Retirement GPS - Navigated by Zynergy

Semi-Retirement — Work a Little, Live a lot

Semi-retirement isn’t a halfway stop—it’s a strategic way to step out of the rat race while keeping purpose, structure, and income in your life. In this episode, Ryan and Zane break down what semi-retirement really looks like, from designing your ideal schedule to understanding how part-time work affects cash flow, Social Security, healthcare, and lifestyle.
Whether you’re dreaming about slowing down, redefining your work, or building more freedom into your week, this episode helps you map out a flexible, fulfilling bridge between full-time work and full retirement.
 
Subscribe to our podcast and follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @zynergyretirementplanning for more strategies to keep your retirement on course.

Social Security — Claim Smart at 62, 67, or 70?

When should you claim Social Security—and how do you avoid costly mistakes? In this episode, Ryan and Zane break down how the system really works from full retirement age and delayed credits to earnings tests, COLA increases, and spousal and survivor benefits.
 
They explain the key factors that should guide your decision, including:
Your health and longevity outlook
Whether you’re still working (and how the earnings test affects you)
Your cash-flow needs in the early retirement years
How taxes and IRMAA surcharges come into play
How your decision impacts your spouse’s long-term benefit
When delaying to age 70 makes sense—and when it doesn’t
 
Walk away with a clearer path for choosing a claiming strategy that supports your long-term plan instead of working against it.
 
For more guidance on building a confident retirement, follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @ZynergyRetirement. Stay tuned for new Retirement GPS episodes every Tuesday!

Long-Term Care – Long-Term Control

You’ve protected your portfolio—now protect the plan that depends on it. In this episode, Ryan and Zane break down long-term care planning so you know what’s covered, what it costs, and how to prepare without jeopardizing your savings or your spouse’s stability.
 
They explain:
What qualifies as long-term care and where it happens—home, assisted living, nursing, and continuing-care communities
How to size coverage: monthly benefit targets, benefit period, elimination period, and why inflation protection matters
Traditional LTC vs. hybrid life/LTC policies—pros, cons, and when each can make sense
The Medicaid Partnership rules many retirees overlook
Who should consider insuring vs. self-funding (the net-worth “sweet spot”) and the ideal age window to explore coverage
 
Walk away with a clear framework to decide if, how, and when to insure—so your retirement stays funded and your family is protected.
 
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.

Shock Absorbers – Do I Need Bonds in My Portfolio?

Bonds aren’t built to win the race—they’re built to keep the ride smooth. In this episode, Ryan and Zane break down what bonds are (and aren’t), how they pay you, and where they fit alongside stocks at any age. You’ll learn the basics—coupon, maturity, and yield—plus the major types (Treasuries, TIPS, munis, corporates, and bond funds), the real risks to watch (interest rate, credit, inflation, call, and liquidity), and why bonds act like portfolio “shock absorbers” when markets get bumpy. We also cover practical allocation ideas, rebalancing, and how to use bonds to support a steady retirement paycheck without sacrificing long-term growth.
 
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.

Charting Your Course – Living Off Investments with Confidence

You’ve saved for decades—now it’s time to turn those savings into a sustainable retirement paycheck. In this episode, Ryan and Zane share how to create steady, reliable income from your investments while keeping taxes and risk in check. They discuss the ideal withdrawal rates for retirees, the best order for drawing from taxable, tax-deferred, and Roth accounts, and how to manage RMDs, Social Security taxation, and Medicare IRMAA without derailing your plan.
 
Learn how to build a cash buffer, balance growth with safety, and design a withdrawal strategy that lets you spend confidently—knowing your retirement is built to last.
 
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.

Roth Conversions – How to Decide, How Much, and When?

Pay now or pay later? That’s the central question of Roth conversions—and one of the most powerful levers in retirement tax planning. In this episode, Ryan and Zane unpack when conversions make sense, how to size them intentionally, and what rules you need to respect along the way.
 
Using real-life examples, they explain how to project your income, manage tax brackets, and avoid costly mistakes with Medicare IRMAA, Social Security taxation, and five-year withdrawal rules. You’ll also learn how Roth conversions can reduce lifetime taxes, improve flexibility in retirement, and create a tax-free legacy for your heirs.
 
Check out the episode show notes for the 2025 Roth Conversion Fact Finder and learn how to model your own bracket room before making a move.
 
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.

Legacy in Motion – Estate Planning that Protects What Matters Most

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.

Building Bright Futures – Smart Strategies for Education Planning

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.

Navigating Taxes – It's About What You Keep

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.

Protecting the Journey – Risk Management & Insurance

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!