July 12, 2025: Retirement Confidence, Pension Risks, and Strategies of the Wealthy—and a Pet Baboon

 Three weeks ago, we dug into the details of what pet ownership can cost over the lifetime of a pet; however, those totals didn’t include what fines you might get if your pet decides to run wild! We look at some cases of animals on the loose in Atlanta, including pet baboons, buffaloes, and pythons. 

According to the 2025 Retirement Confidence Survey, 67% of American workers feel confident in their ability to have enough money to live comfortably throughout their retirement, but that confidence is shadowed by deep concerns over potential cuts to Social Security and Medicare. We also explore shifting retirement timelines, rising health care costs, and growing demand for emergency savings solutions within retirement plans. 

K.C. shares the ins and outs of planning retirement with a pension—and the risks that often go overlooked, such as the lack of inflation protection to reduced survivor benefits and long-term funding concerns.  We will also discuss why some employers are shifting toward hybrid models that include a 401(k) component to help fill the gaps. 

After the break, we unpack the jaw-dropping strategy known as “Buy, Borrow, Die”—a legal tax loophole the ultra-wealthy use to build massive fortunes, fund lavish lifestyles, and pass on wealth to heirs nearly tax-free. It’s a masterclass in how America’s richest sidestep income and estate taxes, exposing the widening gap between the tax code for the few—and the one for everyone else. 

Join hosts Nick Antonucci, CVA, CEPA, Director of Research, and Managing Associates K.C. Smith, CFP®, CEPA, and D.J. Barker, CWS®, and Kelly-Lynne Scalice, a seasoned communicator and host, on Henssler Money Talks as they explore key financial strategies to help investors navigate market uncertainty. 

Henssler Money Talks — July 12, 2025  |  Season 39, Episode 28 

Timestamps and Chapters

• 10:12: Atlanta’s Animals Running Wild
• 15:43: EBRI 2025 Retirement Confidence Survey
• 36:28: Retirement Planning with a Pension
• 50:56: Buy, Borrow, and Die

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