Our Blogs
Your retirement in focus
Insights, planning guidance, and stories to help you prepare for what's ahead across all five Lenses, from Finance to Legacy.
Reviewing Your Beneficiaries: A 5-Minute Task
Beneficiary designations override your will. A five-minute audit to catch the ex-spouse still named, missing contingents, and old forgotten accounts.
9/25/2026
How Much Tax Will You Actually Pay in Retirement?
Retirement tax is rarely zero. See what actually gets taxed, how Social Security and RMDs stack, and the five levers you still control.
9/16/2026
Rebalancing in Retirement: Why the Rules Change Once You Are Withdrawing
Rebalancing while withdrawing means every trade is a sale with tax and timing risk. Six rules for rebalancing safely once income starts flowing out.
9/14/2026
Do You Actually Need an Annuity? A Decision Framework
Before buying an annuity, work out your income gap first. A step-by-step framework covering fees, surrender charges, and when an annuity actually makes sense.
9/3/2026
The Roth Conversion Window: Why the Gap Years Before RMDs Are Your Cheapest Tax Years
The years between retirement and your first RMD are often your lowest-tax years ever. Here's how to size Roth conversions around 2026 IRMAA thresholds before the window closes.
9/1/2026
Social Security Claiming: The Two Decisions That Drive Almost Everything Else
Why deciding when to claim Social Security is a retiree’s most critical financial choice. It urges separating your retirement date from your claiming date. By comparing benefits at 62, 67, and 70, it covers spousal survivor strategies, the earnings test, and funding your bridge years.
8/24/2026
Beyond the Portfolio: Why Traditional Retirement Planning Fails High-Net-Worth Americans, and How a Five-Lens Approach Changes Everything
A multi-million-dollar portfolio solves the money question, but it doesn't guarantee a successful retirement. Discover why high-net-worth individuals face unique challenges like tax cliffs, estate fragmentation, and the "purpose gap." Learn how the Retirelens Five-Lens Approach—integrating Finance, Health, Purpose, Connections, and Legacy—provides a holistic roadmap for a fulfilling post-career life.
8/18/2026
Backdoor Roth IRA in 2026: The Complete Walkthrough (Including the Pro-Rata Trap That Costs People Thousands)
At a $5M+ net worth, the standard $7,500 Roth IRA contribution isn't the main draw; it's about securing a tax-free legacy and managing your MAGI. This 2026 guide breaks down the mechanics of the mega backdoor Roth, which can move roughly $35,000 annually, and explains the unforgiving pro-rata trap that costs people real money when handling Form 8606 casually. Discover five strategic ways to navigate your pre-tax IRA balances and ensure your heirs inherit tax-free assets under the 10-year rule.
8/12/2026
The RetireLens Starter Pack (Downloadable Guide)
Start your retirement plan in one hour. The RetireLens Starter Pack covers finances, health, purpose, connections, and legacy — all in one simple, structured guide.
4/4/2026
How Long Will $300k Last in Retirement? (Real Scenarios)
$300,000 can last 25–30 years in retirement when paired with Social Security. See real withdrawal scenarios, spending strategies, and what affects your runway most.
4/4/2026