Retirement Planning Blog

The Psychology of Retirement: Aligning Money and Mindset

The Psychology of Retirement: Aligning Money and Mindset

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

How to Stress-Test Your Retirement Plan

How to Stress-Test Your Retirement Plan

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

Why a Year-End Portfolio Review Could Save Your Retirement

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

The Retirement Tax Trap: Moves to Make Before Year-End

The Retirement Tax Trap: Moves to Make Before Year-End

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

How to Use Catch-Up Contributions to Boost Your Retirement

How to Use Catch-Up Contributions to Boost Your Retirement

Why Catch-Up Contributions Matter More Than Ever

If you’re age 50 or older, the ability to make catch-up contributions can provide a powerful boost to your retirement savings and income strategy. With longer lifespans, rising costs, and new rules in effect, those extra contributions can make a significant difference.

In fact, for 2025 and beyond, retirees and near-retirees face not only the challenge of accumulating enough, but also converting that into reliable income. Industry insights show the shift toward income planning, lifetime income solutions, and smart use of tax-advantaged tools.  Read More

5 Reasons Financial Literacy Fuels Retirement Success

5 Reasons Financial Literacy Fuels Retirement Success

The New Retirement Reality: Knowledge Is Your Strongest Asset

Retirement used to mean a pension, a gold watch, and a predictable income. But today’s retirees face a very different landscape—rising healthcare costs, complex tax rules, volatile markets, and fewer employer pensions.

In this environment, your most valuable resource isn’t just your savings—it’s your financial literacy.

Financial literacy in retirement means understanding how your money works, how different income sources are taxed, and how to make informed decisions that protect your lifestyle. Without it, even a large nest egg can be vulnerable to costly mistakes. Read More

Why Guaranteed Lifetime Income Is Your Next Big Priority

Why Guaranteed Lifetime Income Is Your Next Big Priority

The Shift: From Saving to Creating Lifetime Income

For most of your working years, retirement planning is all about saving and growing your money. But once you reach retirement, everything changes. The focus shifts from building wealth to turning that wealth into dependable income that lasts for life.

In today’s world of longer lifespans, unpredictable markets, and rising costs, more retirees are turning to strategies that offer guaranteed lifetime income. It’s a simple concept with powerful results—steady paychecks you can’t outlive, no matter what happens in the economy.

Recent research shows that over 70% of Americans feel more confident about retirement when they have a guaranteed source of monthly income beyond Social Security. That confidence is what true retirement security feels like. Read More

Your Year-End Financial Planning Checklist for 2026

Your Year-End Financial Planning Checklist for 2026

October Wrap-Up: Planning Ahead for a Stronger 2026

As Financial Planning Awareness Month comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to take action before the year ends.
October has been about understanding your income, risks, healthcare costs, and protection strategies — now it’s time to put it all into motion.

With just a few months left in 2025, you still have time to make strategic moves that can strengthen your finances for the year ahead.

Here’s your year-end financial planning checklist to help you prepare confidently for 2026.  Read More

The Hidden Link Between Health Costs and Retirement Security

The Hidden Link Between Health Costs and Retirement Security

Why Health and Wealth Are More Connected Than Ever

When planning for retirement, most people focus on saving enough money to live comfortably. But there’s one expense that catches many retirees off guard — healthcare.

As people live longer, healthcare becomes one of the largest and most unpredictable retirement costs. And without careful planning, medical expenses can quietly drain even the best-built nest egg.

This Financial Planning Awareness Month, it’s time to connect the dots between your healthcare strategy and your retirement income plan. Read More

Next Steps to Consider

  • Start a Conversation About Your Retirement What-Ifs

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    Start a Conversation About Your Retirement What-Ifs

    Already working with someone or thinking about getting help? Ask us about what is on your mind. Learn More

  • What Independent Guidance
    Does for You

    independent vs captive advice

    What Independent Guidance
    Does for You

    See how the crucial differences between independent and captive financial professionals add up. Learn More

  • Stories from Others
    Just Like You

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    Stories from Others
    Just Like You

    Hear from others who had financial challenges, were looking for answers, and how we helped them find solutions. Learn More

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