PODCAST: September 20, 2025 – Avoid the Top 10 Retirement Planning Mistakes
Roy Matlock, Jr. shares how small financial missteps can cost you big — and the strategies to avoid them.
On the September 20, 2025 episode of The Roy Matlock, Jr. Money and Business Hour, Roy takes listeners through the most common retirement planning mistakes he sees — errors that can cost anywhere from $50,000 to $500,000 over a lifetime. The show covers the importance of professional money management, diversification, compound interest, and paying yourself first. Roy explains why procrastination is the most expensive mistake, why simply taking the employer match isn’t enough, and how being either too aggressive or too conservative with investments can derail retirement goals. He also highlights the risks of leaving old 401(k)s behind, ignoring fees, and failing to rebalance. Finally, Roy emphasizes the need for a clear plan — a financial GPS with a goal, plan, and schedule — so that listeners can secure their financial independence and sleep better at night.
Key Takeaways:
-
Procrastination is costly — Waiting to start saving and investing can cost you hundreds of thousands over time.
-
Employer matches are free money — Failing to contribute enough to get the full match is one of the biggest mistakes.
-
Balance your risk — Being too aggressive near retirement or too conservative too early both derail long-term growth.
-
Diversification protects you — Spread money across short-term, mid-term, and long-term investments to avoid selling at a loss.
-
Don’t leave old 401(k)s behind — Consolidate to IRAs or other accounts to avoid losing track and improve control.
-
Watch fees closely — High-fee funds eat into returns; always compare costs.
-
Rebalance regularly — Without rebalancing, your portfolio drifts out of alignment and exposes you to excess risk.
-
Catch-up contributions matter — After 50, take advantage of higher contribution limits to accelerate savings.
-
Never tap retirement early — Early withdrawals trigger penalties, taxes, and lost future growth.
-
Have a GPS for your money — A clear Goal, Plan, and Schedule ensures your financial independence and peace of mind.
