Stay Wealthy Retirement Podcast

NEW RESEARCH: Your Plan Is Overestimating Retirement Costs (by 20%)

July 30, 2026·24 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Most retirement plans assume your spending will rise with inflation every year for the rest of your life. But a new study tracking thousands of American retirees found almost the exact opposite: As many as 85% of households spent less, after adjusting for inflation, than they had 10 years earlier.  Even more surprising? That includes retirees who could comfortably afford to maintain their lifestyle! In this episode, I'm breaking down what this new research means for your retirement plan. You'll learn: → Why retirement spending declines even as healthcare costs keep climbing → What the "retirement spending smile" and "smirk" reveal about spending later in life → Why even wealthy retirees continue cutting back as they age → How modeling spending the way retirees actually behave can meaningfully change your safe withdrawal rate If your plan is overestimating the cost of retirement, it's likely underestimating the life you can afford... especially in the early years, when the money delivers the most joy. *** 📆 Book a Call With Our Team: Your retirement involves complex, interconnected decisions—taxes, income, healthcare, estate planning, investments.  See how they fit together in one coordinated strategy built around your numbers. 👉 Learn More and Book a Call Here *** Episode Resources: →  Grab the Episode Show Notes →  Get Your FREE Tax-Smart Retirement Toolkit →  Learn About the Total Retirement System™

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