October is known for cooler weather, pumpkins, and Halloween. But did you know it’s also Financial Planning Month? While it might not come with costumes or candy, it’s a perfect reminder to pause, take stock, and be intentional with your money.

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Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/

Call: 989-401-2949

Today’s listener question gets right to the heart of retirement planning: how much is enough? They’ve saved a lot, but not quite what they hoped. So can they still retire comfortably, or is that magic number just out of reach?

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Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/

Call: 989-401-2949

Well, you’re retired. Now what? Some people subscribe to the “first year rule” which says that the majority of your best retirement months will all take place in the first year of retirement. So how can you be strategic during that first year and set the tone in the right way, both emotionally and financially?

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Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/

Call: 989-401-2949

Inflation may not be in the headlines like it was in 2022, but for most Americans, it’s still public enemy number one when it comes to saving for retirement. A new Schwab survey reveals just how many people still feel unprepared and how that affects their confidence in their financial future.

Schwab Survey:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2025/07/29/inflation-retirement-savings-survey/85413630007/

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Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/

Call: 989-401-2949

The kids may be heading back to class, but it’s not a bad time for adults to hit the books too, especially when it comes to retirement. So, let’s test your knowledge with a quick financial pop quiz and see how ready you really are.

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Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/

Call: 989-401-2949

Just because something used to be true doesn’t mean it still is, especially in retirement planning. In 2025, rising interest rates, tax uncertainty, and longer retirements mean it’s time to rethink some of the old advice. These seven assumptions sound smart at first… but they could quietly hurt your plan if you’re not careful.

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Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/

Call: 989-401-2949

A new tax bill has officially passed (you’ve probably heard it mentioned as the “Big Beautiful Bill”). And while most headlines are focused on politics, we’re focused on what it means for your retirement. The choices you make in the next year or two could have a significant impact on how much you keep and how much goes to Uncle Sam.

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Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/

Call: 989-401-2949

The 4% rule gets talked about like gospel in retirement planning. But let’s be honest, it’s always been more of a rough guess than a golden rule. Now, its original creator is revising it to 4.7%. So, does that mean your retirement paycheck just got a raise, or is this just another headline that oversimplifies a complex decision?

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Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/

Call: 989-401-2949

Markets crash. Taxes shift. Congress waffles on Social Security. You can’t control any of that. And stressing over it won’t help. What will? Focusing on the four things that actually move the needle in retirement.

Contact:

Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/

Call: 989-401-2949

Target-date funds just passed $4 trillion in assets. They’re now the default investment in many 401(k)s, and millions of Americans are using them without really understanding how they work. So, are they a smart choice… or just the easiest one?

Contact:

Great Lakes Retirement Website: http://www.greatlakesretirementsolutions.com/

Call: 989-401-2949