Episode 184: Can Tech Replace Your Financial Advisor?

In this episode of Retire with Style, Wade Pfau and Alex Murguia talk with John Manganaro, senior reporter at ThinkAdvisor, about the shifting landscape of retirement income planning. They explore how technology is reshaping financial planning, the growing need for holistic advice, and the challenges both advisors and consumers face in finding effective tools. John offers insights into the future of financial software, the value of human advisors, and the behavioral side of planning-highlighting the importance of addressing both financial and lifestyle goals in retirement.

 

Takeaways

• Technology is expanding what financial advisors can do.
• Holistic advice is becoming essential for effective retirement planning.
• An aging population is driving greater demand for financial planning.
• Advisors are increasingly using advanced tools for tax-efficient retirement income strategies.
• The advisor’s role remains critical in implementing and personalizing financial plans.
• Behavioral factors are just as important as the numbers in financial planning.
• More new advisors are focusing on serving middle-class clients.
• AI may help democratize access to quality financial advice.
• New software solutions are reshaping how the industry delivers financial planning.
• Many next-generation advisors are driven by a desire to help others, not just manage wealth.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Retirement Income Planning
03:00 The Role of Technology in Financial Planning
06:03 Understanding Holistic Financial Advice
09:05 The Evolution of Financial Planning Tools
11:54 Challenges in Accessing Financial Advice
14:57 The Future of Financial Software Solutions
25:56 Exploring Social Security Strategies
28:07 Preparing for Retirement: Lifestyle Considerations
30:00 Behavioral Challenges in Financial Planning
33:00 The Evolution of Financial Software
39:07 The Role of AI in Financial Advice
42:57 The New Wave of Financial Advisors

 

Links

Upcoming Retirement Researcher Webinar: What’s Involved When Working With an Advisor. Join Jason Rizkallah and Brian Bass from McLean Asset Management on Wednesday, June 25th at 1PM ET for a FREE webinar exploring how to evaluate and work with a financial advisor. Register now at retirewithstyle.com/podcast.

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The Retirement Planning Guidebook: 2nd Edition has just been updated for 2025! Visit your preferred book retailer or simply click here to order your copy today: https://www.wadepfau.com/books/

This episode is sponsored by McLean Asset Management. Visit https://www.mcleanam.com/retirement-income-planning-llm/ to download McLean’s free eBook, “Retirement Income Planning”