Retirement Planning

Well, have you made your bracket yet? It’s March, after all! Around the office, we always enjoy following the March Madness tournament. And we’ve been known to put a little money on the games as well – “little” being the operative word. It’s part of the fun!

With a junior in high school applying to colleges and developing post-secondary plans, I’m looking at the tournament a little differently this year. I want his top-choice schools to do well! My Cinderella favorite is High Point University out of North Carolina. It’s their first time ever in tourney and while they’re seeded 13th, I’m rooting for them. 

Historically, the odds of a 13th seed upsetting their first-round opponent – 4th-seeded Purdue in this case – are low but not impossible. If by some miracle they were to take the whole tourney, I have no doubt I would win any NCAA pool out there, but statistically, the odds are way against me. Some of the other schools my son is considering (Kansas, Tennessee) have slim-yet-better chances.

However, the thrill of following the tournament is that no one really knows how it’s going to go. Never before in its more than 80 years has there ever been a perfect bracket. The odds of picking all the winners correctly are astronomical. 

This has a way of balancing the playing field across bracket-makers. Even if you don’t know a single thing about basketball and are choosing your winners based on which team colors you like more, you might still come out ahead in your office pool.

Experts analyze stats, odds are set, and predictions are made but upsets always happen. Some underdog team you’ve never heard of will manage to pull off the impossible and knock out a top seed.

March Madness reminds us that anything can happen. And just like an underdog can shake up the tournament, unexpected changes can throw off your financial future. You don’t want market volatility, economic downturns, or tax changes throwing your future off course. The best game plan is one that holds up no matter what – no matter what the economy is doing, no matter what the housing market looks like, no matter where life takes you. 

At Secured Retirement, our playbook is designed to keep you winning. Our approach has always focused on balancing the pillars of wealth management – income and investment strategy, taxes and charitable planning, healthcare and legacy – to protect you from vulnerabilities and keep you on track.

Because when it comes to your retirement, you don’t want to leave anything to chance. A solid financial strategy ensures you’re prepared for whatever comes your way.

So while your bracket may be busted by the Sweet 16, your retirement plan shouldn’t be. Let’s make sure you have a winning strategy. Call us: 952-460-3290

Well, another Valentine’s Day has come and gone. By now, the flowers are starting to wilt, the chocolates have mysteriously disappeared, and that expensive dinner is little more than a mark on your credit card statement.

I don’t mean to sound cynical! But it does make me wonder, what if there was a gift that didn’t fade away after a few days? What if there was a gift that lasted years, in fact? Decades even? A gift that truly says “I love you” in the most meaningful way?

Are you on the edge of your seat?! Ahem, drumroll, please! 

It’s. . . 

Life insurance! 

That’s right, folks. Life insurance, I’d argue, is one of the most romantic AND practical gifts of all. Not exactly what you had in mind? Let me make my case. 

It’s probably not the kind of thing you’ll find on the “Best Valentine’s Gifts for Her” list, true. But life insurance is a promise. 

It shows you’re thinking long-term, that you’re committed to protecting the people you love, and that your support will continue no matter what happens. 

Everyone has a slightly different reason for buying life insurance. But at the heart of it, insurance is about providing financial security for your loved ones. It ensures they won’t be burdened with debt, covering everything from mortgage payments to daily living expenses. And that kind of stability? Now, that’s romance, baby!

So, if you’re a little ho-hum about a lack of chocolate this year, or you just want to give a gift that truly lasts, consider life insurance next time around. 

It’s a gesture that means more than any bouquet ever could.

At Secured Retirement, we’re here to help you build a plan that protects your family, your future, and your legacy. Trust us – there’s nothing more desirable than financial security, especially in retirement. 

Lots of love,

Joe

Greetings to you from the lull between Christmas and New Year’s, the purgatory of the holiday season where, if you’re lucky, you can enjoy a bit of time to recharge and reflect before ringing in the new year.

Let me ask you, are you someone who sets resolutions? Resolutions are a time-honored concept, but personally, I find it difficult to gain much traction with them unless I think of them as goals. And SMART goals are where the real magic happens.

