Retire SMART Podcast

Ep 292. Bullish Build-A-Bear!

David and Chip kick things off with a look at the best U.S. cities for stretching retirement savings, showing why affordability and income planning matter more than just the size of your nest egg. From there, they dive into surprising stock stories like Build-A-Bear’s surge, new IRS rules on retirement contributions, and NVIDIA’s financial maneuvers in the AI space.

Ep 291. Will Social Security Funds Run Out?

Are there other tax-free accounts in addition to Roth IRAs? What are the chances of Roth accounts being taxed in the future? And will social security benefits be reduced in 2032 as funds run out? David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q&A episode.

Ep 290. The Crypto Crescendo with Brad Starken

David is joined by financial advisor Brad Starken to unpack how stablecoins, ETFs, and crypto adoption are reshaping the financial landscape. They explore how these innovations could impact treasuries, cross-border payments, and even 401(k) allocations, while highlighting both the opportunities and risks for investors.

Ep 289. The Case for Gold

This episode highlights upcoming Teammates events to recruit mentors for the nearly 1,100 kids waiting in Omaha and Lincoln. From there, David and Chip break down Trump’s proposed H1B visa fees, new tariff debates, interest rate cuts, and the case for gold as the dollar weakens.

Ep 288. College; Is it Worth it?

David takes on the question of whether college is still worth the cost, pointing to skyrocketing tuition, lackluster job outcomes, and the burden of federal loan guarantees. He also highlights alternative paths like trade schools, the military, and self-education, before turning to housing and construction data as a warning sign for the broader economy.

Ep 287. Is Social Security Safe?

Could President Trump’s tariffs improve the woeful budget outlook for our economy? What are the chances that lower tax rates will remain truly permanent? And is Social Security safe? David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q&A episode.

Ep 286. Medicare Strains, with Jacob Orand

This episode dives into the growing financial strain on Medicare and what it means for retirees. David and Financial Advisor, Jacob Orand, explain how IRMAA surcharges, rising premiums, and legislative risks are creating hidden taxes—and share strategies to help protect income and avoid unnecessary penalties in retirement.

Ep 285. Charlie Kirk, Rate Cuts, and Tik Tok

David and the team open with reflections on the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk and what it says about America’s growing polarization. From there, the focus shifts to Becky Swansburg’s insights at their annual Speaker Series, the Federal Reserve’s looming rate cuts, U.S.–China tensions over TikTok, and pension unrest in Europe.

Ep 284. Government Waste and Fraud Abroad

Today’s episode highlights the power of mentorship through the Teammates program and its call for more volunteers, before diving into troubling stories of government waste and fraud across several states. David and Chip also unpack what rising long-term bond yields reveal about global confidence in government debt, and the potential reckoning ahead for financial markets.

Ep 283. Company Healthcare Plan vs. Medicare

As a 65-year-old who plans to work till 70, and has health insurance through my job, should I switch stick with my current plan or make the switch to Medicare? What is a good strategy to able to support our kids when they need help while also ensuring we don’t over-drain our nest egg? And what’s David’s take on the recent NBC poll on priorities for Gen Z?  David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q&A episode.