Keen On Retirement

In my last few blogs and podcasts, I’ve discussed how a good financial advisor, operating to the fiduciary standard, can help co-pilot your financial journey into retirement, and prepare you for accompanying changes to your taxes.

As some of you may know, one of my passions is flying. And when I’m not in my office at Keen Wealth or relaxing with my family, you might find me in the cockpit. I’ve logged hundreds of hours as a pilot including many trips with passengers. To be legal and current to fly passengers requires me to make a minimum of three takeoffs and three landings within ninety days of a scheduled flight.

One piece of advice we give our clients at Keen Wealth Advisors is to make a financial plan that attempts to minimize surprises in retirement. Without a plan, many retirees get their first big surprise in the second week of April. And it’s not a fun surprise: when you stop receiving a paycheck and start living off your assets and investments, your tax filings can change dramatically.

At Keen Wealth Advisors, we believe that long-term financial success requires a focus on two distinct areas: First, crafting a financial plan specifically tailored to your needs, abilities, and hopes for the future; and second, choosing the right investments to fund the plan.

Ah, retirement. Most everyone who isn’t retired dreams of one day being able to hang it up. But executing on it when the time is right isn’t as easy as it sounds. Whether you have been retired for a number of years or you are just now on the glide slope, there is much more than just money issues to contend with.

Did you know that only 8% of people actually keep their New Year’s Resolutions? Those numbers are pretty dismal. On the surface, it can make the January tradition of goal setting and personal improvement seem somewhat pointless. Although the data on New Year’s Resolutions isn’t very promising, I have learned over the years that the key is “progress not perfection”.