ClearPath - Your Roadmap for Life

What if the key to life lies in embracing uncertainty? In this episode, Al, Catherine, and Mihaela explore effective strategies for navigating the future and turning uncertainty into growth opportunities. Drawing on compelling research from Transamerica Institute, they share actionable insights to help you move forward with purpose, intention, and resilience.

Women face unique circumstances when planning for a secure future. Over the last half century, women have made tremendous strides by gaining higher levels of educational attainment and access to career opportunities. Yet, certain challenges continue to affect their ability to lead long, healthy, and financially secure lives. On this episode, Catherine, Mihaela, and Al explore these challenges, dis...

Are you saving enough for retirement? Fewer than one in four Americans “strongly agree” that they’re building a large enough retirement nest egg, according to a recent survey from nonprofit Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies. On this episode, Catherine and Al discuss tips for boosting your retirement savings by taking advantage of tax incentives, learning about investing, strategically pla...

In a world where technology often makes us feel more isolated, are you ready to reconnect with yourself? This insightful episode highlights the crucial link between mental, physical, and spiritual health, offering practical tips for prioritizing a more fulfilling life grounded in purpose and connection.

Have you ever experienced the uplifting power of music after a long, tiring day? Join us in this episode as we delve into how your favorite melodies can reduce stress, enhance your mood, and even promote better sleep. We also discuss fascinating insights, revealing how music can strengthen bonds and bring joy into our lives.

The New Year has arrived! As many of us set our resolutions for the year ahead, it's worth considering how many of us will actually stick to them. Let's be honest—we're all creatures of habit, and those habits shape our behaviors, whether they’re beneficial or detrimental. To boost our chances of success, understanding habits while setting our goals can provide the motivation we need to truly achi...

Are you ready for a fresh start? Given the nonstop disruptions in nearly every aspect of our lives in recent years, there’s a good chance that you may be thinking about making some changes in your life. And maybe you’re looking for a good place to start.

Do you overburden yourself with being positive? Is it even more challenging to be positive during the holidays? It’s important to know that attempting to be positive at all costs might prove to be detrimental to our own personal mental health. On this episode, Al Waller and Mihaela Vincze explain what toxic positivity is and its potentially negative impacts, how to identify it, prevent it, and for...

The Saver's Credit, also called the IRS' Credit for Qualified Retirement Savings Contributions, is a tax credit that pays to save for retirement. This tax credit is in addition to the tax deduction and tax-deferred growth available to retirement savers. However, many people may be missing out on the Saver's Credit simply due to a lack of awareness. A recent survey by nonprofit Transamerica Center...

Amid population aging and the high cost of care, tens of millions of Americans are serving as caregivers for family members and loved ones. While these caregiving services are truly invaluable, they are often performed without a paycheck and they put significant strain on the caregiver. On this episode, Al and Catherine discuss five coping strategies that can help caregivers manage their responsib...

What is Medicare and what is the Medicare alphabet? When do I become eligible? How should I enroll? Medicare has a lot of options, nuances, and complexities. On this episode, Al Waller and Catherine Collinson explain the basics of Medicare – what it is, why it’s important, how to enroll, and where to turn to if you have any questions. Whether you’re currently eligible for Medicare, soon to be elig...

Fall marks the open enrollment period for many employer-sponsored health insurance plans as well as the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace, which is especially critical for Americans who don't have access to health insurance. Transamerica Institute’s most recent survey findings were quite striking: Fewer than three in ten individuals who do not have health insurance are seeking medic...

It is essential to recognize how indulging in harmful substances like alcohol, illicit drugs, and tobacco can affect our health. During the pandemic, alcohol consumption increased as a means of coping with stress for many people, and this trend has continued for certain populations. On this podcast episode, Al and Mihaela outline tips to avoid harmful substances in order to improve our physical an...

America’s middle class is the embodiment of the American dream. In today’s chaotic post-pandemic environment, how are middle-class Americans faring? What are their hopes and dreams? What is their current financial situation? And what is their retirement outlook? On this episode, Al Waller and Catherine Collinson explore the main takeaways from Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies’ new  eye-o...

Have you fully considered the fantastic health benefits of spending time outdoors? With so much of our days spent indoors glued to computer screens and mobile devices, we are depriving ourselves of the opportunity to experience the rejuvenating benefits of spending time in nature…and it's more than just feeling good. On this episode, Al Waller and Mihaela Vincze explore how we can all benefit from...

Just about everyone is familiar with the old adage, “Your health is your wealth.” Many quotes, proverbs, meditations, cautionary tales, and even songs have contemplated this theme. On this episode, Al Waller and Catherine Collinson explore the intersections of health and financial well-being by offering explanations, sharing examples, and inviting listeners to adopt a new mindset in their daily de...

Are regular health check-ups really worth it? Absolutely! These screenings are super important for catching any health problems early on, so you can deal with them before they become a big deal. Despite this, a recent survey by the Transamerica Institute revealed that only 46% of the general population is getting regular physicals and recommended health screenings on a consistent basis. On this ep...

Al and Catherine discuss The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 and provisions including the Saver’s Match, employer matching contributions for student loan repayments, catch-up contributions, emergency savings, and more. SECURE 2.0 is packed with dozens of provisions to address many of the most pressing issues and opportunities within our current retirement system, ranging from expanding access to workplace...

Burnout can occur when individuals feel emotionally drained, overwhelmed, and unable to meet the demands of daily life. A recent survey by Transamerica Institute and its Center for Retirement Studies found that 42% of workers say that they often feel unmotivated and overwhelmed-- which could be symptoms of burnout. On this episode, we'll be focusing on recognizing the signs of burnout and taking p...

People have the potential to live longer than ever before. But the question is how are you going to prepare yourself for a long and fulfilling life? On this episode, we discuss the basics of longevity planning and how to get started. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's fast-paced and connected world, finding the right balance between work and personal life can feel like a constant juggling act. On a brighter note, a recent survey by Transamerica Institute and its Center for Retirement Studies found that employers feel a strong responsibility to help their employees achieve work-life balance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Self-care—we’ve all heard of it—but is it really all that important? While it may seem like a trendy buzzword, self-care is essential for managing stress, preventing burnout, and promoting healthy aging. Today's discussion will focus on ways in which people can engage in some healthy activities as a form of self-care. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the fundamental principles of saving and investing for retirement is to start saving at a young age. But we’ve been receiving inquiries from our listeners, what if you’re in your fifties or sixties and haven’t saved enough?   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know that having a positive attitude towards aging can do more than just make you feel good? On this episode, Al and Mihaela share surprising research about how our outlook may influence our outcomes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s workplace is transforming rapidly in the post-pandemic environment and with the proliferation of robotics and artificial intelligence. Many people are left wondering, What comes next? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.