The Retirement Puzzle: Crafting Your Solo Aging Vision with Eric Blake

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February 7, 2025 • 46 mins

In this insightful episode of The Navigating Solo™ Podcast, host Ailene Gerhardt sits down with Eric Blake, a seasoned financial planner with over 25 years of experience specializing in retirement, tax planning, and investment management for women over 55—including those who are single by choice, divorced, or widowed. Drawing from personal experiences with his single mother and widowed grandmother, Eric shares his passion for empowering women to achieve financial independence in retirement.

Together, they explore the unique financial challenges solo agers face, from understanding the life events that shape retirement perspectives to practical strategies like “practicing retirement” before leaving the workforce. Eric breaks down his “retirement puzzle” approach, helping listeners piece together key components like Social Security, tax strategies, and income planning to create a clear vision for the future.

Key points addressed in this episode:

The “Retirement Puzzle” Approach – How to piece together Social Security, tax strategies, and income planning for a secure retirement.
Unique Financial Challenges for Solo Agers – Understanding life events that shape retirement perspectives for those aging alone.
Practicing Retirement – The benefits of testing retirement strategies before fully leaving the workforce.
Choosing the Right Financial Advisor – Critical questions to ask to ensure your advisor aligns with your solo aging needs.
Proactive Tax Planning – Strategies to manage required minimum distributions (RMDs) and minimize tax liabilities.
The Importance of Building a Support Network – Creating a “micro board of directors” with professionals like financial planners, healthcare advocates, and elder law attorneys.
Navigating Retirement During Life Transitions – Approaching financial planning during widowhood, divorce, or other major life changes.
Common Missteps in Retirement Planning – Why many women switch financial advisors after losing a spouse and how to avoid reactive planning.

For additional resources, check out:

The Simply Retirement Podcast: 10 Questions to Ask a Financial Advisor: Why the Right Questions Can Save Your Retirement Listen Here
Purse Strings — Empowering women to take charge of their financial futures.

Whether you're navigating retirement solo or supporting someone who is, this episode provides practical tools and thoughtful insights to guide you through the retirement puzzle.

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Connect with Eric Blake, CFP: