Inflation, COLA, and Climbing Smarter: Navigating the Retirement Tightrope

About this episode

This episode discusses the impact of inflation and cost-of-living adjustments on retirement planning.

Wondering how inflation really affects your retirement lifestyle—even when the headlines claim it’s cooling off? Ben Heisler and Brad Jones are back with practical wisdom and plenty of laughs, unraveling the nitty-gritty of cost-of-living adjustments and the real impact on your Social Security check. From wrinkly shirts masked by vests to trivia about bygone gas prices, this episode is equal parts relatable and packed with insight. But don’t be fooled: there’s more to retirement planning than meets the eye, and Brad’s experience in Livingston County shines through. How can you protect your savings when COLA raises are shrinking, and what can you actually do to stretch your income—no matter what the government decides? Plus, hear Brad’s answers to retirement trivia and discover a risk you might be overlooking. Curious why retirees feel the pinch more than the numbers suggest? Tune in for an episode that’s as informative as it is entertaining, and take your first step toward climbing through retirement with confidence. Join Brad Jones for another insightful episode of C.L.I.M.B. Through Retirement, where he dives into practical strategies for tackling the challenges and…

People in this episode

Host: Brad Jones

Guest: Ben Heisler

Topics covered

• inflation
• cost-of-living adjustments
• retirement planning
• Social Security
• financial strategies

Keywords

• inflation
• COLA
• retirement
• Social Security
• financial planning
• savings
• income

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Social Security

Places: Livingston County

More episodes of C.L.I.M.B. Through Retirement

• Mailbag Questions 40 · June 6, 2026 · 30 min
• When Tech Turns Toxic for Your 401k · May 30, 2026 · 30 min
• Make Your Money Work for You · May 23, 2026 · 30 min
• AI, Tech, and Your Retirement’s Reality Check · May 16, 2026 · 30 min
• Navigating Retirement Amid Economic Uncertainty · May 9, 2026 · 30 min
• Avoiding Inheritance Disputes in Retirement · May 2, 2026 · 30 min