Retire Well

Are you truly ready to retire, or just ready to stop working?

This week, Josh Bretl and Mark Elliott discuss finding purpose after your career, turning savings into steady income, and why legacy planning matters for every family.

From updating beneficiary designations to protecting a surviving spouse and preparing for long-term care, Josh shares simple steps to help you plan with confidence.

Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with a Wellment advisor.

Josh Bretl starts with a fun story from a School of Rock concert before diving into key retirement topics.

We discuss how rising energy prices impact grocery bills and why flexible income planning matters.

Plus, we look at the financial impacts of late in life divorce, the widow penalty, and lessons from 1976 gas prices.

Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with a Wellment advisor.

What do a Chicago music festival and retirement planning have in common?

Both require stepping outside your comfort zone!

In this episode of Retire Well, Josh Bretl and Mark Elliott break down recent Federal Reserve interest rate moves and explain why taxes are often the single biggest expense in retirement.

Learn why a 30-year tax strategy beats standard single-year tax prep, plus answers to real listener questions on long-term care and concentrated stock.

Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with a Wellment advisor.

Football season is back in the Bretl house, complete with team Dino Nuggets.

But on this episode, Josh Bretl and Mark Elliott tackle a bigger opponent: the 40 trillion dollar national debt and what it means for your retirement taxes.

Learn how required minimum distributions can trigger an unexpected tax shock, how the three tax buckets work, and why laddering Roth conversions might save you money down the road.

Plus, Josh answers listener mailbag questions on Medicare, spousal timing, and business sales.

Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with a Wellment advisor.

Is your 401(k) actually ready to fund your retirement?

On this episode of Retire Well, Josh Bretl and Mark Elliott break down how to replace traditional pensions with a reliable lifetime income plan.

Learn how to manage debt, navigate inherited IRAs under the 10-year rule, handle money in second marriages, and evaluate private equity risks.

Josh also shares his simple two-lane strategy to balance safe income with market growth.

Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with a Wellment advisor.

Did you know people without kids report lower retirement confidence than parents?

On this episode of Retire Well, Josh Bretl breaks down why this gap exists and how a written plan changes the game.

From managing market downturns and longevity to finding your true purpose in retirement, Josh shares practical tips and a few fun stories along the way.

Learn how smart withdrawal strategies and tax planning keep your retirement on track.

Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with a Wellment advisor.

Why is it so hard to spend money after saving it your whole life?

In our 100th episode of Retire Well, Josh Bretl explores the emotional shift from saving to spending and explains why your nest egg is a tool to be enjoyed, not just artwork to look at.

Josh also recaps a fun family river tour in Chicago, breaks down how national debt could impact your future taxes, and answers mailbag questions about RMDs and family loans.

Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with a Wellment advisor.

Can you retire on one million dollars?

In this episode of Retire Well, Josh Bretl breaks down the truth about retirement numbers, tax diversification, and income blending.

Learn how managing your traditional IRA, Roth IRA, and taxable accounts can help protect your savings.

Plus, Josh answers real questions from the mailbag about paying off low interest mortgages, evaluating Roth conversions, and what to consider if you get bored and decide to un-retire.

Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with a Wellment advisor.

Big changes are coming to Medicare Part D in 2026.

In this episode, Josh Bretl and Mark Elliott break down what shifting drug costs mean for your retirement cash flow.

Plus, learn how to handle market volatility with a smart plan that balances safety and growth.

Josh also shares a fun trip back to 1996 to show why your financial strategy needs to prepare for 30 years of change.

Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with a Wellment advisor.

Are you on track for the retirement you want?

This week on Retire Well, host Josh Bretl shares a fun movie trip with his son, Alex, and breaks down why mid-year financial checkups matter.

Learn how to rebalance your portfolio, turn savings into steady income, and handle big choices like pension lump sums versus monthly payouts.

Josh also explains how to balance required expenses with fun goals.

Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with a Wellment advisor.