Retirement Power Play with Tim Dyer
Join wealth manager Tim Dyer for consistent and reliable information about how to best prepare for retirement and your financial future on the Retirement Power Play podcast. Tim is the founder of Dyer Wealth Management, serving the San Diego area and based in La Jolla, California. He's the co-author of "Defuse", a book designed to help you learn the 7 steps to protecting your 401(k) from the ticking tax time bomb. Tim isn't afraid to run counter to the conventional wisdom of the financial world. Join him each episode as he'll point out problems and inconsistencies you need to be aware...
5 Year-End Financial Moves To Consider Before December 31
The end of the year isn’t just a deadline. It’s one of the last chances to make financial decisions that can still affect this year’s taxes, investments, and retirement plan. Today, Tim walks through five areas worth reviewing before December 31 and explains why knowing where you stand now can open up opportunities that may disappear once the calendar flips. He reminds us that once year-end passes, some planning windows close for good.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🧾 Tax Projection: Know where you’ll land
📊...
You Make Great Money. So Why Don’t You Feel Wealthy?
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You can earn an impressive income and still wonder why financial freedom feels so far away. Tim explores the bigger question of what wealth is supposed to make possible in your life. At some point, success becomes less about accumulating more and more about deciding what “enough” really means to you.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
💰 Income vs. Wealth: Wealth creates meaningful choices
Buffered ETFs: A Smarter Way to Stay Invested?
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For the 100th episode, Tim tackles one of the biggest challenges investors face: staying disciplined when markets become uncomfortable. He explains how buffered ETFs work and why they may offer a middle ground between traditional stocks and bonds. Could more predictable outcomes help you stay invested when volatility rises?
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
⭐ Behavioral Risk: Panic can damage returns m...
Ed Sheeran and The Old Cell Phone – A 10-Year Perspective
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An old cell phone can feel like a time capsule. After hearing Ed Sheeran describe finding and charging a phone from ten years earlier, it got me thinking about what life looked like a decade ago—the worries that felt overwhelming, the plans that seemed important, and the people and experiences that had not yet entered his life.
In this episode, we want to challenge listeners to look beyond today’s headlines, market concerns...
The Financial Lessons Hidden in the Idaho Wilderness
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Escape the noise and rethink what retirement is really about. In this episode, Tim reflects on a week at a remote Idaho dude ranch and the unexpected lessons it revealed about wealth, purpose, and financial independence. Discover why the goal isn't simply to accumulate more money, but to create the freedom to enjoy meaningful experiences, prioritize your health, and make the most of the time you have.
Here’s some of what we discu...
Life Beyond the Corporate Ladder with Balu Masti- Qualcomm
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Tim sits down with longtime friend, technologist, entrepreneur, mentor, and musician Balu Masti for a wide-ranging conversation about life after the corporate grind. After spending decades inside companies like Qualcomm and Intel, Balu shares what it was really like navigating pressure, promotions, identity, and the pursuit of success in the tech world. The conversation explores career transitions, startup culture, AI disruption, mentorship, family, music, and why time ultimately matters more than money.
Here’s so...
What a Real Financial Plan Actually Looks Like
A lot of people think they have a financial plan, but what they really have is a document. Tim breaks down what separates a real plan from a stack of projections and charts. This conversation focuses on how a true plan actually works in real life, helping you make decisions, adjust when things change, and stay on track. Because a plan isn’t something you look at once, it’s something you use.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
📄 Plan vs Document: A PDF isn’t a real plan<...
The Hidden Risk in Being Successful
Success changes your financial life, but it also changes the risks you face. Tim walks through how doing well can create blind spots that are easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. This conversation is all about staying intentional as things grow and making sure your success actually leads to freedom, not new pressure. Because the goal isn’t just building wealth, it’s maintaining control of it.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
📊 Concentration Risk: Too much tied to one company can backfire
📉 Doub...
Is AI Coming For Your Retirement?
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AI is everywhere right now, and the headlines are hard to ignore. Job loss, massive disruption, entire industries changing overnight… It’s enough to make anyone nearing retirement pause and wonder what it means for their future. But how much of it is real, and how much is just noise?
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🛠️ AI as a Tool: Powerful for efficiency, but not a r...
The Quiet Risk Nobody Talks About Right Now
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Turn on the news, and it feels like risk is everywhere… wars, economic uncertainty, market volatility. But the biggest threats to your financial future often aren’t the ones making headlines. In this episode, Tim shifts the focus away from short-term market noise and uncovers the risks quietly building underneath the surface of your financial plan. Tune in to learn how you can make small, intentional adjustments today that may help you stay flexible, efficient, and...
