The Long View

Christine Benz: How to Retire

Sep 17, 2024

In this engaging discussion, Christine Benz, the director of personal finance and retirement planning at Morningstar and a seasoned expert since 1993, shares key insights from her book, 'How to Retire.' She delves into the emotional and psychological aspects of retirement, emphasizing the importance of purpose and relationships. Christine critiques common strategies like the bucket approach, while offering personalized planning tools. She also discusses innovative solutions for aging, spending wisely, and maintaining health, all aimed at achieving a fulfilling retirement.

54:40

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Episode guests

Christine Benz

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Retirement planning requires humility and diverse expert insights to navigate its complexities beyond just financial considerations.

Addressing emotional challenges and finding purpose post-retirement are crucial for achieving a fulfilling and joyful retirement experience.

Deep dives

The Inspiration Behind the Book

The book was inspired by conversations between the author and an editor about the need for accessible retirement planning information. The author wanted to compile insights from diverse experts rather than claiming to have all the answers. This approach emphasizes the importance of humility in acknowledging that financial planning can be complex and requires various perspectives. The subtitle of 'happy, successful, and wealthy retirement' was designed to prioritize overall well-being over mere financial success.

Intro

4min

Navigating Retirement: Beyond Finances

20min

Examining the Bucket Strategy in Retirement Planning

4min

Navigating Retirement: Housing, Spending, and Planning

20min

Embracing Purpose and Minimizing Regrets in Life's Later Chapters

5min

Reflections and Encouragement: The Impact of Shared Knowledge

2min

We’re doing something a little different this week. Amy Arnott and Dan Lefkovitz are flipping the microphone around and interviewing the anchor host of this podcast, Christine Benz, about her new her book, How to Retire: 20 Lessons for a Happy, Successful, and Wealthy Retirement. Christine is director of personal finance and retirement planning for Morningstar. She has been with the company since 1993, where she’s served as director of the fund research team, editor of Morningstar Mutual Funds, and cofounder of this podcast in 2019. She has written several books about investing. Christine is a proud graduate of the University of Illinois.

Background

Bio and archive

How to Retire

How to Retire: 20 Lessons for a Happy, Successful, and Wealthy Retirement by Christine Benz

The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

Nonfinancial Aspects of Retirement

Michael Finke

Jordan Grumet

Laura Carstensen

Annuities, Retirement Portfolio Planning, and Social Security

Wade Pfau

Retirement Income Style Awareness