Preparing for retirement isn’t just about saving—it’s about being ready. July marks Retirement Readiness Month, a perfect time to check in on your financial health, income strategy, and long-term confidence. Whether you’re five years away or already retired, there’s still time to fine-tune your plan and protect what matters most.
Retirement isn’t a single event—it’s a lifelong shift in how you live, spend, and manage risk. So let’s walk through the key elements of being retirement ready—and what steps you can take right now to improve your outlook.
1. Are You Prepared for Rising Costs?
Many retirees underestimate how much they’ll spend in retirement. Inflation, healthcare, taxes, and lifestyle choices can all push your costs higher than expected. A retirement readiness check should include an honest look at your future expenses. Read More
Brent Meyer, Founder of SafeMoney.com, sits down with Marlene Woodyard, Principal Owner of Woodyard Insurance Group, to explore how her holistic, values-based approach is helping pre-retirees and retirees across South Carolina navigate retirement with confidence. With a deep commitment to client education and financial empowerment, Marlene shares what sets her team apart—and why planning for tomorrow starts with understanding what matters most today.
In this Spotlight Series interview, Brent Meyer, Founder of SafeMoney.com, speaks with Marlene Woodyard, Principal Owner of Woodyard Insurance Group, about her holistic, values-driven approach to retirement planning. With expertise in Medicare, long-term care, estate strategies, and guaranteed income solutions, Marlene shares how she helps clients align their financial plans with their personal goals. Through education, integrity, and personalized guidance, Marlene empowers individuals to “Plan more. Worry less.™️” and face retirement with lasting confidence and clarity. Read More
Retirement planning is rarely perfect. Life throws curveballs—health issues, market downturns, career changes—and even the most diligent savers can stumble along the way. If you’ve made financial missteps or feel unprepared as you approach retirement, you’re not alone.
But here’s the good news: it’s not too late to make course corrections.
In 2025, there are still actionable strategies that can help you recover from common retirement mistakes. Whether you’re already retired or just a few years out, these planning moves can help secure your financial future and restore peace of mind.
Let’s explore three of the most common retirement mistakes—and how you can still fix them this year. Read More
When it comes to your retirement nest egg, one simple truth stands above the rest: if you can’t afford to lose it, you shouldn’t risk it. That’s where the power of zero comes in—a principle that prioritizes safety, predictability, and peace of mind in retirement.
Let’s explore why protecting your money is often more powerful than chasing higher returns, especially when you’re nearing or already in retirement.
Understanding the Power of Zero
In financial planning, the power of zero refers to having zero losses during down markets. It may sound modest compared to flashy gains, but avoiding market losses—especially during critical retirement years—can dramatically improve long-term outcomes. Read More
For many retirees, there’s a silent fear that often goes unspoken—but it’s very real:
What happens if I outlive my savings?
With Americans living longer than ever, the risk of running out of money in retirement is no longer a rare possibility. It’s a growing concern known as longevity risk—and it can impact your quality of life, your independence, and even your ability to care for loved ones.
The good news? There are proactive strategies you can take today to guarantee income for life and build a retirement safety net that doesn’t run dry. Let’s explore how to protect yourself.
The Reality of Outliving Your Savings
A recent report from the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) found that nearly 40% of retirees risk depleting their savings during retirement, especially if they live into their 90s. With longer life expectancies, it’s not uncommon for retirement to last 25 to 30 years—or more.
Unfortunately, many retirement plans are built with shorter timeframes in mind. Market volatility, unexpected medical costs, inflation, and even helping adult children can erode what once looked like “enough” savings. Read More
For many Americans, retirement planning hasn’t gone exactly according to plan. Life happens. Markets crash. Jobs are lost. Divorce, illness, or other unexpected events can throw your savings strategy off course.
If you’re in your 60s and feeling behind, know this: you are not alone—and it’s not too late to rebuild.
One powerful strategy for creating stable, guaranteed income in your later years is through an annuity. While some think annuities are only for those who planned early, the truth is they can be a lifesaver for those making up ground or seeking to restore peace of mind in retirement.
Let’s explore how a late start annuity can still secure the income you need and deserve. Read More
June is Annuity Awareness Month—a timely reminder that guaranteed income is not just a financial tool, but a source of security, especially for women entering retirement. If you’re in your 60s, approaching retirement, and wondering if you’ve saved enough or how to turn your savings into sustainable income, you’re not alone.
Many women describe the feeling as driving through fog. The paychecks are stopping. The investment statements keep arriving. But there’s little clarity on what it all means or how it fits together.
Annuities may be the missing piece to help turn uncertainty into confidence.
The Problem: Unanswered Questions and Unaddressed Fears
Many accomplished women worked hard, saved responsibly, and even hired a financial advisor. Yet they’re still unsure about the future. Read More
June is Annuity Awareness Month, a time to explore retirement tools that deliver safety, growth, and income you can’t outlive. One increasingly popular option is the Fixed Indexed Annuity (FIA)—especially when paired with a Long-Term Care (LTC) rider. For many retirees, this combination offers a smart strategy for covering future care needs while safeguarding retirement savings.
In this article, we’ll break down what Fixed Indexed Annuities are, how LTC riders work, and why they’re worth considering in today’s uncertain economic and healthcare environment. Read More
Each June, Annuity Awareness Month shines a spotlight on one of retirement’s most misunderstood—but potentially powerful—financial tools: the annuity.
In 2025, as market uncertainty, inflation concerns, and rising interest rates continue to weigh on retirement confidence, annuities are more relevant than ever. Whether you’re approaching retirement or already enjoying it, this month is the perfect time to review your options and see how annuities might fit into your long-term financial strategy.
What Is Annuity Awareness Month?
Annuity Awareness Month was established to educate the public about annuities and their role in retirement planning. Sponsored by organizations like NAFA (National Association for Fixed Annuities), the goal is to dispel myths, highlight consumer protections, and promote informed decision-making when it comes to guaranteed income.
In a world where pensions are disappearing and Social Security may not fully cover living costs, annuity awareness is income awareness. Read More
When you’re planning for retirement, the last thing you need is uncertainty—especially when it comes to the person helping you manage your life savings. That’s why credibility in a financial advisor isn’t just important—it’s everything.
At SafeMoney.com, we’ve built our platform to help people like you connect with trusted, experienced professionals who prioritize your financial security, not a product sale. Our approach centers on a shared code of ethics, professional standards, and a focus on safety-first strategies that help take the guesswork out of retirement planning.
Here’s how we help you find credible, trustworthy guidance—starting with the professionals who are part of our advisor network. Read More
