Retire Well

Markets are touching record highs, so why are so many people feeling nervous about retirement?In this episode, Josh Bretl explains why emotions can derail your money, shares an update on his son Alex's sudden rock guitar hiatus, and walks through the four biggest risks to your nest egg.From rising healthcare costs to proactive lifetime tax planning, discover how to spend and live with clarity.Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with a Wellment advisor.

Are you truly ready to retire, or just ready to stop working?This week, Josh Bretl and Mark Elliott discuss finding purpose after your career, turning savings into steady income, and why legacy planning matters for every family.From updating beneficiary designations to protecting a surviving spouse and preparing for long-term care, Josh shares simple steps to help you plan with confidence. Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with a Wellment advisor.

Josh Bretl starts with a fun story from a School of Rock concert before diving into key retirement topics.We discuss how rising energy prices impact grocery bills and why flexible income planning matters.Plus, we look at the financial impacts of late in life divorce, the widow penalty, and lessons from 1976 gas prices.Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with a Wellment advisor.

What do a Chicago music festival and retirement planning have in common?Both require stepping outside your comfort zone!In this episode of Retire Well, Josh Bretl and Mark Elliott break down recent Federal Reserve interest rate moves and explain why taxes are often the single biggest expense in retirement.Learn why a 30-year tax strategy beats standard single-year tax prep, plus answers to real listener questions on long-term care and concentrated stock.Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with a Wellment advisor.

Football season is back in the Bretl house, complete with team Dino Nuggets.But on this episode, Josh Bretl and Mark Elliott tackle a bigger opponent: the 40 trillion dollar national debt and what it means for your retirement taxes.Learn how required minimum distributions can trigger an unexpected tax shock, how the three tax buckets work, and why laddering Roth conversions might save you money down the road.Plus, Josh answers listener mailbag questions on Medicare, spousal timing, and business sales.Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with a Wellment advisor.