The Christian Retirement Show

The “average” Social Security check is $2,085.98 — but averages hide a lot. Here’s the real percentile breakdown, from the 25th to the 90th, so you can see exactly where you stand.

Most people compare their Social Security check to one number: the average. But that number blends every earner, every career length, and every claiming age into a single figure — and it’s not the same as “typical.”

 

In this episode, I break down the actual distribution of Social Security checks using the SSA’s own percentile data: the 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile benefit amounts. You’ll see where the average really falls inside that range, the three things that determine your own position on the ladder, and how much a single claiming decision can shift you.

 

📌 KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The average Social Security check is $2,085.98/mo (SSA, July 2026) — but the median is closer to $1,990/mo.
• The realistic range for most retirees runs from about $1,370/mo (25th percentile) to about $3,290/mo (90th percentile).
• Three things move you along that range: years worked, lifetime earnings, and claiming age.
• Claiming age is the one factor you control — it can shift a benefit by two full percentile rungs on its own.
• The maximum possible benefit ($5,181/mo) is a ceiling almost no one reaches.

 

🔗 GET YOUR PERSONAL NUMBER

Create a free account at ssa.gov to see your actual projected benefit at 62, full retirement age, and 70.

 

📅 WANT A CLAIMING STRATEGY BUILT AROUND YOUR HOUSEHOLD?

Book a complimentary discovery call with Schrum Private Wealth Management: https://calendly.com/meeterics/free-10-minute-intro-call?month=2026-05&date=2026-05-27

 

The content Provided is for general information and educational purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation of any particular strategy investment product or investing advice of any kind. Content is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and or a legal opinion. Please consult a financial professional for your specific situation. Investing involves risks, including the loss of the entire principle. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The views and opinions expressed here are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Schrum Private Wealth Management, LLC. Investment Advisory services offered through Schrum Private Wealth Management, LLC. An SEC registered investment advisor.

 

 

 

You did everything right with your retirement savings — then your Medicare premium jumps. Here's the real reason RMDs and Medicare costs are connected, and what you can do about it.

In this episode, I break down how Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) can push your income high enough to trigger IRMAA — the Medicare surcharge most retirees have never heard of until it hits their premium. I cover the 2026 IRMAA thresholds, why it works as a cliff rather than a slope, and four strategies retirees actually use to plan around it: Roth conversions, Qualified Charitable Distributions, withdrawal sequencing, and Form SSA-44.

Want to see how RMDs and IRMAA line up against your own numbers? Schedule a complimentary conversation with our team: https://calendly.com/meeterics/free-10-minute-intro-call?month=2026-08

Questions? Reach us directly: eric@schrumpw.com

 

Video Deeper Dive into RMDs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cUsWwLT_ls&t=150s

The content Provided is for general information and educational purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation of any particular strategy investment product or investing advice of any kind. Content is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and or a legal opinion. Please consult a financial professional for your specific situation. Investing involves risks, including the loss of the entire principle. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The views and opinions expressed here are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Schrum Private Wealth Management, LLC. Investment Advisory services offered through Schrum Private Wealth Management, LLC. An SEC registered investment advisor.

This decision depends on your health, your other income, your marriage, and what you actually want the next ten years to look like. Here are 5 real, math-supported reasons why filing at 62 might be the stronger move for you.

 

In this video, I walk through five specific situations where claiming Social Security at 62 is a legitimate strategy — not a compromise, not a desperation move — including how it fits for married couples, what it means for your legacy, and the one profile where I'd tell you to do the opposite and delay as long as you can.

 

Want to see this against your own numbers? Schedule a complimentary conversation with our team: https://calendly.com/meeterics/free-10-minute-intro-call?month=2026-08

 

Questions? Reach us directly: eric@schrumpw.com

 

 

The content Provided is for general information and educational purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation of any particular strategy investment product or investing advice of any kind. Content is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and or a legal opinion. Please consult a financial professional for your specific situation. Investing involves risks, including the loss of the entire principle. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The views and opinions expressed here are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Schrum Private Wealth Management, LLC. Investment Advisory services offered through Schrum Private Wealth Management, LLC. An SEC registered investment advisor.

