Financial freedom can be within reach if you utilize accurate forecasting, sound investing principles and the correct lens on your retirement years.

Many view retirement as a finish line, marking the end of a journey. My “Retirement Revealed” guest for this week’s episode, Eric Brotman, challenges that perspective and reframes it into another common tradition: graduation.

Eric founded BFG Financial Advisors in 2003 with the goal of helping busy, successful professionals and families plan for lifelong prosperity. His latest book, “Don’t Retire…Graduate!” takes a deeper look at what it takes to build a path to financial freedom and retirement at any age.

I appreciated Eric’s way of framing retirement as a step forward, not a retreat. He emphasizes seeing retirement as an opportunity for advancement into a new stage of life, advocating for financial independence over the necessity of work.

We delve into global interpretations of retirement, where Eric points out how language and cultural perspectives can shape our views. He shares insights from different cultures that redefine retirement, suggesting a broader, more positive outlook. I also found it interesting that our experience working with retirees equally suggested that people tend to focus more on the financial aspect of retirement before they retire, but once they do retire, it becomes less of a focus than they anticipated.

Eric reveals his ‘three secrets of the happiest retirees’: living debt-free, maintaining health, and finding a new purpose in life. These pillars, according to Eric, support a satisfying and vibrant retired life.

I always enjoy when someone can translate the principles of retirement planning into a format that resonates with a near-retiree in a way that other traditional terms might not. Eric’s insights offer a refreshing perspective on retirement. It’s not just about financial planning, but about redefining our later years as a time of growth and enjoyment. His book, ‘Don’t Retire, Graduate,’ provides a roadmap for those looking to make the most of their retirement years.

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Videos/Podcasts/Blogs (media) published prior to June 30, 2025, were recorded and approved while the advisor was affiliated with Thrivent Advisor Network. These media reflect the advisor’s views and interpretations at that time. The information and disclosures contained in those media were believed to be accurate and complete as of the date of recording, but may not reflect current market conditions or Alongside, LLC, policies.

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