Charleston's Retirement Coach

What happens to your retirement if the next market correction arrives right after you stop working? In this episode, Brandon Bowen discusses why investors approaching retirement may need a different strategy than those still years away from leaving the workforce. He explains the importance of building an income-focused retirement plan, preparing for market volatility, and stress-testing a portfoli...

Is retirement really the time to go it alone, or is that when the biggest financial blind spots begin to appear? In this episode, Brandon Bowen explores the differences between managing investments during your working years and navigating the complexities of retirement. The conversation covers Social Security claiming strategies, tax planning, retirement income, market risk, and common DIY mistake...

What separates a successful retirement coach from someone who simply manages investments? In this episode, Brandon Bowen explains why retirement planning is about more than market performance. He discusses the value of seeing the full financial picture, including income, taxes, Social Security, estate planning, and investment strategy. Brandon also shares why confidence in retirement comes from pr...

Did you know turning 59½ could unlock new options for one of your biggest retirement assets? In this episode of Charleston’s Retirement Coach, Brandon Bowen explains why age 59½ is an important milestone for retirement savers, how 401(k) rollovers work, and why they are often misunderstood. He discusses the flexibility available after leaving workplace plans, common rollover mi...

Have you worked hard to build your savings only to wonder whether it’s for you or the next generation? In this episode, Brandon Bowen explores the balance between enjoying retirement and creating a meaningful legacy. The conversation covers inheritance expectations, retirement income planning, estate planning, tax considerations, and how families can navigate conversations about wealth with...

Is retirement really about reaching a certain age, or is it about being ready for what comes next? In this episode, Brandon Bowen explores how purpose, family priorities, health, financial readiness, and lifestyle goals all play a role in determining the right time to retire. Through a real-life client story, he discusses the importance of having a retirement income strategy, understanding key mil...

What if your retirement account could trigger a larger tax bill than you expected? In this episode, Brandon Bowen explains how required minimum distributions (RMDs) can affect taxable income, Social Security taxation, and Medicare premiums. He discusses why retirees with significant balances in tax-deferred accounts may face unexpected tax consequences and shares how Roth conversions can be evalua...

Could the type of accounts you save in today have a major impact on your retirement taxes tomorrow? In this episode of Charleston’s Retirement Coach, Brandon Bowen explains the differences between tax-deferred, taxable, and tax-free accounts and why having a mix of all three may provide more flexibility in retirement. He discusses common challenges retirees face when most of their savings ar...

What would you do if a six-figure inheritance suddenly landed in your lap? In this episode, Brandon Bowen discusses common inheritance decisions and the different considerations that can arise depending on your age and stage of life. He shares real-world examples of families navigating inherited assets, explores potential pitfalls such as leaving money idle or making rushed financial decisions, an...

Could a market downturn at the wrong time have a greater impact on your retirement than you expect? In this episode, Brandon Bowen discusses sequence of returns risk and why market losses can be especially challenging for retirees who are drawing income from their portfolios. He explains how strong market performance can sometimes create a false sense of security, the importance of balancing growt...

Could one of the biggest retirement mistakes be assuming everything is already taken care of? In this episode, Brandon Bowen discusses several common assumptions that can create challenges for retirees and pre-retirees. Topics include evaluating whether your investment strategy still aligns with your goals, understanding the role of estate planning beyond high-net-worth households, and recognizing...

What happens when a family crisis exposes gaps in an estate plan? On this episode, Brandon Bowen shares a real-life client story that highlights the importance of having a trust, clear estate documents, and a coordinated retirement strategy. As health challenges, long-term care expenses, and family disagreements emerge, Brandon explains how proper planning can help provide direction during difficu...

Are you entering retirement’s third quarter without a clear game plan? In this episode, Brandon Bowen discusses why midyear can be an important time to review retirement savings, evaluate spending habits, reduce debt, and put idle cash to work. He explains how small adjustments today may affect your retirement readiness and shares a real-world example of building toward a long-term retiremen...

Retirement may be the biggest trip of your life—but have you planned the journey or are you hoping everything works out when you arrive? In this episode, Brandon Bowen explains why retirement planning requires more than simply reaching a savings goal. The conversation covers Social Security timing, tax strategies, investment allocation, retirement income planning, and common blind spots that...

What if the first year of retirement sets the tone for everything that follows? On this episode, Brandon Bowen explores the emotional and financial challenges many retirees face during their transition from work to retirement. Through a real-life client story, he discusses the balance between spending and saving, the impact of health and stress on retirement decisions, and how having a clear retir...

What if retirement planning is less about reaching a destination and more about knowing which turns to take along the way? Brandon Bowen explains how key retirement milestones like Social Security, Medicare, pensions, and paying off debt can shape your retirement timeline. Through a real-life client story, he shows how a flexible retirement plan can adapt when life circumstances change, helping re...

Could the way you've saved for retirement create an unexpected tax problem later on? In this episode, Brandon Bowen explains the three primary tax buckets—tax-deferred, taxable, and tax-free accounts—and why having a mix of each can create more flexibility in retirement. He discusses common challenges retirees face when most of their savings are concentrated in one account type, along...

Excited about the next big IPO? That excitement could lead to costly decisions if not managed carefully. Brandon Bowen discusses the hype around high-profile IPOs and why investors nearing retirement may need to approach them cautiously. He explains how emotions like FOMO can influence decision-making and highlights the importance of maintaining a disciplined investment strategy. The episode also...

A hidden leak nearly flooded his backyard—and it mirrors a financial issue many retirees overlook. In this episode, Brandon Bowen reacts to Jamie Dimon’s take on tackling problems early, using a real-life story to highlight why delays can lead to bigger complications. From managing debt to prioritizing health and addressing estate planning gaps, the conversation focuses on organizing w...

When should you actually claim Social Security—and what could that decision mean for your retirement income? In this episode, Brandon Bowen explores the timing choices retirees face and why many claim earlier than expected. He discusses common concerns about potential changes to the system, key factors like retirement timing and income needs, and how different filing options—such as sp...

Are you following a clear roadmap to retirement—or just guessing at the next turn? In this episode, Brandon Bowen shares how retirement planning involves navigating key milestones like Social Security and Medicare while building a plan that adapts to life changes. Through a real client story, he illustrates how adjusting timelines, income sources, and expenses can reshape retirement decision...

Are you just a number to your financial advisor—or do they actually know your story? This episode explores how personalized advice can differ from large firm experiences, especially as you approach retirement. Brandon Bowen shares a real client example to highlight how service, communication, fees, and tax considerations can impact financial decisions. The conversation focuses on the value o...

Why does retirement feel exciting for some—and overwhelming for others? In this episode, Brandon Bowen explores the emotional shift from earning a paycheck to relying on your savings for income. He discusses how identity, market uncertainty, and fear of running out of money can shape retirement decisions. Through real-life examples, Brandon explains how organizing assets into purpose-driven...

What happens when you’re making retirement decisions on your own—and the market feels uncertain? In this episode, Brandon Bowen discusses the growing trend of solo aging and the financial challenges many individuals, particularly women, face when planning retirement independently. He shares how market volatility, longevity concerns, and shifting income needs can create stress for those...

Are you sitting on a retirement account that hasn’t been taxed yet—and wondering what to do with it? In this episode, Brandon Bowen breaks down the growing conversation around Roth conversions and why timing plays such a key role. He explains the concept of a “sweet spot” in the mid-to-late 60s, walks through how tax-deferred savings are eventually taxed, and shares a clien...