 

Half of all retired households in America live on less than $56,680 a year. Here's the full breakdown by age, by percentile, and where the money actually comes from.

 

Most retirement income articles quote the average — around $87,260 — and that number is technically true and practically useless. A small number of very high earners pull the average up and away from the reality most retirees live in. In this episode, I walk through the most recent federal data available, using medians instead of averages, so you can see where you actually stand.

 

But I also want to make an argument: the benchmark is the wrong target. Comparing yourself to the median American retiree tells you almost nothing about whether your own plan works. I'll show you the three questions that matter more.

 

 

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

 

• Why the median and the mean are $30,000 apart — and which one to trust
• Median retirement income for ages 65–74 vs. 75 and older
• The full percentile ladder, from the 10th to the 90th
• Where retirement income actually comes from — Social Security, assets, pensions, and work
• What retirees actually spend, and why a gap isn't automatically a crisis
• The three questions worth more than any national benchmark

 

 

WORK WITH ME

 

Schrum Private Wealth Management is a fee-only fiduciary firm. If you'd like to walk through your own numbers with someone, schedule a no-obligation conversation here: https://calendly.com/meeterics/free-10-minute-intro-call?month=2026-08

 

 

RELATED EPISODES

 

How Much Net Worth Makes You Rich in Retirement → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK96wBvLQlY&t=3s

 

Why RMDs Don't Matter as Much as You Think → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCS0s0UwBoA

 

 

The content Provided is for general information and educational purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation of any particular strategy investment product or investing advice of any kind. Content is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and or a legal opinion. Please consult a financial professional for your specific situation. Investing involves risks, including the loss of the entire principle. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The views and opinions expressed here are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Schrum Private Wealth Management, LLC. Investment Advisory services offered through Schrum Private Wealth Management, LLC. An SEC registered investment advisor.

Everyone's terrified of Required Minimum Distributions — but for most retirees, the fear is way overblown. In this video, I break down real RMD numbers on $2M and $5M portfolios, show you the actual tax impact using 2026 brackets, and reveal the one RMD mistake that actually costs people money.

 

In this video:

• What RMDs actually are (and why the government requires them starting at 73)
• Real RMD dollar amounts and withdrawal rates on a $2M portfolio at ages 73, 77, and 85
• The same breakdown for a $5M portfolio
• Why your marginal tax bracket matters more than the total RMD dollar amount
• How the standard deduction and 2026 tax law changes affect what you actually pay
• The one RMD risk that's actually worth worrying about — and the penalty for missing it

 

If you're within 10 years of retirement or already retired with $1M+ saved, we help clients build a withdrawal plan that satisfies RMDs automatically — no guesswork, no missed deadlines. Schedule a complimentary discovery call: https://calendly.com/meeterics/free-10-minute-intro-call

 

The content Provided is for general information and educational purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation of any particular strategy investment product or investing advice of any kind. Content is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and or a legal opinion. Please consult a financial professional for your specific situation. Investing involves risks, including the loss of the entire principle. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The views and opinions expressed here are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Schrum Private Wealth Management, LLC. Investment Advisory services offered through Schrum Private Wealth Management, LLC. An SEC registered investment advisor.

In this episode, we talk about one of the most overlooked retirement risks: the loss of purpose. Many people spend decades building a career, a routine, and a sense of meaning through work.

 

Then retirement arrives, and what looked like freedom starts to feel strangely empty. We cover why this happens, why financial security alone is not enough, and how to think about purpose, rhythm, contribution, and meaning in retirement. If you are asking questions like: What will I do after I retire? How do I find purpose in retirement?

 

Why do some retirees feel lost even when they have enough money? How do I prepare emotionally and practically for retirement? This episode will help. Subscribe for more conversations on retirement planning, retirement income, and building a life that works both financially and personally.

