Blog
You Saved $1.1 Million for Retirement. Now What?
Why That Question May Be Asked Backwards Every week, I see some version of the same headline. “I’m 65 with $1.1 million saved and a $2,800 Social Security check. What’s my retirement budget?” Or “Is a million dollars for retirement enough?” This week it was Kiplinger. Last week it...
Do You Have Legacy Dollars? Spend It, Give It, or Leave It.
Legacy Dollars in Action It was December 2024. My son and his girlfriend had been living in apartments for five years. They had to move again by March. Notice was due by the end of January. Denver is expensive. Housing prices are high. They were talking about moving to one of the...
2,923 Chances to get “Full Retirement” Right
2,923 days…That’s how many chances you may have to get Social Security right. Most people never think about it that way. They may think about Social Security as a form you fill out when you're ready to retire. Or a benefit that you turn on at 67, because that's what the Social...
A Market Crash May Not be Your Biggest Risk in Retirement
Are you worried about a market crash? I hear it constantly. In workshops, in first meetings, in conversations with people who have saved diligently for decades and still lie awake at night wondering if it will be enough. When I ask people what concerns them most about retirement,...
Is Your Financial Plan Built to React…or Designed to Predict?
They slid their financial plan across the table. It was thick.Over 80 pages. Colorful charts.Graphs.Monte Carlo simulations. At the top, in bold: “Probability of success: 92%.” The question they came in asking me was whether they were going to be okay financially throughout the rest...
A Financial Plan that Depends on the Market May Just Be a Financial Forecast
Most retirement plans are built on projections. Projected returns.Projected averages.And Projected probabilities. On paper, they can look sophisticated. But if your retirement income only works when the market cooperates, you may not have a financial plan. You may have a financial...
Can You Build a Financial Plan Where You Never Outlive Your Paycheck?
What if you could never outlive your paycheck? Not because someone ran a projection. Not because a Monte Carlo simulation showed an 82% probability of success. But because your income was intentionally designed to arrive, month by month, year by year, for the rest of your life. For...
A Safe Withdrawal Rate Is Not a Retirement Plan
Morningstar recently announced that the “safe” retirement withdrawal rate for 2026 is 3.9% That number is based on updated capital market assumptions and a portfolio allocation of roughly 30–50% equities, with the remainder in bonds and cash If someone retires in 2026, withdraws...
Why Comprehensive Financial Planning May Work Best When It’s Coordinated
And What Can Happen When Investment Management is Handled Separately Over the past few months, I’ve noticed a recurring theme in conversations with prospective clients. Many people come to us asking for a comprehensive financial plan, one that coordinates their income, taxes,...
Am I Going to Be Okay? Why Many Financial “Plans” May Just Be Financial “Projections”
Many people I meet believe they have a financial plan. They have met with an advisor.They have reviewed reports.And they have seen the charts and projections showing how things might unfold over time. And yet, a quiet question often remains. Am I going to be okay? It is rarely asked...
Before You Ask “Can We Afford It?”
There May Be a Better Starting Point for Retirement Decisions “Can we afford it?” It’s one of the most common questions I hear from people approaching or living in retirement. A trip.Helping a child.Upgrading a home.Retiring earlier than planned. On the surface, it may sound like a...
What May Happen Financially If One Spouse Dies First?
It may not be a comfortable question. Most couples may not want to think about it, talk about it, or imagine it. And yet, planning for the death of a spouse may be one of the most important financial planning questions a couple can ask—before they ever need the answer. Because when...
Why Couples Who Plan Their Financial Future Together May Thrive Together
There’s a moment I see happen in my office during retirement planning for couples — not every time, but often enough that I’ve learned to watch for it. A couple sits down across from me, ready to “talk money,” and within a few minutes the conversation shifts. Instead of discussing...
Are Annuities for Retirement a Good Idea?
If there’s one financial topic that sparks strong opinions, it may be annuities. You’ve probably heard people say, “Annuities are bad.” But what does that really mean? That statement can be as vague, and misleading, as saying, “Trucks are bad.” Are we talking about a dump truck? A...
Why Waiting to Plan Your Financial Future May Cost You More Than You Think
Financial planning may not be about chasing returns or crunching numbers. Instead, it strives to be about preparing for the life you want and being ready for the unexpected life events that may happen along the way. Delaying financial planning just might make those unexpected events...
Is Your Money Working for Your Life — or Against It?
Many people assume their investment strategy is their financial plan. But here’s what we believe is the truth: investing and planning are not the same thing. A portfolio can be built with beautiful charts, smart-sounding diversification, and an impressive track record, yet may still...
The Many Roles of Life Insurance in Your Financial Plan
When most people hear the words life insurance, they may immediately think of one thing — protection. If something unexpected happens, life insurance can help loved ones pay off debts, maintain their home, or continue their lifestyle. And while that’s certainly true, we believe it’s...
