The Cranberry Wealth Retirement Show

The biggest drain on your retirement savings might be the one you never see. Hidden fees—from advisor charges to fund expenses—can quietly erode your portfolio over time. Kelton Burgess breaks down where these costs hide, why most investors don’t fully understand what they’re paying, and how transparency impacts performance. He discusses industry shifts toward fee-based adv...

What if retirement really comes down to a few core trade-offs most people overlook? This episode breaks down the layered worries behind retirement planning, starting with health versus wealth and expanding into income versus longevity. Kelton Burgess unpacks how longer lifespans and fewer pensions raise the stakes for reliable income, while market volatility highlights the balance between control...

Procrastination might feel harmless, until it quietly reshapes your family’s future. Kelton Burgess breaks down why legacy planning is so often delayed, from fear of confronting mortality to the misconception that it’s only for the wealthy. Using real-world examples, the conversation highlights how avoiding wills, powers of attorney, and basic planning decisions can leave loved ones wi...

A proposed rule change could reshape how Roth accounts are managed, but is simpler always better? Kelton Burgess breaks down the potential for rolling personal Roth IRAs into workplace plans, explaining why Congress is considering the shift and what it could mean for fees, taxes, and account management. The discussion explores the appeal of consolidating assets, the importance of preserving tax-fr...

What if retirement lasts just as long as your career? Kelton Burgess explores the growing reality of 40-year retirements and why longevity is reshaping financial planning. As pensions disappear and more retirees rely on personal savings and Social Security, the pressure to make assets last has intensified. Kelton breaks down the risks of market-heavy portfolios, questions outdated rules like the 4...

Headlines scream disaster, but your retirement plan doesn’t have to. Kelton Burgess breaks down why bold financial predictions often miss the mark and how nonstop media noise can push investors toward emotional decisions. Using real-world examples of failed forecasts, he explains the importance of tuning out daily panic and focusing on a steady, long-term strategy. The conversation highlight...

Why are more financial advisors turning to a strategy they once criticized? This episode explores the growing role of annuities in today’s retirement planning landscape and why market volatility, inflation, and longevity concerns are reshaping how income strategies are built. Kelton Burgess breaks down the misconceptions surrounding annuities, explains why guaranteed income is gaining attent...

A million-dollar home can quickly become a financial burden instead of a legacy. This episode explores the real risks of passing down real estate, from hidden costs and inheritance taxes to family conflicts and illiquidity. Kelton Burgess breaks down why gifting a home during your lifetime can create major tax consequences, and how strategies like the step-up in basis can protect your heirs. The c...

Strong market gains have boosted retirement confidence, but is that confidence built on something solid? Kelton Burgess examines why recent stock market returns are making many people feel better about retirement, while inflation, taxes, and global uncertainty still keep investors up at night. Burgess discusses how market performance can create a false sense of security, why rising costs matter ju...

Most people don’t realize retirement decisions can get riskier the closer you get to the finish line. In this episode of A Slice of Advice , Kelton Burgess breaks down when it actually makes sense to start talking to a financial advisor—and why waiting too long can limit your options. Using real-world analogies and everyday examples, they explore the “retirement red zone,”...

Is there really a “right” time to start working with a financial advisor? In this episode of A Slice of Advice , Kelton Burgess breaks down why retirement planning looks very different depending on where you are on the timeline. From the “retirement red zone” analogy to common worries about market risk, lifestyle costs, and having enough saved, Kelton explores what people t...

What would you do if a surprise inheritance hit your bank account tomorrow? In this episode of A Slice of Advice , Kelton Burgess breaks down two very different paths taken after a sudden windfall—and how emotion, debt, and liquidity can quietly shape long-term outcomes. Using a real-world inheritance story, Kelton explains the difference between feeling financially relieved and remaining fi...

Most couples spend more time scrolling than talking—so what happens when retirement finally shows up? Kelton Burgess digs into why many couples assume they’re aligned on retirement, only to discover later they were picturing very different futures. From missed conversations and knowledge gaps to spending expectations and shared goals, the discussion centers on how silence can quietly s...