 

📅 Work with Eric

Want an honest, second opinion on the investments in your retirement portfolio? Eric offers complimentary consultations for those approaching or in retirement with $1M or more in savings.

Book Complimentary Consultations Here: https://calendly.com/meeterics/free-10-minute-intro-call

Email Here: eric@schrumpw.com

 

The content Provided is for general information and educational purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation of any particular strategy investment product or investing advice of any kind. Content is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and or a legal opinion. Please consult a financial professional for your specific situation. Investing involves risks, including the loss of the entire principle. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The views and opinions expressed here are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Schrum Private Wealth Management, LLC. Investment Advisory services offered through Schrum Private Wealth Management, LLC. An SEC registered investment advisor.

How much net worth do you actually need to be considered middle class, upper-middle class, affluent, or rich in retirement?

 

 

In this video, Eric Schrum, CFP® professional and owner of Schrum Private Wealth Management, breaks down the net worth ranges for Americans age 65 and older, including the median retiree net worth, the top 10 percent, and the top 1 percent.

 

 

More importantly, Eric explains why your net worth percentile may have very little to do with whether your retirement is actually secure.

 

 

You will learn:

• The net worth of the bottom 25 percent of retirement-age Americans
• The median net worth for Americans age 65 and older
• What it takes to be considered upper-middle class in retirement
• The net worth required to enter the top 10 percent
• The approximate threshold for the top 1 percent
• Why home equity can make net worth figures misleading
• Why spending, income, taxes, and lifestyle matter more than comparison
• The questions retirees should be asking instead of, “Am I rich enough?”

 

A retiree with a larger net worth is not always in a stronger financial position. Retirement security depends on how much income you receive, how much you spend, where your assets are held, how much debt you carry, and whether your financial plan can support the life you want to live.

 

At Schrum Private Wealth Management, we help pre-retirees and retirees manage their investments, retirement income, spending, and tax strategy so they can live the lifestyle they feel called to live without constantly worrying about running out of money.

 

 

📅 Work with Eric

Want an honest, second opinion on the investments in your retirement portfolio? Eric offers complimentary consultations for those approaching or in retirement with $1M or more in savings.

Book Complimentary Consultations Here: https://calendly.com/meeterics/free-10-minute-intro-call

Email Here: eric@schrumpw.com

 

The content Provided is for general information and educational purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation of any particular strategy investment product or investing advice of any kind. Content is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and or a legal opinion. Please consult a financial professional for your specific situation. Investing involves risks, including the loss of the entire principle. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The views and opinions expressed here are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Schrum Private Wealth Management, LLC. Investment Advisory services offered through Schrum Private Wealth Management, LLC. An SEC registered investment advisor.

We're back with Part 2 of the CFP® Investment Rankings series. This time, Eric Schrum grades individual stock picking, diversified stock portfolios, Universal Life Insurance, alternative investments (hedge funds, private equity, VC), and gold — including a warning about the predatory gold companies specifically targeting retirees.

 

Missed Part 1? Watch it here: https://youtu.be/1--a3FNe9NQ — we covered Mutual Funds, ETFs, Variable Annuities, and Life Insurance.

 

As always, these are general rankings. Your situation is unique. But this gives you a smart framework for evaluating what you're being offered in retirement.

 

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Individual stock picking is closer to a coin flip than a skill — most investors learn this the hard way
• A strategically diversified portfolio of individual stocks is a different story — but requires real expertise to execute well
• Universal Life Insurance has the same core problem as Whole Life: mixing insurance and investing rarely benefits the buyer
• Alternative investments can be excellent for non-correlated exposure and strong returns — but you must be an accredited investor and vet the fund carefully
• Gold can serve as a legitimate hedge — but predatory gold companies specifically target retirees using fear tactics to get into your IRA and 401(k)
• Know what you're buying, what a reasonable allocation looks like, and who is selling it to you before committing

 

📅 Work with Eric

Want an honest, second opinion on the investments in your retirement portfolio? Eric offers complimentary consultations for those approaching or in retirement with $1M or more in savings.

