Retirement isn't only about leaving your career behind. It's also about knowing what you're retiring to and making sure the financial decisions you make along the way support the life you want to create. And when taxes, investments, estate planning, and retirement income begin overlapping, trying to navigate everything on your own can become complicated quickly.

In this episode, SHP Financial Lead Advisor Laura Russo sits down with recently retired CPA, Lauren Bakken, to discuss the lessons Lauren learned throughout her career serving individuals and small business owners. Lauren shares her own transition into retirement, why she believes your CPA, financial advisor, and attorney should be working together.

In this podcast interview, you'll learn:

• How meaningful work and purpose can make retirement more fulfilling.
• The importance of understanding the tax consequences before taking retirement distributions.
• How your CPA, financial advisor, and attorney can work together.
• Why minimizing taxes isn't always the best financial decision.
• How small business owners can better prepare themselves for retirement.
• Why both spouses should understand the family's financial picture.

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To get access to the full show notes, including audio, transcripts, and links to all the resources mentioned, visit SHPfinancial.com/podcast

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One of the most common questions that we hear from our clients isn't whether they've saved enough; it's whether their savings can actually provide the income they need to live the retirement they've envisioned. Building wealth during your working years is one challenge, but turning those assets into a reliable paycheck is where a comprehensive retirement plan becomes essential.

In this episode, Keith Ellis Jr. is joined by Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and Certified Tax Specialist (CTS™), Chris Willis, to discuss how retirement income planning goes far beyond simply withdrawing money from an investment portfolio. They explain how understanding your expenses is the foundation of every retirement plan, how different income strategies can fit different personalities and goals, and why no single approach works for every retiree.

They also break down the strengths and tradeoffs of guaranteed income, dividend-focused investing, and SHP's bucket strategy for generating retirement income. You'll also learn how income planning fits into SHP's comprehensive retirement strategy that includes investments, taxes, healthcare, and estate planning.

In this podcast interview, you'll learn:

• Why retirement income planning begins with understanding your lifestyle expenses.
• How guaranteed income, dividend investing, and bucket strategies each serve different goals.
• Why there's no one-size-fits-all approach to generating retirement income.
• How balancing safety, income, and growth creates a more resilient retirement plan.
• Why tax planning should influence your retirement income strategy.
• How a personalized retirement plan can help you retire with greater confidence.

Want the Full Show Notes?

To get access to the full show notes, including audio, transcripts, and links to all the resources mentioned, visit SHPfinancial.com/podcast

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Retirement is often viewed as a financial milestone, but many retirees discover that their biggest challenges have little to do with money. Many wish they had retired sooner, spent more confidently, prepared for the emotional transition away from work, or started important planning conversations with their families earlier. The good news is that these lessons don't have to be learned the hard way.

In this episode, Keith Ellis Jr. is joined by Kyle Britton to share insights gathered directly from retired clients who reflected on what they would do differently if they could start retirement over again. Together, they discuss the most common regrets they've heard from retirees, including delaying retirement, underspending despite having enough savings, losing a sense of purpose after leaving work, and overlooking important tax, estate, and legacy-planning opportunities.​

They also discuss why retirement planning extends far beyond investments, how a comprehensive retirement plan helps pre-retirees make more confident decisions, the value of gifting assets during your lifetime, and why having meaningful conversations with family can help preserve both wealth and relationships for future generations.

In this podcast interview, you'll learn:

• Why many retirees wish they had stopped working sooner.
• How a comprehensive retirement plan creates confidence to enjoy your money.
• Why purpose and routine are essential after leaving your career.
• How proactive tax planning can preserve more wealth for your family.
• Why gifting during your lifetime may benefit both you and your heirs.
• How healthcare and legacy planning shape long-term retirement success.
• Why open family conversations can prevent future estate conflicts.

Want the Full Show Notes?

To get access to the full show notes, including audio, transcripts, and links to all the resources mentioned, visit SHPfinancial.com/podcast

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• YouTube