The American Retirement Advisor — September 2026

The American Retirement Advisor
September 2026 · Volume 26, Issue 9

In the next few weeks a letter from your Medicare plan will land in your mailbox. It is the Annual Notice of Change, and it tells you exactly what is different about your plan on January 1. This month, Easy Eddie shows you the four things to check, in order.

Download the September Newsletter (PDF)
Friday, October 2 · Two Valley Libraries
Know Someone Facing the Medicare Maze? Bring Them.

Every fall we sit down with families and walk them through the choice in plain English, at no cost. This October 2 we are doing it live. If you have a friend, a neighbor, or family turning 65 or drowning in the mail, bring them or send them. One hour, real answers, a licensed advisor in the room.

10:30 AM · Foothills Library, Glendale
2:30 PM · Mustang Library, Scottsdale
140 seats per session. When they are gone, they are gone.
Save Their Seat
Or have them call us at 602-281-3898
Twelve Series · No Cost · No Signup
The Shelf We Have Been Filling for 25 Years

Our Series Library. We took 25 years of real conversations and turned them into short series you can listen to on a drive or read with your coffee. Each episode stands alone. No one asks for your phone number.

Start Listening
Which one sounds like your family?
Seven Ways In
Medicare Enrollment · 7 Episodes
Seven Ways In
Turning 65, still working, or already on a plan? Seven real ways people come into Medicare, one family per episode.
▶  Listen Now
The Promise They Called Socialism
Medicare History · 7 Episodes
The Promise They Called Socialism
How Medicare almost never happened, and the word that held it off for 53 years.
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The Evolution of a Promise
Life Insurance History · 5 Episodes
The Evolution of a Promise
How a 1583 London court case turned life insurance from a bet into a promise. Ian's story from page 3.
▶  Listen Now
The Widow's Penalty
Surviving Spouse · 5 Episodes
The Widow's Penalty
What happens to her taxes, Social Security, and Medicare after losing a spouse.
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When the Kids Inherit
Family Inheritance · 5 Episodes
When the Kids Inherit
What your children actually receive, and the ordinary mistakes that shrink it.
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Both Ends of the Table
High-Net-Worth Inheritance · 7 Episodes
Both Ends of the Table
The largest wealth transfer in history, for the families on both sides of it.
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The Whole Chart
Financial Checkup · 6 Episodes
The Whole Chart
Your money has drug interactions too. A full financial checkup, in plain English.
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The Fridge List
Estate Planning · 5 Episodes
The Fridge List
Why is the attorney's number still on your refrigerator? The list every family should keep.
▶  Listen Now
More Than a Death Benefit
Life Insurance · 7 Episodes
More Than a Death Benefit
Honest answers about what life insurance does for you while you are alive.
▶  Listen Now
The Gap Years
Tax Window · 4 Episodes
The Gap Years
Between your last paycheck and age 73. Often the lowest tax window of your life.
▶  Listen Now
Passing It On
Estate · 3 Episodes
Passing It On
The estate conversations every family needs. Before, during, and after.
▶  Listen Now
The Fourth Color
Real Estate & Retirement · 3 Episodes
The Fourth Color
Your house is on your balance sheet too, and the tax bill most never see coming.
▶  Listen Now
Browse Every Episode
Also on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Search for The American Retirement Advisor.
Inside This Issue
The Shelf Needed a Keeper · David P. SchaefferPage 1
Fiscal FridaysPage 2
Life Insurance Started as a Bet. A Court Made It a Promise. · Ian SchaefferPage 3
Sugar Smarts: The September Medication Check · Kyle JacobsPage 4
Why Am I Me? An Old Friend · David S. EdgePage 4
Medicare Moment: The Envelope You Don't Want to Toss This Year · Easy Eddie®Page 5
Financial Tip: Unlocking the Power of RMDs · Marc FryePage 6
Important Update · David P. SchaefferPage 6
Clients of the MonthPage 7
Meet Our TeamPage 8
ClassifiedsPage 9
Quiz & Word SearchPage 10
The Retirement Crossword (New!)Page 11
Easy Eddie CartoonPage 12
Every Other Friday
Fiscal Fridays

A real show, a real room, real questions answered. David Schaeffer and the team take your retirement questions in front of a live audience. Pull up a chair.

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