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

Retirement Q&A: The Questions LGBTQ+ Couples Ask Most Often

What are the biggest retirement questions LGBTQ+ individuals and couples are asking right now? In this special Q&A episode of Take Pride in Retirement, Josh puts me in the hot seat as we tackle some of the most common retirement planning questions I hear from clients and listeners. We discuss Social Security claiming strategies for married couples, how marriage equality impacts retirement planning today, how much cash retirees should keep on hand, estate planning considerations for people without children, the truth about annuities, and whether it's ever too late to catch up on retirement savings. Along the way, we explore some of the unique financial planning challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and couples, including survivor benefits, chosen family considerations, and the importance of keeping estate documents up to date. If you've ever wondered whether you're making the right retirement decisions—or if you're worried you may be behind—this episode is packed with practical guidance designed to help you move forward with confidence. No matter who you are, where you come from, who you love, how you identify, or how much money you have, you deserve a retirement you can take pride in. -- 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: Hearing Loss with Dr. Ryan Potter

Retirement.Radio’s Matt McClure speaks with Dr. Ryan Potter about the growing issue of hearing loss among first responders and why protecting hearing health is so important in high-pressure emergency situations. Dr. Potter explains that long-term noise exposure impacts an estimated 80% of law enforcement officers, 40% of firefighters, and 45% of EMS providers, creating challenges that can affect both job performance and quality of life. The conversation also highlights practical ways everyone can protect their hearing, from using hearing protection in loud environments to getting baseline hearing evaluations and taking a proactive approach to long-term hearing health. Dr. Potter shares the personal story that inspired his career in audiology and discusses how Hearing Life [https://www.hearinglife.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] is helping people improve their hearing through assessments, treatment options, and special savings opportunities for first responders. -- 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.

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.