Trying to outsmart the market can cost more than most people realize—especially near retirement. Kelton Burgess breaks down why market timing becomes riskier as retirement approaches and introduce the concept of the “retirement red zone.” The conversation explores how volatility, early withdrawals, and missed recovery periods can quietly erode long-term savings. Kelton explains w...

What happens when retirement planning stops treating Wall Street, banks, and insurance as rivals? In this episode of A Slice of Advice , Kelton Burgess breaks down why income planning often falls short and how a full‑service approach can change the conversation. Drawing from industry commentary, Kelton discusses the long‑standing divide between advisors and insurance, why guaranteed income is freq...

What does chili have to do with retirement planning, and why does it actually make sense? In this episode of  A Slice of Advice , Kelton Burgess uses a kitchen-table analogy to break down portfolio construction, risk management, and retirement income. From non‑negotiable base ingredients like cash and bonds to personalization, patience, and planning through market volatility, the conversation...

What if the biggest risk in retirement isn’t the market—but how much uncertainty you can actually live with? In this episode of A Slice of Advice , Kelton Burgess explores the growing disconnect between how much risk advisors assume retirees can tolerate and what retirees truly feel comfortable with. Drawing on recent research and real client conversations, the discussion centers on pe...

What if your tax refund could quietly reshape how retirement feels years from now? In this episode of A Slice of Advice , Kelton Burgess breaks down how recent tax changes, Roth IRAs, and small, strategic decisions can influence retirement income and taxes over time. The conversation explores why taxes often become the biggest surprise in retirement, how refunds and late starts can still matter, a...

What if earning more money isn’t the problem—and running out of it is? In this episode of A Slice of Advice , Kelton Burgess breaks down why even high earners, from pro athletes to everyday retirees, can go broke after the paychecks stop. Using real-world examples and market headlines, the conversation focuses on early-retirement spending, income planning, taxes, and why flexibility ma...

Groceries cost more, credit cards sting, and retirement savings suddenly look tempting. In this episode of A Slice of Advice , Kelton Burgess unpacks why so many Americans are pausing retirement contributions, the real risks of tapping long‑term accounts for short‑term bills, and how cash buffers fit into a high‑cost world. From everyday budget pressure to Warren Buffett’s massive cash stanc...

What happens when a parent wants to leave money to their child but keep it out of the son‑in‑law’s hands? This episode dives into the real‑world concerns families face when planning their legacy, from protecting inheritances in the event of divorce to avoiding common estate‑planning pitfalls. Kelton Burgess breaks down how trusts, beneficiary designations, and proper financial structuring ca...

That seven‑figure 401(k) balance might not be what you think it is. As headlines celebrate record numbers of “401(k) millionaires,” this episode pulls back the curtain on what those balances really mean after taxes and why Uncle Sam may be your biggest retirement partner. Kelton Burgess breaks down how taxes, required withdrawals, Medicare premiums, and Social Security all intersect in...

What can a retired NFL star teach us about building financial stability? In this episode, Kelton breaks down Rob Gronkowski’s surprisingly disciplined money habits and uses them to explore practical strategies anyone can apply. From separating spending cash from long‑term savings to using a three‑bucket approach for near‑, mid‑, and long‑term goals, Kelton explains how thoughtful planning ca...

What keeps so many people from seeking real financial guidance, even when their future is on the line? In this episode, Kelton Burgess breaks down the emotional, financial, and cultural barriers that stop everyday Americans from turning to a trusted advisor. From misconceptions about who financial planning is “for” to the pitfalls of Googling your way through retirement, Kelton explain...

What if the secret to a happy retirement isn’t where you live, but who you’re with and how you plan? This episode dives into the real factors that shape retirement satisfaction beyond the “best cities” lists and sunny destinations. Discover why emotional connections, support networks, and practical financial planning matter more than palm trees or mountain views. Click here...