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.

If you're spending a lot of your day scrolling on social media or glued to cable news, you might feel like your emotions are running a little high right now. Major life transitions can also cause our feelings to spike, whether we're getting ready to send a kid to college or thinking about retiring. But while letting your feelings in is just part of being human, letting too much emotion seep into your financial decision-making can be catastrophic for your long-term security. On today's show, we discuss financial biases that we all should be on the lookout for as we try to manage both our emotions and our money.

A New Year brings excitement, hope, and a little extra motivation to achieve some major goals. But 2025 has also brought some uncertainty as well. Political, economic, environmental, and technological events have all made big headlines, sometimes all on the same day. If you're feeling a little unsure about your financial planning right now, you're not alone. So, on today's show, we answer three timely listener questions that hopefully will give folks some perspective on where the economy is right now, where we could be headed, and how to set the best course for the rest of the year.

Interest rates, inflation forecasts, and long-term market trends were just a few of the topics Matt Wilson, CFP® covered in our recent 2024 Q2 Market Update Webinar, "Gain Insights on the Economy & Markets." The follow-up questions we tackle on today’s show are largely geared toward folks who are approaching the retirement transition with some understandable anxiety. I hope that as we provide a little more detail on these important topics and the overall state of the economy, folks will feel more confident in their financial plans and more excited about retirement.

It's worth celebrating just about any time our leaders on both sides of the political aisle can meet in the middle. But seniors in Kansas City, MO should all be smiling now that, starting in 2024, they’ll get to enjoy a little bit more of their Social Security benefits. Thanks to a broadly bipartisan vote, Missouri is set to become the 39th state to make Social Security payments exempt from state taxes. Of course, that also means many folks in our audience will have to factor in a new variable when they're deciding when to take Social Security. Luckily, Matt Wilson, Keen Wealth's Chief Investment Officer and President, recently hosted a comprehensive webinar on Maximizing Social Security Benefits that you can rewatch on our website. Today, we're going to discuss some follow-up questions Matt received from attendees.

Folks who attended our 2023 Q3 Market Outlook Webinar heard a much more positive message about the economy than the one you might be hearing on social media and cable news. Matt Wilson, Chief Investment Officer and President at Keen Wealth, always follows the latest data towards a no-nonsense picture of where we are and where we could be heading. On today’s show, we discuss why we’re cautiously optimistic about the rest of the year and answer some follow-up questions from webinar attendees.