Retire Your Way with ILG Financial

AI is making it easier than ever for scammers to impersonate trusted voices and create convincing deepfakes. On the latest episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Chase Lopez discusses some of the newest scams targeting older Americans and shares practical tips to help you recognize the warning signs and better protect yourself.

How much money do you really need to retire comfortably? For many people, the answer is a simple number: $1 million. But is there really a one size fits all retirement target? On this episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Chase Lopez explores why focusing on a specific dollar amount may not be the best way to measure retirement readiness. Instead, he discusses the factors that truly matter when determining your personal retirement number and how to build a plan that aligns with your lifestyle, goals, and long-term needs. Click below to listen today.

Retirement isn't just a financial transition - it's a life transition. On this episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Chase breaks down four common mistakes people make in the critical 5–7 years leading up to retirement—and how to avoid them. From losing a sense of purpose after leaving the workforce to underestimating healthcare costs, this conversation highlights the real-world challenges retirees face beyond just the numbers. You'll also learn why having a stress-tested financial plan matters, how to prepare for the emotional side of retirement, and what steps you can take now to build a more fulfilling and sustainable future. If you're approaching retirement, this episode offers practical insights to help you plan with confidence, avoid costly missteps, and make the transition on your terms.

Gold has been on a remarkable run, but investors thinking about cashing in may be overlooking an important detail: taxes. On this episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Chase breaks down how gains from physical gold, gold-backed ETFs, and gold futures can all be taxed differently and why selling at the wrong time or in the wrong account could create an unexpected tax bill. It is a timely conversation for retirees and pre-retirees who want to better understand how gold fits into a broader financial strategy before making a move.

Medicare doesn't stay the same—and even small changes can have a meaningful impact on your healthcare costs, coverage options, and long-term retirement plan. On this episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Chase Lopez sits down with Medicare expert Alex Sieler to break down the latest updates and changes to Medicare coverages and benefits, explaining what's new, what's shifting, and what you should be paying attention to.

As Dave and Chase prepared for this episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, the focus shifted from a potential AI-driven market bubble to the question investors ask most: Should I get out of the market, or stay in—and if I stay in, what should I do? The conversation centers on the temptation to time the market, why it's so difficult to do successfully, and what history and disciplined investing suggest instead. Rather than reacting to headlines, Dave and Chase explore how long-term strategy can help investors navigate uncertainty with greater confidence. If you've ever wondered whether now is the right time to exit—or whether timing the market is even possible—this episode offers clarity.

Planning for long-term care can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. On the latest episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Dave is joined by special guest Alecia Barnette for a clear, practical discussion on long-term care planning. They break down common myths, explain the differences between traditional and asset-based long-term care options, and share when it may be the right time to start planning. If long-term care is on your radar, this conversation offers clarity, confidence, and actionable next steps.

As Medicare Open Enrollment wraps up on December 7th, it's the perfect time to break down some of the lesser-known terms and options you may be seeing—or weighing—right now. On this episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Chase takes a closer look at one of the biggest decisions beneficiaries face: whether to stay with or switch to a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Supplement Insurance policy, also known as Medigap. This choice can influence everything from your monthly budget to how easily you can access the care you need. Join us as we untangle the differences, highlight key considerations, and help you feel more confident in choosing the coverage that fits your health and financial goals.

What Does It Really Mean to Be "Independent" in Financial Planning? On this episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Dave sits down with Leslie Lipscomb from Financial Independence Group (FIG) to unpack what true independence means in the world of finance. From understanding the role of an IMO (Independent Marketing Organization) to exploring why working with an independent advisor can make all the difference, they dive into how freedom of choice—across countless products and companies—translates into better outcomes for clients. Tune in as Dave also walks through his personalized planning process and the value FIG brings to independent professionals and their clients nationwide.

People are providing more aid to adult children and having children later in life. The combination can make it hard to save for retirement. Stretching parenting into your 50s, 60s, or beyond doesn't just consume energy, it can strain finances and delay retirement plans. On the latest episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Chase talks about this trend and how to navigate it when it comes to saving for your retirement.

