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Retirement planning is about more than growing your savings. It's also about protecting what you've built from unexpected taxes, costly mistakes, and financial surprises that could derail your plans.This week, Gary Mattson and Laurel Steward of Mattson Financial Services explore why retirement tax planning is becoming a guessing game as future tax laws remain uncertain, and why diversifying your retirement accounts may be more important than ever. Plus, Vanguard research reveals how changing jobs could cost workers as much as $300,000 in retirement savings if they aren't careful with their 401(k) contributions.We'll also look at why millions of homeowners may be dangerously underinsured, how longer life expectancies are changing retirement income strategies, and why Social Security's massive records cleanup raises questions about relying too heavily on future benefits. If you're a business owner, you don't want to miss our discussion about the runway you'll need to give yourself before you decide to retire - and the extra decisions that come with your exit strategy.  Need help with your retirement planning decisions? Connect now at www.MattsonFinancial.com.

Will Social Security be there for you? Could rising Medicare costs derail your retirement budget? And how do you know when you’re truly ready to retire? This week, Gary Mattson & Laurel Steward of Mattson Financial Services are taking a closer look at the common fears for retirees, and discuss how to tackle them head on.  We’ll explore potential changes to Social Security, including possible benefit cuts and tax increases, and discuss how income and tax planning can help you prepare for an uncertain future.Plus, we’ll break down why reviewing your Medicare coverage before the enrollment deadline matters, how to make the most of a Health Savings Account, and what retirees can learn from this year’s eye-popping university endowment returns. We’ll also discuss balancing your own retirement security with the desire to leave an inheritance - and why so many Americans fear retirement more than they think they should.The bottom line? You don’t have to predict every financial curveball to build a retirement plan with confidence. You just need to understand your options. Connect now for a conversation about your retirement at www.MattsonFinancial.com.

The current bull market is celebrating its fourth birthday, with the S&P 500 up more than 118% since its 2022 low. But with bond yields rising and market conditions changing, is it time to rethink your retirement strategy - or stay the course? This week, Gary Mattson & Riley Ruff of Mattson Financial Services explore how to navigate market opportunities, prepare for rising health care costs, and make your retirement savings last, even if you haven’t reached $1 million. Plus, discover the critical financial moves to make before leaving your job, and why some high earners are rethinking the traditional 401(k).   Submit a question for your Money Mentors by visiting www.MattsonFinancial.com.

You’ve spent decades saving for retirement - but how do you know when it’s time to start spending? On this episode, Gary Mattson & Gerald Green of Mattson Financial Services explore why so many retirees struggle to tap into their hard-earned savings, and how a thoughtful retirement income strategy can help you enjoy more of what you’ve worked for. Plus, the key financial moves to make before retiring at year-end, what to consider before relocating in retirement, and how to navigate the challenges of caring for aging parents while protecting your own financial future. We’ll also look at growing concerns about a potential stock market correction and discuss how to make investment decisions based on your goals - not your emotions.   Connect now for a conversation about your retirement at www.MattsonFinancial.com.

Should you prioritize Roth retirement accounts over traditional 401(k)s, and how can you make the most of today’s tax environment? On this week's episode, Gary Mattson and Riley Ruff of Mattson Financial Services explore tax-smart retirement strategies, what changing interest rates could mean for your savings, and how to make informed health care and Social Security decisions. Plus, discover why even the wealthiest Americans struggle to beat the market, how retirement can challenge your sense of identity, and why turning a lifetime of saving into confident retirement spending may be one of your biggest financial hurdles. Schedule your retirement conversation with your Money Mentors now at www.MattsonFinancial.com.

From rising grocery bills to costly retirement planning mistakes, inflation and financial uncertainty can take a bigger bite out of your retirement savings than you might expect. Gary Mattson and Laurel Steward of Mattson Financial Services discuss how to account for rising costs in your retirement plan, whether holding too much cash in money market accounts could be hurting your long-term goals, and the unique financial challenges facing couples with a significant age gap. Plus, we'll break down 15 retirement mistakes that could cost you $100,000 or more, from tax missteps and Social Security decisions to costly withdrawal strategies, and explain how proactive planning can help protect your financial future. Take control of your retirement future today. Schedule a time to go over your plan at www.MattsonFinancial.com.

AI volatility, changing markets and economic uncertainty can make retirement investors wonder whether it’s time to rethink their portfolios. This week, Gary Mattson & Laurel Steward of Mattson Financial Services look at how to cut through the noise surrounding AI and determine whether portfolio changes are actually warranted. We also explore the surprising return of corporate pensions and what to do if you don’t have one, the health care costs that can make or break an early-retirement or buyout decision, and why diversification matters more than ever. Plus, we revisit Warren Buffett’s lessons on risk and explain how to estimate and plan for taxes once you start paying yourself in retirement. If it's time for a second opinion on your investment strategy for retirement, schedule a chat with our team at www.MattsonFinancial.com.