Book Complimentary Consultations Here: https://calendly.com/meeterics/free-10-minute-intro-call

Email Here: eric@schrumpw.com

 

The content Provided is for general information and educational purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation of any particular strategy investment product or investing advice of any kind. Content is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and or a legal opinion. Please consult a financial professional for your specific situation. Investing involves risks, including the loss of the entire principle. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The views and opinions expressed here are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Schrum Private Wealth Management, LLC. Investment Advisory services offered through Schrum Private Wealth Management, LLC. An SEC registered investment advisor.

Are the investments you're being pitched actually good for YOU — or good for the person selling them? CFP® Eric Schrum cuts through the noise and gives honest, no-nonsense grades on 5 investments retirees commonly encounter: Mutual Funds, Variable Annuities, ETFs, Whole Life Insurance, and Term Life Insurance.

This is Part 1 of an ongoing series. Every retiree's situation is unique, but this gives you a strong foundation for evaluating what you're being offered — and what to watch out

 

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Always check the fee share class on mutual funds — lower fees matter more than most people realize

• Variable annuities are often loaded with hidden fees, surrender penalties, and long lock-up periods — approach with caution

• ETFs offer low costs, tax efficiency, and broad options for both passive and active investors

• Mixing life insurance and investing (whole life) typically benefits the seller more than the buyer

• If you need life insurance, level-term is almost always the cleaner, more cost-effective choice

• Retirees should ask whether they still need life insurance at all — or if savings can serve as self-insurance

 

📅 Work with Eric

Want a personalized review of the investments in your retirement portfolio? Eric offers complimentary consultations for those approaching or in retirement with $1M or more in savings. Book Here: https://calendly.com/meeterics/free-10-minute-intro-call

Email Here: eric@schrumpw.com

 

The content Provided is for general information and educational purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation of any particular strategy investment product or investing advice of any kind. Content is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and or a legal opinion. Please consult a financial professional for your specific situation. Investing involves risks, including the loss of the entire principle. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The views and opinions expressed here are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Schrum Private Wealth Management, LLC. Investment Advisory services offered through Schrum Private Wealth Management, LLC. An SEC registered investment advisor.

⚠️ Miss this IRS deadline and you could owe a 25% penalty on your own retirement money. In this video, CFP® Eric Schrum breaks down exactly what Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are, when they kick in, how much they could cost you if you ignore them — and the strategies you can use right now to take control before the IRS does.

Whether you're approaching retirement or already in it, this is one of the most important retirement planning concepts you need to understand.

 

🔑 Key Takeaways

• RMDs begin at age 73 (age 75 if born in 1960 or later) from traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, and other tax-deferred accounts
• Missing your RMD triggers a 25% IRS penalty (reduced to 10% if corrected within 2 years)
• Roth IRAs and taxable brokerage accounts are NOT subject to RMDs
• Taking your first RMD in the year you turn 73 avoids a double-RMD year
• Roth conversions, QCDs, and IRMAA management are powerful strategies to reduce your RMD burden
• QCDs allow up to $111,000/year per person in charitable gifts directly from your IRA — tax-free and RMD-satisfying

 

📅 Work with Eric

If you have $1M or more in retirement savings and want to understand how RMDs will affect your specific situation, schedule a complimentary consultation: https://calendly.com/meeterics/free-10-minute-intro-call

 

The content Provided is for general information and educational purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation of any particular strategy investment product or investing advice of any kind. Content is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and or a legal opinion. Please consult a financial professional for your specific situation. Investing involves risks, including the loss of the entire principle. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The views and opinions expressed here are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Schrum Private Wealth Management, LLC. Investment Advisory services offered through Schrum Private Wealth Management, LLC. An SEC registered investment advisor.