An Independent Consumer Resource from SafeMoney.com
⚠️ Disclaimer: SafeMoney.com is an independent educational platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) or any other government agency. The information below is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.
Why “Safe Money” Matters More in Retirement
The OCC’s Safe Money series—published to help consumers protect against fraud and financial harm—highlights the importance of safe, informed money decisions
For retirees and pre-retirees, these guidelines aren’t abstract—they’re about protecting your lifestyle, ensuring stability, and preserving decades of hard-earned savings.
At SafeMoney.com, we translate these government principles into clear, actionable strategies tailored for your retirement.
Understanding the OCC’s Safe Money Principles
1. Protect Your Principal
Retirement Impact: Without decades to recoup losses, protecting the base of your nest egg is essential.
💡 SafeMoney.com Tip: Discover stable, principal-protected options like fixed annuities, CDs, or insured savings products.
2. Choose Predictable Income
OCC encourages using reliable income methods instead of high-risk strategies
Retirement Impact: Consistent income lets you budget with confidence and avoid financial surprises.
💡 SafeMoney.com Tip: Connect with independent advisors to build a steady “retirement paycheck” you can’t outlive.
3. Understand Your Risks
According to OCC, it’s vital to fully understand risks—especially when returns seem too good to be true
Retirement Impact: Minimizing risk becomes critical when market dips can immediately impact your income.
💡 SafeMoney.com Tip: Use our Retirement Risk Review to pinpoint vulnerabilities in your exposure.
4. Diversify Your Holdings
OCC advises spreading your funds across different safe strategies to reduce overall risk
Retirement Impact: Combining income sources (e.g., annuities, savings, Social Security) creates resilience against change.
💡 SafeMoney.com Tip: Learn how layered income strategies can keep essential expenses covered under any market condition.
5. Ask Questions First
The OCC warns against blindly trusting offers—get full transparency on fees, guarantees, and conditions
Retirement Impact: Knowing what you’re buying ensures you choose the right product—not just the trendy one.
💡 SafeMoney.com Tip: Our guides help you ask the right questions so you’re empowered—not overwhelmed—by options.
From Guidelines to Action: Where SafeMoney.com Steps In
The OCC gives you direction. SafeMoney.com helps you navigate it.
We offer:
- Personalized education on applying safe money strategies.
- Independent advisor connections—no sales bias, just facts.
- Tools and checklists that account for inflation, longevity, healthcare, and legacy goals.
Get Your Free OCC Safe Money Checklist
Compare OCC’s guidelines with SafeMoney.com’s real-world action steps in a quick, downloadable PDF.
Use it to:
- Review where your plan may be exposed.
- See immediate steps you can take.
- Use as a conversation starter when revising your strategy.
Download It Now and keep your retirement on safer footing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the OCC Safe Money guide?
A: A consumer resource series from the OCC about avoiding financial fraud and protecting savings
Q: How do these guidelines apply to retirement planning?
A: They advocate for principal protection, stable income, diversified holdings, and informed decisions—all vital when planning for retirement.
Q: Is SafeMoney.com endorsed by the OCC?
A: No. We are an independent service helping you apply OCC principles to your personal retirement planning.
Q: What are “safe money” investments?
A: Examples include fixed annuities, CDs, insured savings, and secured bond options. The right mix depends on your goals and risk level.
Q: How do I apply these guidelines?
A: Start by identifying your “core protected savings” and build from there. Our advisor network can help tailor a plan to your needs.
Your Next Step Toward a Safer Retirement
The OCC has set the foundation. SafeMoney.com helps you build on it.
Start now: Visit SafeMoney.com for free tools, stories from real retirees, and to connect with an independent financial professionals for your personalized retirement income review.
Final Thought: You’ve worked hard to build your savings—now it’s time to protect them. Knowing the rules is the first step; living them every day is what brings lasting confidence.
🧑💼 Written by Brent Meyer, Founder of SafeMoney.com. With more than 20 years of experience in annuities and retirement income planning, Brent is dedicated to helping Americans protect their savings and make confident financial decisions. SafeMoney.com is an independent educational platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) or any other government agency.
Disclaimer: The content of this article is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. SafeMoney.com is an independent, privately owned resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the U.S. Department of the Treasury, or any other government agency.
Any references to OCC guidelines are included solely as a publicly available source of consumer information and are not intended to imply any official connection, authorization, or endorsement. The concepts, strategies, and examples discussed may not be suitable for every individual. All investments carry risks, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Readers should consult a qualified financial, tax, or legal professional regarding their specific situation before making any financial decisions based on this information.
