Retirement GPS - Navigated by Zynergy

Retirement, Answered — Mortgage in Retirement: Pay It Off or Let It Ride?

Retirement isn’t just about stopping work, it’s about redesigning your cash flow.
 
In Episode 27 of the Retirement GPS Podcast, Ryan and Zane tackle one of the most common and emotionally charged retirement questions: Should you pay off your mortgage or keep it in retirement?
 
Rather than relying on rules of thumb, they walk through a decision framework designed to help you evaluate how your mortgage fits into your overall retirement plan — including cash flow, taxes, investment risk, and peace of mind.
 
This episode focuses on:
How to evaluate paying off your mortgage versus keeping it
The role interest rates, liquidity, and flexibility play in the decision
Common tax mistakes that can turn a “simple” payoff into a costly one
When low-rate mortgages may be worth keeping — and when they aren’t
How mortgage decisions impact retirement income, taxes, and long-term security
 
Stay connected by subscribing to the Retirement GPS Podcast and following Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn for timely planning reminders and strategies.

Pleasure, Passion, Purpose – The Blueprint for a Joyful Retirement

Retirement planning often focuses on numbers, but fulfillment doesn’t come from finances alone.
 
In this episode of the Retirement GPS Podcast, Ryan and Zane explore what truly drives happiness in retirement through the Pleasure, Passion, and Purpose framework. They discuss why pleasure fades, passion engages, and purpose provides the long-term direction many retirees don’t realize they’re missing after work ends.
 
Using real-life experiences and behavioral insights, this conversation helps reframe retirement as more than a financial milestone and encourages listeners to think deeply about what gives their next chapter meaning.
 
If you’re preparing for retirement or already there, this episode offers a valuable perspective on building a life that feels rewarding beyond the balance sheet.
 
Subscribe to the Retirement GPS Podcast and follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @ZynergyRetirement for more insights to help you stay on course.

Medicare – What They Don’t Tell You at 65

Medicare can feel confusing, especially when you’re have so many options such as Part A, Part B, Part D, Part C, and Medigap.
 
In this episode, Ryan and Zane break Medicare down into a simple framework so you understand what each part covers, what it costs, and what decisions matter most as you approach age 65. They also cover enrollment windows, late penalties, common mistakes (including long-term care misconceptions), and why income can affect premiums through IRMAA.
 
Subscribe to the Retirement GPS Podcast and follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn  @ZynergyRetirement to keep your plan on course.

Retirement Landing – Navigating the Transition into Retirement

Retirement isn’t a single event, it’s a transition.
 
In Episode 24 of the Retirement GPS Podcast, Ryan and Zane break down Zynergy’s Retirement Landing framework, a structured process designed to guide retirees through the final weeks before retirement and the first months after their last paycheck.
 
They walk through the most important financial and emotional steps from confirming income sources and health insurance to handling benefits, distributions, and post-retirement purpose so nothing gets missed during this critical transition.
 
This episode focuses on:
Why structure matters in the final phase of retirement planning
The key steps to take before and after your retirement date
How to replace your paycheck with confidence
Avoiding common retirement transition mistakes
 
Stay connected by subscribing to the Retirement GPS Podcast and following Zynergy Retirement Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn for timely planning reminders and strategies.

Tax Strategies Series: Qualified Charitable Distributions — Giving from Your IRA, Not Your Tax Return

Required minimum distributions can create tax challenges—but they can also create opportunity.
 
In this episode, Ryan and Zane explain how Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) allow retirees to give directly from an IRA while potentially reducing taxable income and Medicare-related costs.
 
They walk through who qualifies, how QCDs work with RMDs, and common mistakes to avoid.
 
Subscribe to the Retirement GPS Podcast and follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @ZynergyRetirement for retirement and tax strategies that work together.

Tax Strategies Series: Donor-Advised Funds — Giving with Intention, Flexibility, and Impact

Charitable giving can be more effective with the right structure.
 
