What’s the story behind the rise of defined outcome ETFs and how they could buffer retirement risks?

🎙️ In this episode, Mike Massey andDallan Maas welcome Jack Nussbaum from Innovator ETFs, a pioneer in the definedoutcome ETF and buffered ETF space. Jack shares how Innovator evolved inWheaton, Illinois, to managing roughly $25 billion in assets today. Learn howthe team built a vast lineup of over 150 tickers, offering various levels ofdownside protection, upside caps, and multiple market reference assets — farbeyond the simple S&P 500 strategies of years past.

Jack breaksdown what makes these ETFs unique: the low transparent costs compared to otherrisk-managed structures, the tax efficiency benefits of the ETF wrapper, andthe way these products remove traditional credit risk often seen withstructured notes or annuities. We explore why defined outcome ETFs areresonating with retirees who want some growth but also peace of mind fromdownside drawdowns, and how even institutions are now replacing complex hedgefund strategies with these easier-to-trade solutions.

Jackexplains why some advisors were skeptical at first but have warmed up to thesestrategies during volatile markets, highlighting how investor needs change asretirement approaches. From fee transparency to tax treatment to the role ofthe Options Clearing Corporation in providing a stable options market, thisconversation brings practical insights for anyone curious about buffering risksin their equity or bond exposures.

👉 We do not endorse any product orrecommend any specific investments. This is educational only. Always talk toyour advisor.

🧭 THE BUFFERED ETF GUYS Podcastis hosted by Mike Massey and Dallan Maas, sharing balanced and educationalperspectives on buffered ETFs, drawdown risk, retirement planning, and how toreduce some of the downside risks of equity, stocks, and bonds.

🎧 Listen, subscribe, and join us inthe next episode where we’ll unpack “dual directional buffered ETFs” — don’tmiss it!

#BufferedETFs#DefinedOutcomeETFs #Investing #ETFInvesting #Retirement #Markets #Stocks#Equity #Bonds #Buffer #Downside #Drawdown #Risks #MarketCrash #Retire#RetirementPlanning #ETFs

Book a Meeting: www.ATXFinancialPlanning.com

DISCLAIMER: Do your own homework. Talk to your advisor. Talk tous. Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of some fund companies’ websites who may offerfunds in the buffered (floor, outcome, targeted) category: AllianzIM.comFTportfolios.com innovatoretfs.com Calamos.com PGIM.com Paceretfs.comTrue-shares.com Blackrock.com Invesco.com Simplify.us

If we mentioned any companies today, please seethat company’s website for details and disclosures related to their company andfunds. Any mention of a specific company or fund should not be construed as arecommendation. These names are used for illustrative purposes only. Advisoryservices are offered through ATX Financial Planning LLC, an SECRegistered Investment Adviser. All content is for information purposesonly and should not be relied upon for any investment decisions. Read Fulldisclaimer at www.atxfinancialplanning.com/podsocialdisclosures

Are buffered ETFs really the holy grail—or are they just misunderstood? In this episode, Mike and Dallanunpack the most commonly touted benefits of buffered ETFs and how they may serve investors who want to buffer downside risks without abandoning the markets entirely.

Using a framework borrowed from Innovator (no affiliation),the guys walk through nine key features often highlighted in buffered ETF offerings: defined return and risk parameters, cost efficiency, no credit risk, point-to-point structure, transparency, no commission loads, accessibility,liquidity, and tax efficiency. You'll hear the pros, cons, and tradeoffs of each feature—along with the occasional Porsche joke and a dream of podcasting from Canada.

This is not an endorsement of any specific ETF. Instead, thisis an honest look at how these vehicles are constructed and what types of investors might appreciate their structure.

The episode also highlights behavioral realities—like fear ofmissing out (FOMO)—and how to ask yourself the right questions before allocating significant capital to structured products. Is a capped upside worth the buffer? Are you okay missing out if the market jumps 20% while you’recapped at 6%? What about cost, credit risk, and liquidity?