On this episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Dave provides an update on the state of the markets to include highlights of global events, policy decisions, and emerging technologies that shape markets and influence client portfolios, while reinforcing the importance of financial planning.

New research is shining light on long-term negative stock returns. Although infrequent, they do occur. On this episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Chase Lopez discussed why diversification, red flags, and adjustments to your strategy are important to avoid these rare, but possible outcomes.

Public-sector workers like teachers, police, firefighters, and more who receive non-Social Security pensions are set to see the restoration of full Social Security benefits and payments as a result of the Social Security Fairness Act. On this episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Dave Lopez is joined by Social Security Expert Hamilton Morales as they discuss the implications of the legislation and the repealing of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) for these public-sector employees.

2025 brought with it plenty of changes to Medicare, particularly impacting Part D prescription drug coverage and Medicare Advantage plans. On this episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Dave is joined by Medicare expert Alex Sieler, president of Precise Insurance Advisors as they discuss.

🎙️ Are you planning for a long retirement? You should be. Many people don't factor in longevity risk—the financial impact of living longer than expected. On the latest episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Chase Lopez breaks down why this often-overlooked risk could put your retirement savings to the test. Tune in to learn how smart planning today can protect your financial future tomorrow. 👇#RetirementPlanning #LongevityRisk #ILGFinancial #RetireYourWay

You've worked and saved hard for retirement. You tried to get everything right and now you are retired, and you are in a good place with your retirement accounts. Now for the tricky part: Spending your savings. On the latest episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Chase Lopez discusses things that can trip people up when spending in retirement and how to avoid those pitfalls.

Lately, much of the conversation around the economy and finances has focused on taxes and inflation. However, one topic we haven't covered recently on this podcast is the current state of the stock market. What's happening, what trends can we anticipate, and are there any steps we should consider taking? In this episode of Retire Your Way with ILG Financial, Dave provides an update to keep you informed and prepared.

The age-old adage that gold is a tried and true hedge against inflation may not be holding up so well. Since 1980 gold's annualized returns significantly trailed those of the S&P 500. On the latest episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Chase Lopez discusses three investments that may be a better hedge against inflation. 

A few times a year we have the privilege of chatting with Social Security Expert Hamilton Morales about the latest and greatest Social Security topics that keep us all informed and up to date. On the latest episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Chase and Hamilton discuss things you may or may not know in addition to a lively discussion about truths and myths about Social Security today.

In 2024 alone, the Baby Boomer generation moved billions from retirement savings into tax-free accounts. The strategy that they used can make your nest egg last longer in retirement. On the latest episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Dave Lopez discusses what we have seen happening, the strategies that people, Baby Boomers in particular, have been increasingly using, and what that can result in for your retirement and your nest egg.

Are you on or about to be on Medicare? Have you considered the things that Medicare doesn't cover? What about services like routine eye exams, hearing aids, most dental care, long-term care, routine physical exams, and most vision, hearing, and dental needs? How will this impact your retirement planning? On the latest episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Chase Lopez continues his dive into Medicare by discussing these exceptions and why it's so important to consider them when you are building or relying on your retirement plan. This is part two of a two-part episode.

People often think about things like long-term care and life insurance when they're building out their retirement plan. However, most often forget to consider how healthcare and Medicare can impact their financial retirement plan as a whole. On the latest episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Chase Lopez dives into the differences in "parts" of Medicare and what Medicare does NOT cover; along with why it is so important to consider these pieces when you are building or relying on your retirement plan. This is part one of a two part episode.

A few times a year we have the privilege of chatting with Social Security Expert Hamilton Morales about the latest and greatest Social Security topics that keep us all informed and up to date. On the latest episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Dave and Hamilton discuss things you may or may not know in addition to a lively discussion about the solvency of the program and what Congress needs to do to address it.

The average American burns 75 percent of their monthly spending on just four things. On the latest episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Chase digs into the average spending for a retiree in America and how to make sure you are still able to save or even cut some expenses.  

