The three hidden problems plaguing every ASRS member have been identified: zero inflation protection, the income replacement gap, and the tax trap. While these challenges may feel overwhelming at first, understanding them is the crucial first step toward building a secure retirement. The good news? There are practical, actionable solutions that can help ASRS members protect their financial future and maintain their quality of life in retirement. Rather than feeling discouraged by these pension limitations, ASRS members can take proactive…
Category: Retirement Planning
The Four Phases of Retirement: A Psychological Journey
Most people spend years preparing financially for retirement, carefully calculating savings and investment returns. Yet research shows that 10,000 North Americans retire daily, and many find themselves unprepared for the psychological challenges that come with this major life transition. Understanding the emotional landscape of retirement can make the difference between thriving and merely surviving during what may be one-third of your adult life. A comprehensive study by Dr. Riley Moynes of retirees reveals that most people move through four distinct…
8 Ways Middle-Class People Become Poor in Retirement
Retirement should be a time of freedom and enjoyment after decades of hard work. Yet there is a troubling trend: middle-class Americans who find themselves struggling financially during their retirement years. Understanding these common pitfalls can help you protect your retirement security and maintain the lifestyle you’ve worked so hard to build. Financial advisors, as put together by Yahoo Finance, identify eight key ways that well-intentioned retirees can find themselves in financial difficulty (Yahoo Finance). By recognizing these potential challenges…
This Won’t Last Forever
The US stock market has delivered extraordinary returns over the past decade, even though the gains haven’t been evenly distributed across company sizes. Looking at the 10-year annualized returns through July 2025: These returns are above historical averages, with large-cap stocks clearly leading the pack by a significant margin. 2025 has been a solid year after some spring volatility related to the beginning of the tariffs. It’s been such a phenomenal run, particularly for large-cap stocks, that it leads many…
The $15,500 Mistake: Why You Shouldn’t Leave Your HSA to Your Kids
Your HSA might seem like the perfect inheritance for your kids, but there’s a nasty tax surprise waiting for them. Here’s what you probably don’t know: When you leave your HSA to anyone except your spouse, it stops being an HSA the moment you die. That entire balance becomes taxable income to your non-spouse beneficiary, and the account turns into a taxable investment account. Say you have $50,000 in your HSA, $50,000 in a Roth IRA, and your child makes…
Why Retiring Sooner Than You Think Might Be Smarter
Let me share a quick story about a family friend, someone close to my parents. He worked hard his whole life and waited to retire at 70. In great shape, plenty of money, and a list of dream destinations. But two months into retirement, he was diagnosed with cancer. Six months later, he was gone. While he lived a great life and was beloved by family and friends, it’s still a tragedy that he didn’t get more time to do…
26 Things Every Retiree Needs in Their Financial Plan
In this post, I go over the 26 items I cover in every financial plan I create for retirees. If you haven’t made a retirement plan and don’t know where to start, this will be your comprehensive guide to getting started. Retirement Income Strategy • Withdrawal strategy from retirement accounts – The order and rate you withdraw from different account types (taxable, tax-deferred, tax-free) can significantly impact how long your money lasts and your tax burden. A 4-5% withdrawal rate…
Using The ‘Gap Years’ Effectively for Retirement Tax Planning
Did you know you could save thousands of dollars in taxes just by planning your retirement timeline strategically? For many retirees, the years between leaving the workforce and beginning major retirement income sources—like Social Security or Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)—offer a unique and often overlooked opportunity: the “gap years.” These years can be a golden window for smart tax planning that lowers your lifetime tax burden and increases long-term financial security. In this article, we’ll break down what gap years…
When And How To Take Your RMDs
As you approach retirement, managing your savings and investments becomes one of your top priorities. You want to make sure you have enough saved, have the right investments, a solid distribution strategy, and more. But one thing that you can’t overlook is your responsibility to handle something called Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)—mandatory withdrawals from certain retirement accounts once you reach a specific age. Failing to take these distributions on time can lead to significant penalties. In this post, we’ll break…
5 Ways to Make Your Home Easier as You Age
As you get older, it is important to start thinking about where you’ll spend your retirement. While some people opt for a retirement community, many would prefer to stay in their own homes (or “age in place”). Choosing to spend your retirement in your own home has many benefits. For starters, it can be cheaper than moving into a retirement community, is often more comfortable, and lets you stay active with your established social network. However, the reality is that…