Are You Really Prepared for Retirement’s Hidden Costs?

What if the biggest retirement risks aren’t the ones you’re planning for? In this episode, Brigette Engstrom of Blue Monarch Financial Services unpacks common myths around long-term care and why it’s more than just nursing homes; it’s about preparing for life’s unexpected turns. With healthcare c…

Retirement Readiness Podcast - 042826

What if one of the biggest risks to your retirement has nothing to do with how much you’ve saved, but when you use it? In this episode, Brigette Engstrom of Blue Monarch Financial Services breaks down key retirement planning considerations, including sequence of returns risk and some of the most c…

Income, Long-Term Care, and the Gaps No One Talks About

What do most people get wrong about retirement planning, and how can those misunderstandings quietly derail their plans?  In this episode, we’re joined by Brigette Engstrom of Blue Monarch Financial Services to unpack some of the most overlooked and misunderstood aspects of preparing for retiremen…

Three Phases of Retirement Almost No One Plans For

Most people plan for retirement… but few plan for how retirement changes over time. In this episode, Brigette Engrstrom breaks down the three often-overlooked phases of retirement—the Go-Go, Slow-Go, and No-Go years, and why understanding them can shape smarter conversations about spending, lifest…

Is the 4% Rule Still Relevant in Today’s Retirement Reality?

What if the biggest risk to your retirement isn’t the market, but the order in which returns show up? In this episode, Brigette Engstrom breaks down several retirement planning concepts that often get misunderstood, including sequence of returns risk and why the popular 4% rule may not work the s…

Why Retirees Often Pay More in Taxes Than They Expect

Many retirees are surprised to learn they may be paying more in taxes than they expected, sometimes without realizing why. In this episode, financial professional Brigette Engstrom breaks down how taxes work in retirement and why common assumptions about lower tax brackets can miss the mark. The co…

When Family, Timing, and Retirement Income Collide

What happens when family obligations and timing decisions quietly stretch retirement savings? In this episode, Brigette Engstrom will explore the real-world financial pressures many retirees face and why thoughtful retirement planning matters long before the paycheck stops. The conversation examin…

Living Longer Changes Everything: Rethinking Retirement Planning

What if the biggest risks to retirement aren’t market swings, but the assumptions we rarely question? In this episode, Brigette Engstrom takes a holistic look at retirement planning through the lens of longevity, rising healthcare costs, legal preparedness, and the realities of aging. The conversat…

The Hidden Cost of FOMO in Retirement Planning

What if the biggest risk to your retirement isn’t the market—but how you feel about it? In this episode of Retirement Readiness, Brigette Engstrom explores the emotional side of financial decision‑making and how fear of missing out can quietly shape investment choices. She breaks down why retiremen…

Understanding the U.S. Retirement Landscape

Retirement isn’t just about how much you save—it’s about how your money works when the paycheck stops. In this episode of Retirement Readiness, Brigette Engstrom takes a clear-eyed look at the current state of the U.S. retirement system and the growing challenges individuals face as they plan for l…