On this episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, national Social Security Expert and Senior Vice President at Financial Independence Group Hamilton Morales joins Dave to discuss more about Social Security planning. More specifically, Dave and Hamilton take a deep dive into Social Security options for widows and surviving spouses. These options can be different based on if eligibility comes into play before or after the death of a spouse.

Scammers targeting seniors and those in retirement pose a great risk to the protection of your assets. They know that money and plans are going back and forth, and they try to take advantage of that. On the latest episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Dave talks about two prevalent scams that have been taking place among retirees lately.

Some of the rules that protect bank deposits to trusts just changed. On the latest episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Dave Lopez talks about these changes, what they mean, and how they could affect you.

IRA accounts are beneficial but can be tricky. Simple contribution, conversion, and distribution mistakes can cost you thousands and thousands of dollars. On this episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Chase Lopez continues his discussion of mistakes to avoid. This is part two of a two part series.

IRA accounts are beneficial but can be tricky. Simple contribution, conversion, and distribution mistakes can cost you thousands and thousands of dollars. On this episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Chase Lopez covers ten mistakes to avoid. This is part one of a two part series.

According to a December 2023 article, about 10,000 baby boomers retire every day and the ratio of taxpayers contributing to Social Security versus retirees who need it is shrinking. On the latest episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Dave Lopez talks about what Social Security looked like when it was created, what it looks like now, and why the differences we see are such a problem for retirees.

When you are planning a vacation, you put a lot of thought into when you want to go, where you want to go, how you'll get there, and what you will do once you get there. You also put a lot of thought into what you can afford and how much you will need to do what you want to do. Retirement is your biggest, longest vacation in life. The same kind of planning and thought, and then some, should go in your retirement. Most people concentrate on how to save money, where to invest their savings, and how to minimize their tax burden. But they only have a vague sense of how they want to spend their free time or what their health will enable them to do as they age. It's like funding a luxurious vacation, but you don't know where it is, when it is, what you need to pack. On this episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Chase Lopez takes a look at some factors in retirement planning that a lot of people don't think about. 

When it has come to our 401(k)s, we've all heard the age-old saying "Set it, and forget it". And it was always said that this strategy would make you rich. Well, like most things, with time, this has changed. The stock-and-bond portfolios that have worked for the last 40 years may no longer be equipped to handle what is coming economically, and they may not be working for you or making you rich anymore. On this episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast Dave Lopez dives deeper into this topic and explains why this may no longer be an appropriate strategy, and what would serve you better.

When thinking about retirement, it's easy for a lot of people to plan for the fun, the new, and the exciting. But it's just as, if not even more, important to plan for the parts of the future that aren't as fun to think about. For married couples, one of these things is planning what life, and finances, will look like after the death of a spouse. This is extremely important, because the structure of a retirement plan shifts in many ways when one spouse pre-deceases the other one, and the effects of these shifts can affect your entire retirement plan. On this episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Chase Lopez talks about these issues and what you should consider when thinking about for your own retirement plan.

Chase Lopez's discussion with national Social Security expert Hamilton Morales was so informative that we created a bonus episode! On this episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Chase and Hamilton continue their discussion about survivor benefits, spousal benefits, how to make decisions about Social Security, whether you can turn your benefits on and off, and much more!

On the latest episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Chase Lopez is joined by Senior Vice President at Financial Independence Group and Social Security Expert, Hamilton Morales. Chase and Hamilton tackle questions about survivor benefits, spousal benefits, how to make decisions about Social Security, whether you can turn your benefits on and off, and much more! 

We've talked a lot the last few weeks about inflation and some of the pressures it puts on people's finances. On recent episodes of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, both Dave and Chase have talked about ways to budget and plan for some of this pressure. On the latest episode, Dave dives into a less than ideal situation you could find yourself in… the withdrawal of funds from your retirement accounts.

For the past 50 years, the baby-boomer generation, which are those born between 1946 and 1964, have worked in our labor force at a steady pace for decades. But now the boomers are retiring and that might be bad news for workers. On the latest episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Chase Lopez finds himself in an interesting position as he spends his time helping baby-boomers to retire every day while also being on the other side of the coin as an active member of the workforce.