In my mind, here’s how they differ: Resolutions are things you muscle through with sheer willpower for a couple of weeks each January. Goals come with a plan and intention. SMART goals involve planning done with the help of specifics, measurability, achievability, relevance, and time-sensitivity. They’re the kind of goals that transform wishful thinking into real progress.

If you’re trying to better yourself in 2025, I admire you. Change is achievable when you define what success looks like. Change is more likely when you align your goals with your own personal values.

You’re most motivated to achieve goals that naturally jive with what’s most important to you. Maybe that’s why my weight loss goals never make it very far – my values align more with eating good than defining my waistline.

Jokes aside, this time of year is perfect for reflecting on your beliefs and how they shape your priorities.

At our house, we’ve been having a lot of those conversations lately as we weigh college decisions for my son. What’s best for him? What fits with our family’s goals and values? And, of course, what works with our finances?

Planning for the future – for college, retirement, or any personal milestone – requires balancing dreams, realities, and priorities. My two cents? Take some time to define your goals, make them actionable, and ensure they align with the way you see the world.

Looking into 2025, the same approach applies to financial planning. At Secured Retirement, we work to create a roadmap that reflects your values whatever they may be – protecting your family, giving back to your community, or embracing life’s adventures in retirement.

In the space of this season, take some time for consideration. And may your 2025 be filled with wealth, health, and happiness. We’re rooting for you!

Thanksgiving is almost here, and like many of you, I’m preparing for a long weekend full of family, feasting, and football. 

Around the Lucey family table, there are a few essentials that make our Thanksgiving meal OUR Thanksgiving meal: green bean casserole made with cream of chicken soup (hold the mushrooms, PLEASE!), creamed pearl onions (if you’ve not had them, you’re missing out), and, of course, the two varieties of cranberry sauce (canned and homemade). 

We’ll have both an oven-roasted as well as deep-fried turkey with plenty to share and even more for the next day. The leftovers just might be my favorite part of all!

The freshly prepared food is certainly a highlight, but what truly makes this time of year meaningful is the people I get to share it all with.

I’m grateful to be surrounded by great people in my life – by my family who supports me and by my team members who are all committed to helping our clients plan for a secure financial future. 

As we get ready for another year’s Thanksgiving – tidying our homes, setting our places, preparing our food, and welcoming our loved ones – I hope you’re able to find moments for reflection and gratitude. 

Take stock of your blessings, reminisce about the past, and dream for the future. Hold tight to the present while it’s here.

Thank you for being a part of our Secured Retirement family and trusting us to help you secure a future for you and yours.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Fall’s cool air is winding its way through our cities, the leaves are starting to change, and Halloween is already approaching. Come the 31st, you’ll find my wife and I bundled up, handing out candy to the trick-or-treaters of the neighborhood. 

I always like to see which character is the most popular costume in a given year. Will it be Taylor Swift? Deadpool or Wolverine? Beetlejuice? We’ll see!

While this season brings its share of chills and thrills, visions of goblins and ghouls aren’t likely what’s keeping you up at night. Volatile markets, inflation, and rising interest rates have created a climate of uncertainty capable of sending shivers down anyone’s spine.

Being in the stock market can feel a little too much like being in a haunted house attraction at times – you never quite know what’s lurking around the corner. One moment, everything’s calm, and the next, your stomach drops.

But here’s the thing: while headlines over market turmoil may terrify you in the short term, a well-planned financial strategy can be your long-term protection.

Remember, even during the most volatile times, markets do tend to recover. Corrections are part of normal market gyrations. By focusing on long-term goals, diversifying your investments, and maintaining discipline, you can avoid the tricks and focus on the treats of steady, strategic growth. 

With the right team behind you, you have the opportunity to stay the course or make smart adjustments when the market dips, while others cower in fear.

So, in the wake of a topsy-turvy financial time, know that unsettling market news doesn’t have to haunt your financial future. Putting the right plan in place allows you to face the unknown with confidence and enjoy the sweet rewards of disciplined investing. 

You don’t have to lay awake at night fearing what’s next for you. By working with us you’re building a secure retirement. Schedule your consultation today:  952-460-3290.