In this episode, Ryan and Zane break down Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) and how they allow families to take a tax deduction today while supporting charities over time.
 
They discuss when DAFs make sense, how “bunching” deductions works, and why donating appreciated investments can be more efficient than giving cash.
 
Subscribe to the Retirement GPS Podcast and follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @ZynergyRetirement for planning strategies that support your goals.

Tax Strategies Series: Tax-Loss Harvesting — Finding Opportunity When Markets Feel Uncomfortable

Market downturns don’t have to be wasted.
 
In this episode, Ryan and Zane explain how tax-loss harvesting can turn short-term market declines into long-term tax flexibility—without changing your investment strategy.
 
They cover how the strategy works, when it applies, common pitfalls like the wash sale rule, and why diversification often creates these opportunities naturally.
 
Subscribe to the Retirement GPS Podcast and follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @ZynergyRetirement to keep your plan on course.

Starting Strong – Five Financial Strategies for 2026

A new year is the perfect time to get intentional with your retirement strategy. In this episode, Ryan and Zane walk through five practical, high-impact moves you can make early in 2026 to keep your plan on track and your stress level low.
 
You’ll learn how to:
• Sketch out a Roth conversion game plan before the year gets away from you
• Use market pullbacks to your advantage when converting to Roth
• Make IRA contributions early so your dollars have more time to compound
• Review last year’s distribution rate and stay in that 4%–5% “sustainable” zone
• Rebalance your portfolio thoughtfully so it supports your long-term goals
 
Ryan and Zane also share how they walk Zynergy members through these same steps every February, and why getting them done early in the year can make the rest of 2026 feel calmer, clearer, and more intentional.
 
Note: Contribution limits and related numbers discussed in this episode are based on 2025 guidelines.
 
For ongoing insights and planning tips, subscribe to the Retirement GPS Podcast and follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to keep your retirement on course.

GODS – Setting Intentional Goals for a Purposeful 2026

Set your goals before the ball drops—not after we start 2026. In this episode, Ryan and Zane walk you through how to design intentional, achievable financial goals for the new year using our GODS framework: Goals, Opportunities, Dangers, and Strengths. Instead of vague New Year’s resolutions that usually disappear by February, you’ll build a roadmap you can actually follow and measure.
 
Learn how to:
Brainstorm and narrow down your most important financial goals for 2026
Get specific and measurable with each goal (what success really looks like)
Put emotion and “why” behind your goals so you stay motivated all year
Use the GODS framework to anticipate roadblocks and opportunities in advance
Leverage your existing strengths—time, habits, cash flow—to make progress
Turn your plan into action with realistic timelines and tradeoffs
 
If you want 2026 to feel intentional—not accidental—this episode gives you a simple, practical framework to get started.
 
Subscribe to the Retirement GPS Podcast and follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @ZynergyRetirement for more strategies to keep your plan on course.

RMDs – Turning Tax Rules into Retirement Opportunities

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are one of the most misunderstood—and most important—rules in retirement planning. In this episode, Ryan and Zane break down exactly how RMDs work, when they begin, and how they impact your taxes, Medicare premiums, and long-term financial strategy.
 
You’ll learn the essentials:
• When RMDs start under current law
• How the IRS calculates your annual withdrawal
• Common mistakes people make (and how to avoid them)
• How large RMDs can push you into higher tax brackets, IRMAA surcharges, and increased Social Security taxation
• How Roth conversions, QCDs, and strategic planning can help you stay in control
 
Ryan and Zane also explain how to turn RMDs into an opportunity—whether that’s funding your lifestyle, supporting charitable goals, or building a more tax-efficient retirement income plan.
 
If you want clarity on one of retirement’s most important rules, this episode gives you the roadmap.
 
Subscribe to the Retirement GPS Podcast and follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @ZynergyRetirement for more strategies to keep your plan on course.