Make no mistake... no one wants to have this conversation.

But when someone dies, the decisions start immediately, and they do not slow down. In this episode, Patti Brennanwalks through the complete "When Someone Dies" checklist, organized by urgency, so no one has to figure it out alone in the middle of grief.

Here is what needs to happen:

🚨 Within 24 to 72 hours: notify institutions, secure the home, and order 12 to 15 certified death certificates with a raised seal. 🔐 Within one to four weeks: notify all three credit bureaus, close digital accounts, and contact your financial advisor. 🧾 Within one to six months: begin probate, obtain an estate EIN, file the final tax return, and keep essential payments going. 🤍 Throughout all of it: communicate clearly as a family and avoid major financial decisions until the dust settles.

Because the greatest gift you can leave the people you love is a little less chaos and a lot more clarity.

If you have been putting off getting an estate plan and think it's something you still have to do, here's the thing: it's already been done. The state wrote it for you. And it has no idea who you are, what you built, or who you love. It does not know about the estranged sibling, the child with special needs, or the spouse who would be left with far less than you think. It just follows the formula. In this episode, Patti Brennan walks through the consequences of not taking action around building an estate plan, and what to do instead.

In this episode, Patti walks through the complete retirement checklist available on the Key Financial website, using the seasons framework to help you think ahead, not react later. She covers: Why the "winter before freshman year" is the most critical planning window before you retire The pools of money strategy and how it protects you from having to sell investments at the wrong time The Goldilocks tax zone in the middle years and why Roth conversions and capital gains harvesting can be game changers The unpredictable "fall" season, from cognitive health to housing decisions to cybersecurity threats What living solo looks like financially, and why pension elections and updated estate documents can change everything.

The middle years of a financial journey can feel anything but simple. Between managing debt, building wealth, and planning for a future that still feels far away, it's easy to wonder if you're doing enough or missing something important. Smart Debt Management: Not all debt is created equal. Learn what's good debt, what's not, and how to prioritize and leverage it strategically. Investment Vehicles 101: From 401(k)s to IRAs to brokerage accounts, understand what's available, the differences, and where to start. Starting Early with Investing: Why time in the market matters more than timing the market, and how to put compound growth to work. Homebuying 101: What to know before buying or selling, from affordability to mortgage options to long-term equity building. Protecting What You've Built: Life, disability, and umbrella insurance, emergency funds, and estate basics that help safeguard your hard-earned assets. Goal Setting & Financial Planning: How to define your version of financial success and manage competing priorities.

Medicare isn't just complicated - it's full of traps that can cost you thousands if you're not careful. In this episode, Patti Brennan sits down with Rich and Jill Oler, known as Mr. & Mrs. Medicare, for straight talk on everything you need to know before you enroll. From the 20% gap nobody warns you about, to the drug plan penalties hiding in plain sight, they cover the myths, the mistakes, and the three steps that can save you from making them. Whether you're turning 65, already enrolled, or helping a loved one navigate it all, this one's for you.

Did you know 60% of individual stocks are net wealth destroyers? In Part Two, Patti and Eric break down what really causes major market drops, the odds of losing money over time, and four smart strategies for managing a concentrated stock position. Key Financial, Inc. is a federally registered investment advisor with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Securities offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Key Financial Inc. Osaic Wealth is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth. Patricia Brennan and Osaic Wealth, Inc. do not offer tax advice or tax servies. Please consult your tax specialist for individual advice. We make no specific comments or recommendations on any tax related details. "One Hundred Years in the U.S. Stock Markets" (March 2026, also on SSRN) Looking at 29,754 common stocks listed on U.S. public markets over 100 years (1926–2025), the study found that long-term investors in nearly 60% of stocks incurred wealth reductions

In this episode of The Patti Brennan Show, Patti is joined by Eric Fuhrman, Chief Planning Officer at Key Financial, to tackle one of the most misunderstood – and potentially dangerous – issues in investing: concentration risk. Using powerful statistics, real-life stories, and 100 years of market data, Patti and Eric break down why having "too many eggs in one basket" can lead not just to portfolio volatility, but to true financial ruin. They explore research showing that 60% of individual stocks have been net wealth destroyers, while a tiny fraction of companies created most of the market's long-term gains. Ultimately, this episode is about one question: Are you going to be okay? Learn how to protect your lifestyle, your legacy, and your peace of mind by managing concentration risk intelligently.

Most financial plans cover the numbers, but what about everything else? In this episode, Patti Brennan welcomes Frank McAleer, Key Financial's new Vitality Planning specialist, to introduce a concept that goes far beyond the balance sheet. Drawing on his personal caregiving experience and years of longevity planning at Raymond James, Frank explains why being financially prepared is only half the equation. Together, Patti and Frank explore the resources, tools, and conversations that help clients age with confidence. From aging-in-place assessments to Medicare navigation, family organization, fraud protection, and the MIT AgeLab's research on thriving in retirement, this episode is packed with resources you don't want to miss.

Most people don't think about their home… until something goes wrong. A fall. A surgery. A moment that forces fast decisions. And suddenly, you're dealing with time pressure, unexpected costs, and emotional stress that could have been avoided. In this episode, Patti Brennan sits down with Occupational Therapist and Aging-in-Place Specialist Dawn Heiderscheidt to break down what it actually takes to stay in your home long-term.

Most people think they only have one balance sheet — the financial one. In this episode, Patti Brennan and Chief Planning Officer Eric Fuhrman explain why that's only half the story. Together, they explore the concept of "The Tale of Two Balance Sheets": the traditional financial balance sheet (assets and liabilities) and the personal balance sheet that reflects the real drivers of your financial life — your health, relationships, purpose, and time. The result is a powerful framework for thinking about wealth not just as numbers on a page, but as a tool for building a meaningful life. Whether you're planning for retirement, navigating a major life transition, or simply trying to make smarter financial decisions, this conversation will help you see your financial picture more clearly.