The Master of Retirement

You may have read the title of this post and thought, “wow, he’s really gone off the deep end; now he’s calling himself the ‘master of retirement.’” Well, let me assure you that’s not the case, as you will see if you read on. I know this may sound strange, but sometimes, when I’m attending … Read more

Retirement Account Rollovers and Transfers—You’ve Got to get it Right (Part Two)

This article is the second of two about retirement account transfers and rollovers. First, we focused on transfers, which I defined as moving assets between two of the same type of retirement account, e.g., from a Traditional IRA with one provider to a Traditional IRA at another. In this article, we’ll look at rollovers, which … Read more

Retirement Account Rollovers and Transfers—You’ve Got to Get it Right (Part One)

I’ve recently had the opportunity to discuss the rationales and mechanics of IRA transfers, 401(k) rollovers, and ”Solo” 401(k)s with a few folks. It’s not uncommon to want to focus on getting on our ”financial ducks in a row” at the start of a new year. For some, that means simplifying their financial life and … Read more

Don’t Gamble Away Your Retirement Savings

For many people, the end of one year and the start of another is a good time for a financial health checkup. For some, this includes assessing their progress toward their retirement saving goals. Over the years, as I’ve counseled and coached folks getting closer to retirement who realize that they’re not as financially prepared … Read more

The Stewardship of Christmas

Luke 2:1—21 tells the familiar story of Jesus’ birth. It starts with this in verse one: “In those days. . .” The ESV Study Bible says that “‘In those days’ is an imprecise date (contrast Luke 3:1–2), suggesting that Luke did not know the exact year (cf. 3:23).” The study guide also says that as … Read more

My Year-End Retirement Stewardship Review and Planning Routine

I’m occasionally asked how I manage my retirement finances. I’ve touched on some aspects in previous posts, but I thought I’d share a little about my not-very-formal-or-complicated year-end regime. I don’t do this to suggest that I handle things in an exemplary way or that you should do what I do. Retired families can have … Read more

Schemes and Scams and Fraud, Oh My!

A friend recently sent me a link to a news item titled “Christian radio host sentenced to three life sentences for Ponzi scheme bilking millions from elderly listeners—William Neil ‘Doc’ Gallagher, 80, and his Gallagher Financial Group advertised on Christian radio with the tagline, ‘See you in church on Sunday.’” According to the state’s attorney … Read more

A Thankful Heart

We all have many things to be thankful for. Even when things get hard, they’re never as bad as they could be. The road to retirement can be rocky at times, and living (and aging) in retirement has its own challenges. Still, we can be thankful for family and friends, health, being part of a … Read more

There’s More to Retirement Stewardship Than Getting the Numbers Right

According to some recent stats, more people are retiring earlier than planned due to the effects of the pandemic. Their specific reasons may differ, but part of what’s been fueling it has been rising stock and real estate markets. Quality of life is also often cited as a key reason. I’m reasonably sure that a … Read more