Episodes

  • Saver to Spender: Building Income and Growth for Your Golden Years

    Saver to Spender: Building Income and Growth for Your Golden Years
    Oct 26 2025
    This week on Retirement Talks, Ted Thatcher of Bright Lake Wealth Management discussed the complexities of retirement planning, emphasizing the transition from being a saver to becoming a spender. He highlighted that understanding how much you need every month in retirement is the critical first step. Ted stressed the importance of building a retirement plan with two key buckets: one for current income and another for growth, ensuring resources last through a potentially long retirement. He addressed common questions on Social Security strategies (maximizing vs. optimizing), managing risk tolerance versus risk capacity, and preparing for unexpected expenses like major home repairs, taxes, and market volatility.

    The mailbag segment featured listener concerns about overspending in retirement, reluctance to stop working, and choosing a retirement home. Ted offered practical advice, reminding retirees to align spending with their financial plans and to feel comfortable enjoying the resources they've worked so hard to build. He also cautioned about state-level tax differences and emphasized the importance of preparing for flexible retirement options, especially as life interests and capacities change.


    For more information, visit https://www.brightlakewealth.com/
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    28 mins
  • Tax Changes & Opportunities Under the Big Beautiful Bill

    Tax Changes & Opportunities Under the Big Beautiful Bill
    Oct 19 2025
    This week on Retirement Talks with Ted Thatcher, listeners received essential updates on retirement planning following sweeping changes introduced by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law in July 2025. Ted discussed how these new policies—such as the $6,000 senior tax deduction, changes to RMD ages, increased estate tax exemptions, and expanded uses for 529 accounts—impact retirees and those planning for retirement. The show emphasized proactive planning in light of evolving tax rules and the importance of certain strategies to take advantage of historically low tax rates before potential future increases with rising national debt.

    Ted also highlighted key questions submitted by listeners, including when to take Social Security and best practices for leaving an inheritance, stressing the value of working with a knowledgeable advisor. He offered practical advice on eligibility for benefits, avoiding probate, and building family legacies, underscoring that tailored retirement roadmaps should address income, investments, taxes, healthcare, and legacy planning. Throughout the show, the importance of long-term relationships, informed decisions, and personalized guidance from the Bright Lake Wealth Management team was reinforced as the cornerstone.


    For more information, visit https://www.brightlakewealth.com/
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    28 mins
  • Optimizing Social Security and Early Retirement

    Optimizing Social Security and Early Retirement
    May 11 2025
    This episode of "Bright Lake Wealth Presents: Retirement Talks with Ted Thatcher," covers several important topics related to retirement planning. Throughout the show, Ted Thatcher, a financial advisor and the CEO of Brightlake Wealth Management, discusses the challenges and considerations of retirement, such as transitioning from saving to spending. The hosts dive into the complexities of social security and the importance of making informed decisions to maximize benefits. Ted emphasizes the value of professional guidance in navigating social security decisions, given the multitude of rules and options available. Furthermore, the podcast touches on the psychological and emotional aspects of retirement planning, highlighting the significance of planning ahead to avoid rushed decision-making.

    Additionally, the podcast addresses listener questions related to work burnout, early retirement, and family business succession planning. Ted discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected people's perspectives on work-life balance and retirement timing. He shares insights on evaluating personal circumstances to determine retirement timelines, considering factors such as health and financial readiness. Moreover, the show explores the intricacies of family business succession, discussing potential challenges and planning strategies for passing businesses to the next generation. Ted underscores the importance of open conversations and proactive planning in legacy planning and estate management, advocating for structured decision-making to alleviate potential conflicts within families.


    For more information, visit https://www.brightlakewealth.com/
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    28 mins
  • History of Taxes & a Comprehensive Retirement Plan

    History of Taxes & a Comprehensive Retirement Plan
    May 4 2025
    In this episode of "Retirement Talks with Ted Thatcher," Ted and his team at Brightlake Wealth Management delve into essential strategies for effective retirement planning. They discuss various tactics to optimize retirement income, including Roth conversions. The conversation also highlights the importance of understanding different income sources, like Social Security and traditional IRAs, and their tax implications. Ted emphasizes the need for personalized retirement planning that addresses the individual financial landscape and potential tax liabilities of retirees.

    Further, the episode underscores the significance of proactive and advanced planning in retirement. Ted advises against the "set it and forget it" approach, stressing the importance of continuous reassessment and strategic adjustments, particularly concerning Medicare decisions, required minimum distributions (RMDs), and overall risk management.


    For more information, visit https://www.brightlakewealth.com/
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    28 mins
  • Financial Literacy and Retirement Planning

    Financial Literacy and Retirement Planning
    Apr 27 2025
    In this episode, Ted Thatcher from Brightlake Wealth Management dives into crucial topics, focusing on financial literacy and retirement planning. Ted explains the importance of transitioning from a savings-focused approach to effective retirement spending. Critical aspects include consulting with specialized financial professionals and creating individualized retirement plans.

    Ted addresses several listener questions, including strategies for small business owners to plan their retirement exit and the significance of maintaining financial literacy for securing a stable retirement. The episode emphasizes the necessity of understanding long-term care insurance policies and encourages proactive planning to mitigate potential tax consequences from selling a business.


    For more information, visit https://www.brightlakewealth.com/
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    28 mins
  • Federal Debt's Impact on Retirement

    Federal Debt's Impact on Retirement
    Apr 20 2025
    In this episode of "Bright Lake Wealth Presents: Retirement Talks with Ted Thatcher," Ted delves into the complexities of transitioning from being a saver to a spender during retirement. Ted explores how the national debt, which has been growing rapidly since the Revolutionary War, affects individuals who are planning for or currently in retirement. With insightful historical contexts and current implications, Ted highlights the arithmetic of liabilities versus assets and the dangerous impact of overspending, both on a national level and in personal retirement planning.

    Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of government spending, its direct consequences on their retirement plans, and how taxes - an often overlooked aspect - could be a hidden liability. Ted emphasizes the importance of proactive tax planning to mitigate retirement risks and maximize income potential. Through historical anecdotes and practical advice, this episode provides a comprehensive guide for those looking to secure their financial future amidst the complicated backdrop of national fiscal policies.


    For more information, visit https://www.brightlakewealth.com/
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    28 mins
  • Creating a Lasting Legacy: Essential Retirement and Estate Planning

    Creating a Lasting Legacy: Essential Retirement and Estate Planning
    Apr 13 2025
    In this episode of "Bright Lake Wealth Presents: Retirement Talks with Ted Thatcher," Ted Thatcher, President and CEO of Brightlake Wealth Management, delves into the significance of legacy planning as a critical component of retirement planning. The discussion emphasizes the importance of having a solid plan to ensure financial stability for surviving spouses and loved ones. Ted shares personal stories to highlight the unpredictable nature of life and underscores the need for comprehensive estate planning, including spousal income planning and proper asset structuring.

    Key topics include: The process of transitioning from saving to spending in retirement, the necessity of creating a lasting legacy plan to protect loved ones, the impact of healthcare costs on retirement savings and more!


    For more information, visit https://www.brightlakewealth.com/
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    28 mins
  • Behavioral Finance and You

    Behavioral Finance and You
    Apr 6 2025
    Have you ever been so scared of losing money that you didn't take a financial risk? Or maybe you've found yourself buying something just because everyone else is? These are just a couple examples of how our behavior plays a big role in our financial decisions. How often do you see behavior or emotions get in the way of decision-making? Discussing some behavioral traps to avoid falling into with Ted Thatcher.

    For more information, visit https://www.brightlakewealth.com/
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    28 mins