Take Pride in Retirement

Why LGBTQ+ Retirement Planning Requires More Than Saving Money

On this episode of Take Pride in Retirement, Josh and I dive into a new study from Goldman Sachs that found something incredibly important: people with a written, personalized retirement plan tend to feel more confident, save more consistently, and experience better financial outcomes overall. We talk about the difference between simply having retirement accounts and actually having a strategy — and why that distinction matters so much, especially for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples navigating retirement without a traditional template. We also discuss the emotional side of retirement planning, the importance of financial confidence, and the role consistency and “financial grit” play in long-term success. If you’ve ever wondered whether your current retirement approach is enough — or if you’re simply “winging it” — this episode is for you. -- Request your free RSSA Roadmap for Social Security optimization Watch full episodes on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@TakePrideinRetirementShow [https://www.youtube.com/@TakePrideinRetirementShow]Follow on BlueSky, Threads, Facebook, Instagram — just search Take Pride in Retirement --  Take Pride in Retirement is proud to be named one of the top Pride podcasts on the internet by FeedSpot. For more, go to https://blog.feedspot.com/pride_podcasts [https://blog.feedspot.com/pride_podcasts] About Take Pride in Retirement: Take Pride in Retirement is a podcast dedicated to retirement planning solutions for the LGBTQ community. Host Matt McClure, a licensed fiduciary financial advisor, shares strategies to protect your hard-earned money while pursuing market-like growth. Matt holds the RSSA® credential as a Registered Social Security Analyst®, helping clients optimize their Social Security filing strategies to potentially increase lifetime income. He’s also a Certified Annuity Specialist® (CAS®), a designation earned through a 135+ hour graduate-level program in fixed-rate and variable annuities from the Institute of Business & Finance. Based in Georgia with his husband and two dogs, Matt spent over a decade in New York City, working with The Wall Street Journal Radio Network, NY1, and WCBS Newsradio 880. A career highlight includes reporting from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.

Podcast Extra - Beyond the Battlefield: Smart Money Moves for Service Members and Veterans

May is Military appreciation month, a time to honor the men and women who serve and have served our great nation…And while we honor those associated with the military, members and veterans are fighting a different battle: finances, and purpose.Key Points Covered: 1. Finding a purpose -  For many who leave the military, the biggest challenge isn’t just money — it’s finding purpose in a new civilian world. 2. Financial Stability - With a solid financial foundation, veterans gain the freedom to chase meaningful work instead of just any paycheck. 3. Financial Options - Several powerful financial vehicles are available specifically for former service members. -- Request your free RSSA Roadmap for Social Security optimization Watch full episodes on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@TakePrideinRetirementShow [https://www.youtube.com/@TakePrideinRetirementShow]Follow on BlueSky, Threads, Facebook, Instagram — just search Take Pride in Retirement --  Take Pride in Retirement is proud to be named one of the top Pride podcasts on the internet by FeedSpot. For more, go to https://blog.feedspot.com/pride_podcasts [https://blog.feedspot.com/pride_podcasts] About Take Pride in Retirement: Take Pride in Retirement is a podcast dedicated to retirement planning solutions for the LGBTQ community. Host Matt McClure, a licensed fiduciary financial advisor, shares strategies to protect your hard-earned money while pursuing market-like growth. Matt holds the RSSA® credential as a Registered Social Security Analyst®, helping clients optimize their Social Security filing strategies to potentially increase lifetime income. He’s also a Certified Annuity Specialist® (CAS®), a designation earned through a 135+ hour graduate-level program in fixed-rate and variable annuities from the Institute of Business & Finance. Based in Georgia with his husband and two dogs, Matt spent over a decade in New York City, working with The Wall Street Journal Radio Network, NY1, and WCBS Newsradio 880. A career highlight includes reporting from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.

From Fear to Freedom: Building a Retirement Plan That Lasts

There’s one fear that keeps coming up again and again when it comes to retirement—and it’s not what you might think. In fact, more Americans say they’re afraid of running out of money than they are of death itself. In this episode, Josh and I unpack why that fear is so widespread, why it’s getting worse, and what’s really driving it beneath the surface. We talk about everything from rising healthcare costs and longer life expectancies to the disappearance of pensions and uncertainty around Social Security. Most importantly, I walk you through how to turn that fear into action—by building a real income plan that gives you clarity, confidence, and peace of mind. Because retirement shouldn’t feel like a guessing game. If you’ve ever wondered whether your money will last—or how to make sure it does—this episode is for you. Schedule your free financial consultation at TakePrideInRetirement.com or call 855-246-9211. -- Request your free RSSA Roadmap for Social Security optimization Watch full episodes on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@TakePrideinRetirementShow [https://www.youtube.com/@TakePrideinRetirementShow]Follow on BlueSky, Threads, Facebook, Instagram — just search Take Pride in Retirement --  Take Pride in Retirement is proud to be named one of the top Pride podcasts on the internet by FeedSpot. For more, go to https://blog.feedspot.com/pride_podcasts [https://blog.feedspot.com/pride_podcasts] About Take Pride in Retirement: Take Pride in Retirement is a podcast dedicated to retirement planning solutions for the LGBTQ community. Host Matt McClure, a licensed fiduciary financial advisor, shares strategies to protect your hard-earned money while pursuing market-like growth. Matt holds the RSSA® credential as a Registered Social Security Analyst®, helping clients optimize their Social Security filing strategies to potentially increase lifetime income. He’s also a Certified Annuity Specialist® (CAS®), a designation earned through a 135+ hour graduate-level program in fixed-rate and variable annuities from the Institute of Business & Finance. Based in Georgia with his husband and two dogs, Matt spent over a decade in New York City, working with The Wall Street Journal Radio Network, NY1, and WCBS Newsradio 880. A career highlight includes reporting from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.

