The Retirement GPS Podcast helps you navigate the road to and through retirement with clarity and confidence. Hosted by Ryan Zacharczyk, CFP®, President of Zynergy Retirement Planning, each episode breaks down the most important financial topics.
From tax strategies and income planning to Social Security, investing, and estate considerations, we cover the issues that matter most—without the jargon. Our goal is simple: give you the tools and guidance to make informed decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and stay on course for the retirement you deserve.
Whether you’re already retired or planning ahead, consider this your personal guide to a smarter, more intentional future.
Learn more at zynergyretirement.com (https://zynergyretirement.com/) and follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/zynergyretirementplanning/), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/zynergyretirement/), and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/zynergy-retirement-planning/posts/?feedView=all)!
Also, look out for our Mile Markers (https://www.zynergyretirement.com/zynergy-blog/) blog series that corresponds to the podcast episode you just listened to.
Episode #67: The Retirement Risk Most Couples Don’t Plan For
Most retirement plans are built around two people, but what happens when one spouse passes away? The loss of a spouse can dramatically change income, taxes, expenses, Social Security, pensions, and Medicare costs.
In this episode of Retirement GPS, Ryan Zacharczyk, CFP®, president of Zynergy Retirement Planning, explains the financial impact of losing a spouse and the planning strategies couples should consider before it happens.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How Social Security benefits change when one spouse passes away
The difference between 50% and 75% joint survivor pension options
Why household expenses may not decrease as much as expected
How moving from married filing jointly to single can create a major tax impact
How Roth conversions and the qualified widow status can create planning opportunities
Why both spouses should understand their accounts, income, and financial plan
If you're married, approaching retirement, or already retired, this episode provides important strategies for preparing your financial plan for life as a surviving spouse.
🎙️ Subscribe to Retirement GPS for weekly insights on retirement income, taxes, investments, Social Security, and financial planning strategies designed to help you retire with confidence.
#RetirementPlanning #RetirementIncome #SocialSecurity #TaxPlanning #PensionPlanning #RothConversions #FinancialPlanning #Medicare #SurvivingSpouse #RetirementGPS #Zynergy
27 Oct 2026
If Cash Is Paying So Well, Why Take Investment Risk?
Episode #66: If Cash Is Paying So Well, Why Take Investment Risk?
Cash is paying attractive rates right now, so why take investment risk? While keeping money in cash can feel safe, holding too much cash for too long can create problems for your retirement.
In this episode of Retirement GPS, Ryan Zacharczyk, CFP®, president of Zynergy Retirement Planning, explains the proper role of cash in a retirement portfolio. He discusses inflation, reinvestment risk, purchasing power, opportunity cost, and how to find the right balance between short-term safety and long-term growth.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why cash feels so appealing to retirees
The risks of keeping too much money in cash
How inflation can reduce your purchasing power over time
What reinvestment risk means and why it matters
How much cash you may want to keep for short-term expenses
Why the right balance of risk can help your portfolio last
If you're approaching retirement or already retired, this episode will help you understand how much cash you may need, when investment risk makes sense, and how to build a portfolio designed for both today's expenses and your long-term financial goals.
🎙️ Subscribe to Retirement GPS for weekly insights on retirement income, taxes, investments, Social Security, and financial planning strategies designed to help you retire with confidence.
#RetirementPlanning #RetirementIncome #Investing #CashManagement #InvestmentStrategy #FinancialPlanning #RetirementPortfolio #WealthManagement #RetirementGPS #Zenergy
20 Oct 2026
Which Retirement Account Should You Draw From First?
Episode #65: Which Retirement Account Should You Draw From First?
When you retire, you may have several different accounts you can use for income. But which one should you draw from first? The answer can have a major impact on your taxes, Medicare costs, and long-term financial plan.
In this episode of Retirement GPS, Ryan Zacharczyk, CFP®, president of Zynergy Retirement Planning, explains how to strategically choose which retirement accounts to withdraw from first. He breaks down taxable accounts, traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, Roth conversions, Medicare IRMAAs, and RMDs to show why there isn't one universal strategy for everyone.
In this episode, you'll learn:
The three main retirement account “buckets” and how they are taxed
The traditional order for retirement account withdrawals
When Roth conversions can make sense
How withdrawals can affect Medicare IRMAAs and tax brackets
Why RMDs should be considered years before they begin
How to create a lifetime withdrawal strategy instead of focusing on just one year
If you're approaching retirement or already retired, this episode will help you understand how to coordinate your different accounts and create a withdrawal strategy that can help reduce taxes and protect your retirement income over time.
🎙️ Subscribe to Retirement GPS for weekly insights on retirement income, taxes, investments, Social Security, and financial planning strategies designed to help you retire with confidence.
#RetirementPlanning #RetirementIncome #TaxPlanning #RothIRA #IRA #RothConversions #Medicare #RMDs #RetirementGPS #ZenergyRetirement
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.3 / 5
6 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
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