The Retirement Questions That Keep You Up at Night: And Why a Plan Beats an Opinion

Retirement planning isn't about having the right advisor. It's about having a real plan — one that shows you in black and white how your money holds up against taxes, inflation, market risk, and time.Today, Stewart Smith and Mitch Davies tackle the questions that genuinely keep pre-retirees awake: Will I have enough? What will taxes do to my IRA? When should I take Social Security? Can we survive a major healthcare event?These aren't hypothetical worries — they're conversations happening every week at ClearPath.In this ClearPath Retirement Radio episode:Why "your advisor said you're fine" isn't the same as a plan and what that difference costs peopleThe psychology of retiring after 30+ years: identity, anxiety, and the shift from saving to spendingMitch's Market Minute: What's keeping the market picture cloudy right now — the war in Iran, inflation, and record corporate earnings all at onceQualified Charitable Deductions (QCDs): The most-missed tax strategy for retirees who give to charityWithdrawal order: Why the account you tap first matters just as much as how much you've savedRoth conversions explained plainly — including the truth about the five-year rule most people get wrongThe "magic window" between retirement and age 73 — and why it may be your best tax planning opportunityThe tax torpedo and how it hits surviving spouses hardestHow the One Big Beautiful Bill Act's extra standard deduction may create a short-term Roth conversion opportunity through 2028This is the Season 1 finale of ClearPath Retirement Radio. We're taking a short break and coming back in June for Season 2 — recorded live from our Greenville office and available every week on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. If you've been listening this season, thank you. We're just getting started.If any of this has been sitting with you, we'd love to help. Call us at 864-775-5033 or visit clearpathretirement.com to start the conversation.ClearPath Retirement Planning serves pre-retirees and retirees across Upstate South Carolina, Columbia, and Western NC. We're veteran-owned, fiduciary, and planning-first — always.Ready to build your retirement plan?ClearPath Retirement Planning helps retirees and pre-retirees in the Upstate SC and Columbia areas and Western NC create tax-efficient retirement income strategies. 📍 300 Executive Center Drive, Suite 104 | Greenville, SC 29615 📞 (864) 775-5033Schedule your ClearPath Retirement Review today  www.clearpathretirement.com Subscribe & Connect: YouTube: @ClearPathRetirementPlanning Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClearPathRetirement LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clearpathretirementImportant Disclosure:Investment advisory services offered through Alphastar Capital Management, LLC, a SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the SEC nor does it indicate that the adviser has attained a particular level of skill or ability. Fixed insurance products are offered through Clearpath Retirement Planning, LLC and Alphastar Capital Management is not involved in the offer, recommendation, sale or management of commission-based fixed Insurance products. Alphastar Capital Management and Clearpath Retirement...