No Pension? No Problem: How to Create Your Own Retirement Paycheck

Pensions used to be the gold standard for retirement—but for most of us today, they’re a thing of the past. In this episode, I’m breaking down how you can create your own personal pension using annuities and why that matters more than ever—especially for those of us in the LGBTQ+ community. Josh and I walk through what an annuity actually is (in plain English), the different types you should know about, and how to figure out how much income you’ll really need in retirement. We also talk about why retirement isn’t just about building a big nest egg—it’s about turning that money into reliable, lifelong income you can count on. If you’ve ever wondered how to replace your paycheck in retirement—or how to protect yourself from market uncertainty—this episode is for you. Schedule your free financial consultation at TakePrideInRetirement.com or call 855-246-9211. -- Request your free RSSA Roadmap for Social Security optimization Watch full episodes on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@TakePrideinRetirementShow [https://www.youtube.com/@TakePrideinRetirementShow]Follow on BlueSky, Threads, Facebook, Instagram — just search Take Pride in Retirement --  Take Pride in Retirement is proud to be named one of the top Pride podcasts on the internet by FeedSpot. For more, go to https://blog.feedspot.com/pride_podcasts [https://blog.feedspot.com/pride_podcasts] About Take Pride in Retirement: Take Pride in Retirement is a podcast dedicated to retirement planning solutions for the LGBTQ community. Host Matt McClure, a licensed fiduciary financial advisor, shares strategies to protect your hard-earned money while pursuing market-like growth. Matt holds the RSSA® credential as a Registered Social Security Analyst®, helping clients optimize their Social Security filing strategies to potentially increase lifetime income. He’s also a Certified Annuity Specialist® (CAS®), a designation earned through a 135+ hour graduate-level program in fixed-rate and variable annuities from the Institute of Business & Finance. Based in Georgia with his husband and two dogs, Matt spent over a decade in New York City, working with The Wall Street Journal Radio Network, NY1, and WCBS Newsradio 880. A career highlight includes reporting from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.

Five Dangerous Money Myths (Especially for LGBTQ+ Retirees)

What you don’t know about money can cost you—especially when it comes to retirement. In this episode, Josh and I take a Mythbusters-style approach to some of the most common (and costly) financial misconceptions out there. We’re talking about things like employer matches, annuities, Social Security, longevity, and Medicare—and separating fact from fiction. These myths don’t just lead to confusion… they can lead to missed opportunities, lost income, and real financial stress down the road. We also dig into why these misconceptions can have an even bigger impact in the LGBTQ+ community—where many of us are planning without traditional safety nets, relying more on personal savings, and navigating systems that weren’t always built with us in mind. Most importantly, I’ll show you what to do instead—so you can replace guesswork with a plan that’s built for you. Schedule your free financial consultation at TakePrideInRetirement.com or call 855-246-9211. -- Request your free RSSA Roadmap for Social Security optimization Watch full episodes on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@TakePrideinRetirementShow [https://www.youtube.com/@TakePrideinRetirementShow]Follow on BlueSky, Threads, Facebook, Instagram — just search Take Pride in Retirement --  Take Pride in Retirement is proud to be named one of the top Pride podcasts on the internet by FeedSpot. For more, go to https://blog.feedspot.com/pride_podcasts [https://blog.feedspot.com/pride_podcasts] About Take Pride in Retirement: Take Pride in Retirement is a podcast dedicated to retirement planning solutions for the LGBTQ community. Host Matt McClure, a licensed fiduciary financial advisor, shares strategies to protect your hard-earned money while pursuing market-like growth. Matt holds the RSSA® credential as a Registered Social Security Analyst®, helping clients optimize their Social Security filing strategies to potentially increase lifetime income. He’s also a Certified Annuity Specialist® (CAS®), a designation earned through a 135+ hour graduate-level program in fixed-rate and variable annuities from the Institute of Business & Finance. Based in Georgia with his husband and two dogs, Matt spent over a decade in New York City, working with The Wall Street Journal Radio Network, NY1, and WCBS Newsradio 880. A career highlight includes reporting from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.