Retirement Elevated Podcast with Sean Lee

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In the book The Five People You Meet in Heaven, each person the main character meets helps him understand his life in a new way. Today, let’s talk about the five people you should meet before retirement—people who can guide your next chapter and help you retire with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
In this episode, Sean breaks down a unique “retirement dream team” approach that blends practical wisdom with real-world stories.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
🧩 Why a financial advisor is your retirement “puzzle master”
📜 The estate planning move that prevents family fallout
🛡️ How insurance specialists protect your retirement lifestyle
🏋️‍♂️ Why fitness isn’t just about health, it’s about freedom
⚠️ The biggest mistakes people make when setting up a trust
 
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com
Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvc4i_5kYjIQXyr0fNTeXQ 

We all want to support the people we care about, but when money enters the equation, even the best intentions can lead to tension. In this episode, Sean unpacks the emotional and financial complexities of lending to family and friends. He offers real-world guidance to help you handle these situations with clarity and care, without putting your own finances at risk.
 
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
💵 The importance of setting clear terms and expectations
🧾 How contracts can protect both finances and relationships
🚫 Don’t lend what you can’t afford to lose
🧠 Consider creative, non-cash ways to help loved ones
 
Schedule a 15-minute consultation:  https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
Get your free copy of "Rounding Third:"  http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

A little hope is good for the soul, but when it comes to retirement planning, wishful thinking can lead to serious financial mistakes. Today, Sean’s walking through five common examples of wishful thinking that can quietly damage your retirement and how you can build a plan that protects your future instead of relying on luck.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
💸 Why relying only on investment interest could cut your income short
🧾 The truth about taxes in retirement
🚗 Why “every day is Saturday” might wreck your spending plan
📉 How past investment success can create a false sense of security
👪 The emotional and financial risks of assuming kids will “help out”
 
Schedule a 15-minute consultation:  https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
Get your free copy of "Rounding Third:"  http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

Are you saving so much for retirement that it’s squeezing your life today? In this episode, Sean answers a viewer question about finding the right balance between preparing for the future and living fully in the present. Can you save too much? Are you over-saving at the expense of living now? Sean addresses the listener’s concern that he’s maxing out multiple accounts but still feels like he’s living paycheck to paycheck. It raises an important point: Is it possible to be too focused on the future and miss out on the present?
 
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
🧭 Why “starting with the end in mind” matters most
📉 The real risk of under-saving and over-saving
🧠 How your past shapes your money biases today
✈️ What pilots need to know about timing, taxes, and lifestyle
 
Rowe Price Benchmark Calculator: https://www.troweprice.com/personal-investing/resources/insights/youre-age-35-50-or-60-how-much-should-you-have-by-now.html
 
Schedule a 15-minute consultation:  https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
Get your free copy of "Rounding Third:"  http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

Ever wonder what other people talk about with their financial advisors? A new survey of nearly 400 experienced advisors reveals the biggest concerns, challenges, and financial goals their clients are facing today. From retirement planning to healthcare costs to working longer than expected, we’re breaking down the key takeaways and how they compare to what we see in our own client conversations.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
📉 Outliving assets: why it tops the list
🏥 The overlooked risk of healthcare costs
💬 Why income planning matters more than portfolio size
🔍 The real reason so many people want to keep working
 
Check out the article here: https://www.fa-mag.com/news/retirement-planning-survey-2024-80450.html 
 
Schedule a 15-minute consultation:  https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
Get your free copy of "Rounding Third:"  http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

Tax season is here, but filing your 2024 return is just one piece of the puzzle. Now is also the perfect time to take advantage of new tax rules for 2025—before the year gets away from you. With higher standard deductions, increased retirement contribution limits, and updated HSA rules, there are plenty of opportunities to lower your tax bill and boost your savings. In this episode, we’ll break down the key changes and how you can start planning now to make the most of them.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
💼 New 401(k) contribution limits—especially for ages 60–63
🧾 Qualified Charitable Distributions = smart giving + tax benefits
🏥 HSAs: the “triple tax-advantaged” retirement healthcare tool
💡 Strategic Roth use (contributions & conversions) builds tax flexibility
 
Schedule a 15-minute consultation:  https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
Get your free copy of "Rounding Third:"  http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

Do you really need a financial advisor, or can you handle your investments on your own? We received a question from someone who has been a successful investor and is wondering whether they would get value out of a financial advisor. Let’s dive into the pros and cons of DIY investing and explain how working with an advisor can actually save you money, time, and stress.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
💰 DIY Investing Risks
📉 Market Downturns & Retirement
🧾 Tax & Withdrawal Strategies – The piece most DIY investors overlook
👥 Succession Planning – Will your spouse or family know what to do?
 
0:00 – Intro
0:54 – First reaction
2:35 – Different challenges in retirement
6:45 – Stress of doing it alone
9:31 – More than investing
11:30 – Succession planning
 
Schedule a 15-minute consultation:  https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
Get your free copy of "Rounding Third:"  http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvc4i_5kYjIQXyr0fNTeXQ?sub_confirmation=1

It’s been a tumultuous start to 2025 in the job market as layoffs are happening across a number of different sectors. No matter how you feel about the state of things, it’s important to take the necessary steps to prepare if you’re worried about that possibility.
We’re going to pull insights from the book Upgrade Your Path by Melissa Ceballos, PHR, SHRM-CP. She’s a great member of our team and a former HR professional, and this book is about navigating a career transition, elevating your professional trajectory, and financial success. We discuss the importance of self-assessment, networking, and understanding your financial situation, offering you a roadmap to take control of your careers and futures.
If you want to get your own copy of this book, we have a free giveaway offer available now: https://keap.page/vs490/upgrade-your-path-linkedin.html
 
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
2:22 – Career transitioning
3:58 – Federal employees
5:07 – What options do you have?
7:49 – First step after a layoff
11:55 – How jobs are changing
 
Schedule a 15-minute consultation:  https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
Get your free copy of "Rounding Third:"  http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

As winter approaches, many retirees are looking for ways to escape the cold, and snowbirding has become a popular solution. But what does it really entail? In this episode, Sean shares insights on the top destinations for snowbirds, including the sunny shores of Florida and the warm deserts of Arizona.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
1:49 – Top destinations
3:05 – Having two homes
4:37 – The RV/remote lifestyle
6:54 – Planning for this
10:46 – Sean’s thoughts on snowbirding
 
Schedule a 15-minute consultation:  https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
Get your free copy of "Rounding Third:"  http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
 

Baseball and retirement planning might have more in common than you think. Just as a solid batting average leads to a successful career, a steady financial plan can pave the way for a winning retirement.
While it may be tempting to aim for high returns, a strategy focused on steady, incremental growth is often the key to lasting success. In this episode, Sean explains why having a clear, well-defined plan is so crucial. By applying the principles of baseball analytics to retirement planning, you can build a balanced strategy that helps you stay on track and achieve your goals.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
2:00 – Your financial batting average
6:00 – Stability and consistency in retirement
9:05 – Building a winning portfolio
11:21 – Having a clear plan
 
Schedule a 15-minute consultation:  https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
Get your free copy of "Rounding Third:"  http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
 
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com