As a financial advisor, you’re taught to ask, “When do you want to retire?” But what if that question is pointing clients toward a goal they don’t actually want?

In this episode, I’m talking with Derek Coburn—longtime advisor and author of Let’s Retire Retirement—to talk about how changing that one question can completely shift the way you serve your clients.

Derek makes a strong case that instead of chasing some number or arbitrary retirement date, we should be asking: Do you even want to retire? And what are you putting off today for a future that might not play out the way you imagine?

He shares why helping clients stay engaged in purposeful work—even part-time—can reduce financial pressure, increase fulfillment, and create more space for what matters most right now.

Great advising isn’t about getting clients to the end, it’s about making the in-between years count.

3 of the biggest insights from Derek Coburn …

#1.) Why “Un-Retirement” Is on the Rise

Roughly 25–30% of retirees are returning to work. Not because they need the money, but because they miss purpose, connection, and contribution. Derek explains why it’s time for advisors to stop assuming retirement is the goal and start asking if it’s even the right fit.

#2.) The Time Machine Effect: Would You Pay to Go Back in Time?

Derek shares a powerful thought experiment: how much would you pay to go back in time for just one more night with your kid at age 10? It’s a reminder that time, not money, is our most valuable asset. As advisors, helping clients reframe retirement isn’t just a financial strategy, it’s a chance to give them more life in their years right now.

#3.) How to Attract Clients You Actually Want to Work With

If you’re taking on clients just to hit a number, it’s only a matter of time before your calendar is filled with people who drain you. Derek shares how he shifted from goal-chasing to values-aligned client growth—and why that mindset leads to both fulfillment and better results.

SHOW NOTES

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