Retirement Elevated Podcast with Sean Lee

Tax season is here, but filing your 2024 return is just one piece of the puzzle. Now is also the perfect time to take advantage of new tax rules for 2025—before the year gets away from you. With higher standard deductions, increased retirement contribution limits, and updated HSA rules, there are plenty of opportunities to lower your tax bill and boost your savings. In this episode, we’ll break down the key changes and how you can ...

Do you really need a financial advisor, or can you handle your investments on your own? We received a question from someone who has been a successful investor and is wondering whether they would get value out of a financial advisor. Let’s dive into the pros and cons of DIY investing and explain how working with an advisor can actually save you money, time, and stress.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

💰 DIY Investing Risks

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It’s been a tumultuous start to 2025 in the job market as layoffs are happening across a number of different sectors. No matter how you feel about the state of things, it’s important to take the necessary steps to prepare if you’re worried about that possibility.

We’re going to pull insights from the book Upgrade Your Path by Melissa Ceballos, PHR, SHRM-CP. She’s a great member of our team and a former HR professional, and this boo...

As winter approaches, many retirees are looking for ways to escape the cold, and snowbirding has become a popular solution. But what does it really entail? In this episode, Sean shares insights on the top destinations for snowbirds, including the sunny shores of Florida and the warm deserts of Arizona.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

1:49 – Top destinations

3:05 – Having two homes

4:37 – The RV/remote lifestyle

Baseball and retirement planning might have more in common than you think. Just as a solid batting average leads to a successful career, a steady financial plan can pave the way for a winning retirement.

While it may be tempting to aim for high returns, a strategy focused on steady, incremental growth is often the key to lasting success. In this episode, Sean explains why having a clear, well-defined plan is so crucial. By applying...

Retirement doesn’t have to break the bank, but with the rising costs of living, it can be tough to stay within your budget. It’s essential to find affordable ways to live life so if you’re looking to cut back on expenses, we have four budget-friendly activities that will keep you entertained without breaking the bank.  

In this episode, we'll discuss options like free fun in nature, making new friends through clubs and volunteering...

Everyone wants to know how to maximize their Social Security benefits. It’s a question that comes up nearly every time we meet with someone. While the simple answer is to wait as long as possible to get the largest monthly benefit, the strategy that you should choose needs to take your entire financial picture into account.

In this episode, we’re going to share a Social Security case study where a couple we worked with wanted to re...

How confident are you in your financial strategy? Are you feeling strong enough to rate it an 8, 9, or 10? This week, we're going to dive into what it takes to gain that confidence by sharing the five areas to help you improve your financial success.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

2:20 – You know where your money is going to come from

4:28 – You know what your risk score is

6:23 – You have strategies in place ...

People nearing retirement often fall under one of the three Cs. Those are concerned, seeking clarity, or confident. In this episode, Sean breaks down these three mindsets, exploring the unique questions and needs that come with each. Let’s see which best describes you!

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

2:08 – Concerned

3:15 – The blurred line with clarity

6:30 – Seeking clarity

11:13 – Confident

Schedule a 15...

There’s been a growing buzz around Roth conversions, but what do they actually entail? This popular strategy makes a lot of sense within a financial plan, but like all tools, it’s not for everyone. In this episode, we dig into this complex subject with real-world examples that illustrate the potential benefits and pitfalls of this strategy.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

1:45 – Roth conversions are situational

Social Security is the backbone of retirement for millions of Americans, but big changes may be coming. On this episode, we dive into the recently released proposal to raise the full retirement age to 69 and what it means for your benefits, your future, and your financial security.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

3:10 – The proposal

5:42 – Report details

8:53 – Lower benefits at age 62

11:00 – Will this improve...

When it comes to creating a successful retirement plan, the financial metrics are going to be a big part of achieving your goals. In order to enjoy your retirement, you need to have the ability to fund your lifestyle and not run out of money. But money isn’t the only measurement of success.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

0:23 – What does success look like beyond the financial numbers?

1:43 – How retirement loo...

Dividend investing has long been a popular choice for retirees looking to generate a steady income but is living off dividends still a viable strategy? Today we’ll talk more about the ways to generate income and the strategies we use to help ensure our clients have enough to live comfortably.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

0:24 – Spring Training baseball

3:08 – Ways to generate income

5:38 – Incidental incom...

Remember the thrill of shaking a Magic 8 Ball to get answers to your childhood questions? Would we ace that math test? Would we be famous someday? Well, today, we're bringing a bit of that magic back. But instead of asking about pop quizzes and playground crushes, we’re turning to the Magic 8 Ball for advice on something much more important: your retirement planning! What would the Magic 8 Ball have to say about these common retire...

Planning for retirement involves many crucial decisions, one of which is determining the best order to withdraw from your retirement accounts. Traditional advice often suggests a sequential approach- pulling money out of one type of account completely before moving to the next. But is this really the best strategy for everyone?

Tune in as Sean shares some key factors to consider when deciding the best approach for your retirement p...

No one hits a home run every time! While home runs are an exciting part of any baseball game, the end result of who wins the game has a lot more to do with how the rest of the game is played. Drawing from his extensive experience both on the field and in finance, Sean provides valuable insights into how the principles of baseball can be applied to crafting a successful retirement strategy. 

Here’s some of what we discuss in this ...

Investing can be a daunting task, especially for those who are new to the game. In this podcast, Sean shares his expertise on common rookie investing mistakes and how to avoid them. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your strategy, Sean emphasizes the importance of knowing what each investment is for. Just like players on a baseball team, each investment should have a specific job to do.

Here’s some of what we ...

Who are the people who have the highest satisfaction in retirement? And how can you be one of them? It begins with understanding your retirement needs. Sean outlines the importance of clarity and confidence in your financial situation. He stresses that knowing the math problem- what you'll need versus what you'll have- is the first step toward a robust retirement plan.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• What does...

Have you ever wondered about the decisions in life that you can't take back? Today, we deep dive into the irreversible choices that can shape your financial future, especially when it comes to retirement.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• When you start taking Social Security matters.
• Choose wisely regarding your pension benefits.
• You can’t get life insurance once it’s too late and your family needs it.
• How to k...