The Retirement Spending Smile: Why You Might Spend Less (Then More)
Most people assume retirement spending is a straight line — steady, predictable, and consistent from year to year. But decades of research tell a different story. In reality, many retirees follow what economists call the “retirement spending smile,” a pattern where expenses start higher early in retirement, decline in the middle years, and rise again later in life.
Understanding this pattern can help you plan more confidently, avoid surprises, and align your financial decisions with how retirement actually unfolds — not just how you imagine it.
This guide breaks down what the spending smile means, why it happens, and how you can prepare for each stage, no matter where you live or what your cost of living looks like. Read More
Thanksgiving is a season of gratitude — a moment to slow down, reflect, and appreciate the people, routines, and comforts that make life meaningful. For many retirees, it’s also a natural time to pause and think about the big picture: Is my retirement plan still supporting the life I want?
After the holiday table clears and the leftovers are packed away, a quiet post-Thanksgiving review can help you enter the new year with confidence and clarity. You don’t need spreadsheets, complicated formulas, or major financial overhauls. You simply need a calm, thoughtful look at where things stand and what small adjustments might strengthen your retirement in the months ahead.
This article will guide you through how to revisit your retirement plan in a simple, reassuring way — grounded in gratitude, reflection, and the practical steps every retiree can take, regardless of where they live or how much they have saved. Read More
Uncertainty is nothing new — but for retirees, it can feel more personal. When you’re no longer earning a paycheck, everything from rising prices to market swings can impact how secure and steady your retirement income feels. The good news? Financial resilience gives you a sense of stability, no matter what the economy, headlines, or markets are doing.
Financial resilience isn’t about predicting the future.
It’s about creating a retirement that stays steady, flexible, and confident through every economic season. It means having a plan that supports your lifestyle, protects your income, and reduces the need to make emotional decisions when the world feels uncertain.
This guide breaks down what financial resilience really is, why it matters, and the simple steps you can take to strengthen your retirement — whether you live in Florida, California, Texas, or anywhere else in the country. Read More
The Retirement Income Gap: How to Know If You’ll Run Out of Money
One of the biggest fears people share about retirement isn’t market volatility… taxes… or inflation.
It’s four simple words:
“What if I outlive my money?”
That fear is real — and deserved. Americans are living longer than ever, everyday expenses continue rising, and traditional pensions have disappeared for many retirees. If you rely on savings, Social Security, and investment withdrawals alone, you may face what experts call the retirement income gap.
Your retirement income gap is the difference between:
✔ What you need
✔ What you want
— and —
✔ What your retirement income actually provides
Understanding this gap early — and closing it — is one of the smartest financial moves you can make before or during retirement. Let’s break down how to calculate it, why it grows over time, and what you can do to secure lifelong income. Read More
When most people think about retirement, they picture numbers — savings balances, income plans, budgets.
But the real secret to a successful retirement isn’t just about money. It’s about how you feel about it.
After decades of working, saving, and striving, retirement can bring emotional shifts that even the best financial plan can’t solve on its own. Understanding the psychology of retirement helps you align your money with your mindset — and live the life you’ve worked so hard to build. Read More
Why Every Retirement Plan Needs a Stress Test
A strong retirement plan isn’t built for perfect conditions — it’s built to endure the unexpected. Market downturns, rising healthcare costs, tax changes, and life events can all impact your long-term security.
That’s why financial professionals often recommend a “retirement stress test.” It’s like a dress rehearsal for your future — showing how your plan performs under different real-world challenges, so you can adjust before problems arise.
And because November is Long-Term Care Awareness Month, it’s the perfect time to test how prepared your plan is for one of retirement’s biggest potential expenses: the cost of care. Read More
Why a Year-End Portfolio Review Could Save Your Retirement
Retirement doesn’t mean your investments can run on autopilot. In fact, one of the most important steps you can take each year is a year-end portfolio review — especially if you’re retired or nearing retirement.
Think of it like a financial health checkup. You wouldn’t skip your annual physical, right? The same goes for your money.
This simple review can help you protect your nest egg, reduce unnecessary risk, and ensure your investments are still aligned with your goals — not the markets’ mood swings. Read More
Many retirees plan for years — only to find out some of what they “knew” about retirement wasn’t true.
The problem isn’t just misinformation; it’s that these myths can quietly drain your savings and confidence over time.
Let’s clear up four of the biggest retirement myths that could cost you if you believe them. Read More
The Hidden Tax Surprise That Catches Many Retirees
You worked hard, saved diligently, and finally reached retirement. The last thing you expect now is a surprise bill from the IRS. Yet many retirees discover too late that retirement isn’t a tax-free zone. In fact, it’s easy to fall into what some call “the retirement tax trap.”
That trap happens when your Social Security benefits, pension income, and withdrawals from savings combine to push you into a higher tax bracket than you expected. The result? You keep less of your hard-earned money.
The good news is that before the year ends, there are smart steps you can take to protect yourself — and possibly save thousands. Read More