The K-Shaped Economy: What It Means for Your Portfolio in 2026
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The market looks resilient, yet many households still feel financial pressure. That disconnect isn’t random, it’s structural. Tim explains the “K-shaped economy” concept and why your experience depends largely on where you sit financially. More importantly, he talks about how to think strategically in 2026 so you’re not reacting emotionally to headlines but positioning intentionally for what’s next.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🤖 AI & Concent...
Reasons to Be Optimistic in 2026
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It’s easy to feel cautious heading into a new year, but the data tells a more encouraging story. In this episode, Tim breaks from the doom-and-gloom narrative and highlights why 2026 deserves a second look. Productivity gains, healthier balance sheets, and long-term market patterns point to reasons for confidence. Tune in for a perspective that steadies nerves instead of fueling fear.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode
🤖 A...
The 5 Financial Power Moves to Start 2026 Strong
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With interest rates staying higher for longer, the dollar weakening, and global markets shifting, guessing what happens next isn’t the real challenge. Tim focuses on how to align your money, taxes, and benefits with today’s economic reality instead of chasing headlines. If you’re looking to start 2026 with a grounded and intentional outlook, this episode sets the framework.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🏢 Employee...
How to Start the Year Right Financially
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A new year brings a clean slate, but only if you use it wisely. In this episode, Tim covers how to avoid early missteps and build momentum that lasts beyond January. The steps you take now quietly shape the rest of the year, so start strong and set yourself up for lasting success!
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🚀 Fresh Start – Setting financial prioritie...
2025 Financial Year in Review
What lessons from 2025 should shape decisions going into 2026? In this episode, Tim reflects on a year marked by sharp swings, headline-driven fear, and powerful lessons about staying invested when conviction is tested. As the calendar turns, this review helps frame 2025 clearly and sets a smarter foundation for 2026.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
📅 Year in Review: Why 2025 was a year worth learning from
📊 Market Performance: Strong returns despite turbulence
🧠 Behavioral Finance: Why emotions matter more than forecasts
🧩 Portfoli...
Turning 50: Adventures, Insights & Retirement Reflections
Tim’s 50th birthday wasn’t just a milestone, it became a trip filled with adventure, surprises, and a few unexpected lessons about life and retirement. The stories he shares today tie directly into the mindset shifts that often surface as retirement gets closer.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🏙️ Miami Birthday Trip: milestone celebration with close friends
🎣 Deep Sea Fishing: early-morning catch and luxury boating
🐊 Everglades Adventure: airboat ride and alligator encounters
🚤 Flamingo Houseboats: quiet waters and natu...
Year-End Tax Strategies: Smart Moves Before December 31
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As 2025 winds down, it’s the perfect time to tighten up your tax strategy and make sure you’re not leaving opportunities on the table. In this episode, Tim breaks down the practical steps that can help you manage your income, optimize your accounts, and position yourself well heading into next year. It’s a straightforward, no-fluff conversation designed to help you make intentional moves before December 31.
Here’s some of what we discuss in...
Closing the Small Business Retirement Gap: Simple 401(k)s with Mark Fowler
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Small business owners often assume a 401(k) is too complicated, too expensive, or only for big companies, but that’s simply not true anymore. Tim sits down with Mark Fowler, Director of Retirement Education at Human Interest, to discuss how technology, tax incentives, and new state mandates have changed the retirement plan landscape for employers. Mark shares why offering a 401(k) isn’t just doable, it’s one of the smartest ways to attract talent, save on t...
Fred Steck on Legacy, Leadership & Connection: Lessons from Goldman Sachs and Beyond
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What does it mean to build real connections in an increasingly digital world? Tim sits down with Fred Steck (author, speaker, and former national sales manager at Goldman Sachs) to explore authenticity, leadership, and the human side of success. Fred shares stories from Wall Street to retirement, revealing how vulnerability, curiosity, and meaningful relationships shape a lasting legacy.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🔥 Personal...
Who Really Needs a Financial Advisor — And Who Doesn’t?
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Do you really need a financial advisor, or can you do it all yourself? Tim breaks down the biggest misconceptions about advisors and reveals the true value they bring beyond just picking investments. Learn how to distinguish between advisors, planners, and wealth managers, and discover which life milestones make professional guidance essential. Tune in to find out if going it alone is putting your wealth at risk.
Here’s some of what we discu...
Government Shutdown: What It Means for Your Retirement
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Worried about the latest government shutdown and what it means for your finances? Tim breaks down the noise and shares how shutdowns have historically impacted markets and retirees. Discover why short-term volatility doesn’t have to derail your retirement plans, and why emotional decisions, not headlines, pose the bigger risk. Tim also offers practical advice on staying grounded and focused, no matter the news cycle.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this...