How Will Your Legacy Live On? The Financial Story You Leave Behind
When most people think about their legacy, they picture what they’ll leave behind — a home, some savings, a family business, or perhaps a cherished vacation property. But we believe the real question isn’t what you leave. It’s how you leave it. A financial legacy can be one of the...
Is Your Financial “Plan” Really a Plan?
When you hear the word plan, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s your calendar. A recipe. Directions on your GPS. Each of these may have one thing in common: they tell you what to do next. That’s the heart of a true plan—clear steps that guide you toward a goal. And yet, the great irony...
Seven Principles to Help Build a Strong Lifetime Financial Plan
Retirement may not just be another financial milestone—it may be the capstone of decades of decisions, habits, and circumstances. Unlike saving for a vacation or buying a car, you typically only get one shot at getting retirement right. That’s why Nobel Prize–winning economist...
“Retirement is a Once-in-a-Lifetime Event. You Better Get it Right.”
That powerful reminder comes from Robert Shiller, Nobel Prize–winning economist and Yale professor. Why does retirement seem so different from other financial milestones? Because unlike buying a house, funding college, or even changing jobs—you may not get a do-over. Once you...
What’s in Your Financial Knapsack?
Throughout life, we may collect “financial tools.” Some we chose with care, others were suggested by friends, colleagues, or advisors, and a few we may not even remember saying yes to. A 401(k) from an old job. A life insurance policy tied to a mortgage. An annuity from a dinner...
A Hidden Risk That May Be Lurking in Retirement Planning: Human Behavior
When people think about retirement risks, they usually name some obvious ones: • Market downturns• Rising taxes• Inflation• Healthcare costs But there’s another risk that may be hiding in plain sight—one that can often derail even well-built retirement plans. That risk is human...
Should You Sell or Pass Your Real Estate to Your Heirs?
Real estate can be one of the most valuable, and complicated, assets in a lifetime and legacy plan. If you own property, you may find yourself wondering: Should I sell now… or hold on and pass it to my beneficiaries? It’s not always an easy choice. And if you’ve ever inherited...
The Medicare Surcharge That Can Blindside Your Retirement
When you think about retirement costs, Medicare premiums probably aren’t the first thing that come to mind. But there’s a little-known surcharge—IRMAA—that can quietly eat into your income. And it can hit harder than you think. What Is IRMAA, Really? IRMAA stands for Income-Related...
Should You Be Considering Roth Conversions
Roth conversions are having a moment—and for good reason. Done right, they may be one of the most strategic moves you make for your retirement and your legacy. But like all powerful tools, they’re best used with purpose and precision. Let’s explore what they are, when we feel they...
What You Might Not Know About Your 401(k) – But Should
Your 401(k) might be your biggest retirement asset. But, is it getting the attention it deserves? Many employees are automatically enrolled in their company’s 401(k) plan, defaulted into a Target Date Fund, and never revisit it. Over time, that “set-it-and-forget-it” approach can...
Asset Allocation vs. Asset Location: Why Both May Matter in Retirement Planning
Many investors may be familiar with the concept of asset allocation: how your portfolio may be divided among stocks, bonds, exchange traded funds, mutual funds, CDs, cash, and real estate. But there's another concept that may get overlooked and could potentially make a big...
Are You Claiming Social Security at the Right Time?
Only 4% of retirees claim Social Security at the most financially optimal time. That decision could cost you thousands. Potentially One of Your Biggest Decisions in Retirement? When to claim Social Security. When you claim social security may be one of the most impactful financial...
A Hidden Tax Trap in Retirement Income
Retirement income may come from multiple sources, and if you're not careful, they may push you into a higher tax bracket. When Retirement Income Adds Up, So May Your Tax Bill When you retire, your income might come from many places: Social Security IRAs or 401(k) withdrawals...
9 Retirement Milestones You May Not Want to Miss
There are 9 milestone ages that may shape your retirement experience. Knowing them may save you money, maximize your benefits, and help you plan with more clarity. The Years Fly By—So May Your Opportunities "The days are long but the years are short." It’s possible that will ring...
The Retirement Conundrum: Spend What You’ve Saved
When retirement begins, you may strike a new challenge: how to confidently turn your savings into spending. A Hidden Pattern in Retirement Spending Most retirees may not spend their savings the way you might expect. Even those with substantial nest eggs may often hesitate to touch...
What Does A Comprehensive Financial Plan Actually Do For You?
What it looks like. What it feels like. And why it can change everything. In our last post, we explored the many facets that go into building a coordinated, comprehensive financial plan to help answer the question “Are we going to be okay?” We looked at retirement income,...
