Keen On Retirement™

2025's complex economic picture took on another dimension over the weekend as the U.S. waded into tensions in the Middle East. Setting aside the important humanitarian and security issues I know we're all concerned about, it's understandable that investors might worry about more disruption to their financial plans, especially if they're retired. The good news, from this very narrow perspective, is that the markets have responded well to the potential ceasefire between Israel and Iran. But issues around war, as well as the supply, demand, and production of oil, are always factors that could make Wall Street jittery. Given that we're also still staring down potential tariffs against China, uncertain inflation and interest rates, and deep political divisions at home, should folks be preparing for a bear market? The short answer is yes, because investors should always be prepared to manage the inevitable peaks and valleys of the markets. But rather than making predictions right now, I think it might be helpful to break down the differences between bear and bull markets. A little extra perspective might give you some added peace of mind as you think about your financial planning. To set the stage, when I entered the financial services industry in the early 90’s the Dow Jones Industrial Average was around 3,000. Today it sits at 43,000. The wealth-building opportunities in the capital markets can be very powerful over time if understood accurately. Although, it’s important to note that the returns do not come in a straight line.

At Keen Wealth, we don't just want seniors to make it to retirement -- we want them to set themselves up to enjoy it! And achieving that all-important goal takes more than just hitting a "number" or buying the perfect beachfront condo. According to a recent study by Fidelity, 72% of retirees say that their retirement is "going as planned." These seven practical, actionable steps will help you join their ranks when you're ready.

As we wrap up graduation season, I know parents and grandparents are dealing with a whole bunch of emotions: pride, excitement, sadness, relief, hope, and concern. And as you experience all these feelings, you may feel moved to do what you've always done throughout that child's life: help. But whether we're talking about major life milestones or financial market volatility, that intersection of emotion and money can be a very tricky place to navigate. Today's generosity could have significant long-term consequences that might hold your adult child back from real adulthood and dent your retirement plans. Make sure you and your spouse discuss these issues and work out a plan that will truly support adult children without sacrificing your other financial goals.

According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, there were 580,887 pending Social Security claims in March 2025. That's an increase of more than 80,000 from a year ago. Many of those claimants are seniors who have not yet reached their full retirement age. I'd love to believe that the majority of these folks are taking Social Security early as part of a carefully considered plan to achieve a specific goal, such as early retirement. But, unfortunately, fear and short-sightedness often play far too big a role in the Social Security decision, especially for seniors who aren't working with an advisor. On today's show, we clear up some of the misconceptions around Social Security and explain how Keen Wealth incorporates this important benefit into our comprehensive planning process.

Folks reach out to Keen Wealth for all sorts of reasons, at all different points in their lives. We talk to young couples just starting out who want to put themselves on a path towards financial security. New retirees want to feel secure about transitioning away from work. Older seniors come to us looking to secure their legacies and make life a little easier for the next generation. And, sometimes, a person realizes they've been receiving bad financial advice, and they're hoping my team can help them clean up the mess. On today's show, we discuss some warning signs that the person managing your money might not be putting your best interests first, as well as how Keen Wealth's comprehensive process can restore your confidence in your financial planning.

For the eighth year in a row, the happiest country in the world is ... Finland! An annual collaboration between Gallup polling, the University of Oxford, and the United Nations, the 2025 World Happiness Report asked respondents from more than 130 countries to rate their lives on a scale from zero (the worst) to 10 (the best). Researchers also factored in questions about kindness and generosity, as well as how people perceive the benevolence of their neighbors. Not only did Finland claim the top spot, but fellow Nordic countries Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and the Netherlands rounded out the top five. And the United States? We actually dropped from 23 last year down to 24, due in part to younger people feeling more pessimistic about the future. So, where would you rate yourself on that scale? Is there anything we can do to experience more happiness in our lives? And how does money fit into this equation? Let's look at the three main conclusions that the WHR drew from its data and think about how we can apply those lessons to comprehensive financial planning.