Retirement Planning Blog

Make Retirement Safe Again™ for You & Your Family

Make retirement Safe Again

What It Means to Make Retirement Safe Again

In a world where markets are volatile, healthcare costs are rising, and traditional pensions are vanishing, “Make Retirement Safe Again” isn’t a political slogan—it’s a financial necessity.

Quick note: While this phrase might sound familiar, this article is not political. It’s about restoring peace of mind, protecting your hard-earned savings, and creating a retirement you can count on—regardless of your personal beliefs or affiliations.

By focusing on time-tested strategies like guaranteed income and financial protection, we can help you build a retirement plan that’s based on stability, not speculation.

The Problem: Retirement Security Has Eroded

Once upon a time, retiring meant receiving a pension check every month and sailing into the sunset. Today, fewer than 15% of private-sector workers have access to traditional pensions.

Instead, retirees face:

  • Market risk from 401(k)s and IRAs
  • Longevity risk (outliving their money)
  • Rising taxes and inflation
  • Healthcare and long-term care costs

The outcome? Uncertainty—and for many, fear.

To make retirement safe again, retirees need income they can’t outlive and protection from economic shocks. That’s where annuities and modern life insurance policies come in.

The Safe Money Solution: Income First, Risk Last

Annuities: Predictability You Can Count On

Annuities are retirement income tools issued by insurance companies that turn your savings into guaranteed, often lifetime, income.

Benefits of Annuities:

  • Lifetime income streams
  • Protection from market losses
  • Optional inflation protection
  • Tax-deferred growth
  • No probate hassles for beneficiaries

Types of Annuities:

  • Fixed Annuities: Safe, stable, guaranteed interest.
  • Fixed Indexed Annuities (FIAs): Track a market index, but never lose value due to market downturns.
  • Immediate Annuities: Turn your lump sum into income now.
  • Deferred Income Annuities: Create a guaranteed future income stream.

Annuities offer a level of certainty and simplicity that retirement accounts invested in the stock market often can’t.

Life Insurance: Not Just for Death—But for Retirement Life

Today’s permanent life insurance is more than a death benefit. It’s a retirement multiplier.

Indexed Universal Life (IUL) policies can:

  • Grow cash value based on a market index (with downside protection)
  • Offer tax-free income through policy loans in retirement
  • Include living benefits for long-term care or chronic illness
  • Provide estate planning benefits

Life insurance isn’t just about protecting others after you’re gone—it’s about protecting your retirement while you’re living.

“Make Retirement Safe Again”: A Movement for Peace of Mind

This isn’t a campaign slogan—it’s a call to take control.

It’s about:

  • Making guarantees part of your retirement plan
  • Choosing predictability over guesswork
  • Protecting your spouse and legacy

You wouldn’t build your dream home on shaky ground. Why build your retirement plan on an unstable market?

The Danger of Relying on Risk

Many pre-retirees believe the only path to a successful retirement is through stock market growth. But here’s the truth:

“Losses hurt more than gains help—especially in retirement.”

Sequence of returns risk—the danger of taking withdrawals in a down market—can devastate your portfolio. And when you’re no longer working, there’s no time to recover.

Safe retirement planning flips the script:

  • Income first.
  • Risk last.
  • Safety always.

The Political Climate and Retirement Planning

During the Trump administration, tax cuts and deregulation were positioned to benefit retirees and savers. Whether those changes helped or hurt your portfolio, one thing is clear: government policy is always changing.

That’s why your retirement plan shouldn’t rely on:

  • Who’s in office
  • What tax laws are passed next
  • What the Fed does next quarter

Instead, rely on what you can control:

  • How much guaranteed income you have
  • Whether your spouse is protected
  • Whether you’ll be taxed less or more in retirement
  • If your money will last as long as you do

Common Objections—Debunked

“Aren’t annuities restrictive?”
Not anymore. Many modern annuities offer liquidity options, flexible income choices, and even market-linked growth—without market risk.

“Isn’t life insurance only useful if I die early?”
Not true. Today’s permanent life insurance offers living benefits, tax-free retirement income, and long-term care protection.

