Shows / Retirement Isn't Rocket Science
Retirement Isn't Rocket Science
Ready to trade your 9-to-5 for your next great adventure? Do you want to spend more money in retirement, while paying less taxes? Great news, you’re in the right place!
Join Dr. Chris Mullis, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and, yes, former rocket scientist, as he proves "Retirement Isn't Rocket Science."
With a career spent solving complex problems on Earth and in places far, far away, Dr. Chris brings a unique and approachable perspective to the retirement planning universe. He breaks down the…
Episodes
Retirement Isn't Rocket ScienceMedicare Is NOT Set-and-Forget: Avoid Costly Traps Before Dec 7th (+ Why Bond Funds Beat Individual Bonds)
Leaving your Medicare plan on autopilot during open enrollment can quietly expose your retirement nest egg to sudden prescription price spikes and massive tax…
Retirement Isn't Rocket ScienceNavigating 20-Year High Bond Yields: Turning Market Signals Into Retirement Income
With interest rates hitting multi-decade highs, the Fed raising benchmark targets, and corporate earnings surging, today’s market presents a massive…
Retirement Isn't Rocket ScienceWhat the Fed rate hike likely means for you
In this special first-anniversary episode, Dr. Chris Mullis, PhD, CFP® breaks down what the Federal Reserve’s latest interest rate hike really means for your…
Retirement Isn't Rocket ScienceFlight Plan for Your 50s and 60s: Navigating Retirement’s Forgotten Age Milestones
Passing critical retirement milestones without a clear flight plan can cost diligent savers tens of thousands in unexpected taxes, healthcare surcharges, and…
Retirement Isn't Rocket Science7 Retirement Myths Exposed
Are sensational Social Security headlines and fear-driven retirement myths causing you to second-guess your retirement readiness? In this episode, Dr. Chris…
Retirement Isn't Rocket ScienceDon't Let $371,000 Healthcare Headlines Delay Your Retirement Launch
Don't let terrifying headlines claiming you need nearly $400,000 for retirement healthcare freeze you into working longer than necessary. In this episode, Dr…
Retirement Isn't Rocket ScienceAre Financial Advisors Worth It? (DIY vs. Hiring a Pro)
When pivoting from accumulating wealth to distributing income, tiny missteps in tax strategy or emotional market reactions can quietly drain hundreds of…
Retirement Isn't Rocket ScienceScary Headlines vs. Market Reality: The Mid-Year 2026 Reality Check
Cut through the daily media noise with a data-driven mid-year checkup on the 2026 economy and investment market runway. Discover how high-quality bond yields…
Retirement Isn't Rocket ScienceFour Things That Can Sabotage Retirement
Are you relying on traditional financial spreadsheets that leave you completely blind to the most dangerous threats to your retirement security? In this…
Retirement Isn't Rocket ScienceIs 2032 the End of Social Security?
In this episode Dr. Chris Mullis tackles the panic-inducing headlines surrounding the projected 2032 Social Security trust fund depletion by separating…
Retirement Isn't Rocket ScienceGuiding Aging Parents and Direct Indexing Demystified
In this episode Dr. Chris Mullis guides listeners through the essential steps of conducting a seamless "family flight check" with aging parents to secure their…
Retirement Isn't Rocket Science5 Critical Checklist Items for a Flawless 2030 Retirement
If you are targeting a 2030 retirement, you are officially four years away from liftoff and it is time to stress-test your financial trajectory. In this…
Retirement Isn't Rocket Science12 Good Years of Retirement -- That's It?
Most retirees spend decades obsessing over a thirty-year financial plan, but the biological reality is that you may only have twelve high-energy years to truly…
Retirement Isn't Rocket Science5 Smart Withdrawal Strategies to Boost Your Retirement Income
Are you letting a rigid, decades-old math rule prevent you from enjoying the "go-go" years you worked so hard to fund? Dr. Chris reveals how to safely boost…
Retirement Isn't Rocket ScienceProbate Isn’t the Boogeyman?
In this episode, Dr. Chris challenges the ultimate retirement "boogeyman" by explaining why probate isn't a mission failure, but a strategic tool for…
Retirement Isn't Rocket ScienceReal Estate Investing -- Love It or Leave It?
Is your "passive" rental income actually a part-time job stealing the freedom you worked decades to earn? In this episode, Dr. Chris Mullis breaks down why…
Retirement Isn't Rocket Science5 Conversations Every Couple Needs Before Retirement
Is your vision of retirement perfectly aligned with your spouse’s, or are you orbiting two completely different planets? In this episode, Dr. Chris breaks down…
Retirement Isn't Rocket ScienceTiming Social Security and Taming Scary Markets
Your Social Security isn't just a monthly check—for diligent savers, it’s a high-stakes $1.5 million asset that requires a precise flight plan to reach its…
Retirement Isn't Rocket ScienceDon’t Make These Mistakes on Your Tax Return
Are you accidentally leaving a $5,000 "tip" for the IRS because of a simple data entry error? Even if you hire a top-tier CPA, half of all retirement tax…
Retirement Isn't Rocket ScienceTuscan Sun or Fool's Gold? Navigating Global Moves and Market Hype
Ever dreamed of trading your 9-to-5 for a sun-drenched cafe in a Tuscan piazza without draining your nest egg? In this episode, Dr. Chris Mullis breaks down…
Retirement Isn't Rocket ScienceSpend It or Lose It? The Truth About Early-Retirement Spending Habits
Most financial advisors tell you to spend a flat, steady line of income for 30 years, but why should your retirement spending look like a boring horizontal…
Retirement Isn't Rocket ScienceEstimated Taxes, Marriage 2.0 and Cosmic Bumper Cars
Transitioning from a steady paycheck to retirement can feel like losing your navigation system mid-flight, especially when the IRS expects you to "pay as you…
Retirement Isn't Rocket Science2026 Launch Codes: The Essential Numbers for Your Retirement Flight Plan
2026 brings big changes and big opportunities. The financial universe is shifting with bigger contribution limits, Social Security adjustments, and critical…
Retirement Isn't Rocket ScienceHidden Insurance Gaps That Threaten Your Wealth
How can a hidden gap in your homeowner's or auto insurance turn into a massive financial sinkhole that threatens your retirement nest egg? Dr. Chris Mullis, a…
Retirement Isn't Rocket ScienceYour Parents' Money: A Guide to Financial Caregiving
Is your retirement trajectory vulnerable to a family financial crisis? Join CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and former rocket scientist Dr. Chris Mullis as he…
Retirement Isn't Rocket Science80% Rule for Retirement Income: Myth or Reality?
Dr. Chris Mullis, a CFP® and former rocket scientist, challenges the common 80% income replacement rule, revealing why high-savers may be overestimating their…
Retirement Isn't Rocket ScienceTax Moves to Make Before 2026
The retirement planning universe is shifting! With major tax & healthcare changes, the decisions you make now could save you thousands in taxes and healthcare…
Retirement Isn't Rocket ScienceUnexpected Risks That Could Derail Your Retirement
Don't let unexpected risks derail your well-earned retirement! In this episode, we break down the four unique and often-overlooked risks -- like sequence of…
Retirement Isn't Rocket SciencePurpose Doesn’t Retire When You Do!
We examine the often-overlooked emotional and psychological aspects of retirement. Perhaps – like many of us – you’ve been so focused on reaching your…