This was a very quick very informative audiobook. It was better than what I thought it was going to be. It was well thought out and through with information. I'm not retiring any time soon, therefore I wasn't the target demographic for this book. A lot could change before I retire, but it really got me thinking and planning for my future. I thought the introduction to the author's concepts were helpful for the future. The only issue I had was that the book referred to tables and links that I didn't have access to because it was a review audiobook. I thought the narrator did a great job. I cold understand him perfectly. Huge thanks to Greenleaf Audiobooks and Netgalley for allowing me to listen and review this book.

The Real Deal on Retirement: The Truth About Retirement Income Planning and Investing by John D VanWeelden
Narrated by Alex Hyde-White
Physical book was originally published in 10/2024
Audiobook is published on 2/4/2025

I was interested in this subject because I am getting to the point in my career where I might be considering retirement.
The author argues that retirement planning has changed wildly over past decades. He introduces overview of current retirement plannings in a very organized way. From chapter to chapter, it introduces ideas and common misconceptions about retirement in approachable ways using examples.

The book is targeted for people who might retire within next 5 years or so. I think this is an apt description given rules and regulations regarding taxes change all the time, as well as market conditions. Given such, I felt this target audience is apt and I might be a bit outside of it. Still, I found some of the information useful and thought-provoking.

Audiobook narration was wonderful and easy to listen to. However, there are a lot of references to tables and aforementioned link to the QR Code scanning for supplemental materials. This is the part that lost me - there is a constant reminder to scan QR code after each chapter (there are something like 16 chapters) . Unfortunately as a reviewer, I didn't have an access to this material and I have no idea how truly useful these materials might have been. This is a shame. I also felt this was way repetitive and self-promoting. I was turned off by it.

I received an advanced copy of this audiobook courtesy of NetGalley, Greenleaf Audiobooks and River Grove Books. Thank you! My opinions herein are my own.

I enjoyed listening to this audiobook. The layout of the chapters was well thought out and the information put together so that it is relatively easy to understand. I do think, however, that this is a book better purchased as a print copy, as I probably would have had quite a few pages flagged, highlighted, and noted.

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Greenleaf Audiobooks and NetGalley for the digital copy of this audiobook. I am not quite the demographic he is looking at those who are retired and/or about to retire in next 5 years. Van Weelden has a slightly different approach to bucket strategies, but doesn't really indicate how to move funds between buckets. He also has a good chapter on annuities and doesn't seem to be opposed to them. However, given his focus on risk mitigation, I thought it was curious that there was not inclusion of criteria on evaluating insurance company stability and what happens if the company goes insolvent. (U.S. states may guarantee a portion of the annuity amount.) He does illustrate sequence of return risks and mentions importance of tax planning, with focus on using tax deferred money first. All in all this is a pretty comprehensive and accessible book on retirement, but I would not rely solely on this book for retirement information.

This is a well structured and contemporary book about a subject important to everyone but few of us understand. While the narration is smooth and pleasant, this would work best as a physical book so listeners/readers can utilize the workbook portions and QR codes. But the audiobook does include information about websites and other resources that would allow listeners the same access as readers

This book has arrived at a very useful time for me as I am planning to partially retire this year and have some small pension pots that I need to work out a plan for.

Some of the information is what I had already gleaned but it gives an interesting perspective and insights which I hope to put into practice.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the DRC

Thanks to Greenleaf Audiobooks and NetGalley for the digital copy of this audiobook. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

There's some interesting, if not wholly original concepts in this book about retirement planning. The author's big theme is on mitigating risks when you retire, stressing that the first ten years of retirement will be a benchmark on whether you will run out of money before you die.

I'm not sure this book will hit home with younger people who need to hear it, but this 50-something listener has a few more questions for their financial advisor now.