 🚫 Living below your means: the “millionaire next door” mindset 📈 Strategic investing: the power of systematic savings 🛫 Long-term focus:  ignoring short-term turbulence for lasting success   Kiplinger Article:  7 Signs You’re Secretly Getting Rich (and Don’t Even Know It) https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/signs-youre-secretly-getting-rich-and-dont-even-know-it    Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com   Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/   Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/   The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2

✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way! 🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/  So, you’re retired. Now what? The “First Year Rule” suggests that many of your best retirement months will happen in the first year. It’s a pivotal time to set the tone for a fulfilling retirement, emotionally, physically, and financially for the years ahead. Today, Ryan explores how to navigate this critical phase, offering practical insights to help you create a strong foundation for a retirement that’s rewarding, balanced, and full of purpose. Here’s what we cover in this episode: 💰 Understand your income needs for retirement ✈️ How travel and new experiences can impact your finances 🏠 Test out your long-term plans before committing 💡 Build routines and purpose to thrive in retirement 💬 Have a conversation with your advisor about the first year   Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/ The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2

✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way! 🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/   Markets are unpredictable—sometimes rallying on bad news, other times tumbling for no clear reason. So how do you stay focused when headlines scream about rate cuts, job reports, and volatility? In this market update, Ryan weighs in on the Fed’s expected rate cut, why September and October are historically tricky months for markets, and why short-term noise shouldn’t derail your long-term strategy. What are the possible outcomes of different rate cut scenarios and what will the lasting impact of artificial intelligence and automation be on the market? Here’s what we cover in this episode: 📉 Fed rate cut watch – 50 bps could boost markets; no cut may trigger declines. 📆 Seasonal volatility – September/October historically shaky, but context matters. 🤖 AI and automation – Long-term bullish trends, but potential job disruption. 🕒 Time horizon > age – Investment allocation should match when you’ll actually need the money.   Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com   Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/   Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/   The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2

✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way! 🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/  Dave Ramsey is one of the most recognized voices in personal finance. His 9-step retirement plan is simple, direct, and built for mass appeal. But is it really the best path for your retirement? On today’s show, Ryan digs into where he agrees, where he disagrees, and what he thinks is missing from Dave Ramsey’s approach entirely. Here’s what we cover in this episode: 📋 Ramsey’s 9-step plan: simple but limited 🛫 Pilots need strategies beyond “one-size-fits-all” ⛽ “Always take more gas than you need” — Ryan’s analogy for oversaving to build flexibility 🔑 Sometimes liquidity beats paying off your mortgage 🏥 Healthcare and Social Security require nuance, not broad strokes Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com   Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/   Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/   The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2

✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way! 🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/  Cue the mixtape of Nirvana, Madonna, and Prince… Gen X, it’s your turn to get ready for retirement. And the stakes are high. You were the first 401(k) generation, hit by two major market crashes, and now you’re entering retirement with more financial uncertainty than the Boomers before you. But you also have something else: resilience. If you're a pilot between your mid-40s and early 60s, it’s time to get serious about what retirement will look like for your generation. Here’s what we cover in this episode: 🛫 Gen X pilots are the first true 401(k) generation 📉 Market crashes and inflation have reshaped retirement confidence 💡 Taxes & Inflation: the hidden forces that can drain your nest egg 🔑 Control comes from preparation, not last-minute scrambling   Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/ Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/ The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2

✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way! 🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/  What if the safest part of your portfolio wasn’t bonds, but something with guarantees, liquidity, and tax advantages? In this special episode, we’re sharing Ryan’s recent appearance on the Wealth Warehouse podcast, where he sat down with David Befort and Paul Fugere to talk about whole life insurance, infinite banking, and why these strategies deserve a second look. Here’s what we cover in this episode: 💡 Whole life insurance as a fixed-income alternative 🔑 Infinite banking and the “and asset” concept 📉 Protecting against sequence of returns risk ✈️ Pilots’ unique retirement planning challenges 🏦 Why premiums aren’t bills but wealth-building deposits   Check out the Wealth Warehouse YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Thewealthwarehousepodcast Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/ The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2

✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way! 🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/  Why do today’s mortgage rates feel worse than they really are? When it comes to real estate and mortgages, timing and perspective make all the difference. In this episode, Ryan sits down with Kelly Phillips, Mortgage Expert and Branch Manager at Fairway Mortgage, who brings more than 25 years of experience to the conversation. With a front-row seat to the shifting housing market, Kelly shares her insights on today’s rates, buyer hesitation, and what really determines the best time to buy. Here’s what we cover in this episode:                                                                             📉 Why rates feel high (but aren’t historically) 🏠 How inventory keeps today’s market a seller’s game ⏳ Why waiting could cost more than buying now 🔄 The refinance conversation: when it does and doesn’t make sense 📊 Lessons from 2008, 2020, and today’s market Contact Kelly Phillips, Mortgage Expert & Branch Manager at Fairway Home Mortgage 843-209-8805 kelly.phillips@fairwaymc.com  www.yourfairwaylender.com     Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/ Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/ The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2

✈️ Retire Pilots the Right Way! 🎁 Grab your FREE Retirement Toolkit now → https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/   Target-date funds just passed $4 trillion in assets. They’re now the default investment in many 401(k)s, and millions of Americans are using them without really understanding how they work. So, are they a smart choice… or just the easiest one? In this episode, Ryan breaks down why target-date funds, despite their popularity, might not be the best fit for pilots navigating toward retirement. Here’s what we cover in this episode: 🛫 Why target-date funds are now the default, but not always the best 🧾 What’s inside a target-date fund (and what’s missing) 🚨 The major risks of a “one-size-fits-all” retirement plan 💸 How layering target-date funds leads to lack of diversification 🔍 Why pilots need a customized investment and distribution strategy Retire Pilots - https://retirepilots.com   Get your FREE Retirement Toolkit - https://d74164fb.pages.infusionsoft.net/   Pilot Tax - https://pilot-tax.com/   The Pilot's Advisor Podcast is also on video. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3EIEBW2