Why Do You Need a Comprehensive Financial Plan Anyway?
And why just saving money may not be enough to carry you through retirement. You’ve likely saved, worked hard, and made responsible financial choices. But now what? As retirement approaches, or begins, many couples find themselves wondering: “Are we going to be okay? “ Consider not...
Why Smart People Hesitate to Work with a Financial Planner
You may be careful with your money. You may think things through. You may do your research. So, if you’ve ever felt hesitant about working with a financial planner, you’re probably not alone. And, you’re likely not wrong to be cautious. A lot of smart people may pause before...
Solving the Longevity Problem: Will You Outlive Your Money?
The increasing life expectancy of retirees often presents a sobering challenge: what if you outlive your savings? Known as "longevity risk," this may be a concern financial planners and retirees may grapple with daily. Understanding Longevity Risk: The Hidden Challenge of Living...
Mount Everest’s Deadly Descent vs. Financial Free Fall: Decumulation Planning Matters
Investing and wealth management are often compared to climbing a mountain. Decumulation, or the descent down your financial mountain, may be trickier than the climb. Careful planning can make a significant difference. Even the savviest of investors may overlook critical details....
Your Money has Many Jobs in Retirement
Once your regular paycheck stops coming in, your retirement money still has a lot of jobs to accomplish over the rest of your life. How often do you see a retired couple depicted like this couple on the beach? It paints a very rosy picture of retirement, doesn’t it? Let’s consider...
5 Common Pitfalls That May Lead to Outliving Your Money
Unlike previous generations, many Baby Boomers and Gen X’ers expect to maintain their current lifestyles through retirement. However, it requires careful planning, execution, and continuous optimization to ensure their lifestyle choices are sustainable for decades. Consulting a...
The Unseen Threat: Ignoring Long-Term Care Needs Can Be Risky Business
I knew nothing about caring for aging parents. I was off to college, jobs, marriage, and kids while, unbeknownst to me, my parents were aging. Sure, I was there with them in the hospital when they had their surgeries. I cared for them the best I could while working and living...
So Much to be Thankful For!
One of my favorite traditions is taking time each year before Thanksgiving to reflect on the year and what I am thankful for. This year I decided to share my “Thanks” with you! The neighborhood in which I live had a lot of turnover this past year. Eight new families moved in on our...
The Baby Boomer Dilemma
Have you seen The Baby Boomer Dilemma movie yet? (Watch the trailer here.) It was released in theaters in October 2021 and is an Exposé of America’s Retirement Experiment that takes a deep dive into Pensions (both corporate and public,) Social Security, and 401(k)s. The sequel, The...
Cash Value Life Insurance is a Valuable Portfolio Asset
She Did It! The Strategy Works! Ten years ago, I did a deep dive into the value of owning cash value life insurance in a lifetime wealth portfolio. After months of research, I took the plunge and started my first policy. So did several of my clients, including a young lady named...
Golf and Wealth: Simple to Understand, Difficult to Play
Hank Haney Recently I attended an event where I had the privilege of listening to Hank Haney share his wisdom and knowledge about golf, coaching, and life. Among over 200 PGA Tour professionals, Hank coached Tiger Woods 150 days/year for six years. Hank made some distinct...
A Twist on the 70/30 Rule
In the financial services industry, what is the first thing that comes to your mind when you see “70/30” rule? Most people immediately think it’s the stock/bond portfolio allocation. In other words, a 70/30 investment portfolio allocates: 70% of your investment dollars to stocks,...
Build Your Retirement on a Strong Foundation
There is a familiar parable about the wise man and the foolish man. The wise man built his house upon a rock. When the rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew. The house did not fall because it was built upon a rock. The foolish man built his house upon the sand. When the...
Beyond Portfolios and Products: Discover Comprehensive Lifetime Wealth Management Planning
Is your financial advisor managing your assets, selling you products, or helping custom design and build your unique comprehensive, coordinated, holistic lifetime wealth management plan? What is the difference, you may ask? Managing Your Assets Many financial advisors serve their...
My 401(k): How Much Will I Keep?
Have you ever thought about how much of your 401(k) balance belongs to you? You may be shocked at the answer! The contributions you (and potentially your employer) have been making over the years have not been taxed. Hopefully, the money you contributed has been growing inside your...
Protect Your Assets – Preserve Your Wealth
You want to protect your assets, but there are so many ways your hard-earned savings can be sucked right out from under you! In order to preserve your wealth, let's look at just two of the ways you can be blindsided by your retirement plan. Market Losses: Accruing Assets Throughout...
Wealth Management: A Better Approach
Is your financial advisor helping you build a custom designed comprehensive, coordinated, holistic lifetime wealth management plan that protects you and your assets… …or simply providing you with investment advice? This distinction is more important than ever because of the constant...
