It's not what you make, it's what you keep that counts. As you start to think about your finances and retirement, have you ever considered this? Some say 'it's less about the number of dollars you've saved and more about the strategies you use with your savings.

Most people spend their entire working lives looking forward to retirement as a time when things finally get simpler, including the tax bill. So when I tell you that for many retirees, taxes often get more complicated and can actually go up after they stop working, that's hard to believe.

Most people spend decades learning how to save for retirement — maxing out their 401k, watching their balance grow. But there's almost no education about the next chapter: turning that balance into income.

Many people think of retirement as a destination, you work hard, you save, you arrive. But for millions of women, retirement isn't a destination. It's a marathon that could run 30, even 35 years and the plan many of them have might, not last that long.

Divorce later in life can have a lasting impact on your financial future. New research finds that more than 60% of Americans who divorce after age 50 say it delays their retirement and that's only part of the financial fallout. Nearly 70% take on new debt, often ranging from $25,000 to $50,000. For many, starting over after 50 doesn't just mean rebuilding a life, it means rebuilding a retirement plan, too.

We're faced with questions every day. What's for dinner? When's the meeting? How was your day? These are questions that are, or should be easy to answer, but when you're starting to consider retirement, the questions can get a lot more complicated.

Many people spend decades building their retirement nest egg, only to discover that having substantial savings isn't enough. Just like a beautiful house needs a strong foundation to withstand storms, your retirement plan needs proper structuring to help preserve against the challenges ahead.

One of the biggest concerns retirees share is a simple one: Will my money last?

Many people think the answer is saving more, working a few extra years, or worrying about every swing in the stock market. While those things matter, they're only part of the picture.

A secure retirement is just as much about protecting what you've already built. Inflation, taxes, healthcare costs, and unexpected expenses can slowly chip away at your savings

if you don't have a plan. That's why it's important to have a retirement strategy that balances growth with protection, one that provides dependable income while helping you manage the risks you can't control.

The goal isn't to predict the future. It's to be prepared for it, so you can spend less time worrying about your finances and more time enjoying retirement. If it's been a while since you've reviewed your retirement plan, now is a great time to make sure it's still working as hard as you did to build it.

Retirement isn't looking as bright as it used to. Confidence is slipping. Less and less people believe they'll live as well (or better) in retirement than they do today. What changed…and what can be done to turn that outlook around?

Your 401(k) may be one of your largest assets. And may be one of your largest future tax liabilities if not managed carefully. In this week's podcast, we discuss strategies to help preserve your savings, create reliable retirement income, and reduce unnecessary taxes throughout retirement.