Breaking Barriers in Hockey and Beyond with Toni Will
This week, Tim welcomes a trailblazer who knows a thing or two about leadership, resilience, and shaking things up: Toni Will, General Manager and Governor for the Kalamazoo Wings. Her path into sports leadership wasn’t planned, but her bold approach turned challenges into opportunities and reshaped what it means to lead in a male-dominated arena. Toni shares her story of taking risks, pushing boundaries, and resilience.
Toni doesn’t just talk about breaking barriers, she lives it. She pioneered the iconic ‘Rainbow Ice’ night, launched her own coaching business, delivered a TED Talk, and is preparing to releas...
The Qualcomm Advantage: Maximizing Your Benefits Package
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Qualcomm employees enjoy some of the best benefits in the corporate world, but many aren’t taking full advantage of them. After working with Qualcomm employees for nearly three decades, Tim has seen both the opportunities and the pitfalls that come with these unique benefits. In this episode, he shares the strategies that help employees get the most from their compensation, stock options, and savings plans.
Find out why benefits planning isn’t one-size-fits...
Building a Relationship with Qualcomm Employees
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Southern California is know for tech companies and those corporations often offer unique benefits packages. Over the years, we’ve built a relationship with one of the biggest in San Diego, Qualcomm. Today we’re going to talk about that journey and how we’ve grown to work with many of their employees to help them manage their wealth and get the most out of their employment.
We’ll share how our approach has evolved...
When Enough Isn’t Enough: Retirement Blind Spots
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You’ve been saving and investing for years, but is that enough to say you’re truly ready to retire? In this episode, Tim explains why building an investment portfolio is only the tip of the iceberg. Real retirement readiness requires looking beneath the surface, at things like lifestyle expectations and Social Security strategies. It’s about more than hitting a number, it’s about ensuring your money supports the life you actually want to live, while also...
The Fuzzy Math That Could Derail Your Retirement
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In this episode, Tim gives us a lesson on “fuzzy math” and shows how numbers that sound right can still be dangerously wrong. He breaks down three common myths that could undermine your income, investments, and tax strategy—showing how to spot the flaws before they cost you. Because in money, small math mistakes can snowball into big, expensive problems. And the danger is, you often don’t see them until it’s too late.
Tim expose...
Reality Check: What I Learned Being Chased by Bison in Montana
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Sometimes life comes at you fast, especially when you’re staring down a herd of bison in the middle of Montana. In this episode, Tim shares a personal story that starts with a scenic hike and ends with a wild reminder about risk, regret, and reacting under pressure. What began as a memorable family trip quickly turned into a powerful metaphor for how many people approach their financial future: waiting too long, ignoring warning signs, and th...
What The “Big Beautiful Bill” Means For Your Retirement Plan
A new tax bill has officially passed (you’ve probably heard it mentioned as the “Big Beautiful Bill”). And while most headlines are focused on politics, we’re focused on what it means for your retirement. The choices you make in the next year or two could have a significant impact on how much you keep and how much goes to Uncle Sam.
You’ll hear about nuanced changes like a much higher SALT cap, expanded charitable giving deductions, and some surprising updates, including deductible car loan interest and a new “senior citizen” tax deduction designed to help offset tax...
The Wall of Worry: Financial Strategies Amid Global Uncertainty
There’s always something in the headlines. Lately, it’s the intensifying conflict in the Middle East, which understandably has investors on edge. In this episode, Tim takes a big-picture view of what geopolitical events like this actually mean for your portfolio and retirement plan. Yes, markets react. Yes, oil prices jump. Yes, news cycles stir up anxiety. But the key? Don’t let fear hijack your plan.
Tim walks through what you can’t control (global unrest, market swings, political uncertainty)- and what you can: your risk exposure, income strategy, tax plan, and how you respond...
The Lazy Way to Retire? Let’s Talk Target-Date Funds
Target-date funds just passed $4 trillion in assets. They’re now the default investment in many 401(k)s, and millions of Americans are using them without really understanding how they work. So, are they a smart choice… or just the easiest one? In this episode, Tim breaks down the pros and cons of target-date funds, those “set-it-and-forget-it” retirement options that automatically shift your portfolio from growth-oriented investments to more conservative holdings as you age.
Tim explains how the built-in simplicity and glide path appeal to many investors, especially those who don’t want to micromanage their portfolios. But he also hi...
The Market Has Bounced Back...What Now?
Markets have rebounded recently, but does that mean you're in the clear? Today we’ll look deeper into what this bounce-back really means for long-term investors and retirees. Tune in to learn about how volatility, interest rates, inflation, and geopolitical tension all factor into today’s uncertain landscape, even as stocks appear to recover.
You’ll hear why ‘back to even’ isn’t the same as moving forward, and how to avoid emotional pitfalls as you assess your next move. From sector shifts to international surprises, we’ll discuss how we help you evaluate your current portfolio and take advan...
