Retirement GPS - Navigated by Zynergy
The Retirement GPS Podcast helps you navigate the road to and through retirement with clarity and confidence. Hosted by Ryan Zacharczyk, CFP®, President of Zynergy Retirement Planning, and Zane Belcak, Associate Planner, each episode breaks down the most important financial topics.
From tax strategies and income planning to Social Security, investing, and estate considerations, we cover the issues that matter most—without the jargon. Our goal is simple: give you the tools and guidance to make informed decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and stay on course for the retirement you deserve.
Whether you’re already retired or planning ahead, consider this your personal guide to a smarter, more intentional future.
Learn more at zynergyretirement.com and follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn!
Also, look out for our Mile Markers blog series that corresponds to the podcast episode you just listened to.
Episodes

Tuesday Oct 14, 2025
Tuesday Oct 14, 2025
Estate planning isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about purpose. In this episode, Ryan and Zane reveal how to turn one of the most avoided parts of financial planning into your family’s greatest gift. Through Zynergy’s LEGACY Estate Planning Process, they break down how to align your assets, update your will and beneficiaries, and keep your plan alive as life evolves.
You’ll learn how to protect what you’ve built, eliminate stress for your loved ones, and even capture the stories, values, and memories that make your legacy unique. Because real wealth isn’t just measured in dollars—it’s in the clarity, compassion, and direction you leave behind.
Subscribe to the Retirement GPS Podcast and follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @ZynergyRetirement for more strategies to keep your retirement—and your legacy—on course.

Tuesday Oct 07, 2025
Tuesday Oct 07, 2025
Saving for a child’s or grandchild’s education can feel overwhelming—but with the right tools, it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, Ryan and Zane break down how to make education planning simple, flexible, and tax-smart. They cover 529 plans, gifting strategies, superfunding, and even how to pay tuition directly without triggering gift taxes.
Learn how to make every dollar count toward your family’s future while keeping your own financial goals on track.
Feel free to explore different 529 plans at my529.org.
Subscribe to our podcast and follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @zynergyretirementplanning for more strategies to keep your retirement on course.

Tuesday Sep 30, 2025
Tuesday Sep 30, 2025
Retirement doesn’t always mean lower taxes—in fact, many retirees pay more than expected once Social Security, pensions, and required withdrawals kick in. In this episode, Ryan and Zane share four key strategies to take control: bracket management, tax diversification, Roth conversions, and withdrawal sequencing. With real-life examples and simple metaphors, they show how smart planning can save thousands over a lifetime and keep more of your hard-earned money working for you.
Check out the updated 2025 Tax Bracket Chart to see where you stand today.
Subscribe to our podcast and follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @ZynergyRetirement for more strategies to keep your retirement on course.

Tuesday Sep 23, 2025
Tuesday Sep 23, 2025
Retirement isn’t just about growth—it’s about protection. In this episode, Ryan and Zane break down the four biggest risks retirees face: long-term care, Medicare gaps, life insurance, and liability. With real stories and practical strategies, they show how the right safeguards can keep your retirement on track, even when life throws the unexpected your way.
Subscribe to the Retirement GPS Podcast and follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @ZynergyRetirement for more strategies to keep your retirement on course!

Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
Your 20s, 30s, and 40s are your biggest financial advantage. In this episode, Ryan and Zane cover how to maximize your 401(k), use Roth strategies, explore IRA options, and let compounding work for you .
Pair it with our presentation; Maximizing Your 401k Benefit for a clear roadmap to long-term retirement success.
Stay connected—subscribe to the Retirement GPS Podcast and follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn for more insights to help you stay intentional and on course toward retirement.

Tuesday Sep 09, 2025
Tuesday Sep 09, 2025
In this episode, Ryan and Zane introduce the Retirement Glide Path—a five-year framework designed to help you prepare for a smooth transition into retirement. From paying down debt and building emergency reserves to reviewing Social Security, estate planning, healthcare, and lifestyle goals, they share how to turn uncertainty into confidence as you approach the finish line.
We also walk through Zynergy’s Retirement Glide Path Checklist, covering essentials like debt payoff, long-term care planning, tax diversification, housing, income strategies, and lifestyle visioning. Whether you’re five years out or just beginning to plan, this guide helps you stay on course and avoid last-minute surprises.
Subscribe to the Retirement GPS Podcast and follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @ZynergyRetirement for more strategies to keep your retirement on track.

Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Market dips feel different in retirement—because your money isn’t just growing anymore, it’s paying you. In this episode, Ryan Zacharczyk, CFP®, and Zane Belcak dive into how to invest with intention, not just for performance. Learn how to structure your portfolio into short-, mid-, and long-term “buckets,” why holding cash can protect you from panic, and how rebalancing keeps risk in check. Plus, discover the hidden threat of inflation and why purpose-driven investing creates confidence and clarity in retirement.
Subscribe to this podcast and follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn for more strategies to keep your retirement on course!

Tuesday Aug 26, 2025
Tuesday Aug 26, 2025
An emergency reserve is more than just cash in the bank—it’s the cushion that keeps your plan steady when life takes an unexpected turn. From medical bills to home repairs to market downturns, having the right amount of money set aside can mean the difference between peace of mind and panic. In this episode, Ryan Zacharczyk, CFP®, and Zane Belcak explain how to calculate the right reserve for your lifestyle, where to keep it so it’s safe but accessible, and how to build your emergency fund step by step without derailing your long-term goals.
Subscribe to this podcast and follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn for more strategies to keep your retirement on course!

Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
Budgeting isn’t about restriction—it’s about intention. In this episode, Ryan Zacharczyk, CFP®, and Zane Belcak share how a clear spending plan and drawdown strategy can transform fear into confidence, helping retirees enjoy the life they’ve worked for without worrying about running out of money.
Plus, explore our Detailed Budget Template to put these strategies into practice.

Tuesday Aug 12, 2025
Tuesday Aug 12, 2025
In this episode of the Retirement GPS Podcast, Ryan Zacharczyk, CFP®, and Zane Belcak dive into the first GPS component—Goal Setting. They explain why defining your vision for retirement is the essential first step, and how Zynergy’s G.O.D.S. Framework (Goals, Opportunities, Dangers, Strengths) helps turn vague ideas into a clear, prioritized life plan. Listeners will learn how to set short-, mid-, and long-term goals that reflect their values and create the foundation for every financial decision that follows. Be sure to view our corresponding Goal Setting Supplement attached!








