The Clark Howard Podcast 12.30.25 Ask An Advisor With Wes Moss
8 snips
Dec 30, 2025 
Wes Moss, a CFP® and financial advisor, discusses surprising insights from his Money and Happiness study, revealing the '3.6 Rule'—having five close friends boosts retirement happiness. He highlights how social connections impact financial security, emphasizing that investing in relationships is as crucial as financial planning. Additionally, Wes analyzes current job market trends, examining the steady employment-population ratio despite rising unemployment rates, offering a clear view of the economic landscape.
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Social Life Strongly Predicts Happy Retirement
- Retirement happiness depends heavily on social intentionality, not just finances.
- Having five or more close friends raises the chance of being a happy retiree by ~21%.
Close Friendships Have Shrunk Nationwide
- Close friendships have declined sharply since 1990, with many people now reporting two or fewer close friends.
- Large friend groups (5+) fell from 64% to 42%, showing a significant cultural shift.
Actively Cultivate Your Social Network
- Be intentional and work to build and maintain your social network throughout life.
- Join organized groups and continually expand connections to keep your social circle healthy in retirement.
