Retirement Elevated Podcast with Sean Lee

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If your parents died relatively young, it’s natural to wonder what that might mean for your own future. From a financial standpoint, that uncertainty raises tough questions: should it change how you plan for retirement, or when you decide to start taking Social Security benefits? In this episode, Sean unpa...

📞 Get your customized planning started by booking a 15-minute consultation:

https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall

Most people don’t feel wealthy. But what if your day-to-day habits are quietly building serious financial strength? A recent article from Kiplinger outlined five surprising signs that you might be richer than you think. And none of them involve yachts or private jets. In this episode, Sean analyzes the hab...

📞 Get your customized planning started by booking a 15-minute consultation:

https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall

📘 Grab Your FREE Copy of "Rounding Third"

http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/

Big tax law changes always bring big rumors. But before you assume Social Security is now tax-free or that you’re getting a $40K deduction just for breathing, let’s set the record straight on what this new bill didn’t...

📞 Get your customized planning started by booking a 15-minute consultation:

https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall

📘 Grab Your FREE Copy of "Rounding Third"

http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/

Generation X, welcome to your retirement wake-up call. In this nostalgic but practical episode, we’re going to take Gen Xers down memory lane and straight into the financial realities of retirement planning. From latc...

📞 Get your customized planning started by booking a 15-minute consultation:

https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall

📘 Grab Your FREE Copy of "Rounding Third"

http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/

In the book The Five People You Meet in Heaven, each person the main character meets helps him understand his life in a new way. Today, let’s talk about the five people you should meet before retirement—people who c...

We all want to support the people we care about, but when money enters the equation, even the best intentions can lead to tension. In this episode, Sean unpacks the emotional and financial complexities of lending to family and friends. He offers real-world guidance to help you handle these situations with clarity and care, without putting your own finances at risk.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

💵 The importance of sett...

A little hope is good for the soul, but when it comes to retirement planning, wishful thinking can lead to serious financial mistakes. Today, Sean’s walking through five common examples of wishful thinking that can quietly damage your retirement and how you can build a plan that protects your future instead of relying on luck.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

💸 Why relying only on investment interest could cut your income s...

Are you saving so much for retirement that it’s squeezing your life today? In this episode, Sean answers a viewer question about finding the right balance between preparing for the future and living fully in the present. Can you save too much? Are you over-saving at the expense of living now? Sean addresses the listener’s concern that he’s maxing out multiple accounts but still feels like he’s living paycheck to paycheck. It raises...

Ever wonder what other people talk about with their financial advisors? A new survey of nearly 400 experienced advisors reveals the biggest concerns, challenges, and financial goals their clients are facing today. From retirement planning to healthcare costs to working longer than expected, we’re breaking down the key takeaways and how they compare to what we see in our own client conversations.

Here’s what we discuss in this episo...

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