About this episode
So you’ve scaled the mountain, built the nest egg, and maybe even shouted “I’m done!” across a pristine beach... now what? In today’s Stacking Benjamins episode, Joe Saul-Sehy convenes a roundtable of heavy-hitters to tackle the most misunderstood phase of money management: decumulation —a.k.a. the art of spending what you’ve worked so hard to save. Whether you're staring down retirement or already deep into your golden years, you'll hear candid, practical insights from three financial thought leaders who specialize in making your money last. Joining Joe are Dana Anspach , retirement planning expert and founder of Sensible Money, Karsten Jeske (aka “Big ERN” from Early Retirement Now), and Frank Vasquez, aka Uncle Frank, host of Risk Parity Radio. Together, they bring decades of academic research, professional experience, and plain old common sense to questions like: What’s the real safe withdrawal rate—and why does it depend on more than just spreadsheets? Should you chase simplicity or embrace complexity in managing retirement funds? What role do annuities and guaranteed income play in reducing late-life anxiety? How do you plan for cognitive decline without spiraling into existential dread? What’s the difference between spending confidently... and spending carelessly? You’ll also hear why lumpy expenses, long-term care surprises, and behavioral quirks can trip up even the best-laid plans—and how to bulletproof your strategy now. And yes, we get nerdy. Risk parity, sequence of return risk, and portfolio glidepaths all make guest appearances—but always with your favorite Stacking Benjamins charm and plain-English style. Because retirement doesn’t need to be scary... but it does need to be intentional. Why your investment approach needs to evolve once paychecks stop The strengths and blind spots of the “4% rule” How emotions (not just inflation) affect safe withdrawal strategies When it makes sense to annuitize, and when it absolutely doesn’t How to adjust for cognitive decline in your financial plan (and still maintain autonomy) The “spend conservatively early” myth—debunked Tips for managing healthcare and other unpredictable late-life costs Whether you’re a retiree, a pre-retiree, or a spreadsheet-loving financial independence buff, this deep-dive episode will give you the confidence to manage the second half of your financial life like a pro. This isn't just about stretching your dollars—it's about building a life worth spending them on. So grab your planner, pour a cup of whatever says “retirement-ready” to you, and let’s get smarter (and maybe just a bit weirder) about your golden years. FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/create-your-retirement-spending-plan-1698 Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.StackingBenjamins.com/201 Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices