Keen On Retirement

This is one of my favorite questions to ask clients and guests at the many seminars we host throughout the year. And because we’re privileged to work with such outstanding folks at Keen Wealth, I get a lot of very smart answers, such as: “59 ½, because I won’t be penalized for making withdrawals from my retirement accounts.” That’s true.

For most folks, July 4th is the official kickoff party for Summer. But I think it’s important to take a moment between bites of barbeque, parade floats, and fireworks to remember what we’re really celebrating. I’m not just talking about the anniversary of the Continental Congress signing the Declaration of Independence in 1776. I’m thinking more about how our forefathers, working in times that were every bit as challenging and polarized as our own, managed to create something extraordinary: the freest, strongest, most innovative, and most prosperous nation in history.

Each year, we invite our clients and friends of the firm to an Open House at our headquarters. This year, we hosted over 400 guests! With all the storms recently in the Midwest, we were grateful to have enjoyed an almost perfect weather day for the event. As has become a bit of a tradition, we served Jack Stack barbeque with a special burnt ends demonstration, enjoyed a wonderful jazz band, snacked on Sheridan’s frozen custard, and crowded into photo booths. We sprinkled in some games to make for a wonderful amount of fun, fellowship, camaraderie and good times. We are so grateful that our friends and clients would spend an afternoon and evening with us to bring in the Summer.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the storms that hit the Midwest recently. In particular, the mile-wide tornado that tore through Linwood, KS was a sobering reminder that we’re going to be dealing with peak tornado season for at least a few more weeks, as well as ongoing concerns about flooding as our rivers continue to swell. You know our mantra at Keen Wealth when it comes to your finances and your life: plan ahead. And in our part of the country, tornado and flood prep has to be a part of that larger picture. Take a moment to go through these important tips that will help protect you, your family, your home, and your money.

In finance, as in life, it’s never a good idea to generalize. However, in my experience as a fiduciary advisor, there are some generalizations that you have to discuss openly in order to provide your clients with the information they need.

Coulda. Shoulda. Woulda. Three words we never want to hear from our Keen Wealth clients who are well into their retirements. And, I’m happy to say, three words we don’t hear very often! But we do work with retirees who tell us that there are things they wish they’d done differently. What’s interesting is that the major retirement regrets that clients share don’t really have to do with how their financial planning played out. Instead, these folks regret decisions they did, and didn’t, make that impacted how they lived in retirement.