Most people think they'll run out of money in retirement because they didn't save enough. The research says otherwise. In this video, I break down the 5 hidden factors that actually determine whether your retirement succeeds or fails — and most of them never show up in an online calculator.

We cover sequence of returns risk (and why retiring in the wrong year can wreck even a well-funded portfolio), spending shocks, tax drag, inflation's slow burn on your purchasing power, and the one risk nobody talks about: the psychology of spending too little.

I also walk through my Sequence of Returns calculator live, showing real data from four different portfolio types — the results might surprise you.

Since 1928, the market has returned over 10% annually — but the average investor only earns about 5%. In this video, I break down the data on market crashes, intra-year drawdowns, and why we're almost guaranteed to see another crash — and why that shouldn't change your retirement plan. I'll show you the real numbers behind all-time highs, the Peter Lynch paradox, and the emotional mistakes that cost retirees the most money.

✅Free Strategy Session ✅ https://www.foundryfinancial.org/retirement-assessmentMost people glance at their Social Security statement, assume the number is fixed, and move on. It's not.

In this episode, Kevin breaks down exactly how your Social Security benefit is calculated — including the earnings indexing formula, the bend point system, and why having fewer than 35 working years can quietly cost you thousands. More importantly, he walks through five specific strategies you can use to increase your benefit before you claim.

What's covered:

• Why zeros in your earnings record hurt more than you think
• How married couples can coordinate benefits to maximize both spousal and survivor income
• The one government error that could be silently reducing your benefit right now
• Why delaying to 70 can mean $1,400+ more per month — for life

Social Security is the only source of retirement income that's guaranteed, inflation-protected, and lasts as long as you live. Getting this decision right matters.

Most people who are well-prepared for retirement have convinced themselves they're behind. In this video, I walk through 9 signs you're actually doing better than most American retirees — even if it doesn't feel that way.

If you know what you spend, carry no debt, and have multiple income streams, there's a good chance your biggest retirement risk isn't running out of money. It's holding back from actually living it.

Kevin explains research showing financial decision-making peaks around age 53, financial literacy declines about 2% per year after 60, and confidence often doesn’t decline—creating risk in retirement as financial complexity increases and scams become more sophisticated.

Most people calculate their net worth by adding up their 401(k), IRA, and home equity, then subtracting debt. But that number is incomplete — and it might be causing you to spend less, worry more, and make worse retirement decisions than you need to.

In this video, I walk you through a better way to calculate your net worth that includes the portfolio equivalency of your Social Security and pension benefits. For the couple in this example, that "hidden" wealth added up to over $1 million — a 72% increase over their traditional net worth.

Someone with $250,000 and someone with $5 million are both watching this video — but their biggest financial risks couldn't be more different. In this video, I break down the 6 levels of retirement wealth (based on Federal Reserve data) and walk through the specific planning priorities at each level.

Because the truth is, most retirement advice on YouTube is a scattershot. What works for someone with $500K might be completely wrong for someone with $5 million. Your playbook should match your level.

No matter where you sit, ask yourself: Do I have a real income plan? Do I understand my tax picture? Do I have a strategy for long-term care? Is my estate plan current?

In today's episode, Kevin explains why some financial advisors may not tell the full story and shares five signals it may be time to leave: (1) they lead with selling products instead of building a comprehensive plan, (2) they aren’t a fiduciary and their compensation is unclear or commission-based, (3) they avoid tax planning or constantly defer to a CPA on key strategy questions, (4) meetings leave you more confused due to jargon and unnecessary complexity, and (5) they never challenge your assumptions or deliver uncomfortable truths. He gives industry background on how advisor compensation evolved from transaction commissions to product sales to fee-based models, and provides practical steps for switching advisors—transferring accounts in kind without tax consequences, optionally keeping the same custodian, and sending a short, respectful email.