HeyJaredThe Retirement Referee with Brooks Bernhagen
When your retirement gets down to game time, who do you want making the calls? Don’t settle for second-best – get the advisor that knows the rules.The Retirement Referee, hosted by Brooks Financial Group founder Brooks Bernhagen, shows how to go by the rulebook and get the…
- Indexed episodes, last 90 days
- 11
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- Sep 22, 2026
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- Jul 7, 2026
Latest episodes
Too Afraid to Spend in Retirement? (opens the original)
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What if the biggest retirement mistake isn't spending too much, but spending too little? In this episode, Brooks Bernhagen explores the growing challenge of retirement underspending and why many retirees hesitate to enjoy the money they've worked decades to save. The conversation examines how inflation headlines, market uncertainty, and lifelong saving habits can create unnecessary fear, even when retirement plans remain strong. Brooks shares common signs of underspending, explains the value of
The Difference Between Leaving an Inheritance and Leaving a Legacy (opens the original)
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What if the most valuable part of your estate isn't the money you leave behind? Inspired by reflections on Dolly Parton’s legacy, Brooks Bernhagen explores how estate planning can pass along values, traditions, purpose, and charitable impact alongside financial assets. He shares practical thoughts on defining your legacy, involving future generations in the planning process, and avoiding common mistakes that can undermine long-term goals. Through a real client story, Brooks illustrates how thoug
Retiring on Autopilot? The Risk Hidden in the 4% Rule (opens the original)
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Is the famous 4% rule giving retirees a false sense of certainty? Brooks Bernhagen examines William Bengen’s updated 4.7% withdrawal rate and explains why retirement income planning shouldn’t rely on a single percentage. The conversation explores how market volatility, inflation, healthcare costs, longevity, and sequence of returns can impact withdrawals over time. Brooks shares why flexibility, guardrails, guaranteed income sources, and a bucket strategy may be more practical than following a r
The Social Security Rule Couples Get Wrong (opens the original)
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What if a misunderstanding about Social Security spousal benefits could quietly cost your household thousands of dollars in retirement? In this episode, Brooks Bernhagen breaks down some of the most common mistakes couples make when claiming Social Security, including misconceptions about delayed retirement credits, claiming too early, coordinating benefits as a team, and the impact of the earnings test. Brooks explains why spousal benefits follow different rules and why getting the decision rig
The Retirement Question Most Savers Haven’t Answered (opens the original)
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What if the biggest risk in retirement isn’t the stock market, but not knowing where your next paycheck will come from? In this episode, Brooks Bernhagen explains why guaranteed income can play a critical role in retirement planning and how it may help cover essential expenses when work income stops. Using a real client scenario, Brooks compares two retirement strategies and discusses how tools like Social Security and income annuities fit into an overall income plan. He also addresses common mi
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