Charleston's Retirement Coach

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...

Keeping the same investment strategy in retirement that worked during your working years can quietly increase risk and costs. In this episode, Brandon Bowen breaks down what diversification really means as retirement approaches—and why owning multiple funds doesn’t always equal balance. He discusses common mistakes he sees, including overlapping investments, high fees, and income strat...

Saving for retirement is one thing—turning those savings into reliable income is another challenge entirely. In this episode, Brandon Bowen explains why a 401(k) is not a retirement plan by itself and why many people struggle to transition from saving to spending. The conversation breaks down common misconceptions around annuities, income planning, and portfolio design, using real‑world exam...

When two lives come together, so does the financial baggage—and avoiding the conversation only makes it heavier. In this episode, Charleston’s Retirement Coach Brandon Bowen explores how relationships, communication, and money intersect, especially in second marriages and later‑in‑life transitions. Brandon shares real client scenarios highlighting common friction points like blending f...

One unsuspecting decision nearly unraveled a lifetime of saving. In this episode, Charleston’s Retirement Coach Brandon Bowen shares a real-world story of a retiree caught in a sophisticated financial scam—and the warning signs that appeared along the way. The conversation explores how scams target retirees, why embarrassment keeps people silent, and the importance of having a trusted...

What if the boldest voices in tech are wrong about retirement no longer mattering? In this episode of Charleston’s Retirement Coach , Brandon Bowen responds to eye‑catching headlines and big predictions about AI, wealth, and the future of retirement. The discussion brings the conversation back to real-life planning—addressing uncertainty, market risk, income needs, and the pressure man...

Retirement mistakes don’t always come from bad intentions—they often come from using the wrong tools at the wrong time. In this episode, Brandon Bowen uses relatable travel stories and real client scenarios to highlight common retirement planning missteps, including staying too aggressive with investments, overspending early in retirement, delaying Social Security without context, and...

A fresh breeze can reveal what’s been hiding—and the same can be true for your portfolio. In this episode, Brandon Bowen uses the idea of “spring cleaning” to explain why a portfolio review can uncover hidden risks, high costs, and overlapping investments. The conversation walks through what a portfolio X‑ray looks for, including risk exposure, investment fees, and redundan...

A will alone may not protect the people you care about most. In this episode, Charleston’s Retirement Coach Brandon Bowen is joined by estate planning attorney Tripp Wiles to unpack how legacy planning really works—and where families often get tripped up. The conversation explores trusts, funding mistakes, blended‑family complications, and why estate planning is more than paperwork. Us...

Estate planning isn’t just about passing assets—it’s about preventing confusion and conflict. In this episode, Brandon Bowen is joined by estate planning attorney Tripp Wiles to break down how estate and legacy planning fit into a complete retirement strategy. The conversation covers wills versus trusts, probate, beneficiary designations, incapacity planning, and common misconcep...

Inheriting money can be exciting—and overwhelming at the same time. In this episode of Charleston’s Retirement Coach , Brandon Bowen explores the challenges families face during the great wealth transfer and the questions that often follow an inheritance. The discussion covers emotional reactions, debt decisions, tax considerations like step‑up in basis, and why inherited assets often...

A bigger Social Security check doesn’t always mean a better retirement. In this episode of Charleston’s Retirement Coach , Brandon Bowen breaks down a real‑world story of regret from waiting until age 70 to file for benefits. The conversation explores why Social Security timing is about more than monthly income, how break‑even math really works, and what people often overlook about hea...

Feeling like you should already have all the answers is often what keeps people from ever starting a retirement plan. In this episode of Charleston’s Retirement Coach , Brandon Bowen explains what really happens in a first planning conversation and why it’s okay to show up uncertain, overwhelmed, or unsure. The discussion covers common fears about running out of money, market risk, deb...

Reaching retirement without a clear plan is more common than most people realize. Charleston’s Retirement Coach Brandon Bowen uses a Super Bowl analogy to explain why retirement success doesn’t happen by accident. This episode looks at what “winging it” really means—unclear income sources, Social Security timing questions, lingering debt, and uncertainty around major...

Having a will doesn’t mean your estate plan is finished—and that gap can create real problems. In this episode of Charleston’s Retirement Coach , Brandon Bowen explains why estate planning requires more than a single document and how unfunded trusts quietly undermine good intentions. The conversation breaks down the key estate documents families need, the common mistakes Brandon...

A new tax break for Americans over 65 could quietly reshape how retirement income is taxed. Charleston’s Retirement Coach Brandon Bowen breaks down the new senior deduction under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and explains how it fits into real-life retirement strategies. Using client examples, Brandon explores how standard deductions, Roth conversions, and tax timing interact over decades,...

What if the debt you carry into retirement shapes your financial freedom more than your investment choices? In this episode, Charleston’s Retirement Coach Brandon Bowen breaks down how different types of debt—mortgages, car loans, and consumer balances—fit into retirement planning. He shares real client examples, discusses when paying off debt may make sense, and explains why int...