Paychecks and Playchecks: Tom Hegna on Building Retirement Income That Lasts | Tom Hegna

Tom Hegna is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and a former First Vice President at New York Life. He grew up in Minnesota, went into the insurance business, and spent 30 years on the road, about 200 days a year, speaking to audiences about retirement. Today he is a bestselling author and economist, and he describes himself as mostly retired. In this episode of Safe Money Radio, Tom sits down with host Brett Blake to talk through how savings can turn into a monthly paycheck. Why do so many retirees with plenty of money hold back from spending it? What does the order of your market returns have to do with how long the money lasts? How do income annuities differ from growth annuities, and why is a life insurance company the one that offers them? What belongs in a plan for long-term care? And is it too late to start if you are already in your fifties or sixties? Tom answers with the energy of someone who has spent decades teaching this, and he says he lives what he teaches. He shares his paychecks and playchecks approach, explains why he calls holding money back a just in case retirement, and says retirement income is not a do-it-yourself project. He also describes what he calls guaranteed lifetime income and why he thinks it deserves a look. Loved this episode? Hit Follow and share it with someone who is close to retirement and needs a calmer way to think about income. Leave a review for Safe Money Radio on Spotify or YouTube. Your support helps us bring more plain-language retirement income conversations to listeners everywhere. Visit SafeMoneyRadio.com to run your own numbers with the free WIYN calculator at brettblake.annuity.com, or book a Retirement Clarity Session with Brett. No obligation, no pressure. Brett is a licensed insurance agent and may recommend an annuity if it fits. Follow the Safe Money Radio Show: Website: https://safemoneyradio.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@safemoneyradiopodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033YvB7zhBi76JCSaA3Kld Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590329635200 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safemoneyradiopodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@safemoneyradiopod X: https://x.com/safemoney_radio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/safemoneyradio-podcast/home/ Follow Brett Blake: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettblake/ Retirement tools: https://brettblake.annuity.com Email: brett.blake@annuity.com Follow Tom Hegna: Website: https://tomhegna.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TomHegna LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomhegna DISCLAIMER: Safe Money Radio is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, tax, or legal advice. Products discussed may or may not be suitable for your situation and are subject to state availability and individual suitability. Any guarantees discussed are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Guarantees are not government-backed or provided by Annuity.com, Inc. By submitting your information through any Safe Money Radio call to action, you consent to be contacted by a licensed insurance agent about products and services that may include annuities. Annuity.com, Inc. and Brett A. Blake are compensated through commissions and other consideration paid by insurance carriers on policies sold. Neither is a fee-only advisor. Brett is a licensed insurance agent, not a CPA or tax attorney. Annuity.com, Inc. is a licensed insurance agency. National Producer Number (NPN): 21086345. Doing business in Florida and California as Annuity.com Insurance Marketing, CA License No. 6013124. In New York, licensed as Annuity.com Insurance Solutions, License No. LA-1860109. GUEST DISCLOSURE: Tom Hegna is a podcast guest appearing in his individual professional capacity. Views expressed on this episode are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of Safe Money Radio, Brett A. Blake, or Annuity.com, Inc.