Managing Money in Retirement

A woman once said to me, “I’ve spent my whole life being careful with money… and now I don’t know how to stop.” She wasn’t struggling financially. In fact, she had done everything “right” saved consistently, avoided unnecessary debt, and built a stable retirement. But when it came time to use her money, she hesitated. After decades of saving…

Starting in 2025, key provisions of the SECURE Act 2.0 officially take effect, reshaping how many Americans gain access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan. One of the most impactful updates shortens the eligibility timeline for long-term…

How much you will need for health costs in retirement will depend on when and where you retire, your health, how you will pay for the costs, and how long you live. According to a study by Fidelity, a typical retired couple aged 65 in 2022 will need…

Cash feels safe. After decades of saving and investing, retirement brings a natural shift. Many people find themselves wanting more stability, fewer surprises, less volatility. And cash – sitting quietly in a bank or money market account – delivers that feeling immediately…

Not long ago, a reader shared something that stayed with me. She told me she wasn’t worried about retirement itself she loved her routine, her home, and the rhythm of her days. What kept her up at night was a quiet question she couldn’t quite answer…

For most of your adult life, the answer to that question was simple. Your money came from a paycheck. You showed up. You worked. You were paid. Taxes were taken out. Benefits were deducted. And what was left landed in your bank account like clockwork. There was a rhythm to it. In retirement, that rhythm changes…

There is a wonderful kind of privilege that comes with working hard for the last three or four decades… Savings are finally growing, the debt and/or mortgage is being paid down, and finally it feels like we can breathe just a little and enjoy life!

It’s that time of the year when tax documents start to appear. The 1099s, W-2s, Social Security, and pension statements all start arriving. And you might be wondering, did I overpay or underpay? So let’s address a common misconception…

A reader once shared something that stopped me in my tracks: “I’m not worried about how much money I have. I’m worried about whether it will show up when I need it.” This is a common mindset…

The use of beneficiary designations is one issue that is not well understood and can lead to much confusion. Most people think it is a simple matter of naming a person to receive certain assets by will or trust or naming them as a beneficiary of a retirement plan. I only wish it were that simple!