The Saver-to-Spender Shift: Behavioral Drivers of Thoughtful Retirement Planning

Gain a grounded, research-informed perspective on retirement planning in this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, where Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase examine the emotional, behavioral, and organizational factors that often influence how individuals approach life after work. This conversation highlights commonly referenced frameworks and planning considerations, offering context for listeners seeking to better understand the many moving parts of a thoughtful retirement process.

• Explore the behavioral and psychological dynamics behind transitioning from a saver mindset to a spending mindset in retirement, including the frequently cited “millionaire’s paradox.”

• Understand how creating a written retirement plan may help provide structure, along with why general withdrawal frameworks—such as the commonly referenced 4%+ rule—are used for discussion rather than as recommendations.

• Consider approaches for maintaining emotional objectivity when making financial decisions throughout retirement.

• Reflect on why some financial professionals continue working and how their experience may contribute to broader retirement-planning conversations.

• Review the potential role a fiduciary or financial advisor may play in helping individuals identify common planning pitfalls, organize long-term strategies, and evaluate tax and estate considerations.

• Identify widely used criteria for assessing whether a fiduciary advisor aligns with an individual's values, communication preferences, and planning philosophy.

• Explore end-of-year tax-related considerations—including SALT limits, charitable deduction rules, HSAs, clean-energy credits, bonus depreciation provisions, and updates to 529 plan flexibility—while recognizing that tax implications depend on each household’s specific circumstances.

• Evaluate the educational value some families see in establishing custodial investment accounts for children or grandchildren as part of broader financial learning.

• Assess the administrative reasons some individuals review whether consolidating retirement accounts may support clearer oversight of their financial landscape.

If you're interested in expanding your understanding of the factors that may shape retirement decision-making, this episode offers context to help you think through your own process. Listen and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast for ongoing discussions centered on thoughtful, well-informed retirement planning.

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