“I already have a 401(k)—isn’t that enough?”
A 401(k) is a great start, but it’s not a complete plan. Without guaranteed income, you’re rolling the dice every year you withdraw.

How to Make Retirement Safe Again—Starting Today

Making your retirement safe again doesn’t require radical changes. It requires informed choices guided by a qualified, independent financial professional.

Here’s how to get started:

  • Evaluate your current plan. Is your income guaranteed? Are you exposed to unnecessary risk?
  • Learn about annuity and life insurance options. Discover what’s available and what fits your goals.
  • Talk to a trusted expert. An independent advisor can help design a safe retirement income strategy tailored to you.

Final Thoughts: Retirement Shouldn’t Be a Gamble

You worked your whole life to build your nest egg—don’t leave it exposed to chance.

Whether you resonate with the phrase “Make Retirement Safe Again” or not, the idea is universal: you deserve a retirement built on confidence, not concern.

With annuities, life insurance, and the right financial guidance, you can retire with clarity, stability, and peace of mind.

Ready to Make Your Retirement Safe Again?

For personalized financial advice, connect with a professional today. Visit our “Find a Financial Professional” section to get started. If you prefer a personal referral for your first appointment, call us at 877.476.9723 or contact us here to schedule a meeting with a trusted and licensed independent financial professional.

🧑‍💼 Authored by Brent Meyer, founder and president of SafeMoney.com. With over 20 years of experience in retirement planning and annuities, Brent is dedicated to helping you secure your financial future. Discover more about his extensive expertise here.

Disclaimer:
This article is for educational purposes only. SafeMoney.com is not affiliated with any political party or campaign. Annuities and life insurance products are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurer. Consult with a qualified financial professional before making any decisions.

Life Settlements: A Strategic Option for Retirement Income

Understanding Life Settlements

When planning for retirement, one of the most overlooked financial opportunities is a life settlement. As retirees seek ways to maximize their income and minimize risk, selling a life insurance policy through a life settlement can be a powerful tool—especially for those with policies they no longer need or can’t afford to maintain. In this article, we’ll explain what life settlements are, how they work, their pros and cons, and how they can be used to support a secure retirement.

What Is a Life Settlement?

A life settlement is the sale of an existing life insurance policy to a third-party investor for a cash payment. The payment is typically more than the policy’s cash surrender value but less than its face (death benefit) value.

After the sale, the buyer becomes the new owner and beneficiary of the policy. They take over premium payments and receive the death benefit when the original policyholder passes away.

Life settlements are generally available to seniors age 65 and older who own a life insurance policy with a face value of $100,000 or more. Policies may include universal life, whole life, variable life, or even term life (if it’s convertible). Read More

Retirement Income Planning With a Trusted Planner

Retirement Income Planning With a Trusted Planner

Turn Your Retirement Income Into a Paycheck That Lasts

When your career ends, your bills don’t. That’s why retirement income—not just savings—is the cornerstone of financial independence in your golden years.

Retirement income planning is the art and science of creating a reliable stream of income that lasts as long as you do. And for most people, this is best done with the guidance of a qualified retirement income planner.

In this guide, we’ll help you understand how to structure your finances so you never have to wonder where your next retirement paycheck is coming from. Read More

Frank Passmore CFF®, CEP™: Faith-Based Retirement Planning

safemoney.com spotlight series interview

Interview by Brent Meyer, Founder of SafeMoney.com

In this Spotlight Series interview, Brent Meyer, Founder of SafeMoney.com, speaks with Frank Passmore, founder of Certified Planners Group, LLC, about his faith-based approach to retirement planning. With nearly 30 years of experience and over 2,000 families served, Frank shares how he helps retirees and pre-retirees reduce market risk, plan for long-term care needs, and create lasting income—while staying true to his core values of trust, transparency, and prayerful guidance. Read More

3 Big Retirement Choices: Medicare, SS, Insurance

Medicare, Social Security, Life insurance

Retirement is a time to enjoy the fruits of your labor—but making the right decisions beforehand is critical to achieving a financially secure and stress-free future. Among the many moving parts of retirement planning, three key areas stand out as pillars of long-term stability: Social Security, Medicare, and Life Insurance.