Whether you're skeptical or already investing in bufferedETFs, this conversation aims to educate—not persuade—so you can decide for yourself if these tools align with your retirement strategy.

Investing, Stocks, Markets, Bonds, Equity, Buffer, BufferedETF, ETF, ETFs, ETF Investing, Retire, Retirement, Market crash, Market crashes, Downside, Drawdown, Risks

Book a Meeting: www.ATXFinancialPlanning.com

DISCLAIMER: Doyour own homework. Talk to your advisor. Talk to us. Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of some fund companies’ websites who may offer funds in the buffered (floor, outcome, targeted) category: AllianzIM.com FTportfolios.com innovatoretfs.com Calamos.com PGIM.com Paceretfs.com True-shares.com Blackrock.com Invesco.com Simplify.us

If we mentioned any companies today, please see thatcompany’s website for details and disclosures related to their company and funds. Any mention of a specific company or fund should not be construed as a recommendation. These names are used for illustrative purposes only. Advisoryservices are offered through ATX Financial Planning LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. All content is for information purposes only and should not be relied upon for any investment decisions. Read Full disclaimer at www.atxfinancialplanning.com/podsocialdisclosures

In Episode #3, Mike and his guest continue their educationalconversation comparing Bitcoin with buffered Bitcoin ETFs. They focus on the differences between Calamos ETFs offering 100%, 90%, and 80% downside floors (CBOJ, CBXJ, and CBTJ). The discussion explores how these floors reduce risk and how the associated caps influence potential returns.

They explain that a 100% floor protects against any downside(less fees), but caps gains (e.g., ~11%). Meanwhile, the 90% and 80% floors accept some downside risk—10% and 20% respectively—but offer significantly higher upside potential, with current caps reaching ~23% and ~42%.

Mike and his co-host also talk about real investor behaviors: emotional reactions to volatility, chasing performance, and fears of market crashes. They emphasize the need to align any investment decision with one’s own risk tolerance.

The hosts break down how buffered ETFs are structured to be tax efficient, generally not triggering taxes until sold. They note the benefits of liquidity, rollover periods, and optionality in allocation strategies. One strategy mentioned is blending different floors (e.g., mixing 90% and 80% floor ETFs) to target a specific risk profile, such as an 88% floor — a fun nod to “Back to the Future.”

They highlight the importance of understanding the specificmechanics of any buffer. Not all “90% floors” or “buffers” are structured the same—some protect the first 10% of losses, others everything beyond 10%. Words like "floor" and "buffer" can mean different things across providers.

The episode closes by reinforcing the theme: this iseducational content only. Listeners are encouraged to study these products further, speak with an advisor, and explore websites like Calamos.com for detailed ETF disclosures. The conversation aims to demystify buffered Bitcoin ETFs and showhow they might help manage risk in a volatile asset class like crypto—without getting stuck in illiquid investments or overpaying taxes unnecessarily. investing, bitcoin, buffered etf, cbxj, cboj, cbtj, buffer risks, etf investing, downside, market crash, tax efficiency, floor protection, upside cap, retire, retirement, market volatility, drawdown, crypto investing, calamos, optionality, structured investments

Book a Meeting: www.ATXFinancialPlanning.com

DISCLAIMER:Do your own homework. Talk to your advisor. Talk to us. Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of some fund companies’ websites who may offer funds in the buffered (floor, outcome, targeted) category: AllianzIM.com FTportfolios.com innovatoretfs.com Calamos.com PGIM.com Paceretfs.com True-shares.com Blackrock.com Invesco.comSimplify.us

If we mentioned any companies today, please seethat company’s website for details and disclosures related to their company and funds. Any mention of a specific company or fund should not be construed as a recommendation. These names are used for illustrative purposes only. Advisoryservices are offered through ATX Financial Planning LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. All content is for information purposes only and should not be relied upon for any investment decisions. Read Full disclaimer at www.atxfinancialplanning.com/podsocialdisclosures