Keen On Retirement

What's the biggest threat to the long-term security of your retirement plan? Many seniors would answer, "The economy," or "The markets." And that makes sense. No matter how much you try to control your screen time, financial news will always make a big impression on how you feel about your money. But as nerve-wracking as market fluctuations can be in the moment, in the long run, they continue trending upwards and generating positive returns for most investors. That's why a truly comprehensive plan should be prepared to manage not just market fluctuations, but more personal and less obvious threats that can erode a senior's wealth over the course of a 30-year retirement. The next time you meet with your advisor, discuss how your plan protects you and your money against these five threats:

I believe that The Keen Wealth Advantage helps folks feel more confident about comprehensive financial planning and their road to retirement. I also believe wholeheartedly in the consumer being as educated as possible on their various options before entrusting their planning and investing to any financial advisor. This is one of the key reasons we are now in our 10th year of producing this podcast and blog, answering listener questions and giving listeners a candid “look behind the curtain” on all things personal financial planning. When you're meeting with professionals who could be managing your life savings for the rest of your life, there has to be more than just a personality fit. While personality is important, you also need to know what questions to ask and what warning signs to look for. Do they have a disciplined process and the depth and breadth of experience and resources to undertake this most serious responsibility? Are you able to confidently discern what your overall client experience will look like and know that they take the appropriate steps to ensure your confidential information is protected and that rules and regulations are being complied with? On today's show, we answer two discerning listener questions that should help you have more productive meetings with potential advisors.

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.

By the time it works through Congress to President Trump's desk, The One, Big, Beautiful Bill will probably have a few different details, and a different name. But the version of the bill that recently passed in the House gives us a fair indication of where tax policy could be headed for the next few years. On today's show, we discuss the current version of the 2025 tax bill, potential changes that Congress might make, and potential ways this bill could affect your financial plan.

According to recent data, 62 has become the new 65. This generation of healthier, more active, more connected seniors wants to start enjoying their Golden Years as soon as possible. But there's one reason why age 65 is still a major marker on a retirement timeline: Medicare eligibility. Early retirement can also trigger some critical decisions about the best time to start claiming Social Security benefits. Let's look at five items on Keen Wealth's early retirement checklist that we use to help seniors bridge the gap to Medicare and Social Security.