These components are closely linked to your quality of life in retirement. If you make smart choices in each of these areas, you’ll be far better positioned to protect your health, wealth, and loved ones. This article explores these three core decisions and offers guidance to help you make confident, informed choices for your retirement years.

Read More

Estate Planning Under Trump’s 2025 Estate Tax Plan

Estate Planning Under Trump’s 2025 Estate Tax Plan

What Retirees and Families Need to Know

As you approach or settle into retirement, one of the most important financial questions you’ll face is: What happens to the assets I’ve worked a lifetime to build? That’s where estate planning comes in. And in 2025, with proposed updates to the federal tax code, it’s more relevant than ever. President Trump’s new tax proposal could significantly impact how retirees and families plan to transfer wealth. If you’re wondering what the Trump estate tax plan 2025 means for your estate, this guide breaks it all down. Read More

How Long Will My Money Last in Retirement?

How Long Will My Money Last in Retirement

One of the most pressing questions retirees face is: How long will my money last? Whether you’re approaching retirement or already in it, this concern isn’t just about numbers—it’s about security, peace of mind, and living life on your terms. The good news is, with careful planning and smart strategies, you can create a retirement income that lasts as long as you do.

At SafeMoney.com, we help everyday people gain clarity around retirement finances. Let’s walk through what affects how long your money will last, how to calculate it, and most importantly—how to make it last.

Understanding the Retirement Longevity Dilemma

The biggest challenge in retirement planning is longevity risk—the risk of outliving your money. According to the Social Security Administration, a 65-year-old man today can expect to live, on average, to age 84. For a woman, it’s 87. But one out of every three retirees will live past 90, and one out of seven will live past 95. Read More

Steven Suib RICP®: Retirement Income with Purpose

safemoney.com spotlight series interview

 An Interview with Steven Suib, RICP® — Protecting Retirement Income with Purpose

Brent Meyer, Founder of SafeMoney.com, sits down with Steven Suib, RICP®, founder of Preservation Wealth Management, to discuss how he helps pre-retirees and retirees navigate today’s complex financial landscape. With decades of experience, a fiduciary standard of care, and a results-driven income planning approach, Steven shares his mission to protect the retirement income his clients rely on—while empowering them to enjoy the lifestyle they’ve worked so hard to build.

Brent Meyer: Steven, thanks for joining us. Let’s start with your overall approach. What kind of clients do you typically work with, and how do you help them?

Steven Suib: Thanks, Brent—it’s great to be here. I work with individuals and couples who are either already retired or approaching retirement. Most of them are looking to reduce market exposure, but they still want their money to grow in a way that supports their long-term goals. That’s where our approach comes in—we combine safe money strategies with market-based solutions to help create dependable income streams that are designed to last a lifetime and grow with inflation. Read More

Annuity Education: What to Know Before You Retire

Annuity Education

Planning for retirement can be overwhelming. Between social security decisions, healthcare concerns, and figuring out how to generate reliable income, it’s no wonder many Americans feel underprepared. One financial tool that often gets overlooked—or misunderstood—is the annuity. If you’re seeking annuity education, this comprehensive guide will help you cut through the confusion and determine whether an annuity might play a role in your retirement strategy.

What Is an Annuity?

At its core, an annuity is a financial product designed to provide a stream of income, often during retirement. You purchase an annuity contract—usually from an insurance company—either by making a lump-sum payment or a series of payments. In return, the insurer promises to pay you income either immediately or at a future date. Read More

Bank On Yourself: Build Wealth with Life Insurance & IUL

Introduction

In today’s uncertain financial environment, many people rely on 401(k)s, IRAs, and stock market investments to build wealth. However, these traditional methods come with risks—market volatility, government restrictions, and unexpected tax liabilities.

What if there was a way to grow wealth predictably, access your money anytime, and bypass banks for major purchases—all while protecting your financial future? That’s where the Bank On Yourself concept comes in. Read More

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