What is your retirement magic number?

In this episode of Retire Well, Josh Bretl and Mark Elliott break down why relying on a single savings target might be a myth.

True financial security is not just about the size of your nest egg, it's about how much you spend in relation to what you have.

Josh shares insights on navigating major life transitions and explains the core pillars of the Wellment Way.

You'll learn the mechanics of strategic Roth conversions, including a unique tax advantage specifically for Illinois residents.

We also dive into how to protect your Social Security from tax traps and manage Medicare premium surcharges.

Finally, we discuss the habits of the quietly wealthy and how to align your retirement spending with what brings you true peace of mind.

Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with a Wellment advisor.

A recent report shows that most Americans fear outliving their savings more than death itself.

It makes sense.

For decades, you knew exactly how much money was coming in from your paycheck.

In retirement, that predictable income disappears, and the responsibility shifts entirely to you.

This week, Josh Bretl breaks down how to transition from a saving mindset to an income mindset.

He shares a simple two lane highway strategy designed to protect your short term needs while keeping your long term wealth growing.

Plus, Josh answers listener questions about evaluating early retirement packages, managing taxes after selling a family business, deciding whether to file taxes jointly or separately, and protecting an inheritance for a child who struggles with money.

Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with a Wellment advisor.

Josh Bretl begins this episode with a story from a recent Social Security workshop in Wheaton where the room hit 85 degrees, the fans sounded like a hurricane, and his laptop died mid-presentation.

While it felt like a disaster, sitting down with the audience led to a profound connection with a recent widow who felt lost in the complexity of retirement.

We explore why confidence in retirement is plummeting for 39% of American workers.

Josh breaks down the truth about Social Security cuts and Medicare surcharges, explaining why your tax strategy is just as important as your investment strategy.

We also dive into the Wellment Way, a holistic approach that covers income, assets, taxes, healthcare, and legacy planning.

Learn how to separate your must haves from your nice to haves to ensure you never outlive your money.

📞 Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15 minute call with a Wellment advisor.

In this episode of Retire Well, Josh Bretl and Mark Elliott discuss the fundamental shift in retirement planning over the last few decades.

With traditional pensions largely a thing of the past, today’s retirees must act as their own pension managers.

Josh breaks down the recent Federal Reserve Beige Report and explains why emotional reactions to global uncertainty often lead to costly mistakes.

We dive deep into the Wellment Way, specifically the strategy of income blending across different tax buckets to minimize your lifetime tax liability.

You will learn about the three tax buckets (Tax Me Now, Tax Me Later, and Tax Free) and how a written strategy can provide the clarity you deserve.

Whether you are ten years out or already retired, this conversation offers a clear path toward financial freedom.

📞 Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with a Wellment advisor.

Life has a way of surprising us when we least expect it.

This week, Josh Bretl shares a story about an unwelcome visitor in his car that serves as a perfect metaphor for the unexpected challenges of retirement.

Whether it is a mechanical failure at home or a sudden shift in the stock market, being prepared is the key to maintaining your peace of mind.

Josh and Mark Elliott dive deep into what experts call the most dangerous 10 year period of your financial life: the five years before and the five years after you retire.

They discuss why this window is so critical for your long-term success and how the sequence of returns risk can impact your lifestyle.

The conversation also covers the four big questions every retiree eventually faces, ranging from the size of your nest egg to the security of your loved ones.

We explain why retirement is less about a math problem and more about the freedom to live life on your terms.

📞 Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with a Wellment advisor.

In this episode of Retire Well, Josh Bretl and Mark Elliott discuss how to find clarity when you are feeling out of sorts due to market volatility or headline driven anxiety.

Josh shares a personal story about a family dinner reset involving a tableside Parmesan cheese wheel that turned a lethargic Sunday into a great start to the week .

We then dive into the unique challenges of the retirement marathon for women, focusing on the specific financial whammies that hit when transitioning from a married to a single filer.

From a last minute office wedding that saved a couple eighty thousand dollars in taxes to timeless wisdom from Ben Franklin on plugging financial leaks, this conversation is all about making retirement the best part of your life .

We simplify the complex so you can focus on what truly matters most.

📞 Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with a Wellment advisor.

This week on Retire Well, Josh Bretl shares highlights from a family road trip to Louisville, Kentucky, including scouting reports from Mammoth Cave and the Louisville Slugger factory.

Back in the office, Josh and Mark Elliott discuss the impact of economic cycles on consumer confidence and how inflation in energy costs has hit the headlines recently.

Josh shares his perspective on why these periods occur and how the Wellment Way is designed to help retirees stay focused on their personal goals rather than market noise.

We also tackle the reported rise in healthcare costs for retirees, which can reach an estimated $345,000 for a couple, and why medical expenses are often cited as a significant cause of financial strain in retirement.

Finally, our mailbag addresses the psychological shift required to move from saving to spending, the potential complexities of acting as a "family bank" for your children, and strategies for managing Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).

📞 Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with a Wellment advisor.

In this episode of Retire Well, Josh Bretl and Mark Elliott explore the personal side of retirement planning, starting with a Saturday night in downtown Elmhurst that served as a reminder of how quickly life transitions occur.

We dive into the often difficult topic of legacy and estate planning, discussing why clear documentation is the only way to protect your family from the courtroom battles that have plagued even the most famous estates.

Josh also breaks down the concept of portfolio risk using a highway analogy. Are you driving your investments at 80 miles per hour when you should be slowing down for the residential streets of retirement?

We discuss how to identify your unique risk score and why the Rule of 100 is just a starting point.

Finally, we celebrate Financial Literacy Month by simplifying the complex: it is not about technical jargon, it is about understanding your spending to ensure you can live fully.

Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with a Wellment advisor.