Shows / The Retirement Navigator
The Retirement Navigator
Retirement Navigator is the podcast for adults 55 and above who are ready to make their next chapter their best one.
Hosted by Kwame Kuadey — co-founder of Benefits Insider and Adjunct Professor of Finance at Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School — each episode delivers the clarity and guidance you need to navigate retirement with confidence.
We cover Social Security, Medicare, retirement planning, purpose, finances, community, and everything that makes for a retirement well lived…
Episodes
- The Retirement Navigator
Episode 19: The Average Woman Spends 14 Years in Poor Health. You Can Change That
Send us Fan Mail On average, a woman spends the last 14 years of her life in poor health. In this episode, Kwame speaks with Maddy Dychtwald, co-founder of Age…
- The Retirement Navigator
Episode 18: Family Caregivers Spend $7,200 a Year. Here's How to Plan for It
Send us Fan Mail More than 59 million adults in the U.S. care for a family member or friend, and most of them never call themselves "caregivers." In this…
- The Retirement Navigator
Episode 17: Feel Behind on Retirement? The Napkin Math for Ages 50, 60 and 67
Send us Fan Mail What happens when an entire generation grows up right as pensions disappear, 401(k)s get introduced with little guidance, and nobody bothers…
- The Retirement Navigator
Episode 16: The 4 Questions to Bring to Your Next Doctor's Appointment
Send us Fan Mail What if the best healthcare you could receive as you age isn't in a hospital, but in your own living room? In this episode, Kwame speaks with…
- The Retirement Navigator
Episode 15: Medicare Won't Pay for Long-Term Care — Here's Where to Start
Send us Fan Mail Most people plan carefully for retirement income, but very few plan for the cost of long-term care — and that gap can catch even well-prepared…
- The Retirement Navigator
Episode 14: It's Not Too Late — What a Landmark Brain-Health Study Found
Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to age well — not just live longer, but live better? In this episode, Kwame sits down with Ariana Myers, whose career…
- The Retirement Navigator
Episode 13: Live Alone? A Free Daily Check-In That Alerts Family If You Miss It
Send us Fan Mail What happens if you live alone and something goes wrong while you're asleep? That's the question that changed everything for Jan Van Vlack, a…
- The Retirement Navigator
Episode 12: Being Lonely Is as Deadly as Smoking 15 Cigarettes a Day
Send us Fan Mail If you think retirement is the finish line — this conversation will completely change how you see what comes next. Most of us planned for…
- The Retirement Navigator
Episode 11: Starting a New Career After 55 - The 3 Things That Make It Work
Send us Fan Mail You may have more working years ahead of you than you think — and that can be a good thing. In this episode, personal finance expert and…
- The Retirement Navigator
Episode 10: What the Social Security Shortfall Really Means for Your Check
Send us Fan Mail If you've been worried about Social Security's future, confused about caregiving costs, or wondering whether your retirement savings will last…
- The Retirement Navigator
Episode 9: Dementia Warning Signs to Watch for the Next Time You Visit a Parent
Send us Fan Mail For adults on a fixed income or navigating retirement, understanding the healthcare system for aging loved ones can feel confusing and costly…
- The Retirement Navigator
Episode 8: The Retirement Community Myths That Keep Families Waiting Too Long
Send us Fan Mail Many people believe senior living only becomes relevant after a health crisis—but that’s often too late to make the best decisions. In this…
- The Retirement Navigator
Episode 7: Before a Parent Needs Care - The Talks and Papers to Have Ready
Send us Fan Mail Caregiving often begins quietly—then suddenly becomes a central part of life. In this episode, Carol shares her deeply personal journey into…
- The Retirement Navigator
Episode 6: Unretirement - Why More People Are Going Back to Work on Their Terms
Send us Fan Mail What if retirement didn’t have to mean stopping work completely? In this episode, we explore a growing idea called “unretirement”—a more…
- The Retirement Navigator
Episode 5: The Medicare Choice at 65 That Can Lock You In at 75
Send us Fan Mail Choosing Medicare at age 65 may seem like a simple decision—but it can shape your healthcare access for decades. Many people focus on monthly…
- The Retirement Navigator
Episode 4: Home Care, Assisted Living or Memory Care - How to Know Which One
Send us Fan Mail Choosing the right care for yourself or a loved one can feel overwhelming—especially when it comes to senior living. Many families don’t start…
- The Retirement Navigator
Episode 3: Divorced? How to Claim Up to Half Your Ex's Social Security Benefit
Send us Fan Mail Did you know that if you’re divorced, you may be eligible for up to 50% of your ex-spouse’s Social Security benefits? Many leave money on the…
- The Retirement Navigator
Episode 2: You Are Not Done Yet - 5 Principles for a Good Second Act
Send us Fan Mail Many retirees did everything “right” - worked for decades, saved consistently, and planned carefully - yet retirement still feels different…
- The Retirement Navigator
Episode 1: Welcome to Retirement Navigator - What This Show Is For
Send us Fan Mail Are you tired of retirement advice that assumes you're wealthy? Welcome to The Retirement Navigator, the podcast for hardworking Americans who…