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The Red Zone Retirement Program

The Red Zone Retirement Program

By: John Mears
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About this listen

 In football, the Red Zone is where a team has to make small adjustments to ensure victory. As you approach retirement, you also need to make small adjustments to ensure success. Join John Mears of Mears Money Management each episode as he helps you understand the most important strategies that will help lead you to financial and retirement success. John has more than 20 years of experience providing comprehensive planning services to families throughout the Santa Clarita, California area. On this show, he'll breakdown the essential facets of tax planning, investing, retirement concerns, and much more. If you have a 401(k), IRA, Roth, pension or any other type of retirement account or savings vehicle then this is the show for you. Understand your savings and have some fun along the way with John Mears! Contact John at http://mearsmoney.com or by calling 661-775-3704.Copyright John Mears 2022 Economics Personal Finance
Episodes
  • Inheriting a House? Here's What You Need to Know About Taxes

    Inheriting a House? Here's What You Need to Know About Taxes
    Feb 12 2026

    🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

    Inheriting a home can feel like a blessing, until the tax questions start piling up. John walks through the playbook for handling inherited property the smart way. This big financial decision deserves careful thought and consideration, not quick reactions. When it comes to inherited real estate, you don't want to move without a game plan.

    Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

    📈 Step-Up in Basis: Resetting value at inheritance

    💵 Fair Market Value: Why timing matters

    🧾 Capital Gains Impact: Selling without surprises

    🏘️ Rental Considerations: Income vs liability trade-offs

    ❤️ Emotional Attachments: Sentiment versus strategy

    Get in touch:

    Phone: 661-775-3704

    Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

    Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

    Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

    Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

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    18 mins
  • Would You Trade $600 a Month to Protect Your Spouse?

    Would You Trade $600 a Month to Protect Your Spouse?
    Jan 29 2026

    🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

    John tackles a listener question that feels like a red-zone moment: trade $600 a month now or protect your spouse for life. Using real-world examples and a coach's perspective, John breaks down the tradeoffs, risks, and emotional weight behind pension elections. When the stakes are this high, understanding your options before you choose can make all the difference.

    Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

    ⚖️ Pension Tradeoffs: Income today versus certainty tomorrow

    🏠 Survivor Reality: Why expenses don't drop as much as people assume

    🛡️ Insurance Angle: Using life insurance as a possible planning tool

    🔐 Locked-In Choices: Why pension elections often can't be changed

    ❤️ Emotional Factors: Balancing math, longevity, and peace of mind

    Get in touch:

    Phone: 661-775-3704

    Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

    Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

    Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

    Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/

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    16 mins
  • What's Changing in 2026 (And Why It Matters To Your Money)

    What's Changing in 2026 (And Why It Matters To Your Money)
    Jan 15 2026

    🏈 Don't fumble your retirement - get your financial game plan at http://bookachatwithjohn.net

    What's new in 2026 for retirees & pre-retirees? John covers several updates that could quietly impact your cash flow, taxes, and savings strategy. A quick review now can help make sure changes in 2026 work with your plan, not against it. Discover actionable reminders and why your next steps matter more than ever.

    Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

    🧭 2026 Overview – Key retirement-related changes for the year

    📈 COLA & Medicare – Social Security increases offset by premiums

    🧾 Social Security Taxes – Senior deduction impacts taxability

    📊 Catch-Up Savings – Higher contribution limits for older workers

    🔁 Secure Act 2.0 – Roth rules reshape contribution strategies

    Get in touch:

    Phone: 661-775-3704

    Book an appointment with us: http://bookachatwithjohn.net

    Get in touch with us: https://mearsmoney.com/

    Watch the Podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PmcOPM

    Check out John's FREE Books: https://je9gekmc.pages.infusionsoft.net/
    Show More Show Less
    15 mins
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