What the Greats Say About Market Crashes
When the market is volatile, it's easy to feel like you're the only one who's ever felt this anxious. But the truth is, some of the greatest investors in history have lived through chaos, and they left behind wisdom that still applies today. In this episode, Tim turns to voices like Warren Buffett, Benjamin Graham, and Jack Bogle to remind us how to think, act, and stay grounded when everything feels uncertain.
Tim talks about how emotional reactions sabotage long-term returns and why sticking to a well-built plan matters more than ever during downturns. Tim also shares...
What Should You Actually Do When the Market Drops?
When the market drops, the instinct to ‘do something’ can be overwhelming, but what should you actually be doing? With volatility the theme of the month, let’s talk about the steps you can take today to start putting you in a better position when things turn around. In this episode, Tim walks through a calm, strategic approach to market volatility and explains why your response matters more than the headlines.
From long-term planning to stress testing your portfolio and harvesting tax losses, Tim outlines the key moves smart investors can make when markets get bumpy. We’ll take...
Market Volatility in 2025: Opportunity or Panic?
Tariffs, stock markets, international geopolitical events. They all seem to be coming to a head, and we're starting to get a lot of questions about what could go wrong rather than what may have been going right. On today's show, we want to put some of these topics into context and give you an idea on where some of the potential opportunities may be moving forward.
We’ll take a look at historical data and help put this volatility into context. Along the way, we’ll discuss the biggest market myths, how tariffs, government policies, and global events are affecting investor sentiment, and why long-term investing still works despite short-term fluctuations. Pl...
The Loan Options Worth Considering to Fund a Home Renovation?
Today we’re going to talk about a recent conversation Tim had with a client who was looking to borrow some money for a home renovation project. There were a couple of options available to them, some of them pretty simple and some a little bit more in-depth.
Tim was surprised to learn that some of these things weren't as well-known as he thought they were so we wanted to share some of that information on the show to maybe get you thinking about some options that are available to you.
Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:
🏠 Margin Loans for Renovation
· Borrow against your investment portfolio without liquidating assets
· Avoid...
Finding Quick Wins Before the Planning Begins
We talk a lot about what happens during the planning process but the time we spend before starting the plan can uncover areas that can become quick wins. It’s important that we take the time to assess your current financial standing because this initial evaluation sets the stage for everything that follows.
In this episode, we’re going to going to take you through the process and explain what we want to learn more about and why it’s important for long-term planning. By examining each of these areas, individuals can identify levers that can be adjusted...
2025 Outlook: Insights for the Year Ahead
As we step into 2025, understanding the key trends and potential changes in the economy and stock market can help individuals make informed decisions. Today we're going to highlight some key sectors and financial areas that are most important to wealth management. Find out what Tim's watching in 2025.
CONTACT
Website: https://www.dyerwealthmanagement.com/
Phone: 858-459-3937
Email: [email protected]
Location: La Jolla, CA
Disclosures:
The commentary on this Podcast reflects the personal opinions, viewpoints and analyses of Sage Capital...
3 College Savings Secrets Wealthy Parents & Grandparents Use In 2025
With college acceptances, school enrollments, and financial aid deadlines approaching, now’s the time to plan for education expenses. Whether it’s for your children or grandchildren, we’ll explore three smart strategies to invest in their future and make saving for college a step toward their dreams.
CONTACT
Website: https://www.dyerwealthmanagement.com/
Phone: 858-459-3937
Email: [email protected]
Location: La Jolla, CA
Disclosures:
The commentary on this Podcast reflects the personal opinions, viewpoints and analyses of Sage Capital...
Reflecting on a Recent Trip to Disneyland
The Dyer family recently enjoyed a big birthday weekend, which included a trip to Disney. Tim was in for an unexpected surprise when he got there and had an unforgettable time. As always, he came away with valuable insights and lessons, which we’re excited to share with you on this episode of Retirement Power Play.
CONTACT
Website: https://www.dyerwealthmanagement.com/
Phone: 858-459-3937
Email: [email protected]
Location: La Jolla, CA
Disclosures:
The commentary on this Podcast reflects th...
Year-End Tax Planning Webinar Recap
Tim recently hosted his year-end tax webinar, and if you joined us – thank you! If you missed it, don’t worry. In today’s episode, we’re recapping the key takeaways from the event and some important items you should be thinking about moving forward.
CONTACT
Website: https://www.dyerwealthmanagement.com/
Phone: 858-459-3937
Email: [email protected]
Location: La Jolla, CA
Disclosures:
The commentary on this Podcast reflects the personal opinions, viewpoints and analyses of Sage Capital Advisors, LLC DBA Dyer...
