The Hidden Fees Eating Your Retirement

What’s quietly draining your retirement account every month without your notice? This episode takes a closer look at hidden fees inside retirement portfolios, from management costs to internal fund expenses that don’t always appear on statements. Sean Mason explains why understanding your “all-in” …

Is Inflation Already Built Into Your Plan?

Inflation may be invisible, but it can quietly erode a retirement plan if left unchecked. Sean Mason breaks down why inflation remains a major concern, even when markets appear stable, and explains how it impacts long-term income and expenses. The conversation explores practical ways retirees think…

Turning Savings Into a Paycheck for Life

Annuities are making a comeback and today’s retirees are taking a second look at a once-controversial strategy. In this episode, Sean Mason explains how rising interest rates, shifting retirement priorities, and evolving product designs are changing the role annuities can play in a modern income pl…

When “New” Investments Don’t Belong in Your 401(k)

New investment options are creeping into 401(k)s, but they may not belong in every retirement plan. This episode explores the growing presence of alternatives like crypto, private equity, and IPO access in retirement accounts. Sean Mason breaks down the trade-offs, including higher fees, limited tr…

The Retirement Paycheck Myth Hiding in Plain Sight

Many retirees expect spending to rise forever, yet real-life behavior often tells a different story. This episode explores how retirement spending actually changes over time, why inflation doesn’t always lead to higher monthly withdrawals, and how “comfort” can mask shifting priorities. Sean Mason …

In and Out of the Market: What That Actually Means for Retirees

What does “being in and out of the market” really mean when retirement is right around the corner? In this episode of Mason Street Retirement Insights, Sean Mason breaks down recent comments from JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon and reframes diversification beyond stocks alone. The conversation explo…

When Social Security Feels Less Certain

What happens when the “security” in Social Security no longer feels so secure? Sean Mason discusses growing concerns around the program’s future and how that uncertainty affects people nearing retirement. The conversation centers on planning for income flexibility, understanding where retirement in…

When Market Timing Backfires Near Retirement

Market swings feel loud when retirement is close, and the wrong move can echo for years. In this episode of Mason Street Retirement Insights, financial advisor Sean Mason unpacks why trying to time the market can be especially damaging near or in retirement. They dig into sequence-of-returns risk, …

The Secret Ingredient Most Retirement Portfolios Miss

What if building a retirement portfolio had more in common with a championship chili recipe than Wall Street jargon? In this episode of Mason Street Retirement Insights, Sean Mason breaks down portfolio design using a surprisingly simple analogy—one that demystifies diversification, risk, and long-…

The Retirement Risk Tug‑of‑War

When fear pushes investors toward safety, are they quietly stepping away from opportunity? This episode explores why everyday retirement savers are moving to cash and fixed income while markets tell a more complicated story. Sean Mason breaks down how interest rates, bonds, equities, and media narr…