View the full transcription of this episode here.
Most people think a financial plan is a simple yes-or-no question: Can I retire?
But in this episode of GDS Unplugged, Glen and Robert talk through how a retirement plan that looks solid initially may tell a different story once you take a closer look.
This time, they walk through a real client plan (with details changed, of course) and highlight the various levers that can quietly alter the outcome. Some are honest mistakes. Others are simply overlooked. And a few…may be unexpected to viewers.
If you’ve never watched someone “stress test” a plan in real time, this episode offers a different way to view retirement planning.
One of the first surprises? A single assumption, sometimes just a fraction of a percent, can influence whether a plan appears “barely on track” or “more than sufficient.
Glen and Robert open the episode by showing how inflation, asset usage, and return expectations can materially affect the entire plan. Most investors assume these numbers are standard across advisors, but the episode illustrates that they can differ.
You’ll see how:
They don’t just talk about these concepts, they show them. Watching the plan change with a few small tweaks is informative; it helps demonstrate the sensitivity of planning assumptions.
Everyone has an opinion about when to start Social Security, but very few people see the math behind the decision. In the episode, Glen and Robert run multiple scenarios for John and Jane, comparing early claiming, full retirement age, and waiting until 70.
The result? Let’s just say many viewers may reconsider their initial assumptions.
You’ll see:
It’s one thing to read “waiting can pay off” and another to watch the numbers unfold in a modeled scenario.
Another moment that catches viewers off guard is the portfolio discussion. Most investors assume the more aggressive the portfolio, the stronger the plan. But Glen and Robert demonstrate how outcomes can change when you apply real-world market behavior to a portfolio that’s being tapped for income.
You’ll see:
This portion of the episode alone is worth watching if you’re within 10 years of retirement.
This may be the most surprising part of the entire episode. Glen and Robert explore a Roth conversion strategy for John and Jane… and the results differ from common assumptions.
The episode shows:
Watch to see the model run in real time to understand how different strategies can affect modeled outcomes and how easily they’re overlooked.
Later in the episode, the team explores two topics that usually don’t make it into a typical advisor presentation: long-term care costs and legacy planning.
Without spoiling the details, here are two things you’ll see:
Both segments are brief, but they’re packed with “I’ve never thought about it that way” moments.
This episode isn’t about products, predictions, or guaranteed outcomes. It’s about transparency, showing viewers what actually goes into a real retirement plan and how the smallest assumptions can materially change the outcome.
You won’t walk away with a generic checklist.
You’ll walk away with more informed questions and a much clearer sense of what a comprehensive plan may involve.
If you’ve ever wondered:
…then this is the episode to watch.
Curious how this kind of planning looks in action? Watch The GDS Experience and explore exactly how our team approaches retirement strategy.
Want more insights? Check out past episodes, articles, and tools in our Learning Center, and subscribe to GDS Unplugged on your podcast platform of choice.