What separates the most successful retirement savers from everyone else? It may have less to do with investment genius and more to do with discipline, planning and the financial habits they build over time. This week, Gary Mattson & Laurel Steward of Mattson Financial Services break down the strategies common among top retirement savers - from maximizing contributions and managing taxes to maintaining cash reserves, delaying Social Security and keeping estate plans up to date. Plus, we look at what the S&P 500’s rapid rise could mean for the next 20 years, whether $40 trillion in national debt should concern retirees, why families struggle to talk about money, and the health care costs you need to consider before accepting an early-retirement or buyout offer. Have questions for your Money Mentors? Connect now at www.MattsonFinancial.com.

Saving a seven-figure retirement portfolio is a major accomplishment (and one that should be celebrated!), but it doesn’t mean you can simply set it and forget it. On this episode, Laurel Steward of Mattson FInancial Services examines why today’s bond market matters to retirees, how to make sure your portfolio is built for both income and growth, and the hidden tax and Medicare costs that can catch even wealthy retirees off guard. We’ll also talk about spending your money on the experiences you’ve worked for, using strategies like tax-loss harvesting. And we'll tackle the four questions to ask before making a move during a volatile market. Because in retirement, it’s not just how much you’ve saved - it’s how well you put that money to work for you.  Schedule a retirement conversation with our team at www.MattsonFinancial.com.

A new University of Michigan policy is giving freshmen something many of us could use more of at any age: time to adjust. The pass/no-credit approach recognizes that stepping into a new chapter can take time - and retirement is no different. On this episode of Money Mentors, Gerald Green of Mattson Financial Services looks at why giving yourself time to adjust can make for a more successful retirement. We’ll also tackle whether today’s market highs should make investors skeptical, and how to determine your personal retirement number. Plus, why some retirees may actually be underspending, the key ages and milestones that can affect your retirement strategy, and why a taxable investment account may deserve a bigger role in your plan. Make time to get serious about your retirement goals. Schedule a chat at www.MattsonFinancial.com.

What does it really take to stay financially secure in retirement? In this episode, Gerald Green of Mattson Financial Services takes a closer look at the numbers behind today’s biggest retirement-planning challenges - from inflation and emergency savings to Social Security, 401(k) rollovers, RMDs and health care costs.We’ll discuss how retirees can plan for rising expenses when their income may not keep pace, how much cash they may want in an emergency fund, and what to consider before rolling a 401(k) into an IRA.  Have questions about your reirement - or a topic you'd like us to cover? Connect now at www.MattsonFinancial.com.

Back-to-school season can bring a surprising milestone: for some parents, there’s no longer anyone heading back to school. When the last child leaves home, the emotional transition can be significant - but so can the financial opportunity. This week, your Money Mentors at Mattson Financial Services explore how empty nesters can put newly available cash flow to work for their own future, from boosting retirement savings and catch-up contributions to tax planning, estate strategies, and helping adult children in ways that support their own financial security. We’ll also tackle some of the biggest retirement-planning questions facing investors today: Are you taking too much risk as you approach retirement? Which sources of retirement income might you be overlooking? And should you really trust the retirement-income estimate printed on your 401(k) statement?  Have more questions for us? Connect now at www.MattsonFinancial.com.

Choosing a financial advisor can feel overwhelming - but does the size of the firm really make a difference? In this episode, Gary Mattson & Laurel Steward of Mattson Financial Services explore the pros and cons of large firms versus smaller independent advisors, what really matters when choosing someone to guide your retirement, and the questions every investor should ask before making a decision. We also uncover the so-called "Widow Tax" -- a series of financial and tax challenges that can catch surviving spouses by surprise - and discuss strategies that can help families prepare before those difficult transitions occur. Plus, we break down Wall Street's "dumb money" label and why everyday investors buying market dips may be changing the investing landscape.  Schedule a time to chat with your Money Mentors about your retirement questions at www.MattsonFinancial.com.

Retirement isn't just about saving enough - it's about making smart decisions along the way. In this episode, Gary Mattson and Laurel Steward of Mattson Financial Services answer questions many retirees and pre-retirees are asking: Is a Roth conversion right for me?Should couples retire together or separately?What's really happening with AI stocks and the "Magnificent 7"?How do I know when I'm truly ready to retire?We'll also cover the practical side of retirement - from Medicare and income planning to creating a strategy that gives you confidence through every stage of retirement. Have retirement questions? Connect now with our team in West Michigan at www.MattsonFinancial.com.

What do Lionel Messi and retirement planning have in common? More than you might think. Even the greatest soccer player of all time has struggled with one of the game's simplest moments - the penalty kick. It's a reminder that doing almost everything right doesn't guarantee success if you overlook the fundamentals. In this episode of Money Mentors, Gerald Green of Mattson Financial Services explores the surprisingly common retirement "penalty kicks" that can trip up even diligent savers, from missed tax strategies and Social Security missteps to poor diversification and costly legacy planning mistakes.We'll also discuss whether now is the right time to lock in CD rates, what it really takes to retire comfortably as a middle-class American, and why the stock market's evolution over the past 50 years reinforces the importance of diversification.   Want to suggest a topic for a future episode? Connect with us and drop us a question at www.MattsonFinancial.com.