Redefining Retirement Planning

People often ask me, “Dan, what the heck do you do?” My answer is simple: I’m a retirement planner. But what does that really mean?

For most of the financial industry, “retirement planning” is just a buzzword for investment management. If you don’t have at least a million dollars in your accounts, many advisors won’t even take your call. But retirement isn’t just about investments, and it certainly isn’t reserved for the wealthy.

Real retirement planning is about helping people navigate one of life’s biggest transitions with confidence. It’s about building a roadmap for the last 15–30 years of life that eliminates guesswork, brings clarity to overwhelming decisions, and ensures you get the most out of what you’ve worked so hard to build.

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Problem #1: The Industry’s Narrow View of Retirement Planning

Most investment firms see retirement planning as one thing: how to manage your money once you stop working. They set account minimums — often $500,000 to $1 million — and if you don’t qualify, you’re turned away.

This “assets-only” approach leaves most retirees in the dark. After all, the average 401(k) balance for Americans approaching retirement is between $50,000 and $500,000. These are real nest eggs, but not “big enough” for Wall Street to care about.

Worse, investment-only planning doesn’t address the biggest financial decisions retirees face. Social Security elections, Medicare coverage, pension options, and tax strategies are often glossed over because advisors can’t bill for them. The result? Retirees are left guessing on issues that could cost them tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars over their lifetimes.

How does the industry fail the middle class?

Problem #2: The Real Questions Retirees Face

Here are just a few of the questions I hear every week:

• Should I take Social Security at 62, 67, or 70?
• Should I stay on my employer’s health plan or switch to Medicare at 65?
• How should I take my pension — lump sum, monthly payments, or survivor options?
• How do I handle taxes on withdrawals and Social Security benefits?
• What if I want safety and growth, but don’t want to gamble in the stock market?

These aren’t “side issues” — they are the issues. A Social Security filing strategy alone can change a household’s lifetime benefit by over $100,000. Choosing the wrong Medicare plan could cost thousands in uncovered medical expenses.

The industry’s silence on these topics leaves retirees vulnerable.

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Problem #3: Why Most People Don’t Get Help

The harsh truth is that financial professionals make money in two ways: fees and commissions. If your account balance doesn’t generate enough of either, you’re not a priority.

This creates a huge gap: millions of retirees with modest savings who desperately need guidance, but can’t find reputable help. Many end up relying on generic online calculators, half-answers from call centers, or advice from friends and neighbors.

But retirement is too important to leave to chance. You only get one shot at making these decisions right.

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Problem #4: What Retirement Planning Should Be

True retirement planning is holistic. It’s not just about investments — it’s about aligning every piece of your financial life so you can retire with confidence.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Social Security Analysis: Evaluating every claiming option and identifying the strategy that maximizes lifetime benefits.
• Medicare Evaluation: Choosing the right coverage, avoiding penalties, and planning for future medical events.
• Pension Optimization: Understanding your payout options and the long-term impact of each.
• Tax Planning: Anticipating how withdrawals, RMDs, and Social Security will be taxed.
• Investment Simplicity: Using straightforward strategies like index-linked funds that protect against loss while still offering growth.
• Ongoing Support: Adjusting the plan as your life changes — because retirement isn’t a one-time event.

This approach doesn’t just manage money. It manages life in retirement.

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Problem #5: You Don’t Want To Become An Investment Professional

Let me give you a recent example. A client of mine had saved diligently but was frustrated. She didn’t want to become a stock trader in retirement. She wanted safety, simplicity, and peace of mind.

We structured her savings into index-linked funds that provided her with over 11% growth last year — with zero risk of market loss and no fees. On top of that, I built her a Social Security roadmap that showed a strategy worth an additional $182,000 in lifetime benefits.

She also received a Medicare evaluation to ensure she had the right healthcare coverage moving forward. The best part? She never paid me a dime. The companies compensate me directly, not my clients.

That’s what real retirement planning looks like: protection, clarity, and guidance without hidden costs.

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My Elevator Pitch (and Why It Matters)

So what do I do? Here’s my new elevator pitch:

I am a retirement planner for those abandoned by the industry. Unless you have millions, most firms won’t help you. I will, happily.

For me, retirement planning means giving everyone a fair shot at a secure, confident retirement. It’s not about chasing the wealthy. It’s about helping everyday people — teachers, nurses, factory workers, small business owners — retire with dignity.

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Retirement Planning, NEEDS TO BE Redefined

Retirement planning isn’t about investments. It’s about people. It’s about asking the right questions, building the right roadmaps, and making sure no retiree feels like they’ve been left behind.

If you’ve worked hard your whole life and are ready for the next chapter, you deserve more than generic advice. You deserve a clear, customized plan that works for you.

Because retirement planning isn’t about reaching a magic number. It’s about making the rest of your life the best of your life.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Retirement Planning

What is the difference between retirement planning and financial advising?
Financial advising often focuses on managing investments. Retirement planning takes a broader approach, covering Social Security, Medicare, pensions, taxes, and lifestyle planning.

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Do I need $1 million to work with a retirement planner?
No. In fact, most people don’t. A good retirement planner helps clients across the wealth spectrum, especially those who can’t find guidance elsewhere.

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When should I start retirement planning?
Ideally in your 50s or earlier, but it’s never too late. Even if you’re already retired, adjustments can be made to improve your financial outcomes.

‍How do retirement planners get paid?Many charge fees or take percentages of assets. Others — like me — are compensated by the companies we place business with, not directly by clients.