Retirement Decisions – The Simply Retirement Podcast

Understanding Annuities Before You Decide if They Belong in Your Retirement Plan (Ep. 115 | Pt. 1)

By The Simply Retirement Podcast | July 29, 2026

Annuities often become part of the retirement conversation during major life changes, yet many people still aren’t sure what they actually are or when they make sense.

In this episode, I begin a four-part series designed to help you understand annuities before you ever evaluate a specific product. We discuss what an annuity actually is, why insurance companies created them, how they can provide retirement income, and why every decision should begin with your retirement goals rather than product features.

We also explore accumulation versus income phases, tax deferral, and the questions you should ask before deciding whether an annuity belongs in your retirement plan.

Key takeaways:

How annuities work as insurance contracts that may provide retirement income now or later
Why retirement planning should begin with your goals before discussing financial products
How accumulation and income phases affect the way annuities function over time
Why tax deferral should be viewed as one feature rather than the primary reason to buy
Questions that help determine whether an annuity belongs in your retirement strategy
And more!

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake:

Annuities are insurance products issued by insurance companies and involve costs, fees, limitations, and contractual terms that vary by product. Guarantees are backed solely by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Before purchasing an annuity, investors should carefully consider their financial objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and contract features, and consult with their financial, tax, and legal professionals.

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Helping Women Make Better Retirement Decisions After Life Changes (Ep. 114)

By The Simply Retirement Podcast | July 22, 2026

Retirement decisions often happen during life’s most emotional moments. When you’re grieving, retiring, or suddenly making financial choices on your own, how do you know you’re asking the right questions or talking to the right people?

In this episode, I share a story from a recent anniversary trip that reminded me why retirement planning is about much more than investments.

Through conversations with women facing divorce, widowhood, and retirement, I explain how decisions around Social Security, beneficiary designations, retirement accounts, taxes, and financial guidance are often connected in ways people don’t realize. We also talk about why every financial advisor approaches retirement differently, why asking the right questions matters, and how finding guidance that fits your situation can influence retirement for years to come.

Key takeaways:

Why retirement decisions made after losing a spouse deserve thoughtful guidance before taking action
How Social Security timing can affect lifetime retirement income and future financial flexibility
Why beneficiary designations and retirement accounts often create unexpected challenges for widows
How communication between financial and tax professionals can improve retirement decisions
Questions women should ask before choosing retirement guidance during major life transitions
And more!

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake:

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Preparation or Timing: What Really Determines a Successful Retirement (Ep. 96)

By The Simply Retirement Podcast | March 18, 2026

Many people ask whether retiring early will help them live longer. The real conversation is much bigger than that.

Statistics and social media posts often push simple conclusions, but retirement decisions are rarely simple. Health, caregiving responsibilities, longevity, and financial readiness all play a role.

In this episode, I explore a study about retirement timing and longevity and explain why statistics alone should never guide your retirement decisions. I walk through how planning, financial preparedness, and understanding what you are retiring to matter far more than the age you stop working. The conversation also highlights why women in particular must plan for longer retirements and how reducing financial stress can influence both physical and emotional well-being.

Key Points:

Why statistics about retirement and longevity can be misleading
The difference between retiring early and being prepared for retirement
How health and caregiving responsibilities influence retirement timing
Why women must plan for longer retirements and financial longevity
The importance of knowing what you are retiring to, not just when you retire
And more!

Resources:

Connect with Eric Blake:

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