In 1981 we saw the bond market inversion reach its steepest point, which is often seen as a sign that a recession is coming. Over the last couple years, the possibility of a recession has been all over the news, but the curve has been inverted for a year now, which raises the question… is this recession actually coming? Tune in to the latest Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast episode as Dave Lopez provides his thoughts on where we are at the moment.

Dave and Chase cover a lot of general retirement-related subjects on the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast. On our latest episode, Chase takes us on a deeper dive into a specific investment tool called Structured Notes. Tune in by clicking the link below as Chase explains what they are, how they work, and why they may be a good investment opportunity for you.

When we talk about the importance of retirement planning, we're usually talking to those people in the "retirement red zone", which are those five to 10 years away from retirement and to those already retired. Retirement is hardly a priority for the 20 and 30 year olds. Young adults are not usually worrying about what their going to need in their 70s when they're focused so much on their developing career, student loans, starting a family, and so on and so forth. In this episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Dave Lopez dives into why retirement planning for young adults is so important.

If you've listened to any of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast episodes, you've heard us repeat the phrase "you don't know what you don't know". This couldn't be truer than in this rising tax environment, especially when you are moving towards retirement where your income, expenses, etc. are changing. On this episode, Dave walks you through an example of a couple that for all intents and purposes, thought they were set up pretty well for retirement, and then see how much was going on behind the scenes that they were not aware of.

Life events are something that we can't always expect but still need to be addressed and this is true of Medicaid and nursing home care. On this episode of the Retire Your Way Podcast with ILG Financial, Dave talks about how Medicaid comes into play when you or a spouse must move into a nursing home and how the rules can be all over the map.

As we all know too well, tax season is here. For those in or near retirement, you are probably making those last-minute contributions to retirement funds in order to take advantage of tax benefits this year. But what a lot of people don't consider is the importance of where you put your money when making these contributions. On this episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Chase Lopez explains why this is so important and what you should be aware of this tax season. 

As we've been saying, the SECURE Act 2.0 is changing the landscape for those who are in or near retirement and that couldn't be more true when it comes to Roth accounts. On this episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Chase Lopez discusses five specific changes you need to be aware of. 

On this episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial podcast, founder Dave Lopez takes a deep dive into homeownership in retirement. How can you utilize your home equity when in or near retirement? Can equity be used to pay other debt? What are common uses for home equity when in or near retirement? What are the differences between heloc, cashout refinance and reverse mortgages? Dave answers each of these questions and more in this episode.

Financial planning is mainly focused on getting people to retirement. But you don't hear a lot of discussion about financial planning and investing during those golden years of retirement, which is said to be even more critical because missteps are that much more disastrous in retirement. Tune into this episode of the Retire Your Way Podcast with ILG Financial as advisor Chase Lopez discusses.

On the latest episode of the Retire Your Way with ILG Financial Podcast, Dave sits down to talk about something many of us have experienced at some point in our lives… debt. More specifically, what happens to these different types of debt we may have accrued when we die?

A common theme that we discuss on this podcast is the idea of income in retirement and how to spend and save effectively so that you never run out of money. This watchful eye on spending in retirement is more important than ever, as the Federal Reserve has rolled out a new rate hike as of Wednesday, September 21st 2022. On this episode of the Retire Your Way Podcast with ILG Financial, Advisor Dave Lopez tells us more about what these rate hikes mean, what is possibly to come, and who these actions affect most. 

The new student loan forgiveness plan proposed by President Biden has been all over the news and gossip abounds. On our latest Retire Your Way with ILG Financial podcast episode, Dave discusses what's true, what isn't, and what it means for us all.

These days we have been tackling a lot of the not-so-pleasant economic news and how to deal with the effects it can have on your retirement. But this week, we are going to take a look at a different side of the coin. On this episode, Dave Lopez discusses what to do when you have a sizable bucket of money that you don't need to or don't intend to use in retirement, and specifically, how to go about investing that bucket if you plan to pass